bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current Research Progress on Long Noncoding RNAs Associated with Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Shi Haihong , Xu Yuxin , Yi Xin , Fang Dandan , Hou Xia
Published: June 2019

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of mortality among cancers. It has been found that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in many human cancers, including liver cancer. It has been identified that carcinogenic and tumor-suppressing lncRNAs are associated with complex processes in liver cancer. These lncRNAs may participate in a variety of pathological and biological activities, such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and metastasis. Here, we review the regulation and function of lncRNA in liver cancer and evaluate the potential of lncRNA as a new goal for liver cancer.
Testicular Toxicity of Water Pipe Smoke Exposure in Mice and the Effect of Treatment with Nootkatone Thereon
Authors: Ali Badreldin H. , Al-Salam Suhail , Adham Sirin A. , Al Balushi Khalid , Al Za'abi Mohammed , Beegam Sumaya , Yuvaraju Priya , Manoj Priyadarsini , Nemmar Abderrahim
Published: June 2019

There is a worldwide increase in the popularity of water pipe (shisha) tobacco smoking including in Europe and North America. However, little is known about the effects of water pipe smoke (WPS) exposure on male reproductivity. We have recently demonstrated that WPS exposure in mice induces testicular toxicity including inflammation and oxidative stress. Nootkatone, a sesquiterpenoid found in grapefruit, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the possible protective effect of nootkatone on WPS-induced testicular toxicity has not been reported before. Here, we tested the effects of treatment of mice with nootkatone on WPS-induced testicular toxicity. Mice were exposed to normal air or WPS (30 minutes/day, for 30 days). Nootkatone (90 mg/kg) was given orally to mice by gavage, 1 h before WPS or air exposure. Nootkatone treatment significantly ameliorated the WPS-induced increase in plasma levels of inhibin, uric acid, and lactate dehydrogenase activity. Nootkatone also significantly mitigated the decrease in testosterone, androgen-binding protein, and estradiol concentrations in the plasma induced by WPS. In testicular homogenates, WPS exposure caused a decrease in the total nitric oxide level and an increase in the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β level and oxidative stress markers including malondialdehyde, cytochrome C, and 8-Oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine. All the latter effects were significantly alleviated by nootkatone treatment. Moreover, in testicular homogenate, nootkatone inhibited the expression of nuclear factor-kappaB induced by WPS. Likewise, histological examination of mouse testes showed that nootkatone treatment ameliorated the deterioration of spermatogenesis induced by WPS exposure. We conclude that nootkatone ameliorated the WPS-induced testicular inflammation and oxidative stress and hormonal and spermatogenesis alterations.
Prognostic Role of Elevated Myeloperoxidase in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kolodziej Andrew R. , Abo-Aly Mohamed , Elsawalhy Eman , Campbell Charles , Ziada Khaled M. , Abdel-Latif Ahmed
Published: June 2019

Background. Myocardial inflammation following acute ischemic injury has been linked to poor cardiac remodeling and heart failure. Many studies have linked myeloperoxidase (MPO), a neutrophil and inflammatory marker, to cardiac inflammation in the setting of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, the prognostic role of MPO for adverse clinical outcomes in ACS patients has not been well established. Methods. MEDLINE and Cochrane databases were searched for studies from 1975 to March 2018 that investigated the prognostic value of serum MPO in ACS patients. Studies which have dichotomized patients into a high MPO group and a low MPO group reported clinical outcomes accordingly and followed up patients for at least 30 days to be eligible for enrollment. Data were analyzed using random-effects model. Sensitivity analyses were conducted for quality control. Results. Our meta-analysis included 13 studies with 9090 subjects and a median follow-up of 11.4 months. High MPO level significantly predicted mortality (odds ratio (OR) 2.03; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.40-2.94; P<0.001), whereas it was not significantly predictive of major adverse cardiac events and recurrent myocardial infarction (MI) (OR 1.28; CI: 0.92-1.77, P=0.14 and OR 1.23; CI: 0.96-1.58, P=0.101, respectively). Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and age did not affect the prognostic value of MPO for clinical outcomes, whereas female gender and smoking status have a strong influence on the prognostic value of MPO in terms of mortality and recurrent MI (metaregression coefficient -8.616: 95% CI -14.59 to -2.633, P=0.0048 and 4.88: 95% CI 0.756 to 9.0133, P=0.0204, respectively). Conclusions. Our meta-analysis suggests that high MPO levels are associated with the risk of mortality and that MPO can be incorporated in risk stratification models that guide therapy of high-risk ACS patients.
Current Progress of Research on Neurodegenerative Diseases of Salvianolic Acid B
Authors: Zhao Rui , Liu Xifang , Zhang Lixin , Yang Hao , Zhang Qian
Published: June 2019

Salvia miltiorrhizaBunge (Lamiaceae), one of the most commonly used traditional Chinese herbs, is widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease in clinical practice. Salvianolic acid B (Sal B, C36H30O16,FW=718.62) is the main water-soluble active ingredient ofSalvia miltiorrhizaBunge, which performs prophylactic and therapeutic activities against neurodegenerative diseases. So far, numerous studies have proved that multiple factors and mechanisms are involved in the pathological process of neurodegenerative diseases, including amyloidβ(Aβ) aggregation and fibril formation, hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, neuroinflammation, oxidative-stress damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuron apoptosis. This study is aimed at reviewing experimental studies and describing the possible mechanisms of Sal B on neurodegenerative diseases.
Combined Hepatocholangiocarcinoma Associated with Humoral Hypercalcemia of Malignancy and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
Authors: Colunga Biancatelli Ruben Manuel Luciano , Ciacciarelli Marco , Polidoro Alessandro , Clemenzi Piera , Congedo Viviana , Calvosa Leonardo , D’Armiento Eleonora , Misurale Carmen , Bellini Davide , Badia Stefano , Mancini Massimiliano , Petrozza Vincenzo , Iuliano Luigi
Published: June 2019

Paraneoplastic syndromes are often a diagnostic challenge to doctors and may have a heterogeneous presentation, including humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM), most commonly caused by squamous cell cancer and renal, ovarian, endometrial, and breast cancer. Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) has been described in patients affected by several types of cancer, especially hematologic malignancies, and a possible paraneoplastic pathogenesis of this neurological disease has been suggested. This report describes a 56-year-old man with a history of CIDP diagnosed 3 months earlier and persistently elevated aminotransferases for 18 months who was admitted to our internal medicine unit with abdominal pain, fatigue, and severe hypercalcemia with low serum intact parathyroid hormone. Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTH-rP) was markedly high. Liver imaging showed a large hepatic mass in the right lobe, and percutaneous ultrasound-guided biopsy revealed histopathological findings consistent with a combined hepatocholangiocarcinoma (CHCC). We supposed that both HHM and CIDP could represent a paraneoplastic manifestation of CHCC.
Speech Technology Progress Based on New Machine Learning Paradigm
Authors: Delić Vlado , Perić Zoran , Sečujski Milan , Jakovljević Nikša , Nikolić Jelena , Mišković Dragiša , Simić Nikola , Suzić Siniša , Delić Tijana
Published: June 2019

Speech technologies have been developed for decades as a typical signal processing area, while the last decade has brought a huge progress based on new machine learning paradigms. Owing not only to their intrinsic complexity but also to their relation with cognitive sciences, speech technologies are now viewed as a prime example of interdisciplinary knowledge area. This review article on speech signal analysis and processing, corresponding machine learning algorithms, and applied computational intelligence aims to give an insight into several fields, covering speech production and auditory perception, cognitive aspects of speech communication and language understanding, both speech recognition and text-to-speech synthesis in more details, and consequently the main directions in development of spoken dialogue systems. Additionally, the article discusses the concepts and recent advances in speech signal compression, coding, and transmission, including cognitive speech coding. To conclude, the main intention of this article is to highlight recent achievements and challenges based on new machine learning paradigms that, over the last decade, had an immense impact in the field of speech signal processing.
Channel Selection, Data Simulation, and Parameter Inversion of Ground‐Based Hyperspectral Microwave Radiometer
Authors: Wang Rui , Wang Yuxun , Yan Wei , Lu Wen , Ma Shuo , Zhao Xianbin , Gu Chengming
Published: June 2019

To make up for the deficiency in the accuracy of temperature profile observation of existing ground‐based microwave radiometers, the application of hyperspectral techniques to the microwave band was attempted. To develop a ground‐based hyperspectral microwave radiometer, we must first select the detection channel. According to the degrees of signal freedom (DFS) based on information content of atmospheric temperature, the current study selected 200 channels containing 80% of the information to be selected from 343 candidate channels with oxygen absorption bands of 50~70 GHz, 110~130 GHz, and 415~435 GHz. At the same time, a sensitivity analysis was performed on DFS, in which the variation of background field errors had less influence on the channel selection, but the variation of observation errors significantly affected the information content of the channel. In 2015, the BP neural network method was used to simulate the atmospheric temperature profile environment in Kunming and compare it with seven temperature detection channels selected from the currently used microwave radiometer RPG~HATPR0~G3. The inversion results indicate the following: (1) Selecting the channel with 80% information content does not reduce the inversion accuracy of the temperature profile. (2) The 200 channels selected are relative to the 7 channels of RPG~HATPR0~G3. The accuracy of inversion is increased by 0.5 K at the height of 0~8 km and increased by 0.5~1.2 K in the range of 8~10 km.
Discretized Mid‐Value CLVI‐PDNN Based Redundancy Resolution for Single Leg of Quadruped Robot
Authors: Rao Jinhui , Zhang Taihui , An Honglei , Ma Hongxu
Published: June 2019

The two most important performance indicators of quadruped robot are load capacity and walking speed, and these performance indicators of the whole robot finally reflect on the joint torques and angular velocities. To satisfy different requirements of walking speed and load capacity when quadruped robots implement different tasks, the joint torques and angular velocities need to be balanced with physical constraints of the joints. A single leg with redundant DOF (degree of freedom) could optimize the distribution of joint torques or angular velocities based on different performance requirements. This paper presents a kind of new recurrent neural networks taking joint torques and angular velocities simultaneously into consideration and proposes mid‐value CLVI‐PDNN to achieve the optimal joint torques and angular velocities with physical constraints of the mechanism as described in our previous paper. Because the continuous mid‐value CLVI‐PDNN has difficulty in real‐time operation because of too much calculation workload, two kinds of methods are proposed to discretize the mid‐value CLVI‐PDNN for application on computer or digital circuit. The simulation results demonstrate the efficacy of the algorithm proposed in this paper.
Construction Techniques and Quality Test and Evaluation of Lightweight Cellular Concrete Mixed with Fly Ash as Subgrade Material
Authors: Liu Xin , Ni Chengwei , Ji Hong , Tan Shuyan , Hong Baoning
Published: June 2019

To improve the comprehension and utilization of lightweight cellular concrete mixed with fly ash (LCCF) and ensure project quality in subgrade construction engineering, the construction techniques and quality control measures of LCCF are studied in this paper. The corresponding research contents, based on a specific project case located in Guangdong Province, are as follows. Firstly, the construction technology process and technological measures are put forward, according to the site construction conditions and quality requirements. Secondly, the feasibility of indoor mixture ratio is further verified by measuring the fluidity, wet density, and strength on-site. Thirdly, the suitable pouring thickness of the single layer and reasonable interval time between layers are determined by the vertical delamination test and surface strength test. In this paper, the indoor mixture ratio of LCCF has been improved through tests such as single factor test and multifactor orthogonal test considering factors like fly ash, water-binder ratio, and foam. Some highlights of this article are as follows: the preparation methods of lightweight concrete in laboratory and in situ are given. And two patented test devices are used for the strength test along with the depth and surface strength test, respectively. Besides, the practical engineering case is Lianjing Bridge, of which mileage pile number is K80 + 679.679∼K80 + 760.113, which is part of a highway in Zhaoqing City, Guangdong Province, China.
Lack of Association between the IL6R Gene Asp358Ala Variant (rs2228145), IL-6 Plasma Levels, and Treatment Resistance in Chilean Schizophrenic Patients Treated with Clozapine
Authors: Cavieres Alvaro , Campos-Estrada Carolina , Moya Yanneth , Maldonado Rocío , González-Vargas René , Bustamante María Leonor , Moya Pablo R.
Published: June 2019

Alterations in neuroinflammatory processes have been suggested to contribute to the development of Schizophrenia (SZ); one component of the inflammatory system that has been linked to this disorder is interleukin-6 (IL-6). The minor allele of rs2228145, a functional polymorphism in the IL-6 receptor gene, has been associated to elevated IL-6 plasma levels and increased inflammatory activity, making it an interesting candidate to study as a possible factor underlying clinical heterogeneity in SZ. We studied a sample of 100 patients undergoing treatment with clozapine. Their symptoms were quantified by Brief Psychotic Rating Scale; those with the lowest scores (“remitted”) were compared with the highest (“clozapine treatment resistant”). We determined allelic frequencies for rs2228145 and IL-6 plasma levels. Our results do not support a role of IL-6 in response to treatment with clozapine. Further studies accounting for potential confounding factors are necessary.
APEX1 Polymorphisms and Neuroblastoma Risk in Chinese Children: A Three-Center Case-Control Study
Authors: Liu Jiabin , Jia Wei , Hua Rui-Xi , Zhu Jinhong , Zhang Jiao , Yang Tianyou , Li Peng , Xia Huimin , He Jing , Cheng Jiwen
Published: June 2019

Neuroblastoma is a life-threatening extracranial solid tumor, preferentially occurring in children. However, its etiology remains unclear. APEX1 is a critical gene in the base excision repair (BER) system responsible for maintaining genome stability. Given the potential effects of APEX1 polymorphisms on the ability of the DNA damage repair, many studies have investigated the association between these variants and susceptibility to several types of cancer but not neuroblastoma. Here, we conducted a three-center case-control study to evaluate the association between APEX1 polymorphisms (rs1130409 T>G, rs1760944 T>G, and rs3136817 T>C) and neuroblastoma risk in Chinese children, consisting of 469 cases and 998 controls. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to evaluate the associations. No significant association with neuroblastoma risk was found for the studied APEX1 polymorphisms in the single locus or combination analysis. Interestingly, stratified analysis showed that rs1130409 GG genotype significantly reduced the risk of tumor in males. Furthermore, we found that carriers with 1-3 protective genotypes had a lower neuroblastoma risk in the children older than18 months and male, when compared to those without protective genotypes. In summary, our data indicate that APEX1 gene polymorphisms may have a weak effect on neuroblastoma susceptibility. These findings should be further validated by well-designed studies with larger sample size.
High Order Volumetric Directional Pattern for Video‐Based Face Recognition
Authors: Essa Almabrok , Asari Vijayan
Published: June 2019

Describing the dynamic textures has attracted growing attention in the field of computer vision and pattern recognition. In this paper, a novel approach for recognizing dynamic textures, namely, high order volumetric directional pattern (HOVDP), is proposed. It is an extension of the volumetric directional pattern (VDP) which extracts and fuses the temporal information (dynamic features) from three consecutive frames. HOVDP combines the movement and appearance features together considering the nth order volumetric directional variation patterns of all neighboring pixels from three consecutive frames. In experiments with two challenging video face databases, YouTube Celebrities and Honda/UCSD, HOVDP clearly outperformed a set of state‐of‐the‐art approaches.
Experimental Investigation of Neutralisation of Concrete with Fly Ash as Fine Aggregate in Freeze‐Thaw Environment
Authors: Zhang Dongsheng , Mao Mingjie , Yang Qiuning , Zhang Wenbo , Han Pengfei
Published: June 2019

To study the durability of concrete with fly ash as fine aggregate under alternate freeze‐thaw and carbonation, freeze‐thaw and carbonation cyclic tests are conducted to explore variation characteristics such as relative dynamic modulus of elasticity and neutralisation depth. The influence coefficient (λC) of carbonation on concrete freeze‐thaw damage and the influence coefficient (λF) of freeze‐thaw on concrete neutralisation are introduced. In addition, scanning electron microscopy is performed to reveal the deterioration mechanism of the alternating effect. Finally, through a regression analysis of test data, the mathematical expression of the composite damage coefficient kF under alternate freeze‐thaw and carbonation is obtained. Based on these findings, a prediction model of the neutralisation depth of concrete is established with number of freeze‐thaw cycles and water‐cement ratio as parameters. The values calculated through this model and the values measured in the tests are highly correlated. This provides a theoretical reference and basis for the analysis of concrete durability in a multifactor environment.
Acupuncture Point “Hegu” (LI4) Is Close to the Vascular Branch from the Superficial Branch of the Radial Nerve
Authors: Umemoto Kanae , Naito Munekazu , Tano Kaori , Terayama Hayato , Koike Taro , Ohmichi Mika , Ohmichi Yusuke , Sakabe Kou , Nakano Takashi
Published: June 2019

The acupuncture point “Hegu” (LI4) has been used for treating peripheral circulatory failure, which is located in the area covered by the superficial branch of the radial nerve (SBRN). SBRN has branches reaching arteries, so-called vascular branches (VBs), which are thought to be involved in the arterial constriction. The distribution areas of the VBs from the SBRN have been reported, but the positional relationship between these distribution areas and the acupuncture points are not known. To examine the positional relationship between LI4 and VBs from the SBRN, forty hands were examined to assess the positional relationship between the acupuncture points “Erjian” (LI2), “Sanjian” (LI3), LI4, and “Yangxi” (LI5) in the Yangming Large Intestine Meridian of Hand, which are located in the area covered by SBRN, and the VBs from the SBRN. After the VBs were identified, the distances from the acupuncture points (LI2, LI3, LI4, and LI5) to the point where the VBs reached the radial artery or the first dorsal metacarpal artery were measured. VBs reaching the radial arteries were observed in all specimens. The mean distances from LI2, LI3, LI4, and LI5 to the point where the VBs reached the radial artery were 64.2 ± 8.2 mm, 42.0 ± 7.5 mm, 4.3 ± 4.3 mm, and 33.0 ± 4.8 mm, respectively. LI4 was significantly closer than the other acupuncture points (P<0.01). The nerve fibers of the VBs adjacent to the radial artery were confirmed using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Our findings provide anatomical evidence that stimulation at LI4 is used for treating peripheral circulatory failure such as Raynaud’s disease. LI4 is significant because it is located at a source point, making it clinically important.
EEG Alpha Power Is Modulated by Attentional Changes during Cognitive Tasks and Virtual Reality Immersion
Authors: Magosso Elisa , De Crescenzio Francesca , Ricci Giulia , Piastra Sergio , Ursino Mauro
Published: June 2019

Variations in alpha rhythm have a significant role in perception and attention. Recently, alpha decrease has been associated with externally directed attention, especially in the visual domain, whereas alpha increase has been related to internal processing such as mental arithmetic. However, the role of alpha oscillations and how the different components of a task (processing of external stimuli, internal manipulation/representation, and task demand) interact to affect alpha power are still unclear. Here, we investigate how alpha power is differently modulated by attentional tasks depending both on task difficulty (less/more demanding task) and direction of attention (internal/external). To this aim, we designed two experiments that differently manipulated these aspects. Experiment 1, outside Virtual Reality (VR), involved two tasks both requiring internal and external attentional components (intake of visual items for their internal manipulation) but with different internal task demands (arithmetic vs. reading). Experiment 2 took advantage of the VR (mimicking an aircraft cabin interior) to manipulate attention direction: it included a condition of VR immersion only, characterized by visual external attention, and a condition of a purely mental arithmetic task during VR immersion, requiring neglect of sensory stimuli. Results show that: (1) In line with previous studies, visual external attention caused a significant alpha decrease, especially in parieto-occipital regions; (2) Alpha decrease was significantly larger during the more demanding arithmetic task, when the task was driven by external visual stimuli; (3) Alpha dramatically increased during the purely mental task in VR immersion, whereby the external stimuli had no relation with the task. Our results suggest that alpha power is crucial to isolate a subject from the environment, and move attention from external to internal cues. Moreover, they emphasize that the emerging use of VR associated with EEG may have important implications to study brain rhythms and support the design of artificial systems.
Acute Severe Calculous Cholecystitis with Multiorgan Failure Complicated by Scrub Typhus
Authors: Acharya Suman , Yadav Jayant Kumar , Khanal Nischal , Bhandari Raju , Ghimire Bikal
Published: June 2019

Scrub typhus is a febrile illness and can present with manifestations ranging from subclinical symptoms to multiorgan failure and death. Scrub typhus is a rare etiology of acute cholecystitis. A patient presenting with the features of acute cholecystitis who does not respond to standard treatment should be screened for scrub typhus in a typhus endemic region. We report a case of a 70-year-old female with acute severe calculous cholecystitis with multiorgan failure complicated by scrub typhus. She improved remarkably after starting doxycycline for scrub typhus. Scrub typhus should be considered as a trigger in a patient presenting with cholecystitis in a typhus endemic region.
Quantitative Evaluation of Lobar Pulmonary Function of Emphysema Patients with Endobronchial Coils
Authors: Shen Mali , Tenda Eric D. , McNulty William , Garner Justin , Robbie Hasti , Luzzi Valentina , Aboelhassan Arafa M. , Van Geffen Wouter H. , Kemp Samuel V. , Ridge Carole , Devaraj Anand , Shah Pallav L. , Yang Guang-Zhong
Published: June 2019

Background: Recent advances in bronchoscopic lung volume reduction offer new therapies for patients with emphysema and hyperinflation. Pulmonary lobe segmentation with quantification of lobar volumes and emphysema severity plays a pivotal role in treatment planning and post-interventional assessment. Computed tomography (CT)-derived lobar volumes could reflect more accurate regional changes in pulmonary function. Objectives: The aim of our study is to validate the reliability of an in-house CT Lung Segmentation software (LungSeg; the Hamlyn Centre, Imperial College London, UK) for lung lobar volume and emphysema quantification for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Methods: A total of 108 CT scans from subjects who participated in an endobronchial coil treatment trial were included. Lobar volume and emphysema quantification were performed using the LungSeg and Syngo CT Pulmo 3D package (Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Germany). The inter-user reliability of the LungSeg program was investigated. Correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman analyses were used to quantify the inter-software variability. The agreement between CT volume analysis and plethysmography analysis was also examined. Results: The high intraclass correlation coefficients (mean ICC = 0.98) of the lobar volumes and emphysema indices measured by LungSeg suggest its excellent reproducibility. The LungSeg and Syngo program have good correlation (rho ≥0.94) and agreement for both lobar volume (median difference = 94 mL and LOAnp = 214.6 mL) and emphysema index (median difference ≤1.5% and LOAnp ≤2.03%) calculations. CT analysis provides a higher estimation of total lung capacity (TLCCT) than body plethysmography (TLCpleth), while there is a fair agreement on residual volume (RVCT) by LungSeg as compared with body plethysmography (RVpleth). Conclusions: CT-derived lobar volume and emphysema quantification using the LungSeg program is efficient and reliable in allowing lobar volume assessment. LungSeg has low inter-user variability and agrees better with plethysmography for COPD assessment in our study.
Ecological and Behavioural Flexibility of Mantled Howlers (Alouatta palliata) in Response to Anthropogenic Habitat Disturbance
Authors: McKinney Tracie
Published: June 2019

While howlers are the most ecologically flexible of the atelines, they must still respond to issues arising from anthropogenic modifications, such as fragmentation or dietary changes. A group of Alouatta palliata living in a highly modified landscape (commensal group) at the Curú Wildlife Refuge in Costa Rica was compared to howlers with limited human influence (control group). The commensal group had a more frugivorous diet than the control group (H = 9.23, p = 0.002) due to crop-foraging of mango fruits. The commensal group maintained a larger home range than the control group, at 39 and 10 ha, respectively. The commensal group also had increased travel (H = 7.37, p = 0.007) and feeding (H = 7.34, p = 0.007) time, as well as reduced proximity to conspecifics (H = 44.77, p = 0.000). There were no significant differences in rates of either aggressive or affiliative social behaviours. The increased home range, shift in diet, increased travel and foraging time and reduced group cohesion demonstrated by these animals represent responses to the varied utility of available landscapes and the more widely dispersed resources in their range. These data contribute to our understanding of Alouatta, one of the most successful of Neotropical primates in modified landscapes.
Echocardiographic Findings in Patients with Mild to Moderate Chronic Kidney Disease without Symptomatic Heart Failure: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Xhakollari Liana , Leosdottir Margret , Magnusson Martin , Holzmann Martin J. , Nilsson Peter M. , Christensson Anders
Published: June 2019

Background: Renal dysfunction is an established risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but early disease states in both organs are poorly studied. Objective: This cross-sectional population-based study aims to investigate if there is an early association between kidney function and echocardiographic markers of cardiac structure and diastolic function. Methods: The study population consisted of 1,504 individuals with no prior history of congestive heart failure or asymptomatic left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40% and an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) based on cystatin C >15 mL/min/1.73 m2. The participants were categorized according to eGFR ≥90, 75–89, 60–74, 45–59, 30–44, and 15–29 mL/min/1.73 m2. We evaluated associations between eGFR categories and echocardiographic findings specific to cardiac structure and diastolic function. Results: Associations between eGFR categories and echocardiographic findings were found for left atrium area/body surface area (p = 0.013) indicating structural changes, and peak early mitral valve velocity (A; p = 0.003), peak late atrial mitral valve velocity/peak systolic myocardial velocity at mitral annulus in the lateral wall (E/Élat; p = 0.002), É mean of lateral and septal wall/Á mean of lateral and septal wall (mean É/Á; p = 0.027) indicating diastolic dysfunction. Associations between E/Élat and mean É/Á and eGFR categories were already present in individuals with eGFR 45–60 mL/min/1.73 m2. In sex-specific analysis these associations were only significant among men. Conclusion: A significant association between mild to moderate impairment of renal function and echocardiographic markers of cardiac structure and diastolic function was observed, supporting the hypothesis that interaction between the kidney and heart exists even in the early stages of renal impairment.
Efficacy of Cardiac Rehabilitation with Assistance from Hybrid Assistive Limb in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Watanabe Hiroki , Koike Akira , Wu Longmei , Kato Hidenori , Konno Hirotomo , Sato Akira , Kawamoto Hiroaki , Matsumura Akira , Aonuma Kazutaka , Sankai Yoshiyuki , Ieda Masaki
Published: June 2019

The hybrid assistive limb (HAL) provides motion assistance based on bioelectrical signals detected on the skin surface when muscle forces are generated. The lumbar-type HAL is expected to expand the therapeutic options for severe cardiac patients who have difficulty in moving on their own legs. We aim to compare the efficacy of exercise therapy performed with assistance from a lumbar-type HAL versus conventional training (sit-to-stand exercise without HAL) in patients with chronic heart failure. This investigation will be a randomized, nonblinded, controlled study. Sixty patients who satisfy the criteria to receive cardiac rehabilitation therapy under the Japanese national insurance system will be enrolled at the University of Tsukuba Hospital. Participants randomly assigned to 2 groups (HAL group and conventional group) at a 1:1 allocation ratio will perform exercise therapy either with HAL or without HAL for 5–30 min once a day for 6–10 days. Outcome parameters will be measured just before and after the completion of the exercise therapy and at 1 year after hospital discharge. The primary outcomes will be the heart rate, blood pressure, subjective ratings of exercise intensity during exercise (Borg scale), number of days from the start of exercise therapy to independent walking and to discharge, and prognosis (mortality and cardiovascular events) over the 1-year period after discharge. The secondary outcomes will be the assessment of heart failure severity, brain natriuretic peptide, grip strength, thigh muscle thickness, isometric knee extensor strength, standing ability, 10-meter walking speed, 6-min walking distance, short physical performance battery, and adverse events. Unpaired t tests will be used for baseline assessments and outcome measures. This is the first randomized controlled study to examine the efficacy and feasibility of lumbar-type HAL in patients with chronic heart failure. If the results confirm beneficial effects in the outcomes of patients with heart failure, this study will add more evidence in support of the use of the lumbar-type HAL as an effective tool in new cardiac rehabilitation programs.
Advances in Understanding Parosmia: An fMRI Study
Authors: Iannilli Emilia , Leopold Donald A. , Hornung David E. , Hummel Thomas
Published: June 2019

Introduction: A number of patients with a diminished sense of smell also can suffer from parosmia. These patients with such a qualitative smell disorder are often more severely affected than patients exhibiting only a quantitative smell disorder. Qualitative smell disorders have heretofore been poorly investigated. The focus of the present study was, using functional MRI, to compare the central processing of olfactory stimulation in patients with qualitative smell disorders. Material and Methods: A total of 23 patients were investigated, 12 hyposmic patients without parosmia (HYP group) and 11 hyposmic patients with parosmia (PAR group). Both groups were matched with regard to sex and age. The olfactory smells used were peach and coffee odors. Results: The two groups exhibited different patterns of activation. In HYP patients a stronger activation was observed in the medial orbitofrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and parahippocampal gyrus, whereas in the PAR group stronger activation in the thalamus and putamen was seen. Discussion: These results are consistent with the hypothesis that there are specific patterns in the central processing of olfactory stimuli which differ in hyposmic patients with and without parosmia.
Association between Body Weight Gain from 20 Years of Age and Diabetic Nephropathy in Japanese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Okada Hiroshi , Tanaka Muhei , Hasegawa Goji , Nakajima Hanako , Kadono Mayuko , Miyoshi Tomoki , Okada Yuki , Nakano Koji , Yamane Tetsuro , Fukui Michiaki
Published: June 2019

Background/Aims: It has been reported that the body mass index shows a U-shaped association with death from cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the Asian population. The relationship between body weight (BW) gain from early adulthood and diabetic nephropathy remains to be elucidated in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. Our aim was to investigate the association between BW gain from early adulthood and diabetic nephropathy in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: We assessed the BW of 471 consecutive patients with type 2 diabetes and calculated the change in BW from the age of 20 years to the lifetime maximum (ΔBWmax-20y). We then evaluated the relationship of ΔBWmax-20y with the degree of urinary albumin excretion (UAE), which is a useful marker for CVD. Results: ΔBWmax-20y negatively correlated with the logarithm of UAE (r = –0.160, p = 0.002). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that ΔBWmax-20y was independently correlated with the logarithm of UAE (β =–0.112, p =0.034). Conclusions: BW gain from the age of 20 years is correlated with diabetic nephropathy in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.
GFR-Specific versus GFR-Agnostic Cutoffs for Parathyroid Hormone and Fibroblast Growth Factor-23 in Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Canney Mark , Djurdjev Ognjenka , Tang Mila , Zierold Claudia , Blocki Frank , Wolf Myles , Levin Adeera
Published: June 2019

Background: In the majority of patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), values of parathyroid hormone (PTH1–84) and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) exceed the normal reference range, potentially as an appropriate adaptation to reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR). We tested whether GFR-specific cutoffs for PTH1–84 and FGF-23 could better identify patients with inappropriately high PTH1–84 and FGF-23 for their degree of CKD and thereby improve prognostication of clinical outcomes compared to a uniform threshold. Methods: Prospective pan-Canadian cohort of 1,812 patients with mean estimated GFR (eGFR) 28.9 mL/min/1.73 m2 followed for a median of 52 months. Repeated log-rank tests were used to identify optimal cutoffs for PTH1–84 and FGF-23 within eGFR strata (<20, 20–29 and ≥30 mL/min/1.73 m2) that maximally differentiated high- and low-risk populations for (1) cardiovascular (CV) events (fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization, stroke, heart failure) and (2) renal events (initiation of chronic renal replacement therapy). In multivariable models, we examined the association between ­GFR-specific cutoffs and outcomes and compared their added prognostic value to existing uniform thresholds. Results: Risk-based cutoffs for PTH1–84 and FGF-23 increased in a graded fashion with decreasing eGFR. Among patients with eGFR <20 mL/min/1.73 m2, CV risk-based cutoffs for PTH1–84 and FGF-23 were 3.4 and 5.5 times the upper limit of normal, respectively, and reclassified 31.9 and 35.1% of patients when added to a multivariable base model for CV events. In contrast, the addition of PTH1–84 and FGF-23 to the base model using uniform cutoffs failed to reclassify such patients. Similar findings were demonstrated for renal outcomes. Conclusion: GFR-specific risk-based cutoffs for PTH1–84 and FGF-23 may facilitate more meaningful risk stratification in advanced CKD than current GFR-agnostic reference ranges derived from healthy adults. This may be most applicable in those with severely reduced GFR.
Figuraciones de lo visible en la poesía latinoamericana reciente: estallido y montaje
Authors: Porrúa Ana
Published: June 2019

Este trabajo indaga, en poemas de Marília Garcia (Rio de Janeiro, 1979), Aníbal Cristobo (Buenos Aires, 1971) y Carlito Azevedo (Rio de Janeiro, 1961), formas de la visibilidad contemporánea que proponen de manera sostenida la puesta en escena del detalle, del fragmento como mirada sobre la falta, el resto y, a la vez, como construcción de nuevas espacialidades y nuevos recorridos. La mirada dibuja formas de la errancia nómada, entre el viaje y las ficciones del desastre: el salto, el loop, el estallido, son algunos de los principios del trayecto (Bourriaud) como “operaciones que enlazan y desvinculan lo visible y su significación” (Rancière) y proponen nuevas figuraciones del ojo entre la enfermedad y la tecnología.
Entre la ficción y el ensayo: notas sobre el proyecto literario de Vicente Luis Mora
Authors: Bernardi María Belén
Published: June 2019

El objetivo del presente trabajo consiste en analizar las distintas vertientes disciplinares que, en la obra ficcional y ensayística de Vicente Luis Mora, convergen en la concepción de un proyecto escriturario tendiente a ampliar las fronteras de la literatura, a partir de las coordenadas tecnológicas y comunicacionales que configuran el mundo actual.
A lei da escrita em A virgem dos sicários, de Fernando Vallejo
Authors: Souza Francisco Renato de
Published: June 2019

Este artigo analisa, no romance A virgem dos sicários, de Fernando Vallejo, o movimento errante do seu narrador com o sicário Alexis enquanto movimento de expressão democrática exercida pela escrita literária. A democracia que se apresenta na narrativa em questão se distancia de uma reflexão sobre a situação social e política da Colômbia real, pois a democracia exercida pelo narrador de Vallejo, uma vez transposta para a escrita da obra literária que se desenvolve en abyme, explora outros recursos que somente o espaço ficcional pode oferecer, criando, consequentemente, uma democracia própria, singular, uma democracia ficcional. O artigo tem como base metodológica central os textos ensaísticos do escritor Maurice Blanchot, que compreende o espaço ficcional como um espaço de leis e regras próprias, e não apenas como um reflexo do mundo real.
Fotografía y estética en Estrella Distante de Roberto Bolaño
Authors: Muñoz Óscar Gutiérrez , Hidalgo Juan Daniel Cid
Published: June 2019

Estrella distante (1996), la cuarta novela de Roberto Bolaño, se plantea como una re-lectura y re-escritura de la dictadura y post-dictadura chilena al momento que centra su interés en dos figuras principales, el narrador, Arturo Belano y el asesino devenido artista Carlos Wieder. Ambas figuras sostienen la construcción narrativa de una novela que, a partir de la elaboración de un registro fotográfico de obra, manifiesta o tensiona las nociones tradicionales acerca de lo artístico y cuestiona éticamente sus procedimientos. La imposibilidad de la écfrasis o descripción vívida del estímulo plástico pareciera enfatizar el horror de las obras, sostenidas por momentos alrededor de una voz que funciona como un ente censor y, por otro, como una voz curatorial que pone en valor los macabros registros fotográficos confeccionados por el artista/asesino.
Efficacy of Nifekalant in Patients With Wolff‐Parkinson‐White Syndrome and Atrial Fibrillation: Electrophysiological and Clinical Findings
Authors: Hu Jinzhu , Yu Jianhua , Chen Qi , Hu Jianxin , Huang Qianghui , Xia Zhen , Xia Zirong , Ju Zhenzhen , Yuan Ping , Fan Siyang , Xiong Qinmei , Zhu Bo , Huang Lin , You Chunjiao , Bao Huihui , Wu Yanqing , Cheng Xiaoshu , Li Juxiang , Marian Ali J. , Hong Kui
Published: June 2019

Background

The efficacy of nifekalant in preexcited atrial fibrillation (
AF
) has not been assessed.

Methods and Results

The study populations consisted of patients with sustained preexcited
AF
(n=51), paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (n=201), and persistent
AF
(n=87). Effects of intravenous infusion of nifekalant were assessed on electrophysiological and clinical parameters. Nifekalant prolonged the shortest preexcited R‐R, the average preexcited R‐R, and the average R‐R intervals from 290±35 to 333±44 ms, 353±49 to 443±64 ms, and 356±53 to 467±75 ms, respectively, in patients with preexcited
AF
(all
P
<0.001). Nifekalant also decreased the percentage of preexcited
QRS
complexes, heart rate, and increased systolic pressure (all
P
<0.001). Nifekalant terminated
AF
in 33 of 51 patients (65%). Similar effects were also observed in a subgroup of 12 patients with preexcited
AF
and impaired left ventricular function. In patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, nifekalant significantly prolonged the effective refractory period, the block cycle length of the antegrade accessory pathway, and the atrial effective refractory period (all
P
<0.001). Nifekalant had no effect on the effective refractory period of the antegrade atrioventricular node. Finally, in patients with persistent
AF
without an accessory pathway, nifekalant did not significantly decrease the ventricular rate of
AF
. One patient developed Torsades de Pointes. No other adverse effects were observed.

Conclusions

Nifekalant prolongs the effective refractory period of the antegrade accessory pathway and atrium without blocking antegrade conduction through the atrioventricular node, leading to slowing and/or to termination of preexcited
AF
. Thus, nifekalant might be an effective and a relatively safe drug in patients with preexcited
AF
.
Carnosine Supplementation Mitigates the Deleterious Effects of Particulate Matter Exposure in Mice
Authors: Abplanalp Wesley , Haberzettl Petra , Bhatnagar Aruni , Conklin Daniel J. , O'Toole Timothy E.
Published: June 2019

Background

Exposure to fine airborne particulate matter (
PM
2.5
) induces quantitative and qualitative defects in bone marrow–derived endothelial progenitor cells of mice, and similar outcomes in humans may contribute to vascular dysfunction and the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality associated with
PM
2.5
exposure. Nevertheless, mechanisms underlying the pervasive effects of
PM
2.5
are unclear and effective interventional strategies to mitigate against
PM
2.5
toxicity are lacking. Furthermore, whether
PM
2.5
exposure affects other types of bone marrow stem cells leading to additional hematological or immunological dysfunction is not clear.

Methods and Results

Mice given normal drinking water or that supplemented with carnosine, a naturally occurring, nucleophilic di‐peptide that binds reactive aldehydes, were exposed to filtered air or concentrated ambient particles. Mice drinking normal water and exposed to concentrated ambient particles demonstrated a depletion of bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells but no change in mesenchymal stem cells. However, HSC depletion was significantly attenuated when the mice were placed on drinking water containing carnosine. Carnosine supplementation also increased the levels of carnosine‐propanal conjugates in the urine of CAPs–exposed mice and prevented the concentrated ambient particles–induced dysfunction of endothelial progenitor cells as assessed by in vitro and in vivo assays.

Conclusions

These results suggest that exposure to
PM
2.5
has pervasive effects on different bone marrow stem cell populations and that
PM
2.5
‐induced hematopoietic stem cells depletion, endothelial progenitor cell dysfunction, and defects in vascular repair can be mitigated by excess carnosine. Carnosine supplementation may be a viable approach for preventing
PM
2.5
‐induced immune dysfunction and cardiovascular injury in humans.
Cardiovascular Risk Scores to Predict Perioperative Stroke in Noncardiac Surgery
Authors: Wilcox Tanya , Smilowitz Nathaniel R. , Xia Yuhe , Berger Jeffrey S.
Published: June 2019

Background and Purpose—

Perioperative stroke is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Conventional cardiovascular risk scores have not been compared to predict acute stroke after noncardiac surgery.

Methods—

Patients undergoing noncardiac surgery between 2009 and 2010 were identified from the US National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (n=540 717). Patients were prospectively followed for 30 days postoperatively for the primary outcome of stroke. Established cardiovascular and perioperative risk scores (CHADS
2
, CHA
2
DS
2
-VASc, Revised Cardiac Risk Index, Mashour et al risk score, Myocardial Infarction or Cardiac Arrest risk score, and National Quality Improvement Project American College of Surgeons surgical risk calculator) were assessed to predict perioperative stroke.

Results—

Stroke occurred in the perioperative period of 1474 noncardiac surgeries (0.27%). Patients with perioperative stroke were older, more frequently male, had lower body mass index, and were more likely to have undergone vascular surgery or neurosurgery than patients without stroke (
P
<0.001 for each comparison). All risk prediction models were associated with increased risk of perioperative stroke (C statistic [AUC] range, 0.743–0.836). The Myocardial Infarction or Cardiac Arrest risk score (AUC, 0.833) and American College of Surgeons surgical risk calculator (AUC, 0.836) had the most favorable test characteristics and a greater ability to discriminate perioperative stroke when compared with Revised Cardiac Risk Index, CHADS
2
, CHA
2
DS
2
-VASc, and Mashour risk scores (
P
for comparison, <0.001; Delong). Risk scores did not provide consistent discriminative ability across surgery types and were least predictive in vascular surgery (AUC range, 0.588–0.672).

Conclusions—

The Myocardial Infarction or Cardiac Arrest risk score and American College of Surgeons surgical risk calculator surgical risk scores provide excellent risk discrimination for perioperative stroke in most patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. Stroke prediction was less optimal in patients undergoing vascular surgery.