bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and Verification of Reactor Power Control Based on Stepped Dynamic Matrix Controller
Authors: Zhang Xu , Deng Zhiguang , Li Jun , Yang Youwei , Ma Quan , Liu Mingming
Published: November 2019

As key equipment in nuclear power plant, the reactor power control system is adopted to strictly control and regulate the reactor power of a PWR (pressurized water reactor) in a nuclear power plant. A well-optimized predictive control algorithm based on SDMC (stepped dynamic matrix controller) is developed and introduced in this paper and applied to the power regulation of a reactor power model. In addition, the test and verification of this application is conducted by two different methods and devices: the virtual verification platform and the physical DCS (digital control system). The result of the verification suggests that the application of SDMC gains a better performance in the maximum dynamic deviation, adjustment time, overshoot, and so on.
Kangfuxin Oral Liquid Attenuates Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis via the TGF-β1/Smad Pathway
Authors: Yao Huan , Wei Shujun , Xiang Yongjing , Wu Ziqiang , Liu Weiwei , Wang Baojia , Li Xueping , Xu Huan , Zhao Juan , Gao Yongxiang
Published: November 2019

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal respiratory disease with a poor prognosis characterized by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β-induced proliferation, migration, and differentiation of fibroblasts, resulting in excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. Whether Kangfuxin oral liquid (KFXOL) has a protective function in pulmonary fibrosis is largely unknown. The goal of this study was to investigate the potential efficacy of KFXOL, as well as the underlying mechanism by which KFXOL regulates pulmonary fibrosis in vivo and in vitro. We found that KFXOL dramatically attenuated intratracheal bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in terms of both severe alveolar architecture destruction and collagen deposition. KFXOL treatment significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of pulmonary fibroblasts following activation using BLM/TGF-β1 and normalized the expression of ECM deposition-related proteins, including matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-9, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1. These effects were mediated via the inhibition of TGF-β1 and phosphorylated Smad2/3 activation in vivo. Taken together, our data suggest that KFXOL attenuates the development of pulmonary fibrosis via the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway and thus has potential utility in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.
The Effect of Toileting Position in Uroflow Curves in Young Healthy Nulliparous Women
Authors: Dueñas-Garcia Omar Felipe , Matta-Gonzalez Maria del Pilar , Fuller Kylie , Fang Wei , Shapiro Robert Edward
Published: November 2019

The objective of our study was to determine the effect of voiding positions on uroflow parameters in young, healthy nulliparous women with no pelvic floor disorders. Material and Methods. From December 2017 to February 2018, we performed a single-institution cross-sectional study with 30 healthy volunteers comparing uroflow curves in sitting and hovering positions. 49 participants were initially prescreened with a validated tool questionnaire for pelvic floor disorders and 30 participants who had absent symptoms were included for the final analysis. From the selected participants, demographics were collected and comparisons between the sitting and hovering position groups regarding the maximum flow rate (Qmax), average flow rate (Qave), voided volume (VV), and time to peak flow (TQmax) were conducted using either the paired t-test or the Wilcoxon rank sum test. In addition, linear regression analysis was performed to determine whether height, BMI, and age have significant impact on the log-transformed average of the pre- and postvalues of either Qmax, Qave, VV, or TQmax, as the average of these values are not normally distributed. Results. There were no statistical differences between the hovering and sitting position groups on the maximum flow rate (p=0.93), average flow rate (p=0.82), voided volume (p=0.53), and time to peak flow (p=0.82). BMI had borderline significant impact on Qave with p value = 0.0531. Conclusion. Different voiding toileting habits do not affect the most commonly used uroflow parameters in young healthy nulliparous patients. Results need to be corroborated by a larger scale study considering the small sample size of our study.
Somatic Malignant Transformation of a Testicular Teratoma: A Case Report and an Unusual Presentation
Authors: Ibrahim Dalia Y. , Sun Hongliu
Published: November 2019

Testicular cancer represents 1% of all malignant tumors in men. About 95% of testicular cancers are germ cell tumors (GCTs). These can be divided into nonseminomatous GCTs (NSGCTs) and seminomas. NSGCTs include teratomas, yolk sac tumors, embryonal carcinomas, choriocarcinomas, and mixed tumors. Only 2–6% of testicular teratomas are pure teratomas. Pure teratomas can be subdivided into prepubertal and postpubertal. The prognosis is significantly different between these two age groups. Different from teratomas in ovary, the immaturity in a teratoma is not an indication of their biologic behavior; the age of the patient is of greater importance. Malignant transformation of teratoma occurs in only 3–6% of testicular GCTs. The most frequent transformed histologic types consist of rhabdomyosarcoma, adenocarcinoma, and primitive neuroectodermal tumors. We report a rare case of pure postpubertal testicular teratoma with a secondary somatic malignancy that was an incidental finding in a patient presenting with lower back pain and testicular torsion.
Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Ulcerative Colitis Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhou Qing , Shen Zhao-Feng , Wu Ben-sheng , Xu Cheng-biao , He Zhong-qi , Chen Tuo , Shang Hong-tao , Xie Chao-fan , Huang Si-yi , Chen Yu-gen , Chen Hai-bo , Han Shu-tang
Published: November 2019

Background. Ulcerative colitis (UC) patients have an increased risk for the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). Our aim was to assess the risk of CRC in UC patients compared with disease extent, disease duration, and geographic variation. Methods. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, scientific meetings, and the bibliographies of identified articles, with English language restrictions for studies published from 1988 to 2018, and assessed the risk of CRC in UC patients. Patients with Crohn’s disease, family history of CRC, and colorectal adenomatous polyp (CAP) were excluded from this research. The study was registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42018102213. Findings. We included 58 studies that included 267566 UC patients. Extensive UC and left-sided UC had a higher risk of CRC than proctitis UC. Geography also played a role in UC-associated CRC development. The time of malignant transformation in Asian UC patients started after 10-20 years of this disease duration. North American UC-associated CRC patients significantly increased in more than 30 years of this disease duration. Conclusion. In a systematic review of the literature, we found that disease extent, disease duration, and geography were strong, independent risk factors in UC-associated CRC development.
Abnormal Circadian Modification of Aδ-Fiber Pathway Excitability in Idiopathic Restless Legs Syndrome
Authors: Vollono Catello , Della Marca Giacomo , Testani Elisa , Losurdo Anna , Virdis Daniela , Ferraro Diana , Brunetti Valerio , Rossini Paolo M. , Le Pera Domenica , Mazza Salvatore , Valeriani Massimiliano
Published: November 2019

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is characterized by unpleasant sensations generally localized to legs, associated with an urge to move. A likely pathogenetic mechanism is a central dopaminergic dysfunction. The exact role of pain system is unclear. The purpose of the study was to investigate the nociceptive pathways in idiopathic RLS patients. We enrolled 11 patients (mean age 53.2 ± 19.7 years; 7 men) suffering from severe, primary RLS. We recorded scalp laser-evoked potentials (LEPs) to stimulation of different sites (hands and feet) and during two different time conditions (daytime and nighttime). Finally, we compared the results with a matched control group of healthy subjects. The Aδ responses obtained from patients did not differ from those recorded from control subjects. However, the N1 and the N2-P2 amplitudes’ night/day ratios after foot stimulation were increased in patients, as compared to controls (N1: patients: 133.91 ± 50.42%; controls: 83.74 ± 34.45%; p=0.016; Aδ-N2-P2: patients: 119.15 ± 15.56%; controls: 88.42 ± 23.41%; p=0.003). These results suggest that RLS patients present circadian modifications in the pain system, which are not present in healthy controls. Both sensory-discriminative and affective-emotional components of pain experience show parallel changes. This study confirms the structural integrity of Aδ nociceptive system in idiopathic RLS, but it also suggests that RLS patients present circadian modifications in the pain system. These findings could potentially help clinicians and contribute to identify new therapeutic approaches.
Oxidase-Like Catalytic Performance of Nano-MnO2 and Its Potential Application for Metal Ions Detection in Water
Authors: Sun Kai , Liu Qingzhu , Zhu Rui , Liu Qi , Li Shunyao , Si Youbin , Huang Qingguo
Published: November 2019

Certain nano-scale metal oxides exhibiting the intrinsic enzyme-like reactivity had been used for environment monitoring. Herein, we evaluated the oxidase-mimicking activity of environmentally relevant nano-MnO2 and its sensitivity to the presence of metal ions, and particularly, the use of MnO2 nanozyme to potentially detect Cu2+, Zn2+, Mn2+, and Fe2+ in water. The results indicated the oxidase-like activity of nano-MnO2 at acidic pH-driven oxidation of 2,6-dimethoxyphenol (2,6-DMP) via a single-electron transfer process, leading to the formation of a yellow product. Notably, the presence of Cu2+ and Mn2+ heightened the oxidase-mimicking activity of nano-MnO2 at 25°C and pH 3.8, showing that Cu2+ and Mn2+ could modify the reactive sites of nano-MnO2 surface to ameliorate its catalytic activity, while the activity of MnO2 nanozyme in systems with Zn2+ and Fe2+ was impeded probably because of the strong affinity of Zn2+ and Fe2+ toward nano-MnO2 surface. Based on these effects, we designed a procedure to use MnO2 nanozyme to, respectively, detect Cu2+, Zn2+, Mn2+, and Fe2+ in the real water samples. MnO2 nanozyme-based detecting systems achieved high accuracy (relative errors: 2.2–26.1%) and recovery (93.0–124.0%) for detection of the four metal ions, respectively. Such cost-effective detecting systems may provide a potential application for quantitative determination of metal ions in real water environmental samples.
Machine Learning Models for Analysis of Vital Signs Dynamics: A Case for Sepsis Onset Prediction
Authors: Bloch Eli , Rotem Tammy , Cohen Jonathan , Singer Pierre , Aperstein Yehudit
Published: November 2019

Objective. Achieving accurate prediction of sepsis detection moment based on bedside monitor data in the intensive care unit (ICU). A good clinical outcome is more probable when onset is suspected and treated on time, thus early insight of sepsis onset may save lives and reduce costs. Methodology. We present a novel approach for feature extraction, which focuses on the hypothesis that unstable patients are more prone to develop sepsis during ICU stay. These features are used in machine learning algorithms to provide a prediction of a patient’s likelihood to develop sepsis during ICU stay, hours before it is diagnosed. Results. Five machine learning algorithms were implemented using R software packages. The algorithms were trained and tested with a set of 4 features which represent the variability in vital signs. These algorithms aimed to calculate a patient’s probability to become septic within the next 4 hours, based on recordings from the last 8 hours. The best area under the curve (AUC) was achieved with Support Vector Machine (SVM) with radial basis function, which was 88.38%. Conclusions. The high level of predictive accuracy along with the simplicity and availability of input variables present great potential if applied in ICUs. Variability of a patient’s vital signs proves to be a good indicator of one’s chance to become septic during ICU stay.
Association of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Coronary Artery Disease with FADS2 rs3834458 Gene Polymorphism in the Chinese Han Population
Authors: Xu Yingyu , Zhao Zhenzhen , Liu Shousheng , Xiao Yingpu , Miao Mengyuan , Dong Quanjiang , Xin Yongning
Published: November 2019

Background. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients are often prone to coronary artery disease (CAD), and CAD is found to be the main cause of death in NAFLD patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2) rs3834458 polymorphism and serum FADS2 level with NAFLD and CAD in Chinese Han population. Materials and Methods. The serum level of FADS2 was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in healthy people, NAFLD patients, and NAFLD patients combined with CAD (NAFLD+CAD). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the genotypes of FADS2 rs3834458 in the three groups. Results. Body mass index (BMI), glucose (GLU), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) of the NAFLD group and the NAFLD+CAD group were higher than those of the healthy control group (P<0.05); the HDL-C of the NAFLD+CAD group was significantly lower than that of the healthy people and the NAFLD group (P<0.05). The serum FADS2 concentration in the NAFLD+CAD group was significantly higher than that in the NAFLD group (P<0.05) and the healthy people (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in genotype distribution (χ2=5.347, P<0.497) and allele frequency (χ2=3.322, P=0.345) between the three groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that the T allele was not an independent risk factor for CAD with NAFLD (OR=1.62, 95% CI: 0.422-6.180). Conclusions. Serum FADS2 concentration was positively correlated with the susceptibility of NAFLD with CAD, while the polymorphism of rs3834458 was not associated with NAFLD with CAD.
Artificial Intelligence in Interventional Radiology: A Literature Review and Future Perspectives
Authors: Iezzi Roberto , Goldberg S. N. , Merlino B. , Posa A. , Valentini V. , Manfredi R.
Published: November 2019

The term “artificial intelligence” (AI) includes computational algorithms that can perform tasks considered typical of human intelligence, with partial to complete autonomy, to produce new beneficial outputs from specific inputs. The development of AI is largely based on the introduction of artificial neural networks (ANN) that allowed the introduction of the concepts of “computational learning models,” machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL). AI applications appear promising for radiology scenarios potentially improving lesion detection, segmentation, and interpretation with a recent application also for interventional radiology (IR) practice, including the ability of AI to offer prognostic information to both patients and physicians about interventional oncology procedures. This article integrates evidence-reported literature and experience-based perceptions to assist not only residents and fellows who are training in interventional radiology but also practicing colleagues who are approaching to locoregional mini-invasive treatments.
Discrepancies between Self- and Clinical Staff Members’ Perception of Cognitive Functioning among Patients with Schizophrenia Undergoing Long-Term Hospitalization
Authors: Kaneko Fumiko , Okamura Hitoshi
Published: November 2019

In Japan, long-term hospitalization of patients with schizophrenia is still prevalent, even though the focus of psychiatric care is shifting from hospitals to the community. Difficulties in discharge planning often arise because clinical staff members’ functional assessment differs from that of patients’ self-assessment. Therefore, we attempted to identify characteristics related to these perceptual differences to promote the development of more effective approaches toward the discharge and societal reintegration of patients with schizophrenia undergoing prolonged hospitalization. Forty-eight long-term inpatients (23 men and 25 women with a mean age of 60.72 years) with schizophrenia were examined using the Schizophrenia Cognition Rating Scale Japanese version (SCoRS-J), Life Skills Profile (LSP), and Profile of Mood States- (POMS-) Brief Form. Differences between patients’ self-ratings and clinical staff members’ ratings on the SCoRS-J were used to divide patients into overestimators, underestimators, and accurate raters. These groups were then comparatively analyzed. Accordingly, overestimators displayed significantly severe cognitive dysfunction on the SCoRS-J objective ratings (p=.001) and significantly less difficulty on the SCoRS-J subjective ratings (p=.002) as compared to underestimators. Overestimators also scored significantly lower on the communication (p=.012) and responsibility (p=.021) LSP subscales compared to underestimators, and the total LSP score for overestimators was significantly lower compared to accurate raters (p=.036) and underestimators (p=.009). However, underestimators displayed significantly higher confusion on the titular POMS subscale than did overestimators (p=.021). These findings indicate that, among the three groups, overestimators scored lowest for objectively rated functioning. In contrast, underestimators attained the highest functioning; however, they were also confused. Clinical staff should examine how patients’ self-perceptions deviate from the perceptions of staff and implement an appropriate approach considering the patient characteristics revealed from the results of this study.
Research on Cooperative Scheduling of Automated Quayside Cranes and Automatic Guided Vehicles in Automated Container Terminal
Authors: Zhao Qianru , Ji Shouwen , Guo Dong , Du Xuemin , Wang Hongxuan
Published: November 2019

According to previous research studies, automated quayside cranes (AQCs) and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) in automated container terminals have a high potential synergy. In this paper, a collaborative scheduling model for AQCs and AGVs is established and the capacity limitation of the transfer platform on AQCs is considered in the model. The minimum total energy consumption of automated quayside cranes (AQCs) and Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs) is taken as the objective function. A two‐stage taboo search algorithm is adopted to solve the problem of collaborative scheduling optimization. This algorithm integrates AQC scheduling and AGV scheduling. The optimal solution to the model is obtained by feedback from the two‐stage taboo search process. Finally, the Qingdao Port is taken as an example of a data experiment. Ten small size test cases are solved to evaluate the performance of the proposed optimization methods. The results show the applicability of the two‐stage taboo search algorithm since it can find near‐optimal solutions, precisely and accurately.
Side Effects of Coronary Stenting such as Severe Coronary Stenosis and Multiple Coronary Chronic Total Occlusions in Elderly Patients via Induced Proinflammatory and Prooxidative Stress
Authors: Li Xia , Guo Dianxuan , Zhou Hualan , Hu Youdong , Fang Xiang , Chen Ying , Zhang Fenglin
Published: November 2019

Background.Severe coronary stenosis and multiple coronary chronic total occlusions are serious side effects of coronary stent implantation in elderly patients. This research sought to investigate the side effects of coronary stenting such as severe coronary stenosis and multiple coronary chronic total occlusions in elderly patients via induced proinflammatory and prooxidative stress.Methods.We evaluated the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), acrolein (ACR), malondialdehyde (MDA), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), stromal cell-derived factor-1α(SDF-1α), superoxide dismutase 3 (SOD3), and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in elderly patients with severe coronary stenosis and multiple coronary chronic total occlusions.Results.Levels of TNF-α, TLR4, ACR, MDA, and hs-CRP were remarkably increased (P<0.001), and levels of SDF-1α, SOD3, and eNOS were remarkably lowered (P<0.001) in elderly patients with severe coronary stenosis and multiple coronary chronic total occlusions. Coronary stenting induced proinflammatory and prooxidant mediator expression and inhibited anti-inflammatory/antioxidant mediators. The proinflammatory and prooxidant mediators may be involved in severe coronary stenosis and multiple coronary chronic total occlusions in elderly patients.Conclusions.Side effects such as severe coronary stenosis and multiple coronary chronic total occlusions because of coronary stenting in elderly patients were induced by proinflammatory and prooxidative stress. Circulating proinflammatory and prooxidant mediators could predict early severe coronary stenosis and multiple coronary chronic total occlusions in elderly coronary heart disease patients.
Low-Dose Sirolimus Immunoregulation Therapy in Patients with Active Rheumatoid Arthritis: A 24-Week Follow-Up of the Randomized, Open-Label, Parallel-Controlled Trial
Authors: Wen Hong-Yan , Wang Jia , Zhang Sheng-Xiao , Luo Jing , Zhao Xiang-Cong , Zhang Chen , Wang Cai-Hong , Hu Fang-Yuan , Zheng Xiao-Juan , Cheng Ting , Niu Hong-Qing , Liu Guang-Ying , Yang Wen-Xian , Yu Na-Na , Ru Jin-Li , Chen Qi-Xiang , Lu Xue-Chun , He Pei-Feng , Gao Chong , Li Xiao-Feng
Published: November 2019

Background. We have reported previously the insufficient absolute number or functional defects of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), challenging conventional unspecific immunosuppressive therapy. Sirolimus, a mTOR inhibitor, is reported to allow growth of functional Tregs; here, we investigated the efficacy of low-dose sirolimus combined with conventional immunosuppressants (sirolimus immunoregulation therapy) for RA treatment with lower side effects and better tolerance. Methods. In this nonblinded and parallel-group trial, we randomly assigned 62 patients to receive conventional glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants with or without sirolimus at a dosage of 0.5 mg on alternate days for 24 weeks in a 2 : 1 ratio. The demographic features, clinical manifestations, and laboratory indicators including peripheral blood lymphocyte subgroups and CD4+T subsets were compared before and after the treatment. Results. Finally, 37 patients in the sirolimus group and 18 in the conventional treated group completed the 6-month study. By 24 weeks, the patients with sirolimus experienced significant reduction in disease activity indicators including DAS28, ESR, and the number of tender joints and swollen joints (p<0.001). Notably, they had a higher level of Tregs as compared with those with conventional therapy alone (p<0.05), indicating that sirolimus could partly restore the reduced Tregs. Concomitantly, their usage of immunosuppressants for controlling disease activity was decreased as compared with the conventional group with no difference in blood routine, and liver and renal functions both before and after the treatment of sirolimus and between the two groups (p>0.05). Conclusions. Low-dose sirolimus immunoregulatory therapy selectively upregulated Tregs and partly replaced the usage of immunosuppressants to control disease activity without overtreatment and evaluable side effect. Further study is required using a large sample of RA patients treated with sirolimus for a longer period. This trial is registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=17245).
Exosomes May Be the Potential New Direction of Research in Osteoarthritis Management
Authors: Ju Cheng , Liu Renfeng , Zhang Yu , Zhang Feifei , Sun Jun , Lv Xiao-Bin , Zhang Zhiping
Published: November 2019

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint degenerative disease, which is prominent in the middle-aged and elderly population, often leading to repeated pain in the joints of patients and seriously affecting the life quality of patients. At present, the treatment of OA mainly depends on the surgery and drug treatment. Nevertheless, these treatments still face many problems, such as surgical safety, complications, and drug side effects. Exosomes can be secreted and released by multiple cell types and have lipid bilayer membranes and contain abundant biological molecules, including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Moreover, exosomes play a critical role in local and distal intercellular and intracellular communication. In recent years, several studies have found that exosomes can regulate the progression of OA and have a potential efficacy for OA treatment. Thus, in this article, we summarize and review the relevant research of exosomes in OA and emphasize the importance of exosomes in the development of OA.
Extracellular DNA Containing (dG)n Motifs Penetrates into MCF7 Breast Cancer Cells, Induces the Adaptive Response, and Can Be Expressed
Authors: Kozhina Ekaterina A. , Ershova Elizaveta S. , Okorokova Natalya A. , Veiko Vladimir P. , Malinovskaya Elena M. , Sergeeva Vasilina A. , Konkova Marina S. , Kutsev Serguey I. , Veiko Nataly N. , Kostyuk Svetlana V.
Published: November 2019

Background.Oxidized human DNA or plasmid DNAs containing human ribosomal genes can easily penetrate into the breast cancer cells MCF7 and stimulate the adaptive response induction. Plasmid DNA containing a CMV promoter, geneEGFP, and the insertion of the human ribosomal genes can be expressed. A hypothesis is proposed: these features of the ribosomal DNA are due to the presence of dGn motifs that are prone to oxidize.Methods.Cells of MCF7 line were cultured with plasmids which contained a CMV promoter and gene of fluorescent protein EGFP.Genetic construction pEGFP-Gn contains pEGFP vector and a small insertion with dG11and dG13motifs that are inclined to oxidation. The accumulation of pEGFP and pEGFP-Gn in MCF7 (qPCR), the levels of ROS in the cells, the content of 8-oxodG in plasmids and cellular DNA (flow cytometry, immunoassay, and fluorescent microscopy), the expression ofNOX4andEGFP, the localization of NOX4 and EGFP in MCF7 (qPCR, flow cytometry, and fluorescent microscopy), and the levels of the cell DNA damage (comet assay) were analyzed.Results. (dG)n insertions in the plasmid pEGFP increase the levels of ROS, the cell DNA oxidation and DNA damage, and the level of transfection of plasmid into the MCF7 cells. NOX4 participates in the oxidation of pEGFP-Gn and pEGFP. The expression ofEGFPgene in MCF7 is significantly increased in case of pEGFP-Gn. Stimulation of ROS synthesis (H2O240 μM or 10 cGy IR) increases the level of expression ofEGFP.Conclusions.GC-rich DNA fragments containing dGn motifs that are inclined to oxidation penetrate into MCF7 cancer cells, stimulate the adaptive response, and can be expressed. This property of GC-rich cell-free DNA should be considered and/or could potentially be used in therapy of tumors.
Bioinformatic Analysis of Circular RNA-Associated ceRNA Network Associated with Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Wu Jiacheng , Liu Shui , Xiang Yien , Qu Xianzhi , Xie Yingjun , Zhang Xuewen
Published: November 2019

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and is associated with a high mortality rate and poor treatment efficacy. In an attempt to investigate the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of HCC, bioinformatic analysis and validation by qRT-PCR were performed. Three circRNA GEO datasets and one miRNA GEO dataset were selected for this purpose. Upon combined biological prediction, a total of 11 differentially expressed circRNAs, 15 differentially expressed miRNAs, and 560 target genes were screened to construct a circRNA-related ceRNA network. GO analysis and KEGG pathway analysis were performed for the 560 target genes. To further screen key genes, a protein-protein interaction network of the target genes was constructed using STRING, and the genes and modules with higher degree were identified by MCODE and CytoHubba plugins of Cytoscape. Subsequently, a module was screened out and subjected to GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway analysis. This module included eight genes, which were further screened using TCGA. Finally, UBE2L3 was selected as a key gene and the hsa_circ_0009910–miR-1261–UBE2L3 regulatory axis was established. The relative expression of the regulatory axis members was confirmed by qRT-PCR in 30 pairs of samples, including HCC tissues and adjacent nontumor tissues. The results suggested that hsa_circ_0009910, which was upregulated in HCC tissues, participates in the pathogenesis of HCC by acting as a sponge of miR-1261 to regulate the expression of UBE2L3. Overall, this study provides support for the possible mechanisms of progression in HCC.
Artificial Caries Resistance in Enamel after Topical Fluoride Treatment and 445 nm Laser Irradiation
Authors: Al-Maliky Mohammed Abbood , Frentzen Matthias , Meister Jörg
Published: November 2019

Objective. This in vitro study is aimed at investigating the caries preventive effectiveness of 445 nm diode laser in combination with topical fluoridation.Materials and methods. A total of 30 caries-free bovine teeth were used in this study. Eighteen teeth were covered with nail varnish except four windows on the labial surface. The windows were assigned to no treatment/control (C), laser (L) (0.3 W, 60 s, and 90 J/cm2), fluoride (F), and fluoride followed by laser (FL) treatment groups. Artificial caries lesions were created, and the teeth were sectioned and investigated under polarized light microscopy for quantitative measurement of the resulted lesion depth. Ten teeth were used for surface temperature measurement and two teeth for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Extra twelve human molars were used for the intrapulpal temperature measurement. The absorbance of fluoride at 445 nm was measured.Results. The means of lesion depth for the C, L, F, and FL groups were 123.48 (±21.93), 112.33 (±20.42), 99.58 (±30.68), and 89.03 (±30.38)μm, respectively. The pairwise differences of the L, F, and FL groups compared with the C group were significant (p<0.05). The differences between groups were tested: FL versus Lp=0.02, F versus Lp=0.16, and FL versus Fp=0.91, and the difference of the F versus FL was not significant (p=0.91). Temperature increment at the enamel surface and pulp roof were ∆T = 16.67 (±4.11) and 2.12 (±0.66)°C, respectively. The topical fluoride absorbance at 445 nm is five orders higher than that at 810 nm. SEM shows that after laser irradiation the enamel surface was intact and without thermal damage.Conclusions. The 445 nm laser irradiation may be useful for caries prevention, and its effectiveness is lower than those previously achieved using the argon ion laser.
Biological Effects of Plasma-Based Graphene Oxide Deposition on Titanium
Authors: Rho Keonho , Park Chan , Alam Khurshed , Kim Dongyun , Ji Min-Kyung , Lim Hyun-Pil , Cho Hoonsung
Published: November 2019

This study was performed to investigate the effects of argon plasma treatment under atmospheric pressure at room temperature on the cytotoxicity and antimicrobial effects of the graphene oxide layer on titanium. Plasma treatment of the graphene oxide coating on a nonthermal atmospheric-pressure plasma device was performed. Raman spectrum analysis confirmed that graphene oxide was successfully coated on the surface and AFM analysis confirmed that this coating affected the surface roughness. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Alizarin Red S staining for cell differentiation, and Raman and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analyses were performed for the deposited surface. The MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay was performed to confirm the biocompatibility of the plasma-treated and bare titanium specimens. The biofilm formation test usingStreptococcus mutans(S. mutans) was performed to examine potential antimicrobial effects. XPS analysis showed that with increasing plasma coating time, the carbon content of the surface decreased while that of oxygen increased. Alizarin Red S staining showed that the cell differentiation was promoted by the deposition of the graphene oxide. The graphene oxide on Ti significantly affected an osteoblast cell differentiation for bone growth, and no significant differences in antimicrobial effects were observed.
Dissolution and Solubility of the Synthetic Natroalunite and the Arsenic-Incorporated Natroalunite at pH of 2.00–5.60 and 25–45°C
Authors: Zhu Yinian , Xuan Huiling , Liang Yanpeng , Yan Qiming , Zhu Zongqiang , Jiang Zhangnan , Zhang Lihao , Liu Huili , Tang Shen
Published: November 2019

Arsenic is very harmful to most living organisms. The solubility data of As-containing compounds are significant in geoscience and environmental science. The arsenic-incorporated natroalunite precipitation has been proposed to eliminate arsenic from water, both for industrial practice and remediation of polluted areas. Unfortunately, only few works have been made on partial arsenic incorporation in natroalunite and the thermodynamic data for natroalunite and arsenic-incorporated natroalunite now are still lacking. Moreover, the dissolution mechanisms of arsenic-incorporated natroalunites have never been studied. In the present work, the dissolution of the synthetic natroalunite [Na0.93(H3O)0.61Al2.82(SO4)2(OH)6] and the synthetic arsenic-incorporated natroalunite [Na0.88(H3O)2.44Al2.35(AsO4)0.38(SO4)1.62(OH)6] at 25°C, 35°C, and 45°C was experimentally examined in HNO3 solution (pH of 2.00 and 4.00) and pure water. The characterizations confirmed that the solids showed no recognizable change after dissolution. All dissolutions underwent a pH variation, which was caused by a great depleting of H3O+/OH− ions, typically at the reaction beginning. The dissolution in H3O+ medium proved to be near-stoichiometric within the short beginning period, and the dissolved Na+, Al3+, SO42−, and AsO43− concentrations were stoichiometric according to the initial solids and then appeared to be nonstoichiometric with the Na/SO4 mole ratios higher and the Al/SO4 and AsO4/SO4 mole ratios lower than the stoichiometry until the experimental end, indicating that the components were released from solid to solution preferentially after the following order: Na+ (H3O+) > SO42− > AsO43− > Al3+. From the experimental results under the condition of initial pH 2.00 and 25°C, the solubility products [Ksp] and the Gibbs free energies of formation [ΔGf°] were calculated to be 10−81.02±0.33∼10−81.04±0.27 and −4713 ± 2 to −4714 ± 1 kJ/mol for the natroalunite and 10−92.30±0.30∼10−92.41±0.37 and −5078 ± 2 to −5079 ± 2 kJ/mol for the arsenic-incorporated natroalunite, respectively. The thermodynamic quantities, ΔG°, ΔH°, ΔS°, and ΔCp°, were determined to be 462303.43 J/K·mol, 122466.83 J/mol, −1140.39 J/K·mol, and 4280.13 J/K·mol for the natroalunite dissolution reaction at initial pH 2.00 and 25°C and to be 526925.48 J/K·mol, 159674.76 J/mol, −1232.38 J/K·mol, and 1061.12 J/K·mol for the dissolution of the arsenic-incorporated natroalunite at initial pH 2.00 and 25°C, respectively.
A Retrospective Study on Insertion Torque and Implant Stability Quotient (ISQ) as Stability Parameters for Immediate Loading of Implants in Fresh Extraction Sockets
Authors: Bavetta Giuseppe , Bavetta Giorgio , Randazzo Valentina , Cavataio Alessio , Paderni Carlo , Grassia Vincenzo , Dipalma Gianna , Gargiulo Isacco Ciro , Scarano Antonio , De Vito Danila , Cantore Stefania , Ballini Andrea , Inchingolo Francesco
Published: November 2019

Background. To date, insertion torque value (ITV) and implant stability quotient (ISQ) obtained by the Osstell instrument are common clinical methods to assess the initial stability of an implant for a predictable loading procedure. The aim of this current study is to evaluate the ITV and ISQ as stability parameters as part of the decision-making protocol in the adoption of immediate loading in fresh extraction sockets. Materials and Methods. A total of 41 tapered implants were allocated into two groups: the test group (n = 11; 3 males and 8 females; mean age: 62.8 ± 10.7) which received 18 implants as type 1 fresh extraction sockets after teeth removal and the control group (n = 7; 4 males and 3 females; mean age: 65.4 ± 9.7) which received 23 implants placed in healed sockets for a period of at least 3 months. Both the ITV and ISQ data were recorded at the time of insertion (t0). Since ITV (test group) and ITV/ISQ (control group) values were useful for the immediate loading protocol, a screw-retained temporary crown was immediately loaded. ISQ values were recorded after a healing period of 4 months (t1). Results. ITV mean values at t0 in test and control groups were, respectively, 48.61 ± 15.39 and 70.47 ± 14.71, whereas ISQ mean values were 57.55 ± 1.93 and 72.86 ± 5.25, respectively, showing a statistically significant difference (p value < 0.001). ISQ mean values at t1 in either the test or the control group were 68.68 ± 4.20 and 74.54 ± 4.17, not showing a statistical difference. The implant survival rate was 100% in both groups, and no surgical and prosthetic complications were reported during the study. Conclusion. In conclusion, this study remarked the presence of a residual gap that influenced the ISQ during implant insertion in fresh extraction sockets making this parameter not sufficient for a conclusive decision in the immediate loading, whereas the ITV alone showed to be the best parameter for a final substantial decision.
Effectively Detecting Communities by Adjusting Initial Structure via Cores
Authors: Chen Mei , Yang Zhichong , Wen Xiaofang , Leng Mingwei , Zhang Mei , Li Ming
Published: November 2019

Community detection is helpful to understand useful information in real‐world networks by uncovering their natural structures. In this paper, we propose a simple but effective community detection algorithm, called ACC, which needs no heuristic search but has near‐linear time complexity. ACC defines a novel similarity which is different from most common similarity definitions by considering not only common neighbors of two adjacent nodes but also their mutual exclusive degree. According to this similarity, ACC groups nodes together to obtain the initial community structure in the first step. In the second step, ACC adjusts the initial community structure according to cores discovered through a new local density which is defined as the influence of a node on its neighbors. The third step expands communities to yield the final community structure. To comprehensively demonstrate the performance of ACC, we compare it with seven representative state‐of‐the‐art community detection algorithms, on small size networks with ground‐truth community structures and relatively big‐size networks without ground‐truth community structures. Experimental results show that ACC outperforms the seven compared algorithms in most cases.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Shenfu Injection against Acute Lung Injury through Inhibiting HMGB1-NF-κB Pathway in a Rat Model of Endotoxin Shock
Authors: Liu Xia , Ai Fei , Li Hui , Xu Qin , Mei Liyan , Miao Jifei , Wen Quan , Zhang Chaoying , Zhang Saixia , Zhou Jianhong , Chen Xiangyun , Chu Chunwei , Guo Junfeng
Published: November 2019

Shenfu injection (SFI), a Chinese herbal medicine with substances extracted from Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma Rubra and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, is widely used as an anti-inflammatory reagent to treat endotoxin shock in China. However, the mechanism of SFI in endotoxin shock remains to be illuminated. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a vital inflammatory factor in the late stage of endotoxin shock, may stimulate multiple signalling cascades, including κB (NF-κB), a nuclear transcription factor, as well as tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β, among others in the overexpression of downstream proinflammatory cytokines. An investigation into the effects of SFI on the inhibition of the HMGB1-NF-κB pathway revealed the contribution of SFI to acute lung injury (ALI) in a rat model of endotoxin shock. To assess the anti-inflammatory activity of SFI, 5 ml/kg, 10 ml/kg, or 15 ml/kg of SFI was administered to different groups of rats following an injection of LPS, and the mean arterial pressure (MAP) at 5 h and the survival rate at 72 h were measured. 24 h after LPS injection, we observed pathological changes in the lung tissue and measured the mRNA expression, production, translocation, and secretion of HMGB1, as well as the expression of the NF-κB signal pathway-related proteins inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB)-α, P50, and P65. We also evaluated the regulation of SFI on the secretion of inflammatory factors including interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and TNF-α. SFI effectively prevented the drop in MAP, relieved lung tissue damage, and increased the survival rate in the endotoxin shock model in dose-dependent manner. SFI inhibited the transcription, expression, translocation, and secretion of HMGB1, increased the expression of toll-like receptor (TLR4), increased the production of IκB-α, and decreased the levels of P65, P50, and TNF-α in the lung tissue of endotoxin shock rats in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, SFI decreased the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β. In summary, SFI improves the survival rate of endotoxin shock, perhaps through inhibiting the HMGB1-NF-κB pathway and thus preventing cytokine storm.
Alien spiders: First record of Loxosceles gaucho Gertsch, 1967 (Araneae: Sicariidae) in the Amazon region, Brazil
Authors: Almeida Marlus Queiroz , Alves-Oliveira João Rafael , Mendes Diego Matheus De Mello , Sobral Rafael , Silva-Neto Alberto Moreira da , Morais José Wellington de
Published: November 2019

We present the first record for Loxosceles gaucho Gertsch, 1967 in the Amazonian region of Brazil. Four males, fifteen females and forty-nine immatures were collected in different places in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. This is the third species of Loxosceles reported in the Amazon region along with L. amazonica Gertsch, 1967, and L. similis Moenkhaus, 1898. This is the first record of an invasive species of a venomous animal in the state of Amazonas, Brazil, which is noteworthy due to its synanthropic habit, which increases the risk to the local population.
Knowledge gaps regarding frugivorous ecological networks between birds and plants in Brazil
Authors: Baldiviezo Cristian Daniel Veliz , Passos Marcela Fortes de Oliveira , Azevedo Cristiano Schetini de
Published: November 2019

Vegetation stability, resilience and regeneration can be achieved by various ecological processes, the most important of which is seed dispersion. Among animal groups, birds have the largest number of frugivorous species in the Neotropics. The aim of this study was to conduct a bibliometric analysis to detect general patterns and discover knowledge gaps in order to identify future directions for research into bird frugivory in Brazil. A gap analysis was carried out by obtaining 77 articles published online and evaluating their data in different ways. The results revealed that research on bird frugivory in Brazil was published in 33 scientific journals and financed by 18 national and international funding agencies. The number of publications increased over time, with the majority of them reporting research carried out in biomes of Central-West and South regions of Brazil. The most important bird species in frugivorous interactions in the most studied biomes were identified, including some non-native species. Our results corroborate several other studies, which together demonstrate a lack research on frugivorous interactions in the North and Northeast of Brazil, where there are very important biomes for conservation, such as the Amazon and Caatinga, for which knowledge of seed dispersal processes is needed.
Nassarius foveolatus (Gastropoda, Nassariidae), a new record of an exotic species in Brazil
Authors: Gernet Marcos De Vasconcellos , Belz Carlos Eduardo , Baggio Rafael Antunes , Birckolz Carlos João , Santos Elizângela Da Veiga , Simone Luiz Ricardo Lopes de , Abatte Daniel , Metri Rafael
Published: November 2019

Exotic species are those that occur in an area beyond their natural limit and they are considered invasive when they cause harm to the economy, environment, or human health. In coastal environments, ballast water and inlays on the hull and other parts of vessels are the main ways of introducing invasive aquatic alien species. Nassarius foveolatus (Dunker, 1847) is native from the Central and East Indian Ocean to the East China Sea. The first specimens (empty shells) of N. foveolatus were collected manually on November 11, 2017 on the Rocio footbridge, located in the Paranaguá Estuarine Complex, on the coast of the State of Paraná, southern Brazil. Posteriorly, live specimens were collected in other localities of this bay. It is already possible to infer that the specimens of N. foveolatus occur together with the native specimens of N. vibex (Say, 1822), having the same niche. As previously only N. vibex existed in that place, at least a displacement of this native species has been occurred. However, certainly future ecological studies may confirm this displacement and additional consequences to the local ecosystem, as nassariids can be predators and scavengers. Control procedures should be also greatly implemented.
Catalogue of Ditomyiidae and Diadocidiidae (Diptera: Bibionomorpha) types housed in the collection of the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Falaschi Rafaela Lopes , Toczek Fernanda Ceres , Lamas Carlos José Einicker
Published: November 2019

The Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo (MZUSP), São Paulo, Brazil houses the largest and most representative Brazilian collection of Diptera. In the present study, following a recommendation of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, it is presented a catalogue of the type specimens of Diadocidiidae and Ditomyiidae (Diptera: Bibionomorpha) held in the collection of the MZUSP. Label data and the condition of preservation of 27 type specimens (nine holotypes, two paralectotypes, and 16 paratypes) of 14 Neotropical species are provided.
Natural diet of Ocypode quadrata (Fabricius, 1787) (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura) from the Northern Coast of São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Gomes Tassia Turini , Gheler-Costa Carla , Rinaldi Caroline Anacleto , Santana William
Published: November 2019

Decapod crustaceans have a wide variety of feeding habits, alternating among herbivory, predation, saprophagy, and filtration. The occupation of various trophic positions in the food web is a key feature in the evolution of the group. Thus, we analyzed the natural diet of the crab Ocypode quadrata (Fabricius, 1787), commonly known as the ghost crab and typically found on sandy beaches. The crabs were collected in the region of Ubatuba, between July 2016 and May 2017. The individuals were dissected in a laboratory, and each stomach was weighed and visually assessed in relation to the degree of repletion. After identification and classification, the items found were grouped for the analysis. In analyzing the stomach contents of Ocypode quadrata, 12 items were found: sand, Insecta, Hymenoptera, Hemiptera, Coleoptera, Crustacea, and other unidentified Arthropoda. We also found poriferans, Actnopterygii bones, plant pieces, non-organic material (plastic), and other non-identified materials. In the statistical analyzes, we observed seasonal differences in the composition of the diet, mostly related to the frequency of items consumed between dry and rainy seasons; the rainy season provided a greater diversity of items. Due to the great trophic spectrum of this species and tendency to feed on a wide range of items, O. quadrata is considered a generalist species, adapting according to the availability of prey in the wild.