bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Economic and ecological trade-off analysis of forest ecosystems: options for boreal forests
Authors: Chen Si , Shahi Chander , Chen Han Y.H.
Published: May 2016

Intensive forest management practices for production forestry can potentially impact the sustainability of ecological functions and associated forest ecosystem services. Understanding the trade-offs between economic gains and ecological losses is critical for the sustainable management of forest resources. However, economic and ecological trade-offs are typically uncertain, vary at temporal and spatial scales, and are difficult to measure. Moreover, the methods used to quantify economic and ecological trade-offs might have conflicting priorities. We reviewed the most current published literature related to trade-off analysis between economic gains and sustainability of forest ecosystem functions and associated services, and we found that most economic and ecological trade-offs studies were conducted in tropical and temperate forests, with few having their focus on boreal forests. Analytical methods of these published studies included monetary valuation, biophysical models, optimization programming, production possibility frontier, and multi-objective optimization. This review has identified the knowledge gaps in the understanding and measurement of the economic and ecological trade-offs for the sustainable management of boreal forests. While it remains uncertain how economic activities might best maintain and support multiple ecological functions and associated services in the boreal forests, which are susceptible to climate change and disturbances, we propose the use of optimization methods employing multiple objectives. For any tool to provide sustainable and optimal forest management solutions, we propose that appropriate and robust data must be collected and analyzed.
Complete hypersurfaces with constant Möbius scalar curvature
Authors: Li Feng Jiang , Fang Jian Bo
Published: May 2016

Let [Formula: see text] be an umbilical free hypersurface in the unit sphere [Formula: see text]. Four basic invariants of [Formula: see text], under the Möbius transformation group of [Formula: see text] are the Möbius metric [Formula: see text], the Möbius second fundamental form [Formula: see text], the Blaschke tensor [Formula: see text] and the Möbius form [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we study complete hypersurfaces with constant normalized Möbius scalar curvature [Formula: see text] and vanishing Möbius form [Formula: see text]. By computing the Laplacian of the funtion [Formula: see text], where the trace-free Blaschke tensor [Formula: see text], and applying the well known generalized maximum principle of Omori–Yau, we obtain the following result: [Formula: see text] must be either Möbius equivalent to a minimal hypersurface with constant Möbius scalar curvature, when [Formula: see text]; [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text], when [Formula: see text]; the pre-image of the stereographic projection [Formula: see text] of the circular cylinder [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text], when [Formula: see text]; or the pre-image of the projection [Formula: see text] of the hypersurface [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text], when [Formula: see text].
Mixed-Mode Universal Biquadratic Filter with No Need of Matching Conditions
Authors: Lee Chen-Nong
Published: May 2016

None of the previously reported mixed-mode universal filters can achieve the following important advantage: no need of component matching conditions. This paper presents a new mixed-mode (including voltage, current, transadmittance, and transimpedance modes) universal biquadratic filter with no need of matching conditions (including no need of component matching and no need of input matching conditions). The proposed filter structure with nine outputs employs two plus-type fully differential current conveyors (P-type FDCCIIs), two grounded capacitors, four grounded resistors and one floating/grounded resistor, which can realize voltage, current, transadmittance, and transimpedance modes universal filtering responses (lowpass, highpass, bandpass, notch, and allpass) from the same topology without matching conditions. Moreover, the proposed circuit still offers many important advantages: the employment of two grounded capacitors, the simultaneous realizations of a lot of filtering functions, using only grounded resistors as the control factors of all filter parameters and gains, having controllable gains in current and transimpedance modes without disturbing filter parameters [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]/Q, and Q, cascadably connecting the former voltage-mode (VM) stage and the latter current-mode (CM) stage, no capacitors bringing extra poles degrading high-frequency performance, and low active and passive sensitivity performances. H-spice simulations with TSMC 0.18[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m 1[Formula: see text]P6M CMOS process technology validate theoretical predictions.
Clasp-pass moves and Kauffman polynomials of virtual knots
Authors: Jeong Myeong-Ju , Kim Dahn-Goon
Published: May 2016

Habiro showed that two knots [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are related by a finite sequence of clasp-pass moves, if and only if they have the same value for Vassiliev invariants of type [Formula: see text]. Tsukamoto showed that, if two knots differ by a clasp-pass move then the values of the Vassiliev invariant [Formula: see text] of degree [Formula: see text] for the two knots differ by [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the Jones polynomial of a knot [Formula: see text]. If two virtual knots are related by clasp-pass moves, then they take the same value for all Vassiliev invariants of degree [Formula: see text]. We extend the Tsukamoto’s result to virtual knots by using a Vassiliev invariant [Formula: see text] of degree [Formula: see text], which is induced from the Kauffman polynomial. We also get a lower bound for the minimal number of clasp-pass moves needed to transform [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text], if two virtual knots [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] can be related by a finite sequence of clasp-pass moves.
Effect of Response Related Weighting Matrices on Performance of Active Control Systems for Nonlinear Frames
Authors: Mohebbi Mohtasham , Joghataie Abdolreza , Dabbagh Hamed Rasouli
Published: May 2016

In this paper, the effect of various arrangements of displacement, velocity and acceleration related weighting matrices on the performance of active control systems on nonlinear frames has been studied. Different arrangements of weighting matrices and feedback combinations of the response have been considered to design the active controllers using a single actuator for reducing the response of an eight-storey bilinear hysteretic frame under white noise excitations. The nonlinear Newmark-based instantaneous optimal control algorithm has been used, where the distributed genetic algorithm (DGA) is employed to determine the proper set of weighting matrices. For each set of feedback and weighting matrices, the active control system has been designed with the optimal weights determined. Here, the objective is to minimize the maximum control force required to reduce the maximum structural drift to a value below the desired level. The numerical results of simulation show that, for the cases studied, the use of different arrangements of weighting matrices in the proposed method for the performance index of the active control law has no significant impact on the performance of the active control system. However, the type of response feedback combination included in the control law considerably affects the performance, and the controllers designed based on velocity feedback have been found to be more effective. It was also shown that for all the weight-cases, using the full feedback of response can lead to design controllers that require minimum control force to reduce the structural response with more online measurements. The robustness of the designed controllers for different weighting matrices arrangements and feedback combinations has also been tested under a number of real earthquake excitations with the results discussed.
Structural and electronic characteristics of intercalated monopotassium–rubrene: Simulation on a commodity computing cluster
Authors: Li Tsung-Lung , Lu Wen-Cai
Published: May 2016

The structural and electronic characteristics of the intercalated monopotassium–rubrene (K1Rub) are studied. In the intercalated K1Rub, one of the two pairs of phenyl groups of rubrene is intercalated by potassium, whereas the other pair remains pristine. This structural feature facilitates the comparison of the electronic structures of the intercalated and pristine pairs of phenyl groups. It is found that, in contrast to potassium adsorption to rubrene, the potassium intercalation promotes the carbon [Formula: see text] orbitals of the intercalated pair of phenyls to participate in the electronic structures of HOMO. Additionally, this intercalated K1Rub is used as a testing vehicle to study the performance of a commodity computing cluster built to run the General Atomic and Molecular Electronic Structure System (GAMESS) simulation package. It is shown that, for many frequently encountered simulation tasks, the performance of the commodity computing cluster is comparable with a massive computing cluster. The high performance-cost-ratio of the computing clusters constructed with commodity hardware suggests a feasible alternative for research institutes to establish their computing facilities.
Three-Dimensional Passive and Active Control Methods of Shock Wave Train Physics in a Duct
Authors: Kamali Reza , Mousavi Seyed Mahmood , Khojasteh Danial
Published: May 2016

In the present work, the physics of a three-dimensional shock train in a convergent-divergent nozzle is numerically investigated. In this regards, the Ansys-Fluent Software with Algebraic Wall-Modeled Large-Eddy Simulation (WMLES) is used. To estimate precision and errors accumulation we used the Smirinov’s method; fine flow structures are obtained via Laplacian of density called shadowgraph and the shock parameter is defined as multiplication of flow Mach number by the normalized pressure gradient, in which shock wave structures are visible distinctly. The results are compared with the experimental data of Weiss et al. [Experiments in Fluids 49(2) (2010) 355–365], in the same conditions including geometry, boundary conditions, etc. The results show that there is good agreement with experimental trends concerning wall pressure and centerline Mach number profiles. Therefore, the focus of the present study is an assessment of various flow control methods to change the shock structures. Consequently, we investigated the effects of passive (bump and cavity) and active (suction and blowing) control methods on the starting point of shock, shock strength, minimum pressure, maximum flow Mach number, etc. All CFD investigations are carried out by High Performance Computing Center (HPCC).
Computational Development of a 4-Unknowns Trigonometric Quasi-3D Shear Deformation Theory to Study Advanced Sandwich Plates and Shells
Authors: Mantari J. L.
Published: May 2016

In this paper, a simple and accurate sinusoidal trigonometric theory (STT) for the bending analysis of functionally graded single-layer and sandwich plates and shells is presented for the first time. The principal feature of this theory is that models the thickness stretching effect with only 4-unknowns, even less than the first order shear deformation theory (FSDT) which as it is well-known has 5-unknowns. The governing equations and boundary conditions are derived by employing the principle of virtual work. Then, a Navier-type closed-form solution is obtained for functionally graded plates and shells subjected to bi-sinusoidal load for simply supported boundary conditions. Consequently, numerical results of the present STT are compared with other refined theories, FSDT, and 3D solutions. Finally, it can be concluded that: (a) An accurate but simple 4-unknown STT with thickness stretching effect is developed for the first time. (b) Optimization procedure (described in the paper) appear to be of paramount importance for 4-unknown higher order shear deformation theories (HSDTs) of this gender, so deserves a lot of further research. (c) Transverse shear stresses results are sensitive to the theory and need carefully attention.
805 nm Mediated Upconversion Luminescence Properties of Yb3Ga5O12:Ln (Er3+/Nd3+) Nanoparticles
Authors: Dulda Ayse
Published: May 2016

This paper presents the near infrared and visible upconversion of Yb3Ga5O[Formula: see text] garnet samples. The samples were doped with two different dopants (either Er[Formula: see text] or Nd[Formula: see text]) and excited with 805[Formula: see text]nm. Intense infrared emission was observed with the Nd[Formula: see text] doped sample and relatively weak visible blue-green and red emissions were observed for both the Er[Formula: see text] and Nd[Formula: see text] doped samples. The infrared emission intensities for the Nd[Formula: see text] doped sample was found to increase with the increase in the Nd[Formula: see text] ion concentration while that of the Er[Formula: see text] ion decreases with the increasing Er[Formula: see text] ion concentration. Also, to ascertain the back energy transfer from the Yb[Formula: see text] ion to Nd[Formula: see text], the samples were excited with a 980[Formula: see text]nm source. No visible or infrared emission was observed for the Nd[Formula: see text] doped sample indicating the absence of the back energy transfer. The luminescence properties of the sample signifies its readiness for application in biological imaging and laser generators.
The morphological changes in the internal organs of laboratory animals after prolonged oral administration of gold nanoparticles
Authors: Bucharskaya Alla B. , Maslyakova Galina N. , Pakhomy Svetlana S. , Zlobina Olga V. , Bugaeva Irina O. , Navolokin Nikita A. , Khlebtsov Boris N. , Bogatyrev Vladimir A. , Khlebtsov Nikolai G. , Tuchin Valery V.
Published: May 2016

Recently gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have been actively studied as photothermal converters, drug carriers, and imaging agents in a wide range of applications in cancer diagnosis and therapy. The prolonged peroral administration of GNPs in a range of sizes was performed to investigate the morphological changes and their reversibility in the internal organs of laboratory animals. In this study, GNPs with average diameters of 2[Formula: see text]nm, 15[Formula: see text]nm and 50[Formula: see text]nm were administered during 30 days, and the reversibility of morphological changes was investigated 14 days after administration. After the prolonged administration of GNPs, the severity of morphological changes in the liver, kidney, spleen and lymph nodes depended on the nanoparticle size. Specifically, 50[Formula: see text]nm nanoparticles caused the most pronounced dystrophic and necrobiotic effects, whereas the smallest 2[Formula: see text]nm nanoparticles caused proliferative changes. Most importantly, the development of pathological processes was reversible, as evidenced by the gradual restoration of the organ structure at 14 days after the end of GNPs administration.
Ambulatory Intravenous Antibiotic Therapy in Quebec: The Hôpital Charles LeMoyne Experience in 1996
Authors: Delorme Laurent , Frenette Charles , Le Corre Isabelle , Duchesne Julie , Delorme Carole , Plourde Pauline
Published: May 2016

From January 1, 1996 to December 31, 1996, 343 patients received outpatient intravenous antibiotic therapy at Charles
LeMoyne Hospital, a 436‐bed, acute care hospital in Greenfield Park, south of Montréal, Québec. The infectious diseases
department saved 2660 bed‐days using outpatient therapy. The mean duration of outpatient therapy was 7.76 days;
81.6% of patients were admitted to the program directly from the emergency room, or outpatient hospital clinics or private
offices in the community. Hospitalized patients constituted only 18.4% of admissions to the outpatient intravenous
antibiotic therapy program. Forty per cent of the surgical/medical staff participated in the program and they were able to
generate a significant impact by diverting patients to outpatient therapy. Two types of patients can benefit from an outpatient
intravenous antibiotic therapy program. One group of patients needs empirical short term therapy and can be
switched to oral sequential therapy after two to five days of outpatient intravenous antibiotic therapy. A second group of
patients needs specific long term therapy for the full duration of the antibiotic therapy. Empirical short term therapy can
be managed by emergency department or hospital‐based primary physicians, or medical/surgical specialists. Specific
long term therapy can be managed by microbiology/infectious disease specialists or medical/surgical specialists. Hospitals
that want to relieve pressure on emergency rooms and hospital bed demands should create facilities for both types of
patients. Cefazolin and gentamicine/tobramycine were the most commonly used antibiotics in empirical short term therapy
and in terms of number of patients treated. Ceftriaxone and vancomycin were most commonly used for long term
therapy. The Drug acquisition antibiotic cost was $73,117 but constituted only 20% of the total outpatient intravenous
antibiotic therapy cost. The per diem ambulatory cost was $140/patient/day.
Consensus Guidelines for the Treatment of Infectious Endocarditis with Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy
Authors: Choudhri Shurjeel H , The Endocarditis Care Plan Working Group
Published: May 2016

The development of single, daily dose antibiotic regimens and the availability of computerized ambulatory infusion
pumps have made it possible for most patients with infectious endocarditis (IE) to complete their treatment in an outpatient
setting. This review summarizes the current literature on the classification, diagnosis, clinical and laboratory
manifestations, and inpatient and outpatient management of IE. An algorithmic approach to the diagnosis and management
of IE is proposed. Most patients with IE who are clinically stable and do not require a surgical procedure can be
managed using outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy. Results from several small studies suggest that outpatient parenteral
antibiotic therapy for IE is safe, efficacious and economical.
Care Plan for Community‐Acquired Pneumonia
Authors: Marrie Thomas , The Community-Acquired Pneumonia Outpatient Intravenous Anti
Published: May 2016

This paper presents a critical pathway for the treatment of pneumonia that has been shown to be effective in a randomized
clinical trial. The pathway uses a pneumonia‐specific severity of illness score to guide the admission decision. Early
administration of antibiotics (within 8 h of arrival at the emergency room) is stressed.
Monitoring Guidelines for Home and Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy
Authors: Martel Alain Y
Published: May 2016

When prescribing home intravenous antibiotic therapy (HIVAT), physicians must consider not only the factors normally
considered in a hospital setting, but also the limitations and advantages of home therapy. Examples include dosage
schedule, short and long term toxicity, stability of the antibiotics at room temperature after dilution, half‐life of antibiotics,
compatibility with other antibiotics or medications in the same bag and distribution methods from the supplier
(pharmacy) to the patient. Consideration of these factors may direct antimicrobial choices, the mode of delivery and
treatment schedule. Other prerequisites for antibiotic selection for home therapy include tolerability and low incidence
of toxic reactions. Physicians and nurses must be aware of the adverse effects associated with prolonged outpatient intravenous
antimicrobial therapy. Additional knowledge must include pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution and
elimination) and the pharmacodynamics (biochemical and physiological effects and mechanisms of action) of the commonly
used antibiotics.
One simple guideline is the less often a drug has to be administered, the more convenient the therapy will be for the patients,
facilitating a higher rate of compliance. The less frequent administration schedules will also require less staff
time for training and troubleshooting. Many antimicrobial agents can be given once daily and, therefore, readily meet
this objective. Classes of antimicrobials that can be used once daily include aminoglycosides, ceftriaxone, vancomycin
and the new quinolones.
The development of antimicrobials that can be administered less often has been a major factor contributing to the
growth of HIVAT. If an antibiotic has to be used more frequently than three times a day, the use of a computerized ambulatory
infusion pump is helpful; however, pumps are expensive and not readily available. Other considerations for HIVAT
include renal impairment, liver failure and hematological toxicities. These factors have led the author and
colleagues to develop specific monitoring recommendations and techniques.
An Algorithm for the Management of Acute Bacterial Cellulitis
Authors: Stiver H Grant , The Cellulitis Care Plan Working Group
Published: May 2016

Acute bacterial cellulitis is a common infection seen by family physicians; it is usually caused by beta‐hemolytic streptococci
and/or Staphylococcus aureus. Cellulitis following bite wound injuries from animals and humans requires
antibiotics directed at the mouth microflora characteristic of the biting animal. Depending on the severity and the rapidity
of the progression of the infection, as well as patient compliance with oral therapy, intravenous antibiotics may be required
for treatment, and this may often be accomplished with an outpatient administration program. In addition to
intravenous and subsequent oral step‐down antibiotic therapy, special attention needs to be applied to reducing or eliminating
predisposing factors such as pre‐existent edema and local fungi, or other forms of dermatitis. With effective antibiotic
therapy, the erythema generated by acute cellulitis may resolve quickly or slowly, but usually does so
progressively. Patients with persistent skin inflammation and swelling must be examined carefully for subcutaneous
abscess formation.
Eradication Therapy Should Be Different for Dyspeptic Patients than for Ulcer Patients
Authors: de Boer Wink A
Published: May 2016

Physicians should try to achieve an optimal cure rate with their initial
Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy. Most physicians use the
same treatment in all their patients. H pylori infection in patients
with peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is more likely to be cured than that
in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD). Differences in cure rates
of 5% to 15% are usually reported, which is considered to be clinically
relevant. A plausible biological explanation for this finding suggests
that different strains (virulent [cagA+, vacA type s1] compared
with nonvirulent strains [cagA–, vacA type s2]) in PUD and FD
induce different changes in the gastric mucosa, and this facilitates or
impairs antimicrobial efficacy. Physicians should be aware that most
published treatment studies have included only PUD patients. This
means that in clinical practice cure rates obtained in patients with
FD or perhaps uninvestigated dyspepsia are usually lower than those
reported in the literature. This has implications for the choice of
treatment. Physicians should consider prolonging the duration of initial
Helicobacter eradication therapy from seven to 10 to 14 days in
patients without ulcers.
Is It Time for Quadruple Therapy to be First Line?
Authors: Laine Loren
Published: May 2016

The most commonly used regimen for Helicobacter pylori therapy at
present is twice‐daily proton pump inhibitor (PPI)‐based triple therapy.
Bismuth‐based therapy is the next most common treatment used
by gastroenterologists. When a PPI is combined with bismuth‐based
triple therapy (quadruple therapy), eradication rates are increased as
compared with the triple therapy alone. Three separate randomized
trials from three continents that compare quadruple therapy and PPIbased
triple therapy revealed remarkably similar results. Eradication
rates with PPI‐based triple therapy and quadruple therapy were not
significantly different. The eradication rates with quadruple therapy
were 3% to 6% higher than PPI triple therapy, indicating that
quadruple therapy should be no less effective than PPI triple therapy.
Furthermore, these two therapies had similar rates of compliance and
adverse events.

The major potential benefit of the quadruple therapy relates to
antibiotic resistance. In patients with clarithromycin resistance, PPIbased
triple therapy, but not quadruple therapy, had a significantly
lower eradication rate. However, due to its ability to largely overcome
metronidazole resistance, quadruple therapy had little if any decrement
in eradication rates compared with PPI triple therapy in
patients with metronidazole‐resistant H pylori. Therefore, quadruple
therapy can be considered a first line therapy for H pylori.
Role of Bacterial Overgrowth in the Stomach as an Additional Risk Factor for Gastritis
Authors: Naylor Gregory , Axon Anthony
Published: May 2016

Gastric bacteria can either be ingested or ascend from the distal bowel;
however, their survival is usually limited by gastric acidity and motility.
A reduction in gastric acid can result in bacterial overgrowth in
the stomach and proximal small bowel, and the number of organisms
rises as the intragastric pH rises.

The increased risk of noncardia gastric cancer seen in patients with
hypochlorhydria may be explained by an excess of nitrites and
N‐nitroso compounds (NOCs). These compounds are found in the
diet of populations with a high gastric cancer risk, but can also be
produced by the organisms that exist in the hypochlorhydria stomach.
It has long been hypothsized that nitrites and NOCs act as one
of the triggers in the atrophy‐metaplasia‐dysplasia‐carcinoma path.
However, although indirect data have linked the premalignant
changes of metaplasia and dysplasia to NOCs, direct measurement of
gastric nitrites and NOCs has not confirmed such a link.

The role of Helicobacter pylori in bacterial overgrowth is mainly as a
cause of hypochlorhydria resulting from atrophic gastritis, leading to
a reduction in the parietal cell mass.

Acid‐suppressing drugs can result in bacterial overgrowth and
increased nitrites and NOCs, although there is no current evidence
for an increased risk of gastric cancer in patients taking them. One
explanation is that the stomach appears to be colonized by different
organisms than those in patients with hypochlorhydria for other reasons.
There is some evidence that bacterial overgrowth per se can
cause gastric inflammation in mice; however, although in humans the
degree of gastric inflammation is greater when overgrowth is more
prominant this may simply reflect the greater degree of hypochlorhydria
in patients with a more severe H pylori‐induced inflammation.
The Role of Interleukin‐1Beta and Other Potential Genetic Markers as Indicators of Gastric Cancer Risk
Authors: Troost Esther , Hold Georgina L , Smith Malcolm G , Chow Wong-Ho , Rbkin Charles S , McColl Kenneth EL , El-Omar Emad M
Published: May 2016

Helicobacter pylori infects half of the world’s population, and is associated
with asymptomatic gastritis and also with more serious conditions
such as peptic ulcer disease and gastric carcinoma. The clinical
outcome is largely dependent on the severity and distribution of the
H pylori‐induced gastritis, but the pathogenesis remains poorly understood.
Bacterial virulence factors and environmental influences contribute
to the pathogenesis, but do not explain the divergent
outcomes. There is emerging evidence that host genetic factors play
a key role in determining the clinical outcome of H pylori infection.
In particular, proinflammatory genotypes of the interleukin‐1 beta
(IL‐1β) gene are associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer
and its precursors. The effects are most likely mediated through the
induction of hypochlorhydria and severe corpus gastritis with the
subsequent development of gastric atrophy. The roles of IL‐1β and
other host genetic factors in the pathogenesis of H pylori related cancer
are discussed in this article.
What is the Helicobacter pylori Global Reinfection Rate?
Authors: Parsonnet Julie
Published: May 2016

Reinfection with any organism is related to the force of infection in the
population and on both innate and acquired immunity to infection.
Little is yet known about primary immune protection against
Helicobacter pylori. Some data suggest that children can be recurrently
infected, spontaneously eliminating the organism only to be infected
again and again until the organism takes hold. This pattern of recurrent
infection is not observed in patients who receive eradication therapy for
chronic infection. After eradication of infection, the rate of reinfection
is probably slightly lower than the primary infection rate in that age
group, suggesting some level of acquired immunity. In developed countries,
reinfection of adults in unusual, and recurrence usually repesents
failure of primary eradicaton rather than new infection. Some cases of
reinfection do occur, however. Given that acquired immunity probably
varies little from population to population, reinfections will most likely
occur in areas where the force of infecton is high, ie, where both the
prevalence of infection and the opportunities for transmission are high.
The Evolving Epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Gastric Cancer
Authors: Huang Jia-Qing , Hunt Richard H
Published: May 2016

The relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and the risk of
gastric cancer has been well established in the last decade. Four metaanalyses
have found that the infection increases the risk of noncardia
gastric cancer by 2‐ to 6‐fold compared with noninfected control populations.
However, the role of cagA strains of H pylori in relation to
gastric cancer has not been evaluated systematically. We undertook a
meta‐analysis of epidemiological studies examining the relationship
between infection with cagA‐positive strains of H pylori and the risk of
gastric cancer, and found that patients who are seropositive for cagA
strains of H pylori are at an increased risk for developing noncardia
gastric cancer compared with those with H pylori infection alone.
Therefore, searching for cagA‐positive strains of H pylori may help
identify populations at a greater risk for developing gastric cancer.
What are the Global Response Rates to Helicobacter pylori Eradication Therapy?
Authors: Nash Christopher , Fischbach Lori , van Zanten Sander Veldhuyzen
Published: May 2016

OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review of the world literature
to determine current success rates of Helicobacter pylori eradication
treatment.

METHODS: Computer searches were performed to identify systematic
reviews or meta‐analyses of treatment studies of H pylori infection.
The searches included specifications for Asia, Africa, North
America, South America and Europe.

RESULTS: The data supported the current worldwide recommendation
to use proton pump inhibitor (PPI)‐based triple therapy with
clarithromycin and either metronidazole or amoxycillin. There are,
however, regional differences in success rates that are not completely
explained by resistance to either metronidazole or amoxycillin. For
second‐line therapy, quadruple therapy using a PPI with bismuth,
metronidazole and tetracycline (PPI‐BMT) is superior to an alternative
PPI‐based triple therapy.

CONCLUSION: There is worldwide consensus that PPI‐based
triple therapy, preferably with clarithromycin and amoxycillin or
clarithromycin and metronidazole, is used as first‐line therapy.
Quadruple therapy of PPI‐BMT is the preferred rescue medication
after initial failure of therapy.
Levothyroxine Tablet Malabsorption Associated with Gastroparesis Corrected with Gelatin Capsule Formulation
Authors: Reardon David P. , Yoo Peter S.
Published: May 2016

Treatment of hypothyroidism with levothyroxine sodium often requires multiple dose adjustments and can be complicated by patients with gastric and intestinal dysfunction that limits absorption. In these cases, doses are often titrated higher than commonly used in clinical practice. Multiple formulations of levothyroxine are currently available and some may be preferred in cases of malabsorption. We report a case of a 42-year-old female who presented with a living unrelated kidney transplant evaluation with myxedema while being treated with levothyroxine sodium tablets. She was noted to have gastroparesis secondary to Type I diabetes mellitus which may have contributed to levothyroxine malabsorption. Changing to a gelatin capsule formulation quickly corrected her thyroid function assays. This case suggests that gastroparesis may affect absorption of levothyroxine tablets and the gelatin capsules may be an effective alternative therapy.
BrainK for Structural Image Processing: Creating Electrical Models of the Human Head
Authors: Li Kai , Papademetris Xenophon , Tucker Don M.
Published: May 2016

BrainK is a set of automated procedures for characterizing the tissues of the human head from MRI, CT, and photogrammetry images. The tissue segmentation and cortical surface extraction support the primary goal of modeling the propagation of electrical currents through head tissues with a finite difference model (FDM) or finite element model (FEM) created from the BrainK geometries. The electrical head model is necessary for accurate source localization of dense array electroencephalographic (dEEG) measures from head surface electrodes. It is also necessary for accurate targeting of cerebral structures with transcranial current injection from those surface electrodes. BrainK must achieve five major tasks: image segmentation, registration of the MRI, CT, and sensor photogrammetry images, cortical surface reconstruction, dipole tessellation of the cortical surface, and Talairach transformation. We describe the approach to each task, and we compare the accuracies for the key tasks of tissue segmentation and cortical surface extraction in relation to existing research tools (FreeSurfer, FSL, SPM, and BrainVisa). BrainK achieves good accuracy with minimal or no user intervention, it deals well with poor quality MR images and tissue abnormalities, and it provides improved computational efficiency over existing research packages.
Femoral Varus Osteotomy for Hip Instability after Traumatic Fracture Dislocations of the Hip Associated with Femoral Head Fractures: A Report of Two Cases
Authors: Miyamoto Shuichi , Nakamura Junichi , Iida Satoshi , Suzuki Chiho , Ohtori Seiji , Orita Sumihisa , Takahashi Kazuhisa
Published: May 2016

Fracture of the femoral head and the acetabulum with traumatic dislocation of the hip is a severe injury representing various types and unfavorable outcome. We showed a 45-year-old man with Pipkin type-IV fracture and coxa valga. An immediate closed reduction was achieved followed by open reduction and internal fixation via a posterior approach 6 days later. However, dislocation occurred three times without traumatic events after three weeks. CT demonstrated no displacement of posterior fragments or implant failure. Femoral intertrochanteric varus osteotomy was performed to gain concentric stability and successfully resolved recurrent dislocation. Another 45-year-old woman with Pipkin type-IV fracture and coxa valga also underwent closed reduction initially and then continued conservative treatment. After eight weeks, when she started gait training, progressive pain became symptomatic. Persistent hip pain at weight bearing was not improved in spite of arthroscopic synovectomy and osteochondroplasty. Two years after injury, femoral intertrochanteric varus osteotomy was indicated and her refractory pain was resolved gradually. We suggest that femoral varus osteotomy should be considered for superolateral subluxation associated fracture dislocation of the hip in Pipkin type-IV and coxa valga.
Cloud Model-Based Method for Infrared Image Thresholding
Authors: Wu Tao , Hou Rui , Chen Yixiang
Published: May 2016

Traditional statistical thresholding methods, directly constructing the optimal threshold criterion using the class variance, have certain versatility but lack the specificity of practical application in some cases. To select the optimal threshold for infrared image thresholding, a simple and efficient method based on cloud model is proposed. The method firstly generates the cloud models corresponding to image background and object, respectively, and defines a novel threshold dependence criterion related with the hyper-entropy of these cloud models and then determines the optimal grayscale threshold by the minimization of this criterion. It is indicated by the experiments that, compared with selected methods, using both image thresholding and target detection, the proposed method is suitable for infrared image thresholding since it performs good results and is reasonable and effective.
Worldwide Incidence of Colorectal Cancer, Leukemia, and Lymphoma in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wheat Chelle L. , Clark-Snustad Kindra , Devine Beth , Grembowski David , Thornton Timothy A. , Ko Cynthia W.
Published: May 2016

Background/Aims. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). In addition, there may be an association between leukemia and lymphoma and IBD. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the IBD literature to estimate the incidence of CRC, leukemia, and lymphoma in adult IBD patients.Methods. Studies were identified by a literature search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. Pooled incidence rates (per 100,000 person-years [py]) were calculated through use of a random effects model, unless substantial heterogeneity prevented pooling of estimates. Several stratified analyses and metaregression were performed to explore potential study heterogeneity and bias.Results. Thirty-six articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria. For CRC, the pooled incidence rate in CD was 53.3/100,000 py (95% CI 46.3–60.3/100,000). The incidence of leukemia was 1.5/100,000 py (95% CI −0.06–3.0/100,000) in IBD, 0.3/100,000 py (95% CI −1.0–1.6/100,000) in CD, and 13.0/100,000 py (95% CI 5.8–20.3/100,000) in UC. For lymphoma, the pooled incidence rate in CD was 0.8/100,000 py (95% CI −0.4–2.1/100,000). Substantial heterogeneity prevented the pooling of other incidence estimates.Conclusion. The incidence of CRC, leukemia, and lymphoma in IBD is low.
A Giant Vulvar Mass: A Case Study of Cellular Angiofibroma
Authors: Aydın Ümit , Terzi Hasan , Turkay Ünal , Eruyar Ahmet Tuğrul , Kale Ahmet
Published: May 2016

Cellular angiofibroma is a mesenchymal tumor that affects both genders. Nucci et al. first described it in 1997. Cellular angiofibroma is generally a small and asymptomatic mass that primarily arises in the vulvar-vaginal region, although rare cases have been reported in the pelvic and extrapelvic regions. It affects women most often during the fifth decade of life. The treatment requires simple local excision due to low local recurrence and no chance of metastasization. The current study presents a case of angiofibroma in the vulvar region that measured approximately 20 cm.
Ultrasound Shear Wave Simulation of Breast Tumor Using Nonlinear Tissue Elasticity
Authors: Park Dae Woo
Published: May 2016

Shear wave elasticity imaging (SWEI) can assess the elasticity of tissues, but the shear modulus estimated in SWEI is often less sensitive to a subtle change of the stiffness that produces only small mechanical contrast to the background tissues. Because most soft tissues exhibit mechanical nonlinearity that differs in tissue types, mechanical contrast can be enhanced if the tissues are compressed. In this study, a finite element- (FE-) based simulation was performed for a breast tissue model, which consists of a circular (D: 10 mm, hard) tumor and surrounding tissue (soft). The SWEI was performed with 0% to 30% compression of the breast tissue model. The shear modulus of the tumor exhibited noticeably high nonlinearity compared to soft background tissue above 10% overall applied compression. As a result, the elastic modulus contrast of the tumor to the surrounding tissue was increased from 0.46 at 0% compression to 1.45 at 30% compression.
Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Lifestyle Characteristics of University Students in Cyprus: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Hadjimbei Elena , Botsaris George , Gekas Vassilis , Panayiotou Andrie G.
Published: May 2016

Objective. To assess dietary-related habits among young adults.Design and Setting. Dietary habits were assessed cross-sectionally, using a self-completed questionnaire in 193 students enrolled in public and private universities in Cyprus. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was evaluated using the validated KIDMED index. BMI was estimated based on weight and height measurements.Results. The mean BMI was 23.31 (±3.98). The mean adherence score to the Mediterranean diet was 6.0 (IQR 4 to 8), with 26.9% of students being classified as high adherers and 21.8% as low adherers to the Mediterranean diet. About 32% of students consumed a second serving of fruit and vegetables more than once a day, whereas 26% reported going more than once a week to a fast-food restaurant and 31% consumed sweets and candy several times a day. On the other hand, 76% of participants reported consumption of at least two dairy products daily and 88% use olive oil at home. The majority consume coffee 2-3 times per day.Conclusions. Results support a shift from traditional healthy diets to more unhealthy eating patterns. However, we also report a high dairy intake and use of olive oil. Tailored-made strategies targeting the young adult population could be warranted.
Shikonin Attenuates Concanavalin A-Induced Acute Liver Injury in Mice via Inhibition of the JNK Pathway
Authors: Liu Tong , Xia Yujing , Li Jingjing , Li Sainan , Feng Jiao , Wu Liwei , Zhang Rong , Xu Shizan , Cheng Keran , Zhou Yuqing , Zhou Shunfeng , Dai Weiqi , Chen Kan , Wang Fan , Lu Jie , Zhou Yingqun , Guo Chuanyong
Published: May 2016

Objective. Shikonin possesses anti-inflammatory effects. However, its function in concanavalin A-induced acute liver injury remains uncertain. The aim of the present study was to investigate the functions of shikonin and its mechanism of protection on ConA-induced acute liver injury.Materials and Methods. Balb/C mice were exposed to ConA (20 mg/kg) via tail vein injection to establish acute liver injury; shikonin (7.5 mg/kg and 12.5 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally administered 2 h before the ConA injection. The serum liver enzyme levels and the inflammatory cytokine levels were determined at 3, 6, and 24 h after ConA injection.Results. After the injection of ConA, inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γwere significantly increased. Shikonin significantly ameliorated liver injury and histopathological changes and suppressed the release of inflammatory cytokines. The expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax were markedly affected by shikonin pretreatment. LC3, Beclin-1, and p-JNK expression levels were decreased in the shikonin-pretreated groups compared with the ConA-treated groups. Shikonin attenuated ConA-induced liver injury by reducing apoptosis and autophagy through the inhibition of the JNK pathway.Conclusion. Our results indicated that shikonin pretreatment attenuates ConA-induced acute liver injury by inhibiting apoptosis and autophagy through the suppression of the JNK pathway.
Preparation and Characterization of Modified Polyethyleneimine Magnetic Nanoparticles for Cancer Drug Delivery
Authors: Arabi Sedighe , Akbari Javar Hamid , Khoobi Mehdi
Published: May 2016

Magnetic nanoparticles with polymeric coating have great significance in drug delivery purpose. We intended to prepare a modified amphiphilic polymer with targeting susceptibility to reduce side effects to normal cells. In this study polyethyleneimine (PEI) as a polycationic polymer reacted with sebacoyl chloride to make a new amphiphilic polymer and folic acid as a targeting agent to reduce cytotoxicity of polymer and increase specific entrance of nanoparticles to cancerous cells. The obtained polymer (PEI-Sb-FA) was then coated on magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to stabilize them. The core-shell nanoparticles were characterized by different methods such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Curcumin was finally loaded on PEI-Sb-FA-MNPs and the release behavior was studied in different pH. Curcumin loading of 28.2% was obtained and released drug in acidic pH = 4.5 was more than pH = 7.4, showing drug release sensitivity toward pH of media.
Mass Psychogenic Illness: Demography and Symptom Profile of an Episode
Authors: Tarafder Binoy Krishna , Khan Mohammad Ashik Imran , Islam Md. Tanvir , Mahmud Sheikh Abdullah Al , Sarker Md. Humayun Kabir , Faruq Imtiaz , Miah Md. Titu , Arafat S. M. Yasir
Published: May 2016

Background. Mass psychogenic illness has been a recurrent phenomenon in Bangladesh over recent times.Objectives. This study was aimed at investigating the demographic characteristics and symptom profile of an outbreak of mass psychogenic illness occurring in a girls’ high school.Methods and Materials. In 14 April 2013, a total of 93 students of a girls’ high school suddenly developed various symptoms following intake of tiffin cake which resulted in panic and hospital admission. A descriptive, cross-sectional observational survey was done to define various characteristics of the outbreak.Results. No organic explanation for the reported illnesses was found. 93 female students were included who were hospitalized during the incident. Trigger factor was found in 98% of students. Most of the students were 13 years old. Average interval between exposure to the trigger and onset of symptoms was 151.5 minutes. Commonest symptoms were abdominal pain (83%), headache (73%), chest pain (69%), body ache (63%), nausea (69%), and generalized weakness and fatigue (61%). Hospital stay following the incident was about 12 hours on average.Conclusion. To avoid unnecessary panic in the community a prompt, coordinated response is important in resolving widespread community anxiety surrounding these episodes.
Miniaturized Coupling Structures for Decoupling PIFAs on Handheld Devices
Authors: Li Qian , Yu Yaxin
Published: May 2016

One efficient approach is introduced in this paper to reduce mutual coupling and correlation coefficient for two closely placed PIFAs in a handheld device. The approach is based on one miniaturized structure which consists of two metallic layers, printed on either side of one thin dielectric layer. Due to the small spacing between two conducting patches, high electromagnetic field is induced within the dielectric layer. The geometry and position of this structure have been modified to decouple the PIFA array at 1.9 GHz and produce maximum miniaturization thereby occupying less space on a handheld device ground plane. By employing the proposed structures, a 20 dB reduction in mutual coupling is achieved. The correlation coefficient also reduces to 0.007278. The performance of the structure is validated by both simulated results and measured data obtained from several fabricated prototypes.