bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Curcuma longa Is Able to Induce Apoptotic Cell Death of Pterygium-Derived Human Keratinocytes
Authors: Sancilio Silvia , Di Staso Silvio , Sebastiani Stefano , Centurione Lucia , Di Girolamo Nick , Ciancaglini Marco , Di Pietro Roberta
Published: December 2017

Pterygium is a relatively common eye disease that can display an aggressive clinical behaviour. To evaluate the in vitro effects of Curcuma longa on human pterygium-derived keratinocytes, specimens of pterygium from 20 patients undergoing pterygium surgical excision were collected. Pterygium explants were put into culture and derived keratinocytes were treated with an alcoholic extract of 1.3% Curcuma longa in 0.001% Benzalkonium Chloride for 3, 6, and 24 h. Cultured cells were examined for CAM5.2 (anti-cytokeratin antibody) and CD140 (anti-fibroblast transmembrane glycoprotein antibody) expression between 3th and 16th passage to assess cell homogeneity. TUNEL technique and Annexin-V/PI staining in flow cytometry were used to detect keratinocyte apoptosis. We showed that Curcuma longa exerts a proapoptotic effect on pterygium-derived keratinocytes already after 3 h treatment. Moreover, after 24 h treatment, Curcuma longa induces a significant increase in TUNEL as well as Annexin-V/PI positive cells in comparison to untreated samples. Our study confirms previous observations highlighting the expression, in pterygium keratinocytes, of nuclear VEGF and gives evidence for the first time to the expression of nuclear and cytoplasmic VEGF-R1. All in all, these findings suggest that Curcuma longa could have some therapeutic potential in the treatment and prevention of human pterygium.
Wearable Antennas for Remote Health Care Monitoring Systems
Authors: Corchia Laura , Monti Giuseppina , De Benedetto Egidio , Tarricone Luciano
Published: December 2017

Remote monitoring of the elderly in telehealth applications requires that the monitoring must not affect the elderly’s regular habits. To ensure this requirement, the components (i.e., sensor and antenna) necessary to carry out such monitoring should blend in with the elderly’s daily routine. To this end, an effective strategy relies on employing wearable antennas that can be fully integrated with clothes and that can be used for remotely transmitting/receiving the sensor data. Starting from these considerations, in this work, two different methods for wearable antenna fabrication are described in detail: the first resorts to the combined use of nonwoven conductive fabrics and of a cutting plotter for shaping the fabric, whereas the second considered fabrication method resorts to the embroidery of conductive threads. To demonstrate the suitability of the considered fabrication techniques and to highlight their pros and cons, numerical and experimental results related to different wearable antennas are also reported and commented on. Results demonstrate that the presented fabrication techniques and strategies are very flexible and can be used to obtain low-cost wearable antennas with performance tailored for the specific application at hand.
In Vivo Antimalarial Activity of the Solvent Fractions of Fruit Rind and Root of Carica papaya Linn (Caricaceae) against Plasmodium berghei in Mice
Authors: Zeleke Gemechu , Kebebe Dereje , Mulisa Eshetu , Gashe Fanta
Published: December 2017

Background. Currently, antimalarial drug resistance poses a serious challenge. This stresses the need for newer antimalarial compounds. Carica papaya is used traditionally and showed in vitro antimalarial activity. This study attempted to evaluate in vivo antimalarial activity of C. papaya in mice. Methods. In vivo antimalarial activity of solvent fractions of the plant was carried out against early P. berghei infection in mice. Parasitemia, temperature, PCV, and body weight of mice were recorded. Windows SPSS version 16 (one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test) was used for data analysis. Results. The pet ether and chloroform fractions of C. papaya fruit rind and root produced a significant (p<0.001) chemosuppressive effect. A maximum parasite suppression of 61.78% was produced by pet ether fraction of C. papaya fruit rind in the highest dose (400 mg/kg/day). Only 400 mg/kg/day dose of chloroform fraction of C. papaya root exhibited a parasite suppression effect (48.11%). But, methanol fraction of the plant parts produced less chemosuppressive effect. Conclusion. Pet ether fraction of C. papaya fruit rind had the highest antimalarial activity and could be a potential source of lead compound. Further study should be done to show the chemical and metabolomic profile of active ingredients.
Antimicrobial Natural Product Berberine Is Efficacious for the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Zheng Hongchao , Zhu Fu , Miao Peizhi , Mao Zhenzhen , Redfearn Damian P. , Cao Richard Y.
Published: December 2017

The purpose of this study is to test the efficacy of bioactive natural product berberine in the treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Data of 45 paroxysmal AF patients treated with berberine and 43 age, gender, New York Heart Association functional classification score, and concomitant cardiovascular disease matched patients treated with amiodarone were analyzed retrospectively to examine conversion rate, average conversion time, average heart rate, and echocardiographic parameters. There was no statistical difference between berberine and amiodarone on conversion rate or echocardiographic parameters. Berberine treatment showed a significantly longer average time to conversion and higher heart rate during sinus rhythm (SR) than amiodarone. Echocardiographic parameters showed that E/A ratio and left atrial diameter were significantly improved after 6- and 12-month berberine treatment, but only E/A ratio improved significantly at the same time points after amiodarone treatment. This is the first report to specifically compare efficacy of berberine and amiodarone in the treatment of patients with AF. We find that berberine and amiodarone are equally effective for conversion of AF and maintenance of normal SR.
Sequential Use of Second-Generation Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Treatment and Intensive Chemotherapy Induced Long-Term Complete Molecular Response in Imatinib-Resistant CML Patient Presenting as a Myeloid Blast Crisis
Authors: Tsuji Masaaki , Uchiyama Tatsuki , Mizumoto Chisaki , Takeoka Tomoharu , Tomo Kenjiro , Ohno Tatsuharu
Published: December 2017

Myeloid blast crisis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-MBC) is rarely seen at presentation and has a poor prognosis. There is no standard therapy for CML-MBC. It is often difficult to distinguish CML-MBC from acute myeloid leukemia expressing the Philadelphia chromosome (Ph+ AML). We present a case in which CML-MBC was seen at the initial presentation in a 75-year-old male. He was treated with conventional AML-directed chemotherapy followed by imatinib mesylate monotherapy, which failed to induce response. However, he achieved long-term complete molecular response after combination therapy involving dasatinib, a second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and conventional chemotherapy.
Seizure and Pulmonary Embolism: A Differential That Can Save a Life
Authors: Pourshahid Seyedmohammad , Dedhia Sneha , Hakim Shakeeb , Barakat Mohamed , Genin Dennis
Published: December 2017

Seizures is a relatively common presentation with a wide differential diagnosis. However, seizures presenting secondary to underlying pulmonary emboli are rare and, without prompt recognition and management, this easily treatable condition can be potentially fatal. The few available case reports discussing seizures and PE reveal a high mortality rate which underscores the importance of prompt diagnosis. A 38-year-old woman presented to the emergency room having experienced loss of consciousness and a generalized tonic-clonic seizure at home. In the emergency room, her presenting signs and symptoms included tachycardia, worsening dyspnea, mild hypoxemia, and elevated D-dimer. Pertinent history findings revealed she recently received depot hormonal contraceptive treatments. Her initial workup included an EKG which showed sinus tachycardia without evidence of right heart strain. Subsequently a chest CT with angiography revealed massive bilateral pulmonary emboli. DVT studies also revealed a unilateral acute DVT. The patient was promptly started on therapeutic anticoagulation and stabilized. Fortunately, the patient remained symptom-free and eventually was discharged with close follow-up. The goal of this report is to make clinicians more aware of the possibility that seizures, along with the appropriate clinical findings, can be caused by acute PE.
Crystalloid Coload Reduced the Incidence of Hypotension in Spinal Anesthesia for Cesarean Delivery, When Compared to Crystalloid Preload: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Ni Hai-Fang , Liu Hua-yue , Zhang Juan , Peng Ke , Ji Fu-Hai
Published: December 2017

Objective. To determine whether crystalloid infusion just after intrathecal injection (coload) would be better than infusion before anesthesia (preload) for hypotension prophylaxis in spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery.Methods. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and other databases for randomized controlled trials comparing coload of crystalloid with preload in parturients receiving spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery. Primary outcome was intraoperative incidence of hypotension. Other outcomes were intraoperative need for vasopressors, hemodynamic variables, neonatal outcomes (umbilical artery pH and Apgar scores), and the incidence of maternal nausea and vomiting. We used RevMan 5.2 and STATA 12.0 for the data analyses.Results. Ten studies with 824 cases were included. The incidence of hypotension was significantly higher in the preload group compared with the coload group (57.8% versus 47.1%, odds ratio [OR] = 1.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11–2.37, andP=0.01). More patients needed intraoperative vasopressors (OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.07–2.04, andP=0.02) when receiving crystalloid preload. In addition, the incidence of nausea and vomiting was higher in the preload group (OR = 3.40, 95% CI = 1.88–6.16, andP<0.0001). There were no differences in neonatal outcomes between the groups.Conclusions. For parturients receiving crystalloid loading in spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery, coload strategy is superior to preload for the prevention of maternal hypotension.
ANA-Negative Hydralazine-Induced Pericardial Effusion
Authors: Zeitjian Vicken , Mehdizadeh Azar
Published: December 2017

This case describes a patient with pericardial effusion as a phenomenon of the drug-induced lupus erythematosus (DILE) syndrome due to hydralazine. The relevance of this case report lies in the fact that although hydralazine has been a known causative agent of DILE, its presentation may involve a negative anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) study. Pericardial effusion is a documented adverse effect as a result of hydralazine use. It is typically common to screen for DILE with the serum ANA test prior to proceeding to more costly and specific tests (i.e., anti-histone antibody). As per our literature review, this is the second case of hydralazine causing DILE with a negative ANA. As in our case, although the screening serum ANA is the initial next best step for suspicion of DILE by hydralazine, it is important to consider the diagnosis without ANA positivity.
The Influence of Oral Dydrogesterone and Vaginal Progesterone on Threatened Abortion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lee Hee Joong , Park Tae Chul , Kim Jae Hoon , Norwitz Errol , Lee Banghyun
Published: December 2017

Objective. To conduct systematic analyses to evaluate the efficacy of progesterone therapy for the prevention of miscarriages in pregnant women experiencing threatened abortion. Methods. In November 2016, we performed a systematic literature search and identified 51 articles in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases. We identified nine randomized trials that included 913 pregnant women (including 322 treated with oral dydrogesterone, 213 treated with vaginal progesterone, and 378 control subjects) who met the selection criteria. Results. The incidence of miscarriage was significantly lower in the total progesterone group than in the control group (13.0% versus 21.7%; odds ratio, 0.53; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.36 to 0.78; P=0.001; I2, 0%). Moreover, the incidence of miscarriage was significantly lower in the oral dydrogesterone group than in the control group (11.7% versus 22.6%; odds ratio, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.26 to 0.71; P=0.001; I2, 0%) and was lower in the vaginal progesterone group than in the control group, although this difference was nonsignificant (15.4% versus 20.3%; odds ratio, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.39 to 1.34; P=0.30; I2, 0%). However, the incidence of miscarriage was not different between the oral dydrogesterone and vaginal progesterone groups. Conclusion. Progesterone therapy, especially oral dydrogesterone, can effectively prevent miscarriage in pregnant women experiencing threatened abortion.
Unusual Case of Severe Lactic Acidosis in a Liver Transplant Patient
Authors: Golhar Shweta Yemul , Green Michael S. , Guy Stephen
Published: December 2017

Lactic acidosis is a standard indicator for oxygen debt and some other very significant causes. We describe a case of liver transplant patient presenting with vague abdominal pain and lactic acidosis without any liver dysfunction/failure/ischemia/rejection or sepsis. The imaging studies showed vague bowel edema and normal hepatic perfusion. The patient continued to deteriorate with rising lactic acidosis when a repeat CT abdomen eventually showed signs of lymphomatosis peritonei. Biopsy revealed the unusual diagnosis of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder. Immediate discontinuation of immunosuppression and initiation of chemotherapy led to clinical improvement. Our intention of presenting this case is to increase awareness of posttransplant lymphoma and propose lactic acidosis as not only an indicator of liver dysfunction or rejection but also an aid for diagnosis of this unusual but fatal and potentially curable condition.
Detailed Histologic Evaluation of Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Pediatric Patients Presenting with Dysphagia or Abdominal Pain and Comparison of the Histology between the Two Groups
Authors: Gunasekaran Thirumazhisai S. , Chu Christopher , Ronquillo Nemencio , Chennuri Rohini , Adley Brian , Borgen Kristina , Schwartz Alan , Newberry Robert , Berman James
Published: December 2017

EoE in children presents with four main symptoms. Most common symptoms exhibited by our clinic population are dysphagia (D) and abdominal pain (AP). Despite similar treatments, we found in an earlier study that the outcomes between these two groups were different. Therefore, we investigated if there exist any histological differences between these groups that could further our knowledge of EoE. Aim. To compare esophageal histology in detail, apart from the eosinophil count, between EoE-D and EoE-AP. Method. Biopsies of patients with EoE-D and EoE-AP were reevaluated for 10 additional histological criteria, in addition to the eosinophil count. Results. Both groups had 67 patients; peak mean eosinophil was 33.9 and 31.55 for EoE-D and EoE-AP (p<0.05). Eosinophilic microabscesses, superficial layering of eosinophils, and epithelial desquamation were twice as common and significant in EoE-D group than EoE-AP. Eosinophil distribution around rete pegs was also significantly higher in EoE-D group. The remaining criteria were numerically higher in EoE-D, but not significant, with the exception of rete peg elongation. Conclusion. EoE-D patients have significantly higher eosinophils compared to EoE-AP, and the level of inflammation as seen from eosinophil microabscesses, superficial layering, desquamation, and the distribution around rete pegs is significantly higher.
In Vitro Assessment of Antifungal Caspofungin on Leishmania donovani Culture Isolation
Authors: Bhattarai Narayan Raj , Rai Keshav , Rijal Suman , Khanal Basudha
Published: December 2017

Leishmania parasite isolation from the human aspirates is always challenging due to most probability of the fungal contamination and the use of antifungal drug which could support the selective growth of the Leishmania parasite. In this study, we examine the effect of antifungal drug caspofungin on the promastigote stage of Leishmania donovani. Promastigote parasite was cultivated in M199 + 20% heat-inactivated fetal calf serum and plated in 96-well plates. Seven different concentrations of caspofungin (512 µg/ml to 8 µg/ml) were exposed to parasites, and 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) was calculated. Candida spp. was used in the experiments to know the efficacy of caspofungin to inhibit fungal growth. The IC50 values of Leishmania strains ranged from 23.02 to 155.80 µg/ml (mean 90.25 ± 39.01 µg/ml), and it was significantly higher (P value = 0.02) than IC50 values of Candida spp. (ranged from 0.001 to 0.12 µg/ml, mean = 0.05 ± 0.05 µg/ml). The reduced growth rate of the parasite was found with exposure to 50 µg/ml of caspofungin. Growth inhibition of Leishmania donovani is significantly lower with caspofungin and could be used to protect the parasite cultivation from fungal contamination.
In Vitro Activity of Iclaprim against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Nonsusceptible to Daptomycin, Linezolid, or Vancomycin: A Pilot Study
Authors: Huang David B. , Hawser Stephen , Gemmell Curtis G. , Sahm Daniel F.
Published: December 2017

Iclaprim is a bacterial dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor in Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections and hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia caused by Gram-positive bacteria. Daptomycin, linezolid, and vancomycin are commonly used antibiotics for these indications. With increased selective pressure to these antibiotics, outbreaks of bacterial resistance to these antibiotics have been reported. This in vitro pilot study evaluated the activity of iclaprim against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates, which were also not susceptible to daptomycin, linezolid, or vancomycin. Iclaprim had an MIC ≤ 1 µg/ml to the majority of MRSA isolates that were nonsusceptible to daptomycin (5 of 7 (71.4%)), linezolid (26 of 26 (100%)), or vancomycin (19 of 28 (66.7%)). In the analysis of time-kill curves, iclaprim demonstrated ≥ 3 log10 reduction in CFU/mL at 4–8 hours for tested strains and isolates nonsusceptible to daptomycin, linezolid, or vancomycin. Together, these data support the use of iclaprim in serious infections caused by MRSA nonsusceptible to daptomycin, linezolid, or vancomycin.
Cubic B‐Spline Curves with Shape Parameter and Their Applications
Authors: Hang Houjun , Yao Xing , Li Qingqing , Artiles Michel
Published: December 2017

The present studies on the extension of B‐spline mainly focus on Bezier methods and uniform B‐spline and are confined to the adjustment role of shape parameters to curves. Researchers pay little attention to nonuniform B‐spline. This paper discusses deeply the extension of the quasi‐uniform B‐spline curves. Firstly, by introducing shape parameters in the basis function, the spline curves are defined in matrix form. Secondly, the application of the shape parameter in shape design is analyzed deeply. With shape parameters, we get another means for adjusting the curves. Meanwhile, some examples are given. Thirdly, we discuss the smooth connection between adjacent B‐spline segments in detail and present the adjusting methods. Without moving the control points position, through assigning appropriate value to the shape parameter, C1 continuity of combined spline curves can be realized easily. Results show that the methods are simple and suitable for the engineering application.
Tuberculous Spondylitis: A Report of Different Clinical Scenarios and Literature Update
Authors: Lacerda Catarina , Linhas Rita , Duarte Raquel
Published: December 2017

Tuberculosis is still one of the most important health problems in the world. In developed countries, the proportion of extrapulmonary tuberculosis cases is increasing. Nowadays tuberculous spondylitis, also known as Pott disease, is a rare clinical condition but can cause severe vertebral and neurological sequelae that can be prevented with an early correct diagnosis. The aim of this paper is to increase awareness of tuberculous spondylitis in modern times, describing three different cases and discussing its best diagnostic and therapeutic approach based on the current literature.
Severe Cholestasis and Bile Cast Nephropathy Induced by Anabolic Steroids Successfully Treated with Plasma Exchange
Authors: El Khoury Christelle , Sabbouh Toni , Farhat Hussein , Ferzli Antoine
Published: December 2017

We report a case of a bodybuilder who took a regimen of anabolic steroids containing stanozolol and testosterone propionate for 8 weeks which led to the development of jaundice and severe pruritus with serum total bilirubin reaching 41.22 mg/dL. Despite supportive care with fluid and albumin therapy, serum creatinine was progressively increasing. He underwent 6 successful sessions of plasma exchange (PE) with marked improvement at the end of the sessions. Three months after discharge, the patient’s creatinine and total bilirubin levels were 1.08 mg/dL and 1.2 mg/dL, respectively.
Landslide Susceptibility in Relation to Correlation of Groundwater Development and Ground Condition
Authors: Taib S. N. L. , Selaman O. S. , Chen C. L. , Lim R. , Awang Ismail D. S.
Published: December 2017

Rainfall is inevitably one of the main factors that trigger landslides. However, not much study has been conducted on the impact of groundwater rise on slope stability. Thus, this study is intended to focus on the rise of the groundwater level from the bottom of the slope which would lead to landslides due to pore pressure development by eliminating other landslide-triggering factors (i.e., infiltration and surface runoff). Saturated sand was used for slope modeling, and sand densities of 1523 kg/m3, 1562 kg/m3, and 1592 kg/m3 were tested with a constant slope angle of 45°. Another set of experiments was also performed on slopes having angles of 25°, 45°, and 60° and with a maintained density of sand at 1562 kg/m3. Through observation, failure was initiated first at the toe of the slope before minor and major slips or total collapse occurs. Dimensions of slip surfaces were measured and included in SLOPE/W for the computation of the safety factor. In conclusion, safety factors are found to be higher in denser soil and in the lowest slope angle. However, faster occurrence of collapse in denser soil was identified and could be contributed by the faster pore water pressure development.
How AMPK and PKA Interplay to Regulate Mitochondrial Function and Survival in Models of Ischemia and Diabetes
Authors: Zhang Jingdian , Wang Yumeng , Liu Xiaofeng , Dagda Ruben K. , Zhang Ying
Published: December 2017

Adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a conserved, redox‐activated master regulator of cell metabolism. In the presence of oxidative stress, AMPK promotes cytoprotection by enhancing the conservation of energy by suppressing protein translation and by stimulating autophagy. AMPK interplays with protein kinase A (PKA) to regulate oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, and cell survival. AMPK and dual‐specificity A‐kinase anchoring protein 1 (D‐AKAP1), a mitochondrial‐directed scaffold of PKA, interact to regulate mitochondrial function and oxidative stress in cardiac and endothelial cells. Ischemia and diabetes, a chronic disease that increases the onset of cardiovascular diseases, suppress the cardioprotective effects of AMPK and PKA. Here, we review the molecular mechanisms by which AMPK and D‐AKAP1/PKA interplay to regulate mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and signaling pathways that prime endothelial cells, cardiac cells, and neurons for cytoprotection against oxidative stress. We discuss recent literature showing how temporal dynamics and localization of activated AMPK and PKA holoenzymes play a crucial role in governing cellular bioenergetics and cell survival in models of ischemia, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. Finally, we propose therapeutic strategies that tout localized PKA and AMPK signaling to reverse mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and death of neurons and cardiac and endothelial cells during ischemia and diabetes.
Drosophila: An Emergent Model for Delineating Interactions between the Circadian Clock and Drugs of Abuse
Authors: De Nobrega Aliza K. , Lyons Lisa C.
Published: December 2017

Endogenous circadian oscillators orchestrate rhythms at the cellular, physiological, and behavioral levels across species to coordinate activity, for example, sleep/wake cycles, metabolism, and learning and memory, with predictable environmental cycles. The 21st century has seen a dramatic rise in the incidence of circadian and sleep disorders with globalization, technological advances, and the use of personal electronics. The circadian clock modulates alcohol- and drug-induced behaviors with circadian misalignment contributing to increased substance use and abuse. Invertebrate models, such asDrosophila melanogaster, have proven invaluable for the identification of genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying highly conserved processes including the circadian clock, drug tolerance, and reward systems. In this review, we highlight the contributions ofDrosophilaas a model system for understanding the bidirectional interactions between the circadian system and the drugs of abuse, alcohol and cocaine, and illustrate the highly conserved nature of these interactions betweenDrosophilaand mammalian systems. Research inDrosophilaprovides mechanistic insights into the corresponding behaviors in higher organisms and can be used as a guide for targeted inquiries in mammals.
miRNAs in Prediction of Prognosis in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Ran LongJiao , Liang Jian , Deng Xin , Wu JinYu
Published: December 2017

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of urinary malignancy. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the predominant RCC subtype, accounting for 70–80% of RCC. In recent years, miRNAs have been found to be closely associated with the outcome of the patients with ccRCC. In this review, we summarize recent advances in research exploring the role of miRNAs in predicting prognosis in patients with ccRCC.
Development and Validation of a Chromatography Method Using Tandem UV/Charged Aerosol Detector for Simultaneous Determination of Amlodipine Besylate and Olmesartan Medoxomil: Application to Drug-Excipient Compatibility Study
Authors: Brondi Ariadne M. , Garcia Jerusa S. , Trevisan Marcello G.
Published: December 2017

A study was carried out to investigate compatibility of amlodipine besylate and olmesartan medoxomil with a variety of pharmaceutical excipients. Both drugs are antihypertensive agents that can be administered alone, in monotherapy, or in pharmaceutical association. The studies were performed using binary and ternary mixtures, and samples were stored for 3 and 6 months at 40°C under 75% relative humidity and dry conditions. For this study, a method based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of amlodipine besylate and olmesartan medoxomil in samples from pharmaceutical preformulation studies using diode array detector (DAD) and charged aerosol detector (CAD). The runtime per sample was 10 min with retention time of 7.926 min and 4.408 min for amlodipine and olmesartan, respectively. The validation was performed according to ICH guidelines. The calibration curve presents linear dynamic range from 12 to 250 μg mL−1 for amlodipine and from 25 to 500 μg mL−1 for olmesartan with coefficient of determination (R2 ≥ 0.9908) while repeatability and reproducibility (expressed as relative standard deviation) were lower than 1.0%. The excipients such as corn starch, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, polyvinyl alcohol, talc, polyvinylpyrrolidone, lactose monohydrate, and polyethylene glycol showed potential incompatibilities after accelerated stability testing.
Multicomponent Lifestyle Interventions for Treating Overweight and Obesity in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses
Authors: Elvsaas I. K. Ø. , Giske L. , Fure B. , Juvet L. K.
Published: December 2017

Background. Treatment of childhood obesity is important in preventing development of obesity-related diseases later in life. This systematic review evaluates the effect of multicomponent lifestyle interventions for children and adolescents from 2 to 18 years.Methods and Results. We performed systematic searches in nine databases. Thirty-nine studies met the criteria for meta-analyses. We found a significant difference in body mass index (BMI) after 6 months (MD −0.99 (95% CI −1.36 to −0.61)), 12 months (MD −0.67 (95% CI −1.01 to −0.32)), and 24 months (MD −0.96 (95% CI −1.63 to −0.29)) in favour of multicomponent lifestyle interventions compared to standard, minimal, and no treatment. We also found a significant difference in BMIZscores after 6 months (MD −0.12 (95% CI −0.17 to −0.06)), 12 months (MD −0.16 (95% CI −0.21 to −0.11)), and 24 months (MD −0.16 (95% CI −0.21 to −0.10)) in favour of multicomponent lifestyle interventions. Subgroup analyses suggested an increased effect in specialist health care with a group treatment component included in the intervention.Conclusion. Multicomponent lifestyle interventions have a moderate effect on change in BMI and BMIZscore after 6, 12, and 24 months compared with standard, minimal, and no treatment.
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitory and Antioxidant Activities of Enzymatic Hydrolysates of Korean Native Cattle (Hanwoo) Myofibrillar Protein
Authors: Lee Seung Yun , Hur Sun Jin
Published: December 2017

The purpose of this study was to determine the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory and antioxidant activities of myofibrillar protein hydrolysates (HMPHs) of different molecular weights (<3 and <10 kDa) derived from Korean native cattle (Hanwoo breed) using a commercially available and inexpensive enzyme (Alkaline-AK). HMPH of both tested molecular weights had ACE inhibitory activity. Among the antioxidant activities, iron chelation and nitrite scavenging activities were higher in low-molecular-weight peptide of HMPH (<3 kDa), whereas 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was higher in high-molecular-weight peptide of HMPH (<10 kDa). HMPH did not induce cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 cells at concentrations of 5–20 mg/mL. These results indicate that HMPH can be cheaply produced using Alkaline-AK and applied as a potential ACE inhibitor and antioxidant.
Corpuls CPR Generates Higher Mean Arterial Pressure Than LUCAS II in a Pig Model of Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Eichhorn S. , Mendoza A. , Prinzing A. , Stroh A. , Xinghai L. , Polski M. , Heller M. , Lahm H. , Wolf E. , Lange R. , Krane M.
Published: December 2017

According to the European Resuscitation Council guidelines, the use of mechanical chest compression devices is a reasonable alternative in situations where manual chest compression is impractical or compromises provider safety. The aim of this study is to compare the performance of a recently developed chest compression device (Corpuls CPR) with an established system (LUCAS II) in a pig model. Methods. Pigs (n = 5/group) in provoked ventricular fibrillation were left untreated for 5 minutes, after which 15 min of cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed with chest compressions. After 15 min, defibrillation was performed every 2 min if necessary, and up to 3 doses of adrenaline were given. If there was no return of spontaneous circulation after 25 min, the experiment was terminated. Coronary perfusion pressure, carotid blood flow, end-expiratory CO2, regional oxygen saturation by near infrared spectroscopy, blood gas, and local organ perfusion with fluorescent labelled microspheres were measured at baseline and during resuscitation. Results. Animals treated with Corpuls CPR had significantly higher mean arterial pressures during resuscitation, along with a detectable trend of greater carotid blood flow and organ perfusion. Conclusion. Chest compressions with the Corpuls CPR device generated significantly higher mean arterial pressures than compressions performed with the LUCAS II device.
C2 Solitary Bone Plasmacytoma Curettage and Vertebral Augmentation in an 83-Year-Old Female: Case Report and Review of Surgical Treatment Approaches in the Spine
Authors: Yousif Matthew J. , Faruqi Taha A. , Ramakrishnan Rakesh , Patel Nilesh M.
Published: December 2017

Surgically, solitary bone plasmacytoma (SBP) of the craniocervical junction (CCJ) is typically treated with cement augmentation and occipital-cervical stabilization (OCS). In the orthopedic spine literature, various surgical treatment options have been described for SBP, but only a few studies exist describing SBP of the CCJ with treatment involving cement augmentation alone. We report the case of an 83-year-old female found to have C2 SBP that was successfully treated with curettage and cement augmentation alone.
Comparison of Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis and Susceptibility to Treadmill Exercise in Nine Mouse Strains
Authors: Kim Jong Whi , Nam Sung Min , Yoo Dae Young , Jung Hyo Young , Kim Il Yong , Hwang In Koo , Seong Je Kyung , Yoon Yeo Sung
Published: December 2017

The genetic background of mice has various influences on the efficacy of physical exercise, as well as adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus. In this study, we investigated the basal level of hippocampal neurogenesis, as well as the effects of treadmill exercise on adult hippocampal neurogenesis in 9 mouse strains: 8 very commonly used laboratory inbred mouse strains (C57BL/6, BALB/c, A/J, C3H/HeJ, DBA/1, DBA/2, 129/SvJ, and FVB) and 1 outbred mouse strain (ICR). All 9 strains showed diverse basal levels of cell proliferation, neuroblast differentiation, and integration into granule cells in the sedentary group. C57BL/6 mice showed the highest levels of cell proliferation, neuroblast differentiation, and integration into granule cells at basal levels, and the DBA/2 mice showed the lowest levels. The efficacy of integration into granule cells was maximal in ICR mice. Treadmill exercise increased adult hippocampal neurogenesis in all 9 mouse strains. These results suggest that the genetic background of mice affects hippocampal neurogenesis and C57BL/6 mice are the most useful strain to assess basal levels of cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation, but not maturation into granule cells. In addition, the DBA/2 strain is not suitable for studying hippocampal neurogenesis.
Proinflammatory Cytokine IL-17 Shows a Significant Association withHelicobacter pyloriInfection and Disease Severity
Authors: Arachchi Piyumali Sandareka , Fernando Neluka , Weerasekera Manjula Manoji , Senevirathna Bimalka , Weerasekera Deepaka D. , Gunasekara Chinthika Prabhashinie
Published: December 2017

Background. The pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines play an important role in the immune response againstH. pyloriinfection. The proinflammatory cytokines of Th17 cells have been suggested to play a major role inH. pyloriinfection and resulting gastric inflammation.Objective. The objective of this study was to compare the expression of selected inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, IL-17, IL-21, IL-23, and TNF-α) inH. pylori-infected patients and healthy controls and to understand their association withH. pyloriinfection and disease severity.Results. The expression levels of IL-17 and IL-23 were significantly higher inH. pylori-infected patients. The expression of IL-21 was also higher inH. pylori-positive patients but there was no significant association with infection. IL-17 expression showed a significant increase with the severity of chronic gastritis.Conclusion. The proinflammatory cytokine, IL-17, shows a significant association withH. pyloriinfection and disease severity in a Sri Lankan dyspeptic patient population.
Implementation of an Approximate Conformal UPML in 2-D DGTD
Authors: Li Linqian , Wei Bing , Yang Qian , Ge Debiao
Published: December 2017

Using the numerical discrete technique with unstructured grids, conformal perfectly matched layer (PML) absorbing boundary in the discontinuous Galerkin time-domain (DGTD) can be set flexibly so as to save lots of computing resources. Based on the DGTD equations in an orthogonal curvilinear coordinate system, the processes of parameter transformation for 2-D UPML between the coordinate systems of elliptical and Cartesian are given; and the expressions of transition matrix are derived. The calculation scheme of conductivity distribution in elliptic cylinder absorbing layer is given, and the calculation coefficient of DGTD in elliptic UPML is calculated. Furthermore, the 2-D iterative formulas of DGTD and that of auxiliary equation in the elliptical cylinder UPML are derived; the conformal UPML calculation in DGTD is realized. Numerical results show that very good accuracy and computational efficiency are achieved by using the method in this paper. Compared to the rectangular computational region, both the memory and computation time of conformal UPML absorbing boundary are reduced by more than 20%.
Quantitative Analysis and Biological Efficacies regarding the Neuroprotective and Antineuroinflammatory Actions of the Herbal Formula Jodeungsan in HT22 Hippocampal Cells and BV‐2 Microglia
Authors: Kim Yu Jin , Lim Hye-Sun , Kim Bu-Yeo , Seo Chang-Seob , Jeong Soo-Jin
Published: December 2017

Jodeungsan (JDS) is a traditional herbal formula that comprises seven medicinal herbs and is broadly utilized to treat hypertension, dementia, and headache. However, the effects of JDS and its herbal components on neurodegenerative diseases have not been reported. We examined the inhibitory effects of JDS and its seven components on neuronal cell death and inflammation using HT22 hippocampal cells and BV‐2 microglia, respectively. Among its seven herbal components, Uncaria sinensis (US), Chrysanthemum morifolium (CM), Zingiber officinale (ZO), Pinellia ternata (PT), Citrus unshiu (CU), and Poria cocos (PC) exhibited significant neuroprotective effects in HT22 cells. In BV‐2 cells, JDS significantly suppressed the production of tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), indicating the antineuroinflammatory activity of JDS. In addition, the herbal extracts from ZO, Panax ginseng (PG), PT, CU, and PC exhibited inhibitory effects on the inflammatory response in microglia. These data imply that the JDS effect on neurodegeneration occurs via coordination among its seven components. To establish a quality control for JDS, a simultaneous analysis using five standard compounds identified hesperidin (37.892 ± 1.228 mg/g) as the most abundant phytochemical of JDS. Further investigation of the combinatorial activities of two or more standard compounds will be necessary to verify their antineurodegenerative regulatory mechanisms.
Latest Stored Information Based Adaptive Selection Strategy for Multiobjective Evolutionary Algorithm
Authors: Gao Jiale , Xing Qinghua , Fan Chengli , Liang Zhibing
Published: December 2017

The adaptive operator selection (AOS) and the adaptive parameter control are widely used to enhance the search power in many multiobjective evolutionary algorithms. This paper proposes a novel adaptive selection strategy with bandits for the multiobjective evolutionary algorithm based on decomposition (MOEA/D), named latest stored information based adaptive selection (LSIAS). An improved upper confidence bound (UCB) method is adopted in the strategy, in which the operator usage rate and abandonment of extreme fitness improvement are introduced to improve the performance of UCB. The strategy uses a sliding window to store recent valuable information about operators, such as factors, probabilities, and efficiency. Four common used DE operators are chosen with the AOS, and two kinds of assist information on operator are selected to improve the operators search power. The operator information is updated with the help of LSIAS and the resulting algorithmic combination is called MOEA/D‐LSIAS. Compared to some well‐known MOEA/D variants, the LSIAS demonstrates the superior robustness and fast convergence for various multiobjective optimization problems. The comparative experiments also demonstrate improved search power of operators with different assist information on different problems.
Optimization, Purification, and Starch Stain Wash Application of Two Newα-Amylases Extracted from Leaves and Stems ofPergularia tomentosa
Authors: Lahmar Imen , El Abed Hanen , Khemakhem Bassem , Belghith Hafedh , Ben Abdallah Ferjani , Belghith Karima
Published: December 2017

A continuous research is attempted to fulfil the highest industrial demands of natural amylases presenting special properties. Newα-amylases extracted from stems and leaves ofPergularia tomentosa, which is widespread and growing spontaneously in Tunisia, were studied by the means of their activities optimization and purification. Some similarities were recorded for the two identified enzymes: (i) the highest amylase activity showed a promoted thermal stability at 50°C; (ii) the starch substrate at 1% enhanced the enzyme activity; (iii) the twoα-amylases seem to be calcium-independent; (iv) Zn2+, Cu2+, and Ag2+were considered as important inhibitors of the enzyme activity. Following the increased gradient of elution on Mono Q-Sepharose column, an increase in the specific activity of 11.82-fold and 10.92-fold was recorded, respectively, for leaves and stems with the presence of different peaks on the purification profiles.Pergulariaamylases activities were stable and compatible with the tested commercial detergents. The combination of plant amylase and detergent allowed us to enhance the wash performance with an increase of 35.24 and 42.56%, respectively, for stems and leaves amylases. Characterized amylases were reported to have a promoted potential for their implication notably in detergent industry as well as biotechnological sector.
MeReg: Managing Energy-SLA Tradeoff for Green Mobile Cloud Computing
Authors: Yadav Rahul , Zhang Weizhe
Published: December 2017

Mobile cloud computing (MCC) provides various cloud computing services to mobile users. The rapid growth of MCC users requires large-scale MCC data centers to provide them with data processing and storage services. The growth of these data centers directly impacts electrical energy consumption, which affects businesses as well as the environment through carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Moreover, large amount of energy is wasted to maintain the servers running during low workload. To reduce the energy consumption of mobile cloud data centers, energy-aware host overload detection algorithm and virtual machines (VMs) selection algorithms for VM consolidation are required during detected host underload and overload. After allocating resources to all VMs, underloaded hosts are required to assume energy-saving mode in order to minimize power consumption. To address this issue, we proposed an adaptive heuristics energy-aware algorithm, which creates an upper CPU utilization threshold using recent CPU utilization history to detect overloaded hosts and dynamic VM selection algorithms to consolidate the VMs from overloaded or underloaded host. The goal is to minimize total energy consumption and maximize Quality of Service, including the reduction of service level agreement (SLA) violations. CloudSim simulator is used to validate the algorithm and simulations are conducted on real workload traces in 10 different days, as provided by PlanetLab.
Two-Dimensional DOA Estimation Using Arbitrary Arrays for Massive MIMO Systems
Authors: Lonkeng Alban Doumtsop , Zhuang Jie
Published: December 2017

With the quick advancement of wireless communication networks, the need for massive multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) to offer adequate network capacity has turned out to be apparent. As a portion of array signal processing, direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation is of indispensable significance to acquire directional data of sources and to empower the 3D beamforming. In this paper, the performance of DOA estimation for massive MIMO systems is analyzed and compared using a low-complexity algorithm. To be exact, the 2D Fourier domain line search (FDLS) MUSIC algorithm is studied to mutually estimate elevation and azimuth angle, and arbitrary array geometry is utilized to represent massive MIMO systems. To avoid the computational burden in estimating the data covariance matrix and its eigenvalue decomposition (EVD) due to the large-scale sensors involved in massive MIMO systems, the reduced-dimension data matrix is applied on the signals received by the array. The performance is examined and contrasted with the 2D MUSIC algorithm for different types of antenna configuration. Finally, the array resolution is selected to investigate the performance of elevation and azimuth estimation. The effectiveness and advantage of the proposed technique have been proven by detailed simulations for different types of MIMO array configuration.
Investigation on Risk Factors of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage Patients in Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Chang Li , Dong Yun , Zhou Ping
Published: December 2017

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a predominant factor of pulmonary infection. We analyzed the risk factors of VAP with acute cerebral hemorrhage in intensive care unit (ICU) by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. After comparison of 197 cases of the VAP and non-VAP patients, we found that age > 65 years (P=0.003), smoke (P=0.003), coronary heart disease (P=0.005), diabetes (P=0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (P=0.002), ICU and hospital stay (P=0.01), and days on mechanical ventilation (P=0.01) were significantly different, indicating that they are risk factors of VAP. All the age > 65 years (OR = 3.350, 95% CI = 1.936–5.796, P≤0.001), smoke (OR = 3.206, 95% CI = 1.909–5.385, P≤0.001), coronary heart disease (OR = 3.179, 95% CI = 1.015–4.130, P=0.017), diabetes (OR = 5.042, 95% CI = 3.518–7.342, P≤0.001), COPD (OR = 1.942, 95% CI = 1.258–2.843, P=0.012), ICU and hospital stay (OR = 2.34, 95% CI = 1.145–3.892, P=0.038), and days on mechanical ventilation (OR = 1.992, 95% CI = 1.107–3.287, P=0.007) are independent risk factors of VAP. After observation of patients with 6 months of follow-up, the BI score was significantly lower in VAP than that in non-VAP, and the rebleeding rate and mortality rate were significantly higher in VAP than those in non-VAP. Thus, the prognosis of the patients with acute cerebral hemorrhage and VAP in ICU is poor.