bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of the falls and fractures clinic as an integrated multidisciplinary model of care in Australia: a pre–post study
Authors: Gomez Fernando , Curcio Carmen Lucia , Brennan-Olsen Sharon Lee , Boersma Derek , Phu Steven , Vogrin Sara , Suriyaarachchi Pushpa , Duque Gustavo
Published: July 2019

Objectives

Traditionally, the approach to fracture prevention has focused on increasing bone mineral density while typically lacking a combined clinical approach to falls prevention and vice versa. To resolve this gap, we implemented and evaluated a novel combined model of care to the assessment and prevention of osteoporosis and falls in the outpatients setting.

Setting

Falls and Fractures Clinic (FFC) at Nepean Hospital (Penrith, NSW, Australia).

Participants

Pre-effects and posteffects assessment of 106 community-dwelling older patients referred from the community.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Previous falls and fractures were recorded. Clinical, functional and paraclinical evaluations were performed. A comprehensive multidisciplinary care plan was then tailored based on the presence of risk factors. Six-month follow-ups were performed assessing the incidence of falls and fractures, change in risk factors for falls and level of risk, with the recommended plan.

Results

We report that 97% of patients had a fall in the preceding 6 months, 47.6% of whom experienced a fracture from the fall. Furthermore, 64% of patients had a marked risk for falling by Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA), 90% had intermediate–high 10-year probability of fracture according to FRAX and 78% had sarcopenia. At 6-month follow-up, we observed more than an 80% reduction in falls and recurrent falls, and 50% reduction in fractures. In addition, 65% of patients had reduced PPA and a 57% reduction in 10-year fracture probability.

Conclusions

In conclusion, we suggest that a multidisciplinary FFC can provide substantial reductions in falls and fractures for high-risk older people, even over a relatively short 6-month time period. The current model of service provision via traditional falls clinics could be significantly improved by encompassing fracture prevention within the multifactorial approach to interventions.
Adapted motivational interviewing for brief healthcare consultations: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of treatment fidelity in real-world evaluations of behaviour change counselling
Authors: Beck Alison K , Forbes Erin , Baker Amanda L , Britton Ben , Oldmeadow Christopher , Carter Gregory
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Treatment fidelity is an important and often neglected component of complex behaviour change research. It is central to understanding treatment effects, especially for evaluations conducted outside of highly controlled research settings. Ensuring that promising interventions can be delivered adequately (ie, with fidelity) by real-world clinicians within real-world settings is an essential step in developing interventions that are both effective and ‘implementable’. Whether this is the case for behaviour change counselling, a complex intervention developed specifically for maximising the effectiveness of real-world consultations about health behaviour change, remains unclear. To improve our understanding of treatment effects, best practice guidelines recommend the use of strategies to enhance, monitor and evaluate what clinicians deliver during patient consultations. There has yet to be a systematic evaluation of whether and how these recommendations have been employed within evaluations of behaviour change counselling, nor the impact on patient health behaviour and/or outcome. We seek to address this gap.

Methods and analysis

Methods are informed by published guidelines. Ten electronic databases (Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL Complete, ScienceDirect, Taylor and Francis; Wiley, ProQuest and Open Grey) will be searched for published and unpublished articles that evaluate behaviour change counselling within real-world clinical settings (randomised and non-randomised). Eligible papers will be rated against the National Institute of Health fidelity framework. A synthesis, evaluation and critical overview of fidelity practices will be reported and linear regression used to explore change across time. Random-effect meta-regression is planned to explore whether fidelity (outcomes reported and methods used) is associated with the impact of behaviour change counselling. Standardised effect sizes will be calculated using Hedges’ g (continuous outcomes) and ORs (binary/dichotomous outcomes).

Ethics and dissemination

No ethical issues are foreseen. Findings will be disseminated via journal publication and conference presentation(s).

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42019131169
Efficacy of different surgical approaches in the clinical and survival outcomes of patients with early-stage cervical cancer: protocol of a phase III multicentre randomised controlled trial in China
Authors: Chao Xiaopei , Li Lei , Wu Ming , Ma Shuiqing , Tan Xianjie , Zhong Sen , Lang Jinghe , Cheng Aoshuang , Li Wenhui
Published: July 2019

Introduction

In the last three decades, minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for radical hysterectomy (RH) has become a popular treatment option for early-stage cervical cancer. However, a recently published randomised controlled trial (LACC trial) and an epidemiological study in the USA revealed strong evidence against the survival advantage of MIS for RH. However, the influencing factors of research centres and the learning curves of surgeons in these studies lacked sufficient evaluation. The efficacy of different surgical approaches for early-stage cervical cancer in the clinical and survival outcomes remains to be validated.

Methods and analysis

Patients diagnosed with FIGO (2009) stage IA1 (with lymphovascular space invasion), IA2 or IB1 cervical cancer with histological subtype of squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma or adenosquamous carcinoma will be recruited in this multicentre randomised controlled study. Patients will be randomly assigned to undergo MIS (robot-assisted or laparoscopic RH) or abdominal RH. Within 2 years, 1448 patients in 28 centres in China will be recruited to meet the criteria of a non-inferiority threshold of HR of 1.6 with bilateral nominal α <0.05 and power of 0.8. All surgeries will be performed by the indicated experienced surgeons. At least 100 RH cases in the individual past one decade of practice will be analysed as proof of learning curves. The primary objective of this study is 5-year disease-free survival. The secondary objectives include the overall survival rate, progression-free survival rate, disease-free survival rate, cost-effectiveness and quality of life.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of Peking Union Medical College Hospital and is filed on record by all other centres. Written informed consent will be obtained from all eligible participants before enrolment. The results will be disseminated through community events, academic conferences, student theses and peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NCT03739944.
Association between the Japan Coma Scale scores at the scene of injury and in-hospital outcomes in trauma patients: an analysis from the nationwide trauma database in Japan
Authors: Okada Yohei , Kiguchi Takeyuki , Iiduka Ryoji , Ishii Wataru , Iwami Taku , Koike Kaoru
Published: July 2019

Objective

Japan Coma Scale (JCS) is a grading system used to evaluate disturbed consciousness in prehospital care settings. We aimed to identify the association between the JCS levels at the scene with in-hospital mortality, as well as the discrimination ability for the outcomes.

Design

A retrospective cohort study based on the nationwide trauma database in Japan.

Setting

Multicentre cohort study using data from the Japan Trauma Data Bank, which is a nationwide, prospective, observational trauma registry derived from 235 hospitals.

Participants

Adult trauma victims transferred directly from the scene of injury to the hospital from January 2004 to December 2017 were eligible for inclusion.

Primary and secondary outcomes

Primary outcome was the association between the JCS levels at the scene with in-hospital mortality. We conducted a multivariate logistic regression analysis to calculate the adjusted ORs of JCS levels with 95% CIs for in-hospital mortality. We also calculated the c-statistics for in-hospital mortality.

Results

164 723 patients were included in the analysis. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, the corresponding adjusted ORs of JCS levels 2 and 3 referred to level 1 for in-hospital mortality were 4.1 (95% CI 3.8 to 4.4) and 26.0 (95% CI 24.8 to 27.2). The c-statistics of the JCS level for in-hospital mortality was 0.845 (95% CI 0.842 to 0.849).

Conclusions

Data from large multicentre prospective registry revealed strong associations of the JCS level at the scene of injury with in-hospital mortality as well as the good discriminatory performance for this outcome.
Multidisciplinary transcatheter aortic valve replacement heart team programme improves mortality in aortic stenosis
Authors: Jones Dylan R , Chew Derek P , Horsfall Matthew J , Chuang Anthony Ming-Yu , Sinhal Ajay R , Joseph Majo X , Baker Robert A , Bennetts Jayme S , Selvanayagam Joseph B , Lehman Sam J
Published: July 2019

Objectives

To analyse the effect of the implementation of a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and multidisciplinary heart team programme on mortality in severe aortic stenosis (AS).

Methods

A retrospective, observational cohort study was performed using the echocardiography, cardiothoracic surgery and TAVR databases between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2016. Outcomes were compared between the pre- and post-TAVR programme eras in a tertiary referral centre providing transcatheter and surgical interventions for AS.

All-cause mortality within 5 years from diagnosis was determined for 3399 patients with echocardiographically defined severe AS.

Results

Of 3399 patients, there were 210 deaths (6.2%) at 30 days and 1614 deaths (47.5%) at 5 years.

Overall, patients diagnosed in the post-TAVR programme era were older, with a lower ejection fraction and more severe AS, but were less comorbid.

Among 705 patients undergoing intervention, those in the post-TAVR programme era were older, with a lower ejection fraction and more severe AS but no significant differences in comorbidities.

Using an inverse probability weighted cohort and a Cox proportional hazards model, a significant mortality benefit was noted between eras alone (HR=0.86, 95% CI 0.77 to 0.97, p=0.015). When matching for age, comorbidities and valve severity, this benefit was more evident (HR=0.82, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.92, p=0.001).

After adjusting for the presence of aortic valve intervention, a significant benefit persisted (HR=0.84, 95% CI 0.75 to 0.95, p=0.005).

Conclusion

The implementation of a TAVR programme is associated with a mortality benefit in the population with severe AS, independent of the expansion of access to intervention.
Effect of timing of postweaning xylanase supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and fecal microbial composition in weanling pigs
Authors: Lu H. , Yan H. , Masey O’Neill H.M. , Bradley C. , Bedford M.R. , Wilcock P. , Nakatsu C.H. , Adeola O. , Ajuwon K.M.
Published: July 2019

Effect of timing of xylanase supplementation to weanling pigs and its effect on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and fecal microbiota was investigated. A total of 128 weanling pigs [(Hampshire × Duroc) × (Yorkshire × Landrace); 6.2 ± 0.6 kg body weight (BW); weaning age: 21 d] were assigned to four treatments, with eight replicate pens and four pigs per pen. Treatments were a combination of two dietary treatments (without or with xylanase) in two periods; (period 1, days 0–14) and period 2 (days 14–42): xylanase–xylanase, xylanase–control, control–xylanase, and control–control. Fecal microbiota diversity and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) were determined. From days 0–14, pigs had lower (P < 0.01) BW, average daily gain (ADG), and feed efficiency when xylanase was included in the diets. The final BW (P < 0.05) and overall ADG (P < 0.02) at day 42 were greater when xylanase was supplemented from day 14 compared with supplementation from day 0. The apparent ileal digestibility and ATTD of dry matter, gross energy, nitrogen, and phosphorus were increased (P < 0.05) by xylanase. Xylanase significantly decreased (P < 0.05) the relative abundance of Veillonella spp. and tended (P = 0.08) to decrease the relative abundance of Megasphaera spp. in period 2 compared with the non-supplemented group.
Predicting the seismic collapse capacity of adjacent structures prone to pounding
Authors: Kazemi F. , Mohebi B. , Yakhchalian M.
Published: July 2019

In crowded cities, many structures are often constructed in a very close vicinity; therefore, during severe earthquakes, pounding phenomenon occurs due to out-of-phase vibrations of adjacent structures. In this study, pounding of adjacent structures is investigated up to the occurrence of total collapse. The novelty of this study is performing incremental dynamic analyses to compute the seismic collapse capacities of both pounding structures in one model and removal of the collapsed structure during analysis, and proposing modification factors for modifying median collapse capacity of single structures to consider the effect of pounding, which cannot be considered before the design process. The results indicate that pounding may significantly affect median collapse capacities of structures compared with those obtained by neglecting the pounding phenomenon. Therefore, different modification factors are required according to structural characteristics. It is noteworthy that the results of this study were obtained using simplifying assumptions and should not be generalized.
Trees are larger on southern slopes in late-seral conifer stands in northwestern British Columbia
Authors: Kuyek Nathan J. , Thomas Sean C.
Published: July 2019

Mid-latitude forests commonly show increased productivity and ultimately produce larger trees on shaded, northern aspects compared with those on sunny, southern aspects. Little research has been conducted on this phenomenon at higher latitudes where solar radiation is less available. We examined patterns of canopy tree size in a set of 142 naturally regenerated, late-seral conifer stands in northwestern British Columbia, Canada, at latitudes of 54°N–56°N. The height, diameter, and total stem volume of three shade-tolerant conifers (western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.), subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.), and hybrid spruce (Picea glauca × engelmannii (Moench) Voss)) and shade-intolerant lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelm. ex S. Watson) were analyzed. In contrast to most previous studies, mean canopy tree height, diameter, and volume were greatest on southern aspects and lowest on northern aspects for the subset of sites with pronounced slopes (≥30%). There was some variation in patterns among species, with western hemlock responding most strongly to topography, and species-specific effects of topography on height–diameter allometry. We suggest that decreased levels of radiation at northern latitudes and increased light and warmer temperatures on steeper, southern aspects promote growth. In contrast, colder, shaded, northern aspects with increased snow accumulation, delayed snowmelt, and decreased nitrogen mineralization inhibit growth. Our results, together with published data, suggest that a latitudinal shift from higher forest productivity on northern aspects to higher productivity on southern aspects typically occurs between 40°N and 50°N.
Dual cracks propagation behavior in hybrid skin–stiffener joint
Authors: Jeevan Kumar N.
Published: July 2019

There is increasing demand for Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) especially in aerospace engineering. Due to their high specific strength-to-weight ratio, these composites offer more characteristics and considerable advantages when compared to metals. Metals, unlike composites, offer plasticity effects to evade high stress concentrations during post-buckling. Under compressive load, composite structures show a wide range of damage mechanisms where a set of damage modes combined together may lead to the structural collapse. The numerical analysis is conducted to investigate the effect of the dual cracks growth for the cracks embedded between plies of the skin and between plies of the stiffener hat. The dual fractured configuration is loaded to study the impact of dual cracks on load carrying capacity of the skin–stiffener joint and mode of fracture initiation and growth. Numerical method of Virtual Crack Close Technique is applied for predicting interlaminar crack initiation and interlaminar crack growth as well as in-plane crack mechanisms to predict the design of crack free joint.
Algorithm 996
Authors: Ito Naoki , Kim Sunyoung , Kojima Masakazu , Takeda Akiko , Toh Kim-Chuan
Published: July 2019

The software package BBCPOP is a MATLAB implementation of a hierarchy of sparse doubly nonnegative relaxations of a class of polynomial optimization (minimization) problems (POPs) with binary, box, and complementarity (BBC) constraints. Given a POP in the class and a relaxation order, BBCPOP constructs a simple conic optimization problem (COP), which serves as a doubly nonnegative relaxation of the POP, and then solves the COP by applying the bisection and projection method. The COP is expressed with a linear objective function and constraints described as a single hyperplane and two cones, which are the Cartesian product of positive semidefinite cones and a polyhedral cone induced from the BBC constraints. BBCPOP aims to compute a tight lower bound for the optimal value of a large-scale POP in the class that is beyond the comfort zone of existing software packages. The robustness, reliability, and efficiency of BBCPOP are demonstrated in comparison to the state-of-the-art software SDP package SDPNAL+ on randomly generated sparse POPs of degree 2 and 3 with up to a few thousands variables, and ones of degree from 5 to 8 with up to a few hundred variables. Numerical results on BBC-constrained POPs that arise from quadratic assignment problems are also reported. The software package BBCPOP is available at https://sites.google.com/site/bbcpop1/.
Impaired glucose tolerance, glucagon, and insulin responses in mice lacking the loop diuretic-sensitive Nkcc2a transporter
Authors: Kelly Lisa , Almutairi Mohammed M. , Kursan Shams , Pacheco Romario , Dias-Junior Eduardo , Castrop Hayo , Di Fulvio Mauricio
Published: July 2019

The Na+K+2Cl− cotransporter-2 ( Nkcc2, Slc12a1) is abundantly expressed in the kidney and its inhibition with the loop-diuretics bumetanide and furosemide has been linked to transient or permanent hyperglycemia in mice and humans. Notably, Slc12a1 is expressed at low levels in hypothalamic neurons and in insulin-secreting β-cells of the endocrine pancreas. The present study was designed to determine if global elimination of one of the Slc12a1 products, i.e., Nkcc2 variant a ( Nkcc2a), the main splice version of Nkcc2 found in insulin-secreting β-cells, has an impact on the insulin and glucagon secretory responses and fuel homeostasis in vivo. We have used dynamic tests of glucose homeostasis in wild-type mice and mice lacking both alleles of Nkcc2a ( Nkcc2aKO) and assessed their islet secretory responses in vitro. Under basal conditions, Nkcc2aKO mice have impaired glucose homeostasis characterized by increased blood glucose, intolerance to the sugar, delayed/blunted in vivo insulin and glucagon responses to glucose, and increased glycemic responses to the gluconeogenic substrate alanine. Further, we provide evidence of conserved quantitative secretory responses of Nkcc2aKO islets within a context of increased islet size related to hyperplastic/hypertrophic glucagon- and insulin-positive cells (α-cells and β-cells, respectively), normal total islet Cl− content, and reduced β-cell expression of the Cl− extruder Kcc2.
Sarcolipin overexpression impairs myogenic differentiation in Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Niranjan Nandita , Mareedu Satvik , Tian Yimin , Kodippili Kasun , Fefelova Nadezhda , Voit Antanina , Xie Lai-Hua , Duan Dongsheng , Babu Gopal J.
Published: July 2019

Reduction in the expression of sarcolipin (SLN), an inhibitor of sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA), ameliorates severe muscular dystrophy in mice. However, the mechanism by which SLN inhibition improves muscle structure remains unclear. Here, we describe the previously unknown function of SLN in muscle differentiation in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Overexpression of SLN in C2C12 resulted in decreased SERCA pump activity, reduced SR Ca2+ load, and increased intracellular Ca2+ ([Formula: see text]) concentration. In addition, SLN overexpression resulted in altered expression of myogenic markers and poor myogenic differentiation. In dystrophin-deficient dog myoblasts and myotubes, SLN expression was significantly high and associated with defective [Formula: see text] cycling. The dystrophic dog myotubes were less branched and associated with decreased autophagy and increased expression of mitochondrial fusion and fission proteins. Reduction in SLN expression restored these changes and enhanced dystrophic dog myoblast fusion during differentiation. In summary, our data suggest that SLN upregulation is an intrinsic secondary change in dystrophin-deficient myoblasts and could account for the [Formula: see text] mishandling, which subsequently contributes to poor myogenic differentiation. Accordingly, reducing SLN expression can improve the [Formula: see text] cycling and differentiation of dystrophic myoblasts. These findings provide cellular-level supports for targeting SLN expression as a therapeutic strategy for DMD.
Beta-band motor unit coherence and nonlinear surface EMG features of the first dorsal interosseous muscle vary with force
Authors: McManus Lara , Flood Matthew W. , Lowery Madeleine M.
Published: July 2019

Motor unit firing times are weakly coupled across a range of frequencies during voluntary contractions. Coherent activity within the beta-band (15–35 Hz) has been linked to oscillatory cortical processes, providing evidence of functional connectivity between the motoneuron pool and motor cortex. The aim of this study was to investigate whether beta-band motor unit coherence is altered with increasing abduction force in the first dorsal interosseous muscle. Coherence between motor unit firing times, extracted from decomposed surface electromyography (EMG) signals, was investigated in 17 subjects at 10, 20, 30, and 40% of maximum voluntary contraction. Corresponding changes in nonlinear surface EMG features (specifically sample entropy and determinism, which are sensitive to motor unit synchronization) were also examined. A reduction in beta-band and alpha-band coherence was observed as force increased [ F(3, 151) = 32, P < 0.001 and F(3, 151) = 27, P < 0.001, respectively], accompanied by corresponding changes in nonlinear surface EMG features. A significant relationship between the nonlinear features and motor unit coherence was also detected ( r = −0.43 ± 0.1 and r = 0.45 ± 0.1 for sample entropy and determinism, respectively; both P < 0.001). The reduction in beta-band coherence suggests a change in the relative contribution of correlated and uncorrelated presynaptic inputs to the motoneuron pool, and/or a decrease in the responsiveness of the motoneuron pool to synchronous inputs at higher forces. The study highlights the importance of considering muscle activation when investigating changes in motor unit coherence or nonlinear EMG features and examines other factors that can influence coherence estimation.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Intramuscular alpha- and beta-band coherence decreased as muscle contraction force increased. Beta-band coherence was higher in groups of high-threshold motor units than in simultaneously active lower threshold units. Alterations in motor unit coherence with increases or decreases in force and with the onset of fatigue were accompanied by corresponding changes in surface electromyography sample entropy and determinism. Mixed-model analysis indicated mean firing rate and number of motor units also influenced the coherence estimate.
Hyperexcitability precedes motoneuron loss in the Smn2B/− mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy
Authors: Quinlan K. A. , Reedich E. J. , Arnold W. D. , Puritz A. C. , Cavarsan C. F. , Heckman C. J. , DiDonato C. J.
Published: July 2019

Spinal motoneuron dysfunction and loss are pathological hallmarks of the neuromuscular disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Changes in motoneuron physiological function precede cell death, but how these alterations vary with disease severity and motoneuron maturational state is unknown. To address this question, we assessed the electrophysiology and morphology of spinal motoneurons of presymptomatic Smn2B/− mice older than 1 wk of age and tracked the timing of motor unit loss in this model using motor unit number estimation (MUNE). In contrast to other commonly used SMA mouse models, Smn2B/− mice exhibit more typical postnatal development until postnatal day (P)11 or 12 and have longer survival (~3 wk of age). We demonstrate that Smn2B/− motoneuron hyperexcitability, marked by hyperpolarization of the threshold voltage for action potential firing, was present at P9–10 and preceded the loss of motor units. Using MUNE studies, we determined that motor unit loss in this mouse model occurred 2 wk after birth. Smn2B/− motoneurons were also larger in size, which may reflect compensatory changes taking place during postnatal development. This work suggests that motoneuron hyperexcitability, marked by a reduced threshold for action potential firing, is a pathological change preceding motoneuron loss that is common to multiple models of severe SMA with different motoneuron maturational states. Our results indicate voltage-gated sodium channel activity may be altered in the disease process.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Changes in spinal motoneuron physiologic function precede cell death in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), but how they vary with maturational state and disease severity remains unknown. This study characterized motoneuron and neuromuscular electrophysiology from the Smn2B/− model of SMA. Motoneurons were hyperexcitable at postnatal day (P)9–10, and specific electrophysiological changes in Smn2B/− motoneurons preceded functional motor unit loss at P14, as determined by motor unit number estimation studies.
The Potential Role of Quorum Sensing in Clonal Growth and Subsequent Expansion of Bone Marrow Stromal Cell Strains in Culture
Authors: Alimandi Maurizio , Pierelli Luca , Pino Valentina , Gentileschi Stefano , Sacchetti Benedetto
Published: July 2019

Clonal development (clonogenicity) is an inherent property of a subset of postnatal bone marrow (BM) adherent stromal mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from which a multipotent progeny develops in culture. Our data suggest that clonogenicity and BM-MSC expansion are two distinct biological events. This hypothesis is based on the following observations: (1) the beginning of clonal growth is a property strictly dependent on serum and independent of the social context, (2) the expansion of individual clone is influenced by events deriving from a social context during initial growth, (3) clonogenic cells grown in a social context in presence of serum can emancipate themselves to generate a secondary different progeny, and (4) the ability of socially generated clones to develop an inherent potential for further growth suggests that quorum sensing may operate in BM-MSC cultures and determine the potential growth of clonal strains.
Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Anthocyanins Extracted from Oryza sativa L. in Primary Dermal Fibroblasts
Authors: Palungwachira Pakhawadee , Tancharoen Salunya , Phruksaniyom Chareerut , Klungsaeng Sirinapha , Srichan Ratchaporn , Kikuchi Kiyoshi , Nararatwanchai Thamthiwat
Published: July 2019

Flavonoids are naturally active substances that form a large class of phenolic compounds abundant in certain foods. Black rice (Oryza sativa L.) contains high levels of anthocyanin polyphenols, which have beneficial effects on health owing to their antioxidant properties. The breakdown of collagenous networks with aging or skin deterioration results in the impairment of wound healing in the skin. Accordingly, reviving stagnant collagen synthesis can help maintain dermal homeostasis during wound healing. This study presents an assessment of the cellular activity of anthocyanins (ANT) extracted from Oryza sativa L., providing information necessary for the development of new products that support natural healing processes. The relative composition of ANT from Oryza sativa L. was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography/diode array detection. ANT promoted the migration of rat dermal fibroblasts (RDFs) and demonstrated antioxidant properties. ANT increased the mRNA expression of collagen type I alpha 2 (COL1A2) and upregulated type I collagen protein levels in H2O2-stimulated RDFs without cytotoxicity. Compared with the untreated group, treatment of RDFs with ANT in the presence of H2O2 led to the activation of signaling pathways, including the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and Akt, whereas it significantly (p<0.001) inhibited the phosphorylation of IκBα and suppressed the activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) subunits, p50 and p65, which are transcription factors responsible for inflammation. Taken together, our findings suggest that ANT from Oryza sativa L. have anti-inflammatory properties and antiaging potential by modulating type I collagen gene expression and suppressing H2O2-induced NF-κB activation in skin fibroblasts.
Survey of Integrative Treatment Practices of Korean Medicine Doctors for Cervical Disc Herniation: Preliminary Data for Clinical Practice Guidelines
Authors: Choi Hee Seung , Lee Yoon Jae , Kim Me-riong , Cho Jae-Heung , Kim Koh-Woon , Kim Eun-Jung , Ha In-Hyuk
Published: July 2019

A survey study was conducted in Korean medicine doctors who provide nonsurgical integrative treatment for cervical disc herniation (CDH) at spine-specialty hospitals to assess usual treatment practices, diagnosis and treatment methods, and related adverse events for CDH. The questionnaire was jointly developed by clinical experts and methodology experts and was administered to 197 Korean medicine doctors (response rate: 84.9% (n = 197/232)) practicing at spine-specialty Korean medicine hospitals for analysis of general sociodemographic information, practice patterns of CDH including diagnosis and treatment strategies, CDH prognosis, and treatment safety. The average clinical experience of respondents was 9.3±6.4 years, and 4.0±1.8 weeks were regarded to be needed for CDH pain to decrease by 50% and 9.1±3.4 weeks to decrease by 80%. Eight-Principle Pattern and Meridian System Identification were the most commonly used Korean medicine syndrome differentiation methods, and CDH was most often considered to be a result of Qi stagnation and Blood coagulation. The Spurling test was reported to be important in physical examination, and magnetic resonance (MR) images were mostly used for diagnosis and treatment of CDH of various diagnostic tools. Treatment mainly consisted of a nonsurgical, integrative multimodal approach comprising acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine, and Chuna manual therapy. Shinbaro pharmacopuncture and Chungpa-jun, which are well-established herbal treatments supported by evidence, were considered to be of high importance in CDH treatment. With regard to safety, acupuncture was considered to be the safest, while bee venom pharmacopuncture was of highest concern due to potential hypersensitivity. This study is the first report to investigate current practice patterns and approach of Korean medicine doctors to CDH treatment. This data may be of significance to Korean medicine doctors in drawing clinical guidelines and conducting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to generate high-level evidence on the effectiveness of nonsurgical integrative medicine treatments for CDH.
Wear Resistance of Ni-Based Alloy Coatings
Authors: Yu Jinku , Wang Yuehua , Zhao XiCan , Li Qinyang , Qiao Qi , Zhao Jia , Zhai Sen
Published: July 2019

In this paper, nickel-based alloy coatings were deposited on the surface of pure copper by jet electrodeposition. The wear resistance of the coatings was studied by a material surface comprehensive performance tester under dry sliding. Hardness testing, friction, and wear testing were performed to characterize the microhardness, surface morphology, and wear resistance of the coatings. The results indicated that adding Fe and W could refine and purify the microstructure. The coatings with additions of 5 wt.% Fe and 7 wt.% W exhibited the highest wear-resistant properties. Moreover, new compound phases NiO, Fe2O3, and WO3 were found on the surface coatings, such that the microhardness was higher than that in the other coatings. Detailed discussions on the influences of Fe and W on the sliding wear are presented.
Experiment and Analysis of Cord Stress on High‐Speed Radial Tire Standing Waves
Authors: Sun Peng-Fei , Huang Hong-Wu , Zhou Shui-Ting , Chiu Yi-Jui , Du Meng , Zhao Dong-Hao
Published: July 2019

This paper elaborates on the production mechanisms of standing waves during high‐speed tire rolling and analyzes the relationship between the change of wavelength of sidewall waves and the vehicle velocity, from an oblique wave point of view. A finite element model for a 195/65R15 radial tire is established with the nonlinear analysis software ABAQUS, based on the tire structure and cord parameters. This paper comparatively analyzes the finite element simulation results and experimental results of the tire load‐sinkage relation and the load vs inflatable section width relation and finds little difference between the simulation and experimental results. A similar analysis studies the change in the wavelength of sidewall standing waves at different vehicle velocities during high‐speed tire rolling. The calculated value by the oblique wave approach, the value by simulation, and the experimental results demonstrate high consistency, concluding that during high‐speed tire rolling, the wavelength of sidewall standing waves increases with vehicle velocity. Thus, the accuracy of the finite element model is verified under both static and dynamic conditions. Under a constant tire pressure and load, the impact of velocity change on tire‐cord stress during high‐speed tire rolling is studied based on the finite element model so as to identity the relation between the cord stress and standing waves.
Association between Herpes Zoster and Osteoporosis: A Nested Case-Control Study Using a National Sample Cohort
Authors: Min Chanyang , Bang Woo Jin , Oh Dong Jun , Sim Songyong , Choi Hyo Geun
Published: July 2019

Objectives. Chronic inflammatory disease might affect osteoporosis; however, few studies have reported the association between herpes zoster and osteoporosis. The goal of this study was to estimate the association between herpes zoster and osteoporosis in Korean residents. Methods. The Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort, which includes individuals aged ≥ 50 years, was assessed from 2002 to 2013. In total, 68,492 osteoporosis participants were matched with 68,492 control participants at a ratio of 1:1 by age, sex, income, and region of residence. We assayed the prior histories of herpes zoster in the osteoporosis and control groups. The diagnoses of herpes zoster and osteoporosis were based on ICD-10 codes and claim codes. Crude and adjusted models of odds ratios (ORs) were explored using conditional logistic regression analyses, and the 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed. The participants were stratified according to age, sex, income, and region of residence. Subgroup analyses were performed to investigate the role of age and sex. Results. The rate of herpes zoster in the osteoporosis group (5.1% [3,487/68,492]) was higher than that in the control group (4.0% [2,738/68,492]). The adjusted OR of herpes zoster in the osteoporosis group was 1.17 (95% CI = 1.11-1.24). In the subgroup analyses, the adjusted OR was 1.34 (95% CI = 1.01-1.78) among males aged < 65 years, 1.20 (95% CI = 1.12-1.29) among females aged < 65 years, and 1.19 (95% CI = 1.04-1.36) among males aged ≥ 65 years. Conclusion. The ORs of herpes zoster were increased among the osteoporosis patients. This correlation was reliable in all subgroups by age and sex except group of women ≥ 65 years old.
Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage in a Patient with Antisynthetase Syndrome
Authors: Vargas-Gutiérrez D. A. , Solís-Jiménez F. , Arias Callejas K. I. , Cano Cruz L. , Zapata Arenas R. , Acero López A. O. , Puente Rodríguez P. , Velázquez de la Paz S.
Published: July 2019

An alveolar hemorrhage case is reported as the initial manifestation of antisynthetase syndrome in a 40-year-old man, who is admitted to the Emergency Department for diagnostic approach of chronic cough and progressive dyspnea. The diagnosis of the alveolar hemorrhage was based on the presence of acute respiratory failure, decrease in hemoglobin levels, and observation of macrophages filled with hemosiderin. The antisynthetase syndrome was classified through a tomographic image compatible with a nonspecific interstitial pneumonia, along with antibodies associated to myositis (PL-12 and Ro-52). The study protocol was completed with the result of a myopathic pattern showed in electromyography. This patient presented a good response to steroids and disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD).
Plasma Sterilization Effectively Reduces Bacterial Contamination in Dental Unit Waterlines
Authors: Noopan Sarocha , Unchui Phattranit , Techotinnakorn Supitcha , Ampornaramveth Ruchanee Salingcarnboriboon
Published: July 2019

Objective. To investigate the effectiveness of plasma sterilization in reducing bacterial contamination and controlling biofilms in dental unit waterlines.Materials and Methods. Ten identical dental chair units (DCUs) were used. Five DCUs were installed with an automated plasma sterilization system (PSS) and the other five were kept as nontreated controls (CTL). Water flushed from the airotor line served as the output water of the dental unit waterlines (DUWLs). Water samples were collected at the beginning and on a weekly basis for 4 months. Water was analyzed for bacterial contamination (CFU/mL). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate the amount of biofilm in the waterlines. Biofilm viability was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. All statistical analyses were performed using the Mann–WhitneyUtest. A value ofp<0.05was considered significant.Results. The DCU output water was found to be heavily contaminated with bacteria. Plasma sterilization effectively reduced bacterial contamination from an average of 212 CFU/mL to 8 CFU/mL. During the entire period of 4 months, the level remained below 500 CFU/mL, the standard level recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the USA. The reduction in the bacterial count was significant compared with the CTL group (p<0.05). Plasma sterilization could not eradicate the existing biofilms in the waterlines, and it did reduce biofilm mass and viability. Moreover, treatment with plasma sterilization did not induce a change in the composition of microorganisms, as analyzed by Gram staining.Conclusion. Plasma sterilization, which is part of electrochemically activated water, effectively reduces bacterial contamination and reduces biofilms in dental unit waterlines.
Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata, the Dried Root of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx., Improves Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia via Suppressing 5-Alpha Reductase and Inducing Prostate Cell Apoptosis
Authors: Park Jinbong , Youn Dong-Hyun , Um Jae-Young
Published: July 2019

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common disease in elderly men which can be characterized by an abnormal enlargement of the prostate associated with lower urinary symptoms. Current medications available for BPH treatment display several adverse effects; thus, the search for effective treatments with less side effects is still ongoing. In this study, we investigated the effect of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata (dried root of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx.; AL), which is an herb used to treat extremely cold symptoms in traditional Korean medicine, on BPH using a testosterone propionate- (TP-) induced BPH rat model. Eight-week inguinal injection of TP induced BPH in rats, the prostate of which was displaying an abnormal proliferation. The pathological proliferation of the prostate was ameliorated by AL treatment of 4 weeks. Pathohistological changes in the prostate including epithelial thickness and lumen area were restored in AL-treated rats. Furthermore, 5α-reductase (5AR) and androgen receptor (AR), the two main factors in the pathogenesis of BPH, were decreased. In addition, the ratio of BAX and Bcl-2, an indicator of apoptosis, was increased by AL as well. Similar results were observed in AL-treated LNCaP prostate cancer cells. AL treatment suppressed the expression of the 5AR-AR axis and increased the ratio of BAX and Bcl-2. Apoptosis in the testis is considered a crucial side effect of finasteride, a 5AR inhibitor used to treat BPH. Our results showed that AL treatment did not display such effects, while finasteride treatment resulted in loss of spermatogenic cells within the prostate. Overall, these results suggest AL as a potentially safe nature-derived therapeutic agent for BPH treatment.
Stability of the Universe Model Coupled with Phantom and Tachyon Fields
Authors: Sharif M. , Mumtaz Saadia
Published: July 2019

In this paper, we study the phase space analysis of locally rotationally symmetric Bianchi type I universe model by taking interactions between dark matter and scalar field models. We define normalized dimensionless variables to develop an autonomous system of equations. We also find the corresponding critical points in order to study the dynamics of the system. The dynamical analysis indicates that all the critical points correspond to accelerated cosmic expansion for tachyon coupled field. We observe that positive values of m provide more stable future attractors as compared to its negative values. We also analyze the behavior of power-law scale factor which shows different cosmological phases. It is found that the region for decelerated expansion gets larger for the phantom coupled matter by increasing m while this region decreases for tachyon coupled field.
Not Only Mutations Matter: Molecular Picture of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Emerging from Transcriptome Studies
Authors: Handschuh Luiza
Published: July 2019

The last two decades of genome-scale research revealed a complex molecular picture of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). On the one hand, a number of mutations were discovered and associated with AML diagnosis and prognosis; some of them were introduced into diagnostic tests. On the other hand, transcriptome studies, which preceded AML exome and genome sequencing, remained poorly translated into clinics. Nevertheless, gene expression studies significantly contributed to the elucidation of AML pathogenesis and indicated potential therapeutic directions. The power of transcriptomic approach lies in its comprehensiveness; we can observe how genome manifests its function in a particular type of cells and follow many genes in one test. Moreover, gene expression measurement can be combined with mutation detection, as high-impact mutations are often present in transcripts. This review sums up 20 years of transcriptome research devoted to AML. Gene expression profiling (GEP) revealed signatures distinctive for selected AML subtypes and uncovered the additional within-subtype heterogeneity. The results were particularly valuable in the case of AML with normal karyotype which concerns up to 50% of AML cases. With the use of GEP, new classes of the disease were identified and prognostic predictors were proposed. A plenty of genes were detected as overexpressed in AML when compared to healthy control, includingKIT,BAALC,ERG,MN1,CDX2,WT1,PRAME,andHOXgenes. High expression of these genes constitutes usually an unfavorable prognostic factor. Upregulation ofFLT3andNPM1genes, independent on their mutation status, was also reported in AML and correlated with poor outcome. However, transcriptome is not limited to the protein-coding genes; other types of RNA molecules exist in a cell and regulate genome function. It was shown that microRNA (miRNA) profiles differentiated AML groups and predicted outcome not worse than protein-coding gene profiles. For example, upregulation ofmiR-10a,miR-10b, andmiR-196band downregulation ofmiR-192were found as typical of AML withNPM1mutation whereas overexpression ofmiR-155was associated withFLT3-internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD). Development of high-throughput technologies and microarray replacement by next generation sequencing (RNA-seq) enabled uncovering a real variety of leukemic cell transcriptomes, reflected by gene fusions, chimeric RNAs, alternatively spliced transcripts, miRNAs, piRNAs, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and their special type, circular RNAs. Many of them can be considered as AML biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets. The relations between particular RNA puzzles and other components of leukemic cells and their microenvironment, such as exosomes, are now under investigation. Hopefully, the results of this research will shed the light on these aspects of AML pathogenesis which are still not completely understood.
Alternations of Metabolic Profiles in Synovial Fluids and the Correlation with T2 Relaxation Times of Cartilage and Meniscus—A Study on Anterior Cruciate Ligament- (ACL-) Injured Rabbit Knees at Early Stage
Authors: Tao Hongyue , Hu Yiwen , Qiao Yang , Xie Yuxue , Chen Tianwu , Chen Shuang
Published: July 2019

Objectives. To examine the metabolic profiles alterations of synovial fluids from anterior cruciate ligament- (ACL-) injured rabbit knees at early stage and analyze the correlation with T2 relaxation times of cartilage and meniscus. Methods. The right knees of 15 rabbits were selected for the construction of ACL injury models, whereas the contralateral knees served as control group. After 4 weeks, both knees were examined by MRI with quantitative T2 mapping sequence, and the T2 relaxation times of cartilage and meniscus were measured. Then, the synovial fluids were obtained from both knee capsules and performed liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis (LC-MS). Results. The T2 relaxation times of cartilage and meniscus in ACL-injured knees were significantly higher than those in control knees (Cartilage: 41.52 ± 2.98 ms vs 36.02 ± 2.71 ms, P < 0.001; Meniscus: 33.35 ± 3.57 ms vs 27.27 ± 2.10 ms, P < 0.001). Twenty-eight differential metabolites were identified based on a total of 1569 detected signatures between ACL-injured knees and control knees. These differential metabolites primarily implied perturbations in the fluxes of lipids and steroid-based compounds. The Linear regression analysis demonstrated satisfactory correlations between glycerophospholipid metabolism and T2 relaxation times of both cartilage and meniscus in ACL-injured knees (R2 = 0.8204 and 0.8197, respectively). Conclusion. ACL injury of rabbit knees resulted in elevated T2 relaxation times of cartilage and meniscus and perturbed metabolism of various lipids and steroids in synovial fluids, particularly glycerophospholipids. Glycerophospholipid metabolism related compounds could serve as potential biomarkers for early degenerative changes of cartilage and meniscus after ACL injury.