bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-term efficacy and safety of antitumour necrosis factor alpha treatment in rhupus: an open-label study of 15 patients
Authors: Danion François , Sparsa Laetitia , Arnaud Laurent , Alsaleh Ghada , Lefebvre François , Gies Vincent , Martin Thierry , Lukas Cédric , Durckel Jean , Ardizzone Marc , Javier Rose-Marie , Kleinmann Jean-François , Moreau Paul , Blaison Gilles , Goetz Joelle , Chatelus Emmanuel , Gottenberg Jacques-Eric , Sibilia Jean , Sordet Christelle
Published: December 2017

Background

The efficacy of antitumour necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNF-α) treatment is well recognised in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but remains controversial in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Therefore, the role of anti-TNF-α treatment in ‘Rhupus’, a disease sharing features of RA and SLE, is still debated.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of anti-TNF-α in patients with rhupus.

Methods

Fifteen patients with rhupus with Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS 28) >3.2 despite conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs were included in an open-label study. Patients were monitored at months (M) 3, 6, 12, 24 and 60 with SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and DAS 28. Statistical analyses were performed using Bayesian methods and Prob >97.5% was considered significant.

Results

Twelve patients were treated with etanercept for a median duration of 62.5 (range: 6–112) months and three patients by adalimumab during 36.0 (range: 4–52) months. At baseline, median DAS 28 and SLEDAI were 5.94 (4.83–8.09) and 6 (4–8), respectively. DAS 28 and SLEDAI decreased significantly after 3 months, respectively, to 3.70 (1.80–6.42) and 4 (0–6) (Prob >99.9%, for both). These changes persisted at M6, M12, M24 and M60 (Prob >99.9%, for all). Median prednisone dose decreased significantly from 15 (5–35) mg/day to 5 (0–20) mg/day after 6 months and over the follow-up (Prob >99.9%, for all). Tolerance was acceptable, with a severe infection rate of 3.0 per 100 patient-years.

Conclusion

This pilot study suggests that anti-TNF-α is effective in patients with rhupus with refractive arthritis and has an acceptable safety profile.
Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 15 Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Wang Ling-Jun , Wang Ming-Qing , Hu Rong , Yang Yi , Huang Yu-Sheng , Xian Shao-Xiang , Lu Lu
Published: December 2017

We aimed to examine the effects of zinc supplementation on nutritional status, lipid profile, and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory therapies in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled clinical trials of zinc supplementation. Metaregression analyses were utilized to determine the cause of discrepancy. Begg and Egger tests were performed to assess publication bias. Subgroup analysis was utilized to investigate the effects of zinc supplementation in certain conditions. In the crude pooled results, we found that zinc supplementation resulted in higher serum zinc levels (weighted mean difference [WMD] = 28.489;P<0.001), higher dietary protein intake (WMD = 8.012;P<0.001), higher superoxide dismutase levels (WMD = 357.568;P=0.001), and lower levels of C-reactive protein (WMD = −8.618;P=0.015) and malondialdehyde (WMD = −1.275;P<0.001). The results showed no differences in lipid profile. In the metaregression analysis, we found that serum zinc levels correlated positively with intervention time (β=0.272;P=0.042) and varied greatly by ethnicity (P=0.023). Results from Begg and Egger tests showed that there was no significant bias in our meta-analysis (P>0.1). Results of subgroup analysis supported the above results. Our analysis shows that zinc supplementation may benefit the nutritional status of MHD patients and show a time-effect relationship.
Gait Speed Measurement for Elderly Patients with Risk of Frailty
Authors: Ferre Xavier , Villalba-Mora Elena , Caballero-Mora Maria-Angeles , Sanchez Alberto , Aguilera Williams , Garcia-Grossocordon Nuria , Nuñez-Jimenez Laura , Rodríguez-Mañas Leocadio , Liu Qin , del Pozo-Guerrero Francisco
Published: December 2017

The ageing of the population poses a threat to both public and private health and social systems. In the last 50 years, life expectancy has increased by an average of 20 years, and by the year 2050, life expectancy will exceed 90 years of age. However, quality of life in the last years of life is not guaranteed due to conditions such as functional decline and frailty, ultimately progressing to disability. Thus, the detection of such a condition in time is of utmost importance. This paper presents an ultrasonic sensor-based gait speed measurement device controlled via a mobile interface, which permits patients to self-assess physical performance. The system was developed and validated in an iterative process involving a total of 28 subjects (21 in the first round and 7 in the second one). After first evaluation at Hospital Universitario de Getafe, some technical problems arose whereas usability testing was well evaluated. The second version addressing the identified issues was technically validated at university premises with good and promising results. Future work envisages deployment of the system developed at subjects’ homes to be remotely and unobtrusively monitored.
Human Umbilical Cord Wharton Jelly-Derived Adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells, in Biohybrid Scaffolds, for Experimental Skin Regeneration
Authors: Montanucci Pia , di Pasquali Camilla , Ferri Ivana , Pescara Teresa , Pennoni Ilaria , Siccu Paola , Sidoni Angelo , Cervelli Valerio , Basta Giuseppe , Calafiore Riccardo
Published: December 2017

The ultimate goal for skin tissue engineering is to regenerate skin lesions to allow the full restoration of morphological and functional properties as what they were before injury. To this end, we have assembled a new prototype of a biomimetic human umbilical cord adult mesenchymal stem cell (hUCMS)/fibrin-based scaffold. We have fully characterized the proposed dermal equivalent (DE) in vitro, to assess morphological, functional, and biological properties of the encased cells. We transplanted DE subcutaneously into immunocompetent rodents, to verify its full biocompatibility. Finally, we studied DE graft effects on full-thickness wounds, in immunocompetent mice to demonstrate its capability to drive the healing process in the absence of significant scarring tissue. The excellent outcome of these in vivo studies fuels hope that this new approach, based on a biohybrid DE, may be applied to the operative treatment of skin lesions (i.e., diabetic foot ulcers and burns) in man.
Idh2 Deficiency Exacerbates Acrolein‐Induced Lung Injury through Mitochondrial Redox Environment Deterioration
Authors: Park Jung Hyun , Ku Hyeong Jun , Lee Jin Hyup , Park Jeen-Woo
Published: December 2017

Acrolein is known to be involved in acute lung injury and other pulmonary diseases. A number of studies have suggested that acrolein‐induced toxic effects are associated with depletion of antioxidants, such as reduced glutathione and protein thiols, and production of reactive oxygen species. Mitochondrial NADP+‐dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (idh2) regulates mitochondrial redox balance and reduces oxidative stress‐induced cell injury via generation of NADPH. Therefore, we evaluated the role of idh2 in acrolein‐induced lung injury using idh2 short hairpin RNA‐ (shRNA‐) transfected Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells and idh2‐deficient (idh2−/−) mice. Downregulation of idh2 expression increased susceptibility to acrolein via induction of apoptotic cell death due to elevated mitochondrial oxidative stress. Idh2 deficiency also promoted acrolein‐induced lung injury in idh2 knockout mice through the disruption of mitochondrial redox status. In addition, acrolein‐induced toxicity in idh2 shRNA‐transfected LLC cells and in idh2 knockout mice was ameliorated by the antioxidant, N‐acetylcysteine, through attenuation of oxidative stress resulting from idh2 deficiency. In conclusion, idh2 deficiency leads to mitochondrial redox environment deterioration, which causes acrolein‐mediated apoptosis of LLC cells and acrolein‐induced lung injury in idh2−/− mice. The present study supports the central role of idh2 deficiency in inducing oxidative stress resulting from acrolein‐induced disruption of mitochondrial redox status in the lung.
The Impact of Concrete Pavement Field Floor to Vehicle Missile Launching Process
Authors: Xinlin Wei , Yi Jiang , Wei Zeng , Xiaochuan Ni
Published: December 2017

The conception and evaluation indices of the bearing capacity of the concrete pavement field floor are analyzed in this paper. In order to get the damage process of the concrete panel, its tension and compression injury factors are derived, and a field floor structural dynamic model with concrete damage constitutive relation is built based on ABAQUS, and the influence of thickness and Young’s modulus of the concrete panel to the vehicular missile launching is comparatively analyzed.
Parameter Tuning for Local-Search-Based Matheuristic Methods
Authors: Cabrera-Guerrero Guillermo , Lagos Carolina , Castañeda Carolina , Johnson Franklin , Paredes Fernando , Cabrera Enrique
Published: December 2017

Algorithms that aim to solve optimisation problems by combining heuristics and mathematical programming have attracted researchers’ attention. These methods, also known as matheuristics, have been shown to perform especially well for large, complex optimisation problems that include both integer and continuous decision variables. One common strategy used by matheuristic methods to solve such optimisation problems is to divide the main optimisation problem into several subproblems. While heuristics are used to seek for promising subproblems, exact methods are used to solve them to optimality. In general, we say that both mixed integer (non)linear programming problems and combinatorial optimisation problems can be addressed using this strategy. Beside the number of parameters researchers need to adjust when using heuristic methods, additional parameters arise when using matheuristic methods. In this paper we focus on one particular parameter, which determines the size of the subproblem. We show how matheuristic performance varies as this parameter is modified. We considered a well-known NP-hard combinatorial optimisation problem, namely, the capacitated facility location problem for our experiments. Based on the obtained results, we discuss the effects of adjusting the size of subproblems that are generated when using matheuristics methods such as the one considered in this paper.
Pain and Stress Response during Intravenous Access in Children with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: Effects of EMLA and Nitrous Oxide Treatment
Authors: Ekbom K.
Published: December 2017

Background. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is an endocrine condition that requires regularly blood samples for optimal treatment. The management of CAH in children is complex when intravenous access is one of the most stressful procedures for children. The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the effects of nitrous oxide inhalation (N2O) in combination with cutaneous application of local anesthetics (EMLA) for improving intravenous access in children with CAH.Method. Ten children (7–14 years) were studied. The children received two intravenous procedures: one with EMLA and one with EMLA + N2O. The order of priority was randomized. The outcomes were the children’s pain experience (0–10) and an evaluation of satisfaction (1–5) after the procedure. Heart rate, blood pressure, saturation, and analyses of 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), norepinephrine, and glucose were analyzed.Results. Higher pain scores, heart rate, and glucose levels were reported after EMLA, compared to EMLA + N2O, but 17-OHP levels remained unchanged. The children’s satisfaction with the intravenous procedure was more positive for EMLA + N2O.Conclusions. EMLA + N2O offers the possibility of improving the intravenous procedure for anxious children with CAH. Although the quality of care was better with N2O treatment, it was not possible to demonstrate that this is a prerequisite for valid 17-OHP measurements.
Preventing Soft Texture Fish Fillets through Brine Injection Technology
Authors: Harikedua Silvana Dinaintang , Mireles DeWitt Christina A.
Published: December 2017

An exploratory study was conducted to determine if multineedle injection technology could deliver protease inhibitor ingredients into fish fillets at sufficient levels to inhibit protease activity. Pacific whiting is used as a model in this study. Fillet treatments (n=8/treatment) included noninjection (C), injection of base brine containing 3% salt and 3% sodium tripolyphosphate (B), injection of base brine and 3% egg white(BEW), and injection of base brine, 0.1% xanthan gum, and 3% dried potato extract(BPE). Xanthan gum was used as a suspension aid. Actual brine incorporation was12.2±0.5%. Cathepsin L activity was evaluated at pH 5.5 (optimal pH) and ultimate pH. Quality measures evaluated included CIE Lab color, shear force, and lipid oxidation. Fillets injected with BEWand BPEwere significantly lower in cathepsin L activity when measured at pH 5.5. BEWand BPEfillets were darker in appearance than B or C fillets. Untreated fillets (C) had higher variability in shear force value than treated fillets. There was no effect of treatment on lipid oxidation. Results suggested that injection technology can be utilized to incorporate protease inhibitor ingredients (3% EW or 3% PE) at levels sufficient to reduce cathepsin L activity in Pacific whiting fillets.
Optimal Retail Price Model for Partial Consignment to Multiple Retailers
Authors: Chen Po-Yu
Published: December 2017

This paper investigates the product pricing decision-making problem under a consignment stock policy in a two-level supply chain composed of one supplier and multiple retailers. The effects of the supplier’s wholesale prices and its partial inventory cost absorption of the retail prices of retailers with different market shares are investigated. In the partial product consignment model this paper proposes, the seller and the retailers each absorb part of the inventory costs. This model also provides general solutions for the complete product consignment and the traditional policy that adopts no product consignment. In other words, both the complete consignment and nonconsignment models are extensions of the proposed model (i.e., special cases). Research results indicated that the optimal retail price must be between 1/2 (50%) and 2/3 (66.67%) times the upper limit of the gross profit. This study also explored the results and influence of parameter variations on optimal retail price in the model.
Delayed Presentation of Submucosal Retained Toothbrush from Self-Inflicted Injury in Patient with Schizophrenia
Authors: Creswell Caleb H. , Kille Tony L. , Hoffman Matthew R. , Kennedy Tabassum , Dailey Seth H.
Published: December 2017

Foreign body ingestion occurs in not only children but also adults, particularly those with history of neurologic disease, alcohol use, or psychiatric disease. We present the case of a 40-year-old male with schizophrenia who presented to the emergency room with a long history of pharyngeal foreign body sensation which had recently progressed to include trismus, odynophagia, and dyspnea. Flexible laryngoscopy demonstrated fullness of the right posterior pharyngeal wall and computed tomography (CT) showed a linear opaque foreign body extending from the level of the oropharynx to the thyroid ala. Further history elicited that he stabbed himself in the pharynx two years prior with a toothbrush following a command hallucination. The toothbrush was removed uneventfully via an external approach. The patient was discharged with psychiatry follow-up. This case is unusual due to the submucosal location of the foreign body and the length of retention. It demonstrates the atypical nature which patients with comorbid psychiatric illness may present following foreign body injury and the use of an external surgical approach for the removal of a retained foreign body based on CT reconstruction.
Orientation Uncertainty Characteristics of Some Pose Measuring Systems
Authors: Franaszek Marek , Cheok Geraldine S.
Published: December 2017

We investigate the performance of pose measuring systems which determine an object’s pose from measurement of a few fiducial markers attached to the object. Such systems use point‐based, rigid body registration to get the orientation matrix. Uncertainty in the fiducials’ measurement propagates to the uncertainty of the orientation matrix. This orientation uncertainty then propagates to points on the object’s surface. This propagation is anisotropic, and the direction along which the uncertainty is the smallest is determined by the eigenvector associated with the largest eigenvalue of the orientation data’s covariance matrix. This eigenvector in the coordinate frame defined by the fiducials remains almost fixed for any rotation of the object. However, the remaining two eigenvectors vary widely and the direction along which the propagated uncertainty is the largest cannot be determined from the object’s pose. Conditions that result in such a behavior and practical consequences of it are presented.
Protein Glutathionylation in the Pathogenesis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Cha Sun Joo , Kim Hayoung , Choi Hyun-Jun , Lee Sanghyun , Kim Kiyoung
Published: December 2017

Protein glutathionylation is a redox‐mediated posttranslational modification that regulates the function of target proteins by conjugating glutathione with a cysteine thiol group on the target proteins. Protein glutathionylation has several biological functions such as regulation of metabolic pathways, calcium homeostasis, signal transduction, remodeling of cytoskeleton, inflammation, and protein folding. However, the exact role and mechanism of glutathionylation during irreversible oxidative stress has not been completely defined. Irreversible oxidative damage is implicated in a number of neurological disorders. Here, we discuss and highlight the most recent findings and several evidences for the association of glutathionylation with neurodegenerative diseases and the role of glutathionylation of specific proteins in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Understanding the important role of glutathionylation in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases may provide insights into novel therapeutic interventions.
Principle Research on a Novel Piezoelectric 12-DOF Force/Acceleration Sensor
Authors: Liu Jun , Liang Chuan-Wei , Li Min , Jian Ke , Qin Lan , Liu Jing-Cheng
Published: December 2017

This study proposes a new piezoelectric 12-DOF force/acceleration sensor structure to measure forces, torques, and accelerations, during a robot’s space motion. The study involves analyzing the operating principle and structural characteristics in order to obtain the model structure of a sensor. The mechanical diagram of the sensor was drawn based on the structural parameters of a piezoelectric 12-DOF force/acceleration sensor, and a numerical simulation model was established. The sensor utilizes piezoelectric quartz, of different cutting types, as the sensing and conversion element. Additionally, ANSYS was used to study the static sensitivity, crossing couplings, natural frequency, and other characteristics. The research results indicate that the piezoelectric 12-DOF force/acceleration sensor has many advantages, which include a simple structure, high integration, good linearity, and dynamic characteristics. The sensor’s operating principle is accurate, and the crossing couplings correspond to linear coupling. The results of the static characteristic analysis are consistent with the structural model. The natural frequencies exceed 11 kHz, and the relative errors of output data are less than 1%, with respect to the decoupling calculation.
Experimental Investigation on Thermal Management of Electric Vehicle Battery Module with Paraffin/Expanded Graphite Composite Phase Change Material
Authors: Zhang Jiangyun , Li Xinxi , He Fengqi , He Jieshan , Zhong Zhaoda , Zhang Guoqing
Published: December 2017

The temperature has to be controlled adequately to maintain the electric vehicles (EVs) within a safety range. Using paraffin as the heat dissipation source to control the temperature rise is developed. And the expanded graphite (EG) is applied to improve the thermal conductivity. In this study, the paraffin and EG composite phase change material (PCM) was prepared and characterized. And then, the composite PCM have been applied in the 42110 LiFePO4 battery module (48 V/10 Ah) for experimental research. Different discharge rate and pulse experiments were carried out at various working conditions, including room temperature (25°C), high temperature (35°C), and low temperature (−20°C). Furthermore, in order to obtain the practical loading test data, a battery pack with the similar specifications by 2S∗2P with PCM-based modules were installed in the EVs for various practical road experiments including the flat ground, 5°, 10°, and 20° slope. Testing results indicated that the PCM cooling system can control the peak temperature under 42°C and balance the maximum temperature difference within 5°C. Even in extreme high-discharge pulse current process, peak temperature can be controlled within 50°C. The aforementioned results exhibit that PCM cooling in battery thermal management has promising advantages over traditional air cooling.
Wireless Brain-Robot Interface: User Perception and Performance Assessment of Spinal Cord Injury Patients
Authors: Athanasiou Alkinoos , Arfaras George , Pandria Niki , Xygonakis Ioannis , Foroglou Nicolas , Astaras Alexander , Bamidis Panagiotis D.
Published: December 2017

Patients suffering from life-changing disability due to Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) increasingly benefit from assistive robotics technology. The field of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) has started to develop mature assistive applications for those patients. Nonetheless, noninvasive BCIs still lack accurate control of external devices along several degrees of freedom (DoFs). Unobtrusiveness, portability, and simplicity should not be sacrificed in favor of complex performance and user acceptance should be a key aim among future technological directions. In our study 10 subjects with SCI (one complete) and 10 healthy controls were recruited. In a single session they operated two anthropomorphic 8-DoF robotic arms via wireless commercial BCI, using kinesthetic motor imagery to perform 32 different upper extremity movements. Training skill and BCI control performance were analyzed with regard to demographics, neurological condition, independence, imagery capacity, psychometric evaluation, and user perception. Healthy controls, SCI subgroup with positive neurological outcome, and SCI subgroup with cervical injuries performed better in BCI control. User perception of the robot did not differ between SCI and healthy groups. SCI subgroup with negative outcome rated Anthropomorphism higher. Multi-DoF robotics control is possible by patients through commercial wireless BCI. Multiple sessions and tailored BCI algorithms are needed to improve performance.
Pirfenidone Accelerates Wound Healing in Chronic Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Randomized, Double-Blind Controlled Trial
Authors: Gasca-Lozano Luz E. , Lucano-Landeros Silvia , Ruiz-Mercado Héctor , Salazar-Montes Adriana , Sandoval-Rodríguez Ana , Garcia-Bañuelos Jesus , Santos-Garcia Arturo , Davila-Rodriguez Judith R. , Navarro-Partida José , Bojórquez-Sepúlveda Hiram , Castañeda-Gomez Juan , Domínguez-Rosales José , Ruiz-Arcos Myriam A. , Sánchez-Parada María Guadalupe , Armendariz-Borunda Juan
Published: December 2017

Background. Diabetic foot ulcers are one disabling complication of diabetes mellitus. Pirfenidone (PFD) is a potent modulator of extracellular matrix. Modified diallyl disulfide oxide (M-DDO) is an antimicrobial and antiseptic agent. Aim. To evaluate efficacy of topical PFD + M-DDO in a randomized, double-blind trial versus ketanserin in the treatment of noninfected chronic DFU. Methods. Patients received PFD + M-DDO or ketanserin for 6 months. Relative ulcer volume (RUV) was measured every month; biopsies were taken at baseline and months 1 and 2 for histopathology and gene expression analysis for COL-1α, COL-4, KGF, VEGF, ACTA2 (α-SMA), elastin, fibronectin, TGF-β1, TGF-β3, HIF-1α, and HIF-1β. Results. Reduction of median RUV in the PFD + M-DDO group was 62%, 89.8%, and 99.7% at months 1–3 and 100% from months 4 to 6. Ketanserin reduced RUV in 38.4%, 56%, 60.8%, 94%, 94.8%, and 100% from the first to the sixth month, respectively. Healing score improved 4.5 points with PFD + M-DDO and 1.5 points with ketanserin compared to basal value. Histology analysis revealed few inflammatory cells and organized/ordered collagen fiber bundles in PFD + M-DDO. Expression of most genes was increased with PFD + M-DDO; 43.8% of ulcers were resolved using PFD + M-DDO and 23.5% with ketanserin. Conclusion. PFD + M-DDO was more effective than ketanserin in RUV reduction.
Research on the Heating of Deicing Fluid in a New Reshaped Coiled Tube
Authors: Wu Mengli , Wang Chiyu , Li Yunpeng , Nie Qi
Published: December 2017

Aircraft ground deicing operation is significant to ensure civil flight safety in winter. Helically coiled tube is the important heat exchanger in Chinese deicing fluid heating system. In order to improve the deicing efficiency, the research focuses on heat transfer enhancement of deicing fluid in the tube. Based on the field synergy principle, a new reshaped tube (TCHC) is designed by ring‐rib convex on the inner wall. Deicing fluid is high viscosity ethylene‐glycol‐based mixture. Because of the power function relation between high viscosity and temperature, viscosity has a negative influence on heat transfer. The number of ring‐ribs and inlet velocity are two key parameters to the heat transfer performance. For both water and ethylene glycol, the outlet temperature rises when the number of ring‐ribs increases to a certain limit. However, the increasing of velocity reduces heating time, which results in lower outlet temperature. The heating experiment of the original tube is conducted. The error between experiment and simulation is less than 5%. The outlet temperature of TCHC increases by 3.76%. As a result, TCHC efficiently promotes the coordination of velocity and temperature fields by changing the velocity field. TCHC has enhanced heat transfer of high viscosity deicing fluid.
Mid-Infrared Tunable Intracavity Singly Resonant Optical Parametric Oscillator Based on MgO:PPLN
Authors: Zhang Jing , Zhang Yongchang , Duan Yanmin , Ruan Xiukai , Wang Hongyan , Zhang Yaoju , Zhu Haiyong , Tang Dingyuan
Published: December 2017

In this paper, we demonstrated a continuous-wave intracavity singly resonant optical parametric oscillator based on periodically poled MgO:LiNbO3 (MgO:PPLN) pumped by a diode-pumped Nd:YVO4 laser at 1064 nm. The singly resonant optical parametric oscillator only outputs the idler light as its cavity high reflectivity was coated at the signal light. When the temperature was controlled at 120°C and the grating period set at 30.5 μm for the MgO:PPLN, a maximum idler output power of 1.27 W and central wavelength at 3251 nm were obtained under an incident diode pump power of 12.4 W, corresponding to the conversion efficiency of 10.2%. By changing the temperature and the grating period of MgO:PPLN crystal, widely tunable mid-infrared spectra from 2.95 to 4.16 μm were achieved.
Osteoid Osteoma of the Trapezium: Case Report of an Unusual Tumor Location Presenting a Diagnostic Challenge
Authors: Roberts S. E. , Mirzabeigi M. N. , Naik A. , Preciado C. , Chang B.
Published: December 2017

Osteoid osteoma is a benign bone tumor, which represents approximately 10% of all benign bone tumors. When localized to the carpus, osteoid osteomas are most often seen in the scaphoid and capitate. Rarely, these tumors can also be observed in the trapezium. Given the infrequency with which osteomas are located in the trapezium and often nonspecific presenting symptoms, diagnosis of this tumor can be challenging and requires a high index of suspicion.
Contractibility of Fixed Point Sets of Mean-Type Mappings
Authors: Iampiboonvatana S. , Chaoha P.
Published: December 2017

We establish a convergence theorem and explore fixed point sets of certain continuous quasi-nonexpansive mean-type mappings in general normed linear spaces. We not only extend previous works by Matkowski to general normed linear spaces, but also obtain a new result on the structure of fixed point sets of quasi-nonexpansive mappings in a nonstrictly convex setting.
Role of FGF23 in Pediatric Hypercalciuria
Authors: Moreira Guimarães Penido Maria Goretti , de Sousa Tavares Marcelo , Saggie Alon Uri
Published: December 2017

Background. This study explored the possible role of FGF23 in pediatric hypercalciuria. Methods. Plasma FGF23 was measured in 29 controls and 58 children and adolescents with hypercalciuria: 24 before treatment (Pre-Treated) and 34 after 6 months of treatment (Treated). Hypercalciuric patients also measured serum PTH hormone, 25(OH)vitD, phosphate, calcium, creatinine, and 24 h urine calcium, phosphate, and creatinine. Results. There were no differences in age, gender, ethnicity, or body mass index either between controls and patients, or between Pre-Treated and Treated patients. Median plasma FGF23 in controls was 72 compared with all patients, 58 RU/mL (p=0.0019). However, whereas FGF23 in Pre-Treated patients, 73 RU/mL, was not different from controls, in Treated patients it was 50 RU/mL, significantly lower than in both controls (p<0.0001) and Pre-Treated patients (p=0.02). In all patients, there was a correlation between FGF23 and urinary calcium (r=0.325; p=0.0014). Treated patients had significantly lower urinary calcium (p<0.0001), higher TP/GFR (p<0.001), and higher serum phosphate (p=0.007) versus Pre-Treated patients. Conclusions. Pharmacological treatment of hypercalciuric patients resulted in significantly lower urinary calcium excretion, lower serum FGF23, and elevated TP/GFR and serum phosphate concentration, without significant changes in PTH. Further studies are indicated. This trial is registered with Clinical Registration Number RBR 8W27X5.
Association between Knowledge-Attitude-Practices and Control of Blood Glucose, Blood Pressure, and Blood Lipids in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Shanghai, China: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Yang Hua , Gao Jian , Ren Limin , Li Shuyu , Chen Zhangyan , Huang Junfang , Zhu Shanzhu , Pan Zhigang
Published: December 2017

Knowledge-attitude-practices (KAP) significantly impact the outcome of self-management in patients with diabetes, yet the association between KAP and the combined control of the levels of blood glucose, blood pressure, and blood lipids in these patients remains uncertain. This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2014 to December 2016 on 3977 patients with type 2 diabetes in Shanghai. KAP were evaluated using the modified Chinese version of the Diabetes, Hypertension and Hyperlipidemia (DHL) Knowledge Instrument, Diabetes Empowerment Scale–Short Form (DES-SF), and Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA). Clinical and biochemical measurements were performed at each sampling site. The association between KAP scores and achieving the combined target goal was assessed by multiple logistic regression. Patients having a higher score of knowledge were more likely to achieve the combined target goal. Furthermore, a turning point of knowledge score was found that the possibility of achieving the combined target goal presented a sharp increase when the knowledge score was more than 70. However, the scores of attitude and practices had no significant relations with achieving the combined target goal. Health intervention strategies, especially increasing integrated diabetes knowledge, should be targeted to patients with type 2 diabetes in communities.
Targeted Delivery of the HLA-B∗27-Binding Peptide into the Endoplasmic Reticulum Suppresses the IL-23/IL-17 Axis of Immune Cells in Spondylarthritis
Authors: Yu Hui-Chun , Huang Kuang-Yung , Lu Ming-Chi , Huang Hsien-Lu , Liu Su-Qin , Lai Ning-Sheng , Huang Hsien-Bin
Published: December 2017

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is highly associated with the expression of human leukocyte antigen-B27 (HLA-B∗27). HLA-B∗27 heavy chain (B27-HC) has an intrinsic propensity to fold slowly, leading to the accumulation of the misfolded B27-HC in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and formation of the HLA-B∗27 HC homodimer, (B27-HC)2, by a disulfide linkage at Cys-67. (B27-HC)2displayed on the cell surface can act as a ligand of the killer-cell Ig-like receptor (KIR3DL2). (B27-HC)2binds to KIR3DL2 of NK and Th17 cells and activates both cells, resulting in the activation of the IL-23/IL-17 axis to launch the inflammatory reaction in AS patients. However, activation of the IL-23/IL-17 axis originally derived from the HLA-B∗27 misfolding in the ER needs to be characterized. In this study, we delivered two HLA-B∗27-binding peptides, KRGILTLKY and SRYWAIRTR, into the ER by using a tat-derived peptide (GRKKRRQRRR)-His6-ubiquitin (THU) vehicle. Both peptides are derived from the human actin and nucleoprotein of influenza virus, respectively. Our results demonstrated that targeted delivery of both HLA-B∗27-binding peptides into the ER can promote the HLA-B∗27 folding, decrease the levels of (B27-HC)2, and suppress the activation of the IL-23/IL-17 axis in response to lipopolysaccharide. Our findings can provide a new therapeutic strategy in AS.
Use of Chinese Medicine Reduces the Development of Cervical Cancer from Pap Smear‐Diagnosed Cervical Dysplasia: A Case‐Control Study
Authors: Shen Li-Ling , Muo Chih-Hsin , Su Shan-Yu , Morisky Donald E.
Published: December 2017

The Pap test diagnosed cervical dysplasia, which could recover to normal or progress to cervical cancer (CC), is an early stage of cell abnormality before CC. This case‐control study analyzed the differences in the risk to develop CC between Chinese medicine (CM) users and nonusers among women who had ever been diagnosed as having cervical dysplasia. A total of 750 CC patients with a cervical dysplasia history were collected between 1998 and 2011 from National Health Insurance Research Database, and controls were women with cervical dysplasia history but did not develop CC. Adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for developing CC was assessed using multivariable logistic regression after adjusting for age, urbanization of residence, and occupation. The proportion of using CM among CC patients was lower than that among CC nonpatients, with an aOR of 0.8. By analyzing the relationship between CC development and the frequency of CM usage, the trend test revealed a significant decreasing trend for developing CC among high‐frequency CM users. Moreover, the most frequently used single herb high‐frequency was Rheum palmatum (Da‐Huang). The usage of CM might be an effective complementary method to prevent uterine cervix from progressing to CC after cervical dysplasia has occurred.
Nutritional Aspects of Bone Health and Fracture Healing
Authors: Karpouzos Athanasios , Diamantis Evangelos , Farmaki Paraskevi , Savvanis Spyridon , Troupis Theodore
Published: December 2017

Introduction. Fractures are quite common, especially among the elderly. However, they can increase in prevalence in younger ages too if the bone health is not good. This may happen as a result of bad nutrition.Methods. A customized, retrospective review of available literature was performed using the following keywords: bone health, nutrition, and fractures.Results. Insufficient intake of certain vitamins, particularly A and D, and other nutrients, such as calcium, may affect bone health or even the time and degree of bone healing in case of fracture. The importance of different nutrients, both dietary and found in food supplements, is discussed concerning bone health and fracture healing.Conclusion. A healthy diet with adequate amounts of both macro- and micronutrients is essential, for both decreasing fracture risk and enhancing the healing process after fracture.
Resveratrol Ameliorates Experimental Alcoholic Liver Disease by Modulating Oxidative Stress
Authors: Peiyuan He , Zhiping Hou , Chengjun Song , Chunqing Wang , Bingqing Li , Imam Mustapha Umar
Published: December 2017

The aim of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of resveratrol in alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Alcohol was administered to healthy female rats starting from 6% (v/v) and gradually increased to 20% (v/v) by the fifth week. After 16 weeks of intervention, liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase [AST] and alanine aminotransferase [ALT]) were analyzed using a chemistry analyzer, while hepatic antioxidant enzymes, oxidative stress markers, and caspase 3 activity were assessed using ELISA kits. Furthermore, hepatic CYP2E1 protein levels and mRNA levels of antioxidant and inflammation‐related genes were determined using western blotting and RT‐PCR, respectively. The results showed that resveratrol significantly attenuated alcohol‐induced elevation of liver enzymes and improved hepatic antioxidant enzymes. Resveratrol also attenuated alcohol‐induced CYP2E1 increase, oxidative stress, and apoptosis (caspase 3 activity). Moreover, genes associated with oxidative stress and inflammation were regulated by resveratrol supplementation. Taken together, the results suggested that resveratrol alleviated ALD through regulation of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation, which was mediated at the transcriptional level. The data suggests that resveratrol is a promising natural therapeutic agent against chronic ALD.
Antibiotic-Related Adverse Drug Reactions at a Tertiary Care Hospital in South Korea
Authors: Jung In Young , Kim Jung Ju , Lee Se Ju , Kim Jinnam , Seong Hye , Jeong Wooyong , Choi Heun , Jeong Su Jin , Ku Nam Su , Han Sang Hoon , Choi Jun Yong , Song Young Goo , Park Jung Won , Kim June Myung
Published: December 2017

Background. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are any unwanted/uncomfortable effects from medication resulting in physical, mental, and functional injuries. Antibiotics account for up to 40.9% of ADRs and are associated with several serious outcomes. However, few reports on ADRs have evaluated only antimicrobial agents. In this study, we investigated antibiotic-related ADRs at a tertiary care hospital in South Korea.Methods. This is a retrospective cohort study that evaluated ADRs to antibiotics that were reported at a 2400-bed tertiary care hospital in 2015. ADRs reported by physicians, pharmacists, and nurses were reviewed. Clinical information reported ADRs, type of antibiotic, causality assessment, and complications were evaluated.Results. 1,277 (62.8%) patients were considered antibiotic-related ADRs based on the World Health Organization-Uppsala Monitoring Center criteria (certain, 2.2%; probable, 35.7%; and possible, 62.1%). Totally, 44 (3.4%) patients experienced serious ADRs. Penicillin and quinolones were the most common drugs reported to induce ADRs (both 16.0%), followed by third-generation cephalosporins (14.9%). The most frequently experienced side effects were skin manifestations (45.1%) followed by gastrointestinal disorders (32.6%).Conclusion. Penicillin and quinolones are the most common causative antibiotics for ADRs and skin manifestations were the most frequently experienced symptom.
Weak Estimates of Singular Integrals with Variable Kernel and Fractional Differentiation on Morrey-Herz Spaces
Authors: Yang Yanqi , Tao Shuangping
Published: December 2017

Let T be the singular integral operator with variable kernel defined by Tf(x)=p.v.∫Rn(Ω(x,x-y)/x-yn)f(y)dy and let Dγ  (0≤γ≤1) be the fractional differentiation operator. Let T⁎and T♯ be the adjoint of T and the pseudoadjoint of T, respectively. In this paper, the authors prove that TDγ-DγT and (T⁎-T♯)Dγ are bounded, respectively, from Morrey-Herz spaces MK˙p,1α,λ(Rn) to the weak Morrey-Herz spaces WMK˙p,1α,λ(Rn) by using the spherical harmonic decomposition. Furthermore, several norm inequalities for the product T1T2 and the pseudoproduct T1∘T2 are also given.
Mechanical Behavior of Red Sandstone under Incremental Uniaxial Cyclical Compressive and Tensile Loading
Authors: Zhao Baoyun , Liu Dongyan , Huang Tianzhu , Huang Wei , Liu Wei
Published: December 2017

Uniaxial experiments were carried out on red sandstone specimens to investigate their short-term and creep mechanical behavior under incremental cyclic compressive and tensile loading. First, based on the results of short-term uniaxial incremental cyclic compressive and tensile loading experiments, deformation characteristics and energy dissipation were analyzed. The results show that the stress-strain curve of red sandstone has an obvious memory effect in the compressive and tensile loading stages. The strains at peak stresses and residual strains increase with the cycle number. Energy dissipation, defined as the area of the hysteresis loop in the stress-strain curves, increases nearly in a power function with the cycle number. Creep test of the red sandstone was also conducted. Results show that the creep curve under each compressive or tensile stress level can be divided into decay and steady stages, which cannot be described by the conventional Burgers model. Therefore, an improved Burgers creep model of rock material is constructed through viscoplastic mechanics, which agrees very well with the experimental results and can describe the creep behavior of red sandstone better than the Burgers creep model.
Virtual Surgical Planning and Piezoelectric Surgery in Tumor Extirpative Surgery Aimed at Inferior Alveolar Nerve Preservation
Authors: Chung Eric L. , Alawi Faizan , Le Anh D. , Shanti Rabie M.
Published: December 2017

A myriad of extirpative surgical protocols for the management of benign tumors of the jaws have been presented in the literature. Through significant advancements in computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology and surgical instrumentation, today surgeons have at their disposal robust technology-driven techniques that are aimed at improving surgical outcomes. Our goal is to investigate the benefits of implementing virtual surgical planning (VSP) in conjunction with piezoelectric surgery (PES) to ensure success while minimizing the risk of complications during extirpation of tumors of the mandible. This case report describes the successful extirpation of an ossifying fibroma of the mandible in an adult patient using both VSP and PES.
Experimental Investigation and Prediction of Compressive Strength of Ultra-High Performance Concrete Containing Supplementary Cementitious Materials
Authors: Zhang Jisong , Zhao Yinghua , Li Haijiang
Published: December 2017

Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) has superior mechanical properties and durability to normal strength concrete. However, the high amount of cement, high environmental impact, and initial cost are regarded as disadvantages, restricting its wider application. Incorporation of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) in UHPC is an effective way to reduce the amount of cement needed while contributing to the sustainability and cost. This paper investigates the mechanical properties and microstructure of UHPC containing fly ash (FA) and silica fume (SF) with the aim of contributing to this issue. The results indicate that, on the basis of 30% FA replacement, the incorporation of 10% and 20% SF showed equivalent or higher mechanical properties compared to the reference samples. The microstructure and pore volume of the UHPCs were also examined. Furthermore, to minimise the experimental workload of future studies, a prediction model is developed to predict the compressive strength of the UHPC using artificial neural networks (ANNs). The results indicate that the developed ANN model has high accuracy and can be used for the prediction of the compressive strength of UHPC with these SCMs.
Removal of Lead from Water Using Calcium Alginate Beads Doped with Hydrazine Sulphate-Activated Red Mud as Adsorbent
Authors: Naga Babu A. , Krishna Mohan G. V. , Kalpana K. , Ravindhranath K.
Published: December 2017

Calcium alginate beads doped with hydrazine sulphate-treated red mud are investigated as adsorbent for extracting lead ions from water using batch methods of extraction. Different extraction conditions are optimised for maximum lead extraction. Substantial amount of lead is removed, and the adsorption ability is found to be 138.6 mg/g. Surface characterization using FTIR, EDX, and FESEM confirms that lead is “onto” the surface of the adsorbent. Thermodynamic parameters, adsorption isotherms, and kinetics of adsorption are analysed. Adsorption is “physisorption” in nature and spontaneous. The adsorbent developed can be regenerated using 0.1 M HCl. Thus regenerated adsorbent can be used as the adsorbent for further removal of lead at least 10 times, and this enables the complete removal of lead from water by repetitive use of the regenerated adsorbent. The beads facilitate the easy filtration. The methodology developed is successfully applied for removing lead from industrial waste waters.
Health Behaviour among Nurses Working in Public Hospitals in Kakamega County, Kenya
Authors: Nebert Mchidi Kiguhe , Agina B. M. Okello , Andre Yitambe
Published: December 2017

Health behaviour refers to actions undertaken by a person who perceives self to be ill for the purpose of finding an appropriate remedy. Nurses as gate keepers of health are expected to seek formal treatment when they are taken ill because this is what they teach their patients. Nurses’ working conditions all over the world are described as squalid with long working hours and workload. This scenario predisposes them to occupational health hazards and at the same time denies them time for self-care. Although nurses are knowledgeable about disease and its treatment and have access to health care, they engage in self-treatment in contrast to what they teach patients. Health behaviour among nurses in Kakamega County was investigated using a cross-sectional design. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires and subjected to bivariate and logistic regression analyses. The study found that health behaviour of nurses in Kakamega County is below expectation, as 33% (n=61) engaged in voluntary screening services. Further, 34.8% (n=65) said that their health would improve if they engaged in health promotion activities. The study recommends empowering nurses to engage in positive health behaviour through education. The county should also provide affordable screening services to its nurses.
Excited Neutrino Search Potential of the FCC-Based Electron-Hadron Colliders
Authors: Caliskan A.
Published: December 2017

The production potential of the excited neutrinos at the FCC-based electron-hadron colliders, namely, the ERL60⊗FCC with s=3.46 TeV, the ILC⊗FCC with s=10 TeV, and the PWFA-LC⊗FCC with s=31.6 TeV, has been analyzed. The branching ratios of the excited neutrinos have been calculated for the different decay channels and shown that the dominant channel is ν⋆→eW+. We have calculated the production cross sections with the process of ep→ν⋆q→eW+q and the decay widths of the excited neutrinos with the process of ν⋆→eW+. The signals and corresponding backgrounds are studied in detail to obtain accessible mass limits. It is shown that the discovery limits obtained on the mass of the excited neutrino are 2452 GeV for Lint=100 fb-1, 5635 GeV for Lint=10 fb-1 (6460 GeV for Lint=100 fb-1), and 10200 GeV for Lint=1 fb-1 (13960 GeV for Lint=10 fb-1), for the center-of-mass energies of 3.46, 10, and 31.6 TeV, respectively.