bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A study protocol for a multicentre randomised clinical trial evaluating the safety and feasibility of a bioengineered human allogeneic nanostructured anterior cornea in patients with advanced corneal trophic ulcers refractory to conventional treatment
Authors: González-Andrades Miguel , Mata Rosario , González-Gallardo María del Carmen , Medialdea Santiago , Arias-Santiago Salvador , Martínez-Atienza Juliana , Ruiz-García Antonio , Pérez-Fajardo Lorena , Lizana-Moreno Antonio , Garzón Ingrid , Campos Antonio , Alaminos Miguel , Carmona Gloria , Cuende Natividad
Published: September 2017

Introduction

There is a need to find alternatives to the use of human donor corneas in transplants because of the limited availability of donor organs, the incidence of graft complications, as well as the inability to successfully perform corneal transplant in patients presenting limbal deficiency, neo-vascularized or thin corneas, etc. We have designed a clinical trial to test a nanostructured fibrin-agarose corneal substitute combining allogeneic cells that mimics the anterior human native cornea in terms of optical, mechanical and biological behaviour.

Methods and analysis

This is a phase I-II, randomised, controlled, open-label clinical trial, currently ongoing in ten Spanish hospitals, to evaluate the safety and feasibility, as well as clinical efficacy evidence, of this bioengineered human corneal substitute in adults with severe trophic corneal ulcers refractory to conventional treatment, or with sequelae of previous ulcers. In the initial phase of the trial (n=5), patients were sequentially recruited, with a safety period of 45 days, receiving the bioengineered corneal graft. In the second phase of the trial (currently ongoing), subjects are block randomised (2:1) to receive either the corneal graft (n=10), or amniotic membrane (n=5), as the control treatment. Adverse events, implant status, infection signs and induced neovascularization are evaluated as determinants of safety and feasibility of the bioengineered graft (main outcomes). Study endpoints are measured along a follow-up period of 24 months, including 27 post-implant assessment visits according to a decreasing frequency. Intention to treat, and per protocol, and safety analysis will be performed.

Ethics and dissemination

The trial protocol received written approval by the corresponding Ethics Committee and the Spanish Regulatory Authority and is currently recruiting subjects. On completion of the trial, manuscripts with the results of phases I and II of the study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration

CT.gov identifier:NCT01765244(Jan2013). EudraCT number: 2010-024290-40 (Dec2012).
Association between socio-economic status and dental caries in elderly people in Sichuan Province, China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Wang Linyan , Cheng Li , Yuan Bo , Hong Xiao , Hu Tao
Published: September 2017

Objectives

As a vulnerable group, the elders’ oral health gained less attention, particularly the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and dental caries. This study aimed to assess the associations and to explore the effects of confounders on the associations in elderly people.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Settings

3 neighbourhood committees and 3 village committees in Sichuan Province, China.

Participants

744 people (362 men and 382 women) aged 65–74 years were included.

Outcome measures

Oral health outcomes included the decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index and its components. SES was assigned by educational level, household income and type of household. The bivariate association between the participants’ characteristics and DMFT was analysed using non-parametric tests. Four logistic regression models were used to analyse the associations between SES and dental caries by regulating confounders.

Results

Poor oral health was observed in these participants. Bivariate analysis showed a significant association between SES and DMFT (p﹤0.05). Only adjusting gender, high educational level (adjusted (AOR)=0.34, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.66), high household income (AOR=0.47, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.77) were protective factors against dental caries, and living in agricultural families (AOR=1.86, 95% CI 1.32 to 2.63) was risk factor (p﹤0.05). After adjusting other confounders, SES was partly related to the dental caries. Moreover, an interaction existed among SES indicators.

Conclusions

SES is associated with dental caries, and older people with low SES have poor oral health. The associations were explained partly by diet, behaviour and awareness. Our results provide effective evidence in targeted policy-making and intervention measures and implicate that pertinence measures, economic assistance and medical insurance funds should be provided to older people of low SES. Furthermore, a follow-up design should attempt to confirm the causal relationship between SES and dental caries and evaluate the effect of intervention.
Rolling-refresher simulation improves performance and retention of paediatric intensive care unit nurse code cart management
Authors: Singleton Marcy N , Allen Kimberly F , Li Zhongze , McNerney Kevin , Naber Urs H , Braga Matthew S
Published: September 2017

Introduction

Paediatric Intensive Care Unit Nurses (PICU RNs) manage the code cart during paediatric emergencies at the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. These are low -frequency, high-stakes events.

Methods

An uncontrolled intervention study with 6-month follow-up. A collaboration of physician and nursing experts developed a rolling-refresher training programme consisting of five simulated scenarios, including 22 code cart skills, to establish nursing code cart competency. The cohort of PICU RNs underwent a competency assessment in training 1. To achieve competence, the participating RN received immediate feedback and instruction and repeated each task until mastery during training 1. The competencies were repeated 6 months later, designated training 2.

Results

Thirty-two RNs participated in training 1. Sixteen RNs (50%) completed the second training. Our rolling-refresher training programme resulted in a 43% reduction in the odds of first attempt failures between training 1 and training 2 (p=0.01). Multivariate linear regression evaluating the difference in first attempt failure between training 1 and training 2 revealed that the following covariates were not significantly associated with this improvement: interval Paediatric Advanced Life Support training, interval use of the code cart or defibrillator (either real or simulated) and time between training sessions. Univariate analysis between the two trainings revealed a statistically significant reduction in first attempt failures for: preparing an epinephrine infusion (72% vs 41%, p=0.04) and providing bag-mask ventilation (28% vs 0%, p=0.02).

Conclusions

Our rolling-refresher training programme demonstrated significant improvement in performance for low-frequency, high-risk skills required to manage a paediatric code cart with retention after initial training.
Operationalisation and validation of the Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries (STEADI) fall risk algorithm in a nationally representative sample
Authors: Lohman Matthew C , Crow Rebecca S , DiMilia Peter R , Nicklett Emily J , Bruce Martha L , Batsis John A
Published: September 2017

Background

Preventing falls and fall-related injuries among older adults is a public health priority. The Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries (STEADI) tool was developed to promote fall risk screening and encourage coordination between clinical and community-based fall prevention resources; however, little is known about the tool’s predictive validity or adaptability to survey data.

Methods

Data from five annual rounds (2011–2015) of the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), a representative cohort of adults age 65 years and older in the USA. Analytic sample respondents (n=7392) were categorised at baseline as having low, moderate or high fall risk according to the STEADI algorithm adapted for use with NHATS data. Logistic mixed-effects regression was used to estimate the association between baseline fall risk and subsequent falls and mortality. Analyses incorporated complex sampling and weighting elements to permit inferences at a national level.

Results

Participants classified as having moderate and high fall risk had 2.62 (95% CI 2.29 to 2.99) and 4.76 (95% CI 3.51 to 6.47) times greater odds of falling during follow-up compared with those with low risk, respectively, controlling for sociodemographic and health-related risk factors for falls. High fall risk was also associated with greater likelihood of falling multiple times annually but not with greater risk of mortality.

Conclusion

The adapted STEADI clinical fall risk screening tool is a valid measure for predicting future fall risk using survey cohort data. Further efforts to standardise screening for fall risk and to coordinate between clinical and community-based fall prevention initiatives are warranted.
Clinical Definition of Respiratory Viral Infections in Young Children and Potential Bronchiolitis Misclassification
Authors: Megalaa Rosemary , Perez Geovanny F , Kilaikode-Cheruveettara Sasikumar , Kotwal Nidhi , Rodriguez-Martinez Carlos E , Nino Gustavo
Published: September 2017

Viral respiratory infections are often grouped as a single respiratory syndrome named ‘viral bronchiolitis’, independently of the viral etiology or individual risk factors. Clinical trials and guidelines have used a more stringent definition of viral bronchiolitis, including only the first episode of wheezing in children less than 12 months of age without concomitant respiratory comorbidities. There is increasing evidence suggesting that this definition is not being followed by pediatric care providers, but it is unclear to what extent viral respiratory infections are currently misclassified as viral bronchiolitis using standard definitions. We conducted a retrospective analysis of hospitalized young children (≤3 years) due to viral respiratory infections. Bronchiolitis was defined as the first wheezing episode less than 12 months of age. Demographic variables and comorbidities were obtained by electronic medical record review. The study comprised a total of 513 hospitalizations (n=453). Viral bronchiolitis was diagnosed in 144 admissions (28.1%). Notably, we identified that the majority of children diagnosed with bronchiolitis (63%) were misclassified as they had prior episodes of wheezing. Many children with bronchiolitis misclassification had significant comorbidities, including prematurity (51%), neuromuscular conditions (9.8%), and congenital heart disease (9.8%). Misclassification of bronchiolitis is a common problem that may lead to inappropriate management of viral respiratory infections in young children. A comprehensive approach that takes into consideration viral etiology and individual risk factors may lead to a more accurate clinical assessment of this condition and would potentially prevent bronchiolitis misclassification.
The INTEROCC case-control study: risk of meningioma and occupational exposure to selected combustion products, dusts and other chemical agents
Authors: McElvenny Damien M , van Tongeren Martie , Turner Michelle C , Benke Geza , Figuerola Jordi , Fleming Sarah , Hours Martine , Kincl Laurel , Krewski Daniel , McLean Dave , Parent Marie-Élise , Richardson Lesley , Schlehofer Brigitte , Schlaefer Klaus , Sadetzki Siegal , Schüz Joachim , Siemiatycki Jack , Cardis Elisabeth
Published: September 2017

Background

Little is known about occupational risk factors for meningioma.

Objectives

To study whether risk of meningioma is associated with several occupational exposures, including selected combustion products, dusts and other chemical agents.

Methods

The INTEROCC study was an international case-control study of brain cancer conducted in seven countries. Data collection by interview included lifetime occupational histories. A job exposure matrix was used to derive estimates of exposure for the 12 agents. ORs for ever versus never exposed and for exposure-response using duration of exposure and cumulative exposure were derived using conditional logistic regression stratified by sex, age group, country/region, adjusted for education.

Results

These analyses included 1906 cases and 5565 controls. For 11 of the 12 agents, no excess risk was found for ever exposed. For ever exposure to oil mists, an elevated OR of 1.57 (95% CI 1.10 to 2.22, 51 exposed cases) was found. Statistically significant exposure-response relationships were observed with cumulative exposure (p=0.01) and duration of exposure (p=0.04). Among women, there were also significant trends for cumulative and duration of exposure to asbestos and excesses in the highest exposure categories for formaldehyde.

Conclusions

Most agents examined did not provoke excess risks of meningioma. The main finding from this study is that it is the first study to identify a statistical association between exposure to oil mists and meningioma. This may be a chance finding or could be due to confounding with iron exposure and further research is required to understand whether the relationship is causal.
Impaired lung repair during neutropenia can be reverted by matrix metalloproteinase-9
Authors: Blázquez-Prieto Jorge , López-Alonso Inés , Amado-Rodríguez Laura , Huidobro Covadonga , González-López Adrián , Kuebler Wolfgang M , Albaiceta Guillermo M
Published: September 2017

Background

Neutrophils may cause tissue disruption during migration and by releasing cytotoxic molecules. However, the benefits of neutrophil depletion observed in experimental models of lung injury do not correspond with the poor outcome of neutropenic patients.

Methods

To clarify the role of neutrophils during repair, mice with ventilator induced lung injury (VILI) were rendered neutropenic after damage, and followed for 48 hours of spontaneous breathing. Lungs were harvested and inflammatory mediators and matrix metalloproteinases measured. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from ventilated patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, with or without neutropenia, was collected, the same mediators measured and their effects in an ex vivo model of alveolar repair studied. Finally, neutropenic mice were treated after VILI with exogenous matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9).

Results

Lungs from neutropenic animals showed delayed repair and displayed higher levels of tumour necrosis factor α, interferon γ and macrophage inflammatory protein 2, and absence of MMP-9. BALF from ventilated neutropenic patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome showed similar results. BALFs from neutropenic patients yielded a delayed closure rate of epithelial wounds ex vivo, which was improved by removal of collagen or addition of exogenous MMP-9. Lastly, treatment of neutropenic mice with exogenous MMP-9 after VILI reduced tissue damage without modifying cytokine concentrations.

Conclusion

Release of MMP-9 from neutrophils is required for adequate matrix processing and lung repair.
An efficient, room temperature, oxygen radical anion (O2•−) mediated, one-pot, and multicomponent synthesis of spirooxindoles
Authors: Gajaganti Somaiah , Bajpai Shivam , Srivastava Vandana , Singh Sundaram
Published: September 2017

The present report highlights an efficient use of oxygen radical anion to promote a room temperature multi-component synthesis of spirooxindoles (4a–4l) under mild reaction conditions. The potassium superoxide (KO2) and tetraethylammonium bromide (TEAB) combination generate the oxygen radical anion in situ to promote this transformation. This method offers a sustainable and direct access to the biologically important spirooxindole derivatives in good to excellent yields.
An investigation of hybridization and the orbital models of molecular electronic structure for CH4, NH3, and H2O
Authors: Brion C.E. , Wolfe Saul , Shi Zheng , Cooper Glyn , Zheng Yenyou Jeff
Published: September 2017

Observations of the physical behaviour (motions) of the valence (frontier) electrons in the iconic benchmark hydride molecules CH4, NH3, and H2O are used to provide a direct experimental evaluation of hybridization and of the localized and delocalized orbital models of molecular electronic structure, after more than 80 years since the initial proposals of these theoretical concepts. Our previously published experimental measurements of valence (frontier) electron momentum probability distributions, made by electron momentum spectroscopy (EMS), are compared with those calculated using the localized molecular orbital (LMO) model and a range of hybrid orbital models, as well as with the delocalized canonical molecular orbital (CMO) and density functional theory Kohn–Sham orbital (KSO) models. In all cases, the electron momentum probability distributions calculated with LMOs and localized hybrid orbital type models are inconsistent with the experimental observations. In contrast, those calculated with the delocalized CMOs and KSOs are in very good agreement with the experimental measurements. These findings are of importance in those research applications such as reactivity, drug and novel material design, and also in molecular electronics, where the shapes and orientations of particular valence (frontier) orbital electron density probability distributions (and not the total electron densities) are considered to be key determining factors. These findings and their implications are also of pedagogical significance in chemistry and molecular physics.
A hybrid method for short-term freeway travel time prediction based on wavelet neural network and Markov chain
Authors: Yang Hang , Zou Yajie , Wang Zhongyu , Wu Bing
Published: September 2017

Short-term travel time prediction is an essential input to intelligent transportation systems. Timely and accurate traffic forecasting is necessary for advanced traffic management systems and advanced traveler information systems. Despite several short-term travel time prediction approaches have been proposed in the past decade, especially for hybrid models that consist of machine learning models and statistical models, few studies focus on the over-fitting problem brought by hybrid models. The over-fitting problem deteriorates the prediction accuracy especially during peak hours. This paper proposes a hybrid model that embraces wavelet neural network (WNN), Markov chain (MAR), and the volatility (VOA) model for short-term travel time prediction in a freeway system. The purpose of this paper is to provide deeper insights into underlining dynamic traffic patterns and to improve the prediction accuracy and robustness. The method takes periodical analysis, error correction, and noise extraction into consideration and improve the forecasting performance in peak hours. The proposed methodology predicts travel time by decomposing travel time data into three components: a periodic trend presented by a modified WNN, a residual part modeled by Markov chain, and the volatility part estimated by the modified generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity model. Forecasting performance is investigated with freeway travel time data from Houston, Texas and examined by three measures: mean absolute error, mean absolute percentage error, and root mean square error. The results show that the travel times predicted by the WNN-MAR-VOA method are robust and accurate. Meanwhile, the proposed method is able to capture the underlying periodic characteristics and volatility nature of travel time data.
Using a multiple variogram approach to improve the accuracy of subsurface geological models
Authors: MacCormack Kelsey , Arnaud Emmanuelle , Parker Beth L.
Published: September 2017

Subsurface geological models are often used to visualize and analyze the nature, geometry, and variability of geologic and hydrogeologic units in the context of groundwater resource studies. The development of three-dimensional (3D) subsurface geological models covering increasingly larger model domains has steadily increased in recent years, in step with the rapid development of computing technology and software, and the increasing need to understand and manage groundwater resources at the regional scale. The models are then used by decision makers to guide activities and policies related to source water protection, well field development, and industrial or agricultural water use. It is important to ensure that the modelling techniques and procedures are able to accurately delineate and characterize the heterogeneity of the various geological environments included within the regional model domain. The purpose of this study is to examine if 3D stratigraphic models covering complex Quaternary deposits can be improved by splitting the regional model into multiple submodels based on the degree of variability observed between surrounding data points and informed by expert geological knowledge of the geological–depositional framework. This is demonstrated using subsurface data from the Paris Moraine area near Guelph in southern Ontario. The variogram models produced for each submodel region were able to better characterize the data variability, resulting in a more geologically realistic interpolation of the entire model domain as demonstrated by the comparison of the model output with preexisting maps of surficial geology and bedrock topography as well as depositional models for these complex glacial environments. Importantly, comparison between model outputs reveals significant differences in the resulting subsurface stratigraphy, complexity, and variability, which would in turn impact groundwater flow model predictions.
Combination of Cinobufacini and Doxorubicin Increases Apoptosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells through the Fas- and Mitochondria-Mediated Pathways
Authors: Xia Jufeng , Inagaki Yoshinori , Gao Jianjun , Qi Fanghua , Song Peipei , Han Guohua , Sawakami Tatsuo , Gao Bo , Luo Chuan , Kokudo Norihiro , Hasegawa Kiyoshi , Sakamoto Yoshihiro , Tang Wei
Published: September 2017

Cinobufacini, a traditional Chinese medicine, has been used widely for cancer treatment, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), sarcoma, and leukemia. Previous studies done by our lab indicated that cinobufacini could suppress HCC cells through mitochondria-mediated and Fas-mediated apoptotic pathways. Here, we use a combination of cinobufacini and doxorubicin to inhibit the growth of HCC cells. The combination group induced more significant apoptosis by affecting proteins and RNA of apoptosis-related elements, such as Bcl-2, Bax, Bid, and cytochrome c. Furthermore, cinobufacini, as a mixture of a number of components, had stronger apoptosis-inducing activity than particular individual components or a simple mixture of a few components. Overall, these results suggested that the combination of cinobufacini and doxorubicin may provide a new strategy for inhibiting the proliferation of HCC cells.
Rubus idaeusInhibits Migration and Invasion of Human Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells by Suppression of MMP-2 through Modulation of the ERK1/2 Pathway
Authors: Hsin Chung-Han , Huang Cheng-Chen , Chen Pei-Ni , Hsieh Yih-Shou , Yang Shun-Fa , Ho Yu-Ting , Lin Chiao-Wen
Published: September 2017

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterized by a high incidence of metastasis in the neck lymph nodes, resulting in a poor prognosis and posing challenges for treatment. In this study, we investigated the in vitro antimetastatic properties of Rubus idaeus extract (RIE) on human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. HONE-1, NPC-39 and NPC-BM cells were subjected to RIE treatment, and effects on the migration and invasion of tumor cells were analyzed. The results showed that RIE suppressed the migration and invasion of NPC cells. Gelatin zymography assay, Western blotting and real-time PCR showed that matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2) enzyme activity, protein expression and mRNA levels were down-regulated by RIE treatment. To identify the signaling pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase proteins were examined, which showed that phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was inhibited after the treatment of RIE. In summary, our data showed that RIE inhibited the migration and invasion of NPC cells by suppressing the expression of MMP-2 by down-regulating the ERK1/2 signaling pathway, suggesting that Rubus idaeus may serve as chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive agent for NPC.
Influence of Incoherence and Wave Passage Effects on Seismic Performances of Long Immersed Tunnel
Authors: Chen Z. Y. , Liang S. B. , He C.
Published: September 2017

This paper conducts time history analysis to explore the influence of spatially varying earthquake ground motion (SVEGM) on seismic responses of the long immersed tunnel. Incoherence effect and wave passage effect are mainly focused here. Moreover, three coherency models are adopted to investigate the sensitivity of the computed responses to the models. The calculation results show that SVEGM enlarges seismic responses of the immersed tunnel significantly than uniform excitation. Considering wave passage effect and incoherence effect simultaneously makes the seismic responses increase more sharply than considering the latter only. The deformation of Gina gasket is barely sensitive to coherency model, while the axial compression force is sensitive to coherency model. It indicates suppressing that the fundamental mode and dominating higher-mode response are the hallmark of multi-support excitation. The great differences of three models decay with separation at low frequencies and their coherency in frequency domain are the main reasons that cause the variations of the axial compression forces.
Application of Smoothed Finite Element Method to Two-Dimensional Exterior Problems of Acoustic Radiation
Authors: Chai Yingbin , Gong Zhixiong , Li Wei , Li Tianyun , Zhang Qifan , Zou Zhihong , Sun Yangbin
Published: September 2017

In this work, the smoothed finite element method using four-node quadrilateral elements (SFEM-Q4) is employed to resolve underwater acoustic radiation problems. The SFEM-Q4 can be regarded as a combination of the standard finite element method (FEM) and the gradient smoothing technique (GST) from the meshfree methods. In the SFEM-Q4, only the values of shape functions (not the derivatives) at the quadrature points are needed and the traditional requirement of coordinate transformation procedure is not necessary to implement the numerical integration. Consequently, no additional degrees of freedom are required as compared with the original FEM. In addition, the original “overly-stiff” FEM model for acoustic problems (governed by the Helmholtz equation) is properly softened due to the gradient smoothing operations implemented over the smoothing domains and the present SFEM-Q4 possesses a relatively appropriate stiffness of the continuous system. Therefore, the well-known numerical dispersion error for Helmholtz equation is decreased significantly and very accurate numerical solutions can be obtained by using relatively coarse meshes. In order to truncate the unbounded domains and employ the domain-based numerical method to tackle the acoustic radiation in unbounded domains, the Dirichlet-to-Neumann (DtN) map is used to ensure that there are no spurious reflections from the far field. The numerical results from several numerical examples demonstrate that the present SFEM-Q4 is quite effective to handle acoustic radiation problems and can produce more accurate numerical results than the standard FEM.
Performance Enhancement of Three-Dimensional Soil Structure Model via Optimization for Estimating Seismic Behavior of Buried Pipelines
Authors: Ichimura Tsuyoshi , Fujita Kohei , Yoshiyuki Atsushi , Quinay Pher Errol , Hori Muneo , Sakanoue Takashi
Published: September 2017

Damage to buried pipelines due to complex ground responses has been reported at residential development sites and valley plains with complex ground structures. Three-dimensional (3D) ground amplification analyses using 3D, nonlinear, finite-element methods may be effective in predicting such damage; however, it is often difficult to construct ground structures that are capable of reproducing observational characteristics. In this paper, we propose a 3D ground structure optimization method using a 3000[Formula: see text] forward finite-element dynamic analysis with approximately 0.27 million degrees of freedom, enabled by combining an automated 3D finite-element model-generation method and a fast 3D finite-element wave propagation analysis method. This optimization method is capable of estimating 3D ground structure models that can reproduce observational data characteristics. The effectiveness of the method is shown through an illustrative example.
Exploration of subsurface Antarctica: uncovering past changes and modern processes
Authors: Siegert Martin J. , Jamieson Stewart S. R. , White Duanne
Published: September 2017

The Antarctic continent, which contains enough ice to raise sea level globally by around 60 m, is the last major scientific frontier on our planet. We know far more about the surfaces of the Moon, Mars and around half of Pluto than we do about the underside of the Antarctic ice sheet. Geophysical exploration is the key route to measuring the ice sheet's internal structure and the land on which the ice rests. From such measurements, we are able to reveal how the ice sheet flows, and how it responds to atmospheric and ocean warming. By examining landscapes that have been moulded by former ice flow, we are able to identify how the ice sheet behaved in the past. Geophysics is therefore critical to understanding change in Antarctica.
Source potential and depositional environment of Oligocene and Miocene rocks offshore Bulgaria
Authors: Mayer J. , Rupprecht B. J. , Sachsenhofer R. F. , Tari G. , Bechtel A. , Coric S. , Siedl W. , Kosi W. , Floodpage J.
Published: September 2017

Oligo-Miocene (‘Maikopian’) deposits are considered the main source rocks in the Black Sea area, although only a few source-rock data are available. Geochemical logs from nine wells are used together with age constraints provided by calcareous nannoplankton, well and seismic data to determine vertical and lateral changes of the source potential. Oligocene rocks overlie Eocene deposits with a major unconformity on the western Black Sea shelf in Bulgaria. A west–east-trending erosional structure (the Kaliakra canyon) developed during Lower Oligocene time and was filled with Oligo-Miocene deposits. Potential source rocks are present in different stratigraphic units, but the most prolific intervals accumulated during time intervals when the isolation of the Paratethys resulted in oxygen-depleted, brackish environments with high bioproductivity. These include Lower Solenovian rocks related to blooms of calcareous nannoplankton, which form an extensive layer outside the Kaliakra canyon. This unit hosts a good potential to generate oil and gas. Diatom-rich, very good oil-prone source rocks accumulated during a second isolation event in the Kozakhurian. Thick sections of these diatom-rich rocks occur within the canyon and are present in thin layers outside of it. High productivity of siliceous organisms is attributed to upwelling within the canyon. All studied units are thermally immature on the shelf.
Similarity Digest Search: A Survey and Comparative Analysis of Strategies to Perform Known File Filtering Using Approximate Matching
Authors: Moia Vitor Hugo Galhardo , Henriques Marco Aurélio Amaral
Published: September 2017

Digital forensics is a branch of Computer Science aiming at investigating and analyzing electronic devices in the search for crime evidence. There are several ways to perform this search. Known File Filter (KFF) is one of them, where a list of interest objects is used to reduce/separate data for analysis. Holding a database of hashes of such objects, the examiner performs lookups for matches against the target device. However, due to limitations over hash functions (inability to detect similar objects), new methods have been designed, called approximate matching. This sort of function has interesting characteristics for KFF investigations but suffers mainly from high costs when dealing with huge data sets, as the search is usually done by brute force. To mitigate this problem, strategies have been developed to better perform lookups. In this paper, we present the state of the art of similarity digest search strategies, along with a detailed comparison involving several aspects, as time complexity, memory requirement, and search precision. Our results show that none of the approaches address at least these main aspects. Finally, we discuss future directions and present requirements for a new strategy aiming to fulfill current limitations.
Antidepressant Mechanism Research of Acupuncture: Insights from a Genome‐Wide Transcriptome Analysis of Frontal Cortex in Rats with Chronic Restraint Stress
Authors: Wang Yu , Jiang Huili , Meng Hong , Li Jing , Yang XinJing , Zhao Bingcong , Sun Yang , Bao Tuya
Published: September 2017

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a chronic disease that adversely affects mood and cognition. In this study, we randomly divided the rats into control group (C), model group (M), fluoxetine group (F), and acupuncture group (A), used open‐field test to ascertain whether acupuncture affects chronic restraint stress (CRS) induced depression‐like behaviors of rats, and explored the antidepressant mechanism of acupuncture at the molecular level of transcriptome in the frontal cortex of CRS rats by RNA‐sequencing (RNA‐seq). According to differentially expressed genes (DEG) analysis, we identified 134, 46, and 89 response genes differentially expressed in C versus M, F versus M, and A versus M, respectively. Through Gene Ontology (GO) term enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis, we identified the gene sets involved in extracellular space, inflammatory response, Toll‐like receptor signaling pathway, chemokine signaling pathway, and TNF signaling pathway. In this study, RNA‐seq technology was used to investigate the frontal cortex genome‐wide transcriptomes in depression rats under CRS, which suggested that the antidepressant effect of acupuncture is effective and has a multitarget characteristic, which may be related to amino acid metabolism and inflammatory pathways, especially the Toll‐like receptor signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, and NF‐kappa B signaling pathway.
Ritonavir-Boosted Darunavir Plus Two Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors versus Other Regimens for Initial Antiretroviral Therapy for People with HIV Infection: A Systematic Review
Authors: Balayan Tatevik , Horvath Hacsi , Rutherford George W.
Published: September 2017

Background. Darunavir is a second-generation protease-inhibitor used with ritonavir (DRV/r) and two nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors as an option in first-line antiretroviral treatment (ART). Methods. We systematically reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of DRV/r versus other regimens in patients initiating ART. We searched five bibliographic databases and other key resources. We had no language limitations. We assessed bias risk with the Cochrane tool and used GRADE to assess evidence quality. We report findings in terms of risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Findings. Three RCTs met inclusion criteria. In plasma viral load suppression, DRV/r outperformed ritonavir-boosted lopinavir at 48 weeks (RR 1.13, 95% CI 1.03–1.25), 96 weeks (RR 1.11, 95% CI 1.02–1.21), and 192 weeks (RR 1.20, 95% CI 1.07–1.35). DRV/r was similar to dolutegravir at 48 weeks (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.87–1.06) but less effective at 96 weeks (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.75–0.93). At 96 weeks, DRV/r underperformed raltegravir (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.88–0.99) but was similar to ritonavir-boosted atazanavir (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.96–1.09). Overall bias risk was moderate. Evidence quality was also moderate. Interpretation. Initial ART regimens using DRV/r should be considered in future World Health Organization guidelines.
Preliminary19F-MRS Study of Tumor Cell Proliferation with 3′-deoxy-3′-fluorothymidine and Its Metabolite (FLT-MP)
Authors: Ko In Ok , Jung Ki-Hye , Kim Mi Hyun , Kang Kyeung Jun , Lee Kyo Chul , Kim Kyeong Min , Noh Insup , Lee Yong Jin , Lim Sang Moo , Kim Jung Young , Park Ji-Ae
Published: September 2017

The thymidine analogue 3′-deoxy-3′-[18F]fluorothymidine, or [18F]fluorothymidine ([18F]FLT), is used to measure tumor cell proliferation with positron emission tomography (PET) imaging technology in nuclear medicine. FLT is phosphorylated by thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) and then trapped inside cells; it is not incorporated into DNA. Imaging with18F-radiolabeled FLT is a noninvasive technique to visualize cellular proliferation in tumors. However, it is difficult to distinguish between [18F]FLT and its metabolites by PET imaging, and quantification has not been attempted using current imaging methods. In this study, we successfully acquiredin vivoF19spectra of natural or nonradioactive 3′-deoxy-3′-fluorothymidine ([19F]FLT) and its monophosphate metabolite (FLT-MP) in a tumor xenograft mouse model using 9.4T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This preliminary result demonstrates that19F magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) with FLT is suitable for thein vivoassessment of tumor aggressiveness and for early prediction of treatment response.
Computation of the Short‐Time Linear Canonical Transform with Dual Window
Authors: Huang Lei , Zhang Ke , Chai Yi , Xu Shuiqing
Published: September 2017

The short‐time linear canonical transform (STLCT), which maps the time domain signal into the joint time and frequency domain, has recently attracted some attention in the area of signal processing. However, its applications are still limited due to the fact that selection of coefficients of the short‐time linear canonical series (STLCS) is not unique, because time and frequency elementary functions (together known as basis function) of STLCS do not constitute an orthogonal basis. To solve this problem, this paper investigates a dual window solution. First, the nonorthogonal problem that suffered from original window is fulfilled by orthogonal condition with dual window. Then based on the obtained condition, a dual window computation approach of the GT is extended to the STLCS. In addition, simulations verify the validity of the proposed condition and solutions. Furthermore, some possible applied directions are discussed.
Long-Term Vibration Monitoring of the Effects of Temperature and Humidity on PC Girders with and without Fly Ash considering ASR Deterioration
Authors: Ha Tuan Minh , Fukada Saiji , Torii Kazuyuki
Published: September 2017

Structural responses have been used as inputs in the evaluation procedures of civil structures for years. Apart from the degradation of a structure itself, changes in the environmental conditions affect its characteristics. For adequate maintenance, it is necessary to quantify the environment-induced changes and discriminate them from the effects due to damage. This study investigates the variation in the vibration responses of prestressed concrete (PC) girders, which were deteriorated because of the alkali–silica reaction (ASR), concerning ambient temperature and humidity. Three PC girders were exposed to outdoor weather conditions outside the laboratory, one of which had a selected amount of fly ash in its mixture to mitigate the ASR. The girders were periodically vibration tested for one and a half years. It was found that when the temperature and humidity increased, the frequencies and damping ratios decreased in proportion. No apparent variation in the mode shapes could be identified. A finite element model was proposed for numerical verification, the results of which were in good agreement with the measured changes in the natural frequencies. Moreover, the different dynamic performances of the three specimens indicated that the fly ash significantly affected the vibrations of the PC girders under ASR deterioration.
Indian Classical Dance Classification with Adaboost Multiclass Classifier on Multifeature Fusion
Authors: Kumar K. V. V. , Kishore P. V. V. , Anil Kumar D.
Published: September 2017

Extracting and recognizing complex human movements from unconstraint online video sequence is an interesting task. In this paper the complicated problem from the class is approached using unconstraint video sequences belonging to Indian classical dance forms. A new segmentation model is developed using discrete wavelet transform and local binary pattern (LBP) features for segmentation. A 2D point cloud is created from the local human shape changes in subsequent video frames. The classifier is fed with 5 types of features calculated from Zernike moments, Hu moments, shape signature, LBP features, and Haar features. We also explore multiple feature fusion models with early fusion during segmentation stage and late fusion after segmentation for improving the classification process. The extracted features input the Adaboost multiclass classifier with labels from the corresponding song (tala). We test the classifier on online dance videos and on an Indian classical dance dataset prepared in our lab. The algorithms were tested for accuracy and correctness in identifying the dance postures.
Sevoflurane Ameliorates Myocardial Cell Injury by Inducing Autophagy via the Deacetylation of LC3 by SIRT1
Authors: Fan Lihua , Chen Deyuan , Wang Jianping , Wu Yini , Li Dongli , Yu Xiaoyan
Published: September 2017

Misfolded and aberrant proteins have been found to be associated with myocardial cell injury. Thus, increased clearance of misfolded or aggregated proteins via autophagy might be a potential option in preventing myocardial cell injury. Sevoflurane may ameliorate myocardial cell injury by affecting sirtuin 1- (SIRT1-) mediated autophagy. Rat models with myocardial cell injury were induced by limb ischemia reperfusion. The model rats received different treatments: sevoflurane, nicotinamide, and autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA). Autophagy was observed by SEM. The levels of SIRT1 and microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3) were measured. Present findings demonstrated that limb ischemia reperfusion induced autophagy. Sevoflurane increased the level of SIRT1, which deacetylated LC3 and further increased autophagic rates. On the other hand, the autophagy was inhibited by sevoflurane and or the inhibitors of SIRT1 and LC3. Present results demonstrated a novel molecular mechanism by which sevoflurane induced autophagy by increasing the level of SIRT1 and reducing the acetylation of LC3.
Quantitative Analysis and Comparison of Flavonoids in Lotus Plumules of Four Representative Lotus Cultivars
Authors: Liu Ting , Zhu Mingzhi , Zhang Chunyun , Guo Mingquan
Published: September 2017

The flavonoids in lotus plumules from four representative lotus cultivars have been analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with ultraviolet detector and electrospray ionization triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. By this means, sixteen flavonoids were successfully measured and compared among four cultivars. Although similar flavonoid compositions were detected from these four cultivars, their flavonoid contents were significantly different. cv. Bailian from Guangchang was detected to have the most total flavonoid content, that is, 1595.86 mg/100 g, followed by cv. Xuanlian from Wuyi (1553.49 mg/100 g), cv. Xianglian from Xiangtan (1173.07 mg/100 g), and cv. Jianlian from Jianning (930.08 mg/100 g). However, similar percentages of flavonoid C-glycosides in the total flavonoids were found for four cultivars, which were 80.83% for cv. Bailian, 80.91% for cv. Xianglian, 79.25% for cv. Jianlian, and 78.53% for cv. Xuanlian. This work will be very useful for quality assurance and control for the lotus plumules from different origins in terms of qualitative and quantitative information about flavonoids. It will also be of special interest in the screening of lotus plumules with high flavonoid content, which are preferred due to their wide potential applications in food and pharmaceutical industries.
Antifungal Activity of Essential Oils against Candida albicans Strains Isolated from Users of Dental Prostheses
Authors: Freire Julliana Cariry Palhano , Júnior José Klidenberg de Oliveira , Silva Daniele de Figueredo , Sousa Janiere Pereira de , Guerra Felipe Queiroga Sarmento , de Oliveira Lima Edeltrudes
Published: September 2017

Objective. The objective of this study was to analyze the antifungal activity of citral, selected by screening natural products, against Candida albicans isolates from subjects who use dental prostheses. Methodology. Screening of essential oils, including those from Mentha piperita L. (Briq), Origanum vulgare, and Zingiber officinale L., and the phytoconstituents citral and limonene, to select an appropriate natural product. Citral, which mediated the best antifungal response, was selected for biological assays. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) for citral and nystatin were determined by the microdilution method. Micromorphological analyses, time‐kill curve, and modulation tests were performed. Results. The MIC and MFC of citral were established as 32 μg/mL, consistent with fungicidal activity. The clinical strains were resistant to nystatin. Citral caused micromorphological alteration in the strains. In the time‐kill curve, the growth of the clinical strain was reduction in growth equal to 3 log10 colony‐forming units per milliliter after exposure to the MIC and MIC × 2 of citral for 2 h. Citral did not modulate the resistance of the studied strains to nystatin. Conclusion. This study revealed the potential of citral as a fungicidal agent and highlighted the resistance of clinical strains of C. albicans to nystatin.
Early Evidence of Cardiotoxicity and Tumor Response in Patients with Sarcomas after High Cumulative Dose Doxorubicin Given as a Continuous Infusion
Authors: Quintana Raymundo A. , Banchs Jose , Gupta Ridhi , Lin Heather Y. , Raj Sean D. , Conley Anthony , Ravi Vinod , Araujo Dejka , Benjamin Robert S. , Patel Shreyaskumar , Vadhan-Raj Saroj , Somaiah Neeta
Published: September 2017

Background. Despite the dose-dependent response rate of sarcomas to doxorubicin, clinicians limit its cumulative dose due to cardiotoxicity. This study evaluates early evidence of cardiotoxicity in patients treated with high-dose doxorubicin given as a continuous infusion. Methods. Data was collected on patients who received 90 mg/m2 doxorubicin as a continuous infusion and 10 gm/m2 ifosfamide for up to 6 cycles as part of a phase II study. Cardiotoxicity was assessed with serial echocardiograms or multigated acquisition scans and serum brain natriuretic peptide and troponin levels. Tumor responses were determined by serial radiographic imaging per RECIST. Result. Out of the 48 patients enrolled, no patient developed heart failure symptoms; however, 4 out of the 38 (10%) patients with serial left ventricular ejection fraction assessments developed subclinical cardiotoxicity (asymptomatic drop in LVEF ≥ 10%). Twenty-three patients received all six 72-hour cycles of doxorubicin with a mean cumulative dose of 540 mg/m2. Among these patients, 4% (n=1) developed subclinical cardiotoxicity. In the advanced disease group (n=39), patients with a complete or partial response received a higher mean cumulative dose than those with stable disease (p<0.033). Conclusions. Doxorubicin cardiotoxicity can be limited by administering doxorubicin as a continuous infusion, allowing higher cumulative dosing to maximize efficacy.