bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management of recurrent pancreatic cancer after surgical resection: a protocol for systematic review, evidence mapping and meta-analysis
Authors: Lee Jong-chan , Ahn Soyeon , Cho In Kuk , Lee Jongchan , Kim Jaihwan , Hwang Jin-Hyeok
Published: April 2018

Introduction

Although recurrence rate among cases of resected pancreatic cancer are as high as 85%, an optimal treatment for recurrent pancreatic cancer (RePC) has not been established. Previous evidence regarding RePC is scarce, and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are particularly lacking. The evidence mapping (EM) method has been introduced as a tool intended to complement the conventional systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis (MA) and is suitable for this issue. This review aims to investigate the optimal treatment options for RePC, using a newly developed automatic EM tool.

Method and analysis

All study types, including RCTs, non-randomised studies and other forms of observational studies will be included in the SR-EM. The Medline, Embase, Cochrane library and Scopus databases will be searched for reports of five treatment options for local and metastatic recurrences, including re-resection, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, best supportive care and other novel treatments, published from database inception to 30 April 2017. References from relevant studies will be searched manually. If meta-analysis is feasible, the primary outcome measure will be median overall survival. Two independent authors will select the studies and assess the risk of bias, and a third author will resolve discrepancies in consensus meeting. To visualise EM, we will use a novel web-based and open-access mapping programme, Plotting E-Map (PLOEM) (http://plotting-e-map.com). If eligible combinations of interventions for quantitative comparison are identified, we will conduct subgroup MAs using random-effect models and I2statistics. Publication bias will be visualised using funnel plots.

Ethics and dissemination

This study will not use primary data, and therefore formal ethical approval is not required. The findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and committee conferences.

PROSPEROregistration number

CRD42016049178.
Surface-wave images of western Canada: lithospheric variations across the Cordillera–craton boundary
Authors: Zaporozan Taras , Frederiksen Andrew W. , Bryksin Alexey , Darbyshire Fiona
Published: April 2018

Two-station surface-wave analysis was used to measure Rayleigh-wave phase velocities between 105 station pairs in western Canada, straddling the boundary between the tectonically active Cordillera and the adjacent stable craton. Major variations in phase velocity are seen across the boundary at periods from 15 to 200 s, periods primarily sensitive to upper mantle structure. Tomographic inversion of these phase velocities was used to generate phase velocity maps at these periods, indicating a sharp contrast between low-velocity Cordilleran upper mantle and high-velocity cratonic lithosphere. Depth inversion along selected transects indicates that the Cordillera–craton upper mantle contact varies in dip along the deformation front, with cratonic lithosphere of the Taltson province overthrusting Cordilleran asthenosphere in the northern Cordillera, and Cordilleran asthenosphere overthrusting Wopmay lithosphere further south. Localized high-velocity features at sub-lithospheric depths beneath the Cordillera are interpreted as Farallon slab fragments, with the gap between these features indicating a slab window. A high-velocity feature in the lower lithosphere of the Slave province may be related to Proterozic or Archean subduction.
Geology, geochemistry, and geochronology of the Laozuoshan gold deposit, Heilongjiang Province, Northeast China: implications for multiple gold mineralization events and geodynamic setting
Authors: Wu Meng , Li Liang , Sun Jing-gui , Yang Rui
Published: April 2018

The Laozuoshan gold deposit, located in the central part of the Jiamusi Massif, is hosted by the contact zone between granitic complex and Proterzoic strata. In this study, we present the results of geochronology and geochemistry of ore-related granodiorite and diorite porphyry, and hydrothermal sericite 40Ar/39Ar dating. The granodiorite and diorite porphyry in the Laozuoshan gold deposit are calc-alkaline and high-K (calc-alkaline) series, which are enriched in LREE and LILE and depleted in HFSE, with no depletion of Eu. The geochronology data show that zircon U–Pb ages of the granodiorite and diorite porphyry are ∼262 Ma and ∼105 Ma, respectively. The sericite 40Ar/39Ar ages are ∼194 Ma and ∼108 Ma. On the basis of previous researches, ore geology and geochronology studies show that the Laozuoshan gold deposit underwent at least two gold mineralization events. We suggest that the first one, which was related to skarnization, resulted from the collision between the Jiamusi and Songnen Massifs in Late Permian. The subsequent gold mineralization resulted from the subduction of the paleo-Pacific Plate in Early Cretaceous.
Next-generation sequencing showing potential leachate influence on bacterial communities around a landfill in China
Authors: Rajasekar Adharsh , Sekar Raju , Medina-Roldán Eduardo , Bridge Jonathan , Moy Charles K.S. , Wilkinson Stephen
Published: April 2018

The impact of contaminated leachate on groundwater from landfills is well known, but the specific effects on bacterial consortia are less well-studied. Bacterial communities in a landfill and an urban site located in Suzhou, China, were studied using Illumina high-throughput sequencing. A total of 153 944 good-quality reads were produced and sequences assigned to 6388 operational taxonomic units. Bacterial consortia consisted of up to 16 phyla, including Proteobacteria (31.9%–94.9% at landfill, 25.1%–43.3% at urban sites), Actinobacteria (0%–28.7% at landfill, 9.9%–34.3% at urban sites), Bacteroidetes (1.4%–25.6% at landfill, 5.6%–7.8% at urban sites), Chloroflexi (0.4%–26.5% at urban sites only), and unclassified bacteria. Pseudomonas was the dominant (67%–93%) genus in landfill leachate. Arsenic concentrations in landfill raw leachate (RL) (1.11 × 103 μg/L) and fresh leachate (FL2) (1.78 × 103 μg/L) and mercury concentrations in RL (10.9 μg/L) and FL2 (7.37 μg/L) exceeded Chinese State Environmental Protection Administration standards for leachate in landfills. The Shannon diversity index and Chao1 richness estimate showed RL and FL2 lacked richness and diversity when compared with other samples. This is consistent with stresses imposed by elevated arsenic and mercury and has implications for ecological site remediation by bioremediation or natural attenuation.
DNA methylation in lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) propagated by softwood cutting and tissue culture
Authors: Goyali Juran C. , Igamberdiev Abir U. , Debnath Samir C.
Published: April 2018

Plant DNA methylation is one of the frequent epigenetic variations induced by tissue culture. Global DNA methylation was evaluated in lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) wild clone QB9C and cultivar Fundy propagated by conventional softwood cutting (SC) and tissue culture (TC) using the methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP) technique. In all, 106 and 107 DNA fragments were amplified using 16 selective primer combinations in SC plants of QB9C and Fundy, respectively. In micropropagated QB9C and Fundy plants, there were 105 and 109 amplified fragments, respectively. Overall, 25% of restriction sites were methylated at the cytosine nucleotide in QB9C plants propagated by SC compared with 19% in Fundy. In contrast, a total of 29% and 20% of restriction sites were methylated at cytosine in micropropagated QB9C and Fundy plants, respectively. Tissue culture plants demonstrated higher methylation events than SC plants in both genotypes. Previously, methylation polymorphism has been detected in TC plants but not in SC counterparts. Different patterns of DNA methylation and polymorphism in the plants propagated in in vitro and in vivo conditions suggest the possibility of involvement of these fragments in the processes of regulating plant growth and development under prevailing growth conditions.
Towards linking environmental law and science
Authors: Moore Jonathan W. , Nowlan Linda , Olszynski Martin , Jacob Aerin L. , Favaro Brett , Collins Lynda , Williams-Davidson G.L. Terri-Lynn , Weitz Jill
Published: April 2018

Gaps between environmental science and environmental law may undermine sound environmental decision-making. We link perspectives and insights from science and law to highlight opportunities and challenges at the environmental science–law interface. The objectives of this paper are to assist scientists who wish to conduct and communicate science that informs environmental statutes, regulations, and associated operational policies (OPs), and to ensure the environmental lawyers (and others) working to ensure that these statutes, regulations, and OPs are appropriately informed by scientific evidence. We provide a conceptual model of how different kinds of science-based activities can feed into legislative and policy cycles, ranging from actionable science that can inform decision-making windows to retrospective analyses that can inform future regulations. We identify a series of major gaps and barriers that challenge the successful linking of environmental science and law. These include (1) the different time frames for science and law, (2) the different standards of proof for scientific and legal (un)certainty, (3) the need for effective scientific communication, (4) the multijurisdictional (federal, provincial, and Indigenous) nature of environmental law, and (5) the different ethical obligations of law and science. Addressing these challenges calls for bidirectional learning among scientists and lawyers and more intentional collaborations at the law–science interface.
IDENTIFICATION AND PREDICTION OF CURRENCY CRISIS: MARKOV SWITCHING-BASED APPROACH
Authors: DU JIANGZE , YU RUNFANG , LAI KIN KEUNG
Published: April 2018

This paper investigates ways of identifying and predicting currency crises in world-wide markets, with special focus on 1997 and 2008 currency crises. A novel Markov switching method is proposed for identifying currency crisis based on two states model, the turmoil state and tranquil state, which is the most suitable model considering the balance between model performance and computational demand. Compared with previous Markov switching currency crisis studies, the contribution of this paper comes from several ways. First, the dependent variable is different. While other papers use the exchange rate directly or the estimation of devaluation probability, this study uses the market pressure index calculated from nominal exchange rate and foreign reserves. Secondly, we allow different volatilities in different states, whereas other papers assume the same volatility in two states. Thirdly, our transition probabilities are constant rather than time-varying. The model shows evidence of state switching before crisis in many different currency markets. Lastly, we compare the Markov switching method with the widely used probit model which proposed an early warning system in terms of forecasting performance, and the empirical results show that the novel Markov switching method performs better than the probit model.
Constraints on a generalized deceleration parameter from cosmic chronometers
Authors: Mamon Abdulla Al
Published: April 2018

In this paper, we have proposed a generalized parametrization for the deceleration parameter q in order to study the evolutionary history of the universe. We have shown that the proposed model can reproduce three well known q-parametrized models for some specific values of the model parameter [Formula: see text]. We have used the latest compilation of the Hubble parameter measurements obtained from the cosmic chronometer (CC) method (in combination with the local value of the Hubble constant [Formula: see text]) and the Type Ia supernova (SNIa) data to place constraints on the parameters of the model for different values of [Formula: see text]. We have found that the resulting constraints on the deceleration parameter and the dark energy equation of state support the [Formula: see text]CDM model within [Formula: see text] confidence level at the present epoch.
Visibility enhancement of color images using Type-II fuzzy membership function
Authors: Singh Harmandeep , Khehra Baljit Singh
Published: April 2018

Images taken in poor environmental conditions decrease the visibility and hidden information of digital images. Therefore, image enhancement techniques are necessary for improving the significant details of these images. An extensive review has shown that histogram-based enhancement techniques greatly suffer from over/under enhancement issues. Fuzzy-based enhancement techniques suffer from over/under saturated pixels problems. In this paper, a novel Type-II fuzzy-based image enhancement technique has been proposed for improving the visibility of images. The Type-II fuzzy logic can automatically extract the local atmospheric light and roughly eliminate the atmospheric veil in local detail enhancement. The proposed technique has been evaluated on 10 well-known weather degraded color images and is also compared with four well-known existing image enhancement techniques. The experimental results reveal that the proposed technique outperforms others regarding visible edge ratio, color gradients and number of saturated pixels.
Parameter identification of piezoelectric hysteresis model based on improved artificial bee colony algorithm
Authors: Wang Geng , Zhou Kexin , Zhang Yeming
Published: April 2018

The widely used Bouc–Wen hysteresis model can be utilized to accurately simulate the voltage–displacement curves of piezoelectric actuators. In order to identify the unknown parameters of the Bouc–Wen model, an improved artificial bee colony (IABC) algorithm is proposed in this paper. A guiding strategy for searching the current optimal position of the food source is proposed in the method, which can help balance the local search ability and global exploitation capability. And the formula for the scout bees to search for the food source is modified to increase the convergence speed. Some experiments were conducted to verify the effectiveness of the IABC algorithm. The results show that the identified hysteresis model agreed well with the actual actuator response. Moreover, the identification results were compared with the standard particle swarm optimization (PSO) method, and it can be seen that the search performance in convergence rate of the IABC algorithm is better than that of the standard PSO method.
On anisotropic Sobolev spaces
Authors: Nguyen Hoai-Minh , Squassina Marco
Published: April 2018

We investigate two types of characterizations for anisotropic Sobolev and BV spaces. In particular, we establish anisotropic versions of the Bourgain–Brezis–Mironescu formula, including the magnetic case both for Sobolev and BV functions.
Local isometric immersions of pseudo-spherical surfaces and kth order evolution equations
Authors: Kahouadji Nabil , Kamran Niky , Tenenblat Keti
Published: April 2018

We consider the class of evolution equations of the form [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], that describe pseudo-spherical surfaces. These were classified by Chern and Tenenblat in [Pseudospherical surfaces and evolution equations, Stud. Appl. Math 74 (1986) 55–83.]. This class of equations is characterized by the property that to each solution of such an equation, there corresponds a 2-dimensional Riemannian metric of constant curvature [Formula: see text]. Motivated by the special properties of the sine-Gordon equation, we investigate the following problem: given such a metric, is there a local isometric immersion in [Formula: see text] such that the coefficients of the second fundamental form of the immersed surface depend on a jet of finite order of [Formula: see text]? We extend our earlier results for second-order evolution equations [N. Kahouadji, N. Kamran and K. Tenenblat, Local isometric immersions of pseudo-spherical surfaces and evolution equations, Fields Inst. Commun. 75 (2015) 369–381; N. Kahouadji, N. Kamran and K. Tenenblat, Second-order equations and local isometric immersions of pseudo-spherical surfaces, Comm. Anal. Geom. 24(3) (2016) 605–643.] to [Formula: see text]th order equations by proving that there is only one type of equation that admit such an isometric immersion. More precisely, we prove under the condition of finite jet dependency that the coefficients of the second fundamental forms of the local isometric immersion determined by the solutions [Formula: see text] are universal, i.e. they are independent of [Formula: see text]. Moreover, we show that there exists a foliation of the domain of the parameters of the surface by straight lines with the property that the mean curvature of the surface is constant along the images of these straight lines under the isometric immersion.
Improved Simultaneous Mesh Untangling and Quality Improvement Methods of 2D Triangular Meshes
Authors: Lee Eun-kyu , Shin Myeonggyu , Kim Jibum
Published: April 2018

Few inverted or poor quality elements can ruin both the accuracy and efficiency of numerical solutions. This paper proposes improved mesh untangling and quality improvement methods using the modified mesh quality metric for 2D triangular meshes. The new mesh quality metric ensures highly inverted elements assign higher penalty when the signed area of the element is negative, and also produces more accurate signed areas for valid elements. Therefore, the proposed methods can quickly remove inverted elements and also improve worst element qualities compared with the existing methods. We also combine Delaunay-based edge flip with optimization-based mesh untangling and quality improvement methods to further improve worst element qualities. Numerical results show that the proposed methods yield better quality meshes for improvement of the worst quality and are faster than existing methods.
Effects of TETA or TEPA Loading on CO2 Adsorption Properties Using Pore-Expanded KIT-6 as Support
Authors: Wei Jianwen , Mei Dejun , Lin Zhifeng , Geng Linlin , Chen Siqi , Liao Lei
Published: April 2018

Mesoporous silica pore-expanded KIT-6 was synthesized using tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) as the silica source, tri-block copolymer (P123) as a structure-directing agent and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (TMB) as swelling agents by a hydrothermal method. Then, pore-expanded KIT-6 (PE-KIT-6) was modified with different amounts of amines including triethylenetetramine (TETA) and tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) by a post-synthetic impregnation method. The samples were characterized by small-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), N2 adsorption/desorption, elemental analysis and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Experimental results revealed that the modifiers were introduced into the samples and the CO2 adsorption capacity increased first and then decreased with the increase of TETA/TEPA loadings. Under the same loadings of TETA/TEPA, the samples modified by TEPA exhibited better CO2 adsorption capacities than the samples modified by TETA because TEPA has one more amine group than TETA in the molecule. The results also indicated that the samples had good adsorption capacities at the loadings ranging from 30% to 35%. Among them, the sample modified by TEPA with the loading of 35% had the maximum adsorption capacity of 2.9[Formula: see text]mmol/g. After five cycles of adsorption/desorption, the adsorption capacity only dropped 4.59%, indicating that the adsorbent of PE-KIT-6 modified by TEPA has good cyclic stability.
Second Hankel determinant for certain class of bi-univalent functions defined by Chebyshev polynomials
Authors: Orhan H. , Magesh N. , Balaji V. K.
Published: April 2018

In this work, we obtain an upper bound estimate for the second Hankel determinant of a subclass [Formula: see text] of analytic bi-univalent function class [Formula: see text] which is associated with Chebyshev polynomials in the open unit disk.
Finite summation formulas of Srivastava’s general triple hypergeometric function
Authors: Sahai Vivek , Verma Ashish
Published: April 2018

This paper continues the study of finite summation formulas of multivariable hypergeometric functions. Earlier, Wang and Chen [Finite summation formulas of double hypergeometric functions, Int. Transf. Spec. Funct. 28(3) (2016) 239–253] established finite summation formulas of double hypergeometric functions by using some well-known summation theorems. We present here finite summation formulas for Srivastava’s general triple hypergeometric function. Certain particular cases leading to finite summation formulas for Lauricella functions and Srivastava’s triple hypergeometric functions are also presented.
Orthogonal sets; orthogonal contractions
Authors: Gordji Madjid Eshaghi , Habibi Hasti , Sahabi Mohammad Bagher
Published: April 2018

In this paper, we are interested in obtaining fixed point theorems by keeping the orthogonal completeness of the orthogonal metric space and replacing the [Formula: see text]-contraction condition in theorems by another slightly modified conditions. The paper contains an example illustrating our results.
Maps preserving triple product A∗B + BA∗ on ∗-algebras
Authors: Taghavi Ali , Razeghi Mehran , Nouri Mojtaba , Darvish Vahid
Published: April 2018

Let [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] be two prime ∗-algebras. Let [Formula: see text] be a bijective and satisfies [Formula: see text] for all [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text]. Then, [Formula: see text] is additive. Moreover, if [Formula: see text] is idempotent then we show that [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text]-linear ∗-isomorphism.
How Does Co-Creation Affect Customer’s Purchase Intention?
Authors: Bai Yang
Published: April 2018

In a conventional view, customers just purchase the goods or services created by companies. But the role of customers has changed. Now customers are seeking to practice their influence in every part of the business system as a co-creator. What is co-creation? Is it like customization? The answer is yes and no. The difference between co-creation and customization depends on the degree of involvement of the customer in the business. Generally, the customer plays a much more active role in co-creation than customization. Co-creation refers to almost every part of a business, but customization is restricted to the end stage of production. Co-creation can happen in the process of sales support, which can ultimately improve sales performance. This paper illustrates the relationships among co-creation, sales support and sales performance, and designs an experiment to test.
Pioglitazone improves hepatic mitochondrial function in a mouse model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Kalavalapalli Srilaxmi , Bril Fernando , Koelmel Jeremy P. , Abdo Kaitlyn , Guingab Joy , Andrews Paige , Li Wen-Yi , Jose Dhanya , Yost Richard A. , Frye Reginald F. , Garrett Timothy J. , Cusi Kenneth , Sunny Nishanth E.
Published: April 2018

Pioglitazone is effective in improving insulin resistance and liver histology in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Because dysfunctional mitochondrial metabolism is a central feature of NASH, we hypothesized that an important target of pioglitazone would be alleviating mitochondrial oxidative dysfunction. To this end, we studied hepatic mitochondrial metabolism in mice fed high-fructose high-transfat diet (TFD) supplemented with pioglitazone for 20 wk, using nuclear magnetic resonance-based 13C isotopomer analysis. Pioglitazone improved whole body and adipose insulin sensitivity in TFD-fed mice. Furthermore, pioglitazone reduced intrahepatic triglyceride content and fed plasma ketones and hepatic TCA cycle flux, anaplerosis, and pyruvate cycling in mice with NASH. This was associated with a marked reduction in most intrahepatic diacylglycerol classes and, to a lesser extent, some ceramide species (C22:1, C23:0). Considering the cross-talk between mitochondrial function and branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism, pioglitazone’s impact on plasma BCAA profile was determined in a cohort of human subjects. Pioglitazone improved the plasma BCAA concentration profile in patients with NASH. This appeared to be related to an improvement in BCAA degradation in multiple tissues. These results provide evidence that pioglitazone-induced changes in NASH are related to improvements in hepatic mitochondrial oxidative dysfunction and changes in whole body BCAA metabolism.
Cysteine- and glycine-rich protein 3 regulates glucose homeostasis in skeletal muscle
Authors: Hernandez-Carretero Angelina , Weber Natalie , LaBarge Samuel A. , Peterka Veronika , Doan Nhu Y Thi , Schenk Simon , Osborn Olivia
Published: April 2018

Skeletal muscle is the major site of postprandial peripheral glucose uptake, but in obesity-induced insulin-resistant states insulin-stimulated glucose disposal is markedly impaired. Despite the importance of skeletal muscle in regulating glucose homeostasis, the specific transcriptional changes associated with insulin-sensitive vs. -resistant states in muscle remain to be fully elucidated. Herein, using an RNA-seq approach we identified 20 genes differentially expressed in an insulin-resistant state in skeletal muscle, including cysteine- and glycine-rich protein 3 ( Csrp3), which was highly expressed in insulin-sensitive conditions but significantly reduced in the insulin-resistant state. CSRP3 has diverse functional roles including transcriptional regulation, signal transduction, and cytoskeletal organization, but its role in glucose homeostasis has yet to be explored. Thus, we investigated the role of CSRP3 in the development of obesity-induced insulin resistance in vivo. High-fat diet-fed CSRP3 knockout (KO) mice developed impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance as well as increased inflammation in skeletal muscle compared with wild-type (WT) mice. CSRP3-KO mice had significantly impaired insulin signaling, decreased GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane, and enhanced levels of phospho-PKCα in muscle, which all contributed to reduced insulin-stimulated glucose disposal in muscle in HFD-fed KO mice compared with WT mice. CSRP3 is a highly inducible protein and its expression is acutely increased after fasting. After 24h fasting, glucose tolerance was significantly improved in WT mice, but this effect was blunted in CSRP3-KO mice. In summary, we identify a novel role for Csrp3 expression in skeletal muscle in the development of obesity-induced insulin resistance.
HDAC3 inhibition in diabetic mice may activate Nrf2 preventing diabetes-induced liver damage and FGF21 synthesis and secretion leading to aortic protection
Authors: Zhang Jian , Xu Zheng , Gu Junlian , Jiang Saizhi , Liu Quan , Zheng Yang , Freedman Jonathan H. , Sun Jian , Cai Lu
Published: April 2018

Vascular complications are common pathologies associated with type 1 diabetes. In recent years, histone deacetylation enzyme (HDAC) inhibitors have been shown to be successful in preventing atherosclerosis. To investigate the mechanism for HDAC3 inhibition in preventing diabetic aortic pathologies, male OVE26 type 1 diabetic mice and age-matched wild-type (FVB) mice were given the HDAC3-specific inhibitor RGFP-966 or vehicle for 3 mo. These mice were then euthanized immediately or maintained for an additional 3 mo without treatment. Levels of aortic inflammation and fibrosis and plasma and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) levels were determined. Because the liver is the major organ for FGF21 synthesis in diabetic animals, the effects of HDAC3 inhibition on hepatic FGF21 synthesis were examined. Additionally, hepatic miR-200a and kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) expression and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) nuclear translocation were measured. HDAC3 inhibition significantly reduced aortic fibrosis and inflammation in OVE26 mice at both 3 and 6 mo. Plasma FGF21 levels were significantly higher in RGFP-966-treated OVE26 mice compared with vehicle-treated mice at both time points. It also significantly reduced hepatic pathologies associated with diabetes, accompanied by increased FGF21 mRNA and protein expression. HDAC3 inhibition also increased miR-200a expression, reduced Keap1 protein levels, and increased Nrf2 nuclear translocation with an upregulation of antioxidant gene and FGF21 transcription. Our results support a model where HDAC3 inhibition may promote Nrf2 activity by increasing miR-200a expression with a concomitant decrease in Keap1 to preserve hepatic FGF21 synthesis. The preservation of hepatic FGF21 synthesis ultimately leads to a reduction in diabetes-induced aorta pathologies.
Herbal Use among Presurgical Patients in Turkey: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Yilmaz Fulya , Çifci Hazal Ezgi
Published: April 2018

Introduction. For centuries before the advent of modern medicine, traditional medicinal plants were the major agents for primary health care. Their use declined in most developed western countries during the last century’s industrialization and urbanization. But, the last two decades have witnessed a new resurgence of interest in herbal and alternative medicines.Methods. The survey was conducted at the Anaesthesiology and Reanimation Department of Training and Research Hospital of Health and Science University among patients who had undergone elective surgery between January 1st 2016 and April 1st 2016. A questionnaire composed of 15 questions was used.Results. A total 87 (14.5%) patients reported the use of herbal medications. Twenty five patients were taking a single herbal medication and 52 patients were taking more than one. 92.5% of patients do not know the side effects of herbal medications. 35 cases of operation patients were questioned by the physician about herbal use, and 228 cases were not questioned by the physician.Conclusion. Anesthesiologist should be aware of the effects of herbals on body functions and possible herbal-drug interactions to take care of such potentional perioperative complications.
Exposure to Nitrogen Oxide in the First Trimester and Risk of Cardiovascular-Related Malformations: A Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies
Authors: Zhang Tie-Ning , Li Da , Wu Qi-Jun , Xia Jing , Wen Ri , Chen Xing-Chen , Yang Ni , Chen Yan-Ling , Huang Yan-Hong , Liu Chun-Feng
Published: April 2018

Nitrogen oxide (NOx) is produced during combustion at high temperature, which is a major constituent of air pollutants. Recent studies suggested inconsistent results on the association between NOx exposure and cardiovascular-related malformations. We aimed to assess aforementioned association in pregnant women in the first trimester and cardiovascular-related malformations of infants. A systematic literature review identified studies for observational studies about NOx exposure and cardiovascular-related malformation in PubMed. Random-effect models were used to estimate summary odds ratio (SOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for aforementioned association. Finally, nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Overall, the SOR of cardiovascular-related malformation per 10 ppb increment in NOx and NO2 concentration was 1.01 (95% CI: 0.98–1.04; I2 = 38.6%, P=0.09) and 0.99 (95% CI: 0.95–1.04; I2 = 37.8%, P=0.13), respectively. Stratifying by study design, geographic locations, and confounded adjustments, the majority of strata showed negative results, which were consistent with the main findings. However, we found that exposure to NOx and NO2 in the first trimester increased the risk of coarctation of the aorta (COA) malformation by 13% and 19%, respectively. Our study provided limited evidence regarding the association between NOx exposure in the first trimester and cardiovascular-related malformations in infants.
Calcium Signaling in the Ventricular Myocardium of the Goto-Kakizaki Type 2 Diabetic Rat
Authors: Al Kury L. , Smail M. , Qureshi M. A. , Sydorenko V. , Shmygol A. , Oz M. , Singh J. , Howarth F. C.
Published: April 2018

The association between diabetes mellitus (DM) and high mortality linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major concern worldwide. Clinical and preclinical studies have demonstrated a variety of diastolic and systolic dysfunctions in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with the severity of abnormalities depending on the patients’ age and duration of diabetes. The cellular basis of hemodynamic dysfunction in a type 2 diabetic heart is still not well understood. The aim of this review is to evaluate our current understanding of contractile dysfunction and disturbances of Ca2+transport in the Goto-Kakizaki (GK) diabetic rat heart. The GK rat is a widely used nonobese, nonhypertensive genetic model of T2DM which is characterized by insulin resistance, elevated blood glucose, alterations in blood lipid profile, and cardiac dysfunction.
Type 3 Thyroplasty for a Patient with Female-to-Male Gender Identity Disorder
Authors: Saito Yu , Nakamura Kazuhiro , Itani Shigeto , Tsukahara Kiyoaki
Published: April 2018

Objective. In most cases, about the voice of the patient with female-to-male/gender identity disorder (FTM/GID), hormone therapy makes the voice low-pitched. In success cases, there is no need for phonosurgery. However, hormone therapy is not effective in some cases. We perform type 3 thyroplasty in these cases. Method. Hormone therapy was started in 2008 but did not lower the speaking fundamental frequencies (SFFs). We therefore performed TP3 under local anesthesia. Results. In our case, the SFF at the first visit was 146 Hz. The postoperative SFF was 110 Hz. Conclusions. TP3 was performed under local anesthesia in a patient with FTM/GID in whom hormone therapy proved ineffective. With successful conversion to a lower-pitched voice, the patient could begin to live daily life as a male. QOL improved significantly with TP3. If hormone therapy proves ineffective, TP3 may be selected as an optional treatment and appears to show few surgical complications and was, in this case, a very effective treatment.
ECG Markers of Hemodynamic Improvement in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Waligóra Marcin , Tyrka Anna , Podolec Piotr , Kopeć Grzegorz
Published: April 2018

Introduction. Several diagnostic tests have been recommended for risk assessment in pulmonary hypertension (PH), but the role of electrocardiography (ECG) in monitoring of PH patients has not been yet established. Therefore the aim of the study was to evaluate which ECG patterns characteristic for pulmonary hypertension can predict hemodynamic improvement in patients treated with targeted therapies. Methods. Consecutive patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) were eligible to be included if they had had performed two consecutive right heart catheterization (RHC) procedures before and after starting of targeted therapies. Patients were followed up from June 2009 to July 2017. ECG patterns of right ventricular hypertrophy according to American College of Cardiology Foundation were assessed. Results. We enrolled 80 patients with PAH and 11 patients with inoperable CTEPH. The follow-up RHC was performed within 12.6±10.0 months after starting therapy. Based on median change of pulmonary vascular resistance, we divided our patients into two subgroups: with and without significant hemodynamic improvement. RV1, max⁡RV1,2 + max⁡SI,aVL-SV1, and PII improved along with the improvement of hemodynamic parameters including PVR. They predicted hemodynamic improvement with similarly good accuracy as shown in ROC analysis: RV1 (AUC: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.63–0.84), PII (AUC: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.56–0.77), and max⁡RV1,2+max⁡SI,aVL-SV1 (0.73; 95% CI: 0.63–0.82). In Cox regression only change in RV1 remained significant mortality predictor (HR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.01–1.24). Conclusion. Electrocardiogram may be useful in predicting hemodynamic effects of targeted therapy in precapillary pulmonary hypertension. Decrease of RV1, max⁡RV1,2+max⁡SI,aVL-SV1, and PII corresponds with hemodynamic improvement after treatment. Of these changes a decrease of R wave amplitude in V1 is associated with better survival.
LDPE Oxidation by CO2 Laser Radiation (10.6 µm)
Authors: Martínez-Romo A. , González-Mota R. , Soto-Bernal J. J. , Rosales-Candelas I.
Published: April 2018

Thermooxidation of LDPE films by CO2 laser radiation, 10.6 μm, was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR). The formation of carbonyl and hydroxyl functional groups onto LDPE films was dependent on the fluency of CO2 laser. IR absorption of vinyl groups and C-O bond present in alcohols showed a decrease and an increase, respectively, indicating that CO2 laser radiation causes simultaneous formation and accumulation of hydroperoxides in LDPE films; furthermore, crystallinity of LDPE films irradiated with CO2 tends to increase. So, CO2 laser radiation is able to oxidize the LDPE films, obtaining a PE with similar spectroscopic properties to that of PE-BIO by a physical process.
Artificial Engine Sound Synthesis Method for Modification of the Acoustic Characteristics of Electric Vehicles
Authors: Min Dongki , Park Buhm , Park Junhong
Published: April 2018

Sound radiation from electric motor‐driven vehicles is negligibly small compared to sound radiation from internal combustion engine automobiles. When running on a local road, an artificial sound is required as a warning signal for the safety of pedestrians. In this study, an engine sound was synthesized by combining artificial mechanical and combustion sounds. The mechanical sounds were made by summing harmonic components representing sounds from rotating engine cranks. The harmonic components, including not only magnitude but also phase due to frequency, were obtained by the numerical integration method. The combustion noise was simulated by random sounds with similar spectral characteristics to the measured value and its amplitude was synchronized by the rotating speed. Important parameters essential for the synthesized sound to be evaluated as radiation from actual engines were proposed. This approach enabled playing of sounds for arbitrary engines. The synthesized engine sounds were evaluated for recognizability of vehicle approach and sound impression through auditory experiments.
Does the Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm Provide Better Diagnostic Performance Than HE4 and CA125 in the Presurgical Differentiation of Adnexal Tumors in Polish Women?
Authors: Abdalla Nabil , Piorkowski Robert , Bachanek Michal , Stanirowski Pawel , Cendrowski Krzysztof , Sawicki Wlodzimierz
Published: April 2018

Aim. This study compared the diagnostic performance of the Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm (ROMA) and HE4 and CA125 for the presurgical differentiation of adnexal tumors. Material and Methods. This prospective study included 302 patients admitted for surgical treatment due to adnexal tumors. The ROMA was calculated depending on CA125, HE4, and menopausal status. Results. Fifty patients were diagnosed with malignant disease. In the differentiation of malignant from nonmalignant adnexal tumors, the area under curve (AUC) was higher for ROMA and HE4 than that for CA125 in both the premenopausal and postmenopausal subgroups. In the differentiation of stage I FIGO malignancies and epithelial ovarian cancer from nonmalignant pathologies, the AUC of HE4 and ROMA was higher than that of CA125. The ROMA performed significantly better than CA125 in the differentiation of all malignancies and differentiation of stage I FIGO malignancies from nonmalignant pathologies (p=0.043 and p=0.025, resp.). There were no significant differences between the ROMA and the tumor markers for any other variants. Conclusions. The ROMA is more useful than CA125 for the differentiation of malignant (including stage I FIGO) from nonmalignant adnexal tumors. It is also as useful as HE4 and CA125 for the differentiation of epithelial ovarian cancer from nonmalignant adnexal tumors.
Recovery of Donor Hematopoiesis after Graft Failure and Second Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation with Intraosseous Administration of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Authors: Petinati Nataliya , Drize Nina , Sats Natalia , Risinskaya Natalya , Sudarikov Andrey , Drokov Michail , Dubniak Daria , Kraizman Alina , Nareyko Maria , Popova Natalia , Firsova Maya , Kuzmina Larisa , Parovichnikova Elena , Savchenko Valeriy
Published: April 2018

Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) participate in the formation of bone marrow niches for hematopoietic stem cells. Donor MSCs can serve as a source of recovery for niches in patients with graft failure (GF) after allogeneic bone marrow (BM) transplantation. Since only few MSCs reach the BM after intravenous injection, MSCs were implanted into the iliac spine. For 8 patients with GF after allo-BMT, another hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with simultaneous implantation of MSCs from their respective donors into cancellous bone was performed. BM was aspirated from the iliac crest of these patients at 1-2, 4-5, and 9 months after the intraosseous injection of donor MSCs. Patients’ MSCs were cultivated, and chimerism was determined. In 6 out of 8 patients, donor hematopoiesis was restored. Donor cells (9.4 ± 3.3%) were detected among MSCs. Thus, implanted MSCs remain localized at the site of administration and do not lose the ability to proliferate. These results suggest that MSCs could participate in the restoration of niches for donor hematopoietic cells or have an immunomodulatory effect, preventing repeated rejection of the graft. Perhaps, intraosseous implantation of MSCs contributes to the success of the second transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells and patient survival.
The Role of Solvent Environment on the Optical Behavior of Chemically Synthesized Silicon Nanoparticles
Authors: Al Mohaimeed Rawabi M. , Ansari Anees A. , Aldwayyan Abdullah
Published: April 2018

Silicon nanoparticles (Si-NPs) were prepared by solution-based chemical etching method. Optical characteristics of the as-prepared Si-NPs were investigated in different polar and nonpolar organic solvents. The emission and absorption properties of Si-NPs were tuned by altering the environment (solvents). The variation in absorption coefficient was observed because of the solvent interaction nature of Si-NPs. Si-NPs in polar aprotic and nonpolar solvents manifested good luminescence under UV excitation. PL intensities were observed to be depending on etched cross-section area on wafer surface. The results show a linear dependence of the refractive index (n) on wavelength (λ). The nature of solvents altered the luminescence efficiency of Si-NPs when examining under UV lamp. The emission and absorption properties of Si-NPs were tuned by altering the environment (solvents) through electrostatic interaction of various organic solvents with the Si-NPs. The band shapes of the Si-NPs show remarkable changes in passing from noncoordinating solvent (chloroform) to various coordinating solvents, which was the result of change in the environment around Si-NPs in various solutions.
Contralateral Suppression of DPOAEs in Mice after Ouabain Treatment
Authors: Li Jieying , Chen Yan , Zeng Shan , Lai Chuijin , Zhang Yanping , Zhang Liting , Shi Yuxuan , Zhang Tianyu , Li Huawei , Dai Peidong
Published: April 2018

Medial olivocochlear (MOC) efferent feedback is suggested to protect the ear from acoustic injury and to increase its ability to discriminate sounds against a noisy background. We investigated whether type II spiral ganglion neurons participate in the contralateral suppression of the MOC reflex. The application of ouabain to the round window of the mouse cochlea selectively induced the apoptosis of the type I spiral ganglion neurons, left the peripherin-immunopositive type II spiral ganglion neurons intact, and did not affect outer hairs, as evidenced by the maintenance of the distorted product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs). With the ouabain treatment, the threshold of the auditory brainstem response increased significantly and the amplitude of wave I decreased significantly in the ouabain-treated ears, consistent with the loss of type I neurons. Contralateral suppression was measured as reduction in the amplitude of the 2f1−f2 DPOAEs when noise was presented to the opposite ear. Despite the loss of all the type I spiral ganglion neurons, virtually, the amplitude of the contralateral suppression was not significantly different from the control when the suppressor noise was delivered to the treated cochlea. These results are consistent with the type II spiral ganglion neurons providing the sensory input driving contralateral suppression of the MOC reflex.
Interpreting Aerodynamics of a Transonic Impeller from Static Pressure Measurements
Authors: Lou Fangyuan , Fabian John Charles , Key Nicole Leanne
Published: April 2018

This paper investigates the aerodynamics of a transonic impeller using static pressure measurements. The impeller is a high-speed, high-pressure-ratio wheel used in small gas turbine engines. The experiment was conducted on the single stage centrifugal compressor facility in the compressor research laboratory at Purdue University. Data were acquired from choke to near-surge at four different corrected speeds (Nc) from 80% to 100% design speed, which covers both subsonic and supersonic inlet conditions. Details of the impeller flow field are discussed using data acquired from both steady and time-resolved static pressure measurements along the impeller shroud. The flow field is compared at different loading conditions, from subsonic to supersonic inlet conditions. The impeller performance was strongly dependent on the inducer, where the majority of relative diffusion occurs. The inducer diffuses flow more efficiently for inlet tip relative Mach numbers close to unity, and the performance diminishes at other Mach numbers. Shock waves emerging upstream of the impeller leading edge were observed from 90% to 100% corrected speed, and they move towards the impeller trailing edge as the inlet tip relative Mach number increases. There is no shock wave present in the inducer at 80% corrected speed. However, a high-loss region near the inducer throat was observed at 80% corrected speed resulting in a lower impeller efficiency at subsonic inlet conditions.
Hippocampal Dysfunction Provoked by Mercury Chloride Exposure: Evaluation of Cognitive Impairment, Oxidative Stress, Tissue Injury and Nature of Cell Death
Authors: Aragão Walessa Alana Bragança , Teixeira Francisco Bruno , Fagundes Nathalia Carolina Fernandes , Fernandes Rafael Monteiro , Fernandes Luanna Melo Pereira , da Silva Márcia Cristina Freitas , Amado Lilian Lund , Sagica Fernanda Espírito Santo , Oliveira Edivaldo Herculano Correa , Crespo-Lopez Maria Elena , Maia Cristiane Socorro Ferraz , Lima Rafael Rodrigues
Published: April 2018

Mercury (Hg) is a highly toxic metal, which can be found in its inorganic form in the environment. This form presents lower liposolubility and lower absorption in the body. In order to elucidate the possible toxicity of inorganic Hg in the hippocampus, we investigated the potential of low doses of mercury chloride (HgCl2) to promote hippocampal dysfunction by employing a chronic exposure model. For this, 56 rats were exposed to HgCl2 (0.375 mg/kg/day) via the oral route for 45 days. After the exposure period, the animals were submitted to the cognitive test of fear memory. The hippocampus was collected for the measurement of total Hg levels, analysis of oxidative stress, and evaluation of cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and tissue injury. It was observed that chronic exposure to inorganic Hg promotes an increase in mercury levels in this region and damage to short‐ and long‐term memory. Furthermore, we found that this exposure model provoked oxidative stress, which led to cytotoxicity and cell death by apoptosis, affecting astrocytes and neurons in the hippocampus. Our study demonstrated that inorganic Hg, even with its low liposolubility, is able to produce deleterious effects in the central nervous system, resulting in cognitive impairment and hippocampal damage when administered for a long time at low doses in rats.