bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Minocycline combination therapy with fluvoxamine in moderate‐to‐severe obsessive–compulsive disorder: A placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, randomized trial
Authors: Esalatmanesh Sophia , Abrishami Zoha , Zeinoddini Atefeh , Rahiminejad Fatemeh , Sadeghi Majid , Najarzadegan Mohammad‐Reza , Shalbafan Mohammad‐Reza , Akhondzadeh Shahin
Published: August 2016

Aim

Several lines of evidence implicate glutamatergic dysfunction in the pathophysiology of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), presenting this neurotransmitter as a target for the development of novel pharmacotherapy. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of minocycline as an augmentative agent to fluvoxamine in the treatment of patients with OCD.

Methods

One hundred and two patients with the diagnosis of moderate‐to‐severe OCD were recruited to this study. A randomized double‐blind trial was designed and patients received either L‐carnosine or placebo as adjuvant to fluvoxamine for 10 weeks. The patients randomly received either minocycline 100 mg twice per day or placebo for 10 weeks. All patients received fluvoxamine (100 mg/day) for the first 4 weeks, followed by 200 mg/day for the rest of the trial, regardless of their treatment groups. Participants were evaluated using the Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y‐BOCS). The main outcome measure was to assess the efficacy of minocycline in improving the OCD symptoms.

Results

General linear model repeated measures demonstrated significant effect for time × treatment interaction on the Y‐BOCS total scores, F(1.49, 137.93) = 7.1,
P
 = 0.003, and Y‐BOCS Obsession subscale score, F(1.54, 141.94) = 9.72, P = 0.001, and near significant effect for the Y‐BOCS Compulsion subscale score, F(1.27, 117.47) = 2.92,
P
 = 0.08. A significantly greater rate of partial and complete response was observed in the minocycline group (P < 0.001). The frequency of side‐effects was not significantly different between the treatment arms.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that minocycline could be a tolerable and effective adjuvant in the management of patients with OCD.
Elicitation of resistance responses in grapefruit and lemon fruits treated with a pomegranate peel extract
Authors: Pangallo S. , Li Destri Nicosia M. G. , Raphael G. , Levin E. , Ballistreri G. , Cacciola S. O. , Rapisarda P. , Droby S. , Schena L.
Published: August 2016

The defence responses of grapefruit and lemon to treatment with pomegranate extract (PGE) were investigated. PGE, an alcoholic extract from pomegranate peel, was recently proposed as a means of effective alternative control against postharvest rots. In in vivo experiments, a significant reduction of rots caused by Penicillium digitatum and P. italicum was achieved on artificially inoculated fruits without direct contact between PGE and pathogens. On lemons both pathogens were completely inhibited by PGE at 12 g dry matter L−1 applied 12 and 24 h before the pathogen but a significant reduction of rots was also achieved by inoculating the pathogen immediately after PGE (0 h), indicating a very quick activation of defence responses. Lower, but significant, reductions were also obtained on grapefruits. An increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity, reaching its peak after 24 h, was observed, in agreement with in vivo efficacy trials. Similarly, the expression of five genes involved in activation of defence responses in plants (CHI, CHS, MAPK, MAPKK and PAL) increased following PGE application. Based on the results of the present study, the high efficacy demonstrated for PGE in previous studies can be partially attributed to the induction of resistance in host tissues.
Reference values and repeatability of the Schirmer tear tests I and II in domesticated, clinically normal dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius)
Authors: Marzok Mohamed A. , Badawy Adel M. , El‐khodery Sabry A.
Published: August 2016

Objective

To determine the normal values and repeatability for Schirmer tear test (STT) in clinically normal dromedary camels and to analyze the influence of the age and gender on these values.

Animals studied

Thirty clinically normal dromedary camels of different ages (calves, immature, and mature).

Procedures

Schirmer tear tests I and II were performed using commercial STT strips. Three measurements were obtained from each eye over three consecutive weeks, and the variance of these measurements was determined.

Results

Mean values and coefficient of variation of STT I and STT II for the right and left eyes varied significantly among camel groups (P < 0.05). For STT I, the most frequently recorded values were >14–18, > 22–26, and >30–34 mm/min in calves, immature camels, and mature camels, respectively. For STT II, however, the most frequently recorded values were 7–14, >10–18, and >26–30 mm/min, respectively. The interassay coefficients of variation were 1.7–14.4% and were significantly lower in mature camels than in calves and immature camels (P < 0.05). Age was positively correlated with STT I (r = 0.81) and STT II values (r = 0.88). No significant variations were found between genders.

Conclusions

This preliminary study reports STT I and II values and repeatability in normal dromedary camels. This information may assist veterinary practitioners in complete ophthalmic examinations and in accurate diagnosis of ocular surface diseases affecting the tear film in this species.
Pigment retinopathy in warmblood horses with equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy and equine motor neuron disease
Authors: Finno Carrie J. , Kaese Heather J. , Miller Andrew D. , Gianino Giuliana , Divers Thomas , Valberg Stephanie J.
Published: August 2016

Objective

A pigment retinopathy has been reported in adult horses with equine motor neuron disease (EMND) arising from chronic α‐tocopherol (α‐TP) deficiency. A pigment retinopathy has not been identified in horses with neuroaxonal dystrophy/equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (NAD/EDM) that affects genetically susceptible young horses with α‐TPdeficiency. The objective of this report is to describe, for the first time, a pigment retinopathy in a family of α‐TP‐deficient Warmbloods (WB) with clinically apparentNAD/EDMorEMND.

Animals and Procedures

Twenty‐fiveWBhorses from one farm underwent complete neurologic and ophthalmic examinations and serum α‐TPconcentrations were assessed. Two of the most severely ataxic horses were euthanized and postmortem examinations performed.

Results

Alpha‐TPdeficiency was widespread on this farm (22 of 25 horses). Eleven of 25 horses were clinically normal (age range 2–12 years), one had signs ofEMND(6 years of age), 10 had signs of ataxia consistent withNAD/EDM(1–10 years), and two of these were postmortem confirmed concurrentNAD/EDMandEMND. A pigment retinopathy characterized by varying amounts of granular dark pigment in the tapetal retina was observed in four clinically apparentNAD/EDMhorses (two postmortem confirmed concurrentNAD/EDMandEMND) and one horse with clinical signs ofEMND.

Conclusions

A pigment retinopathy can be present in young α‐TP‐deficient Warmblood horses with clinical signs ofEMNDas well as those with signs ofNAD/EDM.
Validation of Random Sampling as an Estimation Procedure for Lyme Disease Surveillance in Massachusetts and Minnesota
Authors: Bjork J. , Brown C. , Friedlander H. , Schiffman E. , Neitzel D.
Published: August 2016

Many disease surveillance programs, including the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Minnesota Department of Health, are challenged by marked increases in Lyme disease (LD) reports. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively analyse LD reports from 2005 through 2012 to determine whether key epidemiologic characteristics were statistically indistinguishable when an estimation procedure based on sampling was utilized. Estimates of the number of LD cases were produced by taking random 20% and 50% samples of laboratory‐only reports, multiplying by 5 or 2, respectively, and adding the number of provider‐reported confirmed cases. Estimated LD case counts were compared to observed, confirmed cases each year. In addition, the proportions of cases that were male, were ≤12 years of age, had erythema migrans (EM), had any late manifestation of LD, had a specific late manifestation of LD (arthritis, cranial neuritis or carditis) or lived in a specific region were compared to the proportions of cases identified using standard surveillance to determine whether estimated proportions were representative of observed proportions. Results indicate that the estimated counts of confirmed LD cases were consistently similar to observed, confirmed LD cases and accurately conveyed temporal trends. Most of the key demographic and disease manifestation characteristics were not significantly different (P < 0.05), although estimates for the 20% random sample demonstrated greater deviation than the 50% random sample. Applying this estimation procedure in endemic states could conserve limited resources by reducing follow‐up effort while maintaining the ability to track disease trends.
Public–private Partnerships in Financing Infrastructure Development: Could Some Award Methods Generate X-Inefficiency?
Authors: Castillo Leopoldo Laborda , Salem Daniel Sotelsek
Published: August 2016

This article focuses primarily on analyzing the possible relation between infrastructure management projects under a Public­Private Partnerships (PPP) and X­Inefficiency. ​The premise of our empirical analysis is that some methods of contract awarding for selecting the right private sector partner, when subject to competition and transparency (competitive bidding), may contribute to the overall infrastructure goals of countries in general and in particular to reducing X­Inefficiency. ​For measuring, we assume that at least some decision making units (DMU) are successfully practicing maximization, while others may not be. The database covers projects awarded in low­ and middle income countries as classified by the World Bank and our initial sample consisted of 210 electricity generation [1]​​ projects (energy sector). The results show that award methods based on direct negotiation have a positive effect on increasing technical efficiency (or decreasing X­Inefficiency) compared to alternative methods like competitive bidding.
Battery-free, stretchable optoelectronic systems for wireless optical characterization of the skin
Authors: Kim Jeonghyun , Salvatore Giovanni A. , Araki Hitoshi , Chiarelli Antonio M. , Xie Zhaoqian , Banks Anthony , Sheng Xing , Liu Yuhao , Lee Jung Woo , Jang Kyung-In , Heo Seung Yun , Cho Kyoungyeon , Luo Hongying , Zimmerman Benjamin , Kim Joonhee , Yan Lingqing , Feng Xue , Xu Sheng , Fabiani Monica , Gratton Gabriele , Huang Yonggang , Paik Ungyu , Rogers John A.
Published: August 2016

Stretchable, wireless health monitoring patches to evaluate heart rate, blood oximetry, UV exposure, and skin coloration.
When lives are put on hold: Lengthy asylum processes decrease employment among refugees
Authors: Hainmueller Jens , Hangartner Dominik , Lawrence Duncan
Published: August 2016

Refugees waiting an additional year for their asylum claim decision face a 20% reduction in their subsequent employment rate.
Venezuela's woes hamper access to fossil trove
Authors: Wade Lizzie
Published: August 2016

Only the most daring researchers now risk a trip to premier site in the American tropics.
Outburst flood at 1920 BCE supports historicity of China’s Great Flood and the Xia dynasty
Authors: Wu Qinglong , Zhao Zhijun , Liu Li , Granger Darryl E. , Wang Hui , Cohen David J. , Wu Xiaohong , Ye Maolin , Bar-Yosef Ofer , Lu Bin , Zhang Jin , Zhang Peizhen , Yuan Daoyang , Qi Wuyun , Cai Linhai , Bai Shibiao
Published: August 2016

Flood control initiates Chinese civilization

Around four millennia ago, Emperor Yu the Great succeeded in controlling a huge flood in the Yellow River basin. This is considered to have led to the establishment of the Xia dynasty and the start of Chinese civilization. However, the dates of the events and the links between them have remained uncertain and controversial. Using stratigraphic data and radiocarbon dating, Wu
et al.
verify that the flood occurred and place the start of the Xia dynasty at about 1900 BC, thus reconciling the historical and archaeological chronologies (see the Perspective by Montgomery).

Science
, this issue p.
579
; see also p.
538
Origin and hysteresis of lithium compositional spatiodynamics within battery primary particles
Authors: Lim Jongwoo , Li Yiyang , Alsem Daan Hein , So Hongyun , Lee Sang Chul , Bai Peng , Cogswell Daniel A. , Liu Xuzhao , Jin Norman , Yu Young-sang , Salmon Norman J. , Shapiro David A. , Bazant Martin Z. , Tyliszczak Tolek , Chueh William C.
Published: August 2016

Watching batteries fail

Rechargeable batteries lose capacity in part because of physical changes in the electrodes caused by electrochemical cycling. Lim
et al.
track the reaction dynamics of an electrode material, LiFePO
4
, by measuring the relative concentrations of Fe(II) and Fe(III) in it by means of high-resolution x-ray absorption spectrometry (see the Perspective by Schougaard). The exchange current density is then mapped for Li
+
insertion and removal. At fast cycling rates, solid solutions form as Li
+
is removed and inserted. However, at slow cycling rates, nanoscale phase separation occurs within battery particles, which eventually shortens battery life.

Science
, this issue p.
566
; see also p.
543
Permanent excimer superstructures by supramolecular networking of metal quantum clusters
Authors: Santiago-Gonzalez Beatriz , Monguzzi Angelo , Azpiroz Jon Mikel , Prato Mirko , Erratico Silvia , Campione Marcello , Lorenzi Roberto , Pedrini Jacopo , Santambrogio Carlo , Torrente Yvan , De Angelis Filippo , Meinardi Francesco , Brovelli Sergio
Published: August 2016

Long-life excimer-like structures

Metal quantum clusters have ideal properties for medical applications such as
imaging. The challenge is to prolong their transient properties for the
fabrication of useful devices. Santiago-Gonzalez
et al.
arranged gold clusters in a supramolecular lattice held together by hydrogen
bonding and showed that this material can be used for imaging of fibroblast
cells. In the superstructure, the gold molecules can come together in the
excited state as excimers and then dissociate to emit radiation. Because they
are within a lattice, this behavior shows long-term stability. Furthermore, the
lattice superstructure scavenges reactive oxygen species and reduces cell
damage.

Science
, this issue p.
571
Draft Genome Sequence of
Escherichia coli
S51, a Chicken Isolate Harboring a Chromosomally Encoded
mcr-1
Gene
Authors: Zurfluh Katrin , Tasara Taurai , Poirel Laurent , Nordmann Patrice , Stephan Roger
Published: August 2016

We present the draft genome of
Escherichia coli
S51, a colistin-resistant extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing strain isolated in 2015 from raw chicken meat imported from Germany. Assembly and annotation of this draft genome resulted in a 4,994,918-bp chromosome and revealed a chromosomally encoded
mcr-1
gene responsible for the colistin resistance of the strain.
Fungus-Derived Neoechinulin B as a Novel Antagonist of Liver X Receptor, Identified by Chemical Genetics Using a Hepatitis C Virus Cell Culture System
Authors: Nakajima Syo , Watashi Koichi , Ohashi Hirofumi , Kamisuki Shinji , Izaguirre-Carbonell Jesus , Kwon Andrew Tae-Jun , Suzuki Harukazu , Kataoka Michiyo , Tsukuda Senko , Okada Maiko , Moi Meng Ling , Takeuchi Toshifumi , Arita Minetaro , Suzuki Ryosuke , Aizaki Hideki , Kato Takanobu , Suzuki Tadaki , Hasegawa Hideki , Takasaki Tomohiko , Sugawara Fumio , Wakita Takaji
Published: August 2016

Cell culture systems reproducing virus replication can serve as unique models for the discovery of novel bioactive molecules. Here, using a hepatitis C virus (HCV) cell culture system, we identified neoechinulin B (NeoB), a fungus-derived compound, as an inhibitor of the liver X receptor (LXR). NeoB was initially identified by chemical screening as a compound that impeded the production of infectious HCV. Genome-wide transcriptome analysis and reporter assays revealed that NeoB specifically inhibits LXR-mediated transcription. NeoB was also shown to interact directly with LXRs. Analysis of structural analogs suggested that the molecular interaction of NeoB with LXR correlated with the capacity to inactivate LXR-mediated transcription and to modulate lipid metabolism in hepatocytes. Our data strongly suggested that NeoB is a novel LXR antagonist. Analysis using NeoB as a bioprobe revealed that LXRs support HCV replication: LXR inactivation resulted in dispersion of double-membrane vesicles, putative viral replication sites. Indeed, cells treated with NeoB showed decreased replicative permissiveness for poliovirus, which also replicates in double-membrane vesicles, but not for dengue virus, which replicates via a distinct membrane compartment. Together, our data suggest that LXR-mediated transcription regulates the formation of virus-associated membrane compartments. Significantly, inhibition of LXRs by NeoB enhanced the activity of all known classes of anti-HCV agents, and NeoB showed especially strong synergy when combined with interferon or an HCV NS5A inhibitor. Thus, our chemical genetics analysis demonstrates the utility of the HCV cell culture system for identifying novel bioactive molecules and characterizing the virus-host interaction machinery.

IMPORTANCEHepatitis C virus (HCV) is highly dependent on host factors for efficient replication. In the present study, we used an HCV cell culture system to screen an uncharacterized chemical library. Our results identified neoechinulin B (NeoB) as a novel inhibitor of the liver X receptor (LXR). NeoB inhibited the induction of LXR-regulated genes and altered lipid metabolism. Intriguingly, our results indicated that LXRs are critical to the process of HCV replication: LXR inactivation by NeoB disrupted double-membrane vesicles, putative sites of viral replication. Moreover, NeoB augmented the antiviral activity of all known classes of currently approved anti-HCV agents without increasing cytotoxicity. Thus, our strategy directly links the identification of novel bioactive compounds to basic virology and the development of new antiviral agents.
Serine/Arginine-Rich Splicing Factor 3 and Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein A1 Regulate Alternative RNA Splicing and Gene Expression of Human Papillomavirus 18 through Two Functionally Distinguishable
cis
Elements
Authors: Ajiro Masahiko , Tang Shuang , Doorbar John , Zheng Zhi-Ming
Published: August 2016

Human papillomavirus 18 (HPV18) is the second most common oncogenic HPV type associated with cervical, anogenital, and oropharyngeal cancers. Like other oncogenic HPVs, HPV18 encodes two major (one early and one late) polycistronic pre-mRNAs that are regulated by alternative RNA splicing to produce a repertoire of viral transcripts for the expression of individual viral genes. However, RNA
cis
-regulatory elements and
trans
-acting factors contributing to HPV18 alternative RNA splicing remain unknown. In this study, an exonic splicing enhancer (ESE) in the nucleotide (nt) 3520 to 3550 region in the HPV18 genome was identified and characterized for promotion of HPV18 929^3434 splicing and E1^E4 production through interaction with SRSF3, a host oncogenic splicing factor differentially expressed in epithelial cells and keratinocytes. Introduction of point mutations in the SRSF3-binding site or knockdown of SRSF3 expression in cells reduces 929^3434 splicing and E1^E4 production but activates other, minor 929^3465 and 929^3506 splicing. Knockdown of SRSF3 expression also enhances the expression of E2 and L1 mRNAs. An exonic splicing silencer (ESS) in the HPV18 nt 612 to 639 region was identified as being inhibitory to the 233^416 splicing of HPV18 E6E7 pre-mRNAs via binding to hnRNP A1, a well-characterized, abundantly and ubiquitously expressed RNA-binding protein. Introduction of point mutations into the hnRNP A1-binding site or knockdown of hnRNP A1 expression promoted 233^416 splicing and reduced E6 expression. These data provide the first evidence that the alternative RNA splicing of HPV18 pre-mRNAs is subject to regulation by viral RNA
cis
elements and host
trans
-acting splicing factors.

IMPORTANCE
Expression of HPV18 genes is regulated by alternative RNA splicing of viral polycistronic pre-mRNAs to produce a repertoire of viral early and late transcripts. RNA
cis
elements and
trans
-acting factors contributing to HPV18 alternative RNA splicing have been discovered in this study for the first time. The identified ESS at the E7 open reading frame (ORF) prevents HPV18 233^416 splicing in the E6 ORF through interaction with a host splicing factor, hnRNP A1, and regulates E6 and E7 expression of the early E6E7 polycistronic pre-mRNA. The identified ESE at the E1^E4 ORF promotes HPV18 929^3434 splicing of both viral early and late pre-mRNAs and E1^E4 production through interaction with SRSF3. This study provides important observations on how alternative RNA splicing of HPV18 pre-mRNAs is subject to regulation by viral RNA
cis
elements and host splicing factors and offers potential therapeutic targets to overcome HPV-related cancer.
Normalising and planning for death in residential care: findings from a qualitative focus group study of a specialist palliative care intervention
Authors: Johnston Nikki , Lovell Clare , Liu Wai-Man , Chapman Michael , Forbat Liz
Published: August 2016

Background

Improving access to palliative care for older adults living in residential care is recognised internationally as a pressing clinical need. The integration of specialist palliative care in residential care for older adults is not yet standard practice.

Objective

This study aimed to understand the experience and impact of integrating a specialist palliative care model on residents, relatives and staff.

Methods

Focus groups were held with staff (n=40) and relatives (n=17). Thematic analysis was applied to the data.

Results

Three major themes were identified. The intervention led to (1) normalising death and dying in these settings, (2) timely access to a palliative care specialist who was able to prescribe anticipatory medications aiding symptom management and unnecessary hospitalisations and (3) better decision-making and planned care for residents, which meant that staff and relatives were better informed about, and prepared for, the resident's likely trajectory.

Conclusions

The intervention normalised death and dying and also underlined the important role that specialists play in providing staff education, timely access to medicines and advance care planning. The findings from our study, and the growing wealth of evidence integrating specialist palliative care in residential care for older adults, indicate a number of priorities for care providers, academics and policymakers. Further work on determining the role of primary and specialist palliative care services in residential care settings is needed to inform service delivery models.
Catechol-O-methyltransferase Val158Met polymorphism is associated with increased risk of multiple uterine leiomyomas either positive or negative forMED12exon 2 mutations
Authors: Dzhemlikhanova Lyailya Kh , Efimova Olga A , Osinovskaya Natalia S , Parfenyev Sergey E , Niauri Dariko A , Sultanov Iskender Yu , Malysheva Olga V , Pendina Anna A , Shved Natalia Yu , Ivashchenko Tatyana E , Yarmolinskaya Maria I , Kakhiani Maka I , Gorovaya Ekaterina A , Tkachenko Antonina N , Baranov Vladislav S
Published: August 2016

Aims

To study the possible association of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT)Val158Met polymorphism with multiple and solitary uterine leiomyomas (ULs) and to check whether theCOMTVal/Val genotype is associated withMED12exon 2 mutations in fibroids.

Methods

TheCOMTVal158Met allele and genotype frequencies were compared between age-matched women with ULs (n=104) and controls (n=59). Patients with UL were subcategorised by diagnosis of solitary (n=59) or multiple (n=45) fibroids and by the presence of somaticMED12exon 2 mutations in at least one fibroid (n=32) or in neither fibroid (n=26). The association ofCOMTVal/Val genotype with the presence of any ULs, solitary/multiple ULs and ULs positive/negative forMED12exon 2 mutations was evaluated by χ2tests using a dominant genotype model (G/G vs G/A+A/A) and expressed as ORs and 95% CIs.

Results

TheCOMTVal/Val genotype frequency did not differ between the patients with UL and the controls (28.8% vs 18.6%, p=0.149, OR 1.77; CI 0.81 to 3.86). However, it was significantly higher in the patients who had multiple UL compared with the solitary UL (40% vs 20.3%, p=0.028, OR 2.61; CI 1.09 to 6.24) and to the controls (40% vs 18.6%, p=0.016, OR 2.91; CI 1.20 to 7.06). No association of theCOMTVal/Val genotype with UL-specificMED12exon 2 mutations was found (p=0.662, OR 0.77; CI 0.23 to 2.53).

Conclusions

Women withCOMTVal/Val genotype are at high risk of developing multiple uterine fibroids either positive or negative forMED12exon 2 mutations. These data are important to design new strategies for UL prophylaxis and treatment.
Role of endothelin in microvascular dysfunction following percutaneous coronary intervention for non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes: a single-centre randomised controlled trial
Authors: Guddeti Raviteja R , Prasad Abhiram , Matsuzawa Yasushi , Aoki Tatsuo , Rihal Charanjit , Holmes David , Best Patricia , Lennon Ryan J , Lerman Lilach O , Lerman Amir
Published: August 2016

Objectives

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndromes frequently fails to restore myocardial perfusion despite establishing epicardial vessel patency. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor, and its expression is increased in atherosclerosis and after PCI. In this study, we aim to define the role of endothelin in regulating coronary microvascular blood flow and myocardial perfusion following PCI in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTACS), by assessing whether adjunctive therapy with a selective endothelin A (ETA) receptor antagonist acutely improves postprocedural coronary microvascular blood flow.

Methods

In a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, 23 NSTACS patients were enrolled to receive an intracoronary infusion of placebo (n=11) or BQ-123 (n=12) immediately before PCI. Post-PCI coronary microvascular blood flow and myocardial perfusion were assessed by measuring Doppler-derived average peak velocity (APV), and cardiac biomarker levels were quantified.

Results

Compared with the placebo group, APV was significantly higher in the drug group immediately after PCI (30 (20, 37) vs 19 (9, 26) cm/s; p=0.03). Hyperaemic APV, measured post-adenosine administration, was higher in the BQ-123 group, but the difference did not achieve statistical significance (56 (48, 72) vs 46 (34, 64) cm/s; p=0.090). Maximum coronary flow reserve postprocedure was not different between the two groups (2.1 (1.6, 2.3) vs 2.5 (1.8, 3.0)). Per cent change in creatine kinase isoenzyme MB from the time of PCI to 8 and 16 hours post-PCI was significantly lower in the drug group compared with the placebo group (−17 (−26, −10) vs 26 (−15, 134); p=0.02 and −17 (−38, 14) vs 107 (2, 446); p=0.007, respectively).

Conclusions

Endothelin is a mediator of microvascular dysfunction during PCI in NSTACS, and adjunctive selective ETAantagonist may augment myocardial perfusion during PCI.

Trial registration number

NCT00586820; Results.
Does cardiac rehabilitation favour the young over the old?
Authors: Al Quait Abdulrahman , Doherty Patrick
Published: August 2016

Background

Although cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a proven intervention in reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity there is concern that CR programme delivery may not yield comparable outcomes across age groups.

Purpose

This study sought to determine if the outcomes achieved after completing CR were influenced by age in patients with coronary heart disease.

Method

Patients were stratified into 2 age groups: young (18–65 years) and elderly (>65 years). Pre-CR and post-CR assessments were used to compute changes in 9 CR outcomes (body mass index (BMI), waist size, hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, smoking, walking fitness, physical activity, anxiety and depression). Pearson's χ2test was used to examine the association between the age groups and outcome. Data was extracted from the UK National Audit from July 2010 to June 2015.

Results

A total of 203 012 young patients (55.1±7.9 years, 78% male) and 262 813 elderly patients (76.1±6.9 years, 63.9% male) were analysed. Young patients had a better ratio of improvement across a wide range of risk factors in particular smoking cessation (OR=3.3, p<0.001) while elderly patients had a better ratio of improvement in body shape risk factors BMI (OR=1.3, p<0.001), waist size in women (OR=1.3, p=0.016).

Conclusions

Age is a significant predictor of outcomes following CR. While elderly patients achieve better outcomes in body shape risk factors, younger patients clearly achieve better outcomes across a wider range of risk factors in particular smoking cessation.
Simple Chaotic Flow with Circle and Square Equilibrium
Authors: Gotthans Tomas , Sprott Julien Clinton , Petrzela Jiri
Published: August 2016

Simple systems of third-order autonomous nonlinear differential equations can exhibit chaotic behavior. In this paper, we present a new class of chaotic flow with a square-shaped equilibrium. This unique property has apparently not yet been described. Such a system belongs to a newly introduced category of chaotic systems with hidden attractors that are interesting and important in engineering applications. The mathematical model is accompanied by an electrical circuit implementation, demonstrating structural stability of the strange attractor. The circuit is simulated with PSpice, constructed, and analyzed (measured).
Efficient photocatalytic oxygenation of alkenes by water soluble sensitizer in organic–water biphasic media
Authors: Hajimohammadi Mahdi , Ghasemi Hoda
Published: August 2016

A new green, environmentally and economically photooxygenation of olefins by molecular oxygen in the presence of 4-carboxyl tetra phenyl porphyrin (H2TCPP), Rose Bengal (RB), Methylene Blue (MB) and some metallosensitizers (MS) such as cobalt phthalocyaninesulfonate (Coph(SO3H)[Formula: see text], MnTCPPCl, FeTCPPCl and SbTPP(OH)2 as water–soluble sensitizers in organic–water biphasic media at room temperature under visible light was illustrated. The products were obtained with 100% conversion by H2TCPP and 100% selectivity by Coph(SO3H)4. Also in this study, singlet oxygen production as the major route for oxidation of olefins was proved.
Loosely Time-Triggered Architectures
Authors: Baudart Guillaume , Benveniste Albert , Bourke Timothy
Published: August 2016

Loosely Time-Triggered Architectures (LTTAs) are a proposal for constructing distributed embedded control systems. They build on the quasi-periodic architecture, where computing units execute
nearly periodically
, by adding a thin layer of middleware that facilitates the implementation of synchronous applications.

In this article, we show how the deployment of a synchronous application on a quasi-periodic architecture can be modeled using a synchronous formalism. Then we detail two protocols,
Back-Pressure
LTTA, reminiscent of elastic circuits, and
Time-Based
LTTA, based on waiting. Compared to previous work, we present controller models that can be compiled for execution, a simplified version of the Time-Based protocol and optimizations for systems using broadcast communication. We also compare the LTTA approach with architectures based on clock synchronization.
Local Computation Mechanism Design
Authors: Hassidim Avinatan , Mansour Yishay , Vardi Shai
Published: August 2016

We introduce the notion of
local computation mechanism design
—designing game-theoretic mechanisms that run in polylogarithmic time and space. Local computation mechanisms reply to each query in polylogarithmic time and space, and the replies to different queries are consistent with the same global feasible solution. When the mechanism employs payments, the computation of the payments is also done in polylogarithmic time and space. Furthermore, the mechanism needs to maintain incentive compatibility with respect to the allocation and payments.

We present local computation mechanisms for two classical game-theoretical problems: stable matching and job scheduling. For stable matching, some of our techniques may have implications to the global (non-LCA (Local Computation Algorithm)) setting. Specifically, we show that when the men’s preference lists are bounded, we can achieve an arbitrarily good approximation to the stable matching within a fixed number of iterations of the Gale-Shapley algorithm.
A Unified Video Recommendation by Cross-Network User Modeling
Authors: Yan Ming , Sang Jitao , Xu Changsheng , Hossain M. Shamim
Published: August 2016

Online video sharing sites are increasingly encouraging their users to connect to the social network venues such as Facebook and Twitter, with goals to boost user interaction and better disseminate the high-quality video content. This in turn provides huge possibilities to conduct cross-network collaboration for personalized video recommendation. However, very few efforts have been devoted to leveraging users’ social media profiles in the auxiliary network to capture and personalize their video preferences, so as to recommend videos of interest. In this article, we propose a unified YouTube video recommendation solution by transferring and integrating users’ rich social and content information in Twitter network. While general recommender systems often suffer from typical problems like cold-start and data sparsity, our proposed recommendation solution is able to effectively learn from users’ abundant auxiliary information on Twitter for enhanced user modeling and well address the typical problems in a unified framework. In this framework, two stages are mainly involved: (1) auxiliary-network data transfer, where user preferences are transferred from an auxiliary network by learning cross-network knowledge associations; and (2) cross-network data integration, where transferred user preferences are integrated with the observed behaviors on a target network in an adaptive fashion. Experimental results show that the proposed cross-network collaborative solution achieves superior performance not only in terms of accuracy, but also in improving the diversity and novelty of the recommended videos.
The Six Pillars for Building Big Data Analytics Ecosystems
Authors: Khalifa Shadi , Elshater Yehia , Sundaravarathan Kiran , Bhat Aparna , Martin Patrick , Imam Fahim , Rope Dan , Mcroberts Mike , Statchuk Craig
Published: August 2016

With almost everything now online, organizations look at the Big Data collected to gain insights for improving their services. In the analytics process, derivation of such insights requires experimenting-with and integrating different analytics techniques, while handling the Big Data high arrival velocity and large volumes. Existing solutions cover bits-and-pieces of the analytics process, leaving it to organizations to assemble their own ecosystem or buy an off-the-shelf ecosystem that can have unnecessary components to them. We build on this point by dividing the Big Data Analytics problem into six main pillars. We characterize and show examples of solutions designed for each of these pillars. We then integrate these six pillars into a taxonomy to provide an overview of the possible state-of-the-art analytics ecosystems. In the process, we highlight a number of ecosystems to meet organizations different needs. Finally, we identify possible areas of research for building future Big Data Analytics Ecosystems.
Evaluating the average-case performance penalty of bandwidth-like interfaces
Authors: Andersson Björn
Published: August 2016

Many solutions for composability and compositionality rely on specifying the interface for a component using bandwidth. Some previous works specify period (P) and budget (Q) as an interface for a component.
Q/P
provides us with a bandwidth (the share of a processor that this component may request);
P
specifies the time-granularity of the allocation of this processing capacity. Other works add another parameter
deadline
which can help to provide tighter bounds on how this processing capacity is distributed. Yet other works use the parameters α and Δ where α is the bandwidth and Δ specifies how smoothly this bandwidth is distributed. It is known [4] that such bandwidth-like interfaces carry a cost: there are tasksets that could be guaranteed to be schedulable if tasks were scheduled directly on the processor, but with bandwidth-like interfaces, it is impossible to guarantee the taskset to be schedulable. And it is also known that this penalty can be infinite, i.e., the use of bandwidth-like interfaces may require the use of a processor that has a speed that is
k
times faster, and one can show this for any
k.
This brings the question: "What is the average-case performance penalty of bandwidth-like interfaces?" This paper addresses this question. We answer the question by randomly generating tasksets and then for each of these tasksets, compute a lower bound on how much faster a processor needs to be when a bandwidth-like scheme is used. We do not consider any specific bandwidth-like scheme; instead, we derive an expression that states a lower bound on how much faster a processor needs to be when a bandwidth-like scheme is used. For the distributions considered in this paper, we find that (i) the experimental results depend on the experimental setup, (ii) this lower bound on the penalty was never larger than 4.0, (iii) for one experimental setup, for each taskset, it was greater than 2.4, (iv) the histogram of this penalty appears to be unimodal, and (v) for implicit-deadline sporadic tasks, this lower bound on the penalty was exactly 1.
Towards a compositional service architecture for real-time cloud robotics
Authors: Begum Shahina , Behnam Moris , Larsson Thomas , Nolte Thomas , Sandström Kristian
Published: August 2016

This paper presents our ongoing work towards a compositional service architecture that integrates cloud technology for computational capacity targeting real-time robotics applications. In particular, the paper focuses at the challenges inherent within the data center where the services are executing. Here, we outline characteristics of the services applied in the real-time cloud robotics application, along with the service management and corresponding task model used to execute the services. Moreover, several key challenges that must be addressed towards integrating cloud technology in real-time robotics are identified.
Pantaloon Hernia: Obstructed Indirect Component and Direct Component with Cryptorchidism
Authors: Kariappa Mohan Kumar , Harihar Vivek , Kothudum Ashwini Rajareddy , Hiremath Vivekanand Kedarlingayya
Published: August 2016

Cryptorchidism is a condition in which one or both testes have not passed down into the scrotal sac. It is categorized as true undescended testis in which testes are present in the normal path of descent, and as ectopic testis, in which testes are present at abnormal site. Common complications of cryptorchidism are testicular torsion, subfertility, inguinal hernia, and testicular cancer. Here we present a rare case of pantaloon hernia of obstructed indirect component and direct component with cryptorchidism.
Power Optimization of Multimode Mobile Embedded Systems with Workload-Delay Dependency
Authors: Yang Hoeseok , Ha Soonhoi
Published: August 2016

This paper proposes to take the relationship between delay and workload into account in the power optimization of microprocessors in mobile embedded systems. Since the components outside a device continuously change their values or properties, the workload to be handled by the systems becomes dynamic and variable. This variable workload is formulated as a staircase function of the delay taken at the previous iteration in this paper and applied to the power optimization of DVFS (dynamic voltage-frequency scaling). In doing so, a graph representation of all possible workload/mode changes during the lifetime of a device, Workload Transition Graph (WTG), is proposed. Then, the power optimization problem is transformed into finding a cycle (closed walk) in WTG which minimizes the average power consumption over it. Out of the obtained optimal cycle of WTG, one can derive the optimal power management policy of the target device. It is shown that the proposed policy is valid for both continuous and discrete DVFS models. The effectiveness of the proposed power optimization policy is demonstrated with the simulation results of synthetic and real-life examples.
Theoretical Insights into Three Types of Oxidized Starch-Based Adhesives: Chemical Stability, Water Resistance, and Shearing Viscosity from a Molecular Viewpoint
Authors: Junxi Liang , Qiong Su , Yamin Zhao , Yanbin Wang
Published: August 2016

To better understand the origin and difference associated with chemical stability, water resistance, and shearing viscosity of three types of different oxidized modified starch-based adhesives, a detailed theoretical investigation from a molecular viewpoint has been performed using the AM1 semiempirical level and the DFT-B3LYP level, respectively. As a result, our findings suggest that, by Mulliken population analysis (MPA), frontier orbital analysis, and electrostatic potential (EP) analysis based on B3LYP/6-31G calculations, the chemical stability, water resistance, and shearing viscosity of the oxidized modified starch-based adhesives are uniformly improved and corresponding difference for each property presents an identical order: the oxidized grafted cross-linked starch-based adhesive > the oxidized grafted starch-based adhesive > the oxidized starch-based adhesive, which is well consistent with experimental results.
Spinous Process Osteochondroma as a Rare Cause of Lumbar Pain
Authors: Rosa Bárbara , Campos Pedro , Barros André , Karmali Samir , Ussene Esperança , Durão Carlos , Alves da Silva João , Coutinho Nuno
Published: August 2016

We present a case of a 5th Lumbar Vertebra (L5) spinous process osteochondroma as a rare cause of lumbar pain in an old patient. A 70-year-old male presented with progressive and disabling lower lumbar pain. Tenderness over the central and left paraspinal area of the lower lumbar region and a palpable mass were evident. CT scan showed a mass arising from the spinous process of L5. Marginal resection of the tumor was performed through a posterior approach. The histological study revealed an osteochondroma. After surgery, pain was completely relieved. After one year there was no evidence of local recurrence or symptoms. Osteochondromas rarely involve the spine, but when they do symptoms like pain, radiculopathy/myelopathy, or cosmetic deformity may occur. The imagiologic exam of election for diagnosis is CT scan. When symptomatic the treatment of choice is surgical resection. The most concerning complication of osteochondromas is malignant transformation, a rare event.
A Comparison Principle for the Mean Curvature Flow Equation with Discontinuous Coefficients
Authors: De Zan Cecilia , Soravia Pierpaolo
Published: August 2016

We study the level set equation in a bounded domain when the velocity of the interface is given by the mean curvature plus a discontinuous velocity. We prove a comparison principle for the initial-boundary value problem whose consequence is uniqueness of continuous solutions and well- posedness of the level set method.
DHA and EPA Content and Fatty Acid Profile of 39 Food Fishes from India
Authors: Mohanty Bimal Prasanna , Ganguly Satabdi , Mahanty Arabinda , Sankar T. V. , Anandan R. , Chakraborty Kajal , Paul B. N. , Sarma Debajit , Syama Dayal J. , Venkateshwarlu G. , Mathew Suseela , Asha K. K. , Karunakaran D. , Mitra Tandrima , Chanda Soumen , Shahi Neetu , Das Puspita , Das Partha , Akhtar Md Shahbaz , Vijayagopal P. , Sridhar N.
Published: August 2016

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is the principal constituent of a variety of cells especially the brain neurons and retinal cells and plays important role in fetal brain development, development of motor skills, and visual acuity in infants, lipid metabolism, and cognitive support and along with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) it plays important role in preventing atherosclerosis, dementia, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and so forth. Being an essential nutrient, it is to be obtained through diet and therefore searching for affordable sources of theseω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) is important for consumer guidance and dietary counseling. Fish is an important source of PUFA and has unique advantage that there are many food fish species available and consumers have a wide choice owing to availability and affordability. The Indian subcontinent harbors a rich fish biodiversity which markedly varies in their nutrient composition. Here we report the DHA and EPA content and fatty acid profile of 39 important food fishes (including finfishes, shellfishes, and edible molluscs from both marine water and freshwater) from India. The study showed that fishesTenualosa ilisha,Sardinella longiceps,Nemipterus japonicus, andAnabas testudineusare rich sources of DHA and EPA. Promotion of these species as DHA rich species would enhance their utility in public health nutrition.
Necrotizing Fasciitis Presenting as an Itchy Thigh
Authors: Stead Thor Shiva , Hedna V. Shushrutha
Published: August 2016

We present a case of necrotizing fasciitis diagnosed in the emergency department. The clinical presentation and diagnostic findings of necrotizing fasciitis are discussed.
The Role of Metformin in Controlling Oxidative Stress in Muscle of Diabetic Rats
Authors: Diniz Vilela Danielle , Gomes Peixoto Leonardo , Teixeira Renata Roland , Belele Baptista Nathalia , Carvalho Caixeta Douglas , Vieira de Souza Adriele , Machado Hélen Lara , Pereira Mariana Nunes , Sabino-Silva Robinson , Espindola Foued Salmen
Published: August 2016

Metformin can act in muscle, inhibiting the complex I of the electron transport chain and decreasing mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. Our hypothesis is that the inhibition of complex I can minimize damage oxidative in muscles of hypoinsulinemic rats. The present study investigated the effects of insulin and/or metformin treatment on oxidative stress levels in the gastrocnemius muscle of diabetic rats. Rats were rendered diabetic (D) with an injection of streptozotocin and were submitted to treatment with insulin (D+I), metformin (D+M), or insulin plus metformin (D+I+M) for 7 days. The body weight, glycemic control, and insulin resistance were evaluated. Then, oxidative stress levels, glutathione antioxidant defense system, and antioxidant status were analyzed in the gastrocnemius muscle of hypoinsulinemic rats. The body weight decreased in D+M compared to ND rats. D+I and D+I+M rats decreased the glycemia and D+I+M rats increased the insulin sensitivity compared to D rats. D+I+M reduced the oxidative stress levels and the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase in skeletal muscle when compared to D+I rats. In conclusion, our results reveal that dual therapy with metformin and insulin promotes more benefits to oxidative stress control in muscle of hypoinsulinemic rats than insulinotherapy alone.