bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased Expressions of OX40 and OX40 Ligand in Patients with Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia
Authors: Cui Dawei , Lv Yan , Yuan Xinwang , Ruan Guoxiang , Zhang Yu , Yan Cuilin , Xu Dandan , Lv Mengen , Mao Yun , Cao Jianping , Jin Jie , Xie Jue
Published: March 2019

Background. OX40, which is also known as tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 4 (TNFRSF4), and its ligand (OX40L) play a critical role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), a hemorrhagic autoimmune disorder, is characterized by low platelet counts that are predominantly caused by antiplatelet autoantibodies. In this study, we firstly investigated the clinical significance of OX40 and OX40L expression in the pathogenesis of ITP in patients. Methods. Fifty-four newly diagnosed ITP patients and 24 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled in this study. The percentage of OX40+CD4+T cells among CD4+T cells was analyzed by flow cytometry, and the expression levels of OX40 and OX40L mRNA were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. Plasma soluble OX40L (sOX40L) levels were analyzed by ELISA, and plasma levels of antiplatelet autoantibodies were analyzed by a solid-phase technique. Results. Compared with HCs, the frequencies of OX40+CD4+T cells were significantly increased in ITP patients, particularly in patients with positive antiplatelet autoantibodies compared to those with negative antiplatelet autoantibodies. The elevated frequencies of OX40+CD4+T cells were negatively correlated with low platelet counts in patients with positive antiplatelet autoantibodies. Plasma sOX40L levels in ITP patients were significantly greater than those in HCs and increased in patients with positive antiplatelet autoantibodies compared to those with negative antiplatelet autoantibodies. Plasma sOX40L levels were negatively correlated with low platelet counts in patients with positive antiplatelet autoantibodies. Additionally, the mRNA expression levels of OX40 and OX40L in PBMCs from ITP patients were also notably greater than those from HCs, and the expression levels of OX40 and OX40L were significantly different in ITP patients with positive and negative antiplatelet autoantibodies. Conclusion. These data indicated that increased expression levels of OX40 and OX40L were involved in the pathogenesis of ITP, and OX40 and OX40L may be valuable therapeutic targets for ITP.
Elements-Added Diamond-Like Carbon Film for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Sunthornpan Narin , Watanabe Shuichi , Moolsradoo Nutthanun
Published: March 2019

Elements-added diamond-like carbon films for biomedical applications were investigated. The aim of this work was to study the effects of the elemental contents (silicon and silicon-nitrogen) in a DLC film on its properties for biomedical applications. Pure DLC, Si-DLC, and Si-N-DLC films were prepared from C2H2, C2H2 : TMS, and C2H2 : TMS : N2 gaseous mixtures, deposited on an AISI 316L substrate using the plasma-based ion implantation (PBII) technique. The structure of films was analyzed using Raman spectroscopy. The chemical composition of films was measured using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The average surface roughness of films was measured by using a surface roughness tester. The hardness and elastic modulus of films were measured by using a nanoindentation hardness tester. The friction coefficient of films was determined using a ball-on-disk tribometer. The surface contact angle was measured by a contact angle measurement. The corrosion performance of each specimen was measured using potentiodynamic polarization. The biocompatibility property of films was conducted using the MTT assay cytotoxicity test. The results indicate that the Si-N-DLC film shows the best hardness and friction coefficient (34.05 GPa and 0.13, respectively) with a nitrogen content of 0.5 at.%N, while the Si-DLC film with silicon content of 14.2 at.%Si reports the best contact angle and corrosion potential (92.47  and 0.398 V, respectively). The Si-N-DLC film shows the highest cell viability percentage of 81.96%, which is lower than the uncoated AISI 316L; this is a considerable improvement. All specimens do not demonstrate any cytotoxicity with approximate viabilities between 74% and 107%, indicating good biocompatibilities.
Performance Optimization and Modeling of Fine-Grained Irregular Communication in UPC
Authors: Lagravière Jérémie , Langguth Johannes , Prugger Martina , Einkemmer Lukas , Ha Phuong Hoai , Cai Xing
Published: March 2019

The Unified Parallel C (UPC) programming language offers parallelism via logically partitioned shared memory, which typically spans physically disjoint memory subsystems. One convenient feature of UPC is its ability to automatically execute between-thread data movement, such that the entire content of a shared data array appears to be freely accessible by all the threads. The programmer friendliness, however, can come at the cost of substantial performance penalties. This is especially true when indirectly indexing the elements of a shared array, for which the induced between-thread data communication can be irregular and have a fine-grained pattern. In this paper, we study performance enhancement strategies specifically targeting such fine-grained irregular communication in UPC. Starting from explicit thread privatization, continuing with block-wise communication, and arriving at message condensing and consolidation, we obtained considerable performance improvement of UPC programs that originally require fine-grained irregular communication. Besides the performance enhancement strategies, the main contribution of the present paper is to propose performance models for the different scenarios, in the form of quantifiable formulas that hinge on the actual volumes of various data movements plus a small number of easily obtainable hardware characteristic parameters. These performance models help to verify the enhancements obtained, while also providing insightful predictions of similar parallel implementations, not limited to UPC, that also involve between-thread or between-process irregular communication. As a further validation, we also apply our performance modeling methodology and hardware characteristic parameters to an existing UPC code for solving a 2D heat equation on a uniform mesh.
3D Autonomous Navigation Line Extraction for Field Roads Based on Binocular Vision
Authors: Li Yunwu , Wang Xiaojuan , Liu Dexiong
Published: March 2019

This paper proposes a 3D autonomous navigation line extraction method for field roads in hilly regions based on a low-cost binocular vision system. Accurate guide path detection of field roads is a prerequisite for the automatic driving of agricultural machines. First, considering the lack of lane lines, blurred boundaries, and complex surroundings of field roads in hilly regions, a modified image processing method was established to strengthen shadow identification and information fusion to better distinguish the road area from its surroundings. Second, based on nonobvious shape characteristics and small differences in the gray values of the field roads inside the image, the centroid points of the road area as its statistical feature was extracted and smoothed and then used as the geometric primitives of stereo matching. Finally, an epipolar constraint and a homography matrix were applied for accurate matching and 3D reconstruction to obtain the autonomous navigation line of the field roads. Experiments on the automatic driving of a carrier on field roads showed that on straight roads, multicurvature complex roads and undulating roads, the mean deviations between the actual midline of the road and the automatically traveled trajectory were 0.031 m, 0.069 m, and 0.105 m, respectively, with maximum deviations of 0.133, 0.195 m, and 0.216 m, respectively. These test results demonstrate that the proposed method is feasible for road identification and 3D navigation line acquisition.
Reconstruction of Upper Eyelid Defects Secondary to Malignant Tumors with a Newly Modified Cutler-Beard Technique with Tarsoconjunctival Graft
Authors: Bengoa-González Álvaro , Laslău Bianca Ma , Martín-Clavijo Agustín , Mencía-Gutiérrez Enrique , Lago-Llinás Ma Dolores
Published: March 2019

Purpose. We describe a modification of Cutler-Beard’s technique, using a contralateral tarsoconjunctival graft, in patients who underwent excision of large malignant tumors of the upper eyelid. Methods. This is an interventional retrospective review (clinical study) of ten cases, with age range from 64 to 86 years (mean: 71.2 years ± 6.49) with malignant upper eyelid tumors, operated by the same surgeon (AB-G), between 2011 and 2016. The resulting defects were reconstructed using a modification of Cutler-Beard’s technique. A tarsoconjunctival graft was harvested from the contralateral upper eyelid, with an extra 3 mm of conjunctiva from the superior edge of tarsus and was attached to the upper eyelid defect, different from that previously described. Follow-up ranged between 24 and 60 months (mean: 41.6 ± 9.87). Functional, cosmetic outcomes and postoperative complications were evaluated. Results. No upper eyelid retraction, eyelid margin entropion, or graft retraction was observed in any of the cases. All of the patients were satisfied with the aesthetic result. Conclusion. This technique allows us to safely inset a suitable graft on the ocular surface, with sufficient blood supply, resulting in a stable margin and good contour.
Numerical Evaluation of the Behavior of Steel Frames with Gypsum Board Infill Walls
Authors: Movahednia Mehrdad , Mirhosseini S. Mohammad , Zeighami Ehsanollah
Published: March 2019

In this paper, the behavior of steel frames with gypsum board infill walls is studied through finite element simulation. For this purpose, a typical steel frame with infill wall which had been previously tested is considered as a benchmark model. The accuracy of a numerical model is verified by calibrating the results of the finite element simulation against those of a corresponding experimental specimen. In the next step, a parametric study is performed on four models in order to study the effects of gypsum board thickness, inclusion of fibers as reinforcement in the infill wall, and local strengthening of the peripheral regions of the infill wall. Each of these factors is related to considerable performance improvement such as strength and ductility of the models. It is observed that adding fibers to the infill wall leads to increase in the strength and ductility of the models up to 3.2 and 6.3 times, respectively. Doubling the thickness of the infill wall results in an increase of 6.7 and 3.3 times in strength and stiffness, respectively; however, this modification causes a significant decrease in the ductility of the infilled frames. Negligible improvement in strength and ductility is achieved through local strengthening of the peripheral regions of the infill walls, whereas it leads to a 30% increase in the stiffness of the models.
Microsimulation Analysis of Traffic Operations at Two Diamond Interchange Types
Authors: Yue Rui , Yang Guangchuan , Tian Zong , Xu Hao , Lin Dongmei , Wang Aobo
Published: March 2019

The operational performance of standard Single Point Urban Interchange (SPUI) and Tight Diamond Interchange (TDI) has already been widely studied. In general, SPUI is more efficient than a TDI in terms of increased capacity and decreased traffic delays even though building a SPUI generally incurs a higher cost. However, due to right-of-way constraints, a standard SPUI may not be implementable at locations with restricted land use; thus, the variations of SPUI are usually considered. Currently, there is no established methodology or guideline available on the performance evaluation of variations of SPUI. This paper aims to investigate the operational efficiency of SPUI with frontage roads (SPUI-F, a variation of SPUI). Based on a field case, the performance of SPUI-F was investigated using microsimulation. An analytical model for capacity estimation, which considered early return and discharge flow rate, was also established and validated based on microsimulation. Multiple traffic scenarios were analyzed and their performance measures were compared against the equivalent TDI design. Simulation results revealed that TDI outperformed SPUI-F in terms of average delay, speed, and queue length, and the proposed analytical model can be used for reliable capacity and delay estimation. The findings from this study can aid the decision-makers choosing an appropriate interchange type for achieving the best benefit-cost ratio.
Denture Liners: A Systematic Review Relative to Adhesion and Mechanical Properties
Authors: Kreve Simone , Dos Reis Andréa C.
Published: March 2019

Purpose. The objective of this systematic review is to compare results concerning the properties of adhesion, roughness, and hardness of dental liners obtained in the last ten years. Methods. Searches on the databases LILACS, PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were supplemented with manual searches conducted between February and April of 2018. The inclusion criteria included experimental in vitro and in vivo, clinical, and laboratory studies on resilient and/or hard liners, assessment of hardness, roughness, and/or adhesion to the denture base, and physical/mechanical changes resulting from the disinfection process and changes in liners’ composition or application. Results. A total of 406 articles were identified and, from those, 44 are discussed. Twenty-four studies examined the bond strength, 13 surface roughness, and 19 the hardness. Of these 44 studies, 12 evaluated more than one property. Different substances were used in the attempt to improve adhesion. Considering roughness and hardness, the benefits of sealants have been tested, and the changes resulting from antimicrobial agents’ incorporation have been assessed. Conclusion. Adhesion to the prosthesis base is improved with surface treatments. Rough surfaces and changes in hardness compromise the material’s serviceability.
Oral Administration of Lactobacillus delbrueckii during the Suckling Phase Improves Antioxidant Activities and Immune Responses after the Weaning Event in a Piglet Model
Authors: Li Yinghui , Hou Shuling , Peng Wei , Lin Qian , Chen Fengming , Yang Lingyuan , Li Fengna , Huang Xingguo
Published: March 2019

Early colonization in the gut by probiotics influences the progressive development and maturity of antioxidant and immune system functionality in the future. This study investigated the impact of orally administrated Lactobacillus delbrueckii (LAB) during the suckling phase on future antioxidant and immune responses of the host, using a piglet model. One hundred neonatal piglets received saline (CON) or LAB at the amounts of 1, 2, 3, and 4 mL at 1, 3, 7, and 14 d of age, respectively. The piglets were weaned at the age of 21 d and fed until the age of 49 d. Serum, liver, and intestinal samples were obtained at 21, 28, and 49 d of age. The results showed that LAB tended to decrease serum 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine concentration and decreased the concentration of serum and hepatic malondialdehyde, but increased the activity of hepatic glutathione peroxidase on days 21, 28, and 49. The concentrations of secretory immunoglobulin A and some inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were increased (P<0.05) in the intestinal mucosa of LAB-treated piglets on days 21, 28, and 49 compared to that of CON piglets. Likewise, protein expression of cyclooxygenase 2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase in the intestine of LAB-treated piglets was increased (P<0.05) during the whole period. These results indicate that administration of LAB to the suckling piglet could improve antioxidant capacity and stimulate intestinal immune response, and these long-lasting effects are also observed up to 4 weeks after weaning. A proper utilization of LAB to neonates would be beneficial to human and animal’s future health.
How Accurately Can Prostate Gland Imaging Measure the Prostate Gland Volume? Results of a Systematic Review
Authors: Christie David R. H. , Sharpley Christopher F.
Published: March 2019

Aim. The measurement of the volume of the prostate gland can have an influence on many clinical decisions. Various imaging methods have been used to measure it. Our aim was to conduct the first systematic review of their accuracy. Methods. The literature describing the accuracy of imaging methods for measuring the prostate gland volume was systematically reviewed. Articles were included if they compared volume measurements obtained by medical imaging with a reference volume measurement obtained after removal of the gland by radical prostatectomy. Correlation and concordance statistics were summarised. Results. 28 articles describing 7768 patients were identified. The imaging methods were ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging (US, CT, and MRI). Wide variations were noted but most articles about US and CT provided correlation coefficients that lay between 0.70 and 0.90, while those describing MRI seemed slightly more accurate at 0.80-0.96. When concordance was reported, it was similar; over- and underestimation of the prostate were variably reported. Most studies showed evidence of at least moderate bias and the quality of the studies was highly variable. Discussion. The reported correlations were moderate to high in strength indicating that imaging is sufficiently accurate when quantitative measurements of prostate gland volume are required. MRI was slightly more accurate than the other methods.
Experimental Study on Long-Term Ring Deflection of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Mortar Pipe
Authors: Kim Sun-Hee , Yoon Soon-Jong , Choi Wonchang
Published: March 2019

Long-term pressurizing of buried glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) pipe will result in the reduction of stiffness in the pipes. It leads to excessive deflections in long-term design limits. In situ tests were performed for 664 days to measure deflections of buried GFRP pipe with a large diameter of 2,400 mm. Based on the field test results, finite element analysis was conducted to determine the pipe deflections with respect to the soil conditions and buried depth as variables. Regression analysis has been conducted to determine the long-term deflection of the GFRP pipe after 50 years of construction. The long-term deflection of the GFRP pipe was less than 5 percent suggested by the existing specifications including ASTM D5365 and AWWA M45. The comparison indicates the current specifications significantly conservative to predict long-term deflection of the buried GFRP pipe.
Injury-Related Deaths according to Environmental, Demographic, and Lifestyle Factors
Authors: Merrill Ray M.
Published: March 2019

Background. Environmental, demographic, and lifestyle variables have been associated with injury-related deaths. The current study identifies the simultaneous association of selected environmental, demographic, and lifestyle variables with deaths from homicide, unintentional injuries, and suicide. Materials and Methods. Analyses are based on county-level mortality data in the contiguous United States, 2011–15. Basic summary statistics and Poisson regression were used to evaluate the data. Results. The selected causes of death were impacted differently by age, sex, and race: for homicide, mortality rates were greater in ages 20–39, males, and blacks; for unintentional injuries, the rates increased with age, most noticeably in the oldest age group, and were highest among males and whites; and for suicide, the rates tended to increase with age and were greater in males and whites. Mortality rates from homicide were positively associated with poverty, cigarette smoking, air temperature, and leisure-time physical inactivity. They were negatively associated with precipitation and sunlight. Mortality rates from unintentional injuries were positively associated with altitude, cigarette smoking, air temperature, poverty, obesity, and precipitation. They were negatively associated with population density. Mortality rates from suicides were positively associated with altitude, cigarette smoking, obesity, air temperature, and precipitation and negatively associated with population density. Conclusion. The results confirm and extend previous research in which death from homicide, unintentional injuries, and suicide are distinctly associated with a combination of environmental, demographic, and lifestyle variables. The findings may be useful in developing strategies for reducing injury-related deaths.
Chloride Levels That Initiated Corrosion of Duplex Stainless Steel Embedded in Mortar
Authors: Wu Yu-You , Presuel-Moreno Francisco
Published: March 2019

Chloride-induced corrosion of carbon steel has been widely recognized as one of the main causes of premature failure on the reinforced concrete structures. Various strategies and measures such as employing stainless steel reinforcements have been developed to address this problem. Past studies have been concerned with the identification and characterization of chloride threshold since corrosion would not initiate as long as the chloride concentration values at the reinforcing stainless steel depth remains below this threshold value. It is therefore a critical parameter for the design of new stainless steel reinforced concrete structures and the assessment of existing concrete structures. This study presents the finding on the chloride threshold of stainless steel UNS32304 embedded in mortar with two different mixes. Reinforced mortar specimens were subjected to ponding exposure and wet/dry cycle exposure with a sodium chloride solution. The specimens were monitored by using the measurements of the open circuit potential, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and linear polarization resistance. The paper also discusses the chloride threshold values of such stainless steel embedded in mortar and concrete with other mixes reported by other researchers and the factors that may affect these values.
Computer-Aided Exergy Sensibility Analysis of Nitrobenzene Production through Benzene Nitration Using an Acid Mixture
Authors: Herrera-Rodríguez Tamy , Miranda-Jiménez Lina S. , González-Delgado Ángel D.
Published: March 2019

Nitrobenzene is widely produced via benzene nitration to be applied in several industries such as pharmaceutical, textile, and agricultural. In this work, an exergy sensibility analysis was performed with the aim of identifying possible opportunities of process improvements. The irreversibilities, exergy of wastes, and efficiency were calculated per stage through exergy balance. The simulation software Aspen plus V10.1 provided the physical exergies of process streams while chemical exergies were found in literature. A sensibility analysis was also carried out in order to study the effect of efficiency of some stages (polyfunctional reaction and cooling 1) on global exergy efficiency. This analysis reveals that nitrobenzene production from benzene is an efficient process from an exergy viewpoint (88%). The total irreversibilities, total exergy of wastes, and exergy of utilities-inlet were calculated in 41,647,341.85 MJ/h, 5,537,487.3 MJ/h, and 18,137,363.71 MJ/h, respectively. The results obtained from sensibility analysis suggested that heat flow of heat exchangers HE-201, HE-303, and HE-301 could provide energy requirements for heating.
The Lipodystrophy Syndrome in HIV-Infected Children under Antiretroviral Therapy: A First Report from the Central Africa
Authors: Tshamala Honoré Kalombayi , Aketi Loukia , Tshibassu Pierre Manianga , Ekila Mathilde Bothale , Mafuta Eric Musalu , Kayembe Patrick Kalambayi , Aloni Michel Ntetani , Shiku Joseph Diayisu
Published: March 2019

Background. Despite the high prevalence of the HIV/AIDS, few studies focused on the prevalence of lipodystrophy in pediatric HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy (ARV) in sub-Saharan African countries. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and to identify the risk factors of metabolic disorders related to ARV therapy in this population.Methods. A cross-sectional study was completed in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo. HIV-infected children aged between six and 18 years on ARV were consecutively recruited. For each case, two control children (one non-HIV infected child and one HIV-infected antiretroviral therapy-naïve child) were also recruited.Results. 80 HIV-infected on ARV therapy children (group 1), 80 noninfected children (group 2) and 65 HIV-infected antiretroviral therapy-naïve children (group 3) were recruited. The frequency of lipoatrophy was not statistically different between group 1 (16.3%) and group 3 (21.5%). A significantly higher proportion of lipohypertrophy, hypercholesterolemia, and lactic acidosis was noted in children of group 1, compared to the controls (p<0.05). Mixed form was rarely observed in this series. The frequency of hypertriglyceridemia was not different between the 3 groups (p>0.05).Conclusion. Lipohypertrophy, hypercholesterolemia, and lactic acidosis emerge as a frequent metabolic disorders due to ARV therapy.
Factors Affecting Proximal Colon Cleansing Based on Bowel Movement Kinetics: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Kim Dae Bum , Lee Kang-Moon , Kang Sung-Goo , Jung Sung Hoon
Published: March 2019

Background. Previous studies have suggested that relatively poor bowel preparation in the proximal colon, compared to that in the distal colon, could decrease the usefulness of colonoscopy. The aim of this study was to determine whether the “first defecation time” after polyethylene glycol (PEG) administration affects the cleansing quality in the proximal colon. Methods. A total of 425 individuals who were scheduled to undergo a screening colonoscopy were enrolled prospectively at the healthcare center of St. Vincent’s Hospital, Suwon, Korea, between April 2015 and March 2016. Bowel cleansing was performed using 4 L of PEG. Surveys were conducted to obtain information regarding the “first defecation time.” Endoscopists assessed the quality of bowel preparation in each bowel segment. Results. We investigated 425 consecutive eligible cases. The mean “first defecation time” after PEG administration was 54.35 min. The quality of bowel preparation was poorer in the proximal colon than that in the distal colon. The adequate (excellent, good) and inadequate (fair, poor) proximal colon preparation groups comprised 360 (84.7%) and 65 (15.3%) patients, respectively. A multivariate analysis revealed that female gender (P=0.029), small waist circumference (P=0.027), and the long “first defecation time” (P=0.034) were independently associated with inadequate bowel preparation in the proximal colon. Conclusion. Our data document that the “first defecation time,” female gender, and a small waist circumference affect the quality of preparation in the proximal colon. Inadequate preparation in the proximal colon was more common in females. Patients with these factors undergoing colonoscopy should be monitored carefully.
Approximation Properties of Durrmeyer Type of (p,q)-Bleimann, Butzer, and Hahn Operators
Authors: Cai Qing-Bo , Yüksel İsmet , Dinlemez Kantar Ülkü , Çekim Bayram
Published: March 2019

In this study, we introduce a Durrmeyer type of Bleimann, Butzer, and Hahn operators (BBH) on (p,q)-integers. We derive the some approximation properties for these operators. We also give some graphs and numerical examples to illustrate the convergence properties of these operators to certain functions.
Disposal Practice of Unfit Medicines in Nongovernmental Hospitals and Private Medicine Outlets Located in Mwanza, Tanzania
Authors: Mwita Stanley , Ngonela Godfrey , Katabalo Deogratias
Published: March 2019

Introduction. For a medicine to qualify as safe and effective and to be of good quality, it should be properly labelled, stored, and transported. If a medicine is not handled properly, it ends up being unfit. Improper disposal of unfit medicines contributes to the appearance of their metabolites in the environment. Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study was designed to capture quantitative data. The study was conducted in Mwanza region, Tanzania. The study population comprised nongovernmental hospitals and private medicines outlets in the region. The sample size was 111 facilities. This study was conducted between October 2013 and May 2014. The questionnaire was used to assess experience and challenges of dealing with unfit medicines. A review of waste management records was done to capture data of past disposal for unfit medicines. The coded data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (Version 20.0) computer analysis software. Comparison of proportions between groups was performed using Pearson’s chi square. Results. The majority of facilities (41.4%) used methods such as the pouring of unfit medicines into the sink and into the dustbin. About 60.4% of facilities were found with unfit medicines at the time of survey. Majority of unfit medicines found were antibiotics (64.1%). Almost 10% of health facilities maintained a register book for recording unfit medicines. Conclusion. There was improper disposal of unfit medicines in health facilities studied, whereby commonly reported methods of disposal were pouring into the sink and putting into the street dustbin. In private medicines outlets, there was poor storage management practice as some of the unfit medicines were left unpacked into boxes or separated from the usable medicines and not properly labelled.
Morphology of Inner Retina in Rhesus Monkeys of Various Ages: A Comparative Study
Authors: Chen Jingfei , Luo Qihui , Huang Chao , Zeng Wen , Chen Ping , Gao Qi , Chen Bing , Liu Wentao , Pan Lingzhen , Chen Zhengli
Published: March 2019

Purpose. To investigate the changes of thickness in each layer, the morphology and density of inner neurons in rhesus monkeys’ retina at various growth stages, thus contribute useful data for further biological studies. Methods. The thickness of nerve fiber layer (NFL), the whole retina, inner plexiform layer (IPL), and outer plexiform layer (OPL) of rhesus monkeys at different ages were observed with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. The morphology and the density of inner neurons of rhesus monkey retina were detected by immunofluorescence. Results. The retina showed the well-known ten layers, the thickness of each retinal layer in rhesus monkeys at various ages increased rapidly after infant, and the retina was the thickest in adulthood, but the retinal thickness stop growing in senescent. Quantitative analysis showed that the maximum density of inner neurons was reached in adolescent, and then, the density of inner neurons decreased in adults and senescent retinas. And some changes in the morphology of rod bipolar cells have occurred in senescent. Conclusions. The structure of retina in rhesus monkeys is relatively immature at infant, and the inner retina of rhesus monkeys is mature in adolescent, while the thickness of each retinal layer was the most developed in the adult group. There was no significant change in senescence for the thickness of each retinal layer, but the number of the neurons in our study has a decreasing trend and the morphological structure has changed.
Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus and Associated Factors among Health Professionals in University of Gondar Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Gebremariam Aynishet Adane , Tsegaye Adino Tesfahun , Shiferaw Yalelet Fentaw , Reta Mebratu Mitiku , Getaneh Alem
Published: March 2019

Introduction. Hepatitis B virus infection is one of the commonest occupational risks in healthcare workers. However; there is limited evidence regarding the prevalence of hepatitis in health professionals in Ethiopia. Objective. This study was aimed at assessing the prevalence of hepatitis B and associated factors in health professionals. Methods. Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among health professionals at University of Gondar Hospital from January to February, 2015. Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic variables and blood sample was also taken to determine hepatitis B virus sero-status. Chi square test with 95% confidence interval (CI) was computed to assess the associations of different factors with hepatitis B infection. Result. A total of 332 health professionals (with a response rate of 92.2%) participated in the study. Most (98.5%) of health professionals were not vaccinated for hepatitis B. The prevalence of hepatitis B in health professionals at UOG hospital was found to be 4.52% (95% CI: 2.4, 6.5). Hepatitis B infection was more common among males (P value =0.0299).  Conclusion. The prevalence of hepatitis B in health professionals in this study was comparable with other studies done in Ethiopia among health professionals. Males were more affected than females for hepatitis B infection. Hepatitis B virus vaccine, treatment for the infected, and training on infection prevention should be more available for healthcare workers.
High Expression of RARβ Is a Favorable Factor in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Wang Wei , Liu Shuang , Jiang Chunyi , Wang Yan , Zhu Huijun , Wang XuDong
Published: March 2019

RARβ plays a critical role in cancer progression and is associated with several types of human cancer. It remains unclear, however, whether it is linked to the clinicopathological parameters of colorectal cancer (CRC). We therefore determined the expression of RARβ protein in patients with primary CRC and examined its relationship with clinical outcomes. RARβ expression in 234 samples of CRC patients and matched benign noncancerous tumors was detected by immunohistochemistry. RARβ mRNA expression was confirmed using the TCGA and Oncomine databases. COX regression analysis and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis were performed to determine the relationship between RARβ expression and CRC prognosis. Our results show that high expression of RARβ correlated with better prognosis in CRC patients. RARβ expression in CRC specimens was clearly lower than in peritumoral specimens (30.8% vs 58.8%, p<0.001) and significantly correlated with gender (χ2=3.926, p=0.048), tumor differentiation (χ2=5.978, p=0.014), and tumor stage (χ2=6.642, p=0.036). Multivariate analyses further revealed that low RARβ expression (p=0.001), distant metastasis (p=0.001), tissue differentiation (p=0.006), and tumor stage (p=0.002) were associated with overall survival in CRC patients. In addition, Kaplan–Meier analysis indicated that increased RARβ expression in cytoplasm (p=0.001) and early tumor TNM stage (p=0.030) was associated with a more favorable outcome in patients with CRC. In conclusion, RARβ expression was strongly correlated with several clinicopathological factors of CRC and may represent a favorable prognostic marker in patients with CRC.
Improved Small Sample Inference on the Ratio of Two Coefficients of Variation of Two Independent Lognormal Distributions
Authors: Wong A. , Jiang L.
Published: March 2019

Without the ability to use research tools and procedures that yield consistent measurements, researchers would be unable to draw conclusions, formulate theories, or make claims about generalizability of their results. In statistics, the coefficient of variation is commonly used as the index of reliability of measurements. Thus, comparing coefficients of variation is of special interest. Moreover, the lognormal distribution has been frequently used for modeling data from many fields such as health and medical research. In this paper, we proposed a simulated Bartlett corrected likelihood ratio approach to obtain inference concerning the ratio of two coefficients of variation for lognormal distribution. Simulation studies show that the proposed method is extremely accurate even when the sample size is small.
Electrocardiogram Baseline Wander Suppression Based on the Combination of Morphological and Wavelet Transformation Based Filtering
Authors: Wan Xiang-kui , Wu Haibo , Qiao Fei , Li Feng-cong , Li Yan , Yan Yue-wen , Wei Jia-xin
Published: March 2019

One of the major noise components in electrocardiogram (ECG) is the baseline wander (BW). Effective methods for suppressing BW include the wavelet-based (WT) and the mathematical morphological filtering-based (MMF) algorithms. However, the T waveform distortions introduced by the WT and the rectangular/trapezoidal distortions introduced by MMF degrade the quality of the output signal. Hence, in this study, we introduce a method by combining the MMF and WT to overcome the shortcomings of both existing methods. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, artificial ECG signals containing a clinical BW are used for numerical simulation, and we also create a realistic model of baseline wander to compare the proposed method with other state-of-the-art methods commonly used in the literature. The results show that the BW suppression effect of the proposed method is better than that of the others. Also, the new method is capable of preserving the outline of the BW and avoiding waveform distortions caused by the morphology filter, thereby obtaining an enhanced quality of ECG.
Effective Treatment of Bovine Mastitis with Intramammary Infusion of Angelica dahurica and Rheum officinale Extracts
Authors: Yang Wan-Ting , Ke Chun-Yen , Wu Wen-Tien , Lee Ru-Ping , Tseng Yi-Hsiung
Published: March 2019

Mastitis in dairy cattle is a highly prevalent infectious disease, causing considerable economic loss worldwide. In this study, we used Angelica dahurica and Rheum officinale extracts (designated as Yi-Xiong-Tang, YXT) for mastitis treatment. California mastitis test (CMT) was performed and 67 mastitis udder quarters were identified among 179 lactating dairy cows. These 67 mastitis udder quarters were subjected to treatments by intramammary infusion of YXT twice a day for three consecutive days. The mastitis indicators including clots, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, and total viable count of bacteria (TVC) in milk were examined before and after the YXT treatment to evaluate its effectiveness. Levels of mastitis indicators from mastitis udder quarters were elevated. After YXT treatment, normal levels of these indicators were restored: TVC, 2.10 × 104 – 9.20 × 106 CFU/mL; clots, 6.56 ± 0.43 mg/mL; LDH, 181.0 ± 18.55 U/L; TNF-α, 0.02 ± 0.02 ng/mL; IL-6, 41.4 ± 11.46 pg/mL; and IL-8, 1.85 ± 0.60 pg/mL. Compared with the antibiotic therapy, YXT treatment has a shorter treatment course and might have lower probability for the causative agents to develop drug resistance because YXT is in fact a cocktail containing multiple active ingredients.
Standalone Velocity Estimation Method for BDS Receiver Based on Improved ARUKF
Authors: Shen Zilong , Liu Wenxiang , Peng Jing , Wang Feixue , Xiao Wei
Published: March 2019

The Carrier‐Phase‐Derived Doppler (CPDD) observation is an important type of observation for high‐precision standalone velocity estimation (SVE) with the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) receiver. The CPDD observation is susceptible to receiver clock jump, carrier‐phase cycle slips, and multipath error. How to improve the accuracy and reliability of the SVE method based on the CPDD observation has become an urgent problem to be solved. Based on the Velocity Domain Selective Fusion (VDSF) strategy, this paper proposes the VDSF‐ARUKF method for accuracy and reliability improvement of the SVE results of the original ARUKF method. In this improved ARUKF method, the CPDD observation and the raw Doppler observation are fused together based on the detection statistic under the framework of the Adaptively Robust Unscented Kalman Filter (ARUKF). Based on actual observations of the BDS receiver, a set of testing experiments were designed to verify the effectiveness of this improved ARUKF method. The experimental results show that the SVE method of the BDS receiver based on the VDSF‐ARUKF can improve the accuracy and reliability of the ARUKF SVE results of the BDS receiver. In the case of multidimensional gross errors in the CPDD observations, the VDSF‐ARUKF method can still obtain the SVE results with the highest accuracy on the order of several 10−2m/s when compared with the VDFF‐ARUKF method and the ARUKF method using the CPDD observations.
The Effect of Gain and Strong Dissipative Structures on Nonlinear Schrödinger Equations in Optical Fiber
Authors: Yuan Xintong , Li Chunhua
Published: March 2019

We consider the initial value problem for the nonlinear Schrödinger equation satisfying the strong dissipative condition Iλ<0 and Iλ>p-1/2pRλ in one space dimension. Our purpose in this paper is to study how the gain coefficient μ(t) and strong dissipative nonlinearity λvp-1v affect solutions to the nonlinear Schrödinger equation for large initial data. We prove global existence of solutions and present some time decay estimates of solutions for large initial data.
CRISPR-Cas9 Mediated RNase L Knockout Regulates Cellular Function of PK-15 Cells and Increases PRV Replication
Authors: Sui Chao , Jiang Dandan , Wu Xiangju , Cong Xiaoyan , Li Feng , Shang Yingli , Wang Jinqiu , Liu Sidang , Shan Hu , Qi Jing , Du Yijun
Published: March 2019

Ribonuclease L (RNase L) is an important antiviral endoribonuclease regulated by type I IFN. RNase L is activated by viral infection and dsRNA. Because the role of swine RNase L (sRNase L) is not fully understood, in this study, we generated a sRNase L knockout PK-15 (KO-PK) cell line through the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system to evaluate the function of sRNase L. After transfection with CRISPR-Cas9 followed by selection using puromycin, sRNase L knockout in PK-15 cells was further validated by agarose gel electrophoresis, DNA sequencing, and Western blotting. The sRNase L KO-PK cells failed to trigger RNA degradation and induced less apoptosis than the parental PK-15 cells after transfected with poly (I: C). Furthermore, the levels of ISGs mRNA in sRNase L KO-PK cells were higher than those in the parental PK-15 cells after treated with poly (I: C). Finally, both wild type and attenuated pseudorabies viruses (PRV) replicated more efficiently in sRNase L KO-PK cells than the parental PK-15 cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that sRNase L has multiple biological functions including cellular single-stranded RNA degradation, induction of apoptosis, downregulation of transcript levels of ISGs, and antiviral activity against PRV. The sRNase L KO-PK cell line will be a valuable tool for studying functions of sRNase L as well as for producing PRV attenuated vaccine.
Corrosion Inhibition of Mild Steel by Poly(butylene succinate)-L-histidine Extended with 1,6-diisocynatohexane Polymer Composite in 1 M HCl
Authors: Tsoeunyane M. G. , Makhatha M. E. , Arotiba O. A.
Published: March 2019

The ecofriendly poly(butylene succinate) extended with 1,6-diisocynatohexane composted with L-histidine (PBSLH) polymer composite was synthesized by condensation polymerization. The polymer composite was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDX). The inhibition action of the polymer composite was investigated by conventional weight loss, potentiodynamic polarization, variable amplitude micro (VASP), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The maximum corrosion inhibition efficiency of 78 % was obtained at concentration level of 600 ppm. The results revealed PBSLH as a mixed type corrosion inhibitor. The thermodynamic and kinetic parameters also revealed adsorption of PBSLH on to mild surface as exothermic and the adsorption was conformed to Langmuir model. The morphology of mild steel coupons was investigated by SEM and atomic force microscope (AFM) and the results showed PBSLH to have inhibited corrosion on mild steel in 1 M HCL.
Nonlinear Torsional Vibration Analysis and Control of Semidirect Electromechanical Coupling Transmission System in Shearer
Authors: Jiang Song , Li Wei , Sheng Lianchao , Chen Jiajun , Li Min
Published: March 2019

The nonlinear torsional vibration and instability oscillation caused by nonlinear damping in the shearer electromechanical coupling cutting transmission system in shearer driven by the permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) is investigated in this paper. The electromechanical coupling transmission system in the shearer is equivalent to a concentrated mass model for the purpose of establishing the system dynamic model by the Lagrange–Maxwell equation. Then, the Routh–Hurwitz criterion is used to determine the torsional vibration critical point and stability region for the Hopf bifurcation for the cutting transmission system. According to the Routh–Hurwitz stability criterion, the Hopf bifurcation type and the effect of the supercritical Hopf bifurcation in the torsional vibration of the cutting transmission system are analyzed. Furthermore, based on the washout filter, the Hopf bifurcation controller is designed for suppressing the transmission system’s large vibration amplitude and unstable oscillation. In addition, the influences of the linear gain and nonlinear gain on the bifurcation point and the limit cycle amplitude are discussed. Finally, the numerical simulation results indicate the effectiveness of the designed controller. The research achievements can provide a theoretical basis for design or optimize the cutting transmission system of high‐reliability shearer driven by PMSM.
Evidence in Practice of Tissue Healing with Latex Biomembrane: Integrative Review
Authors: Rosa Suélia de Siqueira Rodrigues Fleury , Rosa Mário Fabrício Fleury , Fonseca Marcos Augusto Moutinho , Luz Glécia Virgolino da Silva , Avila Carlos Federico Domínguez , Domínguez Aldira Guimarães Duarte , Dantas Aldene Guimarães Duarte , Richter Von Braun
Published: March 2019

Wound healing is a perfectly coordinated cascade of cellular, molecular, and biochemical events which interact in tissue reconstitution. Chronic diseases such as pressure ulcers (PU) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are considered risk factors for wound healing. Patients with such diseases often have higher sepsis, infection, and complication rates, since they have revascularization inhibition and low growth factor expression. Thus, latex biomembrane (LBM), a biocompatible material, derived from the latex of the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) appears to create tendencies as an angiogenic-inducing tissue healing agent and as biomaterial, resulting from its structural qualities and its low cost when compared to conventional treatments. Therefore, this work aims at summarizing the results, experiments, and scientific findings that certify or recommend the use of LBM as a new technique to be applied effectively in the treatment of wounds. An integrative review was held in the BIREME, LILACS, Burns, MEDLINE, PubMed, and SciELO databases, from 2000 to 2016, using the following descriptors: “healing,” “diabetes mellitus,” “wounds,” and “latex membrane.” As a result, 600 experiments (out of 612) presented satisfactory results; however, 33% of the cases received explicit recommendations, 11% required more studies on the subjects, and 1% was denied. On the other hand, half of the studies did not expressly endorse its use, despite presenting satisfactory results. The LBM was characterized as a good therapeutic alternative in cases of wounds, including chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus and PU, due to its relevant potential for wound healing stimulation, acceleration of cell tissue mending and revascularization, or the reestablishment of angiogenic functions (creation of new blood vessels). The LBM was also confirmed to be safe as a biocompatible material whose structural qualities (elasticity, adaptability, impermeability, and possibility of suture), devoid of toxicity, allowed interaction between tissues and presented no hypersensitivity inducer and no antimicrobial effect.