bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of Body Awareness Level and Performance Emotional Status of Athletes in Different Branches of Sports
Authors: Erden Arzu , Emirzeoğlu Murat
Published: November 2018

Context: The level of body awareness, performance emotional state (PES), and demographic characteristics in different sports are subjects to be investigated. It is important to examine the concepts of PES and body awareness to better understand the body–mind relationship in different sports. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the level of body awareness and PES of athletes. Design: In this cross-sectional study, the independent variables are groups (4 different sports), and the dependent variables are body awareness and PES. Participants: The study was conducted on 188 licensed athletes (85 footballers, 36 basketball players, 34 handball players, and 33 swimmers). The mean age of the participants was 14.64 (1.89) years, mean height was 172.44 (11.03) cm, and mean body weight was 62.35 (13.12) kg. Settings: Four sports clubs and 2 high schools were the intervention facilities. Intervention: Body Awareness Questionnaire and Continuous Optimal Performance Emotional Status Scale-2 were used for data collection. Sociodemographic information was recorded. Main Outcome Measures: One-way analysis of variance was used for analysis of normal distribution data in 4 different groups, and the Kruskal–Wallis test was used for the analysis of data that did not show normal distribution. Results: There was no difference in body awareness among the branches (P = .17). The PES of the footballers was better than that of other athletes (P = .01). The correlation between body awareness and PES was medium (r = .47, P < .01), and the correlations between body awareness and age, licensed year, and number of weekly training sessions were weak (r = .22, P < .01; r = .19, P < .01; r = .15, P = .03). Conclusions: The body awareness of athletes may not differ among different sports, but PES is related to many factors such as mood, age, license years, and number of training sessions. In rehabilitation and training, body awareness and PES should be evaluated together.
The Effect of Functional Home-Based Strength Training Programs on the Mechano-Morphological Properties of the Plantar Flexor Muscle-Tendon Unit in Children With Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Kruse Annika , Schranz Christian , Svehlik Martin , Tilp Markus
Published: November 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of functional progressive resistance training (PRT) and high-intensity circuit training (HICT) on the mechano-morphological properties of the plantar flexor muscle-tendon unit in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Methods: Twenty-two children (12.8 [2.6] y old, Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I/II = 19/3) were randomly assigned to either a PRT group or an HICT group. The interventions consisted of functional lower limb exercises, which were performed at home 3 times per week for 8 weeks. Measurements at baseline, preintervention, postintervention, and follow-up were taken to assess ankle joint range of motion and the properties of the gastrocnemius medialis, vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, and Achilles tendon (eg, thickness, strength, stiffness). Results: Despite a nonsignificant increase in active torque in the HICT group, neither gastrocnemius medialis morphology nor Achilles tendon properties were significantly altered after the interventions. Vastus lateralis thickness increased following PRT only. Conclusions: Functional home-based strength training did not lead to significant changes at the muscular level in children with cerebral palsy. We therefore assume that a more specific stimulus of higher intensity combined with a longer training duration might be necessary to evoke changes in muscles and tendons in individuals with cerebral palsy.
Long-term magmatic evolution reveals the beginning of a new caldera cycle at Campi Flegrei
Authors: Forni Francesca , Degruyter Wim , Bachmann Olivier , De Astis Gianfilippo , Mollo Silvio
Published: November 2018

The Campi Flegrei magma reservoir is entering a new built-up phase that may culminate in the future in a caldera-forming eruption.
Thanatin targets the intermembrane protein complex required for lipopolysaccharide transport in
Escherichia coli
Authors: Vetterli Stefan U. , Zerbe Katja , Müller Maik , Urfer Matthias , Mondal Milon , Wang Shuang-Yan , Moehle Kerstin , Zerbe Oliver , Vitale Alessandra , Pessi Gabriella , Eberl Leo , Wollscheid Bernd , Robinson John A.
Published: November 2018

Thanatin targets protein-protein interactions between LptA and LptD in the periplasmic bridge required for LPS transport.
Impact of modular organization on dynamical richness in cortical networks
Authors: Yamamoto Hideaki , Moriya Satoshi , Ide Katsuya , Hayakawa Takeshi , Akima Hisanao , Sato Shigeo , Kubota Shigeru , Tanii Takashi , Niwano Michio , Teller Sara , Soriano Jordi , Hirano-Iwata Ayumi
Published: November 2018

Balance of functional integrability and spatial segregation mediates dynamical richness in modular cortical networks.
Physical positioning markedly enhances brain transduction after intrathecal AAV9 infusion
Authors: Castle Michael J. , Cheng Yuhsiang , Asokan Aravind , Tuszynski Mark H.
Published: November 2018

An inverted position after intrathecal AAV9 infusion markedly enhances gene delivery to the brain.
Deconstruction of an African folk medicine uncovers a novel molecular strategy for therapeutic potassium channel activation
Authors: De Silva Angele M. , Manville Rían W. , Abbott Geoffrey W.
Published: November 2018

Analysis of a leaf extract used in African folk medicine reveals a high-affinity K
+
channel agonist and its binding site.
Transcellular stomach absorption of a derivatized glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist
Authors: Buckley Stephen T. , Bækdal Tine A. , Vegge Andreas , Maarbjerg Stine J. , Pyke Charles , Ahnfelt-Rønne Jonas , Madsen Kim G. , Schéele Susanne G. , Alanentalo Tomas , Kirk Rikke K. , Pedersen Betty L. , Skyggebjerg Rikke B. , Benie Andrew J. , Strauss Holger M. , Wahlund Per-Olof , Bjerregaard Simon , Farkas Erzsébet , Fekete Csaba , Søndergaard Flemming L. , Borregaard Jeanett , Hartoft-Nielsen Marie-Louise , Knudsen Lotte Bjerre
Published: November 2018

An orally delivered GLP-1 analog coformulated with the absorption enhancer SNAC achieves transcellular-directed absorption in the stomach.
Commensal bacteria contribute to insulin resistance in aging by activating innate B1a cells
Authors: Bodogai Monica , O’Connell Jennifer , Kim Ki , Kim Yoo , Moritoh Kanako , Chen Chen , Gusev Fedor , Vaughan Kelli , Shulzhenko Natalia , Mattison Julie A. , Lee-Chang Catalina , Chen Weixuan , Carlson Olga , Becker Kevin G. , Gurung Manoj , Morgun Andrey , White James , Meade Theresa , Perdue Kathy , Mack Matthias , Ferrucci Luigi , Trinchieri Giorgio , de Cabo Rafael , Rogaev Evgeny , Egan Josephine , Wu Jiejun , Biragyn Arya
Published: November 2018

The increase of insulin resistance in “healthy” aging can be explained by a gut microbiota–monocyte–B1a B cell axis.
Patents and drug insurance: Clash of the Titans?
Authors: Phelps Charles , Madhavan Guruprasad
Published: November 2018

The confluence of patent law and drug insurance creates a unique challenge for patients in the United States and could affect future biomedical R&D.
Charting the course of metastatic cells
Authors: Singh Ankur
Published: November 2018

An implantable biomaterial recruits rare tumor cells and enables long-term observation of microenvironmental evolution.
APX001 Is Effective in the Treatment of Murine Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis
Authors: Gebremariam Teclegiorgis , Alkhazraji Sondus , Alqarihi Abdullah , Jeon Heewon H. , Gu Yiyou , Kapoor Mili , Shaw Karen J. , Ibrahim Ashraf S.
Published: November 2018

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) due to
Aspergillus fumigatus
is a serious fungal infection in the immunosuppressed patient population. Despite the introduction of new antifungal agents, mortality rates remain high, and new treatments are needed.
Complete Genome Sequences of Bordetella pertussis Clinical Isolate FR5810 and Reference Strain Tohama from Combined Oxford Nanopore and Illumina Sequencing
Authors: Bouchez Valérie , Baines Sarah Louise , Guillot Sophie , Brisse Sylvain
Published: November 2018

Here, we describe the complete genome sequences of two
Bordetella pertussis
strains, FR5810, a clinical isolate recovered from the respiratory tract of an infant, and Tohama, a key reference strain for the species. Sequences were obtained using a hybrid approach combining Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION and Illumina NextSeq 500 sequence data.
First Complete Genome Sequence of a Genotype A2, Subgroup 4 Small Ruminant Lentivirus
Authors: Workman Aspen M. , Clawson Michael L. , Heaton Michael P. , Dickey Aaron M.
Published: November 2018

Genetic variation in the ovine
TMEM154
gene associates with susceptibility to small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV) infection. We report here the first complete genome sequence for a genotype A2, subgroup 4 SRLV isolated from a Hampshire ewe with two copies of a
TMEM154
frameshift mutation predicted to abolish protein function.
Complete Genome Sequence of Lactococcus lactis subsp
. lactis
Strain 14B4, Which Inhibits the Growth of Salmonella enterica Serotype Poona
In Vitro
Authors: Tran Thao D. , Huynh Steven , Parker Craig T. , Han Ruyang , Hnasko Robert , Gorski Lisa , McGarvey Jeffery A.
Published: November 2018

We present here the complete genome sequence of
Lactococcus lactis
strain 14B4, isolated from almond drupes in northern California. This strain was observed to inhibit the growth of
Salmonella enterica
serotype Poona strain RM3363
in vitro
.
Age of the Sidney Geosol revisited
Authors: Lowell Thomas V. , Pair Donald L. , Larson Grahame
Published: November 2018

The Sidney Geosol in Ohio and Indiana is believed to have developed between marine isotope stage (MIS) 5 and MIS 2. Development stopped when the Laurentide ice sheet extended south of the Great Lakes during MIS 2. Prior reported data and new chronological information are employed here to show that pedogenesis of the Sydney Geosol started prior to 50 cal ka and ended time-transgressively through burial by sediment of the Laurentide ice sheet. Near Sidney, Ohio, the termination age is ca. 25.9 cal ka, whereas at Snyder, Indiana, near the limit of the ice-sheet expansion, the age is ca. 21.9 cal ka. However, at Oxford, Ohio, an interstadial organic accumulation between till units may imply that the upper portion of the Sidney Geosol formed under different conditions than the remainder. At a third site, Huffman Park, Ohio, glacially transported tree remains represent a landscape older than 50 cal ka, which is currently difficult to correlate with any specific paleosol, but which suggests that further insights about conditions prior to ca. 25.9 cal ka may be preserved in the record.
Obstructive sleep apnoea and hypoventilation in an adult with congenital myasthenic syndrome
Authors: Younas Haris , Roda Ricardo , Jun Jonathan
Published: November 2018

In this case report, we describe an adult male with congenital myasthenic syndrome due to mutations in muscle-specific receptor tyrosine kinase (MuSK, c.79+2 T>G; IVS1 +2 T>G, c.2368 G>A, Val790Met) presenting with sleep apnoea and hypercapnic respiratory failure. In the intensive care unit, he required intubation followed by tracheostomy which resolved obstructive sleep apnoea. Later, due to persistent sleep-associated hypoventilation, he required nocturnal mechanical ventilation. His case illustrates how respiratory muscle weakness due to mutations in MuSK can lead to various forms of sleep disordered breathing.
The Practical Approach to Care Kit (PACK) training programme: scaling up and sustaining support for health workers to improve primary care
Authors: Simelane Makhosazana Lungile , Georgeu-Pepper Daniella , Ras Christy-Joy , Anderson Lauren , Pascoe Michelle , Faris Gill , Fairall Lara , Cornick Ruth
Published: November 2018

There is an urgent need to depart from in-service training that relies on distance and/or intensive off-site training leading to limited staff coverage at clinical sites. This traditional approach fails to meet the challenge of improving clinical practice, especially in low-income and middle-income countries where resources are limited and disease burden high. South Africa’s University of Cape Town Lung Institute Knowledge Translation Unit has developed a facility-based training strategy for implementation of its Practical Approach to Care Kit (PACK) primary care programme. The training has been taken to scale in primary care facilities throughout South Africa and has shown improvements in quality of care indicators and health outcomes along with end-user satisfaction. PACK training uses a unique approach to address the needs of frontline health workers and the health system by embedding a health intervention into everyday clinical practice at facility level. This paper describes the features of the PACK training strategy: PACK training is scaled up using a cascade model of training using educational outreach to deliver PACK to clinical teams in their health facilities in short, regular sessions. Drawing on adult education principles, PACK training empowers clinicians by using experiential and interactive learning methodologies to draw on existing clinical knowledge and experience. Learning is alternated with practice to improve the likelihood of embedding the programme into everyday clinical care delivery.
Energy availability and nutrition during a Special Force Qualification Course (Q-Course)
Authors: Mullie Patrick , Clarys P , De Bry W , Geeraerts P
Published: November 2018

Introduction

The Special Forces (SF) are an elite military group usually engaged in physically demanding field operations, resulting among others in high daily energy requirements. Optimising energy supply and nutritional requirements is therefore mandatory for success. The aim of this study was to estimate energy availability and nutrition during a Qualification Course (Q-Course) for Belgian SF.

Methods

21 participants recorded all foods and beverages consumed during four days in a structured food diary. Energy expenditure was measured with an accelerometer and fat mass measured with quadripolar impedance. Energy availability was calculated by the following formula: (energy intake by foods and beverages − energy expenditure for physical activity)/kg FFM/day (FFM, fat-free mass).

Results

The mean (SD) total energy expenditure was 4926 kcal/day (238), with a minimum of 4645 kcal/day and a maximum of 5472 kcal/day. The mean (SD) total energy consumption was 4186 kcal/day (842), giving an energy balance ranging from −2005 kcal/day to 1113 kcal/day. The mean (SD) energy availability was 17 kcal/kg FFM/day, with a minimum of 1 kcal/kg FFM/day and a maximum of 44 kcal/kg FFM/day. The mean (SD) intake of carbohydrates was 6.8 g/kg body weight/day (1.5).

Conclusions

During this studied Q-Course, energy intake was not optimal as demonstrated by an overall negative energy balance and low energy availability. High interindividual variations in energy intake were found, highlighting the importance of providing SF members nutritional education.
Geochemical characteristics of Upper Jurassic – Lower Cretaceous platform carbonates in Hazine Mağara, Gümüşhane (northeast Turkey): implications for dolomitization and recrystallization
Authors: Özyurt Merve , Kırmacı M. Ziya , Al-Aasm Ihsan S.
Published: November 2018

The Upper Jurassic – Lower Cretaceous Berdiga Formation of the Eastern Pontides, Turkey, represents a carbonate platform succession composed of pervasively dolomitized intra-shelf to deep-shelf facies. In this area, polymetallic deposits occur as veins and lenses within the Berdiga Formation in close proximity to its upper contact with the overlying formation. Three different types of replacive dolomites occur in the formation: (i) microcrystalline dolomite, (ii) fabric-preserving dolomite, and (iii) fabric-destructive dolomite. Replacive dolomites are Ca rich and nonstoichiometric (Ca56–58Mg42–44) and are characterized by a pronounced negative shift in oxygen (–11.38‰ to –4.05‰ Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite (VPDB)), δ13C values of 0.69‰ to 3.13‰ VPDB, radiogenic 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.70753 to 0.70884), and extremely high Fe (2727–21 053 ppm) and Mn (1548–27 726 ppm) contents. All dolomite samples have low Y/Ho ratios (23–40), and they also contain highly variable contents of rare earth elements (REE) (7–41). REE patterns of dolomites normalized to Post-Archean Australian shale show a distinct positive Eu anomaly (1.3–2.1) and slightly flattened Ce anomalies (0.8–1.1). Integration of petrographic and geochemical studies reveals the history of a variety of diagenetic processes highly affected by hydrothermal alteration, which include dolomitization, recrystallization, dissolution, silicification, and pyrite mineralization associated with the emplacement of the polymetallic mineralization.
Hyperunified field theory and Taiji program in space for GWD
Authors: Wu Yue-Liang
Published: November 2018

In this paper, I present the recently established hyperunified field theory (HUFT)[Formula: see text] for all basic forces and elementary particles within the framework of gravitational quantum field theory (GQFT)[Formula: see text] in hyper-space–time. GQFT treats gravity as a gauge theory in the framework of quantum field theory to avoid the long term obstacle between general relativity and quantum mechanics. HUFT is built based on the guiding principle: the dimension of hyper-space–time correlates to intrinsic quantum numbers of basic building blocks of nature, and the action describing the laws of nature obeys the gauge invariance and coordinate independence, which is more fundamental than that proposed by Einstein for general relativity. The basic gravitational field is defined in biframe hyper-space–time as a bicovariant vector field, it is a gauge-type hyper-gravifield rather than a metric field. HUFT is characterized by a bimaximal Poincaré and hyper-spin gauge symmetry [Formula: see text] with a global and local conformal scaling invariance in biframe hyper-space–time. The gravitational origin of gauge symmetry is revealed through the hyper-gravifield that plays an essential role as a Goldstone-like field, which enables us to demonstrate the gauge-gravity and gravity-geometry correspondences and to corroborate the gravitational gauge-geometry duality with an emergent hidden general linear group symmetry [Formula: see text]. The Taiji Program in Space for the gravitational wave detection in China[Formula: see text] is briefly outlined.
Revisiting CP violation in the CKM paradigm
Authors: Gupta Manmohan , Ahuja Gulsheen , Awasthi Nikhila , Bagai Aakriti
Published: November 2018

The implications of precision CKM measurements have been examined on the CKM paradigm as well as the CP violating parameters. Similarly, the implications of the precision neutrino oscillations measurements for the Dirac-like CP violating phase in the leptonic sector have been investigated.
Enhancement of attosecond pulse in water window region by using pump-probe approach
Authors: Liu Hang , Li Yi , Castle Rich S.
Published: November 2018

An effective scheme to enhance the harmonic yield and the attosecond (as) pulse signal from H[Formula: see text] has been proposed by using the pump-probe laser field. It is found that with the help of the multi-cycle pump pulse, H[Formula: see text] can be steered into the resonance ionization regions, where the ionization probability can be remarkably enhanced. Thus, the harmonic yield can be remarkably enhanced when a sequential mid-infrared probe pulse is added. Further, by modulating the phase of the probe pulse and by adding a controlling pulse, the harmonic cutoff can be extended up to the water window region. Finally, by the Fourier transformation of the selected harmonics on the harmonic supercontinuum, the water window attosecond pulses as short as 25 as can be obtained.
Charge dynamics in strongly-correlated electronic systems
Authors: Tung Nguen Dan , Plakida Nikolay
Published: November 2018

We consider the dynamic charge susceptibility and the charge density waves in strongly-correlated electronic systems within the two-dimensional t-J-V model. Using the equation of motion method for the relaxation functions in terms of the Hubbard operators, we calculate the static susceptibility and the spectrum of charge fluctuations as functions of doped hole concentrations and temperature. Charge density waves emerge for a sufficiently strong intersite Coulomb interaction. Calculation of the dynamic charge susceptibility reveals a strong damping of charge density waves for a small hole doping and propagating high-energy charge excitations at large doping.
The establishment and analysis of a state of charge model for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Yu Lin , Liu Ming-Fang
Published: November 2018

Based on the rebound voltage data which was measured under different temperatures for lithium ion battery, a residual capacity prediction model used adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) was established. The rebound voltage and temperature were the input of prediction system, and the output was residual capacity. A large number of experimental data were used to train and verify the model. The reliability and applicability of the model were proven by applying it to predict and verify the residual capacity of different battery packs.
Branched pull-back components of the space of codimension two foliations on ℙ4
Authors: Costa e Silva W.
Published: November 2018

We present a new list of irreducible components of the space of codimension two holomorphic foliations on [Formula: see text]. They are associated to the pull-back by branched rational maps of 1-dimensional foliations on [Formula: see text] leaving [Formula: see text]-dimensional planes invariant.
Coarse homology of leaves of foliations
Authors: Schmidt Robert
Published: November 2018

We investigate the coarse homology of leaves in foliations of compact manifolds. This is motivated by the observation that the non-leaves constructed by Schweitzer and by Zeghib all have non-finitely generated coarse homology. This led us to ask whether the coarse homology of leaves in a compact manifold always has to be finitely generated. We show that this is not the case by proving that there exist many leaves with non-finitely generated coarse homology. Moreover, we improve Schweitzer’s non-leaf construction and produce non-leaves with trivial coarse homology.
Functional Annotation of Animal Genomes (FAANG): Current Achievements and Roadmap
Authors: Giuffra Elisabetta , Tuggle Christopher K. ,   FAANG Consortium
Published: November 2018

Functional annotation of genomes is a prerequisite for contemporary basic and applied genomic research, yet farmed animal genomics is deficient in such annotation. To address this, the FAANG (Functional Annotation of Animal Genomes) Consortium is producing genome-wide data sets on RNA expression, DNA methylation, and chromatin modification, as well as chromatin accessibility and interactions. In addition to informing our understanding of genome function, including comparative approaches to elucidate constrained sequence or epigenetic elements, these annotation maps will improve the precision and sensitivity of genomic selection for animal improvement. A scientific community–driven effort has already created a coordinated data collection and analysis enterprise crucial for the success of this global effort. Although it is early in this continuing process, functional data have already been produced and application to genetic improvement reported. The functional annotation delivered by the FAANG initiative will add value and utility to the greatly improved genome sequences being established for domesticated animal species.
An Unusual Presentation of Lupus Vulgaris and the Practical Usefulness of Dermatoscopy
Authors: Theodosiou Grigorios , Papageorgiou Marina , Mandekou-Lefaki Ioanna
Published: November 2018

We report a case report of lupus vulgaris (LV) presented on the extremities of an 80-year-old man. He was misdiagnosed as having psoriasis and referred to our department for a second-opinion evaluation. The discrepancy between the clinical manifestation which was misleading and the dermatoscopic findings raised the suspicion of an underlying granulomatous disease and we proceeded to skin biopsy. The histopathologic examination set the diagnosis of LV.
Interaction of Magnesia with Limestone‐Metakaolin‐Calcium Hydroxide Ternary Alkali‐Activated Systems
Authors: Cwirzen A. , Metsäpelto L. , Habermehl-Cwirzen K.
Published: November 2018

The effect of magnesia on ternary systems composed of limestone, metakaolin and calcium hydroxide, alkali activated with sodium silicate, sodium hydroxide, and sodium sulphate was studied by determination of the compressive strength, X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry (TG), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Pastes activated with sodium silicate and sodium sulphate showed strength regression caused by a formation of an unstable prone to cracking geopolymer gel. The presence of magnesia in sodium hydroxide‐activated system hindered this trend by promoting a formation of more stable crystalline phases intermixed with brucide. In general, magnesia densified the binder matrix by promoting a formation of amorphous phases while sodium hydroxide produced the most porous microstructure containing high amount of crystalline phases.
Testicular Rupture or Testicular Fracture? A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Addas Firas , Yan Sylvia , Hadjipavlou Marios , Gonsalves Michael , Sabbagh Samer
Published: November 2018

Testicular trauma is relatively uncommon. However, severe injuries can result in many complications and should be carefully diagnosed and managed. We present a case of testicular fracture diagnosis made by ultrasonography. The surgical exploration revealed the fracture as well as complete rupture of the tunica albuginea. Testicular rupture is the disruption of the tunica albuginea, while testicular fracture is a “break” in the testicular parenchyma. Management could be conservative in mild fracture cases without rupture while suspected or confirmed fracture should be treated by surgical exploration.
Concurrent Hairy Cell Leukemia and Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Prakash Ajay , Khalafallah Alhossain A.
Published: November 2018

Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) and Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) are two rare malignancies with distinct cells of origin. HCL is a lymphoid malignancy of mature B cells, and MCC derives from neuroendocrine cell origin. HCL has a favorable prognosis with most patients achieving long-term remission and potential cure. In contrast, MCC is an aggressive malignancy affecting the skin and can metastasize quickly with a dismal prognosis. Immunocompromised patients, such as those with AIDS, posttransplant, and the elderly, have higher incidences than the general population, suggesting a possible immune mechanism. We report a case where a patient presented with HCL and metastatic MCC synchronously. This is the first reported case of these two rare malignancies occurring concurrently at initial presentation and may represent a role of immunosuppression in the pathogenesis of MCC.
The Challenges and Knowledge Gaps in Malaria Therapy: A Stakeholder Approach to Improving Oral Quinine Use in the Treatment of Childhood Malaria in Ghana
Authors: Yir-Erong Bartholomew , Bayor Marcel Tunkumgnen , Ayensu Isaac , Gbedema Stephen Yao , Boateng Joshua
Published: November 2018

Background. The study was undertaken to elicit the knowledge, views, and perceptions of key stakeholders on malaria, its bioburden, and treatment options, in order to ascertain the knowledge gabs and challenges, especially in the use of oral quinine in childhood malaria. Methods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a well-structured Likert Scale and self-administered questionnaire. The principal site of the study was a government-run children’s hospital located in the Ashiedu Keteke Sub-Metro of Accra. The study population included health workers, parents, and guardians or care givers. The participants were 300, purposively selected, and consisted of both men (41%) and women (59%) who were twenty years and above, whether employed (42%), self-employed (37%), or unemployed (21%). Results. Majority of the participants (78%) demonstrated above average knowledge of malaria. However, their awareness of the causes, modes of transmission, signs, and symptoms as well as preventive mechanisms of malaria did not result in low incidence of malaria. About 77% of the respondents agreed they would seek treatment within 24 hours once signs and symptoms are detected. Though close to 50% undertook home treatment of malaria, majority eventually sought treatment at hospital or clinic. Above 92% of respondents knew that quinine is used to treat malaria and agreed its bitter taste greatly affects compliance, especially in children. Consequently, 95% of the respondents would be glad if its bitter taste is masked. Conclusion. The study demonstrated the availability of substantial knowledge of the devastating effects of malaria, especially in children. Therefore, there is the need to ensure the availability and utilization of effective paediatric formulations in the fight against malaria. From this study, fast dissolving oral thin film with a good mouth feel, would be the formulation of choice for quinine.
High Resolution of Water Availability for Emilia-Romagna Region over 1961–2015
Authors: Cervi F. , Nistor M. M.
Published: November 2018

In this study, monthly time series of precipitations and temperatures from 1024 controlled and homogeneous meteorological stations located in the Emilia-Romagna region (northern Italy) are processed in order to assess potential climate changes that occurred during the period 1961–2015. Normal period as baseline between 1961 and 1990 (1990s) and recent period between 1991 and 2015 (2010s) were adopted in this study to analyse the possible effect of climate change on water availability during long-term period. Based on monthly and annual temperature (TT), precipitation (PP), and potential (ET0), the actual evapotranspiration (AET0) and water availability (WA) were computed at high spatial resolution. Between the two analysed periods, during the 2010s, it was found an increase in the maximum mean annual temperature by 1.08°C while the maximum mean annual precipitation saw a slight decrease (from 2222 mm to 2086 mm). The precipitation decrease is more intense in the South and West sectors of area (8%) and mainly depends on negative changes taking place during the winter and the beginning of spring (from December to March). The maximum mean annual ET0 and AET0 reached values of 663 mm and 565 mm during the 1990s, while during the 2010s, the found values were 668 mm and 572 mm, respectively. Because of the decrease in precipitation and increase in the ET0 and AET0, the WA (the proportion of precipitation that is available at the soil surface for subsequent infiltration and runoff processes) shows a reduction (about 10–20%) in the whole region, with exception of the North-East part of the Emilia-Romagna region. The decrease in the mean annual water availability induces severe issues concerning the water resources management across the whole Emilia-Romagna region.
Unusual Etiology of Acute Wrist Pain: Acute Calcific Tendonitis of the Flexor Carpi Ulnaris Mimicking an Infection
Authors: Shim Man R.
Published: November 2018

Acute calcific tendonitis is a common cause of musculoskeletal pain. However, it seldom affects the hand and wrist. For that reason, it is frequently mistaken for more common etiologies. This study reports a case of acute calcific tendinitis of the flexor carpi ulnaris, which was initially misdiagnosed as cellulitis, in a 65-year-old woman, who was unnecessarily prescribed with antibiotics. However, further evaluation confirmed the correct diagnosis of acute calcific tendinitis and her symptoms were subsequently resolved within 2 weeks with rest, wrist immobilization, and an intake of anti-inflammatories. This case underscores the need for the physicians to be aware of this less common but important cause of acute wrist pain in order to prevent misdiagnosis and avoid unnecessary medical treatments.
Digital Design of Medical Replicas via Desktop Systems: Shape Evaluation of Colon Parts
Authors: Bici Michele , Cardini Valerio , Eugeni Marco , Guachi Robinson , Bini Fabiano , Campana Francesca , Marinozzi Franco , Gaudenzi Paolo
Published: November 2018

In this paper, we aim at providing results concerning the application of desktop systems for rapid prototyping of medical replicas that involve complex shapes, as, for example, folds of a colon. Medical replicas may assist preoperative planning or tutoring in surgery to better understand the interaction among pathology and organs. Major goals of the paper concern with guiding the digital design workflow of the replicas and understanding their final performance, according to the requirements asked by the medics (shape accuracy, capability of seeing both inner and outer details, and support and possible interfacing with other organs). In particular, after the analysis of these requirements, we apply digital design for colon replicas, adopting two desktop systems. The experimental results confirm that the proposed preprocessing strategy is able to conduct to the manufacturing of colon replicas divided in self-supporting segments, minimizing the supports during printing. This allows also to reach an acceptable level of final quality, according to the request of having a 3D presurgery overview of the problems. These replicas are compared through reverse engineering acquisitions made by a structured-light system, to assess the achieved shape and dimensional accuracy. Final results demonstrate that low-cost desktop systems, coupled with proper strategy of preprocessing, may have shape deviation in the range of ±1 mm, good for physical manipulations during medical diagnosis and explanation.
Jaya Algorithm Guided Procedure to Segment Tumor from Brain MRI
Authors: Satapathy Suresh Chandra , Rajinikanth Venkatesan
Published: November 2018

Brain abnormality is a cause for the chief risk factors in human society with larger morbidity rate. Identification of tumor in its early stage is essential to provide necessary treatment procedure to save the patient. In this work, Jaya Algorithm (JA) and Otsu’s Function (OF) guided method is presented to mine the irregular section of brain MRI recorded with Flair and T2 modality. This work implements a two-step process to examine the brain tumor from the axial, sagittal, and coronal views of the two-dimensional (2D) MRI slices. This paper presents a detailed evaluation of thresholding procedure with varied threshold levels (Th=2,3,4,5), skull stripping process before/after the thresholding practice, and the tumor extraction based on the Chan-Vese approach. Superiority of JA is confirmed among other prominent heuristic approaches found in literature. The outcome of implemented study confirms that Jaya Algorithm guided method is capable of presenting superior values of Jaccard-Index, Dice-Coefficient, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and precision on the BRATS 2015 dataset.
Yes-Associated Protein 1 as a Novel Prognostic Biomarker for Gastrointestinal Cancer: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhang Luo , Song Xing , Li Xiaodong , Wu Changping , Jiang Jingting
Published: November 2018

Background. Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) is an effector of Hippo pathway, which plays a significant role in cell proliferation and tumor progression. The relationship between YAP1 and gastrointestinal cancer has been explored in many previous studies. We conducted a meta-analysis to explore the prognostic effect of YAP1 in patients with gastrointestinal cancer.Methods. A systematic search was performed through the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane library databases to collect eligible studies. The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the relationship between YAP1 expression and gastrointestinal cancer clinical outcomes.Results. A total of 2941 patients from 18 studies were enrolled. The results showed that elevated YAP1 expression predicted a poor prognosis in gastrointestinal cancer (HR = 1.56; 95% CI: 1.29-1.89;P< 0.001). Subgroup analyses indicated significant association between YAP1 overexpression and shorter OS of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (HR = 1.85; 95% CI: 1.25-2.73;P= 0.002), gastric cancer (HR = 1.41,95% CI: 1.02-1.95;P= 0.037), and colorectal cancer (pooled HR = 1.75; 95% CI: 1.42-2.15;P< 0.001). However, YAP1 expression did not affect DFS of patients with gastrointestinal cancer (pooled HR = 1.33; 95% CI: 0.95-1.88;P= 0.101).Conclusion. Elevated YAP1 expression in patients with gastrointestinal cancer might be related to shorter OS. YAP1 protein could serve as a potential predictor of poor prognosis in gastrointestinal cancer.
Reconstruction of Severe Acetabular Bone Defect with 3D Printed Ti6Al4V Augment: A Finite Element Study
Authors: Fu Jun , Ni Ming , Chen Jiying , Li Xiang , Chai Wei , Hao Libo , Zhang Guoqiang , Zhou Yonggang
Published: November 2018

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to establish the finite element analysis (FEA) model of acetabular bone defect reconstructed by 3D printed Ti6Al4V augment and TM augment and further to analyze the stress distribution and clinical safety of augments, screws, and bones.Methods. The FEA model of acetabular bone defect reconstructed by 3D printed Ti6Al4V augment was established by the CT data of a patient with Paprosky IIIA defect. The von Mises stresses of augments, screws, and bones were analyzed by a single-legged stance loading applied in 3 increments (500 N, 2000 N, and 3000 N).Results. The peak von Mises stresses under the maximal loading in the 3D printed augments, screws, and cortical bone were less than the yield strength of the corresponding component. However, the peak stress in the bone was greater than the yield strength of cancellous bone under walking or jogging loading. And under the same loading, the peak compressive and shear stresses in bone contact with TM augment were larger than these with 3D printed augment.Conclusions. The FEA results show that all the components will be intact under single-legged standing. However, partial cancellous bone contacted with 3D printed augment and screws will lose efficacy under walking or jogging load. So we recommend that patients can stand under full bearing, but can not walk or jog immediately after surgery.
Laparoscopic Resection of Advanced Colorectal Cancer in a Patient with Lumboperitoneal Shunt
Authors: Imagami Toru , Takayama Satoru , Maeda Yohei , Matsui Ryohei , Sakamoto Masaki , Kani Hisanori
Published: November 2018

A 78-year-old woman with lumboperitoneal (LP) shunt was diagnosed with advanced cancer of the ascending colon. Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy was performed without manipulating the catheter. The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful, with no shunt-related complications or neurological deficit. The number of patients with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt who require abdominal surgery has been increasing. There are only few studies on laparoscopic surgery for patients with LP shunt, and the safety of pneumoperitoneum in the CSF shunt remains controversial. Consistent with other studies, we considered that pneumoperitoneum with a pressure of 10 mmHg has few negative effects. Our recommendations are as follows: (1) during colorectal resection, laparoscopic surgery can be performed without routine manipulation of the shunt catheter; (2) altering the location of the port is necessary to prevent both damage to the shunt tube during surgery and wound infection postoperatively; and (3) laparoscopic surgery is superior to laparotomy because it is associated with reduced surgical site infections and postoperative adhesions. However, laparoscopy should be performed at least 3 months after the construction of CSF shunt.
Hyperspectral Imaging Surface Analysis for Dried and Thermally Modified Wood: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Myronycheva Olena , Sidorova Ekaterina , Hagman Olle , Sehlstedt-Persson Margot , Karlsson Olov , Sandberg Dick
Published: November 2018

Naturally seasoned, kiln-dried, and thermally modified wood has been studied by hyperspectral near-infrared imaging between 980 and 2500 nm in order to obtain spatial chemical information. Evince software was used to explore, preprocess, and analyse spectral data from image pixels and link these data to chemical information via spectral wavelength assignment. A PCA model showed that regions with high absorbance were related to extractives with phenolic groups and aliphatic hydrocarbons. The sharp wavelength band at 2135 nm was found by multivariate analysis to be useful for multivariate calibration. This peak represents the largest variation that characterizes the knot area and can be related to areas in wood rich in hydrocarbons and phenol, and it can perhaps be used for future calibration of other wood surfaces. The discriminant analysis of thermally treated wood showed the strongest differentiation between the planed and rip-cut wood surfaces and a fairly clear discrimination between the two thermal processes. The wavelength band at 2100 nm showed the greatest difference and may correspond to stretching of C=O-O of polymeric acetyl groups, but this requires confirmation by chemical analysis.
Camalexin Induces Apoptosis via the ROS‐ER Stress‐Mitochondrial Apoptosis Pathway in AML Cells
Authors: Yang Yang , Wang Gang , Wu Wenjun , Yao Shunnan , Han Xiaoyan , He Donghua , He Jingsong , Zheng Gaofeng , Zhao Yi , Cai Zhen , Yu Rui
Published: November 2018

Camalexin is a phytoalexin that accumulates in various cruciferous plants upon exposure to environmental stress and plant pathogens. It was shown that camalexin has potent antitumor properties, but its underlying mechanisms are still elusive. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of camalexin on human leukemic cells and normal polymorph nuclear cells. CCK‐8 assay was used to determine cell viability after camalexin treatment. Apoptosis, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were measured by flow cytometry. The activity of SOD, catalase, and ratio of GSH/GSSG were assayed. ER stress and apoptotic signaling pathway was examined by Western blot. Xenograft mice were used to verify the effect of camalexin in vivo. Our results indicated that camalexin inhibited viability of leukemic but not normal polymorph nuclear cells. Furthermore, camalexin induces apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway in a caspase‐dependent manner. We also observed ER stress is located upstream of apoptosis induced by camalexin. Besides, ROS levels, SOD activity, CAT activity, and GSSG levels were significantly enhanced while the GSH level was decreased after treatment of camalexin. In addition, the generation of ROS is critical for the ER stress and apoptosis induced by camalexin. Finally, administration of camalexin suppresses xenograft tumor graft growth without obvious toxicity. Taken together, this study indicates that camalexin exerts antitumor effects against leukemia cells via the ROS‐ER stress‐mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.
Action Recognition Based on Depth Motion Map and Hybrid Classifier
Authors: Li Wenhui , Wang Qiuling , Wang Ying
Published: November 2018

In order to efficiently extract and encode 3D information of human action from depth images, we present a feature extraction and recognition method based on depth video sequences. First, depth images are projected continuously onto three planes of Cartesian coordinate system, and differential images of the respective projection surfaces are accumulated to obtain the complete 3D information of the depth motion maps (DMMs). Then, discriminative completed LBP (disCLBP) encodes depth motion maps to extract effective human action information. A hybrid classifier combined with Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) and collaborative representation classification (CRC) is employed to reduce the computational complexity while reducing the impact of noise. The proposed method is tested on the MSR-Action3D database; the experimental results show that it achieves 96.0% accuracy and well performs better robustness comparing to other popular approaches.
A Rare Case of an Advanced Gastric Adenocarcinoma in a Teenage Syrian Boy
Authors: Daboul Baraa , Ghazal Ahmad , Al Halak Ayham , Hayed Sabah , Najjar Yasmin
Published: November 2018

In this report, we describe a case of a gastric cancer in young age group with delayed diagnosis and poor prognosis. We report a rare case of a 16-year-old teenager with an advanced moderately differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma without any relevant history. He presented mainly with dysphagia, postprandial vomiting, and eventually hematemesis. On exploratory laparotomy, the tumor was in advanced stage, the excision was not performed, multiple biopsies and a feeding jejunostomy were done, and the patient was referred to receive a palliative therapy. Reporting such cases introduces a better understanding of the relation between gastric cancer and young ages.
Modified Empirical Eigenfunctions and Its Applications for Model Reduction of Nonlinear Spatiotemporal Systems
Authors: Jiang Mian , Liu Shuangqi , Wu Jigang
Published: November 2018

Model reduction can greatly reduce complexity and difficulty of control design for spatiotemporal systems (STS) in engineering applications. Empirical eigenfunctions (EEFs) are widely used for the model reduction of spatiotemporal systems, however, truncation of higher modes may describe the behaviours of nonlinear spatiotemporal systems inaccurately. In this paper, modified EEFs are proposed and applied to model reduction of nonlinear spatiotemporal systems. Modified EEFs are obtained via modifying the weights matrix in the method of snapshots, which can be rewritten as linear combinations of initial EEFs. The coefficient matrix for combinations is computed according to the nonlinear temporal dynamics of STSs. Thus, the effects of higher modes are considered into modified EEFs with less computational requirements. The reduced model can give a more accurate description for behaviours of the system. The performance of the proposed method is further proved theoretically, and a numerical example demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed method.