bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Model of Diarrhea with Spleen‐Kidney Yang Deficiency Syndrome
Authors: Zhu Jiajie , Liu Shan , Guo Yu , Hou Liwei , Su Xiaolan , Li Yijie , Han Boyu , Liu Dengke , Wang Qingguo , Chen Jiande JD , Wei Wei
Published: September 2018

Objective. The aim of this study was to examine a new method to create a rat model of diarrhea with spleen‐kidney yang deficiency syndrome. Methods. A senna leaf (Folium sennae) decoction was made in 3 concentrations of 1.0, 0.5, and 0.25 g/mL. Rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: the control (C)‐, high (H)‐, middle (M)‐, and low (L)‐ dose groups. The groups received saline, 1.0, 0.5, or 0.25 g/mL senna leaf decoction, respectively, for 4 weeks. Body weight monitoring, food consumption, water intake, defecation frequency, stool Bristol score, weight‐loaded forced swimming test, forelimb grip strength test, D‐xylose absorption test, serum cortisone, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), 24 h urine 17‐hydroxycorticosteroid (17‐OHCS), and histopathological detection were conducted to assess the success of the senna leaf decoction‐induced model. Results. This study showed that the senna leaf decoction could induce diarrhea and dose‐dependently slow body weight growth, reduce food consumption, and increase water intake, stool Bristol score, and defecation frequency. Statistical differences were found between groups H and M in rectal temperature, weight‐loaded forced swimming time, forelimb grip strength, and serum cortisone. The D‐xylose absorption test also showed dysfunction of intestinal absorption in groups H and M. The serum cortisone and 24 h urine 17‐OHCS were significantly reduced in group H. Conclusions. Gastric gavage of 10 mL/kg of body weight of a high concentration of a senna leaf decoction (1.0 g/mL) for 4 weeks was used to create a rat model of diarrhea with spleen‐kidney yang deficiency syndrome.
Characterization and Attenuation of Streptozotocin‐Induced Diabetic Organ Damage by Polysaccharides from Spent Mushroom Substrate (Pleurotus eryngii)
Authors: Liu Min , Yao Wangjinsong , Zhao Fulan , Zhu Yongfa , Zhang Jianjun , Liu Hui , Lin Lin , Jia Le
Published: September 2018

The aim of this work was to characterize spent mushroom substrate polysaccharides (MSP) from Pleurotus eryngii and their antioxidant and organ protective effects in streptozotocin‐ (STZ‐) induced diabetic mice. The enzymatic‐, acidic‐, and alkalic‐ (En‐, Ac‐, and Al‐) MSP were extracted from P. eryngii with snailase (4%), hydrochloric acid (1 mol/l), and sodium hydroxide (1 mol/l), respectively. The characterizations were evaluated by spectral analysis. In animal experiments, the enzymatic activities, lipid peroxide contents, and serum lipid parameters were measured, and histological observations of the liver, kidney, pancreas, and heart were conducted. The results demonstrated that treatment with En‐, Ac‐, and Al‐MSP increased the organ enzymatic activities, decreased the organ lipid peroxide contents, mitigated the serum biochemistry values, and ameliorated the histopathology of diabetic mice, indicating that En‐, Ac‐, and Al‐MSP could potentially be used as functional foods for the prevention of diabetes.
Harmful Roles of TLR3 and TLR9 in Cardiac Dysfunction Developing during Polymicrobial Sepsis
Authors: Fattahi Fatemeh , Russell Mark W. , Malan Elizabeth A. , Parlett Michella , Abe Elizabeth , Zetoune Firas S. , Ward Peter A.
Published: September 2018

We determined the roles of TLR3 and TLR9 in adverse events of polymicrobial sepsis, with a focus on development of septic cardiomyopathy, progression of which we have recently shown to be complement- and histones-dependent. So Wt, TLR3-knocked out (K.O.), and TLR9-K.O. mice were subjected to polymicrobial sepsis following cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). In the absence of either TLR3 or TLR9, the intensity of echocardiogram (Echo)-Doppler dysfunction during development of cardiomyopathy was substantially reduced in the K.O. mice. Based on our prior studies emphasizing the adverse effects of plasma C5a and histones in the cardiomyopathy of sepsis, in TLR3- and TLR9-K.O. mice, there were striking reductions in plasma levels of C5a and histones as well as reduced levels of cytokines in plasma and heart tissue after CLP. Since we know that histones cause cardiac dysfunction, rat cardiomyocytes (CMs) were exposed in vitro to the histones (purified from calf thymus), which caused bleb formation on the surfaces of CMs, suggesting histones may perturb the cell membrane of CMs. In vitro, exposure of CMs to the histones for 3 hours caused lactate dehydrogenase release from CMs. These data indicate that sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction requires presence of TLR3 and TLR9 and may be linked to histone-induced damage of CMs.
Simulation‐Based Optimization on the System‐of‐Systems Model via Model Transformation and Genetic Algorithm: A Case Study of Network‐Centric Warfare
Authors: Kang Bong Gu , Choi Seon Han , Kwon Se Jung , Lee Jun Hee , Kim Tag Gon
Published: October 2018

Simulation of a system‐of‐systems (SoS) model, which consists of a combat model and a network model, has been used to analyze the performance of network‐centric warfare in detail. However, finding the combat model parameters satisfying the required combat power using simulation can take a long time for two reasons: (1) the prolonged execution time per simulation run and (2) the enormous number of simulation runs. This paper proposes a simulation‐based optimization method for the SoS‐based simulation model to overcome these problems. The method consists of two processes: (1) the transformation of the SoS‐based model into an integrated model using the neural network to reduce the execution time and (2) the optimization of the integrated model using the genetic algorithm with ranking and selection to decrease the number of simulation runs. The experimental result reveals that the proposed method significantly reduced the time for finding the optimal combat parameters with an acceptable level of accuracy.
Small Object Detection with Multiscale Features
Authors: Hu Guo X. , Yang Zhong , Hu Lei , Huang Li , Han Jia M.
Published: September 2018

The existing object detection algorithm based on the deep convolution neural network needs to carry out multilevel convolution and pooling operations to the entire image in order to extract a deep semantic features of the image. The detection models can get better results for big object. However, those models fail to detect small objects that have low resolution and are greatly influenced by noise because the features after repeated convolution operations of existing models do not fully represent the essential characteristics of the small objects. In this paper, we can achieve good detection accuracy by extracting the features at different convolution levels of the object and using the multiscale features to detect small objects. For our detection model, we extract the features of the image from their third, fourth, and 5th convolutions, respectively, and then these three scales features are concatenated into a one-dimensional vector. The vector is used to classify objects by classifiers and locate position information of objects by regression of bounding box. Through testing, the detection accuracy of our model for small objects is 11% higher than the state-of-the-art models. In addition, we also used the model to detect aircraft in remote sensing images and achieved good results.
Prediction Model for Brake-Drum Temperature of Large Trucks on Consecutive Mountain Downgrade Routes Based on Energy Conservation Law
Authors: Yan Menghua , Xu Jinliang
Published: September 2018

Excessively high brake temperature may lead to brake fading and failure, resulting in truck runaway down a graded descent. The accurate prediction of the changes in the brake-drum temperature on downgrades can provide theoretical guidance for truck accident countermeasures, such as determining the maximum safe speeds and the locations of truck escape ramps. By analyzing truck accident mechanisms during graded descents and selecting the initial brake-drum temperature, downgrade percentage and length, and the truck weight and speed as independent variables, with the brake-drum temperature as a dependent variable, the downgrade process of a truck can be divided into two stages: speed control at the grade section and emergency braking at the grade end. The energy conversion process in the forms of brake and nonbrake forces in the two stages are analyzed, based on the energy conservation law. A prediction model for the brake-drum temperature of large trucks on consecutive mountain downgrade routes is established, using the heat quantity formula. The model’s numerical calculation explicitly demonstrates the effect of all the variables. The brake-drum temperature is positively related to the truck weight, and the percentage and length of the downgrade. The temperature increase in the control speed phase is negatively related to the truck speed, whereas that in the emergency braking phase is positively related. The relationship curves between the variables show that the brake-drum temperature does not change significantly with the truck speed. However, the brake-drum temperatures, under different truck weights, downgrade lengths, and percentages, at the same speed, differ considerably. Compared to the existing empirical fitting model based on specific test data, the proposed model clearly shows the effects of main variables. The proposed model can be used for determining the safe truck speeds and locations of truck escape ramps to provide guidance for drivers and builders.
Clinical Effects of Activated Charcoal Unavailability on Treatment Outcomes for Oral Drug Poisoned Patients
Authors: Park Sohyun , Lee Hui Jai , Shin Jonghwan , You Kyoung Min , Lee Se Jong , Jung Euigi
Published: October 2018

Background. Activated charcoal is the most frequently and widely used oral decontaminating agent in emergency departments (EDs). However, there is some debate about its clinical benefits and risks. In Korea, activated charcoal with sorbitol was unavailable as of the mid-2015, and our hospital had been unable to use it from September 2015. This study examined the differences of clinical features and outcomes of patients during the periods charcoal was and was not available. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of patients who had visited an urban tertiary academic ED for oral drug poisoning between January 2013 and January 2017. Results. For the charcoal-available period, 413 patients were identified and for the charcoal-unavailable period, 221. Activated charcoal was used in the treatment of 141 patients (34%) during the available period. The mortality rates during the available and unavailable periods were 1.9 and 0.9%, respectively (p = 0.507). There was also no interperiod difference in the development of aspiration pneumonia (9.9 versus 9.5%, p = 0.864), the endotracheal intubation rate (8.4 versus 7.2%, p = 0.586), and vasopressor use (5.3 versus 5.0%, p = 0.85). Intensive care unit (ICU) admission was higher in the unavailable period (5.8 versus 13.6%, p = 0.001). ICU days were lower in the unavailable period (10 [4.5-19] versus 4 [3-9], p = 0.01). Hospital admission (43.3 versus 29.9%, p = 0.001) was lower in the unavailable period. Conclusions. In this single center study, there appeared to be no difference in mortality, intubation rates, or vasopressor use between the charcoal-available and charcoal-unavailable periods.
Anastomotic Biliary Stricture Development after Liver Transplantation in the Setting of Retained Prophylactic Intraductal Pediatric Feeding Tube: Case and Review
Authors: Koo Patrick T. , Medici Valentina , Tabibian James H.
Published: September 2018

The biliary anastomosis remains a common site of postoperative complications in liver transplantation (LT). Biliary complications have indeed been termed the “Achilles’ heel” of LT, and while their prevention, diagnosis, and treatment have continued to evolve over the last two decades, various challenges and uncertainties persist. Here we present the case of a 33-year-old man who, 10 years after undergoing LT for idiopathic recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis, was noted to have developed pruritus and abnormalities in serum liver biochemistries during routine post-liver transplant follow-up. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a linear, 1.5 mm hyperechoic filling defect in the common bile duct; magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography demonstrated a curvilinear filling defect at the level of the choledochocholedochostomy, corresponding to the ultrasound finding, as well as an anastomotic biliary stricture (ABS). On endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC), a black tubular stricture with overlying sludge was encountered and extracted from the common bile duct, consistent with a retained 5 Fr pediatric feeding tube originally placed at the time of LT. The patient experienced symptomatic and biochemical relief and successfully underwent serial ERCs with balloon dilatation and maximal biliary stenting for ABS management. With this case, we emphasize the importance of ensuring spontaneous passage or removal of intraductal prostheses placed prophylactically at the time of LT in order to minimize the risk of chronic biliary inflammation and associated sequelae, including cholangitis and ABS formation. We also provide herein a brief review of the use of prophylactic internal transanastomotic prostheses, including biliary tubes and stents, during LT.
Activation of PAR4 Upregulates p16 through Inhibition of DNMT1 and HDAC2 Expression via MAPK Signals in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Wang Ming , An Shuhong , Wang Diyi , Ji Haizhen , Guo Xingjing , Wang Zhaojin
Published: September 2018

A previous study showed that a downexpression of protease-activated receptor 4 (PAR4) is associated with the development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In this study, we explored the relationship between PAR4 activation and the expression of p16, and elucidated the underlying mechanisms in PAR4 inducing the tumor suppressor role in ESCC. ESCC cell lines (EC109 and TE-1) were treated with PAR4-activating peptide (PAR4-AP). Immunohistochemistry for DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) and histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) was performed in 26 cases of ESCC tissues. We found that DNMT1 and HDAC2 immunoreactivities in ESCC were significantly higher than those in adjacent noncancerous tissues. PAR4 activation could suppress DNMT1 and HDAC2, as well as increase p16 expressions, whereas silencing PAR4 dramatically increased HDAC2 and DNMT1, as well as reduced p16 expressions. Importantly, the chromatin immunoprecipitation-PCR (ChIP-PCR) data indicated that treatment of ESCC cells with PAR4-AP remarkably suppressed DNMT1 and HDAC2 enrichments on the p16 promoter. Furthermore, we demonstrated that activation of PAR4 resulted in an increase of p38/ERK phosphorylation and activators for p38/ERK enhanced the effect of PAR4 activation on HDAC2, DNMT1, and p16 expressions, whereas p38/ERK inhibitors reversed these effects. Moreover, we found that activation of PAR4 in ESCC cells significantly inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. These findings suggest that PAR4 plays a potential tumor suppressor role in ESCC cells and represents a potential therapeutic target of this disease.
Security and Privacy Issues in Vehicular Named Data Networks: An Overview
Authors: Khelifi Hakima , Luo Senlin , Nour Boubakr , Shah Sayed Chhattan
Published: September 2018

A tremendous amount of content and information are exchanging in a vehicular environment between vehicles, roadside units, and the Internet. This information aims to improve the driving experience and human safety. Due to the VANET’s properties and application characteristics, the security becomes an essential aspect and a more challenging task. On the contrary, named data networking has been proposed as a future Internet architecture that may improve the network performance, enhance content access and dissemination, and decrease the communication delay. NDN uses a clean design based on content names and Interest-Data exchange model. In this paper, we focus on the vehicular named data networking environment, targeting the security attacks and privacy issues. We present a state of the art of existing VANET attacks and how NDN can deal with them. We classified these attacks based on the NDN perspective. Furthermore, we define various challenges and issues faced by NDN-based VANET and highlight future research directions that should be addressed by the research community.
Continentality and Oceanity in the Mid and High Latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere and Their Links to Atmospheric Circulation
Authors: Stonevicius Edvinas , Stankunavicius Gintautas , Rimkus Egidijus
Published: September 2018

The climate continentality or oceanity is one of the main characteristics of the local climatic conditions, which varies with global and regional climate change. This paper analyzes indexes of continentality and oceanity, as well as their variations in the middle and high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere in the period 1950–2015. Climatology and changes in continentality and oceanity are examined using Conrad’s Continentality Index (CCI) and Kerner’s Oceanity Index (KOI). The impact of Northern Hemisphere teleconnection patterns on continentality/oceanity conditions was also evaluated. According to CCI, continentality is more significant in Northeast Siberia and lower along the Pacific coast of North America as well as in coastal areas in the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean. However, according to KOI, areas of high continentality do not precisely correspond with those of low oceanity, appearing to the south and west of those identified by CCI. The spatial patterns of changes in continentality thus seem to be different. According to CCI, a statistically significant increase in continentality has only been found in Northeast Siberia. In contrast, in the western part of North America and the majority of Asia, continentality has weakened. According to KOI, the climate has become increasingly continental in Northern Europe and the majority of North America and East Asia. Oceanity has increased in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and in some parts of the Mediterranean region. Changes in continentality were primarily related to the increased temperature of the coldest month as a consequence of changes in atmospheric circulation: the positive phase of North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and East Atlantic (EA) patterns has dominated in winter in recent decades. Trends in oceanity may be connected with the diminishing extent of seasonal sea ice and an associated increase in sea surface temperature.
Effects of Ficus umbellata (Moraceae) Aqueous Extract and 7-Methoxycoumarin on Scopolamine-Induced Spatial Memory Impairment in Ovariectomized Wistar Rats
Authors: Zingue Stéphane , Foyet Harquin Simplice , Djiogue Sefirin , Ezo’o Ezo’o Yannick , Abaïssou Hervé Hervé Ngatanko , Fachagbo Pafroumi , Njamen Dieudonné
Published: September 2018

The present work was undertaken to evaluate the ability of F. umbellata aqueous extract and its major component 7-methoxycoumarin (MC) to improve scopolamine-induced spatial memory impairment in ovariectomized Wistar rats. For this to be done, 10 sham-operated and 30 postmenopausal-like rats were randomly distributed in eight groups (n=5) and treated with distilled water (2 mL/250 g), estradiol valerate (1 mg/kg BW), piracetam (1.5 mg/kg BW), F. umbellata aqueous extract (50 and 200 mg/kg BW), or MC (1 mg/kg BW) for 21 consecutive days. Before and after the memory impairment with scopolamine (2 mg/kg BW), animals underwent behavioral evaluations on Y- and radial mazes. As results, age and ovariectomy did not induce significant changes in the reference memory errors. While age decreased working memory errors, ovariectomy increased it. The MC as well as F. umbellata extract significantly increased (p<0.01) the percentage of spontaneous alternation and decreased (p<0.001) working and spatial reference memory errors and anxiety parameters (rearing and grooming) in ovariectomized rats. MC significantly reduced (p<0.05) the MDA level, but resulted in an increase in GSH level in brain homogenates. These results suggest that MC is endowed with neuroprotective effects and could account for the neuroprotective effects of F. umbellata in rats.
Position Tracking Control of PMSM Based on Fuzzy PID-Variable Structure Adaptive Control
Authors: Pei Pei , Pei Zhongcai , Tang Zhiyong , Gu Han
Published: September 2018

A novel Fuzzy PID-Variable Structure Adaptive Control is proposed for position tracking of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor which will be used in electric extremity exoskeleton robot. This novel control method introduces sliding mode variable structure control on the basis of traditional PID control. The variable structure term is designed according to the sliding mode surface which is designed by system state equation, so it could compensate for the disturbance and uncertainty. Considering the chattering of sliding mode system, the fuzzy inference method is adopted to adjust the parameters of PID adaptively in real time online, which can attenuate chattering and improve control precision and dynamic performance of system correspondingly. In addition, compared with the traditional sliding mode control, this method takes the fuzzy PID control item to replace the equivalent control item of sliding mode variable structure control, which could avoid the control performance reduction resulted from modeling error and parameter error of system. It is proved that this algorithm can converge to the sliding surface and guarantee the stability of system by Lyapunov function. Simulation results show that Fuzzy PID-Variable Structure Adaptive Control enjoys better control precision and dynamic performance compared with traditional control method, and it improves the robustness of system significantly. Finally, the effectiveness and practicability of the algorithm are verified by the method of Rapid Control Prototyping on the semiphysical simulation test bench.
New Insights into the Role of Exercise in Inhibiting mTOR Signaling in Triple‐Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Agostini Deborah , Natalucci Valentina , Baldelli Giulia , De Santi Mauro , Donati Zeppa Sabrina , Vallorani Luciana , Annibalini Giosuè , Lucertini Francesco , Federici Ario , Izzo Riccardo , Stocchi Vilberto , Barbieri Elena
Published: September 2018

Triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) does not express estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 and is characterized by its aggressive nature, lack of targets for targeted therapies, and early peak of recurrence. Due to these specific characteristics, chemotherapy does not usually yield substantial improvements and new target therapies and alternative strategies are needed. The beneficial responses of TNBC survivors to regular exercise, including a reduction in the rate of tumor growth, are becoming increasingly apparent. Physiological adaptations to exercise occur in skeletal muscle but have an impact on the entire body through systemic control of energy homeostasis and metabolism, which in turn influence the TNBC tumor microenvironment. Gaining insights into the causal mechanisms of the therapeutic cancer control properties of regular exercise is important to improve the prescription and implementation of exercise and training in TNBC survivors. Here, we provide new evidence of the effects of exercise on TNBC prevention, control, and outcomes, based on the inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (PKB also known as Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) (PI3K‐Akt‐mTOR) signaling. These findings have wide‐ranging clinical implications for cancer treatment, including recurrence and case management.
Multiple Low Frequency Ultrasound Enhances Bactericidal Activity of Vancomycin against Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusBiofilms
Authors: Wang Jin , Wen Ke , Liu Xu , Weng Chun-xiao , Wang Rui , Cai Yun
Published: September 2018

Methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) biofilm infections are difficult to treat due to the high antimicrobial resistance of biofilm. Therefore, new treatments are needed for more effective bacteria clearance. This study was to investigate whether low frequency ultrasound (LFU) can enhance the activity of antimicrobial agents against MRSA biofilm infection. Broth microdilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of vancomycin (VAN), linezolid (LIN), and levofloxacin (LEV) against three clinical isolated strains, including one methicillin-susceptibleStaphylococcus aureus(MSSA) strain and two MRSA strains. Effects of various influencing factors, such as antimicrobial agents, drug concentrations, ultrasonic intensity, and single (S-LFU, 5 or 15 min) or multiple ultrasound (M-LFU, 5 min every 8 h), on the inhibition of biofilms were investigated. The bactericidal effects of S-LFU or M-LFU on MRSA or MSSA biofilms were determined by colony counts. Right after ultrasound, synergistic effects were observed in groups of S-LFU combined with three antimicrobial agents against MSSA biofilm, but for MRSA biofilm, only S-LFU plus VAN had synergistic effect. At the time point of 24 h, M-LFU plus VAN treatment had synergistic bactericidal effect against MRSA and MSSA biofilms, and the synergy showed that VAN is concentration-dependent, but no synergistic effects were observed in all S-LFU combination groups. In conclusion, combination of M-LFU and antimicrobial agents had a better synergistic effect than S-LFU against MRSA or MSSA biofilm. LFU may be useful in treating biofilm infection in the future.
Circulating Heme Oxygenase‐1: Not a Predictor of Preeclampsia but Highly Expressed in Pregnant Women Who Subsequently Develop Severe Preeclampsia
Authors: Sandrim Valéria C. , Caldeira-Dias Mayara , Bettiol Heloisa , Barbieri Marco Antonio , Cardoso Viviane Cunha , Cavalli Ricardo Carvalho
Published: September 2018

Preeclampsia is the major cause of maternal and fetal deaths worldwide. Circulating biomarker concentrations to predict preeclampsia must be determined. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) concentration in both plasma and urine samples from pregnant women before the development of preeclampsia and to identify a potential biomarker for preeclampsia development. We performed a case‐control study nested in a prospective study cohort at University Hospital of the Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (HCFMRP‐USP), Ribeirao Preto, Brazil. Of 1400 pregnant women evaluated at 20–25 weeks of gestation, 460 delivered in hospitals outside our institution. Of 940 pregnant women who completed the protocol, 30 developed preeclampsia (cases, 14 cases of severe preeclampsia and 16 cases of mild preeclampsia). Healthy pregnant women (controls, n = 90) were randomly selected from the remaining 910 participants. HO‐1 concentration was evaluated in plasma/urine samples by using a commercial enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kit. We found similar HO‐1 levels in the plasma and urine for case and control groups. In the subgrouped preeclampsia, lower plasma HO‐1 levels were found in mild compared with severe preeclampsia. We conclude that plasma HO‐1 levels were not altered at 20–25 weeks of gestation before the manifestation of preeclampsia symptoms. Pregnant women who subsequently develop severe preeclampsia show higher expression of HO‐1. This may be indicative of important underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms that differentiate between mild and severe preeclampsia and may possibly be related to a higher prooxidative status even before the development of clinical symptoms.
Salivary Gland Heterotopia in the Gastroesophageal Junction: A Case Series and Review of the Literature
Authors: Abdul Karim Lina , Kwon Dong Hyang , Ozdemirli Metin
Published: September 2018

Heterotopia is defined as the presence of mature, histologically normal, tissue in unusual anatomic sites. When this heterotopic tissue forms a mass, it is called a choristoma. This case series describes 3 cases of gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) salivary heterotopias. While heterotopias are usually incidental findings, choristomas can clinically and endoscopically mimic carcinomas and might lead to unnecessary procedures for the patients. Clinicians should therefore be aware of this entity. Literature search, however, failed to show any reports of salivary gland heterotopias in the GEJ. In fact, literature review revealed only 6 reported cases of salivary gland choristoma in the gastrointestinal tract, none at the GEJ. In this case series, we report 2 cases of salivary gland heterotopia and one case of salivary gland choristoma arising at the GE junction. To our knowledge, this is the first series of its kind in the literature.
Gigantic GIST: A Case of the Largest Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Found to Date
Authors: Mohamed Abdalla , Botros Youssef , Hanna Paul , Lee Sang , Baddoura Walid , Zuberi Jamshed , Damani Tanuja
Published: September 2018

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are uncommon when compared to all gastrointestinal neoplasms but are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. The largest gastrointestinal stromal tumor ever recorded in literature weighed approximately 6.1 kg and measured 39 cm × 27 cm × 14 cm. About two-thirds of GISTs are malignant. The tumor size, mitotic rate, cellularity, and nuclear pleomorphism are the most important parameters when considering prognosis and recurrence. The definitive treatment for these tumors is resection. In the year 2000, the first patient was treated with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib and since then, gastrointestinal stromal tumors with high-risk features have been treated successfully with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. We present the largest gastrointestinal stromal tumor recorded in medical literature measuring 42.0 cm × 31.0 cm × 23.0 cm in maximum dimensions and weighing in at approximately 18.5 kg in a 65-year-old African-American male who presented with increased abdominal distention. The mass was successfully excised, and the patient was treated with imatinib without local or distant recurrence 1.5 years postoperatively.
A Novel Approach to Numerical Modeling of Metabolic System: Investigation of Chaotic Behavior in Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Shabestari Payam Sadeghi , Rajagopal Karthikeyan , Safarbali Bahareh , Jafari Sajad , Duraisamy Prakash
Published: September 2018

Although many mathematical models have been presented for glucose and insulin interaction, none of these models can describe diabetes disease completely. In this work, the dynamical behavior of a regulatory system of glucose‐insulin incorporating time delay is studied and a new property of the presented model is revealed. This property can describe the diabetes disease better and therefore may help us in deeper understanding of diabetes, interactions between glucose and insulin, and possible cures for this widespread disease.
A Case of Lenvatinib-Induced Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in Metastatic Medullary Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Fleming Kathryn , McGuinness James , Kipgen David , Glen Hilary , Spiliopoulou Pavlina
Published: October 2018

We describe a case of lenvatinib (E7080) associated focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) encountered during the treatment of metastatic medullary thyroid cancer. Proteinuria is a relatively common side effect of VEGF-targeted treatments and can occasionally result in treatment discontinuation. Here, we describe a patient who developed secondary FSGS necessitating discontinuation of treatment at first but who was subsequently rechallenged with anti-VEGF-targeted treatment without recurrence of proteinuria. Lenvatinib was a novel experimental agent at the time the treatment took place; however, its recent licensing for the treatment of thyroid malignancies in the UK makes reporting of these adverse effects all the more important now.
Quantitative Entropy Weight TOPSIS Evaluation of Sustainable Chinese Wind Power Developments
Authors: Zheng Hongyan , Si Dongyang , Wang Wei , Wang Ruining
Published: September 2018

Based on a Driving Forces-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) model, this paper takes a macroenvironmental, socioeconomic perspective to build an evaluation model to address sustainable Chinese wind power developments and to quantize the development results. From a combination of entropy weight and the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method, the sustainable wind power development level in China is examined, the development trends analyzed, and the trends and underlying laws identified, all of which provides new information for Chinese wind power sustainability. It was found that Chinese sustainable socioeconomic wind power development has been growing year on year. However, the wind power ecological sustainability fell and then rose slowly, indicating that these subsystems both influence the sustainable development of wind power.
Treatment of NASH with Antioxidant Therapy: Beneficial Effect of Red Cabbage on Type 2 Diabetic Rats
Authors: Dal Stéphanie , Van der Werf Remmelt , Walter Catherine , Bietiger William , Seyfritz Elodie , Mura Carole , Peronet Claude , Legrandois Julie , Werner Dalal , Ennahar Said , Digel Fabien , Elisa Maillard-Pedracini , Pinget Michel , Jeandidier Nathalie , Marchioni Eric , Sigrist Séverine
Published: September 2018

Aims. Oxidative stress (OS) plays a major role in type 2 diabetes and its vascular and hepatic complications, and novel therapeutic approaches include natural antioxidants. Our previous chemical and biological studies demonstrated the antioxidant activities of red cabbage (RC), and here, we aimed to determine the in vivo effects of 2‐month long RC consumption using a high‐fat/high‐fructose model of diabetic rats. Results. This vegetable, associated with lifestyle measurement, was shown to decrease OS and increase vascular endothelial NO synthase expression, ensuring vascular homeostasis. In the liver, RC consumption decreased OS by inhibiting p22phox expression and Nrf2 degradation and increasing catalase activity. It inhibited the activation of SREBP (1c, 2), ChREBP, NF‐κB, ERK1/2, PPARγ, and GS and SIRT1 decrease, as observed in diabetic rats. Conclusion/innovation. RC consumption led to metabolic profile improvement, together with hepatic function improvements. Although lifestyle changes are not sufficient to prevent diabetic complications, enrichment with RC avoids progression hepatic complications. This antioxidant strategy using RC does not only able to increase antioxidant defense, such as classical antioxidant, but also able to assure a metabolic and energetic balance to reverse complications. Whereas traditional medical therapy failed to reverse NASH in diabetic patients, consumption of RC should be a natural therapy to treat it.
Changes in the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Are Associated with Improvements in Diabetes Risk Factors after Exercise Training in Adolescents with Obesity: The HEARTY Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Walsh Jeremy J. , D’Angiulli Amedeo , Cameron Jameason D. , Sigal Ronald J. , Kenny Glen P. , Holcik Martin , Doucette Steve , Alberga Angela S. , Prud’homme Denis , Hadjiyannakis Stasia , Gunnell Katie , Goldfield Gary S.
Published: September 2018

Obesity in youth increases the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D), and both are risk factors for neurocognitive deficits. Exercise attenuates the risk of obesity and T2D while improving cognitive function. In adults, these benefits are associated with the actions of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein critical in modulating neuroplasticity, glucose regulation, fat oxidation, and appetite regulation in adults. However, little research exists in youth. This study examined the associations between changes in diabetes risk factors and changes in BDNF levels after 6 months of exercise training in adolescents with obesity. The sample consisted of 202 postpubertal adolescents with obesity (70% females) aged 14–18 years who were randomized to 6 months of aerobic and/or resistance training or nonexercise control. All participants received a healthy eating plan designed to induce a 250/kcal deficit per day. Resting serum BDNF levels and diabetes risk factors, such as fasting glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-B—beta cell insulin secretory capacity) and (HOMA-IS—insulin sensitivity), and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), were measured after an overnight fast at baseline and 6 months. There were no significant intergroup differences on changes in BDNF or diabetes risk factors. In the exercise group, increases in BDNF were associated with reductions in fasting glucose (β = −6.57, SE = 3.37, p=0.05) and increases in HOMA-B (β = 0.093, SE = 0.03, p=0.004) after controlling for confounders. No associations were found between changes in diabetes risk factors and BDNF in controls. In conclusion, exercise-induced reductions in some diabetes risk factors were associated with increases in BDNF in adolescents with obesity, suggesting that exercise training may be an effective strategy to promote metabolic health and increases in BDNF, a protein favoring neuroplasticity. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00195858, September 12, 2005 (funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research).
The Endophytic Bacterial Microbiota Associated with Sweet Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) Is Modulated by the Application of Chemical N Fertilizer to the Field
Authors: Mareque Cintia , da Silva Thais Freitas , Vollú Renata Estebanez , Beracochea Martín , Seldin Lucy , Battistoni Federico
Published: September 2018

Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is a multipurpose crop used as a feedstock to produce bioethanol, sugar, energy, and animal feed. However, it requires high levels of N fertilizer application to achieve the optimal growth, which causes environmental degradation. Bacterial endophytes, which live inside plant tissues, play a key role in the health and productivity of their host. This particular community may be influenced by different agronomical practices. The aim of the work was to evaluate the effects of N fertilization on the structure, diversity, abundance, and composition of endophytic and diazotrophic bacterial community associated with field-grown sweet sorghum. PCR-DGGE, quantitative PCR, and high-throughput sequencing were performed based on the amplification ofrrsandnifHgenes. The level of N fertilization affected the structure and abundance but not the diversity of the endophytic bacterial communities associated with sweet sorghum plants. This effect was pronounced in the roots of both bacterial communities analyzed and may depend on the physiological state of the plants. Specific bacterial classes and genera increased or decreased when the fertilizer was applied. The data obtained here contribute to a better understanding on the effects of agronomical practices on the microbiota associated with this important crop, with the aim to improve its sustainability.
Preparation of Imazethapyr Surface Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Its Selective Recognition of Imazethapyr in Soil Samples
Authors: Zhou Yanqiang , Yang Yinhui , Ma Meihua , Sun Zhian , Wu Shanshan , Gong Bolin
Published: September 2018

A novel strategy based on imazethapyr (IM) molecular-imprinting polymers (MIPs) grafted onto the surface of chloromethylation polystyrene resin via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) for specific recognition and sensitive determination of trace imazethapyr in soil samples was developed. The SI-ATRP was performed by using methanol-water (4 : 1, v/v) as the solvent, acrylamide as the functional monomer, trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TRIM) as the cross-linker, imazethapyr as the template, and CuBr/2,2′-bipyridine as the catalyst. The resulting MIPs were characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Then, the binding selectivity, adsorption capacity, and reusability of the MIPs were evaluated. The results indicated that the prepared MIPs exhibited specific recognition and high selectivity for imazethapyr. The MIPs were further used as solid-phase extraction (SPE) materials coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for selective extraction and detection of trace imazethapyr from soil samples. The results showed that good linearity was observed in the range of 0.10–5.00 μg/mL, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9995. The limit of detection (LOD) of this method was 15 ng/g, and the extraction recoveries of imazethapyr from real samples were in the range of 91.1–97.5%, which proved applicable for analysis of trace imazethapyr in soils. This work proposed a sensitive, rapid, and convenient approach for determination of trace imazethapyr in soil samples.
Potential of Maintaining a Healthy Vaginal Environment by TwoLactobacillusStrains Isolated from Cocoa Fermentation
Authors: Melgaço Ana Clara Correia , Blohem Pessoa Wallace Felipe , Freire Herbert Pina , Evangelista de Almeida Milena , Santos Barbosa Maysa , Passos Rezende Rachel , Timenetsky Jorge , Miranda Marques Lucas , Romano Carla Cristina
Published: September 2018

Bacteria in the generaMycoplasmaandUreaplasmado not have cell walls and therefore interact with host cells through lipid-associated membrane proteins (LAMP). These lipoproteins are important for both surface adhesion and modulation of host immune responses.MycoplasmaandUreaplasmahave been implicated in cases of bacterial vaginosis (BV), which can cause infertility, abortion, and premature delivery. In contrast, bacteria of the genusLactobacillus, which are present in the vaginal microbiota of healthy women, are thought to inhibit local colonization by pathogenic microorganisms. The aim of the present study was to evaluate thein vitrointeractions between lipoproteins ofMycoplasmaandUreaplasmaspecies and vaginal lineage (HMVII) cells and to study the effect ofLactobacillusisolates from cocoa fermentation on these interactions. The testedLactobacillusstrains showed some important probiotic characteristics, with autoaggregation percentages of 28.55% and 31.82% forL. fermentumFA4 andL. plantarumPA3 strains, respectively, and percent adhesion values of 31.66 and 41.65%, respectively. The two strains were hydrophobic, with moderate to high hydrophobicity values, 65.33% and 71.12% forL. fermentumFA4 andL. plantarumPA3 in toluene. Both strains secreted acids into the culture medium with pH=4.32 and pH=4.33, respectively, and showed antibiotics susceptibility profiles similar to those of other lactobacilli. The strains were also able to inhibit the death of vaginal epithelial cells after incubation withU. parvumLAMP from 41.03% to 2.43% (L. fermentumFA4) and 0.43% (L. plantarumPA3) and also managed to significantly decrease the rate of cell death caused by the interaction with LAMP ofM. hominisfrom 34.29% to 14.06% (L. fermentumFA4) and 14.61% (L. plantarumPA3), thus demonstrating their potential for maintaining a healthy vaginal environment.
Optimal Adjustment Schemes on the Long Through-Type Bus Lines considering the Urban Rail Transit Network
Authors: Zhang Si-Jia , Jia Shun-Ping , Bai Yun , Mao Bao-Hua , Ma Cun-Rui , Zhang Tong
Published: September 2018

It is of great importance to optimize the schemes of long through-type bus lines to adapt to the urban rail transit network. Focusing on the long through-type bus lines close to metro stations, a bilevel programming model on the adjustment schemes of bus lines is proposed, taking the impacts of urban rail transit network into account. The upper level model aims at adjusting the setting decisions of stop stations and vehicle headways of bus lines to minimize the passenger travel cost and maximize the benefits of bus operators. The lower level model is a passenger flow assignment model based on Logit-SUE considering the crowding perception of passengers in bus vehicles. Moreover, the constraint of average load factor of the bus line sections is considered. Then the genetic algorithm is applied to solve the proposed model, and a numerical example is conducted to verify the effectiveness. Results show that the value of the objective function of the model is improved by 27.2%, in comparison with the original scheme. Even though the average travel cost of passengers increases slightly, the bus line operation cost and the imbalance degree of load factors are reduced by 46.1% and 18.6%, respectively. The sensitivity analyses show that it is better to divide the long through-type bus line into several separate bus lines with independent operation, respectively, under the condition of unbalanced passenger flow distribution. Meanwhile, the multiple bus lines are more adapted to the unbalanced passenger flow distribution when the weight of the benefits of the bus operators in the total objective function is bigger. Besides, the lower time value that the passengers perceive, the more passengers willing to take bus than metro trains. As the increment of the passenger time value, the combination of feeder bus lines and a longer bus line is better for passengers’ trip demand than the long through-type bus line.
Modelling of Running Performances: Comparisons of Power-Law, Hyperbolic, Logarithmic, and Exponential Models in Elite Endurance Runners
Authors: Vandewalle H.
Published: October 2018

Many empirical and descriptive models have been proposed since the beginning of the 20th century. In the present study, the power-law (Kennelly) and logarithmic (Péronnet-Thibault) models were compared with asymptotic models such as 2-parameter hyperbolic models (Hill and Scherrer), 3-parameter hyperbolic model (Morton), and exponential model (Hopkins). These empirical models were compared from the performance of 6 elite endurance runners (P. Nurmi, E. Zatopek, J. Väätäinen, L. Virén, S. Aouita, and H. Gebrselassie) who were world-record holders and/or Olympic winners and/or world or European champions. These elite runners were chosen because they participated several times in international competitions over a large range of distances (1500, 3000, 5000, and 10000 m) and three also participated in a marathon. The parameters of these models were compared and correlated. The less accurate models were the asymptotic 2-parameter hyperbolic models but the most accurate model was the asymptotic 3-parameter hyperbolic model proposed by Morton. The predictions of long-distance performances (maximal running speeds for 30 and 60 min and marathon) by extrapolation of the logarithmic and power-law models were more accurate than the predictions by extrapolation in all the asymptotic models. The overestimations of these long-distance performances by Morton’s model were less important than the overestimations by the other asymptotic models.