bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cumulative Antimicrobial Susceptibility Data from Intensive Care Units at One Institution: Should Data Be Combined?
Authors: Campigotto Aaron , Muller Matthew P. , Taggart Linda R. , Haj Reem , Leung Elizabeth , Nadarajah Jeya , Matukas Larissa M.
Published: January 2016

Cumulative susceptibility test data (CSTD) are used to guide empirical antimicrobial therapy and to track trends in antibiotic resistance. The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute recommends reporting CSTD at least annually and sets the minimum number of isolates per reported organism at 30. To comply, many hospitals combine data from multiple intensive care units (ICUs); however, this may not be appropriate to guide empirical therapy because of variations in patient populations. In this study, susceptibility data for two different ICUs at a tertiary care hospital in Toronto, Canada, were used to create a traditional CSTD report, which combined data from different ICUs, and a rolling-average CSTD report, which pooled 2 years of data for each ICU separately. For simplicity, data for only the most common Gram-negative organisms (
Escherichia coli
,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
) and the most relevant antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, piperacillin-tazobactam) were examined. With the rolling-average method, significant differences in susceptibility were seen between the ICUs in 50% of the organism-antimicrobial combinations. Furthermore, the 3% median year-over-year difference in susceptibilities seen for the 16 organism-antibiotic combinations by using the traditional method was lower than the 14% median difference seen for the 20 between-ICU within-year comparisons obtained using the rolling-average method. Changes in our selection of empirical antibiotics resulted from this revised approach, and our results suggest that pooling data from ICUs with different patient populations may not be appropriate. A rolling-average method may be an appropriate strategy for the creation of individual-unit CSTD reports.
An atypical case of dermatomyositis associated with chromophobe renal cell carcinoma
Authors: George Michael David , Lahouti Arash H , Christopher-Stine Lisa
Published: January 2016

Dermatomyositis and polymyositis are the major idiopathic inflammatory myopathies in adults. They are associated with an elevated risk of malignancy. However, renal tumours have rarely been described in dermatomyositis patients. We report the case of a 27-year-old Caucasian man with chromophobe renal cell cancer (ChRCC) and antinuclear matrix protein (NXP-2)-associated dermatomyositis. To the best of our knowledge, there are no previous reports of ChRCC presenting with dermatomyositis.
Is clinician refusal to treat an emerging problem in injury compensation systems?
Authors: Brijnath Bianca , Mazza Danielle , Kosny Agnieszka , Bunzli Samantha , Singh Nabita , Ruseckaite Rasa , Collie Alex
Published: January 2016

Objective

The reasons that doctors may refuse or be reluctant to treat have not been widely explored in the medical literature. To understand the ethical implications of reluctance to treat there is a need to recognise the constraints of doctors working in complex systems and to consider how these constraints may influence reluctance. The aim of this paper is to illustrate these constraints using the case of compensable injury in the Australian context.

Design

Between September and December 2012, a qualitative investigation involving face-to-face semistructured interviews examined the knowledge, attitudes and practices of general practitioners (GPs) facilitating return to work in people with compensable injuries.

Setting

Compensable injury management in general practice in Melbourne, Australia.

Participants

25 GPs who were treating, or had treated a patient with compensable injury.

Results

The practice of clinicians refusing treatment was described by all participants. While most GPs reported refusal to treat among their colleagues in primary and specialist care, many participants also described their own reluctance to treat people with compensable injuries. Reasons offered included time and financial burdens, in addition to the clinical complexities involved in compensable injury management.

Conclusions

In the case of compensable injury management, reluctance and refusal to treat is likely to have a domino effect by increasing the time and financial burden of clinically complex patients on the remaining clinicians. This may present a significant challenge to an effective, sustainable compensation system. Urgent research is needed to understand the extent and implications of reluctance and refusal to treat and to identify strategies to engage clinicians in treating people with compensable injuries.
Predicting admissions and time spent in hospital over a decade in a population-based record linkage study: the EPIC-Norfolk cohort
Authors: Luben Robert , Hayat Shabina , Wareham Nicolas , Khaw K T
Published: January 2016

Objective

To quantify hospital use in a general population over 10 years follow-up and to examine related factors in a general population-based cohort.

Design

A prospective population-based study of men and women.

Setting

Norfolk, UK.

Participants

11 228 men and 13 786 women aged 40–79 years in 1993–1997 followed between 1999 and 2009.

Main outcomes measures

Number of hospital admissions and total bed days for individuals over a 10-year follow-up period identified using record linkage; five categories for admissions (from zero to highest ≥7) and hospital bed days (from zero to highest ≥20 nights).

Results

Over a period of 10 years, 18 179 (72.7%) study participants had at least one admission to hospital, 13.8% with 7 or more admissions and 19.9% with 20 or more nights in hospital. In logistic regression models with outcome ≥7 admissions, low education level OR 1.14 (1.05 to 1.24), age OR per 10-year increase 1.75 (1.67 to 1.82), male sex OR 1.32 (1.22 to 1.42), manual social class 1.22 (1.13 to 1.32), current cigarette smoker OR 1.53 (1.37 to 1.71) and body mass index >30 kg/m² OR 1.41 (1.28 to 1.56) all independently predicted the outcome with p<0.0001. Results were similar for those with ≥20 hospital bed days. A risk score constructed using male sex, manual social class, no educational qualifications; current smoker and body mass index >30 kg/m², estimated percentages of the cohort in the categories of admission numbers and hospital bed days in stratified age bands with twofold to threefold differences in future hospital use between those with high-risk and low-risk scores.

Conclusions

The future probability of cumulative hospital admissions and bed days appears independently related to a range of simple demographic and behavioural indicators. The strongest of these is increasing age with high body mass index and smoking having similar magnitudes for predicting risk of future hospital usage.
How well are national guidelines relating to the general sales of aspirin and paracetamol, adhered to by retail stores: a mystery shopper study
Authors: Molloy Phillip , Chambers Ruth , Cork Tania
Published: January 2016

Objective

To determine whether non-pharmaceutical retail outlets are aboding to the current Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) national guidelines for over-the-counter (OTC) sales of aspirin and paracetamol.

Methods

Stages 1 and 2 of the study deployed eight and four medical students, respectively, to undertake a mystery shopper style investigation. Stage 1: eight medical students attempted to buy ≥96 tablets/capsules aspirin or paracetamol in one transaction in 62 shops. Stage 2: four medical students attempted to purchase 32 paracetamol 500 mg along with a ‘flu remedy preparation also containing paracetamol, in 54 shops.

Results

Stage 1 data revealed that 58% and 57% retailers sold more than the MHRA guidelines recommended for paracetamol and aspirin, respectively. We observed that 23% and 28% retailers were willing to sell ≥96 tablets of paracetamol or aspirin with no questions asked. Stage 2 results showed that 57% retailers sold 32×500 mg paracetamol in conjunction with a paracetamol-containing ‘flu preparation; while 98% shops sold 16×paracetamol 500 mg along with a paracetamol-containing ‘flu remedy, with no questions asked of the shopper or advice given.

Discussion

MHRA national guidelines for OTC medicines sales appear to be poorly adhered to in non-pharmacy shops. Sales of aspirin and paracetamol OTC must be better regulated in the UK to ultimately reduce morbidity and mortality rates of deliberate and accidental overdoses.
Suicide in Canada: impact of injuries with undetermined intent on regional rankings
Authors: Auger Nathalie , Burrows Stephanie , Gamache Philippe , Hamel Denis
Published: January 2016

The impact of underreporting or misclassifying suicides as injuries with undetermined intent is rarely evaluated. We assessed whether undetermined injury deaths influenced provincial rankings of suicide in Canada, using 2 735 152 Canadians followed for mortality from 1991 to 2001. We found that suicide rates increased by up to 26.5% for men and 37.7% for women after including injuries with undetermined intent, shifting provincial rankings of suicide. Attention to the stigma of suicide and to coding suicides as injuries with undetermined intent is merited for surveillance and prevention.
Second‐year student diary
Authors: Perrett Rosie
Published: January 2016

Having eaten turkey well into the New Year, Rosie Perrett is now starting to think about her dissertation.
Melanism and ontogeny: a case study in lizards of the Liolaemus fitzingerii group (Squamata: Liolaemini)
Authors: Escudero P.C. , Minoli I. , González Marín M.A. , Morando M. , Avila L.J.
Published: January 2016

Color polymorphisms in general and melanism in particular have been the focus of many evolutionary adaptation studies. In lizards of the genus Liolaemus Wiegmann, 1834, patterns of melanism have been poorly studied, although they have been used as diagnostic characters for identifying and describing new species. We investigated the relationships between melanism, body size, sex, and time in a population of Rawson Lizard (Liolaemus xanthoviridis Cei and Scolaro, 1980) with extensive ventral melanism. The study took place in Bahía Isla Escondida, Chubut (Argentina), during three summer seasons (2012 to 2014). We tagged each individual, recorded body measurements and sex, and took ventral photographs to estimate the proportion of melanism. Our results showed that ventral melanism increased over time as each individual increased its snout–vent length (SVL). Body size explained 44% of the variation in melanism and males were more melanistic than females. Previous comparative studies of lizards in this species group showed no relationship between melanism and different taxonomic units or with thermal functionality. Here, we present evidence suggesting that melanism might be a character with an ontogenetic origin that is strongly associated with sex and body size. This pattern could be shared among species of this group of lizards, and even more importantly, it may be related to variable selection forces occurring throughout ontogeny.
Processes and pathways of ciguatoxin in aquatic food webs and fish poisoning of seafood consumers
Authors: Yang Zhiyi , Luo Qian , Liang Yan , Mazumder Asit
Published: January 2016

Ciguatera food poisoning (CFP) is widespread in tropical and sub-tropical waters, and it is the most common food poisoning caused by marine biotoxins. The toxins involved, ciguatoxins, are produced by certain dinoflagellates of the genus Gambierdiscus, and undergo biotransfer and biomagnification up the food web to planktivorous and ultimately, top predator fishes. In this paper, we reviewed the factors and processes that regulate the production of ciguatoxins, the ecological distribution and the pathways of their biotransfer, and fish consumption guidelines to prevent ciguatera-related food poisoning. Warm waters are commonly suggested as the most important factor that enhances toxic algal blooms and ciguatoxin production. Ecological distribution of ciguatoxic fish shows great regional specificity. In most endemic areas, carnivores such as groupers and other large fish have higher toxicity than their herbivorous and smaller counterparts, supporting the food chain hypothesis proposed by J.E. Randall (J.E. Randall, Bull. Mar. Sci. 8(3): 236–267, 1958); while in other areas, for example, French Polynesia, the opposite situations also exist, questioning the biomagnification hypothesis. Some countries and regions have taken measurements to prevent ciguatera poisoning through consumption guidelines. In this review, we look at some of the measures that could be used to prevent poisoning, while encouraging people to consume fish. For example, choosing smaller and lower trophic level fish are likely to be safer to consume. We suggest an approach to maintain better databases on ciguatera cases to instruct people on fish consumption safety, and develop a general guideline for fish consumption to reduce CFP.
Vacuum polarization and particle creation in the presence of a potential step
Authors: Gavrilov S. P. , Gitman D. M.
Published: January 2016

We consider QED with strong external backgrounds that are concentrated in restricted space areas. The latter backgrounds represent a kind of spatial x-electric potential steps for charged particles. They can create particles from the vacuum, the Klein paradox being closely related to this process. We describe a canonical quantization of the Dirac field with x-electric potential step in terms of adequate in- and out-creation and annihilation operators that allow one to have consistent particle interpretation of the physical system under consideration and develop a nonperturbative (in the external field) technics to calculate scattering, reflection, and electron-positron pair creation. We resume the physical impact of this development.
Investigation of the magnetoresistivity in compositional superlattices under the influence of an intense electromagnetic wave
Authors: Hoi Bui Dinh , Bau Nguyen Quang , Nam Nguyen Dinh
Published: January 2016

The magnetoresistivity (MR) is theoretically calculated in a compositional semiconductor superlattice (CSSL), subjected to a crossed DC electric field and magnetic field, in the presence of an intense electromagnetic wave (EMW). The magnetic field is oriented along the growth direction of the CSSL and the electron–acoustic phonon interaction is taken into account at low temperature. Numerical results for the GaN/AlGaN CSSL show the Shubnikov–de Haas (SdH) oscillations in the MR whose period does not depend on the temperature and amplitude decreases with increasing temperature. The temperature dependence of the relative amplitude of these oscillations is in good agreement with other theories and experiments in some two-dimensional (2D) electron systems. The influence of the EMW as well as superlattice structure on the MR is discussed and compared with available theoretical and experimental results.
On the vibration of double-walled carbon nanotubes using molecular structural and cylindrical shell models
Authors: Ansari R. , Rouhi S. , Aryayi M.
Published: January 2016

The vibrational behavior of double-walled carbon nanotubes is studied by the use of the molecular structural and cylindrical shell models. The spring elements are employed to model the van der Waals interaction. The effects of different parameters such as geometry, chirality, atomic structure and end constraint on the vibration of nanotubes are investigated. Besides, the results of two aforementioned approaches are compared. It is indicated that by increasing the nanotube side length and radius, the computationally efficient cylindrical shell model gives rational results.
Entropy, energy and temperature–length inequality for Friedmann universes
Authors: Viaggiu Stefano
Published: January 2016

In this paper, we continue the study of the physical consequences of our modified black hole entropy formula in expanding spacetimes. In particular, we apply the new formula to apparent horizons of Friedmann expanding universes with zero, negative and positive spatial curvature. As a first result, we found that apart from the static Einstein solution, the only Friedmann spacetimes with constant (zero) internal energy are the ones with zero spatial curvature. This happens because, in the computation of the internal energy [Formula: see text], the contribution due to the nonvanishing Hubble flow must be added to the usual Misner–Sharp energy giving, for zero curvature spacetimes, a zero value for [Formula: see text]. This fact does not hold when curvature is present. After analyzing the free energy [Formula: see text], we obtain the correct result that [Formula: see text] is stationary only for physical systems in isothermal equilibrium, i.e. a de Sitter expanding universe. This result permits us to trace back a physically reasonable hypothesis concerning the origin of the early and late times de Sitter phase of our universe. Finally, we deduce an interesting temperature–length inequality similar to the time–energy uncertainty of ordinary quantum mechanics but with temperature instead of time coordinate. Remarkably, this relation is independent of the gravitational constant [Formula: see text] and can thus be explored also in nongravitational contexts.
The effects of external electric fields of 900 MHz and 2450 MHz frequencies onαβ-tubulin dimer stabilized by paclitaxel: Molecular dynamics approach
Authors: Setayandeh S. S. , Lohrasebi A.
Published: January 2016

Using molecular dynamics simulation method, the effects of external electric fields of 900[Formula: see text]MHz and 2450 frequencies on [Formula: see text]-tubulin dimer stabilized by paclitaxel, have been modeled. Due to this purpose, two systems, (A) [Formula: see text]-tubulin dimer and (B) [Formula: see text]-tubulin dimer stabilized by paclitaxel, were exposed to an external electric field of 0.01[Formula: see text]V/nm with frequency values of 900[Formula: see text]MHz and 2450[Formula: see text]MHz. It was found that application of these fields, which are in the range of cell phone and microwave frequencies, increased the flexibility of each system. Since paclitaxel, as chemotherapy drug, is used to increase the rigidity of dimer, application of such fields may disturb the effect of paclitaxel on the dimer. Consequently, negative side effects on the chemotherapy process may be observed.
Evidence of glacial activity during the Oldest Dryas in the mountains of Spain
Authors: Palacios David , de Andrés Nuria , Gómez-Ortiz Antonio , García-Ruiz José M.
Published: January 2016

In this review, recently published results of cosmogenic dating of moraine boulders, rock glaciers and glacially-polished surfaces in various mountain massifs (the Sierra Nevada, the Central Range, the Pyrenees and the Northwestern Mountains) of the Iberian Peninsula were analysed to assess the importance of the glacial advance and subsequent retreat that occurred during the Oldest Dryas, between 17.5 and 14.5 ka. The glaciers, which had almost disappeared at the beginning of this period (approximately 17.5 ka), returned to fill the valley floors at approximately 16.8–16.5 ka, depositing moraines close to the moraines generated during the Last Glacial Maximum advance. Following this intense and short advance, the glaciers began to retreat, although this was frequently interrupted by glacial readvance episodes, with the last occurring at approximately 15.5 ka. Subsequently, the retreat was generalized, so that 1 ka later the glaciers were restricted to the cirque areas, and never again advanced. During this recession, the activity of many of the deglaciated cirque walls triggered frequent rockfalls, transforming the retreating degraded glaciers into rock glaciers; their fronts had become inactive by approximately 14 ka, although in many cases their roots conserved the internal ice until well into the Holocene. The glacial fluctuations, and the landforms and deposits consequently derived from them, are very similar to those described for other Mediterranean and European mountain ranges, especially the Alps. We conclude that the climate changes associated with the Oldest Dryas, had important impacts on mountain landscapes throughout the continent.
Pleistocene plateau ice fields in the High Atlas, Morocco
Authors: Hannah George , Hughes Philip D. , Gibbard Philip L.
Published: January 2016

Large ice fields (>25 km
2
) formed over the Tazaghart and Iouzagner plateaus of the High Atlas, Morocco during the Late Pleistocene. The plateau ice fields were drained by large valley glaciers forming a series of moraine assemblages. Four moraine units have been mapped and subdivided on the basis of their morphostratigraphy and the degree of soil weathering. Soil profile development index values indicate that the moraine units are widely separated in time; the oldest moraines are deeply weathered and degraded, whereas soils are absent on the youngest moraines. The highest moraine unit was formed by a small niche glacier that was present as recently as the mid-twentieth century. The Pleistocene glaciers are likely to have been associated with wetter conditions than today and colder air temperatures. Combined with ice in neighbouring areas, such as the Toubkal massif, the SW High Atlas supported some of the largest glaciers in Africa during the Pleistocene. The extent of glaciation, with ice exploiting and breaching drainage divides, has major implications for landscape development. The evolution of the High Atlas has been strongly shaped by glaciation that was closely intertwined with tectonic, fluvial and slope processes.
Association between Self-Reported Habitual Snoring and Diabetes Mellitus: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Xiong Xiaolu , Zhong Anyuan , Xu Huajun , Wang Chun
Published: January 2016

Aim. Several studies have reported an association between self-reported habitual snoring and diabetes mellitus (DM); however, the results are inconsistent.Methods. Electronic databases including PubMed and EMBASE were searched. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of the association between snoring and DM using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity, subgroup, and sensitivity analyses were also evaluated. Begg’s, Egger’s tests and funnel plots were used to evaluate publication bias.Results. A total of eight studies (six cross sectional and two prospective cohort studies) pooling 101,246 participants were included. Of the six cross sectional studies, the summary OR and 95% CI of DM in individuals that snore compared with nonsnorers were 1.37 (95% CI: 1.20–1.57,p<0.001). There was no heterogeneity across the included studies (I2=2.9%,p=0.408). When stratified by gender, the pooled OR (95% CI) was 1.59 (1.20–2.11) in females (n=12298), and 0.89 (0.65–1.22) in males (n=4276). Of the two prospective studies, the pooled RR was 1.65 (95% CI, 1.30–2.08).Conclusions. Self-reported habitual snoring is statistically associated with DM in females, but not in males. This meta-analysis indicates a need to paying attention to the effect of snoring on the occurrence of DM in females.
Application of Metamodels to Identification of Metallic Materials Models
Authors: Pietrzyk Maciej , Kusiak Jan , Szeliga Danuta , Rauch Łukasz , Sztangret Łukasz , Górecki Grzegorz
Published: January 2016

Improvement of the efficiency of the inverse analysis (IA) for various material tests was the objective of the paper. Flow stress models and microstructure evolution models of various complexity of mathematical formulation were considered. Different types of experiments were performed and the results were used for the identification of models. Sensitivity analysis was performed for all the models and the importance of parameters in these models was evaluated. Metamodels based on artificial neural network were proposed to simulate experiments in the inverse solution. Performed analysis has shown that significant decrease of the computing times could be achieved when metamodels substitute finite element model in the inverse analysis, which is the case in the identification of flow stress models. Application of metamodels gave good results for flow stress models based on closed form equations accounting for an influence of temperature, strain, and strain rate (4 coefficients) and additionally for softening due to recrystallization (5 coefficients) and for softening and saturation (7 coefficients). Good accuracy and high efficiency of the IA were confirmed. On the contrary, identification of microstructure evolution models, including phase transformation models, did not give noticeable reduction of the computing time.
Protective Effects of Carvacrol against Oxidative Stress Induced by Chronic Stress in Rat’s Brain, Liver, and Kidney
Authors: Samarghandian Saeed , Farkhondeh Tahereh , Samini Fariborz , Borji Abasalt
Published: January 2016

Restraint stress may be associated with elevated free radicals, and thus, chronic exposure to oxidative stress may cause tissue damage. Several studies have reported that carvacrol (CAR) has a protective effect against oxidative stress. The present study was designed to investigate the protective effects of CAR on restraint stress induced oxidative stress damage in the brain, liver, and kidney. For chronic restraint stress, rats were kept in the restrainers for 6 h every day, for 21 consecutive days. The animals received systemic administrations of CAR daily for 21 days. To evaluate the changes of the oxidative stress parameters following restraint stress, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), and catalase (CAT) activities were measured in the brain, liver, and kidney. In the stressed animals that received vehicle, the MDA level was significantly higher (P<0.001) and the levels of GSH and antioxidant enzymes were significantly lower than the nonstressed animals (P<0.001). CAR ameliorated the changes in the stressed animals as compared with the control group (P<0.001). This study indicates that CAR can prevent restraint stress induced oxidative damage.
Implementing Smart Factory of Industrie 4.0: An Outlook
Authors: Wang Shiyong , Wan Jiafu , Li Di , Zhang Chunhua
Published: January 2016

With the application of Internet of Things and services to manufacturing, the fourth stage of industrialization, referred to as Industrie 4.0, is believed to be approaching. For Industrie 4.0 to come true, it is essential to implement the horizontal integration of inter-corporation value network, the end-to-end integration of engineering value chain, and the vertical integration of factory inside. In this paper, we focus on the vertical integration to implement flexible and reconfigurable smart factory. We first propose a brief framework that incorporates industrial wireless networks, cloud, and fixed or mobile terminals with smart artifacts such as machines, products, and conveyors. Then, we elaborate the operational mechanism from the perspective of control engineering, that is, the smart artifacts form a self-organized system which is assisted with the feedback and coordination blocks that are implemented on the cloud and based on the big data analytics. In addition, we outline the main technical features and beneficial outcomes and present a detailed design scheme. We conclude that the smart factory of Industrie 4.0 is achievable by extensively applying the existing enabling technologies while actively coping with the technical challenges.
Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Apple Extract and Its Antibacterial Properties
Authors: Ali Zainal Abidin , Yahya Rosiyah , Sekaran Shamala Devi , Puteh R.
Published: January 2016

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using apple extract as a reducing agent and aqueous silver nitrate as the precursor. The AgNPs formation was observed as a color change of the mixture from colorless to dark-brownish. The X-ray diffraction pattern confirmed the presence of only Ag crystallites, and the dynamic light scattering estimates the average sizes of the AgNPs to be 30.25 ± 5.26 nm. Furthermore, Fourier Transform Infrared as well as UV-vis spectroscopy identifies ethylene groups as the reducing agent and capping agent for the formation of the AgNPs. This green synthesis provides an economic, eco-friendly, and clean synthesis route to AgNPs. AgNPs in suspension showed activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria with minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) to be in the range from 125 μg/mL to 1000 μg/mL.
Research on Evolutionary Mechanism of Agile Supply Chain Network via Complex Network Theory
Authors: Xu Nai-Ru , Liu Jia-Bao , Li De-Xun , Wang Jun
Published: January 2016

The paper establishes the evolutionary mechanism model of agile supply chain network by means of complex network theory which can be used to describe the growth process of the agile supply chain network and analyze the complexity of the agile supply chain network. After introducing the process and the suitability of taking complex network theory into supply chain network research, the paper applies complex network theory into the agile supply chain network research, analyzes the complexity of agile supply chain network, presents the evolutionary mechanism of agile supply chain network based on complex network theory, and uses Matlab to simulate degree distribution, average path length, clustering coefficient, and node betweenness. Simulation results show that the evolution result displays the scale-free property. It lays the foundations of further research on agile supply chain network based on complex network theory.
Aerobic Exercise and Pharmacological Therapies for Skeletal Myopathy in Heart Failure: Similarities and Differences
Authors: Bacurau Aline V. , Cunha Telma F. , Souza Rodrigo W. , Voltarelli Vanessa A. , Gabriel-Costa Daniele , Brum Patricia C.
Published: January 2016

Skeletal myopathy has been identified as a major comorbidity of heart failure (HF) affecting up to 20% of ambulatory patients leading to shortness of breath, early fatigue, and exercise intolerance. Neurohumoral blockade, through the inhibition of renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAS) and β‐adrenergic receptor blockade (β‐blockers), is a mandatory pharmacological therapy of HF since it reduces symptoms, mortality, and sudden death. However, the effect of these drugs on skeletal myopathy needs to be clarified, since exercise intolerance remains in HF patients optimized with β‐blockers and inhibitors of RAS. Aerobic exercise training (AET) is efficient in counteracting skeletal myopathy and in improving functional capacity and quality of life. Indeed, AET has beneficial effects on failing heart itself despite being of less magnitude compared with neurohumoral blockade. In this way, AET should be implemented in the care standards, together with pharmacological therapies. Since both neurohumoral inhibition and AET have a direct and/or indirect impact on skeletal muscle, this review aims to provide an overview of the isolated effects of these therapeutic approaches in counteracting skeletal myopathy in HF. The similarities and dissimilarities of neurohumoral inhibition and AET therapies are also discussed to identify potential advantageous effects of these combined therapies for treating HF.
Skin Antiageing and Systemic Redox Effects of Supplementation with Marine Collagen Peptides and Plant‐Derived Antioxidants: A Single‐Blind Case‐Control Clinical Study
Authors: De Luca Chiara , Mikhal’chik Elena V. , Suprun Maxim V. , Papacharalambous Michael , Truhanov Arseniy I. , Korkina Liudmila G.
Published: January 2016

Recently, development and research of nutraceuticals based on marine collagen peptides (MCPs) have been growing due to their high homology with human collagens, safety, bioavailability through gut, and numerous bioactivities. The major concern regarding safety of MCPs intake relates to increased risk of oxidative stress connected with collagen synthesis (likewise in fibrosis) and to ROS production by MCPs‐stimulated phagocytes. In this clinical‐laboratory study, fish skin MCPs combined with plant‐derived skin‐targeting antioxidants (AO) (coenzyme Q10 + grape‐skin extract + luteolin + selenium) were administered to volunteers (n = 41). Skin properties (moisture, elasticity, sebum production, and biological age) and ultrasonic markers (epidermal/dermal thickness and acoustic density) were measured thrice (2 months before treatment and before and after cessation of 2‐month oral intake). The supplementation remarkably improved skin elasticity, sebum production, and dermal ultrasonic markers. Metabolic data showed significant increase of plasma hydroxyproline and ATP storage in erythrocytes. Redox parameters, GSH/coenzyme Q10 content, and GPx/GST activities were unchanged, while NO and MDA were moderately increased within, however, normal range of values. Conclusions. A combination of MCPs with skin‐targeting AOs could be effective and safe supplement to improve skin properties without risk of oxidative damage.
Optimal Choices for the E-Tailer with Inventory Rationing, Hybrid Channel Strategies, and Service Level Constraint under Multiperiod Environments
Authors: Cheng Yuepeng , Li Bo , Jiang Yushan
Published: January 2016

This paper investigates optimal choices for the e-tailer with inventory rationing, hybrid channel strategies, and service level constraint under multiperiod environment. Based on different operational conditions, five mathematical models are proposed for the e-tailer who faces two types of fuzzy demand and a framework is designed to illustrate the e-tailer’s operation in different models. This paper presents the advantages of inventory rationing and hybrid channel strategies and analyzes the influences of channel differences variability on optimal choices for the e-tailer, where the channel differences include margin difference of priority and margin difference of channel. Through computer simulation, the optimal choices for the e-tailer under different multiperiod environments are obtained, and the influences of margin difference of priority and margin difference of channel on the e-tailer’s optimal choices are also examined. Experiment results show that the pure-play drop shipping model and the hybrid channel with inventory rationing model are the optimal choices for the e-tailer; these findings have valuable guiding significance for the e-tailer to make optimal tactical decisions under multiperiod environment.
Nutritional Value and Utilization of Yams (Dioscorea steriscus) by Residents of Bindura Town High Density Suburbs, Zimbabwe
Authors: Washaya S. , Mupangwa J. F. , Muranda E.
Published: January 2016

The objective of this study was to assess utilization levels, availability, nutritional value, and magnitude of sales by vendors ofDioscorea steriscusby residents of Bindura. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select respondents. Data were subjected to Chi-square, logistic regression, and correlation to determine the effects of demographic determinants on utilization ofD. steriscus. Questionnaires were used to collect data. Results show that education status and period of stay significantly affect the consumption ofD. steriscus(P<0.05). It was also observed that consumption is frequent between lunch and supper (47%) compared to breakfast.D. steriscushas high iron (6.8%), ash (2.06%), and CF (16.8%) contents but it is low in protein (0.83%). Irrespective of gender of respondent, suburb of residence, size of family, period of stay, education level, employment status, and source of income, respondents will growD. steriscusfor use as food supplement (odds ratio = 0.475). The period of stay (r=0.08) and education level (r=0.08) positively affect the growing ofD. steriscus.D. steriscuscan be used as source of energy and can also be used possibly for medicinal purposes. Further study is required on possibility of phytochemicals and cytotoxic components to justify its use.
Ethylene-Octene Copolymers/Organoclay Nanocomposites: Preparation and Properties
Authors: Tesarikova Alice , Merinska Dagmar , Kalous Jiri , Svoboda Petr
Published: January 2016

Two ethylene-octene copolymers with 17 and 45 wt.% of octene (EOC-17 and EOC-45) were compared in nanocomposites with Cloisite 93A. EOC-45 nanocomposites have a higher elongation at break. Dynamical mechanical analysis (DMA) showed a decrease oftan⁡δwith frequency for EOC-17 nanocomposites, but decrease is followed by an increase for EOC-45 nanocomposites; DMA showed also increased modulus for all nanocomposites compared to pure copolymers over a wide temperature range. Barrier properties were improved about 100% by addition of organoclay; they were better for EOC-17 nanocomposites due to higher crystallinity. X-ray diffraction (XRD) together with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed some intercalation for EOC-17 but much better dispersion for EOC-45 nanocomposites. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed increased crystallization temperatureTcfor EOC-17 nanocomposite (aggregates acted as nucleation agents) but decreaseTcfor EOC-45 nanocomposite together with greatly influenced melting peak. Accelerated UV aging showed smaller C=O peak for EOC-45 nanocomposites.
Numbers of Beauty: An Innovative Aesthetic Analysis for Orthognathic Surgery Treatment Planning
Authors: Marianetti Tito Matteo , Gasparini Giulio , Midulla Giulia , Grippaudo Cristina , Deli Roberto , Cervelli Daniele , Pelo Sandro , Moro Alessandro
Published: January 2016

The aim of this study was to validate a new aesthetic analysis and establish the sagittal position of the maxilla on an ideal group of reference. We want to demonstrate the usefulness of these findings in the treatment planning of patients undergoing orthognathic surgery. We took a reference group of 81 Italian women participating in a national beauty contest in 2011 on which we performed Arnett’s soft tissues cephalometric analysis and our new “Vertical Planning Line” analysis. We used the ideal values to elaborate the surgical treatment planning of a second group of 60 consecutive female patients affected by skeletal class III malocclusion. Finally we compared both pre- and postoperative pictures with the reference values of the ideal group. The ideal group of reference does not perfectly fit in Arnett’s proposed norms. From the descriptive statistical comparison of the patients’ values before and after orthognathic surgery with the reference values we observed how all parameters considered got closer to the ideal population. We consider our “Vertical Planning Line” a useful help for orthodontist and surgeon in the treatment planning of patients with skeletal malocclusions, in combination with the clinical facial examination and the classical cephalometric analysis of bone structures.
Analytical Investigation for In Situ Stress Measurement with Rheological Stress Recovery Method and Its Application
Authors: Liu Quansheng , Jiang Jingdong , Zhang Chengyuan , Zhu Yuanguang
Published: January 2016

In situ stress is one of the most important parameters in underground engineering. Due to the difficulty and weakness of current stress measurement methods in deep soft rock, a new one, rheological stress recovery (RSR) method, to determine three-dimensional stress tensor is developed. It is supposed that rock stresses will recover gradually with time and can be measured by embedding transducers into the borehole. In order to explore the relationship between the measured recovery stress and the initial stress, analytical solutions are developed for the stress measurement process with RSR method in a viscoelastic surrounding rock. The results showed that the measured recovery stress would be more close to the initial stress if the rock mass has a better rheological property, and the property of grouting material should be close to that of rock mass. Then, the RSR method, as well as overcoring technique, was carried out to measure the in situ stresses in Pingdingshan Number 1 coal mines in Henan Province, China. The stress measurement results are basically in the same order, and the major principal stresses are approximately in the direction of NW-SE, which correlates well with the stress regime of Pingdingshan zone known from the tectonic movement history.
Prenatal Ultrasound Diagnosis of a Cyst of the Oral Cavity: An Unusual Case of Thyroglossal Duct Cyst Located on the Tongue Base
Authors: Rodríguez Tárrega E. , Fuster Rojas S. , Gómez Portero R. , Roig Boronat S. , Pérez Martínez G. , Zamora Prado J. , Perales Marín A.
Published: January 2016

We describe a case of a lingual thyroglossal duct cyst diagnosed prenatally by ultrasound at 26 weeks of gestation. The follow-up ultrasound scans revealed no changes in the cyst measurement. Surgical treatment was performed without any complication 72 hours after delivery with good results.
Assessment of Serum Concentrations of Ghrelin, Obestatin, Omentin-1, and Apelin in Children with Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Polkowska Agnieszka , Szczepaniak Izabela , Bossowski Artur
Published: January 2016

The increasing knowledge on the functions of gastric peptides and adipokines in the body allows the assumption of their major role linking the process of food intake, nutritional status, and body growth, largely through the regulation of glucose metabolism and insulin resistance. The aim of the study was the assessment of serum levels of selected gastric peptides and adipocytokines in children with type 1 diabetes, with respect to the disease duration. The study involved 80 children aged 4–18 years (M/F -37/43). Children with type 1 diabetes (n=46) were compared to the control group (n=34). The study group was divided into 4 subgroups: (I) patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes, after an episode of ketoacidosis (n=10), (II) patients with type 1 diabetes of duration no longer than 5 years (n=9), (III) patients with 5 to 10 years of DT1 (n=20), and (IV) patients with type 1 diabetes of duration longer than 10 years (n=7). The concentrations of gastric peptide and adipocytokines across all subgroups were lower than in the control group. The differences were statistically significant (p<0.0001), which may be of importance in the development of the disease complications.
The Majority of Expedited Investigational New Drug Safety Reports Are Uninformative
Authors: Jarow Jonathan P. , Casak Sandra , Chuk Meredith , Ehrlich Lori A. , Khozin Sean
Published: January 2016

Sponsors of human drug and biologic products subject to an investigational new drug (IND) application are required to distribute expedited safety reports of serious and unexpected suspected adverse reactions to participating investigators and the FDA to assure the protection of human subjects participating in clinical trials. On September 29, 2010, the FDA issued a final rule amending its regulations governing expedited IND safety reporting requirements that revised the definitions used for reporting and clarified when to submit relevant and useful information to reduce the number of uninformative reports distributed by sponsors. From January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2014, the FDA's Office of Hematology and Oncology Products received an average of 17,686 expedited safety reports per year. An analysis of FDA submissions by commercial sponsors covering this time period suggested a slight increase in the number of expedited safety reports per IND per year after publication of the final rule. An audit of 160 randomly selected expedited safety reports submitted to the FDA's Office of Hematology and Oncology Products in 2015 revealed that only 22 (14%) were informative. The submission of uninformative expedited safety reports by commercial sponsors of INDs continues to be a significant problem that can compromise detection of valid safety signals. Clin Cancer Res; 22(9); 2111–3. ©2016 AACR.
Inflammatory Marker Testing Identifies CD74 Expression in Melanoma Tumor Cells, and Its Expression Associates with Favorable Survival for Stage III Melanoma
Authors: Ekmekcioglu Suhendan , Davies Michael A. , Tanese Keiji , Roszik Jason , Shin-Sim Myung , Bassett Roland L. , Milton Denái R. , Woodman Scott E. , Prieto Victor G. , Gershenwald Jeffrey E. , Morton Donald L. , Hoon Dave S. , Grimm Elizabeth A.
Published: January 2016

Purpose: Inflammatory marker expression in stage III melanoma tumors was evaluated for association with outcome, using two independent cohorts of stage III melanoma patients' tumor tissues.

Experimental Design: Fifteen markers of interest were selected for analysis, and their expression in melanoma tissues was determined by immunohistochemistry. Proteins associating with either overall survival (OS) or recurrence-free survival (RFS) in the retrospective discovery tissue microarray (TMA; n = 158) were subsequently evaluated in an independent validation TMA (n = 114). Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess the association between survival parameters and covariates, the Kaplan–Meier method to estimate the distribution of survival, and the log-rank test to compare distributions.

Results: Expression of CD74 on melanoma cells was unique, and in the discovery TMA, it associated with favorable patient outcome (OS: HR, 0.53; P = 0.01 and RFS: HR, 0.56; P = 0.01). The validation data set confirmed the CD74 prognostic significance and revealed that the absence of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was also associated with poor survival parameters. Consistent with the protein observation, tumor CD74 mRNA expression also correlated positively (P = 0.003) with OS in the melanoma TCGA data set.

Conclusions: Our data validate CD74 as a useful prognostic tumor cell protein marker associated with favorable RFS and OS in stage III melanoma. Low or negative expression of MIF in both TMAs and of iNOS in the validation set also provided useful prognostic data. A disease-specific investigation of CD74's functional significance is warranted, and other markers appear intriguing to pursue. Clin Cancer Res; 22(12); 3016–24. ©2016 AACR.
1,2,3-Triazole-Dithiocarbamate Hybrids, a Group of Novel Cell Active SIRT1 Inhibitors
Authors: Zheng Yi-Chao , Wang Long-Zhen , Zhao Li-Jie , Zhao Li-Juan , Zhan Qian-Na , Ma Jin-Lian , Zhang Bin , Wang Meng-Meng , Wang Zhi-Ru , Li Jin-Feng , Liu Ying , Chen Zhe-Sheng , Shen Dan-Dan , Liu Xue-Qi , Ren Meng , Lv Wen-Lei , Zhao Wen , Duan Ying-Chao , Liu Hong-Min
Published: January 2016

Background/Aims: Human SIRT1 is reported to be involved in tumorgenesis, mainly due to its modulating effect on p53 by deacetylation on lysine382. A large quantity of SIRT1 inhibitors was applied in chemotherapeutic study, but few of them were applied into clinical trials. Methods and Results: In the current study, a novel series of compounds with 1,4-bispiperazinecarbodithioic acid methyl esters scaffold were characterized to have inhibitory potency to SIRT1 by molecular docking and biochemical evaluation. Further cell level study revealed that one of the most potent SIRT1 inhibitors, compound 3a, is cell active. It can upregulate the amount of p53 by accumulating the K382 acetylation of p53, which lead to the stabilization of p53 in human gastric cancer cell line MGC-803 cells. Meanwhile, we also found compound 3a can inactivate SIRT2 in cells, which suggests the compound as a non-selective SIRT inhibitor. Conclusion: All these findings indicate that compound 3a is a potent, reversible and cell active SIRT1 inhibitor and deserves further investigation as an anticancer agent or a biological tool.