bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PERBEDAAN SIKLUS MENSTRUASI ANTARA AKSEPTOR KB SUNTIK 1 BULAN DAN AKSEPTOR KB SUNTIK 3 BULAN DI BPM NY. “S” DESA KLUWIH KECAMATAN TULAKAN KABUPATEN PACITAN
Authors: Murniati Murniati , Putri Astrilinda Cahya
Published: September 2019

Menstruation is regular bleeding from the uterus as a sign that the uterus hasfulfilled its function. Based on preliminary data through interviews on long term acceptorKB 3 month injection and long term acceptor KB injection 1 month on 25 November 2016which amounted to 20 people in BPM Ny "S" of Kluwih village Tulakan sub district ofPacitan. Of the 10 people who injected 1 month injection is not complaining about themenstrual cycle. While from 10 injectors of 3 month injection, regular menstrual cycles were6 respondents (60%) and irregular menstrual cycle were 4 respondents (40%). This studyaims to determine the difference of menstrual cycle between 1 month injection acceptor and3 month injection acceptor in BPM Ny. S Village Kluwih Tulakan District Pacitan.This type of research is comparative analytic. The research design in this researchis analytical case control (retrospective). The variable in this research is menstrual cyclebetween 1 month injection acceptor and 3 month injection. Measuring tools used interview.Population of 80 injection contraceptive injectors (40 1 month injections of contraceptiveinjectors, 40 3 month injecting of KB acceptor) and 60 samples of KB acceptor usingaccidental sampling technique in February 2017.Method of data analysis using T test withsignificance determined by value ρ < 0.05.The results showed that the frequency of menstrual cycle of 1 month injections ofcontraceptive injectors showed that from 30 respondents, 26 respondents (86,7%),menstruation cycle 28-35 days (regular), and 3 month period of menstruation of 3 monthinjecting contraception showed that from 30 respondents obtained more than half or 21respondents (70%) menstrual cycle > 35 days (irregular). Based on the result of paired TTesttest, the signification level is 0,000 < 0,05 so that H0 is accepted, meaning that there isdifference of menstrual cycle of 1 month injection acceptor and 3 month injectioncontraceptive injection.It is suggested to the officer to increase the extension activity to KB injectors toincrease knowledge and insight about side effects of injecting KB.
Approach formation for the development of compounding preparation monographs
Authors: Zdoryk O. A. , Georgiyants V. А. , Gryzodub O. I.
Published: September 2019

Questions of standardization of compounding preparations are quite relevant both in Ukraine and abroad. Today the general monograph «5.N.1. Extemporaneous preparations» of the State Pharmacopoeia of Ukraine is revised by the staff of the Ukrainian scientific pharmacopoeial center for quality of medicines and the National University of Pharmacy, also the additional articles for compounding preparations are developed.

The aim of this work is substantiation of the structure and format of the compounding preparation monographs for introduction to the national part of the State Pharmacopoeia of Ukraine.

The researches were performed using data of the world pharmacopoeias and national formularies, as well as the experience of standardization of compounding preparations in Ukraine and the USSR.

In the study, general statements for the development of compounding preparations monographs were formed and its structure was discussed. The requirements and examples are described for each item of the monograph. For monographs of the State Pharmacopoeia of Ukraine such structure were offered: name, composition, lists the acceptable range of labeled amount of main ingredient, technology of preparation, reference for the general monographs, properties, identification, tests, assay, expiration date, labeling, storage, references to the regulatory documents, and indications. For systematization of the monographs’ development procedure the work order was composed. The procedure of monographs development includes selection of the object, study of literature data, and study of the basic stages of the compounding process, evaluation of quality control methods, experimental researches, and conclusion about conformity with the requirements, quality control method validation protocols, stability studies, and development of the monograph’s draft.

As the result of research the structure, format, stages and order of the development of compounding preparations’ monographs for introduction to the State Pharmacopoeia of Ukraine were proposed.
Synthesis, physical-chemical and biological properties of 8-aminoderivatives of 7-alkyl-3-methylxanthines
Authors: Romanenko M. I. , Nazarenko M. V. , Ivanchenko D. G. , Kamyshny O. M. , Polishchuk N. M.
Published: September 2019

The search for new high-performance antimicrobial compounds remains one of the most important tasks of modern pharmaceutical chemistry, despite the wide range of modern natural, synthetic and semi-synthetic drugs for the treatment of infectious diseases.This is especially true for the naturally occurring compounds, new non-toxic and effective drugs can be created by their chemical modification for the treatment of various infectious pathologies. Recent researches in this area point to significant prospect of new synthetic derivatives of xanthine.

The aim of this work is to develop simple laboratory methods for synthesizing 8-aminoderivatives of 7-alkyl-3-methylxanthines and to study their physical and chemical peculiarities and antimicrobial properties.

The meltingpoint has been determined with the help of an open capillary method with TAP device (M). Elemental analysis has been performed with the help of the instrument ElementarVario L cube, NMR-spectra have been taken on a spectrometer Bruker SF-400 (operating frequency of 400 MHz, solvent DMSO-d6, internal standard – TMS). These data correspond to the calculated elemental analysis.

For the initial screening study of the newly-synthesized substances benchmark testing-cultures of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria have been used, which belong to clinically significant groups of infections agents which are differing by their morpho-physiological properties.

Through the reaction of 7-alkyl-3-methylxanthines with primary and secondary amines in water, water-ethanol, water-dioxane or cellosolve environment a range of 8-aminoderivativeshas been obtained which was not described earlier.

Developing accessible laboratory methods to synthesize new 8-aminoderivatives of 7-alkyl-3-methylxanthines, which are potential bioactive compounds. Studying NMR-spectral characteristics of the obtained substances.

Initial screening research of antimicrobial activity of the synthesized compounds has shown that 8-aminoxanthines (4, 6–12) can be used in medical practice as antistaphylococcal drugs, and 3-methyl-8-(4-methylpiperidine-1-yl)-7-n-propilxanthine (5)– antifungal agentafter additional studies.
Rationale of method of analysis of evidence-based data on the pharmacological activity of succinic acid and its combinations drugs
Authors: Leleka M. V. , Zalis′ka O. M.
Published: September 2019

Succinic acid as endogenous metabolite has a wide range of applications in medical practice in Ukraine and abroad. We research a new medicines, based on succinic acid, ascorbic acid and rutin for the prevention and treatment of influenza. Analysis of the data evidence-based medicine necessary for the implementation of quality assessment study feasibility of adding succinic acid in the various dosage forms and determine their pharmacological activity.

It was studied international databases and registers of clinical trials MEDLINE®, EMBASE®, Scopus, Cochrane Library for the period from 1966 to June 2015. In the search for key phrases search engine electronic library «The Cochrane Library» found 872 913 publications, including 71 in the section «Trials». Of these, only 23 were devoted to review the results of clinical trials of medications that contain in their composition succinic acid.

In the analysis of papers revealed that all 12 Trials of the search engine PubMed are present in search results «The Cochrane Library». Therefore, for further analysis we selected directory search results Trials «The Cochrane Library» and 3 Review of retrieval system PubMed.

We analyzed Trials in terms of pharmacological activity and dynamics of publications. For pharmacological properties and relevance RCTs grouped as follows: antihypoxic action confirm 7 RCT (2003–2013 years), improve of iron absorption in the gastrointestinal tract – 6 RCT (1966–1974 years), hepatoprotective – 4 RCT (2013–2014 years). One RCT has effectiveness succinic acid for use in gastroenterology (in combination with omeprazole, 2012), depression (2013), the transplant (1993) during menopause (2008), renal failure (2013) for fever during surgery (2007). We can call such medicines containing succinic acid and have proven clinical efficacy: Remaksol, Tsytoflavin, Vecam (Omeprazole + succinic acid). We analyzed the Review of reviews of retrieval system PubMed. Analysis reviews MedLine (Review) opens new prospects for the use of succinic acid in the treatment of hypoxia and viral hepatitis. The results of clinical trials confirm the feasibility of developing new drugs with succinic acid.

We conducted a review of evidence data about the inclusion of succinic acid in the various dosage forms. Succinic acid is the part of the drugs with different pharmacological effect. The results of clinical trials confirm the feasibility of developing of new drugs with succinic acid.
Ведення «Зеленої книги України»: проблеми і рішення
Authors: УСТИМЕНКО ПАВЛО МИТРОФАНОВИЧ , ДУБИНА ДМИТРО ВАСИЛЬОВИЧ
Published: September 2019

У статті акцентується увага на актуальному фітосозологічному завданні удос коналенню наукових засад та розробленню нових форм збереження рослинного світу з метою забезпечення спонтанного розвитку фітобіоти. Підкреслюєть ся, що о дним із механізмів забезпечення охорони раритетного фітоценофонду є ведення “Зеленої книги України”. У зв'язку з підготовкою її другого, як державного документу , видання стає очевидною необхідність критичного перегляду переліків раритетних синтаксо нів, їхнього созологічного статусу, установлення за результатами новітніх фітоценологічних досліджень раритетної фітоценорізноманітності, яка потребує охорони, визначення рівня природної та антропічної трансформації раритетних рослинних угруповань, З'ясова но, що в результаті проведеного критичного аналізу синтаксономічного складу раритетної фітоценорізноманітності України та геоботанічних описів їхніх фітоценозів виявлена низка асоціацій, які потребують уточнення. До переліку раритетного фітоценофонду включ ені синтаксони, угруповання яких, як показали польові дослідження, ймовірно зникли з їхніх місцевиростань внаслідок дії природних або антропічних чинників.
Safety and efficacy of ultrasound guided percutaneous needle aspiration of liver abscess
Authors: Salahuddin G , Parvin Sadika , Mollick Md Kutub Uddin , Hossain Syed Mozammel
Published: September 2019

Background: Liver abscesses, both amoebic and pyogenic, continue to be an important cause of morbidity and mortality in tropical country. Traditionally for many years they were treated with antimicrobial alone, blind percutaneous aspiration or surgical exploration. This conception gradually changes into guided percutaneous aspiration or drainage with development of advanced diagnostic imaging modality.

Objectives: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of management of liver abscess by Ultrasound (US) guided percutaneous needle aspiration.

Methods: From August 2009 to July 2018 a total 380 patients with liver abscess were referred to the department of radiology and imaging for US guided percutancous aspiration. All patients were evaluated clinically and by USG. Aspiration of the abscess was carried out under strict aseptic precaution.

Results: A total of 380 patients with liver abscess were successfully treated, consisting of 338 males and 42 females, male female ratio 8:1. The age ranges from 11 to 80 years. Majority (78%) had single abscess and 22% had two or more. Most of the abscess are located in the right lobe of liver (79%). Single needle aspiration were needed in 30% of patient, second aspiration were needed in 38% of patients and third aspiration in 32% of patients. Average aspiration per patient was 2.02. The amount of aspirated pus ranged from 250 to 2450 ml.

Conclusion: Ultrasound guided percutaneous needle aspiration of liver abscess is a safe and successful therapeutic approach in the treatment of liver abscess whether pyogenic or amoebic.

Bang Med J (Khulna) 2018; 51 : 3-6
Do Redistricting Commissions Avoid Partisan Gerrymanders?
Authors: Best Robin , Lem Steve , Magleby Daniel , McDonald Michael
Published: September 2019

We ask how well did the commissions used in the 2010 round of redistricting for states with three of more congressional districts perform in avoiding partisan gerrymanders of congressional districts? We answer that question with applications to each of the three independent commissions (AZ, CA, and WA) and four other commission forms (IA, NJ, NY, and VA) in place for post-2010. We take as the neutrality criterion the idea that a commission would produce a district plan that comports with a partisan outcome that could be expected from a set of approximately 10,000 computer generated plans adhering to minimalist constraints of contiguity, compactness, and equal populations. Our results indicate three of seven commissions produced suspect results that redounded to the benefit of one party or the other: pro-Democrat in Arizona; pro-Republican in New Jersey and Virginia.
Dry eye syndrome and the fundus periphery. Correlations in diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Kravchenko Alexander , Shilova Olga
Published: September 2019

Purpose: Comparison of dry eye syndrome stages with intensity of changes in peripheral retina in patients undergoing medical therapy.
Material and methods. The clinical study involved 94 patients with mild and moderate dry eye syndrome (DES). Group 1 and Group 2 were both comprised of 25 patients; group 3 was comprised of 44 patients. The observation period was 6 months. Parameters of the anterior eye surface and intensity of changes in the peripheral retina were subjected to evaluation and comparison.
Results. The study has shown, that the radius of the tear meniscus, surface tension coefficient and the number of areas stained with fluorescein significantly correlate with the probability of changes in the peripheral retina. The interrelation between the probable formation of changes in the peripheral parts of the retina and the indicators of tear production was revealed in all patients. After 3 months the performed treatment led to the disappearance of the initial correlation between the factors: on visits 3 and 4 logit-models appeared to be unreliable, that meant the absence of interrelation between the probability of formation of changes in the peripheral retina and indicators characterizing the condition of the anterior ocular surface or tear production.
Conclusion. The correlation between changes in the peripheral parts of the retina and tear production was described.
Compression Challenges in Large Scale Partial Differential Equation Solvers
Authors: Götschel Sebastian , Weiser Martin
Published: September 2019

Solvers for partial differential equations (PDEs) are one of the cornerstones of computational science. For large problems, they involve huge amounts of data that need to be stored and transmitted on all levels of the memory hierarchy. Often, bandwidth is the limiting factor due to the relatively small arithmetic intensity, and increasingly due to the growing disparity between computing power and bandwidth. Consequently, data compression techniques have been investigated and tailored towards the specific requirements of PDE solvers over the recent decades. This paper surveys data compression challenges and discusses examples of corresponding solution approaches for PDE problems, covering all levels of the memory hierarchy from mass storage up to the main memory. We illustrate concepts for particular methods, with examples, and give references to alternatives.
Xanthohumol, a Prenylated Flavonoid from Hops, Induces Caspase-Dependent Degradation of Oncoprotein BCR-ABL in K562 Cells
Authors: Lu Xuxiu , Geng Jiajia , Zhang Jinman , Miao Jinlai , Liu Ming
Published: September 2019

BCR-ABL oncoprotein drives the initiation, promotion, and progression of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Tyrosine kinase inhibitors are the first choice for CML therapy, however, BCR-ABL mediated drug resistance limits its clinical application and prognosis. A novel promising therapeutic strategy for CML therapy is to degrade BCR-ABL using small molecules. Antioxidant xanthohumol (XN) is a hop-derived prenylated flavonoid with multiple bioactivities. In this study, we showed XN could inhibit the proliferation, induce S phase cell cycle arrest, and stimulate apoptosis in K562 cells. XN degraded BCR-ABL in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, and the involved degradation pathway was caspase activation, while not autophagy induction or ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) activation. Moreover, we revealed for the first time that XN could inhibit the UPS and autophagy in K562 cells, and the inhibitory effect of XN on autophagy could attenuate imatinib-induced autophagy and enhance the therapeutic efficiency of imatinib in K562 cells. Our present findings identified XN act as a degrader of BCR-ABL in K562 cells, and XN had potential to be developed as an alternate agent for CML therapy.
Smartphone-Based Photogrammetry for the 3D Modeling of a Geomorphological Structure
Authors: Dabove Paolo , Grasso Nives , Piras Marco
Published: September 2019

The geomatic survey in the speleological field is one of the main activities that allows for the adding of both a scientific and popular value to cave exploration, and it is of fundamental importance for a detailed knowledge of the hypogean cavity. Today, the available instruments, such as laser scanners and metric cameras, allow us to quickly acquire data and obtain accurate three-dimensional models, but they are still expensive, require a careful planning phase of the survey, as well as some operator experience for their management. This work analyzes the performance of a smartphone device for a close-range photogrammetry approach for the extraction of accurate three-dimensional information of an underground cave. The image datasets that were acquired with a high-end smartphone were processed using the Structure from Motion (SfM)-based approach for dense point cloud generation: different image-matching algorithms implemented in a commercial and an open source software and in a smartphone application were tested. In order to assess the reachable accuracy of the proposed procedure, the achieved results were compared with a reference dense point cloud obtained with a professional camera or a terrestrial laser scanner. The approach has shown a good performance in terms of geometrical accuracies, computational time and applicability.
Evaluation of Classical Machine Learning Techniques towards Urban Sound Recognition on Embedded Systems
Authors: da Silva Bruno , W. Happi Axel , Braeken An , Touhafi Abdellah
Published: September 2019

Automatic urban sound classification is a desirable capability for urban monitoring systems, allowing real-time monitoring of urban environments and recognition of events. Current embedded systems provide enough computational power to perform real-time urban audio recognition. Using such devices for the edge computation when acting as nodes of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) drastically alleviates the required bandwidth consumption. In this paper, we evaluate classical Machine Learning (ML) techniques for urban sound classification on embedded devices with respect to accuracy and execution time. This evaluation provides a real estimation of what can be expected when performing urban sound classification on such constrained devices. In addition, a cascade approach is also proposed to combine ML techniques by exploiting embedded characteristics such as pipeline or multi-thread execution present in current embedded devices. The accuracy of this approach is similar to the traditional solutions, but provides in addition more flexibility to prioritize accuracy or timing.
Thin Coatings of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles with Anti-Reflective Properties
Authors: Romasanta Laura J. , D’Alençon Lauriane , Kirchner Sara , Pradère Christophe , Leng Jacques
Published: September 2019

Cerium oxide, in addition to its catalytic properties, is also known for its optical properties such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation filtering and a relatively high refractive index ( n > 2 ), which makes it an excellent candidate for multifunctional coatings. Here, we focus on the optical properties of thin deposits (≲2 μ m) of densely packed C e O 2 nanoparticles, which we assemble using two evaporation-based techniques: convective self-assembly (CSA, a type of very slow blade-coating) to fabricate large-scale coatings of controllable thickness—from tens of nanometres to a few micrometers—and microfluidic pervaporation which permits us to add some micro-structure to the coatings. Spectroscopic ellipsometry yields the refractive index of the resulting nano-porous coatings, which behave as lossy dielectrics in the UV-visible regime and loss-less dielectrics in the visible to infra-red (IR) regime; in this regime, the fairly high refractive index (≈1.8) permits us to evidence thickness-tunable anti-reflection on highly refractive substrates, such as silicon, and concomitant enhanced transmissions which we checked in the mid-IR region.
The Protection Role of Cysteine for Cu-5Zn-5Al-1Sn Alloy Corrosion in 3.5 wt.% NaCl Solution
Authors: Shinato Kebede W. , Huang Feifei , Xue Yanpeng , Wen Lei , Jin Ying
Published: September 2019

In this work, the corrosion mechanism of a Cu-5Zn-5Al-1Sn alloy was examined in a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution. At the same time, the effect of a cysteine inhibitor was also investigated through a multi-analytical approach. Electrochemical results suggested that inhibition efficiency increased with the increase of cysteine concentration. From potentiodynamic polarization (PD) analysis, a decrease in corrosion current and corrosion potential shift toward a more negative direction was observed. The potential difference between the blank and inhibited surface was found to be 46 mV, which is less than 85 mV, revealing a mixed type inhibition effect of cysteine for the Cu-5Zn-5Al-1Sn alloy. The inhibition mechanism of cysteine (Cys) and the effect of alloying elements were investigated by fitting experimental impedance data according to a projected equivalent circuit for the alloy/electrolyte interface. A Langmuir adsorption isotherm was proposed to explain the inhibition phenomenon of cysteine on the Cu-5Zn-5Al-1Sn alloy surface. Surface morphology observation confirmed that the Cu-5Zn-5Al-1Sn alloy was damaged in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution and could be inhibited by using the cysteine inhibitor. The impact of alloying elements on the corrosion mechanism was further examined by surface analysis techniques such as X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)/Auger spectra, the results of which indicated that the corrosion inhibition was realized by the adsorption of the inhibitor molecules at the alloy/solution interface.
Engine Speed Control System for Improving the Fuel Efficiency of Agricultural Tractors for Plowing Operations
Authors: Lee Jin Woong , Kim Su Chul , Oh Jooseon , Chung Woo-Jin , Han Hyun-Woo , Kim Ji-Tae , Park Young-Jun
Published: September 2019

This study was conducted to develop a load-sensitive engine speed control system to maximize the fuel efficiency of an agricultural tractor. The engine speed controller was developed through a model-based design approach using a tractor simulation model. The simulated engine speed and torque values were measured with an average error range of 1.4–4.9% compared to results obtained from field experiments. Using the tractor model, the gain parameters of the proportional–integral (PI) controller were optimized under the step, ramp, and actual load conditions. The simulation results using the actual load showed that the engine speed could be adjusted to within 2–3% of the desired value using the proposed engine speed controller. The throttle control system was constructed using four parts of a tractor engine, a microprocessor with an engine speed control algorithm, a throttle actuator, and a data acquisition system. Using the developed system, the operating engine speed values showed an average 1.17 % error compared to the desired engine speed. Three fuel efficiency parameters were used for evaluating the fuel-saving performance of the control system: specific volumetric fuel consumption (SVFC), fuel consumption per tilled area (FCA), and fuel consumption per work hour (FC). The values for SVFC, FCA, and FC obtained from the engine speed control system during plowing operations were 23.03–57.87%, 4.11–42.06%, and −7.24–38.48%, respectively, showing an improvement over the same operations without the control system.
Adaptive Leader-Follower Formation Control of Under-actuated Surface Vessels with Model Uncertainties and Input Constraints
Authors: Riahifard Alireza , Hosseini Rostami Seyyed Mohammad , Wang Jin , Kim Hye-Jin
Published: September 2019

This paper deals with the leader-follower formation control of underactuated autonomous surface vehicles in the presence of model uncertainties and input constraints. In a leader-follower formation, an autonomous surface vehicle (ASV) called leader tracks a pre-described trajectory and other ASVs called followers that are controlled to follow the leader with a desired distance and desired relative bearing. To this end, some adaptive robust techniques are adopted to guarantee the robustness of the closed-loop system against model uncertainties, external disturbances, and input saturation constraints. Based on the Lyapunov synthesis, it is proven that with the developed formation controllers, the closed-loop system is stable and all the formation errors converge to a small neighborhood of zero. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
The Aesthetics of Flow and Cut in the Way of Film: Towards Transnational Transfers of East Asian Concepts to Western Film Theory
Authors: Frisch Simon
Published: September 2019

The general concepts in theorising the aesthetics of film are still rooted in occidental traditions. Thus, thinking about film is dominated by Western terms and aesthetic paradigms—such as “pieces of work”, the representation of reality or regarding the arts as an act of communication. From such an angle, it is difficult to describe different characteristics of the cinematic image, for example, its ephemeral character. In contrast to occidental thinking, the cultural traditions of East Asia are based on the concept of the way (dō or dao), which allow for the description of aesthetics of transitions and transformations. Inspired by the concept of kire-tsuzuki, as developed by the Japanese–German philosopher Ryōsuke Ōhashi, I shall, in this paper, describe some alternative ways of understanding appearance and occurrence in relation to the cinematic picture.
Trends and Anti-Trends in Techno-Art Scholarship: The Legacy of the Arts “Machine” Special Issues
Authors: Bessette Juliette , Fol Leymarie Frederic , W. Smith Glenn
Published: September 2019

With the goal of casting a spotlight on the posture of the creative community at this crucial moment in human technological history, we present herein a thematic overview of the 23 articles published in the recent Arts Special Issues “The Machine as Art (in the 20th Century)” and “The Machine as Artist (for the 21st Century)”. Surprisingly, several of the themes that had been suggested in our two introductory essays as representing shared and positive points of departure—in particular, (a) the visual arts as a longstanding touchstone of human culture, (b) the visual arts (with the example of John James Audubon) as having a unique ability to rally the public to the environmental cause, and (c) computer and robotic proficiency in the arts as leading to a friendlier artificial intelligence—received less than the expected amount of attention. Instead, it was another of the suggested themes (albeit also of a positive and forward-looking nature) around which our authors coalesced, as expressed in the following phrase: the “vast expansion of the creative sphere” which technology has made possible, or in other words, the idea that technology is not only providing new horizons for the professional artist but is also providing new avenues for the non-professional to discover his or her creative potential. In light, furthermore, of the marked enthusiasm for this theme, we suggest in our conclusion the need for a corresponding expansion of the venues available to both professional and non-professional techno-art practitioners.
Use of an Insulation Layer on the Connection Tracks of a Biosensor with Coplanar Electrodes to Increase the Normalized Impedance Variation
Authors: Alves de Araujo Arthur Luiz , Claudel Julien , Kourtiche Djilali , Nadi Mustapha
Published: September 2019

New technologies, such as biosensors and lab-on-a-chip, are reducing time consumption and costs for the detection and characterization of biological cells. One challenge is to detect and characterize cells and bacteria one by one or at a very low concentration. In this case, measurements have very low variations that can be difficult to detect. In this article, the use of an insulation layer on the connection tracks of a biosensor with coplanar electrodes is proposed to improve a biosensor previously developed. The impedance spectroscopy technique was used to analyze the influence of the insulation layer on the cutoff frequencies and on the normalized impedance variation. This solution does not induce changes in the cutoff frequencies, though it permits improving the normalized impedance variations, compared to the same biosensor without the insulation layer.
Cytotoxicity and Differentiating Effect of the Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase Inhibitor Olaparib in Myelodysplastic Syndromes
Authors: Faraoni Isabella , Consalvo Maria Irno , Aloisio Francesca , Fabiani Emiliano , Giansanti Manuela , Di Cristino Francesca , Falconi Giulia , Tentori Lucio , Di Veroli Ambra , Curzi Paola , Maurillo Luca , Niscola Pasquale , Lo-Coco Francesco , Graziani Grazia , Voso Maria Teresa
Published: September 2019

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are highly heterogeneous myeloid diseases, characterized by frequent genetic/chromosomal aberrations. Olaparib is a potent, orally bioavailable poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) inhibitor with acceptable toxicity profile, designed as targeted therapy for DNA repair defective tumors. Here, we investigated olaparib activity in primary cultures of bone marrow mononuclear cells collected from patients with MDS (n = 28). A single treatment with olaparib induced cytotoxic effects in most samples, with median IC50 of 5.4 µM (2.0–24.8 µM), lower than plasma peak concentration reached in vivo. In addition, olaparib induced DNA damage as shown by a high proportion of γH2AX positive cells in samples with low IC50s. Olaparib preferentially killed myeloid cells causing a significant reduction of blasts and promyelocytes, paralleled by an increase in metamyelocytes and mature granulocytes while sparing lymphocytes that are not part of the MDS clone. Consistently, flow cytometry analysis revealed a decrease of CD117+/CD123+ immature progenitors (p < 0.001) and induction of CD11b+/CD16+ (p < 0.001) and CD10+/CD15+ (p < 0.01) neutrophils. Morphological and immunophenotypic changes were associated with a dose-dependent increase of PU.1 and CEBPA transcription factors, which are drivers of granulocytic and monocytic differentiation. Moreover, the combination of olaparib with decitabine resulted in augmented cytotoxic and differentiating effects. Our data suggest that olaparib may have therapeutic potential in MDS patients.
Impact of Surgery on Long-Term Results of Hearing in Neurofibromatosis Type-2 Associated Vestibular Schwannomas
Authors: Gugel Isabel , Grimm Florian , Liebsch Marina , Zipfel Julian , Teuber Christian , Kluwe Lan , Mautner Victor-Felix , Tatagiba Marcos , Schuhmann Martin Ulrich
Published: September 2019

Hearing preservation is a major goal in the treatment of neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) associated vestibular schwannoma (VS), particularly in children and adolescents. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed hearing and volumetry data sets of 39 operated tumors (ears) in 23 patients under the age of 25 and in a follow-up period of 21 to 167 months. Hearing data over a compatible period on 20 other tumors, which did not receive surgery due to their less aggressive nature, were included for comparison. Surgery was carried out via a retrosigmoid approach with the brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) guide. Immediately after surgery, functional hearing was maintained in 82% of ears. Average hearing scores were better in the non-surgery ears. However, the hearing scores in both groups worsened gradually with a similar dynamic during the 42-month postoperative follow-up period. No accelerated impairment of hearing was evident for the operated cases. Rather, the gap between the two hearing deterioration lines tended to close at the end of the follow-up period. Our result suggested that the BAEP-guided surgery did not cause additional hearing deterioration in the long-term and seemed to slow down hearing deterioration of those tumors that were initially more aggressive.
CYP17A1 Maintains the Survival of Glioblastomas by Regulating SAR1-Mediated Endoplasmic Reticulum Health and Redox Homeostasis
Authors: Lin Hong-Yi , Ko Chiung-Yuan , Kao Tzu-Jen , Yang Wen-Bin , Tsai Yu-Ting , Chuang Jian-Ying , Hu Siou-Lian , Yang Pei-Yu , Lo Wei-Lun , Hsu Tsung-I
Published: September 2019

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 17A1 is an important steroidogenic enzyme harboring 17α-hydroxylase and performing 17,20 lyase activities in multiple steps of steroid hormone synthesis, including dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) biosynthesis. Previously, we showed that CYP17A1-mediated DHEA production clearly protects glioblastomas from temozolomide-induced apoptosis, leading to drug resistance. Herein, we attempt to clarify whether the inhibition of CYP17A1 has a tumor-suppressive effect, and to determine the steroidogenesis-independent functions of CYP17A1 in glioblastomas. Abiraterone, an inhibitor of CYP17A1, significantly inhibits the proliferation of A172, T98G, and PT#3 (the primary glioblastoma cells) by inducing apoptosis. In parallel, abiraterone potently suppresses tumor growth in mouse models through transplantation of PT#3 cells to the back or to the brain. Based on evidence that abiraterone induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, followed by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), CYP17A1 is important for ER health and redox homeostasis. To confirm our hypothesis, we showed that CYP17A1 overexpression prevents the initiation of ER stress and attenuates ROS production by regulating SAR1a/b expression. Abiraterone dissociates SAR1a/b from ER-localized CYP17A1, and induces SAR1a/b ubiquitination, leading to degradation. Furthermore, SAR1 overexpression rescues abiraterone-induced apoptosis and impairs redox homeostasis. In addition to steroid hormone synthesis, CYP17A1 associates with SAR1a/b to regulate protein processing and maintain ER health in glioblastomas.
Age-Related Alterations in Immune Contexture Are Associated with Aggressiveness in Rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Gasparini Patrizia , Fortunato Orazio , De Cecco Loris , Casanova Michela , Iannó Maria Federica , Carenzo Andrea , Centonze Giovanni , Milione Massimo , Collini Paola , Boeri Mattia , Dugo Matteo , Gargiuli Chiara , Mensah Mavis , Segale Miriam , Bergamaschi Luca , Chiaravalli Stefano , Sensi Maria Luisa , Massimino Maura , Sozzi Gabriella , Ferrari Andrea
Published: September 2019

Adolescents and young adults (AYA) with rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) form a subgroup of patients whose optimal clinical management and access to care remain a challenge and whose survival lacks behind that of children diagnosed with histologically similar tumors. Understanding the tumor biology that differentiates children from AYA-RMS could provide critical information and drive new initiatives to improve the final outcome. MicroRNA (miRNA) and gene expression profiling (GEP) was evaluated in a RMS cohort of 49 tumor and 15 non-neoplastic tissues. miRNAs analysis identified miR-223 over-expression and miR-431 down-regulation in AYA, validated by Real-Time PCR and miRNA in situ hybridization (ISH). GEP analysis detected 793 age-correlated genes in tumors, of which 194 were anti-correlated. NOTCH2, FGFR1/2 were significantly down-modulated in AYA-RMS. miR-223 was associated with up-regulation of epithelial mesenchymal translation (EMT) and inflammatory pathways, whereas miR-431 was correlated to myogenic differentiation and muscle metabolism. GEP showed an increase in genes associated with CD4 memory resting cells and a decrease in genes associated with γδ T-cells in AYA-RMS. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis demonstrated an increase of infiltrated CD4, CD8, and neutrophils in AYA-RMS tumors. Our results show that aggressiveness of AYA-RMS could be explained by differences in microenvironmental signal modulation mediated by tumor cells, suggesting a fundamental role of immune contexture in AYA-RMS development.
Maternal Protein Restriction Modulates Angiogenesis and AQP9 Expression Leading to a Delay in Postnatal Epididymal Development in Rat
Authors: de Mello Santos Talita , Cavariani Marilia Martins , Pereira Dhrielly Natália , Schimming Bruno César , Chuffa Luiz Gustavo de Almeida , Domeniconi Raquel Fantin
Published: September 2019

The maternal nutritional status is essential to the health and well-being of the fetus. Maternal protein restriction during the perinatal stage causes sperm alterations in the offspring that are associated with epididymal dysfunctions. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor, VEGFr-2, as well as aquaporins (AQPs) are important regulators of angiogenesis and the epididymal microenvironment and are associated with male fertility. We investigated the effects of maternal protein restriction on epididymal angiogenesis and AQP expression in the early stages of postnatal epididymal development. Pregnant rats were divided into two experimental groups that received either a normoprotein (17% protein) or low-protein diet (6% protein) during gestation and lactation. At postnatal day (PND)7 and PND14, male offspring were euthanized, the epididymides were subjected to morphometric and microvascular density analyses and to VEGF-A, VEGF-r2, AQP1 and AQP9 expression analyses. The maternal low-protein diet decreased AQP9 and VEGFr-2 expression, decreased epididymal microvascularity and altered the morphometric features of the epididymal epithelium; no changes in AQP1 expression were observed at the beginning of postnatal epididymal development. Maternal protein restriction alters microvascularization and affects molecules involved in the epidydimal microenvironment, resulting in morphometric alterations related to a delay in the beginning of epididymis postnatal development.
Bayesian-Maximum-Entropy Reweighting of IDP Ensembles Based on NMR Chemical Shifts
Authors: Crehuet Ramon , Buigues Pedro J. , Salvatella Xavier , Lindorff-Larsen Kresten
Published: September 2019

Bayesian and Maximum Entropy approaches allow for a statistically sound and systematic fitting of experimental and computational data. Unfortunately, assessing the relative confidence in these two types of data remains difficult as several steps add unknown error. Here we propose the use of a validation-set method to determine the balance, and thus the amount of fitting. We apply the method to synthetic NMR chemical shift data of an intrinsically disordered protein. We show that the method gives consistent results even when other methods to assess the amount of fitting cannot be applied. Finally, we also describe how the errors in the chemical shift predictor can lead to an incorrect fitting and how using secondary chemical shifts could alleviate this problem.
A Novel Meander Split Power/Ground Plane Reducing Crosstalk of Traces Crossing Over
Authors: Lee Jung-Han
Published: September 2019

In this paper, a novel meander split power/ground plane is proposed for reducing crosstalk between parallel lines crossing over it. The working mechanism of the meander split scheme is investigated by simulations and measurements. The LC equivalent circuit and transmission line model are developed for modeling interactions between the meander split and the signal lines. The proposed meander structure enhances electromagnetic coupling between split planes. The capacitive coupling across the split ensures signal integrity and magnetic coupling between adjacent finger shaped structures suppresses lateral wave propagation along the split gap, which in turn helps suppress the crosstalk. The effectiveness of the meander split remains valid over very wide frequency ranges (up to 9 GHz). Experimental results show that the proposed structure improves the signal quality and reduces the near/far end crosstalk over 30 dB and 50% in the frequency domain and time domain, respectively.
Constellation of Condensation and Raindrops and Its Effect on the DC Flashover Voltage of Inclined Silicone Insulation
Authors: Boudissa Rabah , Bouchelga Fatma , Kornhuber Stefan , Haim Klaus Dieter
Published: September 2019

The purpose of this paper is to characterize the arrangement of raindrops and natural condensation and its effect on the direct current voltage’s flashover of a hydrophobic silicone insulating surface under variable inclination. Two devices have been realized, one for on-site exposure of insulation samples under rain and condensation, and the other for laboratory use in order to allow the variation of the angle of their inclination. The temporal evolution of the constellation of raindrops and natural condensation as well as the electrical discharge produced in the laboratory was visualized. The results emanated from the on-site investigation allowed the identification of the most reproducible type of arrangement of rainwater and natural condensation drops as well as the estimation of their respective volume. The results from the laboratory clearly show the existence of an interval of the insulation’s inclination angle, which allows the best approximation of its electrical performance to what was obtained in the absence of these drops. Moreover, these same results also inform us about some very critical situations to avoid regarding the insulation by a judicious choice of its inclination angle.
Machinability Study of Australia’s Dominate Plantation Timber Resources
Authors: Kotlarewski Nathan J. , Derikvand Mohammad , Lee Michael , Whiteroad Ian
Published: September 2019

This study tested the machinability of three major timber species grown in Tasmania, Australia, under different resource management schemes: plantation fiber-managed hardwood (Eucalyptus globulus Labill. and Eucalyptus nitens Maiden) and plantation sawlog-managed softwood (Pinus radiata D. Don). P. radiata was used as a control to identify significant differences in machining fibre-managed plantation timber against sawlog-managed plantation timber with numerically controlled computer technology and manually fed timber production techniques. The potential to fabricate architectural interior products such as moldings with plantation fiber-managed hardwood timber that is high in natural features was the focus of this study. Correlations between wood species, variation in moisture content, and density of individual machinability characteristics were analyzed to determine factors impacting the overall quality of plantation wood machinability. Correlations between species and within species groups from the resulting machinability tests are highlighted and discussed. The results indicate that the machinability of sawlog-managed softwood P. radiata is superior in some circumstances to fiber-managed hardwood E. globulus and E. nitens specimens, according to the American Society for Testing and Materials D1666-11.
Spatial Pattern of Climate Change Effects on Lithuanian Forestry
Authors: Mozgeris Gintautas , Brukas Vilis , Pivoriūnas Nerijus , Činga Gintautas , Makrickienė Ekaterina , Byčenkienė Steigvilė , Marozas Vitas , Mikalajūnas Marius , Dudoitis Vadimas , Ulevičius Vidmantas , Augustaitis Algirdas
Published: September 2019

Research Highlights: Validating modelling approach which combines global framework conditions in the form of climate and policy scenarios with the use of forest decision support system to assess climate change impacts on the sustainability of forest management. Background and Objectives: Forests and forestry have been confirmed to be sensitive to climate. On the other hand, human efforts to mitigate climate change influence forests and forest management. To facilitate the evaluation of future sustainability of forest management, decision support systems are applied. Our aims are to: (1) Adopt and validate decision support tool to incorporate climate change and its mitigation impacts on forest growth, global timber demands and prices for simulating future trends of forest ecosystem services in Lithuania, (2) determine the magnitude and spatial patterns of climate change effects on Lithuanian forests and forest management in the future, supposing that current forestry practices are continued. Materials and Methods: Upgraded version of Lithuanian forestry simulator Kupolis was used to model the development of all forests in the country until 2120 under management conditions of three climate change scenarios. Selected stand-level forest and forest management characteristics were aggregated to the level of regional branches of the State Forest Enterprise and analyzed for the spatial and temporal patterns of climate change effects. Results: Increased forest growth under a warmer future climate resulted in larger tree dimensions, volumes of growing stock, naturally dying trees, harvested assortments, and also higher profits from forestry activities. Negative impacts were detected for the share of broadleaved tree species in the standing volume and the tree species diversity. Climate change effects resulted in spatially clustered patterns—increasing stand productivity, and amounts of harvested timber were concentrated in the regions with dominating coniferous species, while the same areas were exposed to negative dynamics of biodiversity-related forest attributes. Current forest characteristics explained 70% or more of the variance of climate change effects on key forest and forest management attributes. Conclusions: Using forest decision support systems, climate change scenarios and considering the balance of delivered ecosystem services is suggested as a methodological framework for validating forest management alternatives aiming for more adaptiveness in Lithuanian forestry.