bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perceived Facilitators and Barriers to Exercise Among Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early Dementia
Authors: Hobson Nicolas , Dupuis Sherry L. , Giangregorio Lora M. , Middleton Laura E.
Published: October 2019

Persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early dementia are often physically inactive, despite associated benefits. This study explored the barriers, facilitators, and preferences for exercise among persons living with MCI/early dementia. The authors conducted 2 focus groups among persons living with MCI/early dementia (n = 4, 6 participants) and 2 focus groups among care partners (n = 3, 4 participants). The transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis, guided by the social-ecological model. Three themes emerged, reinforcing motivation to exercise, managing changes to cognitive and physical health, and variable perceptions of dementia, each with influences from individual, care partner, and community levels. Low intrinsic motivation, poor physical/cognitive health, and stigma restricted the exercise among persons living with MCI/early dementia. The care partners motivated their partners and provided company and transportation to exercise. People with MCI/early dementia also indicated poor access to exercise providers and exercise opportunities that met their needs and preferences was a barrier to exercise participation. Knowledge translation research should develop exercise interventions at the individual, social, and community levels.
Microstructured thin-film electrode technology enables proof of concept of scalable, soft auditory brainstem implants
Authors: Vachicouras Nicolas , Tarabichi Osama , Kanumuri Vivek V. , Tringides Christina M. , Macron Jennifer , Fallegger Florian , Thenaisie Yohann , Epprecht Lorenz , McInturff Stephen , Qureshi Ahad A. , Paggi Valentina , Kuklinski Martin W. , Brown M. Christian , Lee Daniel J. , Lacour Stéphanie P.
Published: October 2019

Engineered conformability in auditory brainstem implant electrode arrays improves the electrode-brainstem interface in mice and in human cadavers.
From Wall to Wall: How the Type 6 Secretion System Knows To Stop Growing
Authors: Ho Brian T.
Published: October 2019

There is an inseverable link between the size of a cell and the size of its subcellular components. The type 6 secretion system (T6SS) is no exception. In this issue, Stietz et al. report their analysis of the T6SS under conditions in which the cell size was altered to an extreme degree (M. S. Stietz, X. Liang, M. Wong, S. Hersch, and T. G.
The Caenorhabditis elegans RIG-I Homolog DRH-1 Mediates the Intracellular Pathogen Response upon Viral Infection
Authors: Sowa Jessica N. , Jiang Hongbing , Somasundaram Lakshmi , Tecle Eillen , Xu Guorong , Wang David , Troemel Emily R.
Published: October 2019

C. elegans
lacks homologs of most mammalian pattern recognition receptors, and how nematodes detect pathogens is poorly understood. We show that the
C. elegans
RIG-I homolog DRH-1 mediates the induction of the intracellular pathogen response (IPR), a novel transcriptional defense program, in response to infection by the natural
C. elegans
viral pathogen Orsay virus. DRH-1 appears to act as a pattern recognition receptor to induce the IPR transcriptional defense program by sensing the products of viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity. Interestingly, this signaling role of DRH-1 is separable from its previously known role in antiviral RNAi. In addition, we show that there are multiple host pathways for inducing the IPR, shedding light on the regulation of this novel transcriptional immune response.
Draft Genome Sequences of 12 Monophasic Salmonella enterica subsp.
enterica
Serotype Typhimurium 1,4,[5],12:i:− Strains Isolated from Wild Griffon Vultures in Eastern Spain
Authors: Marin Clara , D’Auria Giuseppe , Martínez-Priego Llúcia , Marco-Jiménez Francisco
Published: October 2019

Monophasic
Salmonella enterica
subsp.
enterica
serovar Typhimurium is one of the most common zoonotic pathogens.
Salmonella
species reside in a wide variety of hosts, including wild animals. Thus, we report here the genome sequences of 12 monophasic
S.
Typhimurium strains isolated from healthy wild vultures to gain better insight into their epidemiology and host-pathogen interactions.
Draft Genome Sequences of Klebsiella pneumoniae Strains Isolated from Immunocompromised NOD-scid Gamma Research Mice
Authors: Mannion Anthony , Fabian Niora , Stair Melissa , Dzink-Fox Jody , Carrasco Sebastian E. , Buckley-Jordan Ellen , Annamalai Damodaran , Fox James G.
Published: October 2019

Thirteen
Klebsiella pneumoniae
isolates cultured from feces, intestines, liver, lungs, and blood from immunocompromised NOD-scid gamma (NSG) mice with clinical illness, housed at a biomedical research institute, were sequenced using Illumina MiSeq technology for elucidation of pathogenic potential and genes encoding antibiotic resistance.
Draft Genome Sequence of Geobacillus sp. Strain LEMMJ02, a Thermophile Isolated from Deception Island, an Active Volcano in Antarctica
Authors: Schultz Júnia , Kallies René , Nunes da Rocha Ulisses , Rosado Alexandre Soares
Published: October 2019

The thermophilic
Geobacillus
sp. strain LEMMJ02 was isolated from Fumarole Bay sediment on Deception Island, an active Antarctic volcano. Here, we report the draft genome of LEMMJ02, which consists of 3,160,938 bp with 52.8% GC content and 3,523 protein-coding genes.
Detrital zircon geochronology along a structural transect across the Kahiltna assemblage in the western Alaska Range: Implications for emplacement of the Alexander-Wrangellia-Peninsular terrane against North America
Authors: Box Stephen E. , Karl Susan M. , Jones James V. , Bradley Dwight C. , Haeussler Peter J. , O’Sullivan Paul B.
Published: October 2019

The Kahiltna assemblage in the western Alaska Range consists of deformed Upper Jurassic and Cretaceous clastic strata that lie between the Alexander-Wrangellia-Peninsular terrane to the south and the Farewell and other pericratonic terranes to the north. Differences in detrital zircon populations and sandstone petrography allow geographic separation of the strata into two different successions, each consisting of multiple units, or petrofacies, with distinct provenance and lithologic characteristics. The northwestern succession was largely derived from older, inboard pericratonic terranes and correlates along strike to the southwest with the Kuskokwim Group. The southeastern succession is characterized by volcanic and plutonic rock detritus derived from Late Jurassic igneous rocks of the Alexander-Wrangellia-Peninsular terrane and mid- to Late Cretaceous arc-related igneous rocks and is part of a longer belt to the southwest and northeast, here named the Koksetna-Clearwater belt. The two successions remained separate depositional systems until the Late Cretaceous, when the northwestern succession overlapped the southeastern succession at ca. 81 Ma. They were deformed together ca. 80 Ma by southeast-verging fold-and-thrust–style deformation interpreted to represent final accretion of the Alexander-Wrangellia-Peninsular terrane along the southern Alaska margin. We interpret the tectonic evolution of the Kahiltna successions as a progression from forearc sedimentation and accretion in a south-facing continental magmatic arc to arrival and partial underthrusting of the back-arc flank of an active, south-facing island-arc system (Alexander-Wrangellia-Peninsular terrane). A modern analogue is the ongoing collision and partial underthrusting of the Izu-Bonin-Marianas island arc beneath the Japan Trench–Nankai Trough on the east side of central Japan.
Сравнение точности схем Галеркина с разрывными функциями на примере задач с волной и с вихрем
Authors: Босняков Игорь Сергеевич , Bosnyakov Igor' Sergeevich
Published: October 2019

В данной работе рассматриваются схемы Галеркина с разрывными функциями, построенные на базисах с полиномами Лежандра степени $K=0,…,5$. Схемы, записанные для уравнения переноса, исследуются на амплитудную и дисперсионную ошибку. Определяется предельное соотношение шага расчeтной сетки и волнового числа, при котором в задаче с гармоническим колебанием обеспечивается заданная точность решения. Проводятся расчeты акустической волны программой для полных уравнений Эйлера. Несмотря на отличие постановки, показана пригодность аналитических оценок для практического случая. Другая задача рассматривает плоское невязкое вихревое течение. Практическая оценка потребной густоты сетки для неe даeтся на основе решения модельной задачи в вязкой постановке. Во всех рассмотренных задачах указывается связь шага сетки и порядка численной схемы. Результаты данной работы могут быть использованы при построении расчeтных сеток для задач, рассчитываемых с помощью схем Галeркина.
Моделирование турбулентного горения смеси метана и воздуха на основе метода крупных вихрей
Authors: Чепрасов Сергей Александрович , Cheprasov Sergey Alexandrovich
Published: October 2019

Описана методология моделирования турбулентного горения. Методика основана на вихреразрешающем подходе моделирования турбулентности совместно с одностадийной реакцией окисления метана. Представлены результаты расчeтов характеристик горения для лабораторной установки. Проведeн анализ влияния констант модели скорости химических реакций на результаты вычислений. Показано, что используемая методика позволяет вычислять статистические характеристики пульсаций температуры в камере сгорания с удовлетворительной точностью.
Моделирование движения макета космического аппарата на аэродинамическом подвесе для отработки режима одноосной стабилизации магнитными катушками
Authors: Овчинников Михаил Юрьевич , Ovchinnikov Mikhail Yur'evich , Ролдугин Дмитрий Сергеевич , Roldugin Dmitry Sergeevich , Боргес Р А , Borges R A , Каппелетти Ш , Cappelletti C , Баттистини С , Battistini S
Published: October 2019

Проводится математическое моделирование управляемого углового движения макета системы ориентации космического аппарата на сферическом аэродинамическом подвесе. При этом ставится задача отработки алгоритма магнитной ориентации, обеспечивающего одноосную стабилизацию аппарата на Солнце. Подобраны режимы движения макета, позволяющие в наземных условиях провести отработку алгоритма управления. Среди них получена устойчивая прецессия макета и движение, близкое к плоскому. Проведено математическое моделирование движения макета в этих режимах, показывающее возможность его реализации на современном лабораторном оборудовании.
Идентификация производственной функции с предельным возрастом мощностей
Authors: Оленев Николай Николаевич , Olenev Nicholas Nicholayevich
Published: October 2019

Динамика дифференцированных по моментам создания и ограниченных по возрасту производственных мощностей на микроуровне задает производственную функцию на макроуровне. Микроописание основано на гипотезе о падающей с постоянным темпом мощности и постоянном числе рабочих мест от момента создания производственной единицы до ее ликвидации при превышении предельного возраста. Аналитическое выражение для эндогенной производственной функции с заданным максимальным возрастом мощностей получено на характерных режимах экспоненциального роста с постоянной долей новых мощностей. Рассмотрен переходный режим роста с меняющейся приростной фондоемкостью новых мощностей. Параметры производственной функции можно определить и при значительных изменениях в доле новых мощностей в суммарной мощности, которые происходили в экономике России. Для этого в численных расчетах производственной функции использована исходная микроэкономическая модель динамики производственных мощностей. Параметры оценены косвенно на основе сравнения результатов расчетов по модели со статистическими данными 1970-2017 гг. Полученное значение среднего предельного возраста мощностей A=25 для экономики России объясняет исчезновение в 2017 г. инфляции издержек. Идентификация параметров эндогенной производственной функции показала также, что значение средней приростной фондоемкости для всей экономики России значительно снизилось с 1970 г. по 2017 г. Снижение объясняется увеличением доли сырьевых отраслей в выпуске.
Радиальный двухсекторный газовый подшипник с максимальной несущей способностью
Authors: Болдырев Юрий Яковлевич , Boldyrev Yuriy Yakovlevich
Published: October 2019

Рассматривается вариационная задача для радиального газового подшипника скольжения, имеющего два сектора. Поле давления в газовом слое описывается нелинейным уравнением Рейнольдса для произвольных чисел сжимаемости. В качестве функционала вариационной задачи выступает величина главного вектора сил давления. Проводится качественный анализ системы необходимых условий экстремума, на основе которого построена вычислительная процедура. На основе анализа полной системы необходимых условий показано, что на каждом из секторов профиль является кусочно линейным и одноступенчатым, при этом один сектор обеспечивает только разряжение, тогда как другой - только сжатие газа.
25-year-old man with sudden onset paraplegia
Authors: Manieri Marco
Published: October 2019

A 25-year-old man with Crohn’s disease presented to the emergency department with sudden onset bilateral leg pain, paraplegia and loss of anal sphincter tone. CT angiography revealed a massive abdominal aortic thrombosis. Revascularisation surgery was performed promptly, saving most of the abdominal organs, but motor function of the legs was not restored. No coagulation disorder was identified, and no other underlying cause for thrombosis was found. It was speculated that it may be related to the patient’s underlying Crohn’s disease.
Iron III isomaltose induced hypersensitivity reaction
Authors: Muzammil Mahreen , Aziz Kashif , Ehteram ul Haq Muhammad , Nasir Nosheen
Published: October 2019

Iron isomaltose is considered as safe form of iron with no test dose recommended. Here, we are describing the case of a patient who experienced allergic reaction with this formulation of iron. A 35-year-old South Asian woman experienced allergic reaction, she had mild wheeze on examination of chest. She was given intranasal oxygen at 2 L/min. She was given intravenous acetaminophen 1 g for pain relief, 45.4 mg intravenous chlorphenaramine and intravenous 100 mg hydrocortisone. Within half an hour, all her symptoms improved and her hypoxia resolved. Her chest wheezing also disappeared. Iron isomaltose, although relatively safe, can cause allergic reaction. Intravenous iron can cause allergic reaction therefore it should be administered at the facility where trained staff is present so that necessary treatment can be given in case of hypersensitivity reaction.
Comparison of fracture risk using different supplemental doses of vitamin D, calcium or their combination: a network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Hu Zhi-Chao , Tang Qian , Sang Chang-Min , Tang Li , Li Xiaobin , Zheng Gang , Feng Zhen-Hua , Xuan Jiang-Wei , Shen Zhi-Hao , Shen Li-Yan , Ni Wen-Fei , Wu Ai-Min
Published: October 2019

Objective

Inconsistent findings in regard to association between different concentrations of vitamin D, calcium or their combination and the risk of fracture have been reported during the past decade in community-dwelling older people. This study was designed to compare the fracture risk using different concentrations of vitamin D, calcium or their combination.

Design

A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Data sources

Randomised controlled trials in PubMed, Cochrane library and Embase databases were systematically searched from the inception dates to 31 December 2017.

Outcomes

Total fracture was defined as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were hip fracture and vertebral fracture. Due to the consistency of the original studies, a consistency model was adopted.

Results

A total of 25 randomised controlled trials involving 43 510 participants fulfilled the inclusion criteria. There was no evidence that the risk of total fracture was reduced using different concentrations of vitamin D, calcium or their combination compared with placebo or no treatment. No significant associations were found between calcium, vitamin D, or combined calcium and vitamin D supplements and the incidence of hip or vertebral fractures.

Conclusions

The use of supplements that included calcium, vitamin D or both was not found to be better than placebo or no treatment in terms of risk of fractures among community-dwelling older adults. It means the routine use of these supplements in community-dwelling older people should be treated more carefully.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42017079624.
Systematic review protocol on Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) revaccination and protection against tuberculosis
Authors: Mahasha Phetole Walter , Ndwandwe Duduzile Edith , Mavundza Edison Johannes , Shey Muki , Wiysonge Charles Shey
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused byMycobacterium tuberculosis(M.TB) and other species of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Globally, TB is ranked as the ninth leading cause of death and the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent. The bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine has been used globally since 1921 for the prevention of TB in humans, and was derived from an attenuated strain ofMycobacterium bovis. Evidence from previous randomised trials show that the efficacy of primary BCG vaccination against pulmonary TB ranged from no protection to very high protection. In addition, some studies suggest a benefit of BCG revaccination. For example, a recent trial conducted in South Africa showed that BCG revaccination of adolescents could reduce the risk of TB infection by half. However, we are not aware of any recent systematic reviews of the effects of BCG revaccination. Thus, the need for this systematic review of the effects of BCG revaccination on protection against TB infection and disease.

Method and analysis

We will search PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and reference lists of relevant publications for potentially eligible studies. We will screen search outputs, select eligible studies, extract data and assess risk of bias in duplicate. Discrepancies will be resolved by discussion and consensus or arbitration. We will use the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation method to assess the certainty of the evidence. The planned systematic review was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) in August 2018.

Ethics and dissemination

Publicly available data will be used, hence no formal ethical approval will be required for this review. The findings of the review will be disseminated through conference presentations and publication in an open-access peer-reviewed journal.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42018105916
Investigating imaging network markers of cognitive dysfunction and pharmacoresistance in newly diagnosed epilepsy: a protocol for an observational cohort study in the UK
Authors: de Bézenac Christophe , Garcia-Finana Marta , Baker Gus , Moore Perry , Leek Nicola , Mohanraj Rajiv , Bonilha Leonardo , Richardson Mark , Marson Anthony Guy , Keller Simon
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Epilepsy is one of the most common serious brain disorders, characterised by seizures that severely affect a person’s quality of life and, frequently, their cognitive and mental health. Although most existing work has examined chronic epilepsy, newly diagnosed patients present a unique opportunity to understand the underlying biology of epilepsy and predict effective treatment pathways. The objective of this prospective cohort study is to examine whether cognitive dysfunction is associated with measurable brain architectural and connectivity impairments at diagnosis and whether the outcome of antiepileptic drug treatment can be predicted using these measures.

Methods and analysis

107 patients with newly diagnosed focal epilepsy from two National Health Service Trusts and 48 healthy controls (aged 16–65 years) will be recruited over a period of 30 months. Baseline assessments will include neuropsychological evaluation, structural and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Electroencephalography (EEG), and a blood and saliva sample. Patients will be followed up every 6 months for a 24-month period to assess treatment outcomes. Connectivity- and network-based analyses of EEG and MRI data will be carried out and examined in relation to neuropsychological evaluation and patient treatment outcomes. Patient outcomes will also be investigated with respect to analysis of molecular isoforms of high mobility group box-1 from blood and saliva samples.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by the North West, Liverpool East Research Ethics Committee (19/NW/0384) through the Integrated Research Application System (Project ID 260623). Health Research Authority (HRA) approval was provided on 22 August 2019. The project is sponsored by the UoL (UoL001449) and funded by a UK Medical Research Council (MRC) research grant (MR/S00355X/1). Findings will be presented at national and international meetings and conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

IRAS Project ID 260623.
Improving the quality of care for patients with or at risk of atrial fibrillation: an improvement initiative in UK general practices
Authors: Adeleke Yewande , Matthew Dionne , Porter Bradley , Woodcock Thomas , Yap Jayne , Hashmy Sophia , Mathew Ammu , Grant Ron , Kaba Agnes , Unger-Graeber Brigitte , Khan Sadia , Bell Derek , Cowie Martin R
Published: October 2019

Objective

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a growing problem internationally and a recognised cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The London borough of Hounslow has a lower than expected prevalence of AF, suggesting poor detection and associated undertreatment. To improve AF diagnosis and management, a quality improvement (QI) initiative was set up in 48 general practices in Hounslow. We aimed to study whether there was evidence of a change in AF diagnosis and management in Hounslow following implementation of interventions in this QI initiative.

Methods

Using the general practice information system (SystmOne), data were retrospectively collected for 415 626 patients, who were actively registered at a Hounslow practice between 1 January 2011 and 31 August 2018. Process, outcome and balancing measures were analysed using statistical process control and interrupted time series regression methods. The baseline period was from 1 January 2011 to 30 September 2014 and the intervention period was from 1 October 2014 to 31 August 2018.

Results

When comparing the baseline to the intervention period, (1) the rate of new AF diagnoses increased by 27% (relative risk 1.27; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.52; p<0.01); (2) ECG tests done for patients aged 60 and above increased; (3) CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED risk assessments within 30 days of AF diagnosis increased from 1.7% to 19% and 0.2% to 8.1%, respectively; (4) among those at higher risk of stroke, anticoagulation prescription within 30 days of AF diagnosis increased from 31% to 63% while prescription of antiplatelet monotherapy within the same time period decreased from 17% to 7.1%; and (5) average CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED risk scores did not change.

Conclusion

Implementation of interventions in the Hounslow QI initiative coincided with improved AF diagnosis and management. Areas with perceived underdetection of AF should consider similar interventions and methodology.
Smokeless tobacco, snus, at admission for percutaneous coronary intervention and future risk for cardiac events
Authors: Frobert Ole , Reitan Christian , Hatsukami Dorothy K , Pernow John , Omerovic Elmir , Andell Pontus
Published: October 2019

Objective

To assess the risk of future death and cardiac events following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients using smokeless tobacco, snus, compared with patients not using snus at admission for a first PCI.

Methods

The Swedish Coronary Angiography and Angioplasty Registry is a prospective registry on coronary diagnostic procedures and interventions. A total of 74 958 patients admitted for a first PCI were enrolled between 2009 and 2018, 6790 snus users and 68 168 not using snus. We used Cox proportional hazards regression for statistical modelling on imputed datasets as well as complete-case datasets.

Results

Patients using snus were younger (mean (SD) age 61.0 (±10.2) years) than patients not using snus (67.6 (±11.1), p<0.001) and more often male (95.4% vs 67.4%, p<0.001). After multivariable adjustment, snus use was not associated with the primary composite outcome of all-cause mortality, new coronary revascularisation or new hospitalisation for heart failure at 1 year (HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.05). In patients using snus at baseline who underwent a second PCI (n=1443), the duration from the index intervention was shorter for subjects who continued using snus (n=921, 63.8%) compared with subjects who had stopped (mean number of days 285 vs 406, p value=0.001).

Conclusions

Snus use at admission for a first PCI was not associated with a higher occurrence of all-cause mortality, new revascularisation or heart failure hospitalisation. Discontinuing snus after a first PCI was associated with a significantly longer duration to a subsequent PCI.
Effect of short-term, high-intensity exercise training on human skeletal muscle citrate synthase maximal activity: single versus multiple bouts per session
Authors: MacInnis Martin J. , Skelly Lauren E. , Godkin F. Elizabeth , Martin Brian J. , Tripp Thomas R. , Tarnopolsky Mark A. , Gibala Martin J.
Published: October 2019

The legs of 9 men (age 21 ± 2 years, 45 ± 4 mL/(kg·min)) were randomly assigned to complete 6 sessions of high-intensity exercise training, involving either one or four 5-min bouts of counterweighted, single-leg cycling. Needle biopsies from vastus lateralis revealed that citrate synthase maximal activity increased after training in the 4-bout group (p = 0.035) but not the 1-bout group (p = 0.10), with a significant difference between groups post-training (13%, p = 0.021).

Novelty Short-term training using brief intense exercise requires multiple bouts per session to increase mitochondrial content in human skeletal muscle.
Modelling seasonal ratcheting and progressive failure in clay slopes: a validation
Authors: Postill H. , Dixon N. , Fowmes G. , El-Hamalawi A. , Take W.A.
Published: October 2019

Seasonal wetting and drying stress cycles can lead to long-term deterioration of high-plasticity clay slopes through the accumulation of outward and downward deformations leading to plastic strain accumulation, progressive failure, and first-time failures due to seasonal ratcheting. Using recent advances in hydromechanical coupling for the numerical modelling of unsaturated soil behaviour and development of nonlocal strain-softening regulatory models to reduce mesh dependency of localization problems, the mechanism of seasonal ratcheting has been replicated within a numerical model. Hydrogeological and mechanical behaviours of the numerical model have been compared and validated against physical measurements of seasonal ratcheting from centrifuge experimentation. Following validation, the mechanism of seasonal ratcheting was explored in a parametric study investigating the role of stiffness and long-term behaviour of repeated stress cycling extrapolated to failure. Material stiffness has a controlling influence on the rate of strength deterioration for these slopes; the stiffer the material, the smaller the seasonal movement and therefore the more gradual the accumulation of irrecoverable strains and material softening. The validation presented provides confidence that the numerical modelling approach developed can capture near-surface behaviour of high-plasticity, overconsolidated clay slopes subject to cyclic wetting and drying. The approach provides a tool to further investigate the effects of weather-driven stress cycles and the implication of climate change on high-plasticity clay infrastructure slopes.
A new class of compact stellar model compatible with observational data
Authors: Das Shyam , Rahaman Farook , Baskey Lipi
Published: October 2019

In this work, a physically reasonable metric potential $$g_{rr}$$grr and a specific choice of the anisotropy has been utilized to obtain closed-form solutions of the Einstein field equation for a spherically symmetric anisotropic matter distribution. This class of solution has been used to develop viable models for observed pulsars. Smooth matching of interior spacetime metric with the exterior Schwarzschild metric and utilizing the condition that radial pressure is zero across the boundary leads us to determine the model parameters. A particular pulsar $$4U1820-30$$4U1820-30 having current estimated mass and radius ($$mass=1.58 M_\odot $$mass=1.58M⊙ and $$radius=9.1$$radius=9.1 km) has been allowed for testing the physical acceptability of the developed model. The gross physical nature of the observed pulsar has been analyzed graphically. The stability of the model is also discussed given causality conditions, adiabatic index and generalized Tolman–Oppenheimer–Volkov (TOV) equation under the forces acting on the system. To show that this model is compatible with observational data, few more pulsars have been considered, and all the requirements of a realistic star are highlighted. Additionally, the mass-radius (M–R) relationship of compact stellar objects analyzed for this model. The maximum mass for the presented model is $$\approx 4M_\odot $$≈4M⊙ which is compared with the realization of Rhoades and Ruffini (Phys Rev Lett 32:324, 1974).
Vascular targeted photodynamic therapy: A review of the efforts towards molecular targeting of tumor vasculature
Authors: Mashayekhi Vida , Op 't Hoog Charlotte , Oliveira Sabrina
Published: October 2019

The therapeutic value of vascular targeted photodynamic therapy (VTP) for cancer has already been recognized in the clinic: TOOKAD®has been clinically approved in Europe and Israel for treatment of men with low-risk prostate cancer. When light is applied shortly after intravenous administration of the photosensitizer, the damage is primarily done to the vasculature. This results in vessel constriction, blood flow stasis, and thrombus formation. Subsequently, the tumor is killed due to oxygen and nutrient deprivation. To further increase treatment specificity and to reduce undesired side effects such as damaging to the surrounding healthy tissues, efforts have been made to selectively target the PS to the tumor vasculature, an approach named molecular targeted VTP (molVTP). Several receptors have already been explored for this approach, namely CD13, CD276, Extra domains of fibronectin (A, B), Integrin [Formula: see text]v[Formula: see text]3, Neuropilin-1, Nucleolin, PDGFR[Formula: see text], tissue factor, and VEGFR-2, which are overexpressed on tumor vasculature. Preclinical studies have shown promising results, further encouraging the investigation and future application of molVTP, to improve selectivity and efficacy of cancer treatment. This strategy will hopefully lead to even more selective treatments for many cancer patients.
Tamoxifen-zinc(II) phthalocyanine conjugates for target-based photodynamic therapy and hormone therapy
Authors: Zhang Feng-Ling , Huang Ning , Weng Hui-Lan , Xue Jin-Ping
Published: October 2019

Although photodynamic therapy has been extensively studied in recent years and preclinical studies have shown promising results, strategies for enhancing PDT outcomes and reducing side effects still urgently need to be developed. In this study, a series of Tamoxifen-zinc(II) phthalocyanine conjugates have been designed and synthesized. In these “double-headed” conjugates, photodynamic therapy agent zinc(II) phthalocyanine and hormone therapy drug Tamoxifen were combined via oligoethylene glycol linkers. The conjugates show high specificity, and some of them show cytotoxic effects against the MCF-7 cells overexpressed Estrogen receptor, due to the targeting and cytostatic Tamoxifen moiety. Upon illumination, all these conjugates show high cytotoxicity due to the photosensitizing phthalocyanine unit. Their structure-activity relationship was also assessed. The results show that [Formula: see text]-substituted Tamoxifen-zinc(II) phthalocyanine conjugates are highly promising anticancer targeting agents which exhibit additive effects of photodynamic therapy and hormone therapy.
A flexible expanded heterocorrole: Tellura[22]porphyrin(6.1.1.0)
Authors: Hojniak-Thyssen Sandra , Szczepaniak Michał , Latos-Grażyński Lechosław , Pacholska-Dudziak Ewa
Published: October 2019

An expanded heterocorrole, meso-tetraaryl-tellura[22]porphyrin(6.1.1.0), containing a bipyrrole moiety and a six-carbon long link, has been synthesized. The reaction path proceeds through a controlled acid-promoted extrusion of one tellurium atom from meso-aryl-26,28-ditellurasapphyrin, leading to a structure where one tellurophene ring of the substrate is replaced by a bridging acyclic four-carbon unit. This aromatic porphyrin-annulene hybrid is conformationally flexible in solution, on account of the C4 unit adopting two different configurations: trans–cis–trans or all-trans. Studies of the dynamic behavior of tellura[22]porphyrin(6.1.1.0) in solution were performed by means of 1H and 125Te NMR spectroscopy. The X-ray structure of the all-trans form with trapezoid macrocyclic skeleton is also presented.
Optical, UV-Vis spectroscopy studies, electrical and dielectric properties of transition metal-based of the novel organic–inorganic hybrid (C6H10N2)(Hg2Cl5)2.3H2O
Authors: Saad Imen Ben , Hannachi Najeh , Roisnel Thierry , Hlel Faouzi
Published: October 2019

In this work, we are interested in the synthesis of new hybrid material (C6[Formula: see text]N2)(Hg2[Formula: see text].3H2O grown by hydrothermal methods. X-ray diffraction indicates that this compound crystallizes at 150(2) K in the monoclinic system with [Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text] space group, with the following unit cell parameters: [Formula: see text](15) Å, [Formula: see text](15) Å, [Formula: see text](6) Å, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. On the other hand, the optical properties of this compound were studied using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy in the range 200–800[Formula: see text]nm. Furthermore, the optical absorbances are used to determine the absorption coefficient [Formula: see text] and the optical band gap [Formula: see text], so the Tauc model was used to determine the optical gap energy of the compound (C6[Formula: see text]N2)(Hg2[Formula: see text].3H2O. The analysis of the results revealed the existence of optical allowed indirect transition mechanisms with the band gap energy equal to (2.37[Formula: see text]eV) for liquid and (4.33[Formula: see text]eV) for solid. Impedance measurements indicate that the electrical and dielectric properties are strongly dependent on both temperature and frequency. Nyquist plots ([Formula: see text] versus [Formula: see text]) show that the conductivity behavior is accurately represented by an equivalent circuit model which consists of a series combination of bulk and grain boundary. Furthermore, the angular frequency dependence plots of the real and imaginary parts, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], of complex dielectric permittivity [Formula: see text] and tan [Formula: see text] losses at several temperatures between 303 and 453[Formula: see text]K were studied for the title compound. Finally, the modulus plots can be characterized by the presence of two relaxation peaks.
Techniques in Complex Semantic Fieldwork
Authors: Bochnak M. Ryan , Matthewson Lisa
Published: October 2019

The main goal of semantic fieldwork is to accurately capture the contribution of natural language expressions to truth conditions and to pragmatic felicity conditions, by interacting with native speakers of the language under investigation. Most semantic fieldwork tasks (including, for example, acceptability judgment tasks, elicited production tasks, and translation tasks) require the researcher to present a discourse context to the consultant. The important questions then become how to present that context to consultants and how to best ensure that the consultant and the researcher have the same context in mind. We argue that phenomena which rely on controlling for interlocutor beliefs are particularly well suited for the storyboard elicitation methodology. This includes “out-of-the-blue” scenarios, which we treat as a special type of discourse context that must also be controlled for. We illustrate these claims by presenting novel storyboards targeting the de re/ de dicto ambiguity and verum marking.
Physiology of the Carotid Body: From Molecules to Disease
Authors: Ortega-Sáenz Patricia , López-Barneo José
Published: October 2019

The carotid body (CB) is an arterial chemoreceptor organ located in the carotid bifurcation and has a well-recognized role in cardiorespiratory regulation. The CB contains neurosecretory sensory cells (glomus cells), which release transmitters in response to hypoxia, hypercapnia, and acidemia to activate afferent sensory fibers terminating in the respiratory and autonomic brainstem centers. Knowledge of the physiology of the CB has progressed enormously in recent years. Herein we review advances concerning the organization and function of the cellular elements of the CB, with emphasis on the molecular mechanisms of acute oxygen sensing by glomus cells. We introduce the modern view of the CB as a multimodal integrated metabolic sensor and describe the properties of the CB stem cell niche, which support CB growth during acclimatization to chronic hypoxia. Finally, we discuss the increasing medical relevance of CB dysfunction and its potential impact on the mechanisms of disease.
Five months of voluntary wheel running downregulates skeletal muscle LINE-1 gene expression in rats
Authors: Romero Matthew A. , Mumford Petey W. , Roberson Paul A. , Osburn Shelby C. , Parry Hailey A. , Kavazis Andreas N. , Gladden L. Bruce , Schwartz Tonia S. , Baker Brent A. , Toedebusch Ryan G. , Childs Thomas E. , Booth Frank W. , Roberts Michael D.
Published: October 2019

Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile DNA and constitute approximately half of the human genome. LINE-1 (L1) is the only active autonomous TE in the mammalian genome and has been implicated in a number of diseases as well as aging. We have previously reported that skeletal muscle L1 expression is lower following acute and chronic exercise training in humans. Herein, we used a rodent model of voluntary wheel running to determine whether long-term exercise training affects markers of skeletal muscle L1 regulation. Selectively bred high-running female Wistar rats ( n = 11 per group) were either given access to a running wheel (EX) or not (SED) at 5 wk of age, and these conditions were maintained until 27 wk of age. Thereafter, mixed gastrocnemius tissue was harvested and analyzed for L1 mRNA expression and DNA content along with other L1 regulation markers. We observed significantly ( P < 0.05) lower L1 mRNA expression, higher L1 DNA methylation, and less L1 DNA in accessible chromatin regions in EX versus SED rats. We followed these experiments with 3-h in vitro drug treatments in L6 myotubes to mimic transient exercise-specific signaling events. The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) agonist 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide (AICAR; 4 mM) significantly decreased L1 mRNA expression in L6 myotubes. However, this effect was not facilitated through increased L1 DNA methylation. Collectively, these data suggest that long-term voluntary wheel running downregulates skeletal muscle L1 mRNA, and this may occur through chromatin modifications. Enhanced AMPK signaling with repetitive exercise bouts may also decrease L1 mRNA expression, although the mechanism of action remains unknown.
A Bitwise Design and Implementation for Privacy-Preserving Data Mining: From Atomic Operations to Advanced Algorithms
Authors: Song Baek Kyung , Yoo Joon Soo , Hong Miyeon , Yoon Ji Won
Published: October 2019

Homomorphic encryption (HE) is considered as one of the most powerful solutions to securely protect clients’ data from malicious users and even severs in the cloud computing. However, though it is known that HE can protect the data in theory, it has not been well utilized because many operations of HE are too slow, especially multiplication. In addition, existing data mining research studies using encrypted data focus on implementing only specific algorithms without addressing the fundamental problem of HE. In this paper, we propose a fundamental design and implementation of data mining algorithm through logical gates. In order to do this, we design various logic of atomic operations in encrypted domain and finally apply these logic to well-known data mining algorithms. We also analyze the execution time of atomic and advanced algorithms.
Intraocular Pressure Measurement Using Ocular Response Analyzer, Dynamic Contour Tonometer, and Scheimpflug Analyzer Corvis ST
Authors: Ramm Lisa , Herber Robert , Spoerl Eberhard , Raiskup Frederik , Pillunat Lutz E. , Terai Naim
Published: October 2019

Purpose. To compare intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements with Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT), ocular response analyzer (ORA), dynamic contour tonometer (DCT), and Corvis ST (CST) in healthy subjects. Methods. In a prospective, observational study, IOP measurements with GAT (GAT-IOPc), ORA (IOPcc), DCT (DCT-IOP), and CST (bIOP) were performed and analyzed in 94 healthy subjects. Results. Mean age of the participants was 45.6 ± 17.2 years (range 18 to 81 years). Mean GAT-IOPc was 12.9 ± 2.4 mmHg, mean DCT-IOP was 16.1 ± 2.6 mmHg, and mean IOPcc was 15.6 ± 3.3 mmHg. DCT-IOP and IOPcc were significantly higher than GAT-IOPc (P<0.001). Mean bIOP was 13.5 ± 2.4 mmHg that was slightly higher but not significantly different from GAT-IOPc (P=0.146). Correlation analysis of IOP values and central corneal thickness (CCT) revealed a negative correlation between GAT-IOPc and CCT (r = −0.347; P=0.001). However, IOPcc, DCT-IOP, and bIOP showed no significant correlation to CCT. Only bIOP revealed a weak but significant age dependency (r = 0.321, P=0.002). Conclusion. All tonometry devices showed a good agreement of biomechanical corrected IOP values with GAT-IOPc. As no influence of CCT on IOPcc, DCT-IOP, and bIOP was detectable, the used correction algorithms appear to be appropriate in these tonometers in the clinical setting. The highest agreement was found between GAT-IOPc and bIOP. However, bIOP weakly correlated with participants’ age. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of bIOP for IOP measurement.
Methods of Cryoprotectant Preservation: Allogeneic Cellular Bone Grafts and Potential Effects
Authors: Martin W. Blake , Sicard Renaud , Namin Shabnam M. , Ganey Timothy
Published: October 2019

Debridement of the bone surface during a surgical fusion procedure initiates an injury response promoting a healing cascade of molecular mediators released over time. Autologous grafts offer natural scaffolding to fill the bone void and to provide local bone cells. Commercial bone grafting products such as allografts, synthetic bone mineral products, etc., are used to supplement or to replace autologous grafts by supporting osteoinductivity, osteoconductivity, and osteogenesis at the surgical site. To assure osteogenic potential, preservation of allogeneic cells with cryoprotectants has been developed to allow for long-term storage and thus delivery of viable bone cells to the surgical site. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is an intracellular cryoprotectant commonly used because it provides good viability of the cells post-thaw. However, there is known cytotoxicity reported for DMSO when cells are stored above cryogenic temperatures. For most cellular bone graft products, the cryoprotectant is incorporated with the cells into the other mineralized bone and demineralized bone components. During thawing, the DMSO may not be sufficiently removed from allograft products compared to its use in a cell suspension where removal by washing and centrifugation is available. Therefore, both the allogeneic cell types in the bone grafting product and the local cell types at the bone grafting site could be affected as cytotoxicity varies by cell type and by DMSO content according to reported studies. Overcoming cytotoxicity may be an additional challenge in the formation of bone at a wound or surgical site. Other extracellular cryoprotectants have been explored as alternatives to DMSO which preserve without entering the cell membrane, thereby providing good cellular viability post-thaw and might abrogate the cytotoxicity concerns.
Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis as the First Manifestation of Thyrotropin-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma
Authors: Kaewkrasaesin Chatchon , Buranasupkajorn Patinut , Piriyawat Paisith , Sunthornyothin Sarat , Snabboon Thiti
Published: October 2019

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis is an unusual neurological manifestation of thyrotoxicosis, and even rarer when it occurs in thyrotropin-secreting pituitary adenoma, only 6 cases having been previously reported. We describe a case of pituitary microadenoma with clinical syndromes of thyrotoxicosis complicated with hypokalemic periodic paralysis. Clinical manifestations and proposed management are discussed.
Inhaling Hydrogen Ameliorates Early Postresuscitation EEG Characteristics in an Asphyxial Cardiac Arrest Rat Model
Authors: Chen Gang , Li Jingru , Wang Jianjie , Chen Bihua , Li Yongqin
Published: October 2019

Background. Electroencephalography (EEG) is commonly used to assess the neurological prognosis of comatose patients after cardiac arrest (CA). However, the early prognostic accuracy of EEG may be affected by postresuscitation interventions. Recent animal studies found that hydrogen inhalation after CA greatly improved neurological outcomes by selectively neutralizing highly reactive oxidants, but the effect of hydrogen inhalation on EEG recovery and its prognostication value are still unclear. The present study investigated the effects of hydrogen inhalation on early postresuscitation EEG characteristics in an asphyxial CA rat model. Methods. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was initiated after 5 min of untreated CA in 40 adult female Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals were randomized for ventilation with 98% oxygen plus 2% hydrogen (H2) or 98% oxygen plus 2% nitrogen (Ctrl) under normothermia for 1 h. EEG characteristics were continuously recorded for 4 h, and the relationships between quantitative EEG characteristics and 96 h neurological outcomes were investigated. Results. No differences in baseline and resuscitation data were observed between groups, but the survival rate was significantly higher in the H2 group than in the Ctrl group (90% vs. 40%, P<0.01). Compared to the Ctrl group, the H2 group showed a shorter burst onset time (21.85 [20.00–23.38] vs. 25.70 [22.48–30.05], P<0.01) and time to normal trace (169.83 [161.63–208.55] vs. 208.39 [186.29–248.80], P<0.01). Additionally, the burst suppression ratio (0.66 ± 0.09 vs. 0.52 ± 0.17, P<0.01) and weighted‐permutation entropy (0.47 ± 0.16 vs. 0.34 ± 0.13, P<0.01) were markedly higher in the H2 group. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for the 4 EEG characteristics in predicting survival were 0.82, 0.84, 0.88, and 0.83, respectively. Conclusions. In this asphyxial CA rat model, the improved postresuscitation EEG characteristics for animals treated with hydrogen are correlated with the better 96 h neurological outcome and predicted survival.