bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lessons identified from the 2017 Manchester and London terrorism incidents. Part two: the reception and definitive care (hospital) phases
Authors: Hunt Paul
Published: May 2018

The provision of medical care during the reception and definitive care phases of a terrorist incident will likely take place in designated receiving hospitals such as Major Trauma Centres. There is a need for an enhanced capability in such units to receive, initially manage and hold casualties with more serious injuries. Also, even less severely injured casualties may require significant time and clinical input such as risk management in potential bloodborne viruses.

The distribution of casualties from the incident scene requires advance consideration of the injury pattern and regional network organisation of specialist services, such as maxillofacial, neurosurgery or severe burns care. Paediatric centres are also more sparsely distributed and often only in large city networks which represents a significant challenge for planners and responders in other regions. An effective response relies on a coordinated multidisciplinary approach including emergency and front-of-house teams, surgical, medical and clinical support services.
Lessons identified from the 2017 Manchester and London terrorism incidents. Part 3: the postincident and recovery phase
Authors: Hunt Paul
Published: May 2018

This is the third paper in a three-part series detailing the lessons identified during the National Health Service (NHS) England clinical debrief meetings which followed the response to the 2017 Manchester and London terrorist incidents. It covers the postincident and recovery phases including rehabilitation, bereavement support, psychological support, network and regional lessons, NHS communications and supply organisations. It also summarises the military application of these lessons and outlines the next steps for further development.
Psoriasis and the risk of foot and ankle tendinopathy or enthesopathy in the absence of psoriatic arthritis: a population-based study
Authors: Lewinson Ryan T , Vallerand Isabelle A , Parsons Laurie M , LaMothe Jeremy M , Frolkis Alexandra D , Lowerison Mark W , Kaplan Gilaad G , Patten Scott B , Barnabe Cheryl
Published: May 2018

Objectives

Imaging studies in patients with cutaneous psoriasis have demonstrated asymptomatic bone and tendon changes, commonly of the foot and ankle. We sought to determine if patients with cutaneous psoriasis have an increased risk of clinically significant foot and ankle tendinopathy or enthesopathy compared with the general population.

Methods

Patients with cutaneous psoriasis and a general population cohort were identified in The Health Improvement Network, a general practice medical records database from the UK. All patients with psoriatic arthritis were excluded. Cox proportional-hazards models (α=0.05) estimated the HR for development of foot and ankle tendinopathy or enthesopathy among patients with psoriasis, with adjustment for numerous covariates.

Results

In total, 78 630 patients with cutaneous psoriasis and 5 983 338 persons from the general population were identified. In an unadjusted model, patients with cutaneous psoriasis had a 25% increased risk of developing foot and ankle tendinopathy or enthesopathy compared with the general population (HR 1.25, 95% CI 1.20 to 1.30, p<0.0001). The HR remained unchanged and statistically significant after adjusting for covariates, and in sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions

These data suggest that patients with psoriasis can have foot and ankle tendinopathy or enthesopathy without having psoriatic arthritis, presenting a diagnostic challenge to physicians. Further research is needed to elucidate mechanisms contributing to this increased risk.
Full‐term pregnancy with vaginal birth following dystocia and caesarean section in two cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus)
Authors: Alves Sara E , Joyner Priscilla H , Aitken‐Palmer Copper , Crosier Adrienne E , Ware Lisa
Published: May 2018

The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) population in North American zoos remains unsustainable despite extensive management within the Species Survival Plan. Successful copulation, pregnancy and birth are essential to achieving population sustainability for this species. This case report discusses the clinical presentation and treatment of one five‐year‐old nulliparous and one six‐year‐old primiparous cheetah that presented with dystocia followed by caesarean section. It details postcaesarean complications due to abdominal herniation and uterine infection. Both females were rebred after recovery, giving birth vaginally without complications. These cases demonstrate the possibility of successful copulation, pregnancy and vaginal birth postdystocia and caesarean with proper management. Understanding reproductive complications and successful veterinary care during such obstacles is critical to providing appropriate welfare and care for animals under professional zoological care.
Effect of nano BiPb-2212 phase addition on BiPb-2223 phase properties
Authors: Mohammed N. H. , Abou-Aly A. I. , Barakat M. ME. , Hassan M. S.
Published: May 2018

BiPb-2212 phase in nanoscale was added to BiPb-2223 phase with a general stoichiometry of (Bi[Formula: see text]Pb[Formula: see text]Sr[Formula: see text]Ca[Formula: see text]Cu[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text]/Bi[Formula: see text]Pb[Formula: see text]Sr[Formula: see text]Ca[Formula: see text]Cu[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text], 0.0 [Formula: see text] x [Formula: see text] 2.5 wt.%. All samples were prepared by the standard solid-state reaction method. The prepared nano BiPb-2212 phase was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The prepared samples were characterized by XRD and the scanning electron microscope (SEM). XRD analysis indicated that the sample with x = 1.5 wt.% has the highest relative volume fraction for BiPb-2223 phase. Samples were examined by electrical resistivity and I–V measurements. There is no significant change in the superconducting transition temperature [Formula: see text] for all samples. The highest critical current density [Formula: see text] was recorded for the sample with x = 1.5 wt.%. The normalized excess conductivity [Formula: see text] was calculated according to Aslamazov–Larkin (AL) model. Four different fluctuating regions were recorded as the temperature decreased. The coherence length along the c-axis at 0 K [Formula: see text], interlayer coupling strength s, Fermi velocity [Formula: see text] of the carriers and Fermi energy [Formula: see text] were calculated for both samples with x = 0.0 wt.% and 1.5 wt.%.
Electronic theoretical study on the influence of torsional deformation on the electronic structure and optical properties of BN-doped graphene
Authors: Fan Dazhi , Liu Guili , Wei Lin
Published: May 2018

Based on the density functional theory, the effect of torsional deformation on the electronic structure and optical properties of boron nitride (BN)-doped graphene is studied by using the first-principles calculations. The band structure calculations show that the intrinsic graphene is a semi-metallic material with zero band gap and the torsional deformation has a large effect on its band gap, opening its band gap and turning it from the semi-metal to the medium band gap semiconductor. The doping of BN in graphene makes its band gap open and becomes a medium band gap semiconductor. When it is subjected to a torsional effect, it is found to have a weak influence on its band gap. In other words, the doping of BN makes the changes of the band gap of graphene no longer sensitive to torsional deformation. Optical properties show that the doping of BN leads to a significant decrease in the light absorption coefficient and reflectivity of the graphene at the characteristic peak and that of BN-doped graphene system is also weakened by torsional deformation at the characteristic peak. In the absorption spectrum, the absorption peaks of the doping system of the torsion angle of 2–20[Formula: see text] are redshifted compared with that of the BN-doped system (the torsion angle is 0[Formula: see text]). In the reflection spectrum, the two reflection peaks are all redshifted relative to that of the BN-doped system (the torsion angle is 0[Formula: see text]) and when the torsion angle exceeds 12[Formula: see text], the size relationship between the two peaks is interchanged. The results of this paper are of guiding significance for the study of graphene-based nanotube devices in terms of deformation.
Systemic financial risk prediction using least squares support vector machines
Authors: Zhao Dandan , Ding Jianchen , Chai Senchun
Published: May 2018

The systemic financial risk prediction problem has become a focus in the field of finance. This work applies a novel machine learning technique, that is, least squares support vector machines (LSSVM), to predict the systemic financial risk. To serve this purpose, the paper selects financial risk indicators of China from January 2006 to December 2016, and utilizes unit root test, principal component analysis (PCA) and self-exciting threshold autoregressive (SETAR) methods for data preprocessing. Furthermore, particle swarm optimization (PSO) has been used for parameters optimization of LSSVM by comparison with grid search (GS), and genetic algorithm (GA). The experimental results show that a better prediction performance and generalization can be achieved with the proposed LSSVM compared to the traditional strategies such as SVM, BP neural networks, and logistic regression. As a result, we can conclude that the LSSVM is more suitable for the practical use in systemic financial risk predicting.
FACTORS IMPACTING TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS INCUBATOR PERFORMANCE
Authors: BINSAWAD MUHAMMAD , SOHAIB OSAMA , HAWRYSZKIEWYCZ IGOR
Published: May 2018

Technology business incubators support economic growth by developing innovative technologies. However, assessing the performance of technology business incubators in Saudi Arabia has not been well recognised. This study provides a conceptual framework for assessing technology business incubators based on knowledge sharing practices and sharing, diffusion of innovation and individual creativity. Partial least squares structural equation modelling, such as (PLS-SEM) path modelling was used to test the model. The results provide empirical insights about the performance of technology business incubators. The findings show knowledge donation and collection has positive effects on technology business incubator. The importance–performance map analysis shows additional findings and conclusions for managerial actions.
Metamorphic fluid superimposition of the Changba–Lijiagou Pb–Zn deposit, West Qinling Orogen, central China
Authors: Ni Pei , Wang Tian-Gang , Wang Guo-Guang , Li Wen-Sheng , Pan Jun-Yi
Published: May 2018

Several large to giant Pb–Zn deposits in the West Qinling Orogen in central China are argued to be of SEDEX (sedimentary exhalative) type or of epigenetic hydrothermal type. Additionally, the nature of the mineralizing fluids is poorly known. Our observations suggest that early stage primary marine sedimentary mineralization is characterized by laminated or disseminated fine-grained massive sulphide ores, and late stage metamorphic superimposition is represented by coarser equigranular annealed textures and the disruption of thinly laminated structures. Three coexisting types of fluid inclusions were recognized: H
2
O–NaCl (type I); H
2
O–NaCl–CH
4
–CO
2
(type II); and CH
4
–CO
2
(type III). The coexisting type I and II inclusions show similar homogenization temperature values but different salinities, indicating that fluid immiscibility occurred. Formation pressures calculated using type III inclusions are high (72.5–174.5 MPa). The lead isotopes of the sulphides and calcites show a narrow range. The primary sedimentary ore textures plus the similar lead isotopes between the ores and the wall rocks suggest a SEDEX origin, but the annealed recrystallization textures, the immiscible carbonic fluid inclusion assemblages and higher formation pressures suggest a strong late-stage metamorphic superimposition on the original SEDEX-type ores.
Mass-transfer and differential element mobility in metapelites during multistage metamorphism of the Yenisey Ridge, Siberia
Authors: Likhanov I. I.
Published: May 2018

Pelitic gneisses and schists from the Garevka Complex (Yenisey Ridge) at the western margin of the Siberian craton contain zoned garnet porphyroblasts that show clear evidence of multistage growth. The three discrete stages define a counter-clockwise pressure–temperature (
P–T
) path involving initial prograde low pressure heating followed by near-isothermal medium-pressure compression and post-peak retrograde synexhumation decompression and cooling. The combined study of the variations of
in-situ
major and trace element mineral compositions of coexisting minerals and mineral modes with changing
P
and
T
conditions and metamorphic reactions in rocks allowed detailed investigation of metamorphic processes. A significant increase in pressure during prograde collision-related metamorphism correlates with an abrupt increase of Ca in garnets, which in turn is accompanied by a significant decrease in heavy rare earth elements (HREE) and Y contents. Decrease in temperature and pressure during retrograde metamorphism led to an increase in the HREE and Y content in garnets with concomitant decrease of grossular component of garnet. A pronounced systematic negative correlation between HREE including Y content and Ca content in garnet can be attributed to substitution of trivalent rare earth elements (REE) and Y for divalent Ca cations on eightfold sites. The main reasons for the sharp increase in Ca content in garnets during collisional metamorphism are either (1) the redistribution between garnet and plagioclase, which led to less calcium in composition, or (2) consequence of epidote breakdown. A mass balance of major and trace elements between the reactants and products of metamorphic reactions yield very good matches between the measured and reconstructed modal abundances in all cases, indicating that collisional metamorphism was essentially isochemical with respect to most elements, with the exception of HREE. The minimum equilibration volume for the major elements was
c.
1 mm
3
. The total HREE balance requires a rather greater reaction volume involved in the redistribution of HREEs, of the order of 3–8 mm
3
which provides evidence for their relatively higher migration mobility during metamorphism in comparison with other REE.
The granulite- to eclogite- and amphibolite-facies transition: a volume and mass transfer study in the Lindås Nappe, Bergen Arcs, west Norway
Authors: Centrella Stephen
Published: May 2018

This study is focused on a specific outcrop in the Bergen Arcs, Norway where the transition between dry granulite and the hydrated eclogite and amphibolite is exposed. In this outcrop the foliation in the granulite is continuous as it passes through eclogite- and amphibolite-facies rocks, presenting a challenge to understanding the nature of these spatial relationships. Although there is no major change in the bulk chemical composition of all three metamorphic-facies rocks, the loss of ignition (LOI) content increases from granulite to the eclogite and to the amphibolite. During hydration and metamorphism, the density changes from
c.
3 g cm
−3
for the anorthositic granulite to 3.2 g cm
−3
for the eclogite, and 2.75 g cm
−3
for the amphibolite. Based on the mass balance equation, eclogitization of the granulite shows a reduction of volume of
c.
3% whereas amphibolitization of the granulite gains
c.
5% in volume. By assuming equilibrium, modelling the phase equilibria provides estimates of the amount of fluid necessary to form the eclogite and the amphibolite assemblages. Results show that both assemblages can be stable at similar temperature and a similar fluid composition but differ in pressure by
c.
10 kbar. This study suggests that the stress generated during hydration of the granulite may influence the local mineral assemblage equilibrium.
Typology of hard rock ground waters within the Lower Sassandra, a main catchment in humid tropical West Africa
Authors: Fouché O. , Yao Th. K. , Oga M.-S. Y. , Soro N.
Published: May 2018

Randomness of fracture networks still makes channelized flow a challenge to track in hard-rock aquifers. While not underestimating geological and hydrological criteria that are also handled here through mapping exercises, this study raises an issue of water quality encountered in lifelong boreholes. Chemical classification checked against a recent conceptual model of bedrock aquifers gives birth to a new typology of groundwater in a complex granitic aquifer system located in the SW of Ivory Coast (West Africa). Major ion chemistry, borehole completion data, digital elevation model and satellite images are used to interpret the geochemical water facies as an expression of connexions between the saprolite and the saprock, or transient insulation. From major ions ratios, cumulate mineralization, carbonate equilibrium, stable isotopes, the maturation of ground waters and mixing between bedrock layers are described at seasonal and local scales. The results highlight some vertical feeding of the water table into the main saprock aquifer owing to shortcuts through the saprolite, along with the existence of dead-ends in the hydraulically active fracture network. Also, some influence of fault zones, either drain or barrier, is confirmed on the (Ca, Mg) bicarbonate water facies within the saprock.
Geikie's science in the cemetery
Authors: Morgan Nina
Published: May 2018

Natural stone is an important material used for buildings, walls and monuments. However, when used outdoors, it is subject to damage by the effects of weathering. Inspired by the experiments carried out by Friedrich Pfaff, a German geologist and professor of mineralogy at the University of Erlangen, Germany, in the 1870s, Archibald Geikie became interested in the subject of rock weathering and came up with the idea of using gravestones as a means of monitoring weathering in stone used for building. This work, apparently carried out in cemeteries in Edinburgh as a sideline to his normal fieldwork activities, was described in 1880 in a communication read to the Royal Society of Edinburgh. It represents the first comprehensive scientific study of rock weathering published in English, and the methodology Geikie developed for his study formed the basis for modern studies of rock weathering using gravestones.
Intestinal epithelial cell-specific IGF1 promotes the expansion of intestinal stem cells during epithelial regeneration and functions on the intestinal immune homeostasis
Authors: Zheng Yu , Song Yongli , Han Qi , Liu Wenjie , Xu Jiuzhi , Yu Zhengquan , Zhang Ran , Li Ning
Published: May 2018

It is well known that insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) acts as a trophic factor in small intestine under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions. However, it still lacks direct in vivo evidence of the functions of intestinal epithelial cell (IEC)-specific IGF1 under both normal and pathological conditions. Using IEC-specific IGF1-knockout (cKO) mice and Lgr5-eGFP-CreERT mice, we demonstrate that IEC-specific IGF1 can enhance nutrient uptake, reduce protein catabolism and energy consumption, and promote the proliferation and expansion of intestinal epithelial cells, including intestinal epithelial stem cells and intestinal secretory cells. Next, we showed that IEC-specific IGF1 renders IECs resistant to irradiation and promotes epithelial regeneration. Strikingly, transcriptome profiling assay revealed that many differentially expressed genes involved in the differentiation and maturation of lymphoid lineages were significantly suppressed in the cKO mice as compared with the control mice. We demonstrated that deletion of IGF1 in IECs enhances bacterial translocation to the mesenteric lymph nodes and liver. Furthermore, high-throughput sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA genes of gut microbiota revealed that IEC-specific IGF1 loss profoundly affected the gut microbial composition at various levels of classification. Therefore, our findings shed light on the in vivo roles of IEC-specific IGF1 in intestinal homeostasis, epithelial regeneration, and immunity, broadening our current insights on IGF1 functions.
Increased AQP7 abundance in skeletal muscle from obese men with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Lebeck Janne , Søndergaard Esben , Nielsen Søren
Published: May 2018

Aquaglyceroporin 7 (AQP7) facilitates the transport of glycerol across cell membranes. In mice, fasting and refeeding regulate adipose tissue AQP7 abundance, and a role in controlling triglyceride accumulation in adipose tissue has been proposed. AQP7 is also expressed in skeletal muscle, where its function remains to be determined. Here, the abundance of AQP7 in abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and skeletal muscle was evaluated in the overnight fasted and postprandial state in eight lean and eight obese men with type 2 diabetes (T2D). A biopsy from SAT and muscle was collected after an overnight fast and 2 h after ingestion of a low-fat test meal. Palmitate turnover was evaluated using a [9,10-3H] palmitate dilution technique. Tissue samples were analyzed by immunoblotting. Meal intake did not affect AQP7 expression in SAT or skeletal muscle. No association between the SAT AQP7 abundance and palmitate turnover was found. SAT AQP7 abundance was similar in lean and obese T2D men, whereas muscle AQP7 abundance was more than fourfold higher in obese T2D men. In conclusion, meal intake did not affect AQP7 protein abundance in SAT or skeletal muscle. In addition, SAT AQP7 expression does not appear to be involved in the regulation of adipose tissue lipolysis. However, in contrast to SAT AQP7, skeletal muscle AQP7 protein abundance is markedly increased in obese T2D men, potentially contributing to the excess lipid accumulation in skeletal muscle in type 2 diabetes.
Neurocysticercosis in Children with Seizures: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Gupta Murli Manohar , Chaudhary Nagendra , Pathak Santosh , Agrawal Nikhil , Yadav Jaydev , Shrestha Sandeep , Kurmi Om Prakash , Bhatia Baldev , Agarwal Kailash Nath
Published: May 2018

Background. Neurocysticercosis (NCC), a common cause of seizures in children from low and middle income countries (LMICs), if not diagnosed and treated early enough may lead to considerable morbidity and mortality. There is a lack of data on the prevalence of NCC and its clinical characteristics among those with seizure in South-Western Nepal. Aims and Objectives. To study the prevalence and clinical characteristics of NCC in children with seizures. Material and Methods. All children admitted to Universal College of Medical Sciences, a tertiary hospital in South-Western Nepal with seizures during 2014–16, were tested for NCC. NCC was diagnosed by neuroimaging [computerized tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)]. We used logistic regression to test the association between NCC with participants’ characteristics and clinical symptoms. Results. Among 4962 in-patient children, 168 (104 boys and 64 girls) had seizures (138 with generalized tonic clonic seizures (GTCS) and 30 with focal seizures). 43% of children with seizures had CT scan confirmed NCC. The prevalence of NCC in the oldest children (13–16 years) was significantly greater (57.1% versus 15.6%) compared to the youngest (0–4 years) one (p<0.001). Among 72 children with NCC, the proportions of children with vesicular, calcified, and colloidal stages were 76% (n=35), 18% (n=13), and 6% (n=2), respectively. Children with focal seizures had 13% more NCC compared to those with GTCS but the result was statistically not significant. The adjusted odds of having NCC among 5–8 years, 9–12 years, and 13–16 years children were 6.6 (1.78–24.60), 11.06 (2.74–44.60), and 14.47 (3.13–66.96), respectively, compared to 0–4-year-old children. Reoccurrence of seizures within the first 3 months of taking antiepileptic drug in those with NCC was approximately 3 times higher compared to those without NCC (11% versus 4%, p=0.084). Conclusions. This study shows that NCC contributes significantly to higher prevalence of seizures in children in South-Western region of Nepal.
Determination of Microalgal Lipid Content and Fatty Acid for Biofuel Production
Authors: Chen Zhipeng , Wang Lingfeng , Qiu Shuang , Ge Shijian
Published: May 2018

Biofuels produced from microalgal biomass have received growing worldwide recognition as promising alternatives to conventional petroleum-derived fuels. Among the processes involved, the downstream refinement process for the extraction of lipids from biomass greatly influences the sustainability and efficiency of the entire biofuel system. This review summarizes and compares the current techniques for the extraction and measurement of microalgal lipids, including the gravimetric methods using organic solvents, CO2-based solvents, ionic liquids and switchable solvents, Nile red lipid visualization method, sulfo-phospho-vanillin method, and the thin-layer chromatography method. Each method has its own competitive advantages and disadvantages. For example, the organic solvents-based gravimetric method is mostly used and frequently employed as a reference standard to validate other methods, but it requires large amounts of samples and is time-consuming and expensive to recover solvents also with low selectivity towards desired products. The pretreatment approaches which aimed to disrupt cells and support subsequent lipid extraction through bead beating, microwave, ultrasonication, chemical methods, and enzymatic disruption are also introduced. Moreover, the principles and procedures for the production and quantification of fatty acids are finally described in detail, involving the preparation of fatty acid methyl esters and their quantification and composition analysis by gas chromatography.
Teaching-Learning-Based Optimization with Learning Enthusiasm Mechanism and Its Application in Chemical Engineering
Authors: Chen Xu , Xu Bin , Yu Kunjie , Du Wenli
Published: May 2018

Teaching-learning-based optimization (TLBO) is a population-based metaheuristic search algorithm inspired by the teaching and learning process in a classroom. It has been successfully applied to many scientific and engineering applications in the past few years. In the basic TLBO and most of its variants, all the learners have the same probability of getting knowledge from others. However, in the real world, learners are different, and each learner’s learning enthusiasm is not the same, resulting in different probabilities of acquiring knowledge. Motivated by this phenomenon, this study introduces a learning enthusiasm mechanism into the basic TLBO and proposes a learning enthusiasm based TLBO (LebTLBO). In the LebTLBO, learners with good grades have high learning enthusiasm, and they have large probabilities of acquiring knowledge from others; by contrast, learners with bad grades have low learning enthusiasm, and they have relative small probabilities of acquiring knowledge from others. In addition, a poor student tutoring phase is introduced to improve the quality of the poor learners. The proposed method is evaluated on the CEC2014 benchmark functions, and the computational results demonstrate that it offers promising results compared with other efficient TLBO and non-TLBO algorithms. Finally, LebTLBO is applied to solve three optimal control problems in chemical engineering, and the competitive results show its potential for real-world problems.
The Red Sea as a Corrosive Environment: Corrosion Rates and Corrosion Mechanism of Aluminum Alloys 7075, 2024, and 6061
Authors: Al-Moubaraki Aisha H. , Al-Rushud Hind H.
Published: May 2018

Corrosion behavior of Al 7075, Al 2024, and Al 6061 in the Red Sea water was studied using weight loss (WL) measurements and potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) technique. The corrosion patterns and corrosion products formed on Al alloys were characterized using optical photography (OP), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The results showed that WL data were consistent with bimodal model rather than the power law function and the corrosion rates exhibit a continuous decrease with exposure time. The increasing order of the Red Sea corrosivity on the studied Al alloys can be given as follows: Al 6061 < Al 2024 < Al 7075. The results of temperature effect revealed that an increase in temperature resulted in an increase in both anodic and cathodic current density and a decrease in corrosion potential. Al 7075 was less influenced by temperature than the other alloys. Pitting corrosion was the predominant corrosion pattern detected on all Al alloy surfaces after prolonged immersion in the Red Sea water. The appearance of S peak in EDS spectra of Al 7075 after corrosion gives an indication of the contribution of bacteria in the corrosion process.
Clinicopathological and Survival Outcomes of Well-Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma Undergoing Dedifferentiation: A Retrospective Study from FUSCC
Authors: Ma Ben , Xu Weibo , Wei Wenjun , Wen Duo , Lu Zhongwu , Yang Shuwen , Chen Tongzhen , Wang Yulong , Wang Yu , Ji Qinghai
Published: May 2018

Background. Recently, several studies have reported that dedifferentiation occurs in fatal well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC) cases. This study aimed at investigating the clinicopathological characteristics of WDTC undergoing dedifferentiation.Methods. A total of 63 WDTC patients harboring dedifferentiated phenotype were enrolled in the study. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis were used to perform survival analyses. Harrell index of concordance (C-index) and Akaike information criterion (AIC) were calculated to compare the predictive value for prognosis among several prognostic classification systems.Results. The median cause-specific survival (CSS) of patients was 138 months, with the CSS rate of 64.0% and 53.3% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. Presence of the anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) phenotype significantly increased the risk of poor CSS (P=0.033), and age was the only independent risk factor for disease progression (P=0.015). The C-index and AIC of the age, grade, extent, size (AGES) prognostic classification system for the CSS were 0.723 and 59.937, respectively.Conclusions. The presence of dedifferentiated phenotypes can be responsible for the poor outcomes in WDTC patients. The AGES system demonstrates to be an optimal prognostic system for WDTC undergoing dedifferentiation.
Liver HLA-E Expression Is Associated with Severity of Liver Disease in Chronic Hepatitis C
Authors: Araújo Roberta C. , Dias Fabricio C. , Bertol Bruna C. , Silva Deisy M. , Almeida Patrícia H. , Teixeira Andreza C. , Souza Fernanda F. , Villanova Marcia G. , Ramalho Leandra N. Z. , Donadi Eduardo A. , Martinelli Ana L. C.
Published: May 2018

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can escape from innate and adaptive immunity, making the immune response ineffective. Human leukocyte antigen E (HLA-E) might regulate the antiviral function of immune response and contribute to the persistence of HCV and the severity of liver disease. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of HLA-E in the liver and its association with the severity of liver disease in HCV patients. We performed a retrospective analysis of liver biopsies from 125 HCV patients and from 20 control subjects without liver disease. Liver biopsies were reviewed and classified according to severity of fibrosis and inflammatory activity. The pathologist assessed the magnitude of HLA-E expression in a semiquantitative way, attributing scores from 0 to 3. Immunohistochemistry showed positive for HLA-E in hepatocyte and Kupffer cells. The rate of HLA-E positivity in hepatocytes and Kupffer cells was significantly higher in HCV patients compared to controls. The liver samples classified as severe fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity presented greater expression of HLA-E on Kupffer cells and hepatocytes, with a significant linear association. It indicates that HLA-E expression may have an immunomodulatory effect and a possible role in the severity of liver disease in chronic hepatitis C.
The Ability of Different Ketohexoses to Alter Apo‐A‐I Structure and Function In Vitro and to Induce Hepatosteatosis, Oxidative Stress, and Impaired Plasma Lipid Profile in Hyperlipidemic Zebrafish
Authors: Yadav Dhananjay , Kim Suk-Jeong , Bae Myung Ae , Kim Jae-Ryong , Cho Kyung-Hyun
Published: May 2018

In the current study, we have tested the nonenzymatic glycation activities of ketohexoses, such as tagatose and psicose. Although tagatose‐treated apoA‐I (t‐A‐I) and psicose‐treated apoA‐I (p‐A‐I) exerted more inhibitory activity you cupric ion‐mediated low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and oxidized LDL (oxLDL) phagocytosis into macrophage than fructose‐treated apoA‐I (f‐A‐I). In the lipid‐free state, t‐A‐I and f‐A‐I showed more multimerized band without crosslinking. Since t‐A‐I lost its phospholipid binding ability, the rHDL formation was not as successful as f‐A‐I. However, injecting t‐A‐I showed more antioxidant activities in zebrafish embryo under the presence of oxLDL. Three weeks of consumption of fructose (50% of wt in Tetrabit/4% cholesterol) showed a 14% elevation of serum triacylglycerol (TG), while tagatose‐administered group showed 30% reduction in serum TG compared to high cholesterol control. Fructose‐fed group showed the biggest area of Oil Red O staining with the intensity as strong as the HCD control. However, tagatose‐consumed group showed much lesser Oil Red O‐stained area with the reduction of lipid accumulation. In conclusion, although tagatose treatment caused modification of apoA‐I, the functional loss was not as much severe as the fructose treatment in macrophage cell model, zebrafish embryo, and hypercholesterolemic zebrafish model.
Application of the Bipotential Theory to a Nonassociated Drucker–Prager Model
Authors: Zhou Yang-Jing , Feng Zhi-Qiang , Rojas Quintero Juan Antonio , Zhou Jian-Bo , Chen Hui-Jian
Published: May 2018

The bipotential theory allows us to describe nonassociated material laws. In this paper, we propose its application to the Drucker–Prager model. With a new description of the implicit flow rules, we propose dual constitutive cones as well as five forms of the bipotential function: the elastic stage in rate form, the plastic stage in rate form, the elastic stage in incremental form, the plastic stage in incremental form, and the elastoplastic stage in incremental form. By combining these with the finite element method, a numerical strategy that deals with the nonassociated Drucker–Prager model is obtained. Two examples are simulated to verify the accuracy, the stability, and the practicability of the algorithm in civil engineering.
Neurohealth Properties ofHericium erinaceusMycelia Enriched with Erinacines
Authors: Li I-Chen , Lee Li-Ya , Tzeng Tsai-Teng , Chen Wan-Ping , Chen Yen-Po , Shiao Young-Ju , Chen Chin-Chu
Published: May 2018

Hericium erinaceus, an ideal culinary-medicinal mushroom, has become a well-established candidate in promoting positive brain and nerve health-related activities by inducing the nerve growth factor from its bioactive ingredient. Among its active compounds, only erinacine A has confirmed pharmacological actions in the central nervous system in rats. Hence, this review has summarized the available information on the neurohealth properties ofH. erinaceusmycelia enriched with erinacines, which may contribute to further research on the therapeutic roles of these mycelia. The safety of this mushroom has also been discussed. Although it has been difficult to extrapolate thein vivostudies to clinical situations, preclinical studies have shown that there can be improvements in ischemic stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and depression ifH. erinaceusmycelia enriched with erinacines are included in daily meals.
Comprehensive Quality Control of the Regenerative Therapy Using Platelet Concentrates: The Current Situation and Prospects in Japan
Authors: Kawase Tomoyuki , Okuda Kazuhiro
Published: May 2018

Platelet concentrates (PCs), represented by platelet-rich plasma (PRP), have been widely applied in the fields of regenerative and aesthetic therapies. PCs’ mechanisms of action, however, are too complicated, and it is not easy to present the whole picture; besides, clinical outcomes are hardly reproducible in many cases. Therefore, several medically advanced countries seemingly intend to regulate PC therapies weakly or strictly because of the increasing popularity. Japan established laws and regulations for PC therapy in the “Act on the Safety of Regenerative Medicine” along with the “Pharmaceuticals, Medical Devices and Other Therapeutic Products Act” in 2014, which, to our knowledge, represent the strictest regulatory framework for production and therapeutic use of PCs in the world. According to these laws and regulations, PCs produced for topical use should be prepared as cell-based medicinal products, essentially as should stem cells, in accordance with their registered (“licensed” under actual conditions) standard operating procedures. Nonetheless, criteria for their quality are not standardized. In this review, we discuss the quality of PC preparations by focusing on the basic concept and regulatory framework of regenerative medicine in Japan. Within the new framework, PC therapy is regulated by a specific notification and registration system, as is stem cell therapy. In comparison with the latter, however, risk factors that hamper successful PC therapy are much fewer. Via appropriate evaluation of patients’ conditions and whole-blood samples by simple and sensitive but not yet fully standardized assays, it is theoretically possible that PC quality will be controlled nearly completely. In addition to or instead of standardization of preparation protocols, standardization of preoperative examination of individual PC preparations is an urgent task for improving and guaranteeing the safety and efficacy of PC therapy.
Geranylgeraniol Prevents Statin‐Dependent Myotoxicity in C2C12 Muscle Cells through RAP1 GTPase Prenylation and Cytoprotective Autophagy
Authors: Jaśkiewicz Anna , Pająk Beata , Litwiniuk Anna , Urbańska Kaja , Orzechowski Arkadiusz
Published: May 2018

The present study investigated the cytotoxic effects of statins (atorvastatin (ATR) and simvastatin (SIM), resp.) and methyl‐beta‐cyclodextrin (MβCD), at their respective IC50 concentrations, on muscle regeneration in the in vitro model of murine C2C12 myoblasts. Cotreatment with mevalonate (MEV), farnesol (FOH), geranylgeraniol (GGOH), or water‐soluble cholesterol (Chol‐PEG) was employed to determine whether the statin‐dependent myotoxicity resulted from the lower cholesterol levels or the attenuated synthesis of intermediates of mevalonate pathway. Our findings demonstrated that while GGOH fully reverted the statin‐mediated cell viability in proliferating myoblasts, Chol‐PEG exclusively rescued MβCD‐induced toxicity in myocytes. Statins caused loss of prenylated RAP1, whereas the GGOH‐dependent positive effect was accompanied by loss of nonprenylated RAP1. Geranylgeranyltransferases are essential for muscle cell survival as inhibition with GGTI‐286 could not be reversed by GGOH cotreatment. The increase in cell viability correlated with elevated AKT 1(S463) and GSK‐3β(S9) phosphorylations. Slight increase in the levels of autophagy markers (Beclin 1, MAP LC‐3IIb) was found in response to GGOH cotreatment. Autophagy rose time‐dependently during myogenesis and was inhibited by statins and MβCD. Statins and MβCD also suppressed myogenesis and neither nonsterol isoprenoids nor Chol‐PEG could reverse this effect. These results point to GGOH as the principal target of statin‐dependent myotoxicity, whereas plasma membrane cholesterol deposit is ultimately essential to restore viability of MβCD‐treated myocytes. Overall, this study unveils for the first time a link found between the GGOH‐ and Chol‐PEG‐dependent reversal of statin‐ or MβCD‐mediated myotoxicity and cytoprotective autophagy, respectively.
Psychometric Properties of the Chinese (Putonghua) Version of the Oxford Cognitive Screen (OCS-P) in Subacute Poststroke Patients without Neglect
Authors: Hong Wen-jun , Tao Jing , Wong Alex W. K. , Yang Shan-li , Leung Man-tak , Lee Tatia M. C. , Demeyere Nele , Lau Stephen C. L. , Chien Chi-wen , Chan Chetwyn C. H. , Chen Li-dian
Published: May 2018

Background. Oxford Cognitive Screen is designed for assessing cognitive functions of poststroke patients. This study was aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the Chinese (Putonghua) version of the Oxford Cognitive Screen-Putonghua (OCS-P) for use among poststroke patients without neglect. Methods. Expert review panel evaluated content validity of the Chinese-translated items. After pilot tested the translated items, the patients and healthy participants completed the OCS-P as well as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-ChiB) and Goldenberg’s test. A group of patients completed OCS-P for the second time within seven days. Data analyses included confirmatory factor analysis, item difficulty and item-total correlation, inter- and intrarater reliability, internal consistency, and between-group discrimination. Results. One hundred patients and 120 younger (n=60) or older (n=60) healthy participants completed all the tests. Modifications were required for items in the “Picture Naming”, “Orientation”, and “Sentence Reading” subscales. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a three-factor structure for the OCS-P subscales. The internal consistency coefficients for the three identified test dimensions were 0.30 to 0.52 (Cronbach’s alpha). Construct validity coefficients between the OCS-P and MoCA-ChiB subscales were 0.45 < r < 0.79 (p<0.001) and the “Praxis” subscale of OCS-P and Goldenberg’s test was r=0.72 (p<0.001). The interrater reliability coefficients for the subscales were in general higher than the intrarater reliability coefficients. The “Picture Naming” and “Numerical Cognition” subscales were the most significant (p=0.003) for differentiating patient participants from their older healthy counterpart. Conclusion. This study generated satisfactory evidence on the content validity, substantive validity, construct validity, inter- and intrarater reliability, and known-group discrimination of the OCS-P. They support its application among poststroke patients who speak Putonghua. Future studies could review the existing five-dimension domains for improving its structural validity and internal consistency as well as generate evidence of the OCS-P for use among the poststroke patients with neglect.
Experimental Study on Expansion Characteristics of Core-Shell and Polymeric Microspheres
Authors: Diwu Pengxiang , Jiang Baoyi , Hou Jirui , You Zhenjiang , Wang Jia , Sun Liangliang , Ju Ye , Zhang Yunbao , Liu Tongjing
Published: May 2018

Traditional polymeric microsphere has several technical advantages in enhancing oil recovery. Nevertheless, its performance in some field application is unsatisfactory due to limited blockage strength. Since the last decade, novel core-shell microsphere has been developed as the next-generation profile control agent. To understand the expansion characteristic differences between these two types of microspheres, we conduct size measurement experiments on the polymeric and core-shell microspheres, respectively. The experimental results show two main differences between them. First, the core-shell microsphere exhibits a unimodal distribution, compared to multimodal distribution of the polymeric microsphere. Second, the average diameter of the core-shell microsphere increases faster than that of the polymeric microsphere in the early stage of swelling, that is, 0–3 days. These two main differences both result from the electrostatic attraction between core-shell microspheres with different hydration degrees. Based on the experimental results, the core-shell microsphere is suitable for injection in the early stage to block the near-wellbore zone, and the polymeric microsphere is suitable for subsequent injection to block the formation away from the well. A simple mathematical model is proposed for size evolution of the polymeric and core-shell microspheres.
Fractal Dimension Analysis of Texture Formation of Whey Protein-Based Foods
Authors: Andoyo Robi , Dianti Lestari Vania , Mardawati Efri , Nurhadi Bambang
Published: May 2018

Whey protein in the form of isolate or concentrate is widely used in food industries due to its functionality to form gel under certain condition and its nutritive value. Controlling or manipulating the formation of gel aggregates is used often to evaluate food texture. Many researchers made use of fractal analysis that provides the quantitative data (i.e., fractal dimension) for fundamentally and rationally analyzing and designing whey protein-based food texture. This quantitative analysis is also done to better understand how the texture of whey protein-based food is formed. Two methods for fractal analysis were discussed in this review: image analysis (microscopy) and rheology. These methods, however, have several limitations which greatly affect the accuracy of both fractal dimension values and types of aggregation obtained. This review therefore also discussed problem encountered and ways to reduce the potential errors during fractal analysis of each method.
Bow Flare Water Entry Impact Prediction and Simulation Based on Moving Particle Semi‐Implicit Turbulence Method
Authors: Han Fenglei , Yao Jingzheng , Wang Chunhui , Zhu Haitao
Published: May 2018

Prandtl’s mixing length method and the k‐epsilon method are introduced into the Moving Particle Semi‐Implicit (MPS) method for the purpose of modeling turbulence effects associated with water entries of two‐dimensional (2D) bow flare section. The presented numerical method is validated by comparing its numerical prediction with experimental data and other numerical results obtained from the Boundary Element Method (BEM). The time histories of the pressure and the vertical slamming force acting on the dropping ship section subjected to various conditions with different dropping velocity and inclined angles are analyzed. The results show that both the pressure and the vertical slamming force are in good agreement with the experimental data.
Relationship of Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and the Risk of Metabolic Syndrome in Patients with Oral Cancer
Authors: Lee Bor-Jen , Chan Man-Yee , Hsiao Han-Yu , Chang Chia-Hua , Hsu Li-Ping , Lin Ping-Ting
Published: May 2018

Oral cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in Taiwan, and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) has also increased globally. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlations between the components of MS and oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with oral cancer based on their areca‐nut‐chewing habits. Two hundred patients diagnosed with oral cancer were recruited, and metabolic parameters, oxidative stress, antioxidant enzyme activities, and inflammatory markers were measured. 63% of the subjects have concomitant MS. Subjects who had an areca‐nut‐chewing habit had significantly higher levels of fasting glucose (p = 0.04), oxidative stress (p = 0.02), and inflammatory markers (p = 0.02) than those who never chewed. High‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol level (p = 0.03) and superoxidase dismutase activity (p = 0.02) were significantly lower in individuals who had chewed or were currently chewers. Areca‐nut‐chewing habit was associated with the increased risks for MS and hypertriglyceridemia; the components of MS were positively correlated with oxidative stress and inflammation. In conclusion, patients with oral cancer who had an areca‐nut‐chewing habit exhibited higher levels of oxidative stress and inflammation, which might be related to an increased risk of MS.