bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Young people's perspectives on open communication between family members when a parent is dying
Authors: Turner Nicola
Published: July 2017

Objective:

Living with a parent who is approaching the end of life is profoundly troubling for young people. Research indicates that family communication about life-limiting parental illness can influence how young people manage living with dying. In particular, open communication between family members has been shown to be helpful. This paper reports on a study of young people's experiences of family interaction when a parent is dying and considers the practice of open communication in the context of young people's involvement in giving and receiving family care.

Methods:

A narrative approach was employed based on in-depth semistructured interviews with 10 young people (aged 13–21) living with a parent thought to be in the last year of life.

Results:

Young people's attitudes toward open communication between family members were more ambivalent and ambiguous than previous research suggests. Parental attempts at open communication were sometimes overlooked by young people, indicating that there may be differences between knowledge given and young people's acknowledgment of sensitive information. Some young people valued open communication as a signifier of the close relationships between family members, while others wanted to exercise more control over what they knew, when, and how. Young people's accounts challenged the positioning of young people as passive recipients of information. Young people were active in shaping family communication in their everyday lives, and deliberative acts of speaking or remaining silent were one way in which young people exercised care for themselves and others.

Significance of Results:

This study extends research on communication within families when a parent has a life-limiting illness and suggests that supporting young people's agency in determining how they receive information may be more beneficial than promoting open communication between family members.
Construing International Climate Change Law as a Compliance Regime
Authors: Mayer Benoit
Published: July 2017

Under the no-harm principle, states must prevent activities within their jurisdiction from causing extraterritorial environmental harm. It has been argued elsewhere that excessive greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from industrial states constitute a breach of this principle and instigate state responsibility. Yet, the relevance of general international law for climate change does not obviate a need for more specific international climate change agreements. This article argues that the climate regime is broadly compatible with general norms. It can, furthermore, address a gap in compliance with general international law – namely, the systematic failure of industrial states to cease excessive GHG emissions and to provide adequate reparations. As a compliance regime, the international climate change law regime defines global ambition and national commitments and initiates multiple processes to raise awareness, set political agendas, and progressively build momentum for states to comply with their obligations under general international law.
The Role of Muscle Imaging in the Diagnosis and Assessment of Children with Genetic Muscle Disease
Authors: Warman Chardon Jodi , Straub Volker
Published: July 2017

Muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (US) are emerging tools to assist in the diagnosis of children with genetic muscle disease. Increasing number of studies demonstrate that these imaging techniques can identify selective patterns of muscle atrophy, fatty degeneration, and muscle edema that help to distinguish between different early-onset genetic myopathies and muscular dystrophies. Recognizing patterns of pathology by muscle imaging can help to guide genetic testing and avoid the more invasive procedure of a muscle biopsy. Conversely, since massive parallel sequencing is now more commonly used as the initial step in diagnostic testing, imaging techniques can help to confirm or exclude if a variant of uncertain significance is indeed disease causing and compatible with a pattern of pathology as detected by muscle imaging. Whereas for diagnostic purposes and pattern recognition, muscle pathology does not need to be quantified, measuring disease progression is increasingly supported by quantitative muscle imaging, which is critical given the recent increment in rare disease therapeutic trials. Here, we discuss the value of muscle imaging techniques in pediatric muscle disease and summarize data identifying specific patterns of involvement in muscle MRI and US in some of the more common genetic myopathies and muscular dystrophies.
Emergence of Ceftazidime-Avibactam Resistance and Restoration of Carbapenem Susceptibility in Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemase-Producing K pneumoniae: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Shields Ryan K. , Nguyen M. Hong , Press Ellen G. , Chen Liang , Kreiswirth Barry N. , Clancy Cornelius J.
Published: July 2017

We used meropenem to successfully treat a patient with bacteremia due to ceftazidime-avibactam-resistant, meropenem- susceptible Klebsiella pneumoniae that carried mutant blaKPC-3. Meropenem was bactericidal against ceftazidime-avibactam- resistant K pneumoniae isolates in vitro. Nevertheless, the role of carbapenems in treating such infections remains uncertain, because meropenem resistance is selected readily during passage experiments.
uvCLAP: a fast, non-radioactive method to identifyin vivotargets of RNA-binding proteins
Authors: Maticzka Daniel , Ilik Ibrahim Avsar , Aktas Tugce , Backofen Rolf , Akhtar Asifa
Published: July 2017

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play important and essential roles in eukaryotic gene expression regulating splicing, localization, translation and stability of mRNAs. Understanding the exact contribution of RBPs to gene regulation is crucial as many RBPs are frequently mis-regulated in several neurological diseases and certain cancers. While recently developed techniques provide binding sites of RBPs, they are labor-intensive and generally rely on radioactive labeling of RNA. With more than 1,000 RBPs in a human cell, it is imperative to develop easy, robust, reproducible and high-throughput methods to determine in vivo targets of RBPs. To address these issues we developed uvCLAP (UV crosslinking and affinity purification) as a robust, reproducible method to measure RNA-protein interactionsin vivo. To test its performance and applicability we investigated binding of 15 RBPs from fly, mouse and human cells. We show that uvCLAP generates reliable and comparable data to other methods. Unexpectedly, our results show that despite their different subcellular localizations, STAR proteins (KHDRBS1-3, QKI) bind to a similar RNA motifin vivo. Consistently a point mutation (KHDRBS1Y440F) or a natural splice isoform (QKI-6) that changes the respective RBP subcellular localization, dramatically alters target selection without changing the targeted RNA motif. Combined with the knowledge that RBPs can compete and cooperate for binding sites, our data shows that compartmentalization of RBPs can be used as an elegant means to generate RNA target specificity.
Changes over the last 15 years in the psychopharmacological management of persons with borderline personality disorder
Authors: Martín‐Blanco A. , Ancochea A. , Soler J. , Elices M. , Carmona C. , Pascual J. C.
Published: July 2017

Objective

To describe the pharmacological management of borderline personality disorder (BPD) in Spain from 2001 through 2016, the factors associated with prescriptions, and changes in pharmacotherapy over this time period.

Methods

Retrospective, cross‐sectional, observational study conducted in a sample of 457 patients with BPD consecutively admitted to a specialist BPD Program between January 2001 and November 2016. Data on sociodemographic and clinical variables, as well as pharmacological treatment upon the admission to the programme, were used to describe pharmacological prescriptions, the factors associated with these medications, and changes in prescription over the last 15 years.

Results

Most (88.4%) patients were on pharmacological treatment, with 53.8% of persons taking ≥3 medications. No significant changes in these percentages were observed over the study period. The use of tricyclic antidepressants and benzodiazepines decreased, while the use of atypical antipsychotics increased. Axis I comorbidity was the main factor associated with pharmacological treatment and polypharmacy.

Conclusions

This study provides further evidence confirming the worldwide overuse of prescription medications for BPD and shows that there has been a shift in the prescription pattern in the last 15 years. These results suggest that real clinical practice only partially adheres to clinical treatment guidelines.
Cephalic vein thrombosis
Authors: Gecmen Cetin , Gecmen Gonca G. , Kahyaoglu Muzaffer , Aksut Mehmet , Havan Nuri , Guner Ahmet , Cakmak Ender O. , Sarikaya Sukran , Kalkan Semih , Rabus Murat
Published: July 2017

An 83‐year‐old male patient presented to the outpatient clinic with complaint of swelling at right antecubital area. Ultrasonographic examination of the right upper extremity revealed a mass lesion within the right cephalic vein, which was consistent with thrombus. A computed tomography (CT) venography showed contrast enhancement in cephalic vein at distal arm and an aneurysmatic thrombus area displaying regular borders with a size of 28*30 mm; there was no contrast enhancement at more proximal levels at the cephalic vein.
New Picea hosts for Chrysomyxa ledi and Thekopsora areolata
Authors: Kaitera J. , Kauppila T. , Hantula J.
Published: July 2017

A severe epidemic of Chrysomyxa ledi needle rust occurred over large areas in northern Finland in 2015. In late summer, young current‐year cones and needles of 7–8 Picea species were sampled in a northern botanical garden, and the frequencies of cone rusts, Thekopsora areolata, Chrysomyxa pirolata and C. ledi, were investigated in cones, and C. ledi was investigated in needles. In addition, the frequency of C. ledi was estimated visually in current‐year needles of ca. 400 trees of 17 species and varieties of Picea in the garden. Chrysomyxa pirolata was absent in cones of all Picea. No cone rusts were observed in cones of P. rubens and Picea mariana. Aecia of Thekopsora areolata occurred moderately in cones of P. abies (26% of cones) and rarely in P. engelmannii (3%) and P. omorika (6%). Chrysomyxa ledi was the most frequent rust in cones; aecia occurred abundantly in cones of P. abies (100%), P. engelmannii (69%), P. glauca (45%) and P. omorika (41%), and occasionally on P. pungens (13%). Thekopsora areolata from cones of the three Picea species showed 100% similarity in ITS2 sequence to one another and to samples in the GenBank. Samples of Chrysomyxa from needles and cones of Picea and leaves of Ledum palustre had ITS2 sequences 99.9%–100% similar to one another and 99.8%–100% similar to the closest sequence of C. ledi and C. rhododendri in the GenBank. Thekopsora areolata was recorded for the first time in cones of P. omorika and C. ledi in cones of P. engelmannii and P. pungens. In current‐year needles of Picea, C. ledi was abundant on P. abies, P. obovata, P. engelmannii, P. jezoensis, P. glauca and P. sitchensis, the rust was scarce on P. asperata var. nobilis, P. mariana, P. pungens and P. omorika, and the rust was absent on P. glehnii and P. rubens.
Between‐lake variation in the trophic ecology of an invasive crayfish
Authors: Jackson Michelle C. , Evangelista Charlotte , Zhao Tian , Lecerf Antoine , Britton J. Robert , Cucherousset Julien
Published: July 2017

The trophic ecology of invasive species has important implications for their impacts on recipient ecosystems, with omnivorous invaders potentially affecting native species and processes over multiple trophic levels. The trophic ecology of invaders might be affected by both their body size and the characteristics of their habitat due to variation in energy requirements and resource availability.

Here, using stable‐isotope analysis, we investigated the trophic ecology of the invasive crayfish Procambarus clarkii in 15 populations in southwest France over a gradient of individual (crayfish body size), population (crayfish abundance) and ecosystem (lake size, productivity and predation pressure) characteristics. We predicted that population niche width, level of omnivory and trophic position of individuals would change with abiotic and biotic conditions, but that these relationships would vary with lake size.

The trophic position of individual crayfish increased with body size in lakes with low productivity, but decreased with body size in more productive lakes. As crayfish abundance increased (and therefore potential intraspecific competition), individual trophic position and population niche width decreased. This was most apparent in smaller lakes, suggesting it related to an increase in encounter rates with conspecifics.

Body size, population abundance, lake size and lake productivity influenced the trophic ecology of invasive crayfish, which can affect their interactions with native species. Our results demonstrated that the trophic ecology of invasive species can be variable across invaded landscapes, with implications for their ecological impacts on native communities. This emphasizes the importance of characterising the diet of invasive species across their non‐native range and environmental gradients to better predict and manage their impacts.
Effects of Benazepril on Survival of Dogs with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Multicenter, Randomized, Blinded, Placebo‐Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: King J.N. , Font A. , Rousselot J.‐F. , Ash R.A. , Bonfanti U. , Brovida C. , Crowe I.D. , Lanore D. , Pechereau D. , Seewald W. , Strehlau G.
Published: July 2017

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in dogs.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy in prolonging survival and safety of benazepril administration to dogs with CKD.

Animals

Forty‐nine client‐owned dogs with CKD.

Methods

Dogs were randomized to benazepril (0.25 to <0.5 mg/kg) or placebo once daily for up to 2 years in a prospective, multicenter, blinded clinical trial. The primary endpoint variable was the renal survival time, defined as the time from inclusion in the study to the treatment failure endpoint of death or euthanasia or need for administration of parenteral fluids related to renal failure.

Results

No benefit of benazepril versus placebo was detected for renal survival time in all dogs; median (95% confidence interval (CI)) survival times were 305 (53–575) days in the benazepril group and 287 (152‐not available) in the placebo group (P = .53). Renal survival times were not significantly longer with benazepril compared to placebo for subgroups: hazard ratios (95% CI) were 0.50 (0.21–1.22) with P = .12 for initial urine protein‐to‐creatinine ratio (UPC) >0.5, and 0.38 (0.12–1.19) with P = .080 for initial UPC >0.5 plus plasma creatinine ≤440 μmol/L. Proteinuria, assessed from the UPC, was significantly (P = .0032) lower after treatment with benazepril compared to placebo. There were no significant differences between groups for clinical signs or frequencies of adverse events.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Benazepril significantly reduced proteinuria in dogs with CKD. Insufficient numbers of dogs were recruited to allow conclusions on survival time.
Development of a kompetitive allele‐specific PCR marker for selection of the mutated Wx‐D1d allele in wheat breeding
Authors: Yi Xin , Jiang Zhengning , Hu Wenjing , Zhao Yun , Bie Tongde , Gao Derong , Liu Datong , Wu Ronglin , Cheng Xiaoming , Cheng Shunhe , Zhang Yong
Published: July 2017

Waxy (Wx) protein is a key enzyme for synthesis of amylose in endosperm. Amylose content in wheat grain influences the quality of end‐use products. Seven alleles have been described at the Wx‐D1 locus, but only two of them (Wx‐D1b, Wx‐D1e) were genotyped with codominant markers. The waxy wheat line K107Wx1 developed by treating ‘Kanto 107’ seeds with ethyl methanesulphonate carries the Wx‐D1d allele. However, no molecular basis supports this nomenclature. In the present study, DNA sequence analysis confirmed that a single nucleotide polymorphism in the sixth exon of Wx‐D1 changed tryptophan at position 301 into a termination codon. Based on this sequence variation, a PCR‐based KASP marker was developed to detect this point mutation using 68 BC8F1 plants and 297 BC8F2 lines derived from the cross ‘Ningmai 14’*9/K107Wx1. Combined with codominant markers for the Wx‐A1 and Wx‐B1 alleles, waxy and non‐waxy near‐isogenic lines were distinguished. The KASP marker was efficient in identifying the mutant allele and can be used to transfer waxiness to elite lines.
“Monocept”: A Brief Report of Congenital Absence of the Long Head of the Biceps Tendon and Literature Review
Authors: Winston Benjamin A. , Robinson Katlyn , Crawford Dennis
Published: July 2017

The long head of the biceps tendon plays an important role in shoulder stability and its functional absence has been shown to contribute to glenohumeral instability. Congenital absence of the long head to the biceps tendon is rare, although described in the literature. We report the case of an 18-year-old recreational athlete with recurrent shoulder instability and congenital absence of the long head of the biceps tendon (which we term “monocept”) and mild ipsilateral upper extremity hemimelia. The patient was treated surgically with posterior capsular shift with anterior Bankart repair without complication. At 16-month follow-up the patient has returned to recreational activity and has had an 11.37-point improvement in his DASH score. The authors suggest that patients with this uncommon anatomic anomaly and clinical shoulder instability are more likely to require surgical treatment.
Surfactant Assisted Stabilization of Carbon Nanotubes Synthesized by a Spray Pyrolysis Method
Authors: Mendoza-Cachú D. , Mercado-Zúñiga C. , Rosas G.
Published: July 2017

Surface modification of carbon nanotubes has been an interesting issue from a composites materials point of view. A nanotubes agglomeration has to be avoided to achieve a homogeneous dispersion in a composite matrix. In this research, we report on the synthesis of carbon nanotubes using a variant of the chemical vapor deposition technique known as spray pyrolysis method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies showed that the synthesized products had an aligned structure with low purity degree, high content of catalyst particles, and a smaller amount of amorphous carbon. A secondary method was applied, which involves an acidic treatment that dissolves contaminant particles to enhance the purity of the nanotubes. Microstructural analysis, which includes XRD and SEM, indicates an effective reduction of impurities. Dispersion of the nanotubes was assessed using different surfactants, such as sodium dodecyl-sulfate (SDS) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Finally, Raman spectroscopy, UV-Vis, and SEM techniques confirm that better results were obtained with EDTA. For EDTA and SDS surfactants, low concentrations of 0.3 mg/mL and 0.2 mg/mL were most efficient, respectively.
The Preconditioning of Berberine Suppresses Hydrogen Peroxide‐Induced Premature Senescence via Regulation of Sirtuin 1
Authors: Zhu Xiaofei , Yue Haodi , Guo Xiaofang , Yang Jingyi , Liu Jingshuo , Liu Jiangtao , Wang Ruijie , Zhu Wenjuan
Published: July 2017

With a long history of application in Chinese traditional medicine, berberine (BBR) was reported to exhibit healthspan‐extending properties in some age‐related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis. However, the antiaging mechanism of BBR is not completely clear. By means of hydrogen peroxide‐ (H2O2‐) induced premature cellular senescence model, we found that a low‐concentration preconditioning of BBR could resist premature senescence in human diploid fibroblasts (HDFs) measured by senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase (SA‐β‐gal), accompanied by a decrease in loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Moreover, the low‐concentration preconditioning of BBR could make cells less susceptible to subsequent H2O2‐induced cell cycle arrest and growth inhibition. Experimental results further showed that the low concentration of BBR could induce a slight increase of ROS and upregulate the expression level of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), an important longevity regulator. H2O2‐induced activation of checkpoint kinase 2 (Chk2) was significantly attenuated after the preconditioning of BBR. The present findings implied that the low‐concentration preconditioning of BBR could have a mitohormetic effect against cellular senescence triggered by oxidative stress in some age‐related diseases through the regulation of SIRT1.
Evaluation of Anti‐Inflammatory Activities of Qingre‐Qushi Recipe (QRQS) against Atopic Dermatitis: Potential Mechanism of Inhibition of IL‐33/ST2 Signal Transduction
Authors: Chen Mengjiao , Ding Peijun , Yang Lili , He Xufeng , Gao Chunjie , Yang Guoxun , Zhang Huimin
Published: July 2017

To evaluate the anti‐inflammatory activities of QRQS against AD and the inhibitory molecular mechanisms of IL‐33/ST2 signal transduction, BALB/c mice were divided into six groups (normal control, OVA control, low‐dose of QRQS, middle‐dose of QRQS, high‐dose of QRQS, and cetirizine) and epicutaneously exposed to ovalbumin or PBS for 3 weeks and treated with QRQS for 2 weeks. Skin biopsies and blood samples were obtained for histological study, antibody analysis, and RNA isolation. HaCaT cells, stimulated by TNF‐α and IFN‐γ, were treated with QRQS to evaluate mRNA and protein expression by RT‐PCR and ELISA. QRQS decreased both epidermal and dermal thickness, alleviated dermatitis, and reduced IL‐33 and ST2 positive cell numbers. The concentration of specific IgE, IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a antibodies in serum and the expression of IL‐33, ST2, IL‐1RAcP, IL‐4, and IL‐13 mRNA in the skin were suppressed. No significant difference exists in TNF‐α or IFN‐γ. QRQS decreased IL‐33 mRNA and protein secretion in HaCaT cells exposed to TNF‐α and IFN‐γ in a time‐ and concentration‐dependent manner. QRQS regulates related molecule expression of ovalbumin‐induced dermatitis involved in the IL‐33/ST2 signaling axis in the treatment of acute AD.
Dual Kidney Transplantation: A Review of Past and Prospect for Future
Authors: Khalil Muhammad Abdul Mabood , Tan Jackson , Khan Taqi F. Toufeeq , Khalil Muhammad Ashhad Ullah , Azmat Rabeea
Published: July 2017

Kidney transplantation (KT) is one of the treatment options for patients with chronic kidney disease. The number of patients waiting for kidney transplantation is growing day by day. Various strategies have been put in place to expand the donor pool. Extended criteria donors are now accepted more frequently. Increasing number of elderly donors with age > 60 years, history of diabetes or hypertension, and clinical proteinuria are accepted as donor. Dual kidney transplantation (DKT) is also more frequently done and experience with this technique is slowly building up. DKT not only helps to reduce the number of patients on waiting list but also limits unnecessary discard of viable organs. Surgical complications of DKT are comparable to single kidney transplantation (SKT). Patient and graft survivals are also promising. This review article provides a summary of evidence available in the literature.
A Review of the Molecular Mechanisms Underlying the Development and Progression of Cardiac Remodeling
Authors: Schirone Leonardo , Forte Maurizio , Palmerio Silvia , Yee Derek , Nocella Cristina , Angelini Francesco , Pagano Francesca , Schiavon Sonia , Bordin Antonella , Carrizzo Albino , Vecchione Carmine , Valenti Valentina , Chimenti Isotta , De Falco Elena , Sciarretta Sebastiano , Frati Giacomo
Published: July 2017

Pathological molecular mechanisms involved in myocardial remodeling contribute to alter the existing structure of the heart, leading to cardiac dysfunction. Among the complex signaling network that characterizes myocardial remodeling, the distinct processes are myocyte loss, cardiac hypertrophy, alteration of extracellular matrix homeostasis, fibrosis, defective autophagy, metabolic abnormalities, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Several pathophysiological stimuli, such as pressure and volume overload, trigger the remodeling cascade, a process that initially confers protection to the heart as a compensatory mechanism. Yet chronic inflammation after myocardial infarction also leads to cardiac remodeling that, when prolonged, leads to heart failure progression. Here, we review the molecular pathways involved in cardiac remodeling, with particular emphasis on those associated with myocardial infarction. A better understanding of cell signaling involved in cardiac remodeling may support the development of new therapeutic strategies towards the treatment of heart failure and reduction of cardiac complications. We will also discuss data derived from gene therapy approaches for modulating key mediators of cardiac remodeling.
An Overview of Global Wheat Market Fundamentals in an Era of Climate Concerns
Authors: Enghiad Aliakbar , Ufer Danielle , Countryman Amanda M. , Thilmany Dawn D.
Published: July 2017

Wheat is a key global commodity in terms of acreage and tradeable value and as a staple in household diets. Many factors affect wheat prices including climate, yields, oil prices, lagged prices, and imports. In addition to gradually and consistently increasing global wheat demand, these market drivers are posited to impact world prices and, ultimately, food security. To investigate how these factors differentially influence wheat markets, an extensive survey of literature regarding wheat market fundamentals was conducted, as well as a trend analysis using a uniquely compiled data set specific to significant wheat-producing areas. Previous studies show that imports, climate, oil prices, and past prices, among other factors, have a significant relationship with changes in the world wheat price. This study compiles and compares these same key variables from five major wheat export countries/regions for the time frame from 1980 to 2013.
Does Regular Exercise Counter T Cell Immunosenescence Reducing the Risk of Developing Cancer and Promoting Successful Treatment of Malignancies?
Authors: Turner James E. , Brum Patricia C.
Published: July 2017

Moderate intensity aerobic exercise training or regular physical activity is beneficial for immune function. For example, some evidence shows that individuals with an active lifestyle exhibit stronger immune responses to vaccination compared to those who are inactive. Encouragingly, poor vaccine responses, which are characteristic of an ageing immune system, can be improved by single or repeated bouts of exercise. In addition, exercise‐induced lymphocytosis, and the subsequent lymphocytopenia, is thought to facilitate immune surveillance, whereby lymphocytes search tissues for antigens derived from viruses, bacteria, or malignant transformation. Aerobic exercise training is anti‐inflammatory and is linked to lower morbidity and mortality from diseases with infectious, immunological, and inflammatory aetiologies, including cancer. These observations have led to the view that aerobic exercise training might counter the age‐associated decline in immune function, referred to as immunosenescence. This article summarises the aspects of immune function that are sensitive to exercise‐induced change, highlighting the observations which have stimulated the idea that aerobic exercise training could prevent, limit, or delay immunosenescence, perhaps even restoring aged immune profiles. These potential exercise‐induced anti‐immunosenescence effects might contribute to the mechanisms by which active lifestyles reduce the risk of developing cancer and perhaps benefit patients undergoing cancer therapy.
En Bloc Pancreaticoduodenectomy for Locally Advanced Right Colon Cancers
Authors: Ağalar Cihan , Canda Aras Emre , Unek Tarkan , Sokmen Selman
Published: July 2017

Locally advanced right colon cancer may invade adjacent tissue and organs. Direct invasion of the duodenum and pancreas necessitates an en bloc resection. Previously, this challenging procedure was associated with high morbidity and mortality; however, today, this procedure can be done more safely in experienced centers. The aim of this study is to report our experience on en bloc right colectomy with pancreaticoduodenectomy for locally advanced right colon cancers. Between 2000 and 2012, 5 patients underwent en bloc multivisceral resection. No major morbidities or perioperative mortalities were observed. Median disease-free survival time was 24.5 months and median overall survival time was 42.1 (range: 4.5–70.4) months in our series. One patient lived 70 months after multivisceral resection and underwent cytoreductive surgery and total pelvic exenteration during the follow-up period. In locally advanced right colon tumors, all adhesions should be considered as malign invasion and separation should not be done. The reasonable option for this patient is to perform en bloc pancreaticoduodenectomy and right colectomy. This procedure may result in long-term survival with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates. Multidisciplinary teamwork and multimodality treatment alternatives may improve the results.
An Optimized WSN Design for Latency-Critical Smart Grid Applications
Authors: Khanafer Mounib , Al-Anbagi Irfan , Mouftah Hussein T.
Published: July 2017

The growing popularity of the Internet of Things (IoT) systems such as the smart grid, Body Area Networks (BANs), and the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) is driving Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) systems to the limit in terms of abilities and performance. WSNs were initially designed for low power, low data rate, and latency-tolerant applications. However, this paradigm is changing because of the nature of the new applications. Therefore, instead of only focusing on power-efficient WSN design, researchers and industries are now developing Quality of Service (QoS) protocols for WSNs. In addition to that, latency- and reliability-critical protocol designs are also becoming significantly important in WSNs. In this paper, we present an overview of some important smart grid latency-critical applications and highlight WSNs implementation challenges for these smart grid applications. Furthermore, we develop and evaluate two novel optimization models that solve for the optimum values of the end-to-end latency and power consumption in a clustered WSN given lower bounds on reliability and other network parameters.
Discovering Public Transit Riders’ Travel Pattern from GPS Data: A Case Study in Harbin
Authors: An Shi , Wang Lei , Yang Haiqiang , Wang Jian
Published: July 2017

This paper proposes a public transit riders’ travel pattern measuring method based on divided cells and public transit vehicle’s GPS data. The method consists of two parts: detecting urban origin and destination areas and measuring the public transit riders’ travel pattern. Moreover, a series of indicators are proposed to reflect the public transit riders’ travel pattern. A case study is carried out to evaluate the methods, which use the GPS data collected from taxis and buses in Harbin, China. The study is expected to provide a better understanding of public transit riders’ travel patterns.
Performance Assessment and Prediction for Superheterodyne Receivers Based on Mahalanobis Distance and Time Sequence Analysis
Authors: Sun Jinwen , Lu Chen , Wang Manxi , Yuan Hang , Qi Le
Published: July 2017

The superheterodyne receiver is a typical device widely used in electronics and information systems. Thus effective performance assessment and prediction for superheterodyne receiver are necessary for its preventative maintenance. A scheme of performance assessment and prediction based on Mahalanobis distance and time sequence analysis is proposed in this paper. First, a state observer based on radial basis function (RBF) neural network is designed to monitor the superheterodyne receiver and generate the estimated output. The residual error can be calculated by the actual and estimated output. Second, time-domain features of the residual error are then extracted; after that, the Mahalanobis distance measurement is utilized to obtain the health confidence value which represents the performance assessment result of the most recent state. Furthermore, an Elman neural network based time sequence analysis approach is adopted to forecast the future performance of the superheterodyne receiver system. The results of simulation experiments demonstrate the robustness and effectiveness of the proposed performance assessment and prediction method.
Geochemical Characteristics and Origins of the Crude Oil of Triassic Yanchang Formation in Southwestern Yishan Slope, Ordos Basin
Authors: Zhang Xiaoli , He Jinxian , Zhao Yande , Wu Hongchen , Ren Zeqiang
Published: July 2017

Biomarker compounds that derived from early living organisms play an important role in oil and gas geochemistry and exploration since they can record the diagenetic evolution of the parent materials of crude oil and reflect the organic geochemical characteristics of crude oil and source rocks. To offer scientific basis for oil exploration and exploitation for study area, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method is applied to study the biomarker compounds of crude oil in Southwestern Yishan Slope of Ordos Basin, through qualitatively and quantitatively analyzing separated materials. The crude oil of Yanchang Formation and the source rocks of Yan’an and Yanchang Formation were collected in order to systematically analyze the characteristics of the biomarker compounds in saturated hydrocarbon fractions and clarify the organic geochemical characteristics of crude oil. The distribution and composition of various types of hydrocarbon biomarker compounds in crude oil suggest that the parent materials of crude oil are composed of hydrobiont and terrigenous plants, and the crude oil is mature oil which is formed in the weak reducing fresh water environment. Oil source correlation results show that the crude oil of Yanchang Formation in Yishan Slope is sourced from the source rocks of Chang 7 subformation.
SDP-Based Quality Adaptation and Performance Prediction in Adaptive Streaming of VBR Videos
Authors: Nguyen Thoa , Vu Thang , Ngoc Nam Pham , Thang Truong Cong
Published: July 2017

Recently, various adaptation methods have been proposed to cope with throughput fluctuations in HTTP adaptive streaming (HAS). However, these methods have mostly focused on constant bitrate (CBR) videos. Moreover, most of them are qualitative in the sense that performance metrics could only be obtained after a streaming session. In this paper, we propose a new adaptation method for streaming variable bitrate (VBR) videos using stochastic dynamic programming (SDP). With this approach, the system should have a probabilistic characterization along with the definition of a cost function that is minimized by a control strategy. Our solution is based on a new statistical model where the future streaming performance is directly related to the past bandwidth statistics. We develop mathematical models to predict and develop simulation models to measure the average performance of the adaptation policy. The experimental results show that the prediction models can provide accurate performance prediction which is useful in planning adaptation policy and that our proposed adaptation method outperforms the existing ones in terms of average quality and average quality switch.
Breast Density and Breast Cancer Incidence in the Lebanese Population: Results from a Retrospective Multicenter Study
Authors: Salem Christine , Atallah David , Safi Joelle , Chahine Georges , Haddad Antoine , El Kassis Nadine , Maalouly Laura-Maria , Moubarak Malak , Dib Mary , Ghossain Michel
Published: July 2017

Purpose. To study the distribution of breast mammogram density in Lebanese women and correlate it with breast cancer (BC) incidence.Methods. Data from 1,049 women who had screening or diagnostic mammography were retrospectively reviewed. Age, menopausal status, contraceptives or hormonal replacement therapy (HRT), parity, breastfeeding, history of BC, breast mammogram density, and final BI-RADS assessment were collected. Breast density was analyzed in each age category and compared according to factors that could influence breast density and BC incidence.Results. 120 (11.4%) patients had BC personal history with radiation and/or chemotherapy; 66 patients were postmenopausal under HRT. Mean age was52.58±11.90years. 76.4% of the patients (30–39 years) had dense breasts. Parity, age, and menopausal status were correlated to breast density whereas breastfeeding and personal/family history of BC and HRT were not. In multivariate analysis, it was shown that the risk of breast cancer significantly increases 3.3% with age (P=0.005), 2.5 times in case of menopause (P=0.004), and 1.4 times when breast density increases (P=0.014).Conclusion. Breast density distribution in Lebanon is similar to the western society. Similarly to other studies, it was shown that high breast density was statistically related to breast cancer, especially in older and menopausal women.
Artificial Mitochondria Transfer: Current Challenges, Advances, and Future Applications
Authors: Caicedo Andrés , Aponte Pedro M. , Cabrera Francisco , Hidalgo Carmen , Khoury Maroun
Published: July 2017

The objective of this review is to outline existing artificial mitochondria transfer techniques and to describe the future steps necessary to develop new therapeutic applications in medicine. Inspired by the symbiotic origin of mitochondria and by the cell’s capacity to transfer these organelles to damaged neighbors, many researchers have developed procedures to artificially transfer mitochondria from one cell to another. The techniques currently in use today range from simple coincubations of isolated mitochondria and recipient cells to the use of physical approaches to induce integration. These methods mimic natural mitochondria transfer. In order to use mitochondrial transfer in medicine, we must answer key questions about how to replicate aspects of natural transport processes to improve current artificial transfer methods. Another priority is to determine the optimum quantity and cell/tissue source of the mitochondria in order to induce cell reprogramming or tissue repair, in both in vitro and in vivo applications. Additionally, it is important that the field explores how artificial mitochondria transfer techniques can be used to treat different diseases and how to navigate the ethical issues in such procedures. Without a doubt, mitochondria are more than mere cell power plants, as we continue to discover their potential to be used in medicine.
Midwives’ Role in Providing Nutrition Advice during Pregnancy: Meeting the Challenges? A Qualitative Study
Authors: Arrish Jamila , Yeatman Heather , Williamson Moira
Published: July 2017

This study explored the Australian midwives’ role in the provision of nutrition advice. Little is known about their perceptions of this role, the influence of the model of care, and the barriers and facilitators that may influence them providing quality nutrition advice to pregnant women. Semistructured telephone interviews were undertaken with a subsample (n=16) of the members of the Australian College of Midwives who participated in an online survey about midwives’ nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and their confidence in providing nutrition advice during pregnancy. Thematic descriptive analysis was used to analyse the data. Midwives believed they have a vital role in providing nutrition advice to pregnant women in the context of health promotion. However, this was not reflected in the advice many of them provided, which in many accounts was passive and medically directed. The extent and efficacy of their role appear to be challenged by many structural barriers. Midwives suggested facilitators that may assist in overcoming these challenges. Midwives need assistance, support, and guidance to provide holistic nutrition advice that assists women to achieve healthy pregnancies. A collaborative approach between midwifery bodies, nutrition and education experts, and maternity care services may provide an effective way forward.
Expressions Profiles of the Proteins Associated with Carbohydrate Metabolism in Rat Liver Regeneration
Authors: Yin Li , Chang Cuifang , Xu Cunshuan
Published: July 2017

Liver has a very amazing ability to regenerate from the remnant liver after injury or partial hepatectomy (PH). Carbohydrate metabolism plays a critical role in regeneration. Many signaling pathways are involved in the metabolism process. We analyzed the changes of proteins at 0–36 h after PH in rats using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) coupled with LC-MS/MS-based quantitative proteomics strategy. The results showed that 110 proteins and 5 signaling pathways related to carbohydrate metabolism in rat LR changed significantly. Based on a motif discovery method performed by iRegulon, we identified for the first time that the transcription factor SPIB whose motif was enriched among the differentiated genes associated with carbohydrate metabolism may play an important role in liver regeneration for the first time. The findings of this research provide a molecular basis for further unrevealing the mechanism of regeneration at priming stage (0–6 h) and proliferation stage (6–36 h) of LR in rats. At the same time, our studies provide more novel evidence for the signaling pathways which regulate carbohydrate metabolism from proteomics level. This study can provide some new thinking of liver regeneration and treatment of diseases associated with glucose metabolism.
Cumulative Success Rate of Short and Ultrashort Implants Supporting Single Crowns in the Posterior Maxilla: A 3-Year Retrospective Study
Authors: Lombardo Giorgio , Pighi Jacopo , Marincola Mauro , Corrocher Giovanni , Simancas-Pallares Miguel , Nocini Pier Francesco
Published: July 2017

Aim. To determine cumulative success rate (CSR) of short and ultrashort implants in the posterior maxilla restored with single crowns. Patients and Methods. We performed a retrospective study in 65 patients with 139 implants. 46 were ultrashort and 93 short. Implants were placed with a staged approach and restored with single crowns. Success rate, clinical and radiographic outcomes, and crown-to-implant ratio (CIR) were assessed after three years. Statistical analysis was performed by descriptive and inferential statistics. A log-binomial regression model where the main outcome was implant success was achieved. Coefficients and 95% confidence intervals were reported. Analyses were performed with Stata 13.2 for Windows. Results. 61.54% of patients were female and mean overall age was 51.9±11.08 years old. Overall CSR was 97.1% (95% CI: 92.4–98.9): 97.9 and 95.1% for short and ultrashort, respectively (P value: 0.33). Four implants failed. Covariates were not associated with CSR (P value > 0.05). Regression model showed coefficients correlated with implant success for ultrashort implants (0.87) and most of covariates but none were statistically significant (P values > 0.05). Conclusions. Our results suggest that short and ultrashort implants may be successfully placed and restored with single crowns in the resorbed maxillary molar region.
Multiple Spontaneous Intracranial-Extracranial Arterial Dissections in a Patient with Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Authors: Kolukısa Mehmet , Gökçal Elif , Gürsoy Azize Esra , Deniz Çiğdem , Aralaşmak Ayşe , Asil Talip
Published: July 2017

A 40-year-old male with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) was admitted to the hospital with an acute right monoparesis. Diffusion-weighted MRI showed infarction in the territory of the left anterior cerebral artery (ACA) and in the left posterior cerebral artery (PCA). In his vascular imaging, occlusion of the left vertebral artery (VA) starting from V2 segment was consistent with dissection and pseudoaneurysm in the right ACA. We presented this case because of the presence of spontaneous and simultaneous occurrence of both intracranial and extracranial arterial dissections in OI.
Downregulation of miR-214-3p May Contribute to Pathogenesis of Ulcerative Colitis via Targeting STAT6
Authors: Li Jin-an , Wang Yong-duo , Wang Kui , Wang Zhen-lan , Jia Dao-yong , Yang Bi-ying , Xiong Chang-bing
Published: July 2017

MicroRNAs (miRs) are small noncoding RNA molecules and recently have demonstrated that altered expression and functions are their tight association with ulcerative colitis (UC). Previous microarray study reported that miR-214 was downregulated in the sigmoid colon of patients with active UC, but the roles of miR-214 in the pathogenesis of UC remain to be elucidated. In this study, significant lower level of miR-214-3p and higher level of STAT6 in the intestinal mucosa of active UC patients compared with the health controls were confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. Results of luciferase reporter assays and western blot demonstrated that miR-214-3p directly targets STAT6 and negatively regulates the expression of STAT6 at the posttranscriptional level. Furthermore, the expression of miR-214-3p was decreased in TNF-αtreated HT29 cells and STAT6 protein level was increased in a time-dependent manner. Silenced STAT6 and upregulation of miR-214-3p could decrease the level of INF-γin TNF-αtreated HT29 cells. Additionally, the results of the present study indicate that miR-214-3p and STAT6 axis may be a novel therapeutic target for intestinal inflammation of patients with active UC.
A Novel Dual-Band Left-Handed Metamaterial Design Method
Authors: Li Si , Yu Wenhua , Elsherbeni Atef Z. , Li Wenxing , Mao Yunlong
Published: July 2017

A novel dual-band left-handed metamaterial (LHM) design method is proposed in this paper. Unlike other methods, where the designers focused their attentions on designing single LHM unit with multiple electric/magnetic resonances or combining multiple different LHM units together, the proposed method in this paper introduces an additional magnetic resonance to extract negative permeability, taking advantage of the areas between neighboring units. In this paper, we first designed a single-band single negative metamaterial (μ<0) and then connected neighboring units with metallic wires. This connection introduces a magnetic resonance that extracts another frequency band with negative permeability. With the help of arrayed metallic wires printed on the other side of the substrate, we successfully get a dual-band LHM. The proposed structures are analyzed with equivalent circuits and verified with simulations.