bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Magnetic manipulation on the unlabeled nonmagnetic particles
Authors: He Yongqing , Luo Laan , Huang Shuang
Published: March 2019

This paper reports two basic microfluidic strategies for the magnetic manipulation of unlabeled nonmagnetic particles/cells. One is the deflection induced by a single magnet, and the other is the confusing effect produced by two magnets of opposite polarity. They can be combined into more completed particle manipulations like continuous flow separation, counting and detection, which are essential steps in biomedical applications. We experimentally studied the dynamics of 10.4 and 20 [Formula: see text]m nonmagnetic polystyrene particles within a flow rate range of 30, 50, 70 and 90 [Formula: see text]L/min in a straight channel. We defined the cross-section length that the particles occupy as the “particle bandwidth” to characterize the extent of deflection and focusing. To predict the trajectories of the particles, we established a simple theoretical model by considering the magnetic force and viscous drag force. Compared with the experimental results, the maximum deviation of the simulation is 9.28%. The influences of magnetic nanoparticle concentration, magnetic field parameters, size of microparticles and flow rate are systematically investigated. We also demonstrated that the effective deflection and focusing could be realized at low Fe3O4 nanoparticle concentrations, which means that this method can reduce the damage on cells in the practical applications.
Influence of the dipole–dipole interaction on the interference between Bose–Einstein condensates
Authors: Yang Guoquan , Guo Juan , Zhang Suying
Published: March 2019

We have investigated the interference of the dipolar Bose–Einstein condensates (DBECs) released from a double-well potential and studied the effects of dipole–dipole interaction (DDI) on the interference phenomena. We find that the DDI plays an important role in the interference process. When the effective polarization direction of the dipolar atoms is in the normal direction of the condensate plane, with the increasing of the strength of DDI, the visibility of fringes reduces and the width of fringes becomes larger. When the strength of DDI is fixed and the effective polarization direction of the dipolar atoms deviates from the normal direction of the condensate plane, the interference fringes become bent. Especially, for the situation of polarization parallel to the condensate plane, the interference fringes in the central regions become wave-shaped and vortex–antivortex pairs can be formed due to the anisotropic DDI. In addition, vortex–antivortex pairs could also be created by the spatial and temporal control of the DDI.
Double CNOT attack on “Quantum key distribution with limited classical Bob”
Authors: Lin Po-Hua , Hwang Tzonelih , Tsai Chia-Wei
Published: March 2019

This paper points out a security loophole in the Quantum key distribution with limited classical Bob [Int. J. Quantum Inf. 11(01) (2013) 1350005]. With the loophole, an eavesdropper can perform the double CNOT attack to reveal about [Formula: see text]-bits out of an [Formula: see text]-bit key without being detected by the protocol.
Synchronization control design for uncertain coronary artery time-delay system with input saturation
Authors: Zhao Zhanshan , Lv Fei , Zhang Jing , Sun Liankun
Published: March 2019

A synchronization control scheme is proposed for uncertain coronary artery system (CAS) with input saturation. In order to deal with the input saturation, linear matrix inequalities (LMIS), adequate conditions are obtained based on the local sector condition. Furthermore, by constructing Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional (LKF), we design a state feedback controller to achieve synchronization for chaos system with input saturation. Moreover, the improved Jensen inequality, convex analysis, delay-partitioning approach and Moon et al.’s inequality are utilized to get the less conservative. Finally, the simulation result is given to explain the effectiveness of the proposed synchronization control scheme.
Human Paneth cell α-defensin-5 treatment reverses dyslipidemia and improves glucoregulatory capacity in diet-induced obese mice
Authors: Larsen Ida Søgaard , Fritzen Andreas Mæchel , Carl Christian Strini , Agerholm Marianne , Damgaard Mads Thue Fejerskov , Holm Jacob Bak , Marette André , Nordkild Peter , Kiens Bente , Kristiansen Karsten , Wehkamp Jan , Jensen Benjamin Anderschou Holbech
Published: March 2019

Overnutrition is the principal cause of insulin resistance (IR) and dyslipidemia, which drive nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Overnutrition is further linked to disrupted bowel function, microbiota alterations, and change of function in gut-lining cell populations, including Paneth cells of the small intestine. Paneth cells regulate microbial diversity through expression of antimicrobial peptides, particularly human α-defensin-5 (HD-5), and have shown repressed secretory capacity in human obesity. Mice were fed a 60% high-fat diet for 13 wk and subsequently treated with physiologically relevant amounts of HD-5 (0.001%) or vehicle for 10 wk. The glucoregulatory capacity was determined by glucose tolerance tests and measurements of corresponding insulin concentrations both before and during intervention. Gut microbiome composition was examined by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. HD-5-treated mice exhibited improved glucoregulatory capacity along with an ameliorated plasma and liver lipid profile. This was accompanied by specific decrease in jejunal inflammation and gut microbiota alterations including increased Bifidobacterium abundances, which correlated inversely with metabolic dysfunctions. This study provides proof of concept for the use of human defensins to improve host metabolism by mitigating the triad cluster of dyslipidemia, IR, and NAFLD.
Hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance induce gravid uterine defects in association with mitochondrial dysfunction and aberrant reactive oxygen species production
Authors: Hu Min , Zhang Yuehui , Guo Xiaozhu , Jia Wenyan , Liu Guoqi , Zhang Jiao , Li Juan , Cui Peng , Sferruzzi-Perri Amanda Nancy , Han Yanhua , Wu Xiaoke , Ma Hongxia , Brännström Mats , Shao Linus R. , Billig Håkan
Published: March 2019

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at increased risk of miscarriage, which often accompanies the hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance seen in these patients. However, neither the combinatorial interaction between these two PCOS-related etiological factors nor the mechanisms of their actions in the uterus during pregnancy are well understood. We hypothesized that hyperandrogensim and insulin resistance exert a causative role in miscarriage by inducing defects in uterine function that are accompanied by mitochondrial-mediated oxidative stress, inflammation, and perturbed gene expression. Here, we tested this hypothesis by studying the metabolic, endocrine, and uterine abnormalities in pregnant rats after exposure to daily injection of 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT; 1.66 mg·kg body wt−1·day−1) and/or insulin (6.0 IU/day) from gestational day 7.5 to 13.5. We showed that whereas DHT-exposed and insulin-exposed pregnant rats presented impaired insulin sensitivity, DHT + insulin-exposed pregnant rats exhibited hyperandrogenism and peripheral insulin resistance, which mirrors pregnant PCOS patients. Compared with controls, hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance in the dam were associated with alterations in uterine morphology and aberrant expression of genes responsible for decidualization ( Prl8a2, Fxyd2, and Mt1g), placentation ( Fcgr3 and Tpbpa), angiogenesis ( Flt1, Angpt1, Angpt2, Ho1, Ccl2, Ccl5, Cxcl9, and Cxcl10) and insulin signaling (Akt, Gsk3, and Gluts). Moreover, we observed changes in uterine mitochondrial function and homeostasis (i.e., mitochondrial DNA copy number and the expression of genes responsible for mitochondrial fusion, fission, biogenesis, and mitophagy) and suppression of both oxidative and antioxidative defenses (i.e., reactive oxygen species, Nrf2 signaling, and interactive networks of antioxidative stress responses) in response to the hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance. These findings demonstrate that hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance induce mitochondria-mediated damage and a resulting imbalance between oxidative and antioxidative stress responses in the gravid uterus.
Exercise training promotes a GDF15-associated reduction in fat mass in older adults with obesity
Authors: Zhang Hui , Fealy Ciarán E. , Kirwan John P.
Published: March 2019

Obesity is a major risk factor for metabolic disease. Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) has shown promise as a weight loss agent for obesity in animal studies. In healthy lean humans, fasting plasma GDF15 increases after acute exercise. However, the role of GDF15 in human obesity and the response of plasma GDF15 to exercise training in patients with obesity is unknown. Here, 24 sedentary volunteers with obesity [age: 65 ± 1 yr; body mass index (BMI): 35.3 ± 0.9 kg/m2] participated in a supervised 12-wk aerobic exercise intervention: 1 h/day, 5 days/wk at ~85% maximum heart rate with controlled isocaloric diet. As a result, plasma GDF15 was significantly increased (PRE: 644.1 ± 42.6 pg/ml, POST: 704.4 ± 47.2 pg/ml, P < 0.01) after the exercise intervention. Inconsistent with animal models, ΔGDF15 was not correlated with change in weight, BMI, or resting energy expenditure. However, ΔGDF15 was correlated with a reduction in total fat mass ( P < 0.05), abdominal fat mass ( P < 0.05), and android fat mass ( P ≤ 0.05). Participants with a positive GDF15 response to exercise had increased total fat oxidation (PRE: 0.25 ± 0.05 mg·kg−1·min−1, POST: 0.43 ± 0.07 mg·kg−1·min−1, P ≤ 0.05), metabolic flexibility [PRE: −0.01 ± 0.01 delta respiratory quotient (RQ), POST: 0.06 ± 0.01 delta RQ, P < 0.001], and insulin sensitivity (PRE: 0.33 ± 0.01 QUICKI index, POST: 0.34 ± 0.01 QUICKI index, P < 0.01), suggesting a link between GDF15 and fat mass loss as well as exercise-induced metabolic improvement in humans with obesity. We conclude that the exercise-induced increase in plasma GDF15 and the association with reduced fat mass may indicate a role for GDF15 as a therapeutic target for human obesity.
Rapid changes in the microvascular circulation of skeletal muscle impair insulin delivery during sepsis
Authors: Mignemi Nicholas A. , McClatchey P. Mason , Kilchrist Kameron V. , Williams Ian M. , Millis Bryan A. , Syring Kristen E. , Duvall Craig L. , Wasserman David H. , McGuinness Owen P.
Published: March 2019

Sepsis costs the healthcare system $23 billion annually and has a mortality rate between 10 and 40%. An early indication of sepsis is the onset of hyperglycemia, which is the result of sepsis-induced insulin resistance in skeletal muscle. Previous investigations have focused on events in the myocyte (e.g., insulin signaling and glucose transport and subsequent metabolism) as the causes for this insulin-resistant state. However, the delivery of insulin to the skeletal muscle is also an important determinant of insulin action. Skeletal muscle microvascular blood flow, which delivers the insulin to the muscle, is known to be decreased during sepsis. Here we test whether the reduced capillary blood flow to skeletal muscle belies the sepsis-induced insulin resistance by reducing insulin delivery to the myocyte. We hypothesize that decreased capillary flow and consequent decrease in insulin delivery is an early event that precedes gross cardiovascular alterations seen with sepsis. This hypothesis was examined in mice treated with either lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or polymicrobial sepsis followed by intravital microscopy of the skeletal muscle microcirculation. We calculated insulin delivery to the myocyte using two independent methods and found that LPS and sepsis rapidly reduce insulin delivery to the skeletal muscle by ~50%; this was driven by decreases in capillary flow velocity and the number of perfused capillaries. Furthermore, the changes in skeletal muscle microcirculation occur before changes in both cardiac output and arterial blood pressure. These data suggest that a rapid reduction in skeletal muscle insulin delivery contributes to the induction of insulin resistance during sepsis.
Chemical Analysis of Air Particulate Matter Trapped by a Porous Material, Synthesized from Silica Fume and Sodium Alginate
Authors: Bilo Fabjola , Zanoletti Alessandra , Borgese Laura , Depero Laura E. , Bontempi Elza
Published: March 2019

This work shows the ability of a new porous material (SUNSPACE), obtained by industrial by-products, to sequestrate air particulate matter (PM). This activity allows introducing the azure chemistry approach, devoted to better link new remediation strategies and sustainability. In particular, SUNSPACE is synthesized from silica fume and sodium alginate; it can be shaped in a porous solid, and it looks promising for environmental application as nanoparticle sequestration. Studies to evaluate the sequestration capability of SUNSPACE are performed in different environments, with and without anthropogenic sources of PM. Solid SUNSPACE disc samples are used as passive samplers and exposed for one and two months, in vertical and horizontal positions, indoor, and outdoor. Total reflection X-ray fluorescence technique is employed to perform elemental chemical analysis of the entrapped PM. Two sample preparation strategies to evaluate the composition of PM are considered: sample sonication in Milli-Q water and total sample mineralization by microwave acid digestion. These two options are proposed to analyse different PM fractions: in particular, sonication allows removing the coarse PM, entrapped on external material surface pores; on the contrary, digestion can offer information on fine and ultrafine PM, trapped in internal pores. Results confirm the ability of the porous material to sequestrate air PM and the differences in the sample preparation, supported by elemental analysis, and show the difference in the coarse and fine air particulate matter composition. In summary, the new material results as very promising for applications requiring nanoparticle sequestration.
Dynamic Granularity Matrix Space Based Adaptive Edge Detection Method for Structured Light Stripes
Authors: Yu Changzhi , Ji Fang , Jing Xingjiu , Liu Mi
Published: March 2019

Structured light has been widely applied to 3D shape measurement with the capabilities of rapidness, high‐accuracy, and noncontact. Because of uneven illumination and noise, it is difficult to distinguish the light stripes and background of the image, which reduces the measurement accuracy. In this paper, an adaptive Canny edge detection method with two phases is proposed for structured light stripes. Firstly, the idea of dynamic granularity is introduced and the dynamic granularity matrix space is established, in which image segmentation problems are described as the transformations and jumping of image at different granularity layers. The hierarchical structure and optimal granularity layer of image are obtained as the basis of adaptive edge detection. Secondly, a quantum‐inspired group leader hybrid algorithm is adopted to calculate the optimal threshold from the optimal granularity layer, which is taken as the adaptive threshold for Canny operator. Finally, experimental tests and comparisons have been conducted to verify the effectiveness of the adaptive method proposed. The experiments show that the proposed method achieves high segmentation accuracy, improves the segmentation efficiency, and has strong robustness to noise.
Endoscopic Submucosal Single- or Multi-tunnel Dissection for Near-Circumferential and Circumferential Superficial Esophageal Neoplastic Lesions
Authors: Zhu Lin-Lin , Wu Jun-Chao , Wang Yi-Ping , He Du , Zhang Wen-Yan , Gan Tao , Yang Jin-Lin
Published: March 2019

This study reports the outcomes of endoscopic submucosal single-tunnel dissection or endoscopic submucosal multi-tunnel dissection for the treatment of esophageal neoplastic lesions of at least three-quarters of the esophageal circumference, including circumferential superficial esophageal neoplastic lesions. From July 2014 to February 2018, a total of 124 lesions underwent endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection at our hospital. One to four submucosal tunnels were created in the oral to anal direction. Of the 124 lesions, there were 83 noncomplete circumferential lesions and 41 circumferential lesions. Endoscopic submucosal single-tunnel dissection was performed in 54 patients, two-tunnel dissection in 43 patients, three-tunnel dissection in 19 patients, and four-tunnel dissection in 8 patients. The mean dissection speed was 22.8±12.7 mm2/min. En bloc dissection was achieved in all lesions, and the R0 resection rate was 70.2 percent. No matter how large the lesion area was, there were no significant differences in the dissection speed and the R0 resection rate when lesions were at least three-quarters of the esophageal circumference. Esophageal stricture was observed in 54 patients and was relieved by placement of a retrievable metal stent or by endoscopic water balloon dilation. No recurrence was noted after 19.1±12.4 months of follow-up. Our large sample size study showed that endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection showed effectiveness and safety for the treatment of large superficial esophageal neoplastic lesions at least three-quarters of the esophageal circumference, including circumferential superficial esophageal neoplastic lesions.
Exosome-Like Vesicles as New Mediators and Therapeutic Targets for Treating Insulin Resistance and β-Cell Mass Failure in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Ge Qian , Xie Xin Xin , Xiao Xiaoqiu , Li Xi
Published: March 2019

Exosome-like vesicles (ELVs), the smallest class of extracellular vesicles released from cells, function in cellular crosstalk and therefore profoundly affect physiologic responses and pathologic progression. A growing body of evidence supports a novel role for ELVs as important mediators and therapeutic targets due to their effects on regulation of both insulin signaling and β-cell mass. Pathologic conditions associated with type 2 diabetes (such as high blood glucose, inflammation, hypoxia, and fatty acids) can alter the quantity and components of ELVs secreted from the pancreas or peripheral insulin-targeting tissues. These released ELVs can either enter the blood circulation or be taken up by neighboring cells or macrophages, which can lead to insulin resistance or β-cell apoptosis. This review focuses on the roles of ELVs in insulin resistance and β-cell failure and also highlights the potential use of ELVs and exosome-based delivery systems in therapeutic interventions aimed at treating type 2 diabetes mellitus as well as the challenges associated with exosome-targeting therapeutics.
The Significant Influence of the Neuroendocrine Component on the Survival of Patients with Gastric Carcinoma Characterized by Coexisting Exocrine and Neuroendocrine Components
Authors: Ren Hu , Shi Su-Sheng , Wang Nian-Chang , Wang Xing , Chen Ying-Tai , Zhao Dong-Bing
Published: March 2019

Background. Gastric adenocarcinoma patients with a neuroendocrine (NE) component are frequently observed in routine practice. Several previous studies have investigated the influence of a NE component on the survival of these patients; however, the results were inconsistent. Methods. We retrospectively investigated a consecutive series of 95 gastric adenocarcinoma patients with a NE component and 190 gastric adenocarcinoma patients without a NE component. We adopted 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, and 90% as the cut-off proportions of the NE component, respectively, and analyzed the patients’ overall survival according to the proportion of the NE component. Results. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year actual survival rates of the patients with a NE component were 90.1%, 72.3%, and 67.2%, respectively, and for those without a NE component 94.2%, 79.3%, and 75.7%, respectively. The multivariate analysis showed that the patients with NE components >70% (HR: 2.156; 95% CI: 1.011, 4.597; p=0.047) and >90% (HR: 2.476; 95% CI: 1.088, 5.634; p=0.031) had significantly worse survival than those without a NE component. Only the diameter of tumors (>4.64 cm) (HR: 2.585; 95% CI: 1.112, 6.006; p=0.027) and pN3 (HR: 2.953; 95% CI: 1.051, 8.293; p=0.040) were independently associated with worse overall survival for gastric adenocarcinoma patients with a NE component (all p<0.05). Conclusion. Gastric adenocarcinoma patients with a NE component >70% and >90% have significantly worse survival than those without a NE component. Only the diameter of tumors and the number of metastatic lymph nodes are independent prognostic factors for gastric adenocarcinoma patients with a NE component.
Chemical and Bioactivity Evaluation ofEryngium planumandCnicus benedictusPolyphenolic-Rich Extracts
Authors: Paun Gabriela , Neagu Elena , Moroeanu Veronica , Albu Camelia , Savin Simona , Lucian Radu Gabriel
Published: March 2019

This study evaluated the biological activities ofEryngium planumandof Cnicus benedictusextracts enriched in polyphenols obtained by nanofiltration. The HPLC-MS analysis showed thatE. planumcontains mainly flavonoids, especially rutin, while inC. benedictusextracts show the high concentration of the phenolic acids, principally the chlorogenic acid and sinapic acid. Herein, there is the first report of ursolic acid, genistin, and isorhamnetin inE. planumandC. benedictus. C. benedictuspolyphenolic-rich extract showed high scavenging activity (IC50=0.0081 mg/mL) comparable to that of standard compound (ascorbic acid) and a higher reducing power (IC50= 0.082 mg/mL), with IC50having a significantly lower value than IC50for ascorbic acid. Both extracts were nontoxic to NCTC cell line. Among the investigated herbs,E. planumpolyphenolic-rich extract showed the highest inhibitory activities with the IC50value of 31.3μg/mL for lipoxygenase and 24.6μg/mL for hyaluronidase. Both polyphenolic-rich extracts had a higher inhibitory effect onα-amylase andα-glucosidase than that of the acarbose. The synergistic effect of ursolic acid, rutin, chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid, genistin, and daidzein identified in polyphenolic-rich extracts could be mainly responsible for the pharmacological potentials of the studied extracts used in managing inflammation and diabetes.
Ectopic Thyroid Mass Separately Present in Mediastinum and Not a Retrosternal Extension: A Report of Two Cases
Authors: Sohail Abdul Ahad , Shahabuddin Syed , Siddiqui Moghira Iqbaluddin
Published: March 2019

Retrosternal extension of goiter is one of the most common types of masses in the superior mediastinum. These types of goiters classically present with compressive symptoms such as dyspnea, dysphonia, dysphagia, or sleep apnea. Surgical treatment with a total thyroidectomy and complete removal of the intrathoracic portion of thyroid is the gold standard treatment. These cervicomediastinal lesions at times may not be continuous, and a sternotomy may be required for complete and safe excision of the mediastinal mass to achieve decompression of the surrounding structures and preventing the hemorrhagic complications if attempted from cervical incision. We present a summary of two cases that gave an initial impression of retrosternal extension of thyroid gland, however intraoperatively were found to be separately encapsulated and required sternotomy for its safe and complete excision.
Telmisartan Attenuates Uric Acid-Induced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Renal Tubular Cells
Authors: Zha Dongqing , Wu Saiqun , Gao Ping , Wu Xiaoyan
Published: March 2019

We examined whether and how uric acid induces epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in renal tubular cells, along with the mechanism by which telmisartan acts on uric acid-induced renal injury. Rat renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (NRK-52E) were exposed to various concentrations of uric acid in the presence or absence of telmisartan. Treatment with uric acid increased the expression ofα-SMA, decreased the expression of E-cadherin, and promoted EMT in NRK-52E cells. Uric acid treatment also led to increased endothelin-1 (ET-1) production, activation of extracellular-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and the upregulation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 (NOX4). Use of ET-1 receptor inhibitor (BQ123 or BQ788) could inhibit uric acid-induced EMT in NRK-52E cells. Pretreatment with the ERK inhibitor (U0126 or PD98059) suppressed the release of ET-1 and EMT induced by uric acid. Additionally, pretreatment with a traditional antioxidant (diphenylene iodonium or apocynin) inhibited the activation of ERK1/2, release of ET-1, and uric acid-induced EMT in NRK-52E cells. These findings suggested that uric acid-induced EMT in renal tubular epithelial cells occurs through NADPH oxidase-mediated ERK1/2 activation and the subsequent release of ET-1. Furthermore, telmisartan (102nmol/L to 104nmol/L) inhibited the expression of NOX4, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), activation of ERK1/2, and the release of ET-1 in a dose-dependent manner, thereby preventing uric acid-induced EMT in NRK-52E. In conclusion, telmisartan could ameliorate uric acid-induced EMT in NRK-52E cells likely through inhibition of the NADPH oxidase/ERK1/2/ET-1 pathway.
Dietary Diversity and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in Shashemane, Oromia, Central Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Desta Melaku , Akibu Mohammed , Tadese Mesfin , Tesfaye Meskerem
Published: March 2019

Background. Maternal dietary diversity is a proxy indicator of maternal nutrient adequacy and improves health outcomes for both mothers and babies. However, little is documented on dietary diversity among pregnant mothers. Therefore, this study assessed diet diversity and associated factors among pregnant mothers attending the antenatal clinic in Shashemane, Oromia, Central Ethiopia.Methods. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 315 systematically selected pregnant women attending antenatal clinic of Shashemane town in April 2017. Dietary diversity was assessed using a 24 h dietary recall method, and the dietary diversity score was computed for ten food groups. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were computed to identify associated factors of dietary diversity.Result. In this study, only a quarter (25.4%) of pregnant mothers consumed adequate dietary diversity. Mother’s tertiary (AOR 3.18; 95% CI: 1.8, 6.35) and secondary (AOR 2.13; 95% CI: 2.32, 8.72) education, household monthly income above 3500 ETB (AOR = 2.24; 95% CI: 1.47, 7.78), livestock ownership (AOR = 4.15; 95% CI: 2.07, 9.86), women who got emotional support from the husband (AOR = 3.49; 95% CI: 1.12, 8.23), and women who participated in the shooping (AOR = 2.54; 95% CI: 3.27, 9.83) were more likely to attain the adequate dietary diversity.Conclusion. The study revealed that the overall consumption of adequate dietary diversity was found to be low. Developing the educational level of women, increasing household income and owning of livestock, increasing husbands’ support, and improving women’s participation in the shopping are recommended to improve women’s adequate dietary diversity.
Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma and Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in the Same Patient as a Collision Tumour
Authors: Dikbas Oguz , Duman Aslihan Alpaslan , Guvendi Gulname Findik
Published: March 2019

Aim. Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) are two different types of thyroid carcinoma with significant different clinical and histological findings. Their coexistence in the same patient is a very rare event which demands different clinical approach. Case Report. We report a case with concurrent MTC and PTC in the same thyroid having characteristics of a collision tumour. A 35-year-old patient has admitted to endocrinology outpatient department with complaint of pain in the neck. Physical examination revealed 2 cm nodule on the thyroid right lobe. Serum thyroid hormone levels were within normal range. Ultrasonography revealed a 23x15 mm hypoechoic nodule with micro calcifications and cystic areas on the right lobe. Preoperative serum calcitonin was 2 pg/ml (0-11.5). PTK 1.7 cm and MTK 1.8 cm in the same thyroid with healthy tissue in between them were detected on pathological examination. RET gene mutation was negative. She has been followed up to now without any evidence of disease. Conclusion. This is a collision tumour since lesions with features of MTC and PTC were detected in two different locations and separated by normal thyroid tissue. Germline point mutation of the RET gene had a potential role in the development of both MTC and PTC. On the other side, familial concurrent MTC and PTC without RET gene mutation was also published. Both RET and BRAF genes had a role in the development of the medullary and papillary collision tumours. We do not know the presence of BRAF gene mutation in this case report yet.
Etorphine-Ketamine Constant Rate Infusion for Maintenance of Anaesthesia in a Compromised White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum)
Authors: Pohlin Friederike , Buss Peter , Miller Michele , Steenkamp Gerhard , Gleed Robin , Poore Luke , Boesch Jordyn , Zeiler Gareth
Published: March 2019

A subadult white rhinoceros bull presented for oesophageal endoscopic evaluation and foreign body removal under general anaesthesia. The animal had a history of nasal and oral regurgitation of water and ingesta with weight-loss for 6 days prior to the procedure and had been diagnosed with oesophageal obstruction caused by a bailing wire. Anaesthesia was induced with intramuscular etorphine and azaperone delivered remotely by dart, followed by an intravenous bolus of ketamine. The trachea was intubated, and anaesthesia was maintained with an etorphine-ketamine constant rate infusion (CRI). The rhinoceros did not respond predictably to induction of anaesthesia and developed life-threatening systemic hypotension throughout the 90-minute procedure. A mega-vertebrate demand ventilator was successfully used to provide intermittent positive pressure ventilation when the rhinoceros developed apnoea. This case report describes the maintenance of anaesthesia of a white rhinoceros using an etorphine-ketamine CRI and the causes and management of hypotension and respiratory impairment observed in this patient.
Entecavir-Associated Thrombocytopenia: A Case Report and Review of the Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment of a Rare but Reversible Cause of Thrombocytopenia
Authors: Yohannan Binoy , Luu Dai Chu N. , Feldman Mark
Published: March 2019

Drug-associated thrombocytopenia is often unrecognized. We report a 76-year-old female with lymphoma who presented with easy bruising and oral bleeding. She had undergone screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) prior to starting rituximab and was found to have hepatitis B core serum antibody (IgG anti-HBc). She was therefore treated with prophylactic entecavir 0.5 mg daily to prevent reactivation of HBV. Her initial platelet count was 136,000/mm3. Five days after starting entecavir, she presented with bruising and oral bleeding and was found to have a platelet count of 7,000/mm3. A coagulation profile and the rest of the blood parameters (RBC and WBC counts) were normal. Entecavir was stopped, and she was given 3 units of apheresed platelets followed by intravenous immunoglobulin (1 g/kg) for 5 consecutive days. Her platelet counts improved and normalized in one week. She was diagnosed with entecavir-induced thrombocytopenia based on the temporal relationship and after carefully excluding alternate causes of thrombocytopenia. This case highlights the importance of recognizing drug-induced thrombocytopenia (DITP) as a reversible cause of thrombocytopenia.
Social Optimization and Pricing Strategies in Unobservable Queues with Delayed Multiple Vacations
Authors: Tian Ruiling
Published: March 2019

The paper considers the single‐server Markovian queues with delayed multiple vacations. Once the system becomes empty, the server will experience a changeover time to begin the vacation. By using the matrix‐geometric solution method, we obtain the stationary probability distribution and the mean queue length under almost unobservable and fully unobservable cases. Based on the system status information and a linear reward‐cost structure reflecting the desire of customers for service and their unwillingness for waiting, the social welfare function is determined. We also investigate optimal pricing strategies of the server under the ex‐postpayment scheme and the ex‐antepayment scheme, and we get the customer’s equilibrium strategy under optimal pricing strategy. Finally, we illustrate the effect of several parameters and information levels on socially optimal strategies and optimal social benefit by numerical examples.
Effect of Pretreatment on Magnetic Nanoparticle Growth on Graphene Surface and Magnetic Performance in Electroless Plating
Authors: Lee Kyunbae , Kim Taehoon , Lee Sang Bok , Jung Byung Mun
Published: March 2019

Electroless plating involves sensitization, activation, and plating processes. Sensitization and activation are conducted by dipping the substrate in SnCl2 solution and PdCl2 solution, respectively. These pretreatment processes are required to plate the substrate with noncatalytic surfaces. We investigated the effect of sensitization on the magnetic properties of FeCoNi@graphene hybrids prepared via electroless plating. The solution concentrations during sensitization were varied to observe changes in the structural, morphological, and magnetic properties of FeCoNi@graphene using XRD, TEM, and VSM, respectively. Sensitization under high concentration produced a large amount of SnO2, resulting in low saturation magnetization. Further, the FeCoNi@graphene hybrid prepared via electroless plating without sensitization also exhibited low saturation magnetization owing to the formation of oxides and hydroxides. We prepared FeCoNi@graphene with a saturation magnetization of 40.8 emu/g under sensitization at low concentration; this is the highest saturation magnetization among the reported magnetic material@graphene hybrids prepared via electroless plating. This study provides guidelines for the pretreatment of graphene via electroless plating and should contribute to future studies on the synthesis of magnetic material@graphene hybrids.
Secure Information Sharing System for Online Patient Networks
Authors: Park Hyun-A
Published: March 2019

Recently, privacy emerged as a hot issue again, as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of EU has become enforceable since May 25, 2018. This paper deals with the problem of health information sharing on a website securely and with preserving privacy. In the context of patient networks (such as ‘PatientsLikeMe’ or ‘CureTogether’), we propose the model Secure Information Sharing System (SISS) with the main method of group key cryptosystem. SISS addresses important problems of group key systems. (1) The new developed equations for encryption and decryption can eliminate the rekeying and redistribution process for every membership-change of the group, keeping the security requirements. (2) The new 3D Stereoscopic Image Mobile Security Technology with AR (augmented reality) solves the problem of conspiracy by group members. (3) SISS uses the reversed one-way hash chain to guarantee forward secrecy and backward accessibility (security requirements for information sharing in a group). We conduct a security analysis of SISS according to group information sharing secrecy and an experiment on its performance. Consequently, although current IT paradigm is changing to be more and more ‘complicated’, ‘overlapped’, and ‘virtualized’, SISS makes it possible to securely share sensitive information from collaborative work.
Evasion-Pursuit Strategy against Defended Aircraft Based on Differential Game Theory
Authors: Sun Qilong , Shen Minghui , Gu Xiaolong , Hou Kang , Qi Naiming
Published: March 2019

The active defense scenario in which the attacker evades from the defender and pursues the target is investigated. In this scenario, the target evades from the attacker, and the defender intercepts the attacker by using the optimal strategies. The evasion and the pursuit boundaries are investigated for the attacker when the three players use the one-to-one optimal guidance laws, which are derived based on differential game theory. It is difficult for the attacker to accomplish the task by using the one-to-one optimal guidance law; thus, a new guidance law is derived. Unlike other papers, in this paper, the accelerations of the target and the defender are unknown to the attacker. The new strategy is derived by linearizing the model along the initial line of sight, and it is obtained based on the open-loop solution form as the closed-loop problem is hard to solve. The results of the guidance performance for the derived guidance law are presented by numerical simulations, and it shows that the attacker can evade the defender and intercept the target successfully by using the proposed strategy.
Notch Inhibition Promotes Differentiation of Liver Progenitor Cells into Hepatocytes via sox9b Repression in Zebrafish
Authors: Russell Jacquelyn O. , Ko Sungjin , Monga Satdarshan P. , Shin Donghun
Published: March 2019

Liver regeneration after most forms of injury is mediated through the proliferation of hepatocytes. However, when hepatocyte proliferation is impaired, such as during chronic liver disease, liver progenitor cells (LPCs) arising from the biliary epithelial cell (BEC) compartment can give rise to hepatocytes to mediate hepatic repair. Promotion of LPC-to-hepatocyte differentiation in patients with chronic liver disease could serve as a potentially new therapeutic option, but first requires the identification of the molecular mechanisms driving this process. Notch signaling has been identified as an important signaling pathway promoting the BEC fate during development and has also been implicated in regulating LPC differentiation during regeneration. SRY-related HMG box transcription factor 9 (Sox9) is a direct target of Notch signaling in the liver, and Sox9 has also been shown to promote the BEC fate during development. We have recently shown in a zebrafish model of LPC-driven liver regeneration that inhibition of Hdac1 activity through MS-275 treatment enhances sox9b expression in LPCs and impairs LPC-to-hepatocyte differentiation. Therefore, we hypothesized that inhibition of Notch signaling would promote LPC-to-hepatocyte differentiation by repressing sox9b expression in zebrafish. We ablated the hepatocytes of Tg(fabp10a:CFP-NTR) larvae and blocked Notch activation during liver regeneration through treatment with γ-secretase inhibitor LY411575 and demonstrated enhanced induction of Hnf4a in LPCs. Alternatively, enhancing Notch signaling via Notch3 intracellular domain (N3ICD) overexpression impaired Hnf4a induction. Hepatocyte ablation in sox9b heterozygous mutant embryos enhanced Hnf4a induction, while BEC-specific Sox9b overexpression impaired LPC-to-hepatocyte differentiation. Our results establish the Notch-Sox9b signaling axis as inhibitory to LPC-to-hepatocyte differentiation in a well-established in vivo LPC-driven liver regeneration model.
A Combined Average-Case and Worst-Case Analysis for an Integrated Hub Location and Revenue Management Problem
Authors: Huo Jia-Zhen , Hou Yan-Ting , Chu Feng , He Jun-Kai
Published: March 2019

This paper investigates joint decisions on airline network design and capacity allocation by integrating an uncapacitated single allocation p-hub median location problem into a revenue management problem. For the situation in which uncertain demand can be captured by a finite set of scenarios, we extend this integrated problem with average profit maximization to a combined average-case and worst-case analysis of this integration. We formulate this problem as a two-stage stochastic programming framework to maximize the profit, including the cost of installing the hubs and a weighted sum of average and worst case transportation cost and the revenue from tickets over all scenarios. This model can give flexible decisions by putting the emphasis on the importance of average and worst case profits. To solve this problem, a genetic algorithm is applied. Computational results demonstrate the outperformance of the proposed formulation.
Disodium Cantharidinate and Vitamin B6 Injection Adjunct with Platinum-Based Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wang Zhichao , Feng Fanchao , Wu Qi , Jin Yihan , Gu Cheng , Xu Yong , Zhou Xianmei , He Hailang
Published: March 2019

Purpose. Disodium cantharidinate and vitamin B6 (DCVB6) injection is effective and widely used for the clinical treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This meta-analysis aimed to provide evidence-based medical data for clinical treatment with DCVB6 injection. Methods. We searched 7 medical databases up to January 2018 for all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) based on DCVB6 injection combined with chemotherapy in patients with NSCLC. A manual search in relevant journals and of relevant literature on other websites was also performed. Data extraction and quality assessment were conducted independently by two reviewers. Subsequently, a meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3 software. Pooled risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to evaluate dichotomous and continuous outcomes, respectively. The PROSPERO ID was CRD42018086377. Results. A total of 19 RCTs were included. The results of the meta-analysis indicated that the DCVB6 injection combined with chemotherapy was superior to chemotherapy alone regarding objective response rate (RR=1.58, 95% CI 1.40-1.79), Karnofsky performance score (RR=1.68, 95% CI 1.42-1.99), clinical symptom (RR=1.68, 95% CI 1.44-1.96), white blood cell toxicity (RR=0.36, 95% CI 0.27-0.49), platelet toxicity (RR=0.46, 95% CI 0.33-0.63), and vomiting (RR=0.50, 95% CI 0.37-0.67). Conclusions. The current evidence suggests that DCVB6 injection combined with chemotherapy could increase objective response rate and Karnofsky performance score, improve clinical symptoms, and reduce side effects caused by chemotherapy in patients with NSCLC. However, these results should be carefully interpreted due to the low-quality methodology and the small sample sizes of the trials, and our conclusions should be verified by high-quality, large-scale, double-blinded RCTs.
Oncogenic Properties of the Antisense lncRNA COMET in BRAF- and RET-Driven Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas
Authors: Esposito Roberta , Esposito Daniela , Pallante Pierlorenzo , Fusco Alfredo , Ciccodicola Alfredo , Costa Valerio
Published: March 2019

RET rearrangements as well as BRAF and RAS mutations drive differential pathway activation in papillary thyroid carcinomas, leading to different tumor phenotypes and prognoses. Although The Cancer Genome Atlas Consortium has identified tumor subgroups based on protein-coding gene signatures, neither expression of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) nor their correlation with specific tumor-driving mutations and rearrangements have been systematically assessed. Here, we reanalyzed our RNA-sequencing data using a de novo discovery approach to identify lncRNAs and define tumor subtype-specific signatures of annotated lncRNAs. Among them, we identified COMET (Correlated-to-MET), a natural antisense transcript that was highly expressed in carcinomas harboring BRAFV600E mutation or RET gene rearrangements (i.e., BRAF-like tumors) and induced the downstream MAPK pathway. In papillary thyroid carcinomas, COMET was part of a coexpression network including different oncogenes belonging to the MAPK pathway, and its expression highly correlated with MET expression. Depletion of COMET resulted in reduced expression of genes within this network, including the MET oncogene. COMET repression inhibited viability and proliferation of tumor cells harboring BRAFV600E somatic mutation or RET oncogene rearrangement and dramatically reduced motility and invasiveness of tumor cells. Moreover, silencing COMET markedly increased sensitivity to vemurafenib, a common inhibitor of mutated B-raf. Collectively, our results suggest COMET as a new target to improve drug-based cancer therapies, especially in BRAF-mutated and MET-addicted papillary thyroid carcinomas.

Significance:

These results highlight the oncogenic role of lncRNA COMET in thyroid and indicate it as a potential new target to overcome vemurafenib resistance in BRAF-mutated and MET-addicted carcinomas.
Impact of Physical Fitness on Cognitive Performance in Patients at a Memory Clinic
Authors: Gnosa Katharina , Marczak Agnies , Binder Jana , Adler Georg
Published: March 2019

Objective: To examine the impact of cardiovascular and motor fitness on cognitive performance in subjects interested in the prevention and early recognition of Alzheimer’s dementia (AD). Methods: The data of 388 participants of a respective project aged between 50 and 85 years were evaluated. Classification of the participants into the groups of “no cognitive impairment” (NCI), “mild cognitive impairment of the amnestic type” (MCIa), and “mild AD” (mAD) was performed by neuropsychological assessment, history of third party, and further clinical, laboratory, or imaging investigations. Subjective memory impairment (SMI) and cognitive blackouts were recorded. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) was assessed by means of the 2-min step test and motor fitness (MF) by means of the 30-s chair-stand test. Results: CRF and MF were reduced in participants with MCIa and mAD. They were negatively correlated with the score for cognitive blackouts. In the group of 50- to 60-year-old nondemented participants those with low CRF and MF performed poorer in various cognitive domains, had a higher score for cognitive blackouts, and more frequently SMI. Conclusion: Low CRF and MF are associated with cognitive impairment. This applies even in 50- to 60-year-old nondemented subjects without marked physical morbidity. These findings support the potential usefulness of physical exercise for dementia prevention.
A construção da fala autorizada: o saber agronômico, as pesquisas e polêmicas em torno da juta em São Paulo
Authors: Ferreira Aldenor da Silva , Matos Maria Izilda Santos de
Published: March 2019

Neste artigo são analisadas questões e polêmicas em torno das possibilidades de desenvolvimento da juticultura no estado de São Paulo. A pesquisa está centrada na análise de ampla documentação agronômica da primeira metade do século XX, o que permitiu rastrear os discursos e as atividades práticas realizadas visando o estabelecimento de novas atividades agrícolas, entre elas, as tentativas de aclimatação da juta. A análise dá ênfase a tensões, reivindicações e polêmicas, assim como à constituição das matrizes discursivas e à institucionalização de um novo saber, visto como científico, técnico e moderno: o saber agronômico.
Votos, partidos e eleições na Primeira República: a dinâmica política a partir das charges de “O Malho”
Authors: Viscardi Cláudia Maria Ribeiro , Soares Lívia Freitas
Published: March 2019

Este artigo avalia, através de charges publicadas na revista O Malho entre 1902 e 1910, a percepção dos caricaturistas e/ou editores desse periódico acerca dos processos políticos republicanos – a prática eleitoral, a classe política e suas instituições – e de como tal interpretação era divulgada. As publicações revelam a dinâmica eleitoral e os resultados dos pleitos, tradicionalmente criticados como excludentes, previsíveis e fraudulentos. Tais manifestações tornaram-se objeto de pesquisas recentes e vêm demonstrando que as eleições eram mais competitivas do que aparentavam. Buscamos relacionar a visão política da Revista O Malho aos trabalhos historiográficos atuais que abordam e revisitam a interpretação dos pleitos eleitorais.