bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Learning from past climatic changes
Authors: Lécuyer Christophe
Published: June 2018

66 million years ago, sea temperatures rose rapidly as a result of environmental perturbations
Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae: a Call for Consensus Definition and International Collaboration
Authors: Harada Sohei , Doi Yohei
Published: June 2018

Hypervirulent
Klebsiella pneumoniae
strains have higher potential to cause more severe and disseminated infections than classic
K. pneumoniae
strains. While initially reported from East Asian countries, cases have now been identified worldwide, sometimes in conjunction with extensive drug resistance.
HIV-1 Subtype C-Infected Children with Exceptional Neutralization Breadth Exhibit Polyclonal Responses Targeting Known Epitopes
Authors: Ditse Zanele , Muenchhoff Maximilian , Adland Emily , Jooste Pieter , Goulder Philip , Moore Penny L. , Morris Lynn
Published: June 2018

An HIV vaccine is likely to require bNAbs, which have been shown to prevent HIV acquisition in nonhuman primates. Recent evidence suggests that HIV-infected children are inherently better at generating bNAbs than adults. Here, we show that exceptional neutralization breadth in a group of viremic HIV-1 subtype C-infected children was due to the presence of polyclonal bNAb responses. These bNAbs targeted multiple epitopes on the HIV envelope glycoprotein previously defined in adult infection, suggesting that the immature immune system recognizes HIV antigens similarly. Since elicitation of a polyclonal bNAb response is the basis of next-generation HIV envelope vaccines, further studies of how bNAb lineages are stimulated in children is warranted. Furthermore, our findings suggest that children may respond particularly well to vaccines designed to elicit antibodies to multiple bNAb epitopes.
Bacterial Quorum Sensing and Microbial Community Interactions
Authors: Abisado Rhea G. , Benomar Saida , Klaus Jennifer R. , Dandekar Ajai A. , Chandler Josephine R.
Published: June 2018

Many bacteria use a cell-cell communication system called quorum sensing to coordinate population density-dependent changes in behavior. Quorum sensing involves production of and response to diffusible or secreted signals, which can vary substantially across different types of bacteria. In many species, quorum sensing modulates virulence functions and is important for pathogenesis. Over the past half-century, there has been a significant accumulation of knowledge of the molecular mechanisms, signal structures, gene regulons, and behavioral responses associated with quorum-sensing systems in diverse bacteria. More recent studies have focused on understanding quorum sensing in the context of bacterial sociality. Studies of the role of quorum sensing in cooperative and competitive microbial interactions have revealed how quorum sensing coordinates interactions both within a species and between species. Such studies of quorum sensing as a social behavior have relied on the development of “synthetic ecological” models that use nonclonal bacterial populations. In this review, we discuss some of these models and recent advances in understanding how microbes might interact with one another using quorum sensing. The knowledge gained from these lines of investigation has the potential to guide studies of microbial sociality in natural settings and the design of new medicines and therapies to treat bacterial infections.
Breastfeeding outcomes in European NICUs: impact of parental visiting policies
Authors: Cuttini Marina , Croci Ileana , Toome Liis , Rodrigues Carina , Wilson Emilija , Bonet Mercedes , Gadzinowski Janusz , Di Lallo Domenico , Herich Lena Carolin , Zeitlin Jennifer
Published: June 2018

Objective

The documented benefits of maternal milk for very preterm infants have raised interest in hospital policies that promote breastfeeding. We investigated the hypothesis that more liberal parental policies are associated with increased breastfeeding at discharge from the neonatal unit.

Design

Prospective area-based cohort study.

Setting

Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in 19 regions of 11 European countries.

Patients

All very preterm infants discharged alive in participating regions in 2011–2012 after spending >70% of their hospital stay in the same NICU (n=4407).

Main outcome measures

We assessed four feeding outcomes at hospital discharge: any and exclusive maternal milk feeding, independent of feeding method; any and exclusive direct breastfeeding, defined as sucking at the breast. We computed a neonatal unit Parental Presence Score (PPS) based on policies regarding parental visiting in the intensive care area (range 1–10, with higher values indicating more liberal policies), and we used multivariable multilevel modified Poisson regression analysis to assess the relation between unit PPS and outcomes.

Results

Policies regarding visiting hours, duration of visits and possibility for parents to stay during medical rounds and spend the night in unit differed within and across countries. After adjustment for potential confounders, infants cared for in units with liberal parental policies (PPS≥7) were about twofold significantly more likely to be discharged with exclusive maternal milk feeding and exclusive direct breastfeeding.

Conclusion

Unit policies promoting parental presence and involvement in care may increase the likelihood of successful breastfeeding at discharge for very preterm infants.
Prior non-irradiative focal therapies do not compromise the efficacy of delayed episcleral plaque brachytherapy in retinoblastoma
Authors: Lucas John T , McGee Rose , Billups Catherine A , Qaddoumi Ibrahim , Merchant Thomas E , Brennan Rachel C , Wu Jiangrong , Wilson Matthew W
Published: June 2018

Background/aims

Non-irradiative local therapies have shown promise in delaying or supplanting external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and enucleation in patients with retinoblastoma. We hypothesised that prior focal therapy does not compromise the efficacy of delayed episcleral plaque brachytherapy (epBRT).

Methods

We performed an institutional review board-approved medical record review of patients with retinoblastoma who were treated with I-125 epBRT prior to (primary) or following chemoreduction (delayed), alone and in combination with non-irradiative focal therapy. Clinical and treatment characteristics were retrieved. Treatment failure was defined as the need for subsequent EBRT and/or enucleation. Event-free and ocular survival rates were calculated from the date of plaque placement. The cumulative incidences (CIs) of treatment failure and enucleation were compared across strata using Gray’s test.

Results

We identified 50 patients with retinoblastoma (54 eyes), who received a total of 56 plaques between January 1986 and December 2010, with a median follow-up of 8.3 years (range, 0.8–21.2 years). The median time from diagnosis to plaque placement was 12.7 months (range, 0.1–128 months). The CI and 95% CI of treatment failure and enucleation following epBRT at 5 years was 37%±7.2% and42.2%±7.3%, respectively. The lack of prior diode or green laser therapy was predictive of increased risk for treatment failure (p=0.02 and 0.03). International Classification group C or D was predictive of decreased time to enucleation (p=0.004). The use of any focal therapy was not predictive of time to treatment failure (p=0.33).

Conclusions

The use of non-irradiative focal therapies prior to or following epBRT does not decrease the time to enucleation or treatment failure.
Comparison study of the use of 360-degree video and non-360-degree video simulation and cybersickness symptoms in undergraduate healthcare curricula
Authors: Taylor Natasha , Layland Adam
Published: June 2018

The increasing use of emerging technologies in healthcare simulation, particularly virtual reality, has caused in increase in both use and misuse. It is the exploration and study of these types of technology that are key to their success—or failure—in simulation learning and teaching. Therefore, this exploratory study evaluated the most common perceived side effect of virtual reality, that of cybersickness. A total of n=60 undergraduate healthcare students participated in one of four identical learning outcome simulation events, using different simulation techniques. This study compared these four common simulation tools, high-fidelity manikin, standardised patient, video case study and 360-degree virtual reality video, and analysed the self-reported cybersickness symptoms. The results show that some virtual reality tools, in this case 360-degree video, are no more likely to provoke cybersickness symptoms than the other simulation methods used in this study. In addition, virtual reality is reported as less fatiguing than other methods of simulation learning. Virtual reality technologies may be a useful addition to the spectrum of simulation tools and techniques currently in use. This study suggests that there is no greater risk of cybersickness symptoms and this potential barrier to use is not borne out by this study.
In the patient’s best interest: appraising social network site information for surrogate decision making
Authors: Siddiqui Shahla , Chuan Voo Teck
Published: June 2018

This paper will discuss why and how social network sites ought to be used in surrogate decision making (SDM), with focus on a context like Singapore in which substituted judgment is incorporated as part of best interest assessment for SDM, as guided by the Code of Practice for making decisions for those lacking mental capacity under the Mental Capacity Act (2008). Specifically, the paper will argue that the Code of Practice already supports an ethical obligation, as part of a patient-centred care approach, to look for and appraise social network site (SNS) as a source of information for best interest decision making. As an important preliminary, the paper will draw on Berg’s arguments to support the use of SNS information as a resource for SDM. It will also supplement her account for how SNS information ought to be weighed against or considered alongside other evidence of patient preference or wishes, such as advance directives and anecdotal accounts by relatives.
The Participatory Zeitgeist: an explanatory theoretical model of change in an era of coproduction and codesign in healthcare improvement
Authors: Palmer Victoria Jane , Weavell Wayne , Callander Rosemary , Piper Donella , Richard Lauralie , Maher Lynne , Boyd Hilary , Herrman Helen , Furler John , Gunn Jane , Iedema Rick , Robert Glenn
Published: June 2018

Healthcare systems redesign and service improvement approaches are adopting participatory tools, techniques and mindsets. Participatory methods increasingly used in healthcare improvement coalesce around the concept of coproduction, and related practices of cocreation, codesign and coinnovation. These participatory methods have become the new Zeitgeist—the spirit of our times in quality improvement. The rationale for this new spirit of participation relates to voice and engagement (those with lived experience should be engaged in processes of development, redesign and improvements), empowerment (engagement in codesign and coproduction has positive individual and societal benefits) and advancement (quality of life and other health outcomes and experiences of services for everyone involved should improve as a result). This paper introduces Mental Health Experience Co-design (MH ECO), a peer designed and led adapted form of Experience-based Co-design (EBCD) developed in Australia. MH ECO is said to facilitate empowerment, foster trust, develop autonomy, self-determination and choice for people living with mental illnesses and their carers, including staff at mental health services. Little information exists about the underlying mechanisms of change; the entities, processes and structures that underpin MH ECO and similar EBCD studies. To address this, we identified eight possible mechanisms from an assessment of the activities and outcomes of MH ECO and a review of existing published evaluations. The eight mechanisms, recognition, dialogue, cooperation, accountability, mobilisation, enactment, creativity and attainment, are discussed within an ‘explanatory theoretical model of change’ that details these and ideal relational transitions that might be observed or not with MH ECO or other EBCD studies. We critically appraise the sociocultural and political movement in coproduction and draw on interdisciplinary theories from the humanities—narrative theory, dialogical ethics, cooperative and empowerment theory. The model advances theoretical thinking in coproduction beyond motivations and towards identifying underlying processes and entities that might impact on process and outcome.

Trial registration number

The Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12614000457640 (results).
Systematic review and meta-analysis of interventions aimed at enhancing return to work for sick-listed workers with common mental disorders, stress-related disorders, somatoform disorders and personality disorders
Authors: Mikkelsen Mai Bjørnskov , Rosholm Michael
Published: June 2018

Objectives

Mental disorders are associated with significant functional impairment, sickness absence and disability. The consequences of sickness absence warrant investigation into interventions aimed at enhancing return to work (RTW) for workers with mental disorders. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aim to synthesise evidence on the effectiveness of interventions aimed at enhancing RTW in sick-listed workers with mental disorders.

Methods

EconLit, Embase, PsychInfo, PubMed, Svemed+ and Web of Science were searched for peer-reviewed, randomised or controlled studies assessing employment-related outcomes of interventions. A meta-analysis was conducted and meta-regressions were performed to explore prespecified potential sources of heterogeneity between studies.

Results

The literature search yielded 3777 publications of which 42 (n=38 938) were included in the systematic review and 32 (n=9459) had appropriate data for the meta-analysis. The pooled effect size (95 % CI) was 0.14 (0.07 to 0.22). Meta-regressions revealed that the heterogeneity could not be attributed to study quality, timing of the intervention or length of the intervention. However, it could be partly explained by number of components included in the intervention, if the intervention included contact to the work place and by the disorder targeted by the intervention.

Conclusions

The results reveal strong evidence for interventions including contact to the work place and multicomponent interventions and moderate evidence for interventions including graded RTW. In addition, the results provide strong evidence for interventions targeting stress compared with interventions targeting other mental disorders. The findings point to important implications for policy and design of future interventions.
Marketing with tobacco pack onserts: a qualitative analysis of tobacco industry documents
Authors: Apollonio Dorie E , Glantz Stanton A
Published: June 2018

Background

Cigarette packs are a form of advertising that distributes brand information wherever smokers go. In the 21st century, tobacco companies began using onserts on cigarette packs to communicate new advertising messages to smokers.

Methods

We reviewed tobacco industry documents dated 1926 to 2017 to identify how the tobacco industry developed and used onserts in marketing and to serve the industry’s political and legal objectives.

Results

Onserts added to cigarette packs became a more cost-effective way for brands to market in the year 2000. Manufacturers then began studying them, finding that new messages were appealing, while repeated messages were ignored. By 2005, tobacco companies were using onserts to effectively communicate about new tobacco products and packaging changes. They also used repeated ‘corporate responsibility’ messages that were, according to the industry’s own research, likely to be ignored.

Conclusions

Tobacco companies have expanded on cigarette pack-based advertising. Twenty-first century onserts simultaneously seek to increase sales using materials that are novel, attractive and provide independent value, while undercutting public health messages about the risks of tobacco use using materials that repeat over time and are comparatively unattractive. Health authorities can use this industry research to mandate onserts to communicate effective health messages.
Electrophoretic Deposition of 10B Nano/Micro Particles in Deep Silicon Trenches for the Fabrication of Solid State Thermal Neutron Detectors
Authors: Koirala Machhindra , Wu Jia Woei , Weltz Adam , Dahal Rajendra , Danon Yaron , Bhat Ishwara
Published: June 2018

We present a cost effective and scalable approach to fabricate solid state thermal neutron detectors. Electrophoretic deposition technique is used to fill deep silicon trenches with 10B nanoparticles instead of conventional chemical vapor deposition process. Deep silicon trenches with width of 5-6 μm and depth of 60-65 μm were fabricated in a p-type Si (110) wafer using wet chemical etching method instead of DRIE method. These silicon trenches were converted into continuous p-n junction by the standard phosphorus diffusion process. 10B micro/nano particle suspension in ethyl alcohol was used for electrophoretic deposition of particles in deep trenches and iodine was used to change the zeta potential of the particles. The measured effective boron nanoparticles density inside the trenches was estimated to be 0.7 gm cm-3. Under the self-biased condition, the fabricated device showed the intrinsic thermal neutron detection efficiency of 20.9% for a 2.5 × 2.5 mm2 device area.
Quantum Dot Floating Gate Nonvolatile Random Access Memory Using Ge Quantum Dot Channel for Faster Erasing
Authors: Lingalugari Murali , Heller Evan , Parthasarathy Barath , Chandy John , Jain Faquir
Published: June 2018

This paper presents an approach to enhance floating gate quantum dot nonvolatile random access memory (QDNVRAM) cells in terms of higher-speed and lower-voltage Erase not possible with conventional floating gate nonvolatile memories. It is achieved by directly accessing the floating gate layer with a Ge quantum dot access channel via an additional drain (D2) during the Erase and/or Write operation. Quantum mechanical simulations in GeOx-cladded Ge quantum dot layers functioning as the floating gate as well access channel to facilitate Erase and Write are presented. Experimental data on fabricated long channel nonvolatile random access memory cell with SiOx-cladded Si dots is presented. Quantum simulations show lower voltage operation for GeOx-cladded Ge QD floating gate than SiOx-cladded Si dots. The Erase time is orders of magnitude faster than flash and is comparable to competing NVRAMs.
Optical solitons, complexitons and power series solutions of the perturbed nonlinear Schrödinger equation
Authors: Wang Hui , Zhang Tian-Tian
Published: June 2018

In this paper, we consider the perturbed nonlinear Schrödinger equation with a bounded potential, which is an important model in fiber communication. By considering the ansatz method, we obtain the bright and dark soliton solutions of the equation. By employing the sub-equation method, we also construct its complexitons solutions. Finally, the explicit power series solution is also derived with its convergence analysis. It is hoped that our results can help enrich the nonlinear dynamical behaviors of the perturbed nonlinear Schrödinger equation.
Breaking up continents at magma-poor rifted margins: a seismic v. outcrop perspective
Authors: Decarlis A. , Gillard M. , Tribuzio R. , Epin M. E. , Manatschal G.
Published: June 2018

The break-up of continents at magma-poor rifted margins is a complex yet little understood process accounting for intricate interactions between tectonic and magmatic processes. Whereas high-resolution seismic data may resolve the first-order architecture of ocean–continent transitions (OCTs), direct access to rocks remains limited to deep-sea drilling. In this study, we combine seismic observations from the East Antarctica margin (Geoscience Australia Survey 228) with field observations from the Bracco–Levanto area (Northern Apennines, Italy), representing modern and fossil examples of ultra-distal magma-poor rifted margins respectively. The combination of detailed structural mapping and petrological studies from fossil examples with architectural features observed in seismic sections from present-day OCTs enables to bridge the different observation scales. Field evidence indicates that the magmatic budget is not zero, as magma is present throughout the exhumation process. Extensional detachment faults that exhumed serpentinized mantle and deep-seated gabbro intrusions are truncated by later high-angle normal faults, which most probably acted as feeders for the emplacement of massive syn-extensional basalts. These observations suggest a polyphase tectonic and magmatic evolution of the ultra-distal margin prior to the formation of the first true oceanic crust, which can be studied in detail only by combining seismic and outcrop observations.
Allocation of Devonian acanthodian lectotypes
Authors: Newman Michael J. , Burrow Carole J.
Published: June 2018

Over recent years the authors have been co-authors on a number of papers re-describing acanthodian species from classic localities in the Devonian strata of Scotland and Canada. In a number of works the noting of syntypes of particular species has been mentioned, but the authors have neglected to designate a lectotype for some of these species. In this article we remedy this oversight.
Quantitative Aspects of Linear and Affine Closed Lambda Terms
Authors: Lescanne Pierre
Published: June 2018

Affine λ-terms are λ-terms in which each bound variable occurs at most once, and linear λ-terms are λ-terms in which each bound variable occurs once and only once. In this article, we count the number of affine closed λ-terms of size
n
, linear closed λ-terms of size
n
, affine closed β-normal forms of size
n
, and linear closed β-normal forms of size
n
, for several measures of the size of λ-terms. From these formulas, we show how we can derive programs for generating all the terms of size
n
for each class. The foundation of all of this is a specific data structure, made of contexts in which one counts all the holes at each level of abstractions by λ’s.
Evaluating an AR-based museum experience
Authors: Hunsucker Andrew J. , Baumgartner Emily , McClinton Kelly
Published: June 2018

This forum addresses conceptual, methodological, and professional issues that arise in the UX field's continuing effort to contribute robust information about users to product planning and design. ---
David Siegel and Susan Dray, Editors
The future of clerical work is precarious
Authors: Møller Naja L. Holten
Published: June 2018

Community + Culture features practitioner perspectives on designing technologies for and with communities. We highlight compelling projects and provocative points of view that speak to both community technology practice and the interaction design field as a whole.
--- Christopher A. Le Dantec, Editor
Evolution of ARDS biomarkers: Will metabolomics be the answer?
Authors: Metwaly Sayed , Cote Andreanne , Donnelly Sarah J. , Banoei Mohammad M. , Mourad Ahmed I. , Winston Brent W.
Published: June 2018

To date, there is no clinically agreed-upon diagnostic test for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): the condition is still diagnosed on the basis of a constellation of clinical findings, laboratory tests, and radiological images. Development of ARDS biomarkers has been in a state of continuous flux during the past four decades. To address ARDS heterogeneity, several studies have recently focused on subphenotyping the disease on the basis of observable clinical characteristics and associated blood biomarkers. However, the strong correlation between identified biomarkers and ARDS subphenotypes has yet to establish etiology; hence, there is a need for the adoption of other methodologies for studying ARDS. In this review, we will shed light on ARDS metabolomics research in the literature and discuss advances and major obstacles encountered in ARDS metabolomics research. Generally, the ARDS metabolomics studies focused on identification of differentiating metabolites for diagnosing ARDS, but they were performed to different standards in terms of sample size, selection of control cohort, type of specimens collected, and measuring technique utilized. Virtually none of these studies have been properly validated to identify true metabolomics biomarkers of ARDS. Though in their infancy, metabolomics studies exhibit promise to unfold the biological processes underlying ARDS and, in our opinion, have great potential for pushing forward our present understanding of ARDS.
Cardiac autonomic and left ventricular mechanics following high intensity interval training: a randomized crossover controlled study
Authors: O’Driscoll Jamie M. , Wright Steven M. , Taylor Katrina A. , Coleman Damian A. , Sharma Rajan , Wiles Jonathan D.
Published: June 2018

Physical inactivity and sedentary behavior is associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk. Short duration high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been shown to improve important health parameters. The aim of the present study was to assess the combined adaptations of the cardiac autonomic nervous system and myocardial functional and mechanical parameters to HIIT. Forty physically inactive and highly sedentary men completed two weeks of HIIT and control period. The HIIT protocol consisted of 3 × 30-s maximal cycle ergometer sprints against a resistance of 7.5% body weight, interspersed with 2 min of active recovery. Total power spectral density (PSD) and associated low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) power spectral components of heart rate variability were recorded. Conventional and speckle tracking echocardiography recorded left ventricular (LV) structural, functional, and mechanical parameters. HIIT produced a significant increase in total log-transformed (ln) PSD and ln HF and a significant decrease in LF/HF ratio (all P < 0.05) compared with the control period. HIIT produced significant improvements in LV diastolic function, including lateral E′, estimated filling pressure (E/E′ ratio), E deceleration time, and isovolumetric relaxation time ( P < 0.05 for all). Fractional shortening was the only conventional marker of LV systolic function to significantly improve ( P < 0.05). In this setting, there were significant improvements in global peak systolic strain rate, early and late diastolic strain rate, and early to late diastolic strain rate ratio, as well as apical rotation, apical systolic and diastolic rotation velocity, apical radial and circumferential strain and strain rate, LV torsion, and LV systolic and diastolic torsion velocity (all P < 0.05). A short-term program of HIIT was associated with a significant increase in cardiac autonomic modulation, demonstrated by a residual increase in cardiac vagal activity as well as significantly improved cardiac function and mechanics. This study demonstrates that HIIT may be an important stimulus to reduce the health implications associated with physical inactivity and sedentary behavior.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first study to measure the combined adaptations of the cardiac autonomic nervous system and myocardial function and mechanics following high-intensity interval training (HIIT). This study demonstrates that a 2-wk HIIT intervention provides significant improvements in cardiac autonomic modulation and myocardial function and mechanics in a large cohort of young physically inactive and highly sedentary individuals. HIIT may be a powerful stimulus to reduce the health implications associated with physical inactivity and sedentary behavior.
Dynamical Techniques for Analyzing Iterative Schemes with Memory
Authors: Choubey Neha , Cordero A. , Jaiswal J. P. , Torregrosa J. R.
Published: June 2018

We construct a new biparametric three‐point method with memory to highly improve the computational efficiency of its original partner, without adding functional evaluations. In this way, through different estimations of self‐accelerating parameters, we have modified an existing seventh‐order method. The parameters have been defined by Hermite interpolating polynomial that allows the accelerating effect. In particular, the R‐order of the proposed iterative method with memory is increased from seven to ten. A real multidimensional analysis of the stability of this method with memory is made, in order to study its dependence on the initial estimations. Taking into account that usually iterative methods with memory are more stable than their derivative‐free partners and the obtained results in this study, the behavior of this scheme shows to be excellent, but for a small domain. Numerical examples and comparison are also provided, confirming the theoretical results.
New Insights into Behçet’s Syndrome Metabolic Reprogramming: Citrate Pathway Dysregulation
Authors: Santarsiero Anna , Leccese Pietro , Convertini Paolo , Padula Angela , Abriola Paolo , D’Angelo Salvatore , Bisaccia Faustino , Infantino Vittoria
Published: June 2018

To date, a major research effort on Behçet’s syndrome (BS) has been concentrated on immunological aspects. Little is known about the metabolic reprogramming in BS. Citrate is an intermediary metabolite synthesized in mitochondria, and when transported into the cytosol by the mitochondrial citrate carrier—SLC25A1-encoded protein—it is cleaved into acetyl-CoA and oxaloacetate by ATP citrate lyase (ACLY). In induced macrophages, mitochondrial citrate is necessary for the production of inflammatory mediators. The aim of our study was to evaluate SLC25A1 and ACLY expression levels in BS patients. Following a power analysis undertaken on few random samples, the number of enrolled patients was set. Thirty-nine consecutive BS patients fulfilling ISG criteria, and 21 healthy controls suitable for age and sex were recruited. BS patients were divided into two groups according to the presence (active) or absence (inactive) of clinical manifestations. Real-time PCR experiments were performed on PBMCs to quantify SLC25A1 and ACLY mRNA levels. Data processing through the Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunn’s multiple comparison test as post hoc showed higher SLC25A1 and ACLY mRNA levels in BS patients compared to those in healthy controls. Therefore, SLC25A1 and ACLY upregulation suggests that metabolic reprogramming in BS involves the citrate pathway dysregulation.
Noninvasive Brain Stimulations for Unilateral Spatial Neglect after Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized and Nonrandomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Kashiwagi Flávio Taira , El Dib Regina , Gomaa Huda , Gawish Nermeen , Suzumura Erica Aranha , da Silva Taís Regina , Winckler Fernanda Cristina , de Souza Juli Thomaz , Conforto Adriana Bastos , Luvizutto Gustavo José , Bazan Rodrigo
Published: June 2018

Background. Unilateral spatial neglect (USN) is the most frequent perceptual disorder after stroke. Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) is a tool that has been used in the rehabilitation process to modify cortical excitability and improve perception and functional capacity. Objective. To assess the impact of NIBS on USN after stroke. Methods. An extensive search was conducted up to July 2016. Studies were selected if they were controlled and noncontrolled trials examining transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), and theta burst stimulation (TBS) in USN after stroke, with outcomes measured by standardized USN and functional tests. Results. Twelve RCTs (273 participants) and 4 non-RCTs (94 participants) proved eligible. We observed a benefit in overall USN measured by the line bisection test with NIBS in comparison to sham (SMD −2.35, 95% CI −3.72, −0.98; p=0.0001); the rTMS yielded results that were consistent with the overall meta-analysis (SMD −2.82, 95% CI −3.66, −1.98; p=0.09). The rTMS compared with sham also suggested a benefit in overall USN measured by Motor-Free Visual Perception Test at both 1 Hz (SMD 1.46, 95% CI 0.73, 2.20; p<0.0001) and 10 Hz (SMD 1.19, 95% CI 0.48, 1.89; p=0.54). There was also a benefit in overall USN measured by Albert’s test and the line crossing test with 1 Hz rTMS compared to sham (SMD 2.04, 95% CI 1.14, 2.95; p<0.0001). Conclusions. The results suggest a benefit of NIBS on overall USN, and we conclude that rTMS is more efficacious compared to sham for USN after stroke.
A Component Formula of Chinese Medicine for Hypercholesterolemia Based on Virtual Screening and Biology Network
Authors: Huo Xiaoqian , Lu Fang , Qiao Liansheng , Li Gongyu , Zhang Yanling
Published: June 2018

Hypercholesterolemia is a risk factor to atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease II. The abnormal rise of cholesterol in plasma is the main symptom. Cholesterol synthesis pathway is an important pathway of the origin of cholesterol, which is an essential pathway for the therapy of hypercholesterolemia. The 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐coenzyme A reductase (HMG‐CoA reductase), squalene synthase (SQS), and sterol regulatory element binding protein‐2 (SREBP‐2) are closely connected with the synthesis of cholesterol. The inhibition of these targets can reduce the cholesterol in plasma. This study aimed to build a component formula including three Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) components with the inhibition activity of these targets by using virtual screening and biological network. Structure‐based pharmacophore models of HMG‐CoA reductase and SQS and ligand‐based pharmacophore model of SREBP‐2 were constructed to screen the Traditional Chinese Medicine Database (TCMD). Molecular docking was used for further screening of components of HMG‐CoA reductase and SQS. Then, metabolic network was constructed to elucidate the comprehensive interaction of three targets for lipid metabolism. Finally, three potential active compounds were obtained, which are poncimarin, hexahydrocurcumin, and forsythoside C. The source plants of the compounds were also taken into account, which should have known action of lowering hyperlipidemia. The lipid‐lowering effect of hexahydrocurcumin was verified by experiment in vitro. The components that originated from TCMs with lipid‐lowering efficacy made up a formula with a synergistic effect through the computer aid drug design methods. The research provides a fast and efficient method to build TCM component formula and it may inspire the study of the explanation of TCM formula mechanism.
Multiway Physical‐Layer Network Coding via Uniquely Decodable Codes
Authors: Kulhandjian Michel , D’Amours Claude , Kulhandjian Hovannes
Published: June 2018

We focus on a multiway relay channel (MWRC) network where two or more users simultaneously exchange information with each other through the help of a relay node. We propose for the first time to apply ternary uniquely decodable (UD) code sets that we have developed to allow each user to uniquely recover the information bits from the noisy channel environment. One of the key features of the proposed scheme is that it utilizes a very simple decoding algorithm, which requires only a few logical comparisons. Simulation results in terms of bit error rate (BER) demonstrate that the performance of the proposed decoder is almost as good as the maximum‐likelihood (ML) decoder. In addition to that through simulations, we show that the proposed scheme can significantly improve the sum‐rate capacity, which in turn can potentially improve overall throughput, as it needs only two time slots (TSs) to exchange information compared to the conventional methods.
Establishment and Validation of an In Vitro Screening Method for Traditional Chinese Medicine‐Induced Nephrotoxicity
Authors: Ma Zhe , Cao Xuexiao , Guo Xiao , Wang Meng , Ren Xiaoliang , Dong Ranran , Shao Rui , Zhu Yan
Published: June 2018

Renal injury is among the adverse drug reactions (ADRs) caused by herbal medicine products (HMPs). Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have been practiced for over 2000 years in China and East Asia, and herbs are currently used worldwide for the treatment and prevention of chronic and acute disease. Operetta high content analysis (HCA, PerkinElmer, Waltham, MA, USA), which is an in vitro, sensitive, reproducible, multiparametric screening method, was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of HMPs in cultures of HEK293 human embryo kidney cells. Cytotoxic results were validated by an animal‐based subacute toxicity assay. The renal safety of 18 active pharmaceutical agents from 13 TCM herbs with known nephrotoxic potential was evaluated in HEK293 human embryonic kidney cells. A panel of five parameters, cell viability, nuclear area, nuclear roundness, mitochondrial mass, and mitochondrial membrane potential, was utilized to evaluate drug‐induced renal mitochondrial and nuclear injury. HCA can be a useful tool for preclinical screening and postclinical evaluation of HMPs. The nephrotoxicity of diosbulbin B and other HMPs was evident at a concentration as low as 0.01 μM.
Physicochemical Characterization, Microbiological Quality and Safety, and Pharmacological Potential of Hancornia speciosa Gomes
Authors: dos Santos Uilson Pereira , Tolentino Georgina S. , Morais Jorge Sá , de Picoli Souza Kely , Estevinho Leticia M. , dos Santos Edson Lucas
Published: June 2018

Hancornia speciosa Gomes is a fruit tree, commonly known as the mangaba tree, which is widespread throughout Brazil. The leaves of this plant are used in traditional medicine for medicinal purposes. Thus, the objective of this study was to perform a physicochemical characterization, identify the lipophilic antioxidants and fatty acids, and determine the microbiological quality and safety of H. speciosa leaves. In addition, the antioxidant, antimutagenic, and inhibitory activities of the ethanolic extract of H. speciosa leaves (EEHS) against enzymes related to neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation, obesity, and diabetes were investigated. Furthermore, this study aimed at assessing the in vivo effects of the EEHS on the glycemia of normoglycemic and diabetic Wistar rats. Physicochemical characterization was performed by colorimetry and gas‐liquid chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC‐FID). The total number of colonies of aerobic mesophiles, molds, and yeasts was determined. The total coliforms and Escherichia coli were counted using the SimPlates kit, and sulphite‐reducing Clostridium spores were quantified using the sulphite‐polymyxin‐sulfadiazine agar method. Salmonella spp. were detected using the 1‐2 Test. The antioxidant activity of the EEHS was measured by its inhibition of 2,2 ′‐azobis(2‐amidinopropane) dihydrochloride‐ (AAPH‐) induced oxidative hemolysis of human erythrocytes. The antimutagenic activity was determined using the Ames test. The acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, tyrosinase, hyaluronidase, lipase, α‐amylase, and α‐glycosidase enzyme‐inhibiting activities were assessed and compared with commercial controls. The in vivo effects of the EEHS were assessed using the oral glucose tolerance test in normoglycemic Wistar rats and measuring the blood glucose levels in diabetic rats. The results demonstrated physical‐chemical parameters of microbiological quality and safety in the leaves of H. speciosa, as well as antioxidant and antimutagenic activities and inhibition of enzymes related to neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation, obesity, and diabetes. In in vivo assays, it was shown that the normoglycemic rats challenged with glucose overload show significantly decreased blood glucose levels when treated with the EEHS. Taken together, the results ensure the microbiological quality and safety as well as showing the contents of carotenoids and polyunsaturated fatty acids of H. speciosa leaves. Additionally, the antioxidant, antimutagenic, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐Alzheimer’s disease, anti‐Parkinson’s disease, antiobesity, and antihyperglycemic activities of the EEHS were demonstrated.
Using Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography to Monitor Disease Progression in Peripheral Ulcerative Keratitis
Authors: Garg Aakriti , De Rojas Joaquin , Mathews Priya , Hazan Albert , Lin James , Trief Danielle , Suh Leejee H.
Published: June 2018

We report two cases of peripheral ulcerative keratitis (PUK) imaged with anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). The first patient had prolonged nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, while the second had inflammatory arthritis by laboratory findings without any systemic findings as well as possible concurrent tuberculosis. In both patients, AS-OCT demonstrated corneal thinning at the onset of the disease with improvement six months after initiation of intensive medical therapy. Our cases highlight the need for a multidisciplinary approach and careful monitoring in PUK cases, especially with objective measures such as corneal thickness assessed with AS-OCT.
Road Maintenance Optimization Model Based on Dynamic Programming in Urban Traffic Network
Authors: Ma Jie , Cheng Lin , Li Dawei
Published: June 2018

Urban road maintenance is an important part of urban traffic management. However, in modern cities, road maintenance work needs to occupy some traffic resources; therefore, unreasonable road maintenance schemes often lead traffic networks to unexpected large-scale congestion. In this paper, a dynamic programming model is proposed in order to minimize the delay caused by road maintenance scheme. This model can obtain a globally optimal maintenance scheme which contains the decisions and sequence for every stage of maintenance. Each stage of this model can be boiled down to a discrete network design problem. This model helps make suggestions for the traffic managers with the request of minimizing the delay caused by the maintenance scheme. This paper uses two examples to illustrate this method, one is a small-scale Nguyen-Dupuis network, and the other one is a larger scale Sioux-Falls network.
Stochastic Stability of Coupled Viscoelastic Systems Excited by Real Noise
Authors: Deng Jian
Published: June 2018

The moment stochastic stability and almost-sure stochastic stability of two-degree-of-freedom coupled viscoelastic systems, under the parametric excitation of a real noise, are investigated through the moment Lyapunov exponents and the largest Lyapunov exponent, respectively. The real noise is also called the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck stochastic process. For small damping and weak random fluctuation, the moment Lyapunov exponents are determined approximately by using the method of stochastic averaging and a formulated eigenvalue problem. The largest Lyapunov exponent is calculated through its relation with moment Lyapunov exponents. The stability index, the stability boundaries, and the critical excitation are obtained analytically. The effects of various parameters on the stochastic stability of the system are then discussed in detail. Monte Carlo simulation is carried out to verify the approximate results of moment Lyapunov exponents. As an application example, the stochastic stability of a flexural-torsional viscoelastic beam is studied.
Multiple‐Frequency Controlled Synchronization of Two Homodromy Eccentric Rotors in a Vibratory System
Authors: Jia Lei , Kong Xiangxi , Zhang Juqian , Liu Yunshan , Wen Bangchun
Published: June 2018

Multifrequency controlled synchronization of two homodromy eccentric rotors is investigated. The vibrating screen with two rotors is a typical underactuated system. So, the model of the vibrating screen is converted to a synchronization motion problem. Firstly, the mechanical‐electromagnetic coupling dynamical model of the vibrating system is established. And then the fuzzy PID method is used for the two motors which are based on the master‐slave control strategy. The slave motor uses the method of the phase ratio to trace the master motor and achieve the synchronous motion. Through the simulation, the two rotors cannot reach the state of multifrequency self‐synchronization. And, then, it is realized by multifrequency controlled synchronization. The article presents the motion trails of the vibrating system between one and two times and realizes the zero phase difference after each period. Finally, some experiments are used to verify the accuracy and effectiveness of the conclusion in the simulation and analysis of the feature of the movement tracks.
Safe Resection of Renal Cell Carcinoma with Liver Invasion Using Liver Hanging Technique Supported by Preoperative Portal Vein Embolization
Authors: Fujii Masato , Kamimura Toshio , Tsukino Hiromasa , Furukoji Eiji , Sakae Tatefumi , Yano Koichi , Imamura Naoya , Mukai Shoichiro , Nanashima Atsushi , Kamoto Toshiyuki
Published: June 2018

In cases of RCC with liver involvement, partial hepatectomy is known to provide a better chance of survival for patients. For this reason, complete resection with clear surgical margin is thought to be necessary to achieve favorable outcome. Anterior liver hanging maneuver was extremely useful during hemihepatectomy in this rare type of RCC. A 63-year-old male was diagnosed with a large right renal cell carcinoma. The tumor measured 10 cm in diameter with tumor thrombus toward the inferior vena cava (IVC). In addition, we observed direct infiltration to the liver. We attempted a preoperative portal vein embolization (PVE) to preserve residual liver volume and function after right lobectomy. After PVE the resected volume decreased from 921 cm3(71%) to 599 cm3(53.4%). During the procedure, a nasogastric tube was placed in the retrohepatic space for liver hanging maneuver according to the original Belghiti’s maneuver after dissection of the renal artery and vein. After hepatic parenchymal transection exposing vena cava, the right hepatic veins were safely transected using vascular stapler; right nephrectomy and hemihepatectomy were performed. The patient recovered without postoperative hepatic or urinary complications and has remained free of local recurrence and any de novo metastasis for 18 months.
Evaluation of Quality Parameters of Apple Juices Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Chemometrics
Authors: Włodarska Katarzyna , Khmelinskii Igor , Sikorska Ewa
Published: June 2018

Near-infrared (NIR) spectra were recorded for commercial apple juices. Analysis of these spectra using partial least squares (PLS) regression revealed quantitative relations between the spectra and quality- and taste-related properties of juices: soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), and the ratio of soluble solids content to titratable acidity (SSC/TA). Various spectral preprocessing methods were used for model optimization. The optimal spectral variables were chosen using the jack-knife-based method and different variants of the interval PLS (iPLS) method. The models were cross-validated and evaluated based on the determination coefficients (R2), root-mean-square error of cross-validation (RMSECV), and relative error (RE). The best model for the prediction of SSC (R2 = 0.881, RMSECV = 0.277 °Brix, and RE = 2.37%) was obtained for the first-derivative preprocessed spectra and jack-knife variable selection. The optimal model for TA (R2 = 0.761, RMSECV = 0.239 g/L, and RE = 4.55%) was obtained for smoothed spectra in the range of 6224–5350 cm−1. The best model for the SSC/TA (R2 = 0.843, RMSECV = 0.113, and RE = 5.04%) was obtained for the spectra without preprocessing in the range of 6224–5350 cm−1. The present results show the potential of the NIR spectroscopy for screening the important quality parameters of apple juices.