bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lactobacillus salivariusAP-32 andLactobacillus reuteriGL-104 decrease glycemic levels and attenuate diabetes-mediated liver and kidney injury in db/db mice
Authors: Hsieh Pei-Shan , Ho Hsieh-Hsun , Hsieh Shih-Hung , Kuo Yi-Wei , Tseng Hsiu-Ying , Kao Hui-Fang , Wang Jiu-Yao
Published: April 2020

Objectives

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) exhibit strong insulin resistance or abnormal insulin production. Probiotics, which are beneficial live micro-organisms residing naturally in the intestinal tract, play indispensable roles in the regulation of host metabolism. However, the detailed mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we evaluate the mechanisms by which probiotic strains mediate glycemic regulation in the host. The findings should enable the development of a safe and natural treatment for patients with T2DM.

Research designs and methods

Sugar consumption by more than 20 strains ofLactobacillusspecies was first evaluated. The probiotic strains that exhibited high efficiency of sugar consumption were further coincubated with Caco-2 cells to evaluate the regulation of sugar absorption in gut epithelial cells. Finally, potential probiotic strains were selected and introduced into a T2DM animal model to study their therapeutic efficacy.

Results

Among the tested strains,LactobacillussalivariusAP-32 andL. reuteriGL-104 had higher monosaccharide consumption rates and regulated the expression of monosaccharide transporters. Glucose transporter type-5 and Na+-coupled glucose transporter mRNAs were downregulated in Caco-2 cells after AP-32 and GL-104 treatment, resulting in the modulation of intestinal hexose uptake. Animal studies revealed that diabetic mice treated with AP-32, GL-104, or both showed significantly decreased fasting blood glucose levels, improved glucose tolerance and blood lipid profiles, and attenuated diabetes-mediated liver and kidney injury.

Conclusion

Our data elucidate a novel role for probiotics in glycemic regulation in the host.L. salivariusAP-32 andL. reuteriGL-104 directly reduce monosaccharide transporter expression in gut cells and have potential as therapeutic probiotics for patients with T2DM.
Methylphenidate for ADHD rejected from the WHO Essential Medicines List due to uncertainties in benefit-harm profile
Authors: Storebø Ole Jakob , Gluud Christian
Published: April 2020

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common psychiatric disorder with estimated global prevalence rates between 3% and 5% in children and 2.5% in adults, depending on the classification system used. The psychostimulant methylphenidate is one of the most frequently used medications for ADHD. In this analysis article we describe shortly the evidence in the field, an application for inclusion of methylphenidate on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, the comments raised to the application and the WHO Expert Committee’s decision. The application of getting methylphenidate on the WHO list was overzealous in reporting potential benefits, without highlighting key uncertainties and harms. Decisions encompassing medicines candidate to the WHO Model List should not be based on speculation about potential benefits and should fully incorporate areas of uncertainties. Even though methylphenidate has been used for over 60 years, the evidence concerning the benefits of this medication in children, adolescents and adults with ADHD is uncertain. The decision of the committee was to not include methylphenidate in the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines ‘due to uncertainties in the estimates of benefit, and concerns regarding the quality and limitations of the available evidence for both benefit and harm’.
Responding to maternal, neonatal and child health equipment needs in Kenya: a model for an innovation ecosystem leveraging on collaborations and partnerships
Authors: Ayah Richard , Ong'ech John , Mbugua Edwin Maina , Kosgei Rose Chepchumba , Waller Katie , Gathara David
Published: April 2020

Background

Up to 70% of medical devices in low-income and middle-income countries are partially or completely non-functional, impairing service provision and patient outcomes. In Sub-Saharan Africa, medical devices not designed for local conditions, lack of well-trained biomedical engineers and diverse donated equipment have led to poor maintenance and non-repair. The Maker Project’s aim was to test the effectiveness of an innovative partnership ecosystem network, the ‘Maker Hub’, in reducing gaps in the supply of essential medical devices for maternal, newborn and child health. This paper describes the first phase of the project, the building of the Maker Hub.

Methods

Key activities in setting up the Maker Hub—a collaborative partnership between the University of Nairobi (UoN) and the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), catalysed by Concern Worldwide Kenya—are described using a product development partnership approach. Using a health systems approach, a needs assessment identified a medical equipment shortlist. Design thinking with a capacity building component was used by the UoN (innovators, public health specialists, engineers) working closely and with KNH nurses, physicians and biomedical engineers to develop the prototypes.

Results

To date, four medical device prototypes have been developed. Two have been evaluated by the National Bureau of Standards and one has undergone clinical testing.

Conclusions

We have demonstrated an innovative partnership ecosystem that has developed medical devices that have undergone national standards evaluation and clinical testing, a first in Sub-Saharan Africa. Promoting a robust innovation ecosystem for medical equipment requires investment in building trust in the innovation ecosystem.
British Thoracic Society guideline for the use of long-term macrolides in adults with respiratory disease
Authors: Smith David , Du Rand Ingrid A , Addy Charlotte , Collyns Timothy , Hart Simon , Mitchelmore Philip , Rahman Najib , Saggu Ravijyot
Published: April 2020

The full British Thoracic Society (BTS) guideline for the use of long-term macrolides in adults with respiratory disease is published in Thorax. The following is a summary of the recommendations and good practice points. The sections referred to in the summary refer to the full guideline. The appendices are available in the full guideline and online appendices are available on the BTS website. This is the first BTS guideline to use the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach as part of the process of guideline development and the guideline was used to pilot the new methodology.
Characterisation of ICU sleep by a commercially available activity tracker and its agreement with patient-perceived sleep quality
Authors: Louzon Patricia R , Andrews Jessica L , Torres Xavier , Pyles Eric C , Ali Mahmood H , Du Yuan , Devlin John W
Published: April 2020

Background

A low-cost, quantitative method to evaluate sleep in the intensive care unit (ICU) that is both feasible for routine clinical practice and reliable does not yet exist. We characterised nocturnal ICU sleep using a commercially available activity tracker and evaluated agreement between tracker-derived sleep data and patient-perceived sleep quality.

Patients and methods

A prospective cohort study was performed in a 40-bed ICU at a community teaching hospital. An activity tracker (Fitbit Charge 2) was applied for up to 7 ICU days in English-speaking adults with an anticipated ICU stay ≥2 days and without mechanical ventilation, sleep apnoea, delirium, continuous sedation, contact isolation or recent anaesthesia. The Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ) was administered each morning by a trained investigator.

Results

Available activity tracker-derived data for each ICU study night (20:00–09:00) (total sleep time (TST), number of awakenings (#AW), and time spent light sleep, deep sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep) were downloaded and analysed. Across the 232 evaluated nights (76 patients), TST and RCSQ data were available for 232 (100%), #AW data for 180 (78%) and sleep stage data for 73 (31%). Agreement between TST (349±168 min) and RCSQ Score was moderate and significant (r=0.34; 95% CI 0.18 to 0.48). Agreement between #AW (median (IQR), 4 (2–9)) and RCSQ Score was negative and non-significant (r=−0.01; 95% CI −0.19 to 0.14). Agreement between time (min) spent in light (259 (182 to 328)), deep (43±29), and REM (47 (28–72)) sleep and RCSQ Score was moderate but non-significant (light (r=0.44, 95% CI −0.05 to 0.36); deep sleep (r=0.44, 95% CI −0.11 to 0.15) and REM sleep (r=0.44; 95% CI −0.21 to 0.21)).

Conclusions

A Fitbit Charge 2 when applied to non-intubated adults in an ICU consistently collects TST data but not #AW or sleep stage data at night. The TST moderately correlates with patient-perceived sleep quality; a correlation between either #AW or sleep stages and sleep quality was not found.
Motorised spiral enteroscopy: first prospective clinical feasibility study
Authors: Beyna Torsten , Arvanitakis Marianna , Schneider Markus , Gerges Christian , Böing Daniel , Devière Jacques , Neuhaus Horst
Published: April 2020

Objective

Currently available methods for small bowel endoscopy are often time consuming; motorised PowerSpiral Enteroscopy (PSE) is a further development of spiral enteroscopy to facilitate the approach to the small bowel. The aim of this bicentric prospective trial was to study feasibility and yield of peroral PSE.

Design

Consecutive patients with suspected small bowel disease and indication for antegrade enteroscopy were included in two tertiary referral centres. Primary objective was diagnostic yield of antegrade PSE. Secondary objectives included technical success (defined as successful endoscope insertion at least to ligament of Treitz), depth of maximum insertion (DMI), median insertion time to DMI, rate of therapeutic procedures and adverse events.

Results

During a 30-month period, 140 procedures were performed on 132 patients (58 female, 74 male; median age: 68 (20–100) years) under general anaesthesia. Overall diagnostic yield of PSE was 74.2%; with 68.2% of procedures including some form of endotherapy. Technical success rate of PSE was 97%; median DMI was 450 cm (0–600) with a median insertion time to DMI of 25 min (3–122). Antegrade panenteroscopy to the cecum was achieved in 14 cases (10.6%). Overall adverse event (AE) rate was 14.4%; two major serious AEs occurred (1.5%), one delayed perforation, one bleeding from Mallory-Weiss lesion.

Conclusion

This pilot clinical trial demonstrates that PSE is effective for diagnostic and therapeutic antegrade enteroscopy and may compare favourably with traditional methods of deep enteroscopy in ease of use and procedural duration. More comparative data are required to assess clinical application and safety of PSE.

Trial registration number

NCT02965209
Evaluating the effect of change in the built environment on mental health and subjective well-being: a natural experiment
Authors: Ram Bina , Limb Elizabeth S , Shankar Aparna , Nightingale Claire M , Rudnicka Alicja R , Cummins Steven , Clary Christelle , Lewis Daniel , Cooper Ashley R , Page Angie S , Ellaway Anne , Giles-Corti Billie , Whincup Peter H , Cook Derek G , Owen Christopher G
Published: April 2020

Background

Neighbourhood characteristics may affect mental health and well-being, but longitudinal evidence is limited. We examined the effect of relocating to East Village (the former London 2012 Olympic Athletes’ Village), repurposed to encourage healthy active living, on mental health and well-being.

Methods

1278 adults seeking different housing tenures in East village were recruited and examined during 2013–2015. 877 (69%) were followed-up after 2  years; 50% had moved to East Village. Analysis examined change in objective measures of the built environment, neighbourhood perceptions (scored from low to high; quality −12 to 12, safety −10 to 10 units), self-reported mental health (depression and anxiety) and well-being (life satisfaction, life being worthwhile and happiness) among East Village participants compared with controls who did not move to East Village. Follow-up measures were regressed on baseline for each outcome with group status as a binary variable, adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, housing tenure and household clustering (random effect).

Results

Participants who moved to East Village lived closer to their nearest park (528 m, 95% CI 482 to 575 m), in more walkable areas, and had better access to public transport, compared with controls. Living in East Village was associated with marked improvements in neighbourhood perceptions (quality 5.0, 95% CI 4.5 to 5.4 units; safety 3.4, 95% CI 2.9 to 3.9 units), but there was no overall effect on mental health and well-being outcomes.

Conclusion

Despite large improvements in the built environment, there was no evidence that moving to East Village improved mental health and well-being. Changes in the built environment alone are insufficient to improve mental health and well-being.
In the name of science: animal appellations and best practice
Authors: du Toit Jessica
Published: April 2020

Background

The practice of giving animal research subjects proper names is frowned on by the academic scientific community. While researchers provide a number of reasons for desisting from giving their animal subjects proper names, the most common are that (1) naming leads to anthropomorphising which, in turn, leads to data and results that are unobjective and invalid; and (2) while naming does not necessarily entail some mistake on the researcher’s part, some feature of the research enterprise renders the practice impossible or ill-advised.

Objectives

My aim is to assess whether the scientific community’s attitude towards naming animal research subjects is justified. That is, I wish to consider whether the practice of naming animal research subjects is good or bad for the purposes of scientific research.

Method

After reviewing the extant literature, I constructed a list of the main arguments researchers provide for desisting from naming their animal research subjects. I then analysed these arguments, with a view to determining whether they in fact provide good reasons to avoid naming animal research subjects.

Conclusion

I argue that none of the aforementioned reasons usually provide good grounds for not naming animal research subjects. Moreover, there are usually powerful reasons in favour of researchers giving their research animals proper names. This is because the practice usually leads to greater empathy and so to improved animal well-being. This, in turn, leads to better animal science. Thus, the scientific community’s attitude towards naming animal research subjects is not justified.
Draining and filling of ice-dammed lakes at the terminus of surge-type Dań Zhùr (Donjek) Glacier, Yukon, Canada
Authors: Kochtitzky Will , Copland Luke , Painter Moya , Dow Christine
Published: April 2020

Recent surges of Dań Zhùr (Donjek) Glacier have formed lakes at the glacier terminus that have drained catastrophically, resulting in hazards to people and infrastructure downstream. Here we use air photos and satellite imagery to describe lake formation, and the timing of filling and draining, since the 1930s. Between the 1930s and late 1980s, lakes were typically small (<0.6 km2), took many years to form after a surge event, and drained slowly as they were displaced by the glacier advancing in the next surge. However, since 1993, the lakes have become larger (>1 km2) and drain rapidly through or under the glacier by breaking a terminal ice dam. For the past two surges, since 2001, the lakes formed during or immediately after a surge in an increasingly larger basin between the Neoglacial maximum moraine and an increasingly smaller maximum terminus extent. Most recently, the 2012–2014 surge created a lake that drained in summer 2017, refilled, and drained again in both summer 2018 and summer 2019. The 2019 lake was 2.2 km2, the largest on record, and drained entirely within 2 days. While a lake is unlikely to form again before the next expected surge in the mid-2020s, future surges of Dań Zhùr Glacier are still likely to create terminal lakes, necessitating continued monitoring for surge activity and lake formation.
Naringin Induces Lysosomal Permeabilization and Autophagy Cell Death in AGS Gastric Cancer Cells
Authors: Raha Suchismita , Kim Seong Min , Lee Ho Jeong , Yumnam Silvia , Saralamma Venu VenkatarameGowda , Ha Sang Eun , Lee Won Sup , Kim Gon Sup
Published: April 2020

Autophagy is a process of active programmed cell death, where a dying cell induces autophagosomes and subsequently regulated by degradative machinery. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism behind induction of autophagic cell death by Naringin flavonoid in AGS cancer cells. Growth inhibition of AGS cells showed downregulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling by Naringin treatment. Transmission electron microscopy observation showed swollen mitochondria and lysosome near peri-nuclear zone fused with autophagic vacuoles. Rapamycin pre-treatment with Naringin showed significant decrease in mTOR phosphorylation and increase in LC3B activation in AGS cells. Decrease in mTOR phosphorylation is associated with lysosomal function activation was observed by time-dependent treatment of Naringin. Induction of lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) was observed by LAMP1 activation leading lysosomal cell death by releasing Cathepsin D from lysosomal lumen to cytosol. Naringin treated AGS cells showed up-regulating BH3 domain Bad, down-regulating Bcl-xL, and Bad phosphorylation and significant mitochondrial fluorescence intensity expression. Significant localization of mitochondria and LC3B activation was examined by person coefficient correlation. Activation of ERK1/2-p38 MAPKs and production of intracellular ROS has been observed over Naringin treatment. It has also been elucidated that pre-treatment with NAC inhibited mitochondria-LC3B colocalization, where ROS acted as upstream of ERK1/2-p38 MAPKs activation. Lysosomal cell death involvement has been evaluated by BAF A1 pre-treatment, inhibiting LAMP1, Cathepsin D, ROS, and blocking autophagolysosome in AGS cell death. Taken together, these findings show that, Naringin induced autophagy cell death involves LMP mediated lysosomal damage and BH3 protein Bad activation in AGS cancer cells.
Design analysis of polysilicon piezoresistors PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane) microcantilever based MEMS Force sensor
Authors: Lamba Monica , Mittal Naman , Singh Kulwant , Chaudhary Himanshu
Published: April 2020

This study is aimed for the analysis of different designs for sensing low magnitude forces which lies in the micro-Newton range and suitable for biomimetic microbotics. For this, a flexible and high sensitive Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) based Force sensor using piezoresistive sensing mechanism has been analyzed. Design analysis is carried out for sensitivity enhancement on microcantilever by incorporating various combinations of stress concentrated regions (SCR) and their respective arrays. The materials under consideration for sensor are polysilicon piezoresistors and Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microcantilever. For design analysis, the designing and simulation work is assessed using Finite Element Analysis approach in COMSOL Multiphysics 5.3a software. The results revealed that the electrical sensitivity of 1.62 mV/[Formula: see text]N within (0–100) [Formula: see text]N operating range is achieved for microcantilever with rectangular SCR with square SCR array. This operating range has many applications in microbotic field such as sensing tactile movements. Hence, MEMS Force sensor for low magnitude forces has been designed with high sensitivity and flexibility.
Immigrant Selectivity Effects on Health, Labor Market, and Educational Outcomes
Authors: Feliciano Cynthia
Published: April 2020

Over the past two decades, a growing body of research has focused on immigrant selectivity and its effects on immigrant health, immigrant labor market outcomes, and children of immigrants’ educational outcomes. This review provides a theoretical overview of immigrant selectivity and its effects, and critically examines research on the effects of immigrant selectivity. Existing research suggests that positive immigrant selectivity helps explain paradoxical patterns of success among immigrants and their children in health, the labor market, and education. However, future research is needed that uses more rigorous research designs and measures, links immigrant selectivity and outcomes across domains, identifies the mechanisms through which immigrant selectivity matters, and considers different types of immigrant selectivity. I conclude by highlighting promising new studies along these lines and argue that immigrant selectivity is a central part of the process through which immigration contributes to inequality.
Understanding the Failure Mode of Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold Process: In Situ-Raman Spectroscopy and Electrochemical Characterization
Authors: Accogli Alessandra , Gibertini Eugenio , Panzeri Gabriele , Lucotti Andrea , Magagnin Luca
Published: April 2020

Since the early 70s, printed circuit boards (PCBs) are firmly entrenched in all electronic branches, from the consumer electronics to scientific and medical equipment, culminating later in the personal computer industry. Electroless nickel immersion gold (ENIG) process is one of the most used selective finishing in PCBs production. It involves two different electroless deposition mechanisms: (1) NiP autocatalytic deposition and (2) gold galvanic immersion plating in which displacement reactions are involved. Because during ENIG process, NiP is dissolved from the electrode surface into the solution, it can be considered as a controlled corrosion process of the metal substrate: selection of the complexing agents in solution is thus crucial. Since they are the most used complexing agents, EDTA and citric acid have been investigated. In order to understand their effects on the NiP surface during the immersion plating, open circuit potential (Voc) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) measurements have been performed. Furthermore, to establish which complexes are adsorbed on the electrode surface during the plating process, in situ Raman spectroscopy was carried out showing EDTA to be the most effective Ni cations chelating agent. To assess the effect of Cu contamination, accountable of reddish gold failure mode, the electrochemical and in situ spectroscopic analyses on both immersion gold solution and polluted revealed that the adsorption of

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To evaluate the effects of copper contamination on gold nucleation and growth FE-SEM and AFM were carried out, while gold layer solderability has been evaluated according to NF-A-89 400 standard.
Sirt1 during childhood is associated with microvascular function later in life
Authors: Rodriguez-Miguelez Paula , Looney Jacob , Thomas Jeffrey , Harshfield Gregory , Pollock Jennifer S. , Harris Ryan A.
Published: April 2020

With a longitudinal cohort, novel observations from the present study demonstrate that individuals who had lower Sirt1 early in life exhibit premature microvascular dysfunction during adulthood and may be at higher risk to develop CVD. These results provide experimental evidence that Sirt1 may play an important role in microvascular function with age and represent a potential therapeutic target to prevent premature vascular dysfunction.
CDC-derived extracellular vesicles reprogram inflammatory macrophages to an arginase 1-dependent proangiogenic phenotype
Authors: Mentkowski Kyle I. , Mursleen Asma , Snitzer Jonathan D. , Euscher Lindsey M. , Lang Jennifer K.
Published: April 2020

We hypothesized that in the window of therapeutic extracellular vesicle (EV) administration, inflammatory M1 macrophages are likely the primary target of cardiosphere-derived cell (CDC)-derived EVs. The effect of CDC-EVs on this population, however, is currently unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that CDC-derived EVs polarize M1 macrophages to a proangiogenic phenotype dependent on arginase 1 upregulation. These results provide insight into an immunomodulatory mechanism of CDC-EVs in a more physiologically relevant model of post-myocardial infarction (post-MI) macrophage polarization.
Keywords-Driven and Popularity-Aware Paper Recommendation Based on Undirected Paper Citation Graph
Authors: Liu Hanwen , Kou Huaizhen , Yan Chao , Qi Lianyong
Published: April 2020

Nowadays, scholar recommender systems often recommend academic papers based on users’ personalized retrieval demands. Typically, a recommender system analyzes the keywords typed by a user and then returns his or her preferred papers, in an efficient and economic manner. In practice, one paper often contains partial keywords that a user is interested in. Therefore, the recommender system needs to return the user a set of papers that collectively covers all the queried keywords. However, existing recommender systems only use the exact keyword matching technique for recommendation decisions, while neglecting the correlation relationships among different papers. As a consequence, it may output a set of papers from multiple disciplines that are different from the user’s real research field. In view of this shortcoming, we propose a keyword-driven and popularity-aware paper recommendation approach based on an undirected paper citation graph, named PRkeyword+pop. At last, we conduct large-scale experiments on the real-life Hep-Th dataset to further demonstrate the usefulness and feasibility of PRkeyword+pop. Experimental results prove the advantages of PRkeyword+pop in searching for a set of satisfactory papers compared with other competitive approaches.
Comparison of the Efficacy of Three Loading Doses of Intravitreal Injection of Conbercept with Injection Combined with PDT for the Treatment of PCV
Authors: Li Fengjiao , Ma Aihua , Zhao Bojun
Published: April 2020

Purpose. To compare the efficacy between initial 3‐monthly intravitreal conbercept monotherapy and combination intravitreal conbercept with photodynamic therapy (PDT) for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). Methods. This is a retrospective, comparative study which involved 65 PCV eyes of 65 patients. According to the therapeutic regimen, the PCV patients were divided into two groups: 32 eyes with naive PCV received a PDT after the first intravitreal injection of conbercept (IVC) followed by pro re nata (prn) retreatment (combination group), and 33 eyes with naïve PCV received 3‐monthly IVC monotherapy followed by prn regimen (IVC monotherapy group). All patients completed at least 6 months of monthly follow‐up. Results. At month 6, best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved significantly (P < 0.05) in both groups compared with that at baseline; the mean changes of BCVA between the IVC monotherapy group and combination group have no significant difference (−0.22 ± 0.22 vs. −0.17 ± 0.22 LogMAR, P = 0.38). The central retinal thickness (CRT) decreased significantly in the two groups (P < 0.05), with no difference between the two groups (P = 0.24). The complete regression rate of polyps was 58.6% (17 out of 29 eyes) in the IVC monotherapy group and 80.65% (25 out of 31 eyes) in the combination group, respectively (P = 0.09, χ‐squared test). The combination group required significantly fewer injections than the IVC monotherapy group (3.09 ± 0.89 vs. 3.67 ± 0.74, P = 0.006). Conclusion. Conbercept monotherapy significantly improved visual acuity and effectively regressed polyps during 6‐month follow‐up time in the treatment of PCV.
Impact of LED Color Temperatures on Perception Luminance in the Interior Zone of a Tunnel considering Fog Transmittance
Authors: Dong Lili , Zhao Enzhong , Chen Yang , Qin Ge , Xu Wenhai
Published: April 2020

LEDs are widely applied in highways and tunnels for their long life, low light attenuation, and being environment friendly in recent years. The influence of correlated color temperature (CCT) of LED on lighting safety has attracted people’s attention as the demand increased. In this paper, a calculation model of perception luminance of human eye considering mesopic vision and fog concentration was proposed. The influence of different CCTs on perception luminance of human eye under different levels of fog concentration and luminance was calculated and analyzed. The CCT of LED employed in the interior zone of a tunnel was selected based on the highest perception luminance in mesopic vision. Seven kinds of LEDs with different CCTs (3000–6500K) were applied in the experimental system with adjustable fog concentrations. The results showed that the main factors affecting visual perception are luminance and fog concentration. Higher luminance or lower fog concentration provides drivers with higher perception luminance. In contrast, although CCT has a less effect on perception luminance, LEDs with higher CCT (about 6500K) can provide higher perception luminance considering fog in mesopic vision. This paper provides technical support for tunnel lighting and guaranteeing traffic safety.
Pulmonary Complications Secondary to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Authors: Albitar Hasan Ahmad Hasan , Duma Narjust , Leventakos Konstantinos , Gallo De Moraes Alice
Published: April 2020

Background. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have changed the landscape in the treatment of a number of cancers. Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) have emerged as a serious clinical problem with the use of ICI. Methods. All oncology patients diagnosed with pulmonary complications secondary to ICI at Mayo Clinic Rochester from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2018 were reviewed. Demographics, comorbidities, smoking, and oncologic history were analyzed. Results. A total of 10 patients developed pulmonary complications secondary to ICI. Seven patients were men (70%), and the median age at diagnosis was 61.5 (IQR 55.8-69.3) years. All patients had stage IV disease. Melanoma was the most common malignancy. Seven (70%) patients had a positive smoking history, and 6 (60%) were obese (BMI>30). Most cases were grade 2 pneumonitis (70%). One patient with grade 4 pneumonitis required endotracheal intubation and a prolonged course of systemic corticosteroids (>30 days). Eight (80%) patients received prior radiation therapy. The median time from initiation of ICI to pneumonitis diagnosis was 3.5 months. Conclusion. Melanoma was the most common malignancy, the majority of patients had grade 2 pneumonitis and required treatment with steroids, and all patients affected by ICI-related pneumonitis had stage IV malignancy. Potential risk factors included smoking history, prior radiotherapy, obesity, and advance stage at the time of ICI initiation. Extrapulmonary irAEs are common in patients with pneumonitis.
Solution Bounds, Stability, and Estimation of Trapping/Stability Regions of Some Nonlinear Time-Varying Systems
Authors: Pinsky Mark A. , Koblik Steve
Published: April 2020

Estimation of solution norms and stability for time-dependent nonlinear systems is ubiquitous in numerous engineering, natural science, and control problems. Yet, practically valuable results are rare in this area. This paper develops a novel approach, which bounds the solution norms, derives the corresponding stability criteria, and estimates the trapping/stability regions for some nonautonomous and nonlinear systems, which arise in various application domains. Our inferences rest on deriving a scalar differential inequality for the norms of solutions to the initial systems. Utility of the Lipschitz inequality linearizes the associated auxiliary differential equation and yields both the upper bounds for the norms of solutions and the relevant stability criteria. To refine these inferences, we introduce a nonlinear extension of the Lipschitz inequality, which improves the developed bounds and allows estimation of the stability/trapping regions for the corresponding systems. Finally, we confirm the theoretical results in representative simulations.
Three‐Dimensional‐Printed Poly‐L‐Lactic Acid Scaffolds with Different Pore Sizes Influence Periosteal Distraction Osteogenesis of a Rabbit Skull
Authors: Zhao Danyang , Jiang Wenbo , Wang Yu , Wang Chuandong , Zhang Xiaoling , Li Qingfeng , Han Dong
Published: April 2020

The repair of bone defects is a big challenge in reconstructive surgery. Periosteal distraction osteogenesis (PDO), as a promising technique used for bone regeneration, forms a space between the periosteum and bone cortex to regenerate the new bone merely by distracting the periosteum. In order to investigate the influence of distractor framework on the PDO, we utilized three‐dimensional (3D) printing technology to fabricate three kinds of poly‐L‐lactic acid (PLLA) scaffolds with different pore sizes in this study. The in vitro experiments showed that the customized PLLA scaffolds had different‐sized microchannels with low toxicity, good biocompatibility, and enough mechanical strength. Then, we built up an in vivo bioreactor under the skull periosteum of New Zealand white rabbits. The distractors with different pore sizes all could satisfy the demand of periosteal distraction in the animal experiments. After 8 weeks of consolidation period, the quality and quantity of the newly formed bone were improved with the increasing pore sizes of the distractors. Moreover, the newly formed bone also displayed an increasing degree of vascularization. In conclusion, 3D printing technology could promote the innovation of PDO devices and fabricate optimized scaffolds with appropriate pore sizes, shapes, and structures. It would help us regenerate more functional tissue‐engineered bone and provide new ideas for further clinical application of the PDO technique.
Factors Influencing Birth Preparedness in Rapti Municipality of Chitwan, Nepal
Authors: Silwal Kusmita , Poudyal Jiwan Kumar , Shah Rajani , Parajuli Sumitra , Basaula Yubanidhi , Munikar Sabika , Thapa Kanchan
Published: April 2020

Introduction. Birth preparedness is crucial for health quality of mother and newborn and acts as a strong contributor in mitigating maternal and newborn mortalities. Different factors are predicted to have an influence upon birth preparedness practice. This paper aims at exploring relationship between various factors and birth preparedness practice. Methods. A cross-sectional study design was used to find out the relationship between various factors and birth preparedness practice. One hundred sixty-five women residing at ward number 1 of Rapti Municipality, Chitwan who delivered in the last twelve months were selected consecutively and interviewed using a semistructured questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and bivariate techniques. Results. Three quarters (75.2%) of the respondents had better birth preparedness, institutional delivery was 63.0%, antenatal care (ANC) visit as per protocol was about 62.0%, and about 90% of the respondents had received counseling during ANC. Age, religion, family types, education, age at marriage, parity, number of children, knowledge on birth preparedness, knowledge on danger sign, place for ANC and delivery, and decision-makers were found to be statistically significant (P value < 0.05) with birth preparedness practice. Conclusion. Better knowledge on birth preparedness led to a better preparedness status. Age, religion, family type, education of women and partners, parity, and number of children were the factors that influence birth preparedness. Counseling during ANC played a significant role in birth preparedness.
Substantive Innovation or Strategic Innovation? Research on Multiplayer Stochastic Evolutionary Game Model and Simulation
Authors: Li Junqiang , Ren Hao , Zhang Changcheng , Li Qingxia , Duan Kaifeng
Published: April 2020

Innovation subsidy is of great significance to promoting enterprise innovation development. However, in recent years, the frequent occurrence of R&D subsidy deception in China has greatly reduced effectiveness of innovation. From the perspective of the strategic choice motivation of the innovation subject (including the enterprises, research institutions, and local governments), this paper constructs a multiplayer stochastic evolutionary game model. The influence of each variable on the subject strategy adoption is analyzed by simulation. There are two important findings in this paper. First, the paper confirms that there is an optimal boundary for the high subsidies received by enterprises and academic institutions, and the “subsidy boundary” is solved through the model. Second, this paper analyzes the effectiveness of the regulation of each variable through simulation and provides management and policy implications.
Drug-Drug-Induced Akathisia: Two Case Reports
Authors: Owusu Aboagye Grace , Ankrah Daniel
Published: April 2020

Extrapyramidal side effects of psychotropic medicines are usually experienced by patients in the first few weeks of initiating therapy. Patients stabilized on these medications who present with distressing complaints akin to akathisia may be triggered by other factors. This report presents two cases of drug-drug-induced akathisia. Case A is a patient with schizophrenia who was being managed with risperidone 2 mg tablet daily for the past 3 years. She fell ill and reported to a nearby clinic where she was prescribed ciprofloxacin and artemether/lumefantrine tablets for the treatment of an infection and malaria. She presented 7 days later to her psychiatrist with complaints of restlessness, tremor, palpitations, insomnia, and resurgence of obsessive thoughts. Case B is a patient who was diagnosed with first-episode psychotic depression and admitted for 10 days. Her medications on admission were fluphenazine decanoate 25 mg depot injection once, olanzapine 10 mg tablet daily, and fluoxetine 20 mg capsule daily. On discharge, ciprofloxacin 500 mg tablet every 12 hours for 5 days and fluconazole 150 mg capsule once were added to her medications for the treatment of a urinary tract infection. She reported back to the hospital a day after discharge with complaints of restlessness, “seizures,” tremor, abdominal discomfort, and weight gain. Both patients were diagnosed with akathisia using ICD-10 classification and the Barnes akathisia rating scale and managed with anticholinergics, benzodiazepines, and beta blockers. Other measures employed in managing the akathisia included reducing the dose of the antipsychotic and/or switching antipsychotics. Despite these management measures, the symptoms of akathisia persisted and only resolved after 4weeks. Upon the resolution of symptoms, Case A continued treatment on olanzapine 5 mg tablet daily and fluoxetine 20 mg capsule daily while Case B continued treatment on risperidone 2 mg tablet daily and fluoxetine 20 mg capsule daily. Using Naranjo’s adverse drug reaction causality assessment scale, Medscape drug interaction checker, and literature review, a possible and probable case of drug-drug-induced akathisia was made for Case A and Case B. This report is to create more awareness about psychotropic-antimicrobial-induced akathisia. The information underpins the need for health professionals to consider adverse drug-drug interactions as the probable cause of extrapyramidal side effects experienced by patients on antipsychotics.
The Cut-off Limits of Growth Hormone Response to the Insulin Tolerance Test Related to Body Mass Index for the Diagnosis of Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency
Authors: Gasco Valentina , Ferrero Alice , Bisceglia Alessandro , Prencipe Nunzia , Cambria Valeria , Bioletto Fabio , Ghigo Ezio , Maccario Mauro , Grottoli Silvia
Published: April 2020

Introduction: The diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in adults is based on a reduced GH response to provocative tests, such as the insulin tolerance test (ITT) and the GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) + arginine (ARG) test. However, the cut-off limits of peak GH response in lean subjects are not reliable in obese patients; this is noteworthy since adult GHD is often associated with obesity. To date, there are no ITT cut-offs related to body mass index (BMI). Objective: We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic cut-offs of GH response to the ITT in the function of BMI. Methods: The GH response to the ITT was studied in 106 patients with a history of hypothalamic-pituitary disease, a mean age of 48.2 ± 12.4 years, and a mean BMI of 26.8 ± 6.1 kg/m2). Patients were divided into lean, overweight, and obese groups according to their BMI. The lack of GH response to GHRH + ARG test was considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of GHD. The best GH cut-off in the ITT, defined as the one with the best sensitivity (SE) and specificity (SP), was identified using receiver-operating characteristics curve (ROC) analysis. Results: The best GH cut-off in the ITT was 3.5 μg/L in lean subjects (SE 82.1%; SP 85.7%), 1.3 μg/L in overweight subjects (SE 74.1%; SP 85.7%), and 2.2 μg/L in obese subjects (SE 90.0%; SP 50.0%). The diagnostic accuracy was 97.2, 76.5, and 76.7%, respectively. Conclusions: Our data show that the ITT represents a reliable diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of adult GHD in lean subjects if an appropriate cut-off limit is assumed. Overweight and obesity strongly reduce the GH response to the ITT, GH BMI-related cut-off limits, and the diagnostic reliability of the test.
Amyloid Beta Peptide Is an Endogenous Negative Allosteric Modulator of Leptin Receptor
Authors: Cecon Erika , Lhomme Tori , Maurice Tangui , Luka Marine , Chen Min , Silva Anisia , Wauman Joris , Zabeau Lennart , Tavernier Jan , Prévot Vincent , Dam Julie , Jockers Ralf
Published: April 2020

Introduction: Metabolic dysfunction is now recognized as a pivotal component of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common dementia worldwide. However, the precise molecular mechanisms linking metabolic dysfunction to AD remain elusive. Objective: Here, we investigated the direct impact of soluble oligomeric amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides, the main molecular hallmark of AD, on the leptin system, a major component of central energy metabolism regulation. Methods: We developed a new time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based Aβ binding assay for the leptin receptor (LepR) and studied the effect of Aβ on LepR function in several in vitro assays. The in vivo effect of Aβ on LepR function was studied in an Aβ-specific AD mouse model and in pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons of the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus. Results: We revealed specific and high-affinity (Ki = 0.1 nM) binding of Aβ to LepR. Pharmacological characterization of this interaction showed that Aβ binds allosterically to the extracellular domain of LepR and negatively affects receptor function. Negative allosteric modulation of LepR by Aβ was detected at the level of signaling pathways (STAT-3, AKT, and ERK) in vitroand in vivo. Importantly, the leptin-induced response of POMC neurons, key players in the regulation of metabolic function, was completely abolished in the presence of Aβ. Conclusion: Our data indicate that Aβ is a negative allosteric modulator of LepR, resulting in impaired leptin action, and qualify LepR as a new and direct target of Aβ oligomers. Preventing the interaction of Aβ with LepR might improve both the metabolic and cognitive dysfunctions in AD condition.
Effects of Glucagon‐Like Peptide‐1 Receptor Agonists, Sodium‐Glucose Cotransporter‐2 Inhibitors, and Their Combination on Endothelial Glycocalyx, Arterial Function, and Myocardial Work Index in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus After 12‐Month Treatment
Authors: Ikonomidis Ignatios , Pavlidis George , Thymis John , Birba Dionysia , Kalogeris Aimilianos , Kousathana Foteini , Kountouri Aikaterini , Balampanis Konstantinos , Parissis John , Andreadou Ioanna , Katogiannis Konstantinos , Dimitriadis George , Bamias Aristotelis , Iliodromitis Efstathios , Lambadiari Vaia
Published: April 2020

Background

We investigated the effects of insulin, glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (
GLP
‐1
RA
), sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitors (
SGLT
‐2i), and their combination on vascular and cardiac function of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods and Results

A total of 160 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were randomized to insulin (n=40), liraglutide (n=40), empagliflozin (n=40), or their combination (
GLP
‐1
RA
+
SGLT
‐2i) (n=40) as add‐on to metformin. We measured at baseline and 4 and 12 months posttreatment: (a) perfused boundary region of the sublingual arterial microvessels (marker of endothelial glycocalyx thickness), (b) pulse wave velocity (
PWV
) and central systolic blood pressure, (c) global left ventricular longitudinal, circumferential, and radial strain, (d) myocardial work index (global work index) derived by pressure‐myocardial strain loops using speckle tracking imaging. Twelve months posttreatment, all patients improved perfused boundary region,
PWV
, global longitudinal strain, global circumferential strain, and global radial strain (
P
<0.05).
GLP
‐1
RA
,
SGLT
‐2i, and their combination showed a greater reduction of perfused boundary region,
PWV,
and central systolic blood pressure than insulin, despite a similar glycosylated hemoglobin reduction (
P
<0.05).
GLP
‐1
RA
or
GLP
‐1
RA
+
SGLT
‐2i provided a greater increase of global work index (12.7% and 17.4%) compared with insulin or
SGLT
‐2i (3.1% and 2%).
SGLT
‐2i or
GLP
‐1
RA
and
SGLT
‐2i showed a greater decrease of
PWV
(10.1% and 13%) and central and brachial systolic blood pressure than insulin or
GLP
‐1
RA
(
PWV
, 3.6% and 8.6%) (
P
<0.05 for all comparisons). The dual therapy showed the greatest effect on measured markers in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction <55% (
P
<0.05).

Conclusions

Twelve‐month treatment with
GLP
‐1
RA
,
SGLT
‐2i, and their combination showed a greater improvement of vascular markers and effective cardiac work than insulin treatment in type 2 diabetes mellitus. The combined therapy as second line was superior to either insulin or
GLP
‐1
RA
and
SGLT
‐2i separately.

Registration

URL
:
https://www.clini​caltr​ials.gov
. Unique identifier:
NCT
03878706.
Freshwater ostracods (Crustacea) from Hainan Island, southern China, with description of a new species
Authors: MA SHUNXIN , YU NA
Published: April 2020

In this study, 24 non-marine ostracod species were found in 142 samples collected from diverse water bodies from Hainan Island, south China. Among them, a new species Pseudocypretta lineata n. sp. is described and illustrated. Twelve species are new records for China. Among them, six species are identified: Microdarwinula zimmeri (Menzel, 1916), Pseudocypretta lineata n. sp., Pseudostrandesia mamarilorum (Victor & Fernando, 1981c), Stenocypris malayica Victor & Fernando, 1981b, Stenocypris orientalis Victor & Fernando, 1981b and Strandesia freyi Victor & Fernando, 1981c. Six species are left in open nomenclature: Batucypretta sp., Candonopsis? sp., Cypridoidea gen. et sp. indet. 1, Cypridoidea gen. et sp. indet. 2, Cyprinotus cf. kimberleyensis McKenzie, 1966 and Vestalenula sp. Additionally, a re-description of Strandesia freyi is provided.
To the knowledge of the Near East species of the genus Odocnemis Allard, 1876 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Helopini)
Authors: NABOZHENKO MAXIM V. , HÁVA JIŘÍ
Published: April 2020

A brief review of the eight species of the genus Odocnemis Allard, 1876 from the Near East (Cyprus, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Egypt) is given. All species (excluding probably O. intrusicollis from Cyprus) belong to the praelonga species-group. Odocnemis evae sp. n. is described from Lebanon. The new species is similar to O. praelonga Baudi di Selve, 1876 by the presence of a mucron in females and to O. moabitica Sahlberg, 1908 by the presence of teeth and granules on inner side of metatibiae (at least in large specimens). It differs from both species by the shiny body, the presence a tooth on the outer margin of male pro- and mesotrochanters and by the structure of the aedeagus (very narrow apical piece with ball-like apex). Redescriptions, full bibliographic information and key to the species are given. Odocnemis punctata Allard, 1876 is recorded for Israel for the first time.