bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Laparoscopic gastrectomy with lymph node dissection for the treatment of remnant stomach gastrointestinal stromal tumors in incomplete-type Carney’s triad: a case report
Authors: Shimura Yuhi , Kanaji Shingo , Urakawa Naoki , Yamamoto Masashi , Utsumi Masako , Takiguchi Gousuke , Hasegawa Hiroshi , Matsuda Yoshiko , Yamashita Kimihiro , Matsuda Takeru , Oshikiri Taro , Nakamura Tetsu , Suzuki Satoshi , Kakeji Yoshihiro
Published: May 2020

Background

We report a rare case of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) in Carney’s triad, successfully treated using laparoscopic gastrectomy with lymph node dissection after chemotherapy.

Case presentation

A 21-year-old woman presented to our hospital for treatment of recurrent GISTs. The patient had been admitted for treatment 11 years prior, with black stools being the chief presenting complaint at that time. On examination at that time, multiple submucosal tumors in the pyloric antrum and multiple pulmonary tumors had been observed. She underwent open partial gastrectomy, and the diagnosis of GISTs was confirmed. She was administered tyrosine kinase inhibitors to treat lung metastases from 2 months after surgery. Due to the increasing size of the lung tumors, a right upper lobectomy was performed 9 years after the index gastric surgery. Histopathological examination of the lung specimen, in combination with re-examination of the gastric specimens, was indicative of incomplete-type Carney’s triad. Eleven years after the index gastric surgery, multiple GISTs were observed in her entire stomach. Tumor biopsy revealed a succinate dehydrogenase deficiency, confirming the diagnosis of recurrent GISTs. For treatment, the patient underwent laparoscopic completion gastrectomy, with D1 plus lymph node dissection.

Conclusion

This is a first case report of completion gastrectomy performed laparoscopically for the treatment of GISTs associated with incomplete-type Carney’s triad. The recurrent GISTs developed over a protracted period of 11 years from the index gastric surgery to tumor recurrence.
Pancreatoduodenectomy co-morbid with celiac axis compression syndrome: a report of three cases
Authors: Miyazaki Katsuki , Morine Yuji , Saito Yu , Yamada Shinichiro , Tokuda Kazunori , Ikemoto Tetsuya , Imura Satoru , Shimada Mitsuo
Published: May 2020

Background

Celiac axis compression syndrome (CACS) is a relatively rare disease. Because of the nature of the blood flow in the celiac region when a pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) is performed for CACS, the celiac region can become ischemic. The aim of this study is to report on the importance of pre-operative diagnosis of CACS in terms of the outcomes for patients post-operatively. In this study, three 3 cases of PD co-morbid with CACS are reported: one intra-operative diagnosis case and two pre-operative diagnosis cases.

Case presentation

The one case, not diagnosed with CACS prior to the operation, had a hard post-operative course because of complication caused by ischemia of the celiac region compared with the two cases diagnosed prior to the operation, who had a good post-operative course because of pre-operative or intra-operative intervention.

Conclusions

Post-operative complications due to CACS are preventable by pre-operative diagnosis and appropriate interventions.
The association between dietary consumption, anthropometric measures and body composition of rural and urban Ghanaian adults: a comparative cross-sectional study
Authors: Agyapong Nana Ama F. , Annan Reginald A. , Apprey Charles , Aduku Linda N. E. , Swart Elizabeth C.
Published: May 2020

Background

Overweight and obesity have become threats to public health in all regions across the globe including sub-Saharan Africa where prevalence used to be low. Policies to regulate the food environment and promote healthy food consumption look promising to reducing the prevalence of obesity but in Ghana there is not enough data to elicit a policy response. This study assessed the association between dietary consumption, anthropometric measures, body composition and physical activity among rural and urban Ghanaian adults.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study involving 565 Ghanaian adults. Structured interviewer administered questionnaires were used to collect information on socio-demographics. Dietary consumption was assessed using household food frequency questionnaire and 24-h recall. Height, weight, BMI, waist circumference and body composition of all participants were determined. The World Health Organization’s Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) was used to assess physical activity levels. Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze differences in anthropometric measures, body composition and consumption among rural and urban participants. Principal component analysis was used to analyze household food frequency data and nutrient analysis template was used to analyze 24-h recall. Chi-square was used to measure differences in obesity prevalence by community and gender. Multinomial logistic regression was used to model the risk factors associated with obesity.

Results

The prevalence of overweight and obesity using BMI were 29.9 and 22.9% respectively. Use of waist circumference measurement resulted in the highest overall obesity prevalence of 41.5%. Prevalence of obesity was higher among females compared to males across all measures with the exception of visceral fat that showed no significant difference. Four different patterns were derived from principal component analysis. Among urban participants, the staple pattern showed a significant negative correlation with visceral fat (r − 0.186, p-value 0.013) and BMI (r − 0.163, p-value 0.029). Multinomial logistic regression revealed that males (AOR 19.715, CI 9.723–39.978, p-value < 0.001) had higher odds of being of normal weight compared to females.

Conclusion

Prevalence of overweight and obesity continue to rise in Ghana, especially among females. Public education and screening as well as interventions that regulate the food environment and make affordable and available healthy food options are needed to control the rise in obesity prevalence.
Carbohydrate digestive enzymes are inhibited by Poincianella pluviosa stem bark extract: relevance on type 2 diabetes treatment
Authors: Kato-Schwartz Camila Gabriel , de Sá-Nakanishi Anacharis Babeto , Guidi Ana Carolina , Gonçalves Geferson de Almeida , Bueno Fernanda Giacomini , Zani Beatriz Petroncine Martins , de Mello João Carlos Palazzo , Bueno Paulo Sérgio Alves , Seixas Flavio Augusto Vicente , Bracht Adelar , Peralta Rosane Marina
Published: May 2020

Background

The stem bark aqueous alcohol extract ofPoincianella pluviosa(PPSB extract) is rich in bioactives including gallic acid, gallic acid methyl ester, pyrogallol, ellagic acid, corilagin, 1,4,6-tri-O-galloyl-glucose, 1,2,3,6-tetra-O-galloyl-glucose, 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-glucose, tellimagrandin I, tellimagrandin II, mallotinic acid, mallotusinic acid, and geraniin. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the PPSB extract as well as its inhibitory action on carbohydrate digestive enzymes relevant to type 2 diabetes.

Results

The PPSB extract was prepared using a mixture of 40% ethanol and 60% distilled water. The PPSB extract showed high antioxidant activities and inhibited several carbohydrate digestive enzymes. The IC50values for inhibiting in vitro salivary amylase, pancreatic amylase, intestinal β-galactosidase and intestinal invertase were, respectively, 250 ± 15, 750 ± 40, 25 ± 5, and 75 ± 8 μg/mL. In vivo inhibition of the intestinal starch absorption was confirmed by determination of blood glucose levels in rats before and after administration of starch by gavage with or without different amounts of PPSB extract. Docking simulations performed on three different programs to rank the extract compounds most likely to bind to porcine pancreatic α-amylase suggest that geraniin is likely to be theP. pluviosaextract compound that presents the greatest binding potential to the pancreatic alpha-amylase. However, the total inhibitory action of the PPSB extract is likely to result from a summation of effects of several molecules. Furthermore, the PPSB extract did not present acute toxicity nor did it present mutagenic effects.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that the PPSB extract is potentially useful in controlling the postprandial glycaemic levels in diabetes. Further clinical studies with the extract are needed, however, to confirm its potential use in the management of type 2 diabetes.
Effects of the scid mutation on X-ray-induced deletions in the brain and spleen of gpt delta mice
Authors: Masumura Kenichi , Yatagai Fumio , Ochiai Masako , Nakagama Hitoshi , Nohmi Takehiko
Published: May 2020

Background

DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), consisting of a Ku heterodimer (Ku70/80) and a large catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), plays an important role in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks via non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) in mammalian cells. Severe combined immunodeficient (scid) mice carry a mutation in the gene encoding DNA-PKcs and are sensitive to ionizing radiation. To examine the roles of DNA-PKcs in the generation of deletion mutations in vivo, we crossed scid mice with gpt delta transgenic mice for detecting mutations.

Results

The scid and wild-type (WT) gpt delta transgenic mice were irradiated with a single X-ray dose of 10 Gy, and Spi− mutant frequencies (MFs) were determined in the brain and spleen 2 days after irradiation. Irradiation with X-rays significantly enhanced Spi− MF in both organs in the scid and WT mice. The MFs in the brain of irradiated scid mice were significantly lower than those in WT mice, i.e., 2.9 ± 1.0 × 10− 6 versus 5.0 ± 1.1 × 10− 6 (P < 0.001), respectively. In the spleen, however, both mouse strains exhibited similar MFs, i.e., 4.1 ± 1.8 × 10− 6 versus 4.8 ± 1.4 × 10− 6. Unirradiated scid and WT mice did not exhibit significant differences in MFs in either organ.

Conclusions

DNA-PKcs is unessential for the induction of deletion mutations in the spleen, while it plays a role in this in the brain. Therefore, the contribution of DNA-PKcs to NHEJ may be organ-specific.
Symmetry breaking during defect self-organization under irradiation
Authors: Zhang Yongfeng , Gao Yipeng , Sun Cheng , Schwen Daniel , Jiang Chao , Gan Jian
Published: May 2020

One of the most intriguing phenomena under radiation is the self-organization of defects, such as the void superlattices, which have been observed in a list of bcc and fcc metals and alloys when the irradiation conditions fall into certain windows defined by temperature and dose rate. A superlattice features a lattice parameter and a crystal structure. Previously, it has been shown that the superlattice parameter is given by the wavelength of vacancy concentration waves that develop when the uniform concentration field becomes unstable. This instability is driven thermodynamically by vacancy concentration supersaturation and affected by the irradiation condition. However, a theory that predicts the superlattice symmetry, i.e., the selection of superlattice structure, has remained missing decades after the first report of superlattices. By analyzing the nonlinear recombination between vacancies and self-interstitial-atoms (SIAs) in the discrete lattice space, this work establishes the physical connection between symmetry breaking and anisotropic SIA diffusion, allowing for predictions of void ordering during defect self-organization. The results suggest that while the instability is driven thermodynamically by vacancy supersaturation, the symmetry development is kinetically rather than thermodynamically driven. The significance of SIA diffusion anisotropy in affecting superlattice formation under irradiation is also indicated. Various superlattice structures can be predicted based on different SIA diffusion modes, and the predictions are in good agreement with atomistic simulations and previous experimental observations.
Promoting the use of social networks in pneumonia
Authors: Cillóniz Catia , Greenslade Leith , Dominedò Cristina , Garcia-Vidal Carolina
Published: May 2020

Background

Pneumonia is a serious health concern, but it does not attract the attention it warrants. Perhaps this is due to a lack of understanding of the real extent of this infectious disease in the general population.

Methods

A literature review was performed to assess the role of social networks as a means to raise awareness over pneumonia worldwide and increase its visibility.

Results

In 2017, approximately 800,000 children under 5 years and approximately one million older people died of pneumonia. The importance of this pathology remains underestimated, despite the publication of many articles, comments, and editorials dedicated to rectifying the imbalance and to reduce its impact and associated mortality. Current misperceptions about pneumonia are alarming. Education and awareness are essential in the fight against this major public health threat; in this endeavor, social networks can be used to distribute science-based information about the disease and thus raise awareness among the general public about the dangers it poses. Approximately 3.8 billion people were using social media at the beginning of 2020, representing more than half of the world’s population.

Conclusion

Social networks offer a valuable tool for disseminating scientific information about pneumonia, increasing its visibility, and in general raising awareness about this preventable disease.
Hormetic effects of mild heat stress on the primary culture of mouse prefrontal cerebrocortical neurons
Authors: Mane Narayan R. , Gajare Kavita A. , Deshmukh Ashish A.
Published: May 2020

Background

Hormesis is an adaptive response of a biological system to low dose of stressors. It exerts beneficial effects to enable the cells and organisms to sustain the unfavourable conditions. Mild heat stress is one of the widely studied hormetic agents having antiageing and lifespan prolonging effects. In order to study the effect of mild heat stress on the primary culture of mouse prefrontal cerebrocortical neurons with reference to ageing-associated degenerative alterations the present investigations were carried out.

Study design

The prefrontal cerebrocortical neurons of E17 day mouse embryo were cultured on poly-l-lysine coated coverslips and fed with neurobasal medium supplemented with B-27 at 37 °C and 5% CO2. The neurons were divided into two groups: control group and mild heat stress group. The neurons from the control group were incubated at 37 °C without any heat stress. The neurons from the mild heat stress group were subjected to hyperthermic stress of 38 °C for 30 min on 2nd, 4th and 6th day of seeding.

Methods

On the 3rd, 5th and 7th day of incubation, viability was studied by calcein-AM and propidium iodide assay and cell death assay was carried out by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. The surviving neurons were enumerated on 10th, 15th and 20th day of incubation by live cell imaging. All microscopic studies were carried out by observer blinding.

Results

It was observed that there was higher percentage of viable neurons and lower percentage of degenerating neurons in the mild heat stress group than the control. The difference was highly significant (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Mild heat stress (38 °C for 30 min on every alternate day up to 6 days of incubation) exerts hormetic effects on the primary culture of mouse prefrontal cerebrocortical neurons by delaying the degenerative alterations.
Induction of gonadal sex reversal in adult gonochorist teleost by chemical treatment: an examination of the changing paradigm
Authors: Imiuwa Maurice Eghosa
Published: May 2020

Background

Gonochorist teleosts are teleosts in which individuals develop either as males or as females, and are sexually stable thereafter throughout ontogeny. However, there is a labile period, defined as the time period prior to hatching through juvenile stage before sexual maturation (adulthood), during which gonadal sex differentiation can be influenced by environmental conditions, including exogenous chemical treatments. Usually, during this period, depending on the nature of chemical treatment, gonadal sex can be reversed from one phenotypic sex to another. A number of chemicals, ranging especially from sex steroids (natural and synthetic) to the more recent one, aromatase inhibitors, have been employed for the purpose of sex reversal in different gonochorist teleost species during the labile period. Thus, the labile period requirement for treatment application before adulthood in order to achieve gonadal sex reversal in gonochorist teleost is well founded. Interestingly, however, some degree of gonadal bipotentiality has recently been reported with mixed findings in adults of certain gonochorist teleost species upon treatment with exogenous chemicals, especially aromatase inhibitors. Consequently, it is now widely thought that gonochorist teleost species are amenable to chemical-induced gonadal sex reversal after sexual maturity.

Method

Here, all studies on chemical-induced gonadal sex reversal in adult gonochorist teleosts were reviewed.

Results

Data strongly suggest that there are certain gonochorist teleost species in which adults may not be amenable to gonadal sex reversal through 17β-estradiol depletion by aromatase inhibitors and that the generalization of chemical-induced gonadal sex reversal remains to be experimentally determined in adult gonochorist teleost.

Conclusion

It was concluded that further studies are required for clarification, considering, among others, that population-level effect models of these chemicals on wild fish populations are based on the understanding that environmental sex reversal occurs only during development and not after sexual maturity.
Isolated subtle asymmetric slowing on EEG leading to a diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis
Authors: Aldabbour Belal , El-Salem Khalid , Aqaileh Suha , Obiedat Deema , Qasaimeh Mohammad , Al Qawasmeh Majdi , Al-Mistarehi Abdel-Hameed , Yassin Ahmed
Published: May 2020

Background

Autoimmune encephalitis presents with subacute neurological, psychiatric, and behavioral symptoms. In many cases, MRI and CSF studies return normal. Laboratory testing for pathogenic neuronal antibodies is limited by accessibility and sensitivity issues. Finally, the different diagnostic approaches lack consensus and have until recently been largely retrospective. Collectively, these factors predispose for delays in diagnosis and treatment in many cases.

Case presentation

We describe the case of a 42-year-old woman who did not initially meet the newly proposed criteria for probable autoimmune encephalitis, but in whom the detection on electroencephalogram (EEG) of subtle asymmetric slowing of the left hemisphere ultimately led to the diagnosis.

Discussion

EEG is highly sensitive and rarely normal in encephalitis. The recently introduced diagnostic criteria for autoimmune encephalitis included new-onset seizures in the earliest steps in the algorithm but did not yet incorporate EEG findings. We encourage practicing physicians to use EEG as an early, sensitive diagnostic tool for cases suspected to have autoimmune encephalitis.
Adult-onset portosystemic encephalopathy caused by patent ductus venosus successfully treated with endovascular coil embolization: a rare case report
Authors: Muranishi Hiromi , Komura Yasuo
Published: May 2020

Background

Patent ductus venosus (PDV) is a congenital shunt between the portal vein (PV) and inferior vena cava (IVC). However, there are few reports on symptomatic adult-onset PDV, and the appropriate management of this condition remains unknown. In particular, there are few reports on the use of endovascular therapy for the treatment of patients with symptomatic adult-onset PDV. However, the strategies, indications, long-term efficacy, and safety of this therapy remain poorly understood. Here we report a rare case of adult-onset PDV successfully treated via endovascular coil embolization using a retrievable IVC filter.

Case presentation

A 35-year-old man with a clinical course of progressive general fatigue and ataxia for 3 months was diagnosed with depressive personality disorder in another hospital 2 months ago and then referred to our hospital for detailed examination and further treatment. Blood test results showed hyperammonemia, indicating hepatic encephalopathy. Contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography and transarterial portography revealed a portosystemic shunt that connected the left PV to IVC. Endovascular coil embolization was successfully performed after temporary balloon occlusion testing and the placement of a retrievable IVC filter. After the procedure, ammonia levels gradually reduced, and his symptoms improved without any postoperative complications. No clinical symptoms were observed at the 6-year clinical follow up.

Conclusion

This report supports the findings of other studies and offers a less invasive therapeutic option, thereby aiding clinicians in making appropriate treatment decisions for these patients.
In silico studies of 2,5-disubstituted furans as active antimalarial drug candidates
Authors: Mahmud Aliyu Wappah , Shallangwa Gideon Adamu , Uzairu Adamu
Published: May 2020

Backgrond

In silico studies are essential techniques in the modern medicinal chemistry. QSAR modeling and molecular docking are important techniques in both drug discovery and development and have been successfully deployed in the field of medicinal chemistry for the discovery, design, and development of many drug candidates. These techniques were used in this work to come up with a model that relate 2,5-disubstituted furans with their antiplasmodium activities for the development of more active antimalarial drugs.

Results

Predictive and robust QSAR model was generated using Genetic Function Algorithm. The model was statistically validated to have internal and external squared correlation coefficient,R2of 0.982 and 0.735 respectively; predictive squared correlation coefficient,R2predof 0.599; adjusted squared correlation coefficient,Radjof 0.974; and leave-one-out cross-validation coefficient,Q2cvof 0.966. It was found out that the antiplasmodium activities of 2,5-disubstituted furans relied on the parameters: GATS5c, minsCl RDF130m, RDF75p, and RDF115s descriptors. All the descriptors except minsCl influenced the antiplasmodium activities of the compounds negatively. That is, their increase decreases the activities of the furans and vice versa. The docking study revealed that most of the furans bind more tightly toPlasmodium falciparumlactate dehydrogenase (pfLDH) than chloroquine, but the enzyme may not be their major target.

Conclusion

Insight into the relationship between 2,5-disubstituted furans and their antiplasmodium activities has been revealed from the results of this work. Therefore, this could serve as a model for designing novel 2,5-disubstituted furans as potential antimalarial drugs with better activities.
Revisiting the five-facet structure of mindfulness
Authors: Karl Johannes Alfons , Fischer Ronald
Published: May 2020

The current study aimed to replicate the development of the Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) in a sample of 399 undergraduate students. We factor analyzed the Mindful Attention and Awareness Questionnaire (MAAS), the Freiburg Mindfulness Scale, the Southampton Mindfulness Questionnaire (SMQ), the Cognitive Affective Mindfulness Scale Revised (CAMS-R), and the Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills (KIMS), but also extended the analysis by including a conceptually related measure, the Philadelphia Mindfulness Scale (PHLMS), and a conceptually unrelated measure, the Langer Mindfulness Scale (LMS). Overall, we found a partial replication of the five-factor structure, with the exception of non-reacting and non-judging which formed a single factor. The PHLMS items loaded as expected with theoretically related factors, whereas the LMS items emerged as separate factor. Finally, we found a new factor that was mostly defined by negatively worded items indicating possible item wording artifacts within the FFMQ. Our conceptual validation study indicates that some facets of the FFMQ can be recovered, but item wording factors may threaten the stability of these facets. Additionally, measures such as the LMS appear to measure not only theoretically, but also empirically different constructs.
Further results on Parity Combination Cordial Labeling
Authors: Seoud Mohamed , Aboshady Mohamed
Published: May 2020

Let G be a (p, q)-graph. Let f be an injective mapping from V(G) to {1, 2, …, p}. For each edge xy, assign the label $$ \left(\genfrac{}{}{0pt}{}{x}{y}\right) $$xy or $$ \left(\genfrac{}{}{0pt}{}{y}{x}\right) $$yx according as x > y or y > x. Call f a parity combination cordial labeling if |ef(0) − ef(1)| ≤ 1, where ef(0) and ef(1) denote the number of edges labeled with an even number and an odd number, respectively. In this paper we make a survey on all graphs of order at most six and find out whether they satisfy a parity combination cordial labeling or not and get an upper bound for the number of edges q of any graph to satisfy this condition and describe the parity combination cordial labeling for two families of graphs.
Role of mesenchymal stem cells and their culture medium in alleviating kidney injury in rats diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Ibrahim Amal Al-Shahat , Morsy Manal Mohammad , Abouhashem Safwat E. , Aly Omnia , Sabbah Norhan A. , Raafat Nermin
Published: May 2020

Background

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is considered as one of the most serious complications resulting from diabetes mellitus and end-stage of renal failure globally. Up to 40% of diabetic patients will develop DN. The involvement of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in diabetic renal lesions management has been established in many animal models of DN. The aim is to evaluate the capability of MSCs and their culture medium (CM) to alleviate DN in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat model. Female albino rats were made diabetic and were further categorized into 4 subgroups of 15 each: DN group, DN group received fibroblasts, MSCs group received one dose of 1 × 106 cells of MSCs, and CM group received one dose of 500 μl of CM. In all groups, the treatment was delivered by intravenous injection (IV) into the tail vein.

Results

MSCs insinuated themselves into the injured kidney as detected by CD44 expression. Biochemical and histological results showed that MSCs and/or CM effectively attenuated DN manifestations in rat model through their possible anti-inflammatory (tumor necrosis factor-α and transforming growth factor-β1 were decreased), anti-apoptotic (Bcl2 was increased while Bax and caspases were decreased), and anti-oxidant role (malondialdehyde was decreased while glutathione and catalase were increased).

Conclusion

These results provide a potential therapeutic tool for DN management through the administration of the CM from MSCs that ameliorates the effects of diabetes. It is also possible to treat DN using CM alone thus avoiding cell transplantation.
Periprocedural and clinical outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention of chronic total occlusions in patients with low- and mid-range ejection fractions
Authors: El Awady Waleed Salem , Samy Mohamed , Al-Daydamony Mohammad Mustafa , Abd El Samei Magdy Mohammad , Shokry Khaled Abd El Azim
Published: May 2020

Background

The benefit and safety of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to chronic total occlusions (CTO) in patients with low and mid-range left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) continue to be evidence limited. The aim of our study was to investigate the impact of LVEF in patients undergoing CTO PCI and to evaluate the mid-term clinical outcome of those with low and mid-range LVEF. We assessed the periprocedural and mid-term outcomes of 75 patients undergoing CTO PCIs according to pre-procedural LVEF: group (N), ≥ 50% (normal, nom.= 25); group (M), 40-49% (mid-range, nom.= 25); and group (L), < 40% (low, nom.= 25); within 6 months of follow-up.

Results

The prevalence of DM and chronic kidney disease (CKD) was significantly higher in low LVEF group (60%,p= 0.04 and 48%,p= 0.01 respectively). Apart from significantly lower contrast volume in patients with low LVEF (p= 0.04), there was no significant difference between the three groups regarding the procedural time, SYNTAX score and J-CTO score. We noticed similar procedural success in the three groups (88% vs. 84% vs. 76%,p= 0.521). LVEF category failed to predict procedural success (OR = 0.652,p= 0.268). There was a highly significant improvement in angina 6 months following intervention in normal LVEF group (pvalue < 0.001). Grade of dyspnea significantly improved 6 months following intervention in mid-range LVEF and low LVEF groups (pvalue = 0.04 and 0.031 respectively). There was no significant difference between the three groups regarding the reported MACCEs (12% vs. 16% vs. 28%,p= 0.268).

Conclusion

CTO PCI represents an efficient and safe strategy in patients with low and mid-range LVEFs. Mid-term outcomes in these patients were significantly improved following successful CTO PCI, without higher risk of MACCE at 6 months follow-up.
Retrofitting existing buildings to reduce electrical energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission in Nigerian food and beverage industries
Authors: Ogunjuyigbe Ayodeji Samson , Ayodele Temitope Raphael , Ogunmuyiwa Segun Monsur
Published: May 2020

Food and Beverage industry is one of the fastest growing manufacturing industries in Nigeria with its attendant carbon emission. In this paper, retrofitting (one of the demand side management (DSM) techniques) is adopted as a strategy to reducing energy consumption and the associated greenhouse gas emission of three selected food and beverages industries in Nigeria. This is achieved by carrying out a walk through energy audit on the selected industries with the aim of reducing their carbon footprint by reducing the electrical energy consumption pattern. Retrofitting exercise involves identification of energy-inefficient electrical equipment within the industry and thereafter replacing them with available identical device but with better energy efficiency. The investment cost for adopting energy efficient technology and its corresponding payback period are estimated. Recommendations for policy documents were proposed based on the study. The energy audit reveals that electric motor, lighting points (lamps) and computer system constitute electrical load that are inefficiently operated within the selected industries. Applying DSM by retrofitting on these components of electrical load reduces the overall electrical energy consumption of the industry by 17%, 20% and 14% for industries A, B and C, respectively. An estimated reduction in CO2 emission of 159,471.2 kg, 139,598.7 kg and 186,696.4 kg is achieved for industries A, B and C, respectively, using the DSM. This paper is useful as it provides scientific information on the need to retrofit inefficient devices in Nigeria industries.
Cygnus: a psychoeducational group for carers of people with a personality disorder
Authors: Sutherland Ruth , Holland Alice , Prince Sharon
Published: May 2020

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance suggests that carers of individuals with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder experience high levels of psychological distress, yet few services in the UK offer specific support to this group of carers. This article will describe the development of a psychoeducational carers’ group based on schema theory (Young et al, 2003), including the development of the role of carer experts-by-experience as group co-facilitators. Initial outcome data from the pilot suggest that carers are highly satisfied with the group and that it improves their knowledge, understanding and personal well-being.
Home care takes on the challenge of falls at home: innovative practice
Authors: McGlade Mark , Dening Karen
Published: May 2020

Falls are prominent among the external causes of unintentional injury. Every year, about a third of adults in England over age 65 who live at home have at least one fall, and half of these have frequent falls. Falls are an urgent public health concern because of their medical and economic consequences, and with a rising older population, they are costly for health and care systems. This article describes an innovative initiative in the South-West of England in which a private home care provider and a local ambulance service collaborated to develop new training, protocols and suitable equipment in order to better manage falls.
Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of fowl adenovirus serotype-4 from Guangdong Province, China
Authors: Yuming Fu , Sheng Yuan , Wenyu Deng , Shihong Chi , Wenfeng Li , Wenjing Huang , Xiaowen Li , El-Ashram Saeed , Mei Kun , Jinyue Guo , Xuelian Zhang , Zhili Li , Shujian Huang
Published: May 2020

Aim: Our aim in this study was to isolate potentially novel strains of fowl adenovirus serotype-4 (FAdV-4) that is currently circulating in broiler chicken flocks in Guangdong Province, China, and to compare nucleotide and amino acid (AA) sequences of their respective hexon genes.

Materials and Methods: The experiment was carried out on poultry farms experiencing outbreaks of FAdV-4-associated hydropericardium syndrome (HPS). Tissue samples from the hearts and livers of deceased chickens were screened for FAdV-4 infection using hexon gene-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results: New virus isolates were used to infect 7-day-old chicks, which went onto reproduce typical HPS signs. The hypervariable region of the FAdV-4 hexon gene was PCR-amplified and sequenced. The hexon nucleotide and deduced AA sequence identities were 99.8-99.9% and 99.5-99.8%, respectively, among the four novel isolates. In addition, the new isolates were 97-100% and 96.4-99.9% identical to the nucleotide and deduced AA sequences, respectively, of FAdV-4 hexon genes available in the National Center for Biotechnology Information GenBank database. Phylogenetic analyses, based on the hexon gene sequence, revealed that the new isolates, clustered with FAdV-C; the FAdV-A, FAdV-B, FAdV-D, and FAdV-E viruses, were more distantly related.

Conclusion: New FAdV-4 isolates from Guangdong Province are similar to those identified in other regions of the world. This information provides critical insight into HPS epidemiology and provides a perspective for monitoring outbreaks and developing strategies for disease prevention.
CoViD-19: An early intervention therapeutic strategy to prevent developing a severe disease as an alternative approach to control the pandemic
Authors: MERCHANT HAMID
Published: May 2020

While we wait for a confirmed drug or a vaccine for CoViD-19, it may be possible to intervene early to prevent the virus causing a severe disease to offer an alternative therapeutic strategy to control the pandemic. The global burden of CoViD-19 on the healthcare system can be significantly reduced by targeting CoViD-19 patients with or without symptoms who are self-isolating at home or in quarantine. If any therapeutic support can be offered to this group of patients that could attenuate the virus within the upper respiratory tract during the early stages of CoViD-19, it can give the body the time to produce enough antibodies to recover naturally from the disease before progressing into severe disease. An early intervention can, therefore, prevent the virus to get down the lower respiratory tract, reduce the number of cases with severe disease involving pneumonia and the need for hospitalisation. This article presents a simple yet holistic treatment strategy that involves inhaling steam supplemented with essential oils possessing wide spectrum antimicrobial properties in conjunction with oropharyngeal sanitisation to all those who are CoViD-19 positive or are under self-isolation due to symptoms. The approach is very simple, cheap, and effective in relieving the symptoms of the disease and is likely to reduce the viral load in the upper respiratory tract that may help recover from the infection. Since there is no vaccine or treatment yet approved to prevent or treat the CoViD-19, the importance of early intervention is invaluable in reducing the global disease burden. In the authors opinion, this strategy may be very effective to nip the infection in the bud before it gets difficult to treat and therefore, have a potential to significantly reduce the CoViD-19 associated hospitalisation.
Un Modelo de Gestión para una Empresa de Medicina Prepagada utilizando Dinámica de Sistemas
Authors: Samaniego Guevara Hernan Washington
Published: May 2020

Contexto: El modelo de gestión empresarial para potencializar el crecimiento de la pequeña y mediana empresa, realizado por el autor de este artículo, sirvió de base para aplicarlo en función de las necesidades específicas de la empresa objeto de estudio (medicina prepagada), determinando para ello las variables específicas para su giro de negocio y conservando otras variables de aplicabilidad general.

Método: Se utilizó la técnica de entrevistas con la alta dirección de la empresa, lo que posibilitó recopilar la información relevante, confiable y correcta. Se consideró que al estudiar un determinado sistema conviene analizar su comportamiento a partir de datos representativos de lo que se espera que sea su funcionamiento habitual y no con datos correspondientes a situaciones extremas. Las entrevistas permitieron determinar las variables necesarias para el modelo realizado.

Resultados: Una vez que se diseñó el modelo fue posible simular resultados en función de los requerimientos puntuales de la empresa, lo que permitió visualizar el impacto que dichos resultados tendrían en la empresa objeto de estudio.

Conclusiones: La conjunción de la metodología de la dinámica de sistemas, las entrevistas, la recopilación de datos históricos, así como también el involucramiento de las leyes que rigen estos negocios en el Ecuador, permitieron la obtención de un producto aplicable y confiable para la organización.
A Meta-Optimization Approach to Solve the Set Covering Problem
Authors: Astorga Gino , Crawford Broderick , Soto Ricardo , Monfroy Eric , García José , Cortes Enrique
Published: May 2020

Context: In the industry the resources are increasingly scarce. For this reason, we must make a gooduse of it. Being the optimization tools, a good alternative that it is necessary to bear in mind. A realworldproblem is the facilities location being the Set Covering Problem, one of the most used models.Our interest, it is to find solution alternatives to this problem of the real-world using metaheuristics.

Method: One of the main problems which we turn out to be faced on having used metaheuristic is thedifficulty of realizing a correct parametrization with the purpose to find good solutions. This is not aneasy task, for which our proposal is to use a metaheuristic that allows to provide good parameters toanother metaheuristics that will be responsible for resolving the Set Covering Problem.

Results: To prove our proposal, we use the set of 65 instances of OR-Library which also was comparedwith other recent algorithms, used to solve the Set Covering Problem.

Conclusions: Our proposal has proved to be very effective able to produce solutions of good qualityavoiding also have to invest large amounts of time in the parametrization of the metaheuristic responsiblefor resolving the problem.
Procedimiento de Evaluación y Selección de Proveedores basado en el Proceso de Análisis Jerárquico y en un Modelo de Programación Lineal Entera Mixta
Authors: Peña Florez Luis Alfonso , Rodríguez-Rojas Yuber Liliana
Published: May 2020

Contexto: Las organizaciones en la actualidad deben seleccionar proveedores de forma eficaz para dar una respuesta oportuna a las necesidades de sus clientes y de esta manera garantizar su competitividad. El objetivo de este estudio fue establecer un procedimiento para la selección de proveedores vinculando el proceso análisis jerárquico (AHP) y un modelo de programación lineal entera mixta (MILP).

Método: Se efectuó una revisión de literatura en las bases de datos Science Direct, Engineering Information, ProQuest y Scopus, que permitió identificar las técnicas más utilizadas por los académicos, empresarios e investigadores, para la selección de proveedores. Se seleccionaron los modelos matemáticos para el AHP y el MILP. El AHP se realizó por medio de simulación con el método de Montecarlo y el MILP se validó a través de análisis de sensibilidad. En el MILP se usaron los parámetros proporcionados por Ruiz, Mendoza y Ablanedo, el cual se modificó para diferentes cantidades de lotes.

Resultados: Los parámetros que alimentan el modelo MILP se cambiaron por los simulados al realizar el AHP, los cambios realizados a los parámetros demostraron que el modelo matemático es válido. Se logró proponer un procedimiento para la selección de proveedores que mejore la eficacia en la toma de decisiones.

Conclusiones: La selección de proveedores es un aspecto esencial para garantizar la calidad de los productos y servicios proporcionados por las organizaciones, por lo tanto, el procedimiento propuesto proporciona criterios para la toma decisión de los proveedores considerando unidades, capacidades, costos y número de lote.
Mejores Perspectivas en Investigación para la Ingeniería UD.
Authors: Diaz A. Nelson Leonardo
Published: May 2020

Mejores Perspectivas en Investigación para la Ingeniería UD.
Integración Externa en las Cadenas de Suministro Agroindustriales: Una Revisión al Estado del Arte
Authors: Ruiz Moreno Andrés Felipe , Caicedo Otavo Andrés Leonardo , Orjuela Castro Javier Arturo
Published: May 2020

La Integración de la Cadena de Suministro (ICS) ha sido un tema ampliamente abordado debido a su importancia estratégica; no obstante, existen pocos estudios de integración en cadenas agroindustriales. El propósito de este artículo es hacer una revisión de la ICS, enfocándose en el impacto de mecanismos de integración externa sobre el desempeño de las cadenas agroindustriales. Los resultados muestran que los mecanismos de integración externa más utilizados han sido el intercambio de información y la toma de decisiones conjunta, mientras que las medidas de desempeño usadas con mayor frecuencia han sido los costos, la utilidad, el rendimiento de la inversión y los niveles de inventario. La revisión identifica la necesidad de evaluar el impacto de varios mecanismos de manera simultánea en el desempeño de la Cadena de Suministro (CS), enfatizando la importancia de hacer investigación en mecanismos de integración de toma de decisiones conjunta, como el inventario administrado por el vendedor (VMI) y la planeación colaborativa, pronóstico y reabastecimiento (CPFR). En cuanto a la medición del desempeño, se requiere la inclusión de al menos un indicador por categoría (eficiencia, flexibilidad, capacidad de respuesta y calidad de los alimentos) del marco de desempeño descrito para cadenas agroindustriales; mientras que para la medición de desempeño logístico de cadenas agroindustriales se requiere mayor investigación en los modos (procesos de gestión) y medios (recursos) logísticos.
An Approach for Solving Goal Programming Problems using Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Goals
Authors: Figueroa-García Juan Carlos , Patiño-Callejas Juan Sebastian , Espinosa-Ayala Krisna Yoel
Published: May 2020

This paper presents a proposal for solving goal problems involving multiple experts opinions and perceptions. In goal programming problems where no statistical data about their goals exist, the use of information coming from experts becomes the last reliable source. This way, we propose an approach to model this kind of goals using Interval Type-2 fuzzy sets, and a simple method for finding an optimal solution based on previous methods that have been proposed for classical fuzzy sets.
Algoritmo de Dimensionamiento de Almacenes para Obras de Edificación del Sector de la Construcción
Authors: Hualpa Zuñiga Andres Mauricio , López Bello Cesar Amílcar
Published: May 2020

Este artículo contiene el desarrollo de un algoritmo aplicado a la solución de problemas de dimensionamiento de espacios en el almacenamiento en empresas del sector de la construcción. El problema se justifica debido al grado de informalidad que se presenta al momento de asignar áreas de almacenamiento, sin considerar parámetros relacionados con las etapas de construcción, las características del producto y las disposiciones de área en la obra. En un estudio previo se identifica que el grado de informalidad, al momento de asignar áreas de almacenamiento, genera bajos índices de utilización de la capacidad y la entrega de pedidos de manera incompleta.El diseño del algoritmo se sustenta en un modelo integral de dimensionamiento sujeto a un sistema de ecuaciones con variables de cantidad, volumen y dimensiones de material, para establecer finalmente el área necesaria del almacén. El algoritmo es adaptado a lenguaje de programación con el objeto de presentar los resultados en lenguaje gráfico, en donde sea visible el dimensionamiento de espacios de almacenamiento. Estos resultados son validados mediante la evaluación de la utilización de la capacidad de almacenamiento y pedidos completamente entregados para diferentes unidades de carga, demostrando mejoras en estos indicadores.
Evaluación de Escenarios de Descongestión Vehicular en Bogotá mediante Dinámica de Sistemas
Authors: Franco Carlos , Mendez Germán , Espitia John
Published: May 2020

Este trabajo propone el desarrollo de un modelo basado en dinámica de sistemas en el cual se caracteriza el sistema de transporte de Bogotá D.C. Para realizar esto se modelan las variables principales que intervienen en el sistema de transporte para así lograr un análisis global de la problemática de transporte y evaluar posibles soluciones propuestas por diferentes expertos.El modelo es desarrollado mediante el software Stella, y en él se incluyen los diferentes actores que intervienen en la problemática global. Previo al desarrollo del modelo computacional, se lleva a cabo la recolección de información a través de expertos en el tema, que permita realizar una caracterización inicial, para poder así comprender la relación entre variables. Adicionalmente se evalúan sobre el modelo seis diferentes alternativas de solución a la problemática, para observar el impacto que éstas tendrían sobre el sistema de transporte.
Revisión de las Tecnologías y Aplicaciones del Habla Sub-vocal
Authors: Ramos Sandoval Olga Lucia , Gamma Melo Erika Nathalia , Amaya Hurtado Dario
Published: May 2020

Este trabajo presenta una revisión de estado de las principales temáticas aplicativas y metodológicas del habla sub-vocal que se han venido desarrollando en los últimos años. La primera sección hace una honda revisión de los métodos de detección del lenguaje silencioso. En la segunda parte se evalúan las tecnologías implementadas en los últimos años, seguido de un análisis en las principales aplicaciones de este tipo de lenguaje y finalmente presentado una amplia comparación entre los trabajos que se han hecho en industria y academia utilizando este tipo de desarrollos.
Arquitectura FPGA para Simulación de Aprovisionamiento de Alimentos en Colonias de Hormigas Artificiales
Authors: Rodríguez Rodríguez Cristian David , Melgarejo Rey Miguel Alberto
Published: May 2020

Este artículo presenta algunos resultados en relación con el diseño y la implementación de una arquitectura que soporta una plataforma experimental para simular el proceso de alimentación de las colonias de hormigas. Los algoritmos Ant-system  y Ant-Cycle modelan el comportamiento de las hormigas. La plataforma permite cambiar parámetros como la cantidad y la velocidad de las hormigas, la cantidad y ubicación de los alimentos y el radio y la frecuencia de difusión de la feromona de las hormigas. Estos parámetros se visualizan a través de una interfaz  VGA. La implementación de hardware se lleva a cabo sobre tecnología FPGA de Xilinx©. La teoría detrás de este diseño considera que los comportamientos complejos pueden surgir de sistemas con una estructura simple . Este trabajo se enfrenta a la pregunta acerca de la complejidad global emergente de un sistema cuya complejidad estructural es mínima o inexistente.