bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sensitivity of mountain catchments to global warming: a case study of the San Basin, Poland
Authors: Kędra Mariola
Published: March 2020

In changing climatic conditions with rising surface air temperatures mountain regions with their characteristic environment and accumulated snow deserve special attention and sustainable management. To investigate the sensitivity of mountain catchments to global warming, this study explores potential trends for hydro‐climatic variables between 1957 and 2016 (60 years). Based on the Mann‐Kendall test results, upward trends in air temperature were found from April to August; they are accompanied by less frequent but significant trends in precipitation (P), with increases in P for January and May, but a decrease for December. For river flow, significant upward trends were identified only for January, in line with P trends. In addition, comparative analyses of changes for two 30‐year periods (1987–2016 vs. 1957–1986) corroborate the main change directions and provide detailed information for more realistic future land and water management in the mountain catchments studied.
Sex‐specific metabolic responses to 6 hours of fasting during the active phase in young mice
Authors: Freire Therese , Senior Alistair M. , Perks Ruth , Pulpitel Tamara , Clark Ximonie , Brandon Amanda E. , Wahl Devin , Hatchwell Luke , Le Couteur David G. , Cooney Gregory J. , Larance Mark , Simpson Stephen J. , Solon‐Biet Samantha M.
Published: March 2020

Key points

Night time/active phase food restriction for 6 h impaired glucose intolerance in young male and female mice.

Females displayed increased capacity for lipogenesis and triglyceride storage in response to a short daily fast.

Females had lower fasting insulin levels and an increased potential for utilizing fat for energy through β‐oxidation compared to males.

The need for the inclusion of both sexes, and the treatment of sex as an independent variable, is emphasized within the context of this fasting regime.

There is growing interest in understanding the mechanistic significance and benefits of fasting physiology in combating obesity. Increasing the fasting phase of a normal day can promote restoration and repair mechanisms that occur during the post‐absorptive period. Most studies exploring the effect of restricting food access on mitigating obesity have done so with a large bias towards the use of male mice. Here, we disentangle the roles of sex, food intake and food withdrawal in the response to a short‐term daily fasting intervention, in which food was removed for 6 h in the dark/active phase of young, 8‐week‐old mice. We showed that the removal of food during the dark phase impaired glucose tolerance in males and females, possibly due to the circadian disruption induced by this feeding protocol. Although both sexes demonstrated similar patterns of food intake, body composition and various metabolic markers, there were clear sex differences in the magnitude and extent of these responses. While females displayed enhanced capacity for lipogenesis and triglyceride storage, they also had low fasting insulin levels and an increased potential for utilizing available energy sources such as fat for energy through β‐oxidation. Our results highlight the intrinsic biological and metabolic disparities between male and female mice, emphasizing the growing need for the inclusion of both sexes in scientific research. Furthermore, our results illustrate sex‐specific metabolic pathways that regulate lipogenesis, obesity and overall metabolic health.
Association between C Reactive Protein and Depression in a Population of Healthy Adults: The Cooper Center Longitudinal Study
Authors: Khan Amber , Leonard David , Defina Laura , Barlow Carolyn E , Willis Benjamin , Brown E Sherwood
Published: March 2020

The relationship between depression and inflammation is currently a topic of much interest. Previous studies have produced mixed results regarding the association between depression and high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP). The aim of this report was to determine the association between hs-CRP and depression in a large sample of healthy adults. This is a cross-sectional study of 26,638 healthy adults seen for preventive medical examinations between December 2000 and August 2018 at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas, Texas. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between hs-CRP levels and depressive symptoms as measured by the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Covariates included race, age, education, smoking history, alcohol use, menopausal status, body mass index (BMI), and medication use. The Hs-CRP level demonstrated a weakly positive association with depressive symptoms (OR 1.06 per mg/L, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.09 for women; OR 1.05 per mg/L, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.09 for men) that became insignificant when controlling for BMI in women (OR 1.02 per mg/L, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.05) and men (OR 1.02 per mg/L, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.05). Adjusting for antidepressant and statin use did not affect the association between hs-CRP and depressive symptoms in women (OR 0.99 per mg/L, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.03) or men (OR 1.01 per mg/L, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.05). Levels of hs-CRP were not associated with depression independent of BMI in a predominantly white, male population of higher socioeconomic status. This finding suggests that associations between hs-CRP and depression may be explained by obesity, which warrants further investigation into shared pathways between obesity and depression.
Car-T Treatment for Hematological Malignancies
Authors: Atrash Shebli , Bano Kulsum , Harrison Bradley , Abdallah Al-Ola
Published: March 2020

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell therapy has sparked a wave of optimism in hematological malignancies, reflected by the successful results of early clinical trials involving patients with pre-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, B-cell lymphomas and multiple myeloma. CAR-T-cell therapy is considered to be a novel immunotherapy treatment that has the potential for curing certain hematological cancers. However, as use of CAR-T-cell therapy has grown, new challenges have surfaced. These challenges include the process of manufacturing the CAR-T cells, the mechanisms of resistance that underlie disease relapse, adverse effects and cost. This review describes the published results of clinical trials and expected developments to overcome CAR-T resistance.
Measurements of angle-resolved reflectivity of PTFE in liquid xenon with IBEX
Authors: Kravitz S. , Smith R. J. , Hagaman L. , Bernard E. P. , McKinsey D. N. , Rudd L. , Tvrznikova L. , Gann G. D. Orebi , Sakai M.
Published: March 2020

Liquid xenon particle detectors rely on excellent light collection efficiency for their performance. This depends on the high reflectivity of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) at the xenon scintillation wavelength of 178 nm, but the angular dependence of this reflectivity is not well-understood. IBEX is designed to directly measure the angular distribution of xenon scintillation light reflected off PTFE in liquid xenon. These measurements are fully described by a microphysical reflectivity model with few free parameters. Dependence on PTFE type, surface finish, xenon pressure, and wavelength of incident light is explored. Total internal reflection is observed, which results in the dominance of specular over diffuse reflection and a reflectivity near 100% for high angles of incidence.
A Distributed Shared Memory Middleware for Speculative Parallel Discrete Event Simulation
Authors: Principe Matteo , Tocci Tommaso , Sanzo Pierangelo Di , Quaglia Francesco , Pellegrini Alessandro
Published: March 2020

The large diffusion of multi-core machines has pushed the research in the field of Parallel Discrete Event Simulation (PDES) toward new programming paradigms, based on the exploitation of shared memory. On the opposite side, the advent of Cloud computing—and the possibility to group together many (low-cost) virtual machines to form a distributed memory cluster capable of hosting simulation applications—has raised the need to bridge shared memory programming and seamless distributed execution. In this article, we present the design of a distributed middleware that transparently allows a PDES application coded for shared memory systems to run on clusters of (Cloud) resources. Our middleware is based on a synchronization protocol called Event and Cross State Synchronization. It allows cross-simulation-object access by event handlers, thus representing a powerful tool for the development of various types of PDES applications. We also provide data for an experimental assessment of our middleware architecture, which has been integrated into the open source ROOT-Sim speculative PDES platform.
Transcriptomic Analysis of Glioma Based on IDH Status Identifies ACAA2 as a Prognostic Factor in Lower Grade Glioma
Authors: Wu Chenxing , Song Hongwang , Fu Xiaojun , Li Shouwei , Jiang Tao
Published: March 2020

Background. Glioma is the most common and lethal tumor in the central nervous system (CNS). More than 70% of WHO grade II/III gliomas were found to harbor isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations which generated targetable metabolic vulnerabilities. Focusing on the metabolic vulnerabilities, some targeted therapies, such as NAMPT, have shown significant effects in preclinical and clinical trials. Methods. We explored the TCGA as well as CGGA database and analyzed the RNA‐seq data of lower grade gliomas (LGG) with the method of weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA). Differential expressed genes were screened, and coexpression relationships were grouped together by performing average linkage hierarchical clustering on the topological overlap. Clinical data were used to conduct Kaplan–Meier analysis. Results. In this study, we identified ACAA2 as a prognostic factor in IDH mutation lower grade glioma with the method of weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA). The difference of ACAA2 gene expressions between the IDH wild‐type (IDH‐WT) group and the IDH mutant (IDH‐MUT) group suggested that there may be different potential targeted therapies based on the fatty acid metabolic vulnerabilities, which promoted the personalized treatment for LGG patients.
Implementation of an Anaesthesia Quality Improvement Programme to Reduce Fibreoptic Bronchoscope Repair Incidents
Authors: Lu Hsiao-Feng , Hung Kuo-Chuan , Chiang Min-Hsien , Yang Johnson Chia-Shen , Luo Sheng-Dean , Chin Jo-Chi , Wang Chih-Hsien , Sun Cheuk-Kwan , Wu Shao-Chun
Published: March 2020

Background. This study was aimed at investigating the effectiveness of the implementation of a comprehensive quality improvement programme (QIP) for reducing the repair rate of the fibreoptic bronchoscope (FOB). Methods. A three‐stage improvement strategy was implemented between January 2013 and December 2016. Stage one is the acquisition of information on violations of practice guidelines, repair rate, cost of repair, and incidence of unavailability of FOB during anaesthesia induction of the previous year through auditing. Stage two is the implementation of a quality improvement campaign (QIC) based on the results of stage one. Stage three is the programme perpetuation through monitoring compliance with policy on FOB use by regular internal audits. The effectiveness was retrospectively analyzed on a yearly basis. Results. The annual repair rate, repair cost, and incidence of FOB unavailability before the QIP implementation were 1%, 18,757 USD, and 1.4%, respectively. After QIC, the repair rate in 2013 dropped by 81% (from 1% in 2012 to 0.19% in 2013, p < 0.05). The annual repair cost fell by 32% from 18,758 USD (2012) to 12,820 USD (2013). Besides, the incidence of FOB unavailability plummeted by 71% from 1.4% to 0.4% during the same period. The annual repair rates and incidence of FOB unavailability remained lower in subsequent three years than those before QIP implementation. Conclusion. Implementation of a quality improvement programme was effective for reducing the rate and cost of FOB repair as well as unavailability rate, highlighting its beneficial impact on cost‐effectiveness and patient safety in a tertiary referral center setting.
Association between a TCF4 Polymorphism and Susceptibility to Schizophrenia
Authors: Gao Jia-Yang , Ma Pan , Li Ying , Yan Chun-Xia , Zhang Qian , Yang Xi-Xi , Shi Qiang , Zhang Bao , Wen Xiao-Peng
Published: March 2020

The basic helix‐loop‐helix (bHLH) transcription factor 4 (TCF4) had been identified as a susceptibility gene associated with schizophrenia (SCZ) by GWAS, but inconsistent results have been found in other studies. To validate these findings and to reveal the effects of different inheritance models, rs2958182, rs1261085, rs8766, and rs12966547 of the TCF4 gene were genotyped in the Northwest Han Chinese population (448 cases and 628 controls) via a multiplex polymerase chain reaction SNPscan assay. Single SNP, genotype, and association analyses with three different models were performed. We observed genotype and allele distributions of four SNPs that showed nonsignificant associations in the Northwest Han Chinese population. However, published datasets (51,892 cases and 68,498 controls) were collected and combined with our experimental results to ascertain the association of the TCF4 gene SNPs and SCZ, which demonstrated that rs2958182 (P = 0.003) was a significant signal based on a systematic meta‐analysis. To clarify the biological role of rs2958182, it is important to improve the understanding of the pathophysiology of SCZ.
Impact of Cardiac Rehabilitation on Functional Capacity and Physical Activity after Coronary Revascularization: A Scientific Review
Authors: Prabhu Niramayee V. , Maiya Arun G. , Prabhu Nivedita S.
Published: March 2020

Background. Coronary revascularization procedures often cause lowered exercise capacity and declining physical activity levels. These outcomes are paramount in predicting morbidity and mortality after these procedures. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) focuses on incrementing cardiovascular endurance, exercise capacity, muscle strength, levels of physical activity, and quality of life through health education and lifestyle modification in post-coronary revascularization patients. Objective. To review the impact of cardiac rehabilitation on functional capacity, levels of physical activity, and health related quality of life in patients following coronary revascularization. Methods. A structured literature search in PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and ProQuest for studies focused on CR and its effects on functional capacity, physical activity, and quality of life after coronary revascularization. Results. A total of 2,010 studies were retrieved. Deduplication and eligibility screening included 190 studies after the application of filters. A sum of 21 studies were considered for this review. Most studies reported that exercise and physical activity programs were centre-based and home-based and via telerehabilitation. Treadmill and cycle ergometry training with callisthenics and flexibility exercises in phase 2 CR exhibited significant improvement in functional capacity and physical activity levels in patients after coronary revascularization procedures. Conclusion. Although centre-based supervised CR programs do improve functional capacity after coronary revascularization, home-based or telerehabilitation-based CR programs are feasible, improve patient compliance in improving physical activity, and thereby increase functional capacity. Patient education improves levels of physical activity, health related quality of life, and adherence to home- and centre-based CR programs.
Serum 1,5-Anhydroglucitol to Glycated Albumin Ratio Can Help Early Distinguish Fulminant Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus from Newly Onset Type 1A Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Ying Lingwen , Ma Xiaojing , Shen Yun , Lu Jingyi , Lu Wei , Zhu Wei , Wang Yufei , Bao Yuqian , Zhou Jian
Published: March 2020

Background. Fulminant type 1 diabetes mellitus (FT1DM) onsets abruptly and usually occurs within 1 week after the onset of hyperglycemic symptoms. Glycated albumin (GA) and 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) are indicators that reflect short-term glucose levels. This study was aimed at investigating whether the 1,5-AG/GA index (AGI) is a suitable indicator for early FT1DM identification. Methods. A total of 226 subjects were enrolled, all with glycated hemoglobin A1c HbA1c<8.7%. FT1DM was diagnosed based on the 2012 Japan Diabetes Society criteria. Results. The AGI level was 0.54 (0.17–1.36) in the whole group. It was lower in FT1DM patients (0.16 [0.10–0.25]). Among the participants whose HbA1c did not exceed 7.0%, the AGI of FT1DM decreased significantly compared to type 1A diabetes (T1ADM) and latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) patients (0.16 [0.12–0.26] vs. 0.46 [0.24–0.72] vs. 0.31 [0.19–0.43], both P<0.05). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that AGI can be used to distinguish FT1DM and T1ADM patients with HbA1c<8.7%. Diagnosing FT1DM based on AGI≤0.3 only can help narrow down suspected FT1DM by up to 26.87%. If we diagnosed FT1DM when AGI was ≤0.3 and HbA1c was ≤7.0%, the success rate further increased to 86.57%, among which 85.00% of FT1DM and 87.23% of T1ADM patients were successfully identified. Therefore, using the combination criteria of AGI and HbA1c would improve the differential diagnosis efficacy by 61.11% compared with the AGI criterion only. Conclusion. AGI can help facilitate the early differential diagnosis of FT1DM and T1ADM when HbA1c<8.7%, with an optimal cut-off point of 0.3.
Prevalence and Predictors of Cancellation of Elective Surgical Procedures at a Tertiary Hospital in Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Ogwal Alfred , Oyania Felix , Nkonge Emmanuel , Makumbi Timothy , Galukande Moses
Published: March 2020

Introduction. The cancellation of elective procedures has been shown to waste resources and to have the potential to increase morbidity and mortality among patients. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of the cancellation of elective surgical procedures and to identify the factors associated with these cancellations at Mulago Hospital, a large public hospital in Kampala, Uganda. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 10, 2018, to February 20, 2018. We recruited patients of all ages who were admitted to surgical wards and scheduled for elective surgery. Data on patients’ demographic characteristics and diagnosis, as well as the specialty of the surgery, the planned procedure, the specific operating theatre, cancellation, and the reasons for cancellation were extracted and analyzed using logistic regression. Results. Of a total of 400 cases, 115 procedures were canceled—a cancellation prevalence of 28.8%. Orthopedic surgery had the highest cancellation rate, at 40.9% (n = 47). Facility-related factors were responsible for 67.8% of all cancellations. The most common reason for cancellation was insufficient time in the theatre to complete the procedure on the scheduled day. No procedures were canceled because of a lack of intensive care unit beds. There was a significant association between surgical specialty and cancellation (P<0.05) at multivariate analysis. Conclusion. The prevalence of cancellation of elective surgical procedures at Mulago Hospital was 28.8%, with orthopedic surgery having the highest cancellation rate. Two-thirds of the factors causing cancellations were facility-related, and more than 50% of all cancellations were potentially preventable. Quality-improvement strategies are necessary in the specialties that are susceptible to procedure cancellation because of facility factors.
Enhancement of Chemokine mRNA Expression by Toll‐Like Receptor 2 Stimulation in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Patients with Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Yu Yangyang , Lin Dongxu , Cai Xiaoqiong , Cui Danni , Fang Ran , Zhang Wei , Yu Bo , Wang Xiaomei
Published: March 2020

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease which is often associated with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) colonization. S. aureus ingredients are potential ligands to activate the Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2) and drive inflammatory cytokine or chemokine production. However, the role of TLR2‐mediated chemokine expression in AD development has not been systematically investigated. In this study, we sought to determine the mode of TLR2‐mediated chemokine expression in AD patients. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from AD patients and healthy controls. Upon incubation with TLR2 ligands Pam3CSK4 and PGN, mRNA expression of chemokines, including CCL1, CCL5, CCL8, CCL13, CCL17, CCL18, CCL22, and CCL27, were determined by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) analysis. The results showed that basal mRNA expression of CCL17 in PBMCs from AD patients was upregulated compared with healthy controls, while those of CCL8 and CCL13 were downregulated. When stimulated with TLR2 ligands, the mRNA expression of CCL5, CCL8, CCL13, CCL18, and CCL22 in PBMCs from AD patients was significantly higher than those from healthy controls. The different basal chemokine mRNA expression profiles indicate the different immune status in patients with AD compared with healthy controls. Excessive chemokine mRNA expression induced by TLR2 activation is associated with the development of AD.
Brain Cortical Complexity Alteration in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Preliminary Fractal Dimensionality Study
Authors: Chen Jian-Hua , Huang Nao-Xin , Zou Tian-Xiu , Chen Hua-Jun
Published: March 2020

Objective. Fractal dimensionality (FD) analysis provides a quantitative description of brain structural complexity. The application of FD analysis has provided evidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis‐ (ALS‐) related white matter degeneration. This study is aimed at evaluating, for the first time, FD alterations in a gray matter in ALS and determining its association with clinical parameters. Materials and Methods. This study included 22 patients diagnosed with ALS and 20 healthy subjects who underwent high‐resolution T1‐weighted imaging scanning. Disease severity was assessed using the revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS‐R). The duration of symptoms and rate of disease progression were also assessed. The regional FD value was calculated by a computational anatomy toolbox and compared among groups. The relationship between cortical FD values and clinical parameters was evaluated by Spearman correlation analysis. Results. ALS patients showed decreased FD values in the left precentral gyrus and central sulcus, left circular sulcus of insula (superior segment), left cingulate gyrus and sulcus (middle‐posterior part), right precentral gyrus, and right postcentral gyrus. The FD values in the right precentral gyrus were positively correlated to ALSFRS‐R scores (r = 0.44 and P = 0.023), whereas negatively correlated to the rate of disease progression (r = −0.41 and P = 0.039). Meanwhile, the FD value in the left circular sulcus of the insula (superior segment) was negatively correlated to disease duration (r = −0.51 and P = 0.010). Conclusions. Our results suggest an ALS‐related reduction in structural complexity involving the gray matter. FD analysis may shed more light on the pathophysiology of ALS.
Palmitic Acid-Stearic Acid/Expanded Graphite as Form-Stable Composite Phase-Change Material for Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage
Authors: Zhou Dongyi , Zhou Yuhong , Yuan Jiawei , Liu Yicai
Published: March 2020

The aim of this study is to prepare a novel form-stable phase-change material (PCM), palmitic acid-stearic acid/expanded graphite (PA-SA/EG) PCM, for latent heat thermal energy. A eutectic mixture of palmitic acid and stearic acid is incorporated with expanded graphite (EG). The thermal properties and microstructure of the novel PCMs were studied. The optimal mass ratio of PA-SA in composite PCM is approximately 92.8%. DSC results showed that the novel PCMs had suitable phase-change temperature (Tm: 55.18°C, Tf: 54.91°C) and high latent heat (Hm: 176.2 J/g, Hf: 175.6 J/g), and good thermal performance was maintained after 1500 times thermal cycling. The PA-SA binary eutectic mixture was uniformly distributed in the porous structure of EG, and the PCM did not leak even in molten state. EG had little effect on the thermal properties of the PA-SA binary eutectic mixture and remarkably improved the thermal conductivity of the composite PCMs. TGA test indicated that the composite PCM had nice thermostability in the range of operating temperature. Based on all these results, the PA-SA/EG composite PCM is a promising material for low-temperature thermal energy storage applications.
Some New Oscillation Criteria for Fourth-Order Nonlinear Delay Difference Equations
Authors: Alagesan Kandasamy , Jaikumar Subaramaniyam , Ayyappan Govindasamy
Published: March 2020

In this paper, the authors studied oscillatory behavior of solutions of fourth-order delay difference equation Δc3nΔc2nΔc1nΔun+pnfun−k=0 under the conditions ∑n=n0∞cin<∞, i=1, 2, 3. New oscillation criteria have been obtained which greatly reduce the number of conditions required for the studied equation. Some examples are presented to show the strength and applicability of the main results.
Long-Term Treatment with Fluvoxamine Decreases Nonmotor Symptoms and Dopamine Depletion in a Postnatal Stress Rat Model of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Dallé Ernest , Daniels William M. U. , Mabandla Musa V.
Published: March 2020

Nonmotor symptoms (NMS) such as anxiety, depression, and cognitive deficits are frequently observed in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and precede the onset of motor symptoms by years. We have recently explored the short-term effects of Fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) on dopaminergic neurons in a parkinsonian rat model. Here, we report the long-term effects of Fluvoxamine, on early-life stress-induced changes in the brain and behavior. We specifically evaluated the effects of Fluvoxamine on brain mechanisms that contribute to NMS associated with PD in a unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rat model. A 14-day early postnatal maternal separation protocol was applied to model early-life stress followed by unilateral intracerebral infusion of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) to model aspects of parkinsonism in rats. The anxiolytic, antidepressant, and cognitive effects of Fluvoxamine were confirmed using the elevated plus-maze (EPM) test, sucrose preference test (SPT), and Morris water maze (MWM) test. Further to that, our results showed that animals exposed to early-life stress displayed increased plasma corticosterone and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels which were attenuated by Fluvoxamine treatment. A 6-OHDA lesion effect was evidenced by impairment in the limb-use asymmetry test as well as decreased dopamine (DA) and serotonin levels in the striatum, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus. These effects were surprisingly attenuated by Fluvoxamine treatment in all treated rats. This study is the first to suggest that early and long-term treatment of neuropsychological diseases with Fluvoxamine may decrease the vulnerability of dopaminergic neurons that degenerate in the course of PD.
Energy Requirement of Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Cross-Sectional Study in Multiple Centers
Authors: Wu Pei-Yu , Chen Yu-Tong , Wong Te-Chih , Chen Hsi-Hsien , Chen Tzen-Wen , Chen Tso-Hsiao , Hsu Yung-Ho , Peng Sheng-Jeng , Kuo Ko-Lin , Hung Szu-Chun , Yang Shwu-Huey
Published: March 2020

Background. Energy requirements must be estimated before nutritional care can be provided for patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). However, the recommended caloric intake for patients has not been conclusively determined because of insufficiently large sample sizes. Method. This cross-sectional observational study recruited patients undergoing long-term HD from multiple centers as well as people in the general population without chronic kidney disease. People from both groups were matched by sex and age. Resting energy expenditure (REE) was estimated using an indirect calorimeter. Two commonly used equations for estimating REE and daily energy requirement recommended by the National Kidney Foundation’s Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (K/DOQI) were chosen. Results. This study had 154 HD patients and 33 matched HD–control group pairs. Age (r = −0.36, p<0.01) and dry body weight after dialysis (r = 0.54, p<0.01) were identified as the primary factors affecting total energy expenditure (TEE). When compared with measured energy expenditure, the recommended equations for evaluating energy expenditure, namely, the Harris–Benedict, Schoenfeld, and K/DOQI-recommended equations, were biased and imprecise for HD patients of different sexes and body sizes. Moreover, the TEEs of HD patients (26.8 ± 5.5 kcal/kg/day) and the matched control patients (25.3 ± 5.1 kcal/kg/day) did not significantly differ. Conclusions. Age and dry body weight are the main factors affecting the energy expenditure of HD patients. Furthermore, predicting the energy expenditure of HD patients by measuring the energy expenditure of their sedentary counterparts in the general population with the same sex, age range, and weight may yield better results than using traditional equations for predicting TEE. In East Asian populations, the TEE values were 32 and 30 kcal/kg dry weight for those aged <65 and ≥65 years, respectively. Future prospective cohort studies with larger sample sizes are needed.
Effects of Robot‐Assisted Gait Training in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury: A Meta‐analysis
Authors: Fang Chia-Ying , Tsai Jia-Ling , Li Guo-Sheng , Lien Angela Shin-Yu , Chang Ya-Ju
Published: March 2020

Background. To investigate the effects of robot‐assisted gait training (RAGT) on spasticity and pain in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Material and methods. Four electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Medline, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) were searched for studies published up to November 2019. Only human trials and of English language were included. The searched studies were reviewed and extracted independently by two authors. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non‐RCTs were pooled separately for analyses. Primary outcome measures included spasticity assessed by Ashworth scale (AS) or modified Ashworth scale (MAS) and pain assessed by VAS. Secondary outcome measures included lower extremity motor score (LEMS) and walking ability (i.e., 6‐minute walk test, 10‐meter walk test). Results. A total of 225 studies were identified. Eighteen studies (7 RCTs and 11 non‐RCTs) including 301 subjects met inclusion criteria. The outcome measure of spasticity significantly improved in favor of RAGT group in non‐RCTs (AS: 95%CI = −0.202 to ‐0.068, p ≤ 0.001; MAS: 95%CI = −2.886 to ‐1.412, p ≤ 0.001). The results on pain did not show significant change after RAGT in either RCTs or non‐RCTs. LEMS and walking ability significantly increased in favor of RAGT. Conclusions. RAGT can improve spasticity and walking ability in people with SCI. The probable reason for no significant change in pain after RAGT is floor effect. RAGT is beneficial for normalizing muscle tone and for improving lower extremity function in people with SCI without causing extra pain.
Measure User Intimacy by Mining Maximum Information Transmission Paths
Authors: Guo Lin , Zhang Dongliang
Published: March 2020

The Internet has become an important carrier of information. Its data contain abundant information about hot events, user relations and attitudes, and so on. Many enterprises use high-impact Internet users to promote products, so it is very important to understand the mechanism of information transmission. Mining social network data can help people analyze the complex and changing relationships between users. The traditional method for doing this is to analyze information such as common interests and common friends, but this data cannot truly describe the degree of intimacy between users. What really connects different users on the Internet is the delivery of information. The algorithm proposed in this paper considers the dynamic characteristics of information transmission, finds maximum transmission paths from information transmission results, and finally calculates the intimacy degrees between users according to all the maximum information transmission paths within a certain period.
Existence and Nonexistence of Positive Solutions for High-Order Fractional Differential Equation Boundary Value Problems at Resonance
Authors: Wang Yongqing , Wang Huiqing
Published: March 2020

We investigate positive solution for high-order fractional differential equations with resonant boundary value conditions. By using the spectral theory and the fixed point index theory, both the nonexistence and existence results of the resonant boundary value problems are given.
Case Report: Prolapsed Ureterocele—A Differential Diagnosis of Urethral Cists
Authors: Sales Francisco Renan Doth , Dourado Georgia Alexsandra Colantonio , Ribeiro Ana Carolina Montes , de Holanda Madeira Barros Humberto , Cristino David Sucupira , Castro Antonio Augusto Guterres , Mesquita Francisco José Cabral
Published: March 2020

Ureterocele is a cystic dilatation of submucosal distal ureter. It presents a higher incidence in infants and young children but is rare in adults. The urethral prolapse of ureterocele is extremely rare, and its clinical presentation includes vulvar mass, hematuria, and urinary tract dysfunction. We present a case of ureterocele prolapse in a 45-year-old woman who has a 3-day-evolution vulvar mass and intense urethral bleeding. The patient underwent armed cystoscopy and ureteroscopy, ureterocele resection, and biopsy. She evolved with good postoperative condition and was then discharged.
Reduced Albuminuria and Potassemia Indicate Early Renal Repair Processes after Resynchronization Therapy in Cardiorenal Syndrome Type 2
Authors: Gala-Błądzińska Agnieszka , Romanek Janusz , Mazur Danuta , Stepek Tomasz , Braun Marcin , Szafarz Piotr , Chlebuś Marcin , Przybylski Andrzej
Published: March 2020

Background. Patients with chronic cardiorenal syndrome type 2 (T2-CRS) who qualify for resynchronization therapy (CRT) are exposed perioperatively to potentially nephrotoxic factors including contrast agents and blood loss. Methods. The objective of this prospective interventional study was to assess the effects of CRT on renal function in patients with T2-CRS within the first 48 hours following implantation. Initially, 76 patients (15% female; aged 69 ± 9.56 years) with heart failure (New York Heart Association classes II–IV), ejection fraction ≤ 35%, and QRS > 130 ms were included in the study. During CRT implantation, a nonionic contrast agent (72.2 ± 44.9 mL) was administered. Prior to and 48 hours following implantation, renal function was evaluated using the following serum biomarkers: creatinine (sCr), estimated glomerular filtration rate (using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation [eGFRCKD-EPI]), and the electrolyte and urine biomarkers albumin (uAlb), albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR), and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL). Results. Before CRT, patients classified as NYHA class III or IV had higher uNGAL levels in comparison to uNGAL levels after CRT (43.63 ± 60.02 versus 16.63 ± 18.19; p=0.041). After CRT implantation, uAlb, UACR, and potassium levels were reduced (p<0.05), and uNGAL, sCr, and eGFRCKD-EPI were unchanged. The contrast medium volume did not correlate with the test biomarkers (p>0.05). Conclusions. In patients with T2-CRS, uNGAL is a biomarker of kidney injury that correlates with the NYHA classes. A stable uNGAL value before and after CRT implantation confirms the lack of risk of contrast-induced nephropathy. Reduced albuminuria and blood potassium are biomarkers of improving T2-CRS in the early post-CRT period.
Experimental Study on Physicomechanical Properties of Deep Sandstone by Coupling of Dry‐Wet Cycles and Acidic Environment
Authors: Huang Xin , Pang Jianyong , Liu Guangcheng , Chen Yu
Published: March 2020

Underground engineering, especially deep geotechnical engineering, is often affected alternately by groundwater infiltration and ventilation drying during construction and use. In addition, acid rain, mineral dissolution, acid deposition, and other factors make groundwater acidic. This caused the underground structure to erode and has also threatened its safety and durability. In this study, both the physical and mechanical properties under acid dry‐wet (A‐D‐W) cycles were investigated. Deep sandstone was treated repeatedly under acid cycling, and its physical parameters were measured. Uniaxial compressive strength tests and microtests were carried out. Finally, using a combination of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and backscatter electron images (BSE), the microstructural changes of sandstone under the combined action of an acidic environment and a dry‐wet cycle were described. The test results show that the mass, P‐wave velocity, peak stress, and elastic modulus of sandstone after the A‐D‐W cycles decreased by 0.43%, 7.87%, 70.20%, and 88.10%, respectively. With the increase in the number of cycles, the loss of these indicators increased. However, the peak strain increased with an average increase of 55.8%. In addition, 10 cycles are the critical point for physical and mechanical indicators of the A‐D‐W cycles. After 10 cycles, the changes of various indicators increase rapidly. Microscopic analysis shows that the reasons of this phenomenon were that the specimen was corroded by the sulfuric acid solution, which resulted in the development of pores and cracks and the decline of physical and mechanical properties. Conversely, the development of pores was hindered by sediment, which slowed down the decline rate of the physical and mechanical indexes of specimens, but this phenomenon disappeared with the increase of A‐D‐W cycles. Based on the analysis of the experimental phenomena, the constitutive model of uniaxial compression based on Weibull damage variable has been established in this article, and the model has the best effect in acid solution with less cycle times or pH value of solution greater than 6.
Respiratory Muscle Training Improves Functional Outcomes and Reduces Fatigue in Patients with Myasthenia Gravis: A Single‐Center Hospital‐Based Prospective Study
Authors: Hsu Che-Wei , Lin Hui-Chen , Tsai Wan-Chen , Lai Yun-Ru , Huang Chih-Cheng , Su Yu-Jih , Cheng Ben-Chung , Su Mao-Chang , Lin Wei-Che , Chang Chia-Ling , Chang Wen-Neng , Lin Meng-Chih , Lu Cheng-Hsien , Tsai Nai-Wen
Published: March 2020

Background. Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an immune‐mediated disorder characterized by muscle fatigue and fluctuating weakness. Impairment in respiratory strength and endurance has been described in patients with generalized MG. We tested the hypothesis that respiratory muscle training (RMT) can improve functional outcomes and reduce fatigue in patients with MG. Methods. Eighteen patients with mild to moderate MG participated in this study. The training group underwent home‐based RMT three times a week for 12 weeks. Sixteen patients with MG without RMT were enrolled as a disease control group. Lung function, autonomic testing, Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory‐Short Form (MFSI‐SF), and functional outcome measurement by using quantitative myasthenia gravis (QMG) score and myasthenia gravis composite (MGC) scale were measured before and after the 12‐week RMT. Results. The 12‐week RMT significantly increased forced vital capacity (FVC) from 77.9 ± 12.6% to 83.8 ± 17.7% (p = 0.03), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) from 75.2 ± 18.3% to 83.3 ± 19.0% (p = 0.002), and 6‐minute walking distance from 403.4 ± 72.2 m to 466.1 ± 68.5 m (p = 0.003). The QMG score improved from 9.6 ± 4.1 to 8.1 ± 4.3 (p = 0.04) and the MGC scale from 4.4 ± 3.5 to 2.7 ± 2.9 (p = 0.02). The fatigue score (MFSI‐SF) reduced from 17.1 ± 14.7 to 13.5 ± 16.9 (p = 0.03). Conclusion. The home‐based RMT is an effective pulmonary function training for MG patients. The RMT can not only improve short‐term outcomes but also reduce fatigue in patients with mild to moderate generalized MG.
Alterations of the Predominant Fecal Microbiota and Disruption of the Gut Mucosal Barrier in Patients with Early‐Stage Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Liu Xia , Cheng Yiwen , Shao Li , Ling Zongxin
Published: March 2020

Growing evidence indicated that the gut microbiota was the intrinsic and essential component of the cancer microenvironment, which played vital roles in the development and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). In our present study, we investigated the alterations of fecal abundant microbiota with real‐time quantitative PCR and the changes of indicators of gut mucosal barrier from 53 early‐stage CRC patients and 45 matched healthy controls. We found that the traditional beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium decreased significantly and the carcinogenic bacteria such as Enterobacteriaceae and Fusobacterium nucleatum were significantly increased in CRC patients. We also found gut mucosal barrier dysfunction in CRC patients with increased levels of endotoxin (LPS), D‐lactate, and diamine oxidase (DAO). With Pearson’s correlation analysis, D‐lactate, LPS, and DAO were correlated negatively with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and positively with Enterobacteriaceae and F. nucleatum. Our present study found dysbiosis of the fecal microbiota and dysfunction of the gut mucosal barrier in patients with early‐stage CRC, which implicated that fecal abundant bacteria and gut mucosal barrier indicators could be used as targets to monitor the development and progression of CRC in a noninvasive and dynamic manner.
Using Media to Promote Public Awareness of Early Detection of Kaposi’s Sarcoma in Africa
Authors: Laker-Oketta Miriam , Butler Lisa , Kadama-Makanga Philippa , Inglis Robert , Wenger Megan , Katongole-Mbidde Edward , Maurer Toby , Kambugu Andrew , Martin Jeffrey
Published: March 2020

Background. Despite its hallmark cutaneous presentation, most Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) in Africa is diagnosed too late for effective treatment. Early diagnosis will only be achievable if patients with KS present earlier for care. We hypothesized that public awareness about KS can be enhanced through exposure to common media. Methods. We developed educational messages regarding early detection of KS for the general African public portraying a three-part theme: “Look” (regularly examine one’s skin/mouth), “Show” (bring to the attention of a healthcare provider any skin/mouth changes), and “Test” (ask for a biopsy for definitive diagnosis). We packaged the messages in three common media forms (comic strips, radio, and video) and tested their effect on increasing KS awareness among adults attending markets in Uganda. Participants were randomized to a single exposure to one of the media and evaluated for change in KS-related knowledge and attitudes. Results. Among 420 participants, media exposure resulted in increased ability to identify KS (from 0.95% pretest to 46% posttest); awareness that anyone is at risk for KS (29% to 50%); belief that they may be at risk (63% to 76%); and knowledge that definitive diagnosis requires biopsy (23% to 51%) (all p<0.001). Most participants (96%) found the media culturally appropriate. Conclusion. Exposure to media featuring a theme of “Look,” “Show,” and “Test” resulted in changes in knowledge and attitudes concerning KS among the general public in Uganda. High incidence and poor survival of KS in Africa are an impetus to further evaluate these media, which are freely available online.
Antioxidant and Anti‐Inflammatory Effects of Different Zinc Sources on Diquat‐Induced Oxidant Stress in a Piglet Model
Authors: Guo Jieping , He Liuqin , Li Tiejun , Yin Jie , Yin Yulong , Guan Guiping
Published: March 2020

Zinc (Zn) plays a crucial role in reducing oxidative stress and diarrhea in postweanling piglets. This study is aimed at comparing the effects of zinc chelate of 2‐hydroxy‐4 methyl‐thio butanoic acid (HMZn) and ZnSO4 on the oxidative stress in weaned piglets. A total of 32 piglets were randomly divided into 4 treatments: CON: basal diet+80 mg/kg Zn as ZnSO4; DIQ: basal diet+80 mg/kg Zn as ZnSO4; HMZn: basal diet+200 mg/kg Zn as HMZn; and ZnSO4: basal diet+200 mg/kg Zn as ZnSO4. On day 15, the DIQ, HMZn, and ZnSO4 groups were injected intraperitoneally with diquat except for the CON group. The trial lasted 21 days. The results showed that zinc sources did not influence the growth performance during the first 14 days. But HMZn increased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC) in serum (P < 0.05). After diquat injection, the fecal score was decreased in the HMZn group. Both HMZn and ZnSO4 increased the activities of GPX and T‐AOC in serum and the relative mRNA expressions of hepatic and renal Nrf2, SOD1, and GPX compared with the DIQ group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the relative mRNA expression of inflammatory factors in the small intestine, liver, and kidney was downregulated; the phosphorylation of NF‐κB protein was inhibited in the HMZn group compared with the DIQ and ZnSO4 groups (P < 0.05). In general, HMZn showed notable advantage over ZnSO4 in reducing diarrhea and improving antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory ability in piglets challenged with diquat.
Adsorption of Cr(VI) in Aqueous Solution Using a Surfactant-Modified Bentonite
Authors: Castro-Castro Johnatan D. , Macías-Quiroga Iván F. , Giraldo-Gómez Gloria I. , Sanabria-González Nancy R.
Published: March 2020

Clay minerals can be modified organically by a cationic surfactant resulting in materials known as organoclays. The organoclays have been used as adsorbents of most of the organic contaminants in the aqueous solution and oxyanions of the heavy metal. In this study, a Colombian bentonite was modified with hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide to obtain an organobentonite, and its capacity to adsorb Cr(VI) oxyanions in the aqueous solution was evaluated. The effect of pH, stirring speed, adsorbent amount, contact time, and ionic strength were investigated at 25°C. Stirring speeds above 200 rpm, contact times greater than 120 min, and the addition of NaCl (0.1 to 2.0 mM) did not have a significant effect on Cr(VI) removal. The influence of the adsorbent amount and pH on Cr(VI) adsorption was studied by the response surface methodology (RSM) approach based on a complete factorial design 32. Results proved that the Cr(VI) adsorption follows a quadratic model with high values of coefficient of determination (R2 = 95.1% and adjusted R2 = 93.9%). The optimal conditions for removal of Cr(VI) from an aqueous solution of 50 mg/L were pH of 3.4 and 0.44 g amount of the adsorbent. The adsorption isotherm data were fitted to the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models, and the model parameters were evaluated. The maximum adsorption capacity of Cr(VI) onto organobentonite calculated from the Langmuir model equation was 10.04 ± 0.34 mg/g at 25°C. The results suggest that organobentonite is an effective adsorbent for Cr(VI) removal, with the advantage of being a low-cost material.