bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The oculomotor-tentorial triangle. Part 2: a microsurgical workspace for vascular lesions in the crural and ambient cisterns
Authors: Mascitelli Justin R. , Gandhi Sirin , Tayebi Meybodi Ali , Lawton Michael T.
Published: June 2018

OBJECTIVE

Pathology in the region of the basilar quadrifurcation, anterolateral midbrain, medial tentorium, and interpeduncular and ambient cisterns may be accessed anteriorly via an orbitozygomatic (OZ) craniotomy. In Part 1 of this series, the authors explored the anatomy of the oculomotor-tentorial triangle (OTT). In Part 2, the versatility of the OTT as a surgical workspace for treating vascular pathology is demonstrated.

METHODS

Sixty patients with 61 vascular pathologies treated within or via the OTT from 1998 to 2017 by the senior author were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were grouped together based on pathology/surgical procedure and included 1) aneurysms (n = 19); 2) posterior cerebral artery (PCA)/superior cerebellar artery (SCA) bypasses (n = 24); 3) brainstem cavernous malformations (CMs; n = 14); and 4) tentorial region dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs; n = 4). The majority of patients were approached via an OZ craniotomy, wide sylvian fissure split, and temporal lobe mobilization to widen the OTT.

RESULTS

Aneurysm locations included the P1-P2 junction (n = 7), P2A segment (n = 9), P2/3 (n = 2), and basilar quadrification (n = 1). Aneurysm treatments included clip reconstruction (n = 12), wrapping (n = 3), proximal occlusion (n = 2), and trapping with (n = 1) or without (n = 1) bypass. Pathologies in the bypass group included vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI; n = 3) and aneurysms of the basilar trunk (n = 13), basilar apex (n = 4), P1 PCA (n = 2), and s1 SCA (n = 2). Bypasses included M2 middle cerebral artery (MCA)–radial artery graft (RAG)–P2 PCA (n = 8), M2 MCA–saphenous vein graft (SVG)–P2 PCA (n = 3), superficial temporal artery (STA)–P2 PCA (n = 5) or STA–s1 SCA (n = 3), s1 SCA–P2 PCA (n = 1), V3 vertebral artery (VA)–RAG–s1 SCA (n = 1), V3 VA–SVG–P2 PCA (n = 1), anterior temporal artery–s1 SCA (n = 1), and external carotid artery (ECA)–SVG–s1 SCA (n = 1). CMs were located in the midbrain (n = 10) or pontomesencephalic junction (n = 4). dAVFs drained into the tentorial, superior petrosal, cavernous, and sphenobasal sinuses. High rates of aneurysm occlusion (79%), bypass patency (100%), complete CM resection (86%), and dAVF obliteration (100%) were obtained. The overall rate of permanent oculomotor nerve palsy was 8.3%. The majority of patients in the aneurysm (94%), CM (93%), and dAVF (100%) groups had stable or improved modified Rankin Scale scores.

CONCLUSIONS

The OTT is an important anatomical triangle and surgical workspace for vascular lesions in and around the crural and ambient cisterns. The OTT can be used to approach a wide variety of vascular pathologies in the region of the basilar quadrifurcation and anterolateral midbrain.
Modeling the invention of a new inference rule: The case of ‘Randomized Clinical Trial’ as an argument scheme for medical science
Authors: Schneider Jodi , Jackson Sally
Published: June 2018

A background assumption of this paper is that the repertoire of inference schemes available to humanity is not fixed, but subject to change as new schemes are invented or refined and as old ones are obsolesced or abandoned. This is particularly visible in areas like health and environmental sciences, where enormous societal investment has been made in finding ways to reach more dependable conclusions. Computational modeling of argumentation, at least for the discourse in expert fields, will require the possibility of modeling change in a stock of schemes that may be applied to generate conclusions from data. We examine Randomized Clinical Trial, an inference scheme established within medical science in the mid-20th Century, and show that its successful defense by means of practical reasoning allowed for its black-boxing as an inference scheme that generates (and warrants belief in) conclusions about the effects of medical treatments. Modeling the use of a scheme is well-understood; here we focus on modeling how the scheme comes to be established so that it is available for use.
Towards mining scientific discourse using argumentation schemes
Authors: Green Nancy L.
Published: June 2018

The dominant approach to argument mining has been to treat it as a machine learning problem based upon superficial text features, and to treat the relationships between arguments as either support or attack. However, accurately summarizing argumentation in scientific research articles requires a deeper understanding of the text and a richer model of relationships between arguments. First, this paper presents an argumentation scheme-based approach to mining a class of biomedical research articles. Argumentation schemes implemented as logic programs are formulated in terms of semantic predicates that could be obtained from a text by use of biomedical/biological natural language processing tools. The logic programs can be used to extract the underlying scheme name, premises, and implicit or explicit conclusion of an argument. Then this paper explores how arguments in a research article occur within a narrative of scientific discovery, how they are related to each other, and some implications.
Metabolic and physiologic profile during the fruit ripening of three blueberries highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum) cultivars
Authors: Montecchiarini M.L. , Bello F. , Rivadeneira M.F. , Vázquez D. , Podestá F.E. , Tripodi K.E.J.
Published: June 2018

BACKGROUND: Blueberry was introduced as a crop in Argentina about 30 years ago. Its harvesting period ranges from September to December, during the northern hemisphere (its main export destination) fall season, which makes it a profitable commercial crop. As most part of the production is exported fresh, the understanding of biochemical aspects connected with fruit firmness is crucial to improve marketable conditions. OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of this work is to explore the metabolic and physiologic changes in three highbush blueberry cultivars during maturation and the possible association with their contrasting firmness features. METHODS: Vaccinium corymbosum cv. ‘Emerald’, ‘Snowchaser’ and ‘O’Neal’, in order of decreasing firmness, were collected at green and ripe stages. Metabolites were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and HPLC. Total phenolic compounds, pectin methyl esterase (PME) and β-galactosidase activities were quantified by colorimetric assays. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis of metabolites differentiated fruit regarding their maturation state in the first place. Malic, citric and phosphoric acids, asparagine (Asn) and mannitol were more abundant in green fruits. Conversely, mature fruits were distinguished by their higher content of citrulline and turanose. Other compounds were responsible for the differentiation between varieties: histidine (His), valine (Val), arginine (Arg), methionine (Met) and sucrose where high in ripe Snowchaser, while green and ripe Emerald had more tryptophane (Trp), glycine (Gly), phenylalanine (Phe), Trp, Gly and glucose. An interesting finding is that Emerald, the firmer variety, had less xylose content at both stages, possibly owing to a minor degree of cell wall degradation. Fold change of PME and β-galactosidase activity from green to ripe fruit demonstrated a divergent tendency in Emerald and Snowchaser compared to O’Neal. A correlation study strongly and positively connected firmness with citric acid and phenylalanine (Phe) content, while xylose, leucine (Leu) and shikimic acid were negatively related to this attribute. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that changes in the content of a few metabolite and activities of cell wall modifying enzymes during maturation period could be correlated with the observed difference in firmness of the blueberries studied. These findings may yield clues for improvements in fertilization protocols as well as to serve to the guided development of new varieties based on biochemical quality traits.
Early Contractor and Facility Management Team Involvement in the BIM Environment
Authors: Wang Hao , Meng Xianhai , McGetrick Patrick J.
Published: June 2018

Knowledge is the resource that contributes the most to an organisation’s competitiveness. Construction projects usually introduce project teams from different disciplines. Hence, knowledge in projects is complex and difficult to manage. To efficiently manage knowledge in projects, various strategies and tools have been applied over the years to support knowledge management (KM). Building information modelling (BIM) is a technology that has recently gained a lot of attention in the construction industry. The main feature of BIM is object-oriented and parametric modelling with the functions of dynamic visualisation, life cycle simulation, early analysis, coordination and collaborative working. Many studies have explored the functions of BIM mainly at the information level. However, only a few studies have considered the management of knowledge in a BIM environment. To fill this knowledge gap, this study explored the potential and expectation of a BIM-based system for early collaboration among contractor, facility management (FM) and design teams in the design stage. This study chose semi-structured interview as the main method to collect qualitative information. A total of 30 experts working in the construction industry were interviewed. On the basis of the analysis results of the collected information, a discussion was presented on how BIM can facilitate KM activities and relieve KM challenges. Therefore, the discussion focused on the requirements and expectations of the integrated KM system in a BIM environment that can facilitate the early involvement of construction contractors and the FM team into the design stage. This study also provides a new research direction for the transformation of research focus from BIM to building knowledge modelling. This paper is the revised version of the paper that has been published in the proceedings of the Creative Construction Conference 2018 (Wang et al., 2018).
Pain Threshold, Pain Severity and Sensory Effects of Pain in Fibromyalgia Syndrome Patients: A new scale study
Authors: Ankarali Handan , Ataoglu Safinaz , Ankarali Seyit , Guclu Hasan
Published: June 2018

Objectives: The aim of this study to develop a new scale to evaluate pain threshold, sensory effects of pain and pain severity in patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS).Material and Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey study and a questionnaire was administered to 52 voluntary patients diagnosed with FMS. In the proposed scale, thereare six questions about severe and less severe pain experience,two questions about the pain severity and sensory effect of FMS. In statistical analysis we used reliability analysis, factor analysis for construct validity, and other statistical tests to compare differences.Results: Exploratory factor analysis showed construct validity of the scale, and detected three factors. The internal consistency of the items of the scale was statistically significant. The agreement between the scores was good. Based on the answers, the patients were divided into two groups as low and high pain thresholds. There was no significant difference between these two groups in terms of severity of pain and sensory change due to fibromyalgia. In addition, the severity of pain in patients is lower than headache and at the level of stomachache and toothache.Discussion and Conclusion: The proposed scale allows the assessment of pain severity to be more detailed and paying attention to visually, it allows determining the pain threshold. It is suggested to compare the pain threshold determined by this scale with the pain threshold determined by different methods.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.17(3) 2018 p.342-350
Comparative study on differences in lung parameter between the obese and non obese collegiate sedentary students
Authors: Yen Jessie Kho S’Sia , Bharathi Mahadevi , B Arun
Published: June 2018

Background: Obesity is a chronic and complex disorder which is characterized by an excessive accumulation of body fat that affects the normal healthy body. Obesity will influences functions of various systems in the body. Fat accumulation may influence lung function which might deteriorate respiratory well-being. Studies have identified those obese individuals prone to have respiratory symptoms like dyspnea when compared with non obese individuals.Method: So this study aims to find out the lung parameter differences between the obese and non obese collegiate students. Cross sectional study design which involves 80 collegiate students was selected for this study using non probability sampling method. Based on the BMI the students were classified as Obese and Non obese.Result: 40 students with obesity (Class I) and 40 students were non obese all students were ranged with the age group of 18—32 yrs. Once the consent was obtained from the participants all are asked to do the tasks which include six minute walk test and spirometry.Conclusion: The walking time and the FVC, FEV1/FVC & PEFR values were identified. Inferential statistics were done between the groups and the study shows that there was significant differences exist in the walking time and the FVC, FEV1/FVC values between Obese and Non obese individuals.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.17(3) 2018 p.351-354
Study on the Length and the Breadths of Tendoachilles of Human Cadaver
Authors: Nahar Lutfun , Seraji Ahmad , Fahmi Soniya , Afreen Khandaker Nadia , Aktar Mahbuba , Any Omma Hafsa
Published: June 2018

Background: Tendoachilles is the chief plantar flexor of the ankle joint. The present study was conducted to find out the possible variations of tendoachilles between the right and the left leg of both male and female.Materials and methods: A cross sectional observational study was conducted in the department of Anatomy, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, from July 2013 to June 2014. The data were collected from both the right and the left tendoachilles of 60 human cadavers taken from Anatomy Departments of different Government and Nongovernment Medical Colleges in Dhaka city. Among the 60 cadavers, 30 were male and 30 were female. After dissection, the length of tendoachilles and the breadths at different levels of tendoachilles were measured and recorded.Results: The mean length of tendoachilles was significantly greater in the right than in the left leg of both male and female. The tendoachilles was longer in male than in female in both the right and the left leg (P<0.01). There was significant positive correlation between the height of cadaver and the length of tendoachilles of both the right leg and the left leg in case of male. Positive correlation was also observed between the height of cadaver and the length of tendoachilles of both the legs in case of female, but that was not statistically significant. The mean breadths of tendoachilles were significantly greater in the right leg than in the left leg at its junction with gastrocnemius and at the level of its junction with calcaneus in both male and female and also in male than in female in both legs. Significant difference was observed between the breadth of right and left tendoachilles at the level of 4 cm above its junction with calcaneus in male but not in female (P>0.05).Conclusion: Significantly greater values were observed in the length and in most of the breadths of tendoachilles in the right leg of both sexes and in male in both legs. There was significant positive correlation between the height of cadaver and the length of tendoachilles of both legs in case of male, but, not in female.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.17(3) 2018 p.388-394
An analysis of NESTROFT and Red cell indices in evaluating antenatal mothers for Beta Thalassemia trait
Authors: Safia Rana , Jairajpuri Zeeba S , Khetrapal Shaan , Hassan MJ , Gupta Monika , Jetley Sujata
Published: June 2018

Background: The frequency of thalassemia trait is about 3% worldwide, while in developing countries like India, it is a major cause of burden on the health care system. Naked eye single tube red cell osmotic fragility test (NESTROFT) used in population screening for beta thalassemia trait. It is a simple, low cost, reliable and most suitable screening test for β BTT, with a sensitivity of 99.8% in regions with high prevalence rates.Material &Methods: The present study was conducted in the Department of Pathology and included a total of 174 antenatal cases, attending the Out Patient Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of a tertiary health care center in New Delhi between June 2011 to January 2012. The aim of the study was to screen mothers antenatally for early detection of BTT and to test the validity of NESTROFT in detection of thalassemic carriers of this area.Results: 174 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics were screened for detecting hemoglobinopathy with the help of NESTROFT, red cell indices, haemoglobin electrophoresis and HPLC It was seen that only four cases were BTT while ten were of microcytic anaemia and two had normal red cell indices.Conclusion: antenatal diagnosis of BTT is an important screening programme to reduce the burden of birth of children suffering from thalassemia and other hemoglobinopathies.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.17(3) 2018 p.411-416
Analysis of Problems Posed in Problem Based Learning Cases: Nature, Sequence of Discloser and Connectivity with Learning Issues
Authors: Salam Abdus , Yaman Mohamad Nurman , Hashim Rahanawati , Suhaimi Farihah Hj , Zakaria Zaiton , Mohamad Nabishah
Published: June 2018

Background: Problems posed in problem based learning (PBL) cases used during pre-clinical teaching-framework are typically a set of descriptions of events in need of explanations and resolution. The objectives of this study were to analyze the problems in PBL cases aimed to suggest areas for improvement.Methods: It was a review of cases used in PBL in undergraduate medical curriculum at UKM Medical Centre. Problems in PBL cases were labeled as ‘Triggers’ and ‘Patient Information Sheets’ which were disclosed as prescribed in structured facilitators’ guide. Six of the 10 PBL cases used in semester-1, session 2013-2014 were selected randomly for analysis.Results: Problems in 50% cases were overloaded and in 50% cases sequences of problem-disclosure were disorderly-labeled, though the flow of descriptions were alright. Averagely, 82% faculty-intended learning issues prescribed in facilitators’ guide were connected with problems. Unconnected learning issues were the result of faculty directed teacher-centered approach of guidance, while important learning issues that could have been derived against problems were un-identified.Conclusion: Connectivity of average 82% faculty-intended learning issues with problems reflect as good quality of PBL problems in UKM Medical Centre. However, problem disclosers in disorderly-labeled fashion, unconnected and unidentified issues against some problems in spite of conducting a good numbers of faculty development workshops, raised the issue of needs of further research on standard of training workshops. Educational leaders should give due importance on professionalism and needs of high-quality training for faculty to enhance PBL skills either by utilizing and mobilizing existing properly trained faculty or by hiring appropriate trained faculty.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.17(3) 2018 p.417-423
Maternal outcome in pregnant women with anaemia
Authors: Singal Neerja , Setia Geetanjali , Taneja Bal Krishan , Singal Kiran Kumar
Published: June 2018

Background: Anaemia in pregnancy is one of the most important and common public health problem not only in India but also in most of the South East Asian countries. Anaemia is the most common nutritional deficiency disorder in the world. There is predominance of iron deficiency anaemia (nutritional anaemia). In pregnancy, it is one of the leading causes responsible for maternal morbidity and mortality.Objective: To find out the maternal outcome in pregnant women with anaemia at MMIMSR during the study period with special reference to the severity of the disease.Methods: The study was conducted in Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, MMIMSR, Mullana, Ambala(India). The study was carried out between the period of october 2012 to September 2014.A total of 200 cases of moderate and severe anaemia were included in the study on the basis of simple random sampling method and 200 cases of non anaemic subjects were included to serve as controls for the anaemic group, during the study period. Hb gm/dl was taken as criteria for deciding anaemia cases and also to classify them according to the severity. Cases were classified according to WHO criteria.Results: Out of 200 cases of anaemia, 70% were moderately anaemic (Hb 7 – 9.9gm/dl) and 30% were severly anaemic (Hb < 7gm/dl). Microcytic hypochromic type of anaemia (82.5%) was more prevalent suggesting nutritional inadequacies as cause of anaemia. Higher incidence of preterm (17%), PPH (7.5%), maternal morbidity (14.5%) was found in anaemic group as compared to non anaemic controls.Conclusion: Anaemia in pregnancy has adverse maternal outcome in the form of maternal morbidity, preterm labour, and increased incidence of operative delivery.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.17(3) 2018 p.446-454
Chondro-osseous Respiratory Epithelial Adenomatoid Hamartoma (COREAH) : A rare entity of nasal mass
Authors: Idris Anuar Idwan , Ramli Ramiza Ramza , Sadja’ahSachlin Ida
Published: June 2018

Chondro-osseous respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma (COREAH) is an extremely rare benign lesion of the nose and paranasal sinuses. Clinically the lesion presents as a polypoid mass and histologically can be easily confused with more threatening tumors such as inverted papilloma and sinonasal carcinoma. A correct and accurate diagnosis is really important as all of these lesions are treated by different surgical approach. Here we report a case of COREAH in a middle-age lady who presented with unilateral nasal mass with chronic nasal obstruction.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.17(3) 2018 p.489-492
Prediction of difficult airway by thyromental height test- a comparison with modified mallampati test.
Authors: Nurullah Md , Alam Md Shah , Hossen Mahmud , Shahnawaz Marufa
Published: June 2018

Background: Management of airway is central to the Practice of anaesthesia. One of the anaesthesiologist fundamental roles is to maintain a patent airway at a all times.Maintaining a patent airway is essential for adequate oxygenation and ventilation and failure to do so, even for a brief period of time, can be life threatening. Recently, thyromental height test (TMHT) has been proposed as one of the highly sensitive and specific bedside tests to predict difficult airway.Objective: To assess the predictivity of thyromental height test in comparison to modified Mallampati test.Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in Anesthesiology department of ISMCH during the period of January, 2015 to December, 2016. A total number of 139 consecutive patients scheduled for elective surgical procedure under general anaesthesia requiring intubation having American Society of Anesthesiologists grading I-II. Statistical analyses of the results were obtained by SPSS-20. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of Thyromental height test and Modified mallampati scoring in diagnosis of difficult airway were calculated.Results: Most (74.4) of the patients belonged to age ≤50 years. Male to female ratio was 1.01:1. Majority 91(65.5%) patients had thyromental height of ≥50 mm. In the diagnosis of difficult airway, Thyromental height test was 92.7% sensitivity, 93.5% specificity, 93.5% accuracy and 85.4% positive predictive values, 97.8% negative predictive value, 13.1% positive likelihood ratio, 0.05 negative likelihood ratio. On the other hand Modified mallampati scoring was 48.8% sensitivity, 92.7% specificity, 79.1% accuracy, 75.0% positive predictive values, 80.2% negative predictive value, 6.7% positive likelihood ratio, 0.55 negative likelihood ratio for prediction of difficult airway.Conclusions: It can be concluded that the thyromental height is useful diagnostic modality for predicting difficult airway.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.17(3) 2018 p.455-461
‘Who shall now lead?’ The Politics of Paratexts in Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, Cantos I–II
Authors: Coole Julia
Published: June 2018

Until Childe Harold's Pilgrimage (1812–18), Byron was on the edge of fame. He broke this barrier through his European Tour (1809–11) which provided inspiration for the famous poem. Whilst extending social boundaries, through his meeting with Ali Pasha, Byron expanded the itinerary of the traditional ‘Grand Tour’ to include land, like Albania, previously unmarked by British boots. Byron mirrors his pioneering travel practices in his fiction. On the edges of Childe Harold are footnotes that cover anthropological, topographical, and autobiographical ground, advancing cultural understanding of areas either neglected or misrepresented by previous writers. I argue that, through revisions of these footnotes, Byron sought to dispel and correct myths relating to obscure European nations, perpetuated by ‘irresponsible’ accounts of previous travellers and in doing so strove to educate his readership on the benefits of informed, reasoned debates, built on empirical knowledge. This article establishes a link between Byron's poetry and politics to assess how far his demand for objectivity in literature bled into his political ambitions.
Spatial Memory Dysfunction Induced by Vitamin C Deficiency Is Associated with Changes in Monoaminergic Neurotransmitters and Aberrant Synapse Formation
Authors: Hansen Stine Normann , Schou-Pedersen Anne Marie V. , Lykkesfeldt Jens , Tveden-Nyborg Pernille
Published: June 2018

Vitamin C (vitC) is important in the developing brain, acting both as an essential antioxidant and as co-factor in the synthesis and metabolism of monoaminergic neurotransmitters. In guinea pigs, vitC deficiency results in increased oxidative stress, reduced hippocampal volume and neuronal numbers, and deficits in spatial memory. This study investigated the effects of 8 weeks of either sufficient (923 mg vitC/kg feed) or deficient (100 mg vitC/kg feed) levels of dietary vitC on hippocampal monoaminergic neurotransmitters and markers of synapse formation in young guinea pigs with spatial memory deficits. Western blotting and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used to quantify the selected markers. VitC deficiency resulted in significantly reduced protein levels of synaptophysin (p = 0.016) and a decrease in 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid/5-hydroxytryptamine ratio (p = 0.0093). Protein expression of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor subunit 1 and monoamine oxidase A were reduced, albeit not reaching statistical significance (p = 0.0898 and p = 0.067, respectively). Our findings suggest that vitC deficiency induced spatial memory deficits might be mediated by impairments in neurotransmission and synaptic development.
Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Spectroscopy and Microfluidics: Towards Ultrasensitive Label-Free Sensing
Authors: Kant Krishna , Abalde-Cela Sara
Published: June 2018

Raman scattering and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy have demonstrated their potential as ultrasensitive detection techniques in the past decades. Specifically, and as a result of the flourishing of nanotechnology, SERS is nowadays one of the most powerful sensing techniques, not only because of the low detection limits that it can achieve, but also for the structural information that it offers and its capability of multiplexing. Similarly, microfluidics technology is having an increased presence not only in fundamental research, but also in the industry. The latter is because of the intrinsic characteristics of microfluidics, being automation, high-throughput, and miniaturization. However, despite miniaturization being an advantage, it comes together with the need to use ultrasensitive techniques for the interrogation of events happening in extremely small volumes. The combination of SERS with microfluidics can overcome bottlenecks present in both technologies. As a consequence, the integration of Raman and SERS in microfluidics is being investigated for the label-free biosensing of relevant research challenges.
Acid–Base Bifunctional Hf Nanohybrids Enable High Selectivity in the Catalytic Conversion of Ethyl Levulinate to γ-Valerolactone
Authors: Wu Weibo , Li Yan , Li Hu , Zhao Wenfeng , Yang Song
Published: June 2018

The catalytic upgrading of bio-based platform molecules is a promising approach for biomass valorization. However, most solid catalysts are not thermally or chemically stable, and are difficult to prepare. In this study, a stable organic phosphonate–hafnium solid catalyst (PPOA–Hf) was synthesized, and acid–base bifunctional sites were found to play a cooperative role in the cascade transfer hydrogenation and cyclization of ethyl levulinate (EL) to γ-valerolactone (GVL). Under relatively mild reaction conditions of 160 °C for 6 h, EL was completely converted to GVL with a good yield of 85%. The apparent activation energy was calculated to be 53 kJ/mol, which was lower than other solid catalysts for the same reaction. In addition, the PPOA-Hf solid catalyst did not significantly decrease its activity after five recycles, and no evident leaching of Hf was observed, indicating its high stability and potential practical application.
On the Dwarf Galaxy Rotation Curve Diversity Problem
Authors: Del Popolo Antonino , Le Delliou Morgan , Lee Xiguo
Published: June 2018

In this paper, we show how baryonic physics can solve the problem of the striking diversity in dwarf galaxy rotation curves shapes. To this aim, we compare the distribution of galaxies of the SPARC sample, in the plane V2kpc-VRlast (V2kpc being the galaxy rotation velocity at 2 kpc, and VRlast being the outermost one), with that of galaxies that we simulated, taking account of baryonic effects. The scatter in the rotation curves in the V2kpc-VRlast plane, as well as the trend of the SPARC sample, and our simulated galaxy distribution is in good agreement. The solution of the “diversity” problem lies in the ability of the baryonic process to produce non-self-similar haloes, contrary to DM-only simulations. We show also that baryonic effects can reproduce the rotation curves of galaxies such as IC2574, which are characterized by a slow rise in radius. A solution to the diversity problem can be obtained taking the baryon physics effects appropriately into account.
Molecular Cloning and Effects of Tm14-3-3ζ-Silencing on Larval Survivability Against E. coli and C. albicans in Tenebrio molitor
Authors: Seong Jeong Hwan , Jo Yong Hun , Seo Gi Won , Park Soyi , Park Ki Beom , Cho Jun Ho , Ko Hye Jin , Kim Chang Eun , Patnaik Bharat Bhusan , Jun Sung Ah , Choi Yong Seok , Kim Young Wook , Bang In Seok , Lee Yong Seok , Han Yeon Soo
Published: June 2018

The 14-3-3 family of proteins performs key regulatory functions in phosphorylation-dependent signaling pathways including cell survival and proliferation, apoptosis, regulation of chromatin structure and autophagy. In this study, the zeta isoform of 14-3-3 proteins (designated as Tm14-3-3ζ) was identified from the expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) database of the coleopteran pest, Tenebrio molitor. Tm14-3-3ζ messenger RNA (mRNA) is expressed at higher levels in the immune organs of the larval and adult stages of the insect and exhibit almost five-fold induction within 3 h post-infection of the larvae with Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. To investigate the biological function of Tm14-3-3ζ, a peptide-based Tm14-3-3ζ polyclonal antibody was generated in rabbit and the specificity was confirmed using Western blot analysis. Immunostaining and confocal microscopic analyses indicate that Tm14-3-3ζ is mainly expressed in the membranes of midgut epithelial cells, the nuclei of fat body and the cytosol of hemocytes. Gene silencing of Tm14-3-3ζ increases mortality of the larvae at 7 days post-infection with E. coli and C. albicans. Our findings demonstrate that 14-3-3ζ in T. molitor is essential in the host defense mechanisms against bacteria and fungi.
Site Characterization by Dynamic In Situ and Laboratory Tests for Liquefaction Potential Evaluation during Emilia Romagna Earthquake
Authors: Cavallaro Antonio , Capilleri Piera , Grasso Salvatore
Published: June 2018

To investigate the geotechnical soil properties of Emilia Romagna Region, a large series of in situ tests, laboratory tests and geophysical tests have been performed, particularly at the damaged city of Scortichino—Bondeno. Deep site investigations have been undertaken for the site characterization of the soil also along the Burana-Scortichino levee. Borings, Piezocone tests (CPTU) and dynamic in situ tests have been performed. Among them, Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves test (MASW) and Seismic Dilatometer Marchetti Tests (SDMT) have been also carried out, with the aim to evaluate the soil profile of shear wave velocity (Vs). Resonant Column Tests (RCT) were also performed in laboratory on reconstituted solid cylindrical specimens. The Seismic Dilatometer Marchetti Tests were performed up to a depth of 32 m. The results show a very detailed and stable shear wave profile. The shear wave profiles obtained by SDMT have been compared with other laboratory tests. A comparison between the in situ small shear strain, laboratory shear strain and shear strain obtained by empirical correlations, was also performed. Finally, using the results of SDMT tests, soil liquefaction phenomena have been analyzed with a new procedure based on SDMT, using the soil properties obtained by field and laboratory tests.
A Stab in the Dark: A Case Report of an Atypical Presentation of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)
Authors: McCausland Beth , Desai David , Havard David , Kaur Yasmin , Yener Asalet , Bradley Emma , Patel Harnish P.
Published: June 2018

Background: Giant cell arteritis/temporal arteritis (GCA) is an inflammatory condition that affects large to medium vessels such as the aorta and its primary branches. Patients classically present with fatigue, fever, headache, jaw claudication and in severe cases, may suffer either transient (amaurosis fugax) or permanent visual loss. The reference standard for diagnosis is the temporal artery biopsy (TAB) and the mainstay of treatment is with immunosuppression. Our patient JG, presented with a range of non-specific symptoms that mimicked generalised sepsis, but was ultimately diagnosed with GCA through effective, methodical multi-disciplinary team (MDT) work. Clinical case: JG, an 81 year old gentleman, presented acutely with a 3–4 weeks history of fatigue, lethargy, pyrexia and a marked inflammatory response suggestive of a sepsis but without a clear primary source or clinical features of vasculitis. His inflammatory markers were markedly raised although his erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was not elevated. He was initially treated for sepsis of unknown origin however, body imaging after admission suggested a possible infection around a previous aortic graft site. This was refuted in subsequent 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET/CT) scanning. Microbiological, parasitic, as well as autoimmune assays were unremarkable. He underwent a TAB which was diagnostic for GCA and as a result, was started on oral corticosteroids with immediate symptom relief. He was discharged and followed up on an outpatient basis. Conclusions: This case highlights how a vasculitis can present with a range of non-specific symptoms that may resemble a fever of unknown origin (FUO)/sepsis that can lead to a delay in making the correct diagnosis. It also highlights the importance of considering a diagnosis of vasculitis in patients who present with a FUO where there is no clear focus of infection. Delays in diagnosis and management of these conditions can potentially lead to significant irreversible morbidity.
Characterization of Bacterial Communities and Their Antibiotic Resistance Profiles in Wastewaters Obtained from Pharmaceutical Facilities in Lagos and Ogun States, Nigeria
Authors: Obayiuwana Amarachukwu , Ogunjobi Adeniyi , Yang Min , Ibekwe Mark
Published: June 2018

In Nigeria, pharmaceutical wastewaters are routinely disseminated in river waters; this could be associated with public health risk to humans and animals. In this study, we characterized antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and their antibiotic resistance profile as well as screening for sul1 and sul2 genes in pharmaceutical wastewater effluents. Bacterial composition of the wastewater sources was isolated on non-selective media and characterized by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the 16S rRNA genes, with subsequent grouping using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and sequencing. The antibiotics sensitivity profiles were investigated using the standard disk diffusion plate method and the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of selected antibiotics on the bacterial isolates. A total of 254 bacterial strains were isolated, and majority of the isolates were identified as Acinetobacter sp., Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis, Enterobacter sp. and Bacillus sp. A total of 218 (85.8%) of the bacterial isolates were multidrug resistant. High MICs values were observed for all antibiotics used in the study. The result showed that 31.7%, 21.7% and 43.3% of the bacterial isolates harbored sul1, sul2, and Intl1 genes, respectively. Pharmaceuticals wastewaters are potential reservoirs of ARBs which may harbor resistance genes with possible risk to public health.
Impact of the New Cooperative Medical Scheme on the Rural Residents’ Hospitalization Medical Expenses: A Five-Year Survey Study for the Jiangxi Province in China
Authors: Xie Fei , Jiang Xiaoqing , Yuan Fang , Chen Xiaoyun , Yuan Zhaokang , Lu Yuanan
Published: June 2018

This survey study was conducted to understand the effect of the New Cooperative Medical Scheme (NCMS) on farmers’ medical expenses through comparing the information from five investigations and to obtain a scientific basis for a more applicable NCMS. The survey was carried out through interviewing farmers in their homes. The multi-phase stratified cluster random sampling was adopted to select 3 counties from all 92 counties of the Jiangxi province, 9 townships from the 3 selected counties, 27 villages from the selected 9 townships, and 60 families from each village between 2006 and 2014, and a longitudinal comparative analysis was conducted. The numbers of households/overall sample for the five years were 1924/8082, 1879/8015, 1885/7506, 1890/7857, and 1896/7811, respectively. We collected family members’ social demographic characteristics, health resources, and peoples’ health and medical expenses and reimbursement of each family member. The adjusted hospitalization expenses per capita of township hospitals and county hospitals were totally on a rising trend. However, the costs of tertiary hospitals were on a decreasing tendency. In addition, the expenses for county hospitalization per admission were on an upward trend in general. Furthermore, the total hospitalization expenses and reimbursement per capita (the insurance paid out for the hospitalization expenses) were also all on an upward trend. The proportion of reimbursement also had a tendency of increasing from 24.41% in 2006 to 41.34% in 2014. The costs paid from farmers’ pockets were fluctuated, but in general all lower than the costs in 2006. Furthermore, the percentage of hospitalization expenses from farmers’ annual incomes gradually decreased each year from 56.38% in 2006 to 26.58% in 2014. NCMS program has had an obvious impact on the hospitalization expenses in the Jiangxi rural area. It reduced the hospitalization expenses of the tertiary hospitals significantly. In addition, the program has also encouraged farmers to get more health care. However, there are still some shortages associated with present construction of the NCMS. Hence, there is a need for local government to continue to take effective countermeasures to control the rising trend of hospitalization expense.
Is Nature Relatedness Associated with Better Mental and Physical Health?
Authors: Dean Julie H. , Shanahan Danielle F. , Bush Robert , Gaston Kevin J. , Lin Brenda B. , Barber Elizabeth , Franco Lara , Fuller Richard A.
Published: June 2018

Nature relatedness is a psychological characteristic with the potential to drive interaction with nature and influence well-being. We surveyed 1538 people in Brisbane, Australia to investigate how nature relatedness varies among socio-demographic groups. We determined whether people with higher nature relatedness reported fewer symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress and better overall health, controlling for potentially confounding socio-demographic and health-related variables. Overall nature relatedness was higher in older people, females, those without children living at home, not working, and people speaking English at home. Aspects of nature relatedness reflecting enjoyment of nature were consistently associated with reduced ill health, consistent with widespread evidence of the health and well-being benefits of experiencing nature. In contrast, aspects of nature relatedness reflecting self-identification with nature, and a conservation worldview, were associated with increased depression, anxiety or stress, after accounting for potential confounding factors. Detailed investigation of causal pathways among nature relatedness, socio-demographic factors and health is warranted, with particular focus on the relationship between stress and nature orientation.
Multi-Objective Optimisation Based Planning of Power-Line Grid Expansions
Authors: Bachmann Daniel , Bökler Fritz , Kopec Jakob , Popp Kira , Schwarze Björn , Weichert Frank
Published: June 2018

German nuclear power phase out in 2022 leads to significant reconstruction of the energy transmission system. Thus, efficient identification of practical transmission routes with minimum impact on ecological and economical interests is of growing importance. Due to the sensitivity of Germany’s public to grid expansion (especially in case of overhead lines), the participation and planning process needs to provide a high degree of openness and accountability. Therefore, a new methodological approach for the computer-assisted finding of optimal power-line routes considering planning, ecological and economic decision criteria is presented. The approach is implemented in a tool-chain for the determination of transmission line routes (and sets of transmission line route alternatives) based on multi-criteria optimisation. Additionally, a decision support system, based on common Geographic Information Systems (GIS), consisting of interactive visualisation and exploration of the solution space is proposed.
Roles of the Glucocorticoid and Mineralocorticoid Receptors in Skin Pathophysiology
Authors: Sevilla Lisa M. , Pérez Paloma
Published: June 2018

The nuclear hormone receptor (NR) superfamily comprises approximately 50 evolutionarily conserved proteins that play major roles in gene regulation by prototypically acting as ligand-dependent transcription factors. Besides their central role in physiology, NRs have been largely used as therapeutic drug targets in many chronic inflammatory conditions and derivatives of their specific ligands, alone or in combination, are frequently prescribed for the treatment of skin diseases. In particular, glucocorticoids (GCs) are the most commonly used compounds for treating prevalent skin diseases such as psoriasis due to their anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory actions. However, and despite their therapeutic efficacy, the long-term use of GCs is limited because of the cutaneous adverse effects including atrophy, delayed wound healing, and increased susceptibility to stress and infections. The GC receptor (GR/NR3C1) and the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR/NR3C2) are members of the NR subclass NR3C that are highly related, both structurally and functionally. While the GR is ubiquitously expressed and is almost exclusively activated by GCs; an MR has a more restricted tissue expression pattern and can bind GCs and the mineralocorticoid aldosterone with similar high affinity. As these receptors share 95% identity in their DNA binding domains; both can recognize the same hormone response elements; theoretically resulting in transcriptional regulation of the same target genes. However, a major mechanism for specific activation of GRs and/or MRs is at the pre-receptor level by modulating the local availability of active GCs. Furthermore, the selective interactions of each receptor with spatio-temporally regulated transcription factors and co-regulators are crucial for the final transcriptional outcome. While there are abundant genome wide studies identifying GR transcriptional targets in a variety of tissue and cell types; including keratinocytes; the data for MR is more limited thus far. Our group and others have studied the role of GRs and MRs in skin development and disease by generating and characterizing mouse and cellular models with gain- and loss-of-function for each receptor. Both NRs are required for skin barrier competence during mouse development and also play a role in adult skin homeostasis. Moreover, the combined loss of epidermal GRs and MRs caused a more severe skin phenotype relative to single knock-outs (KOs) in developing skin and in acute inflammation and psoriasis, indicating that these corticosteroid receptors play cooperative roles. Understanding GR- and MR-mediated signaling in skin should contribute to deciphering their tissue-specific relative roles and ultimately help to improve GC-based therapies.
The Involvement of PPARs in the Peculiar Energetic Metabolism of Tumor Cells
Authors: Antonosante Andrea , D’Angelo Michele , Castelli Vanessa , Catanesi Mariano , Iannotta Dalila , Giordano Antonio , Ippoliti Rodolfo , Benedetti Elisabetta , Cimini Annamaria
Published: June 2018

Energy homeostasis is crucial for cell fate, since all cellular activities are strongly dependent on the balance between catabolic and anabolic pathways. In particular, the modulation of metabolic and energetic pathways in cancer cells has been discussed in some reports, but subsequently has been neglected for a long time. Meanwhile, over the past 20 years, a recovery of the study regarding cancer metabolism has led to an increasing consideration of metabolic alterations in tumors. Cancer cells must adapt their metabolism to meet their energetic and biosynthetic demands, which are associated with the rapid growth of the primary tumor and colonization of distinct metastatic sites. Cancer cells are largely dependent on aerobic glycolysis for their energy production, but are also associated with increased fatty acid synthesis and increased rates of glutamine consumption. In fact, emerging evidence has shown that therapeutic resistance to cancer treatment may arise from the deregulation of glucose metabolism, fatty acid synthesis, and glutamine consumption. Cancer cells exhibit a series of metabolic alterations induced by mutations that lead to a gain-of-function of oncogenes, and a loss-of-function of tumor suppressor genes, including increased glucose consumption, reduced mitochondrial respiration, an increase of reactive oxygen species, and cell death resistance; all of these are responsible for cancer progression. Cholesterol metabolism is also altered in cancer cells and supports uncontrolled cell growth. In this context, we discuss the roles of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), which are master regulators of cellular energetic metabolism in the deregulation of the energetic homeostasis, which is observed in cancer. We highlight the different roles of PPAR isotypes and the differential control of their transcription in various cancer cells.