bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The ameliorative effects of 24-epibrassinolide on shoot organogenesis inhibition occurring under NaCl-stressed conditions in cultures of cotyledon and hypocotyl explants of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)
Authors: Yılmaz-Gokdogan Emel , Burun Betul
Published: June 2017

In this study, possible effects of 24-epibrassinolide (24-epiBL) pretreatment against NaCl stress were investigated usingin vitroshoot organogenesis from cotyledon and hypocotyl explants in M-28 tomato hybrid cultivar. The cotyledon and hypocotyl explants of 10-day sterile seedlings were treated with 1 μM and 2 μM 24-epiBL solutions (prepared with 70% acetone) for 30 seconds and applied explants were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) + NaCl (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mM). It was determined that the regeneration percentage as well as the shoot number/explant, the shoot length and the leaf number/shoot derived from both explants suffered NaCl stress after 30 days. 24-epiBL pretreatment against NaCl stress showed ameliorative effects and hypocotyl explants gave better results than cotyledon explants for these growth parameters. Different stages of shoot organogenesis from hypocotyl explants applied with 24-epiBL under salt stress were observed with scanning electron microscopy. As a result, it was shown that 24-epiBL treatment against NaCl stress may play an effective role in salt tolerance in M-28 tomato hybrid cultivar.
Comparison of the Calculations Results of Heat Exchange Between a Single-Family Building and the Ground Obtained with the Quasi-Stationary and 3-D Transient Models. Part 2: Intermittent and Reduced Heating Mode
Authors: Staszczuk Anna
Published: June 2017

The paper provides comparative results of calculations of heat exchange between ground and typical residential buildings using simplified (quasi-stationary) and more accurate (transient, three-dimensional) methods. Such characteristics as building’s geometry, basement hollow and construction of ground touching assemblies were considered including intermittent and reduced heating mode. The calculations with simplified methods were conducted in accordance with currently valid norm: PN-EN ISO 13370:2008. Thermal performance of buildings. Heat transfer via the ground. Calculation methods. Comparative estimates concerning transient, 3-D, heat flow were performed with computer software WUFI®plus. The differences of heat exchange obtained using more exact and simplified methods have been specified as a result of the analysis.
Block Circulant and Toeplitz Structures in the Linearized Hartree–Fock Equation on Finite Lattices: Tensor Approach
Authors: Khoromskaia Venera , Khoromskij Boris N.
Published: June 2017

This paper introduces and analyzes the new grid-based tensor approach
to approximate solutions of the elliptic eigenvalue problem
for the 3D lattice-structured systems.
We consider the linearized Hartree–Fock equation over a spatial

L
1

×

L
2

×

L
3

{L_{1}\times L_{2}\times L_{3}}

lattice for both periodic and non-periodic problem setting,
discretized in the localized Gaussian-type orbitals basis.
In the periodic case, the Galerkin system matrix obeys a
three-level block-circulant structure that allows the FFT-based diagonalization, while
for the finite extended systems in a box (Dirichlet boundary conditions)
we arrive at the perturbed block-Toeplitz representation providing fast
matrix-vector multiplication and low storage size.
The proposed grid-based tensor techniques manifest the twofold benefits:
(a) the entries of the Fock matrix are computed by 1D operations using
low-rank tensors represented on a 3D grid, (b) in the periodic case the low-rank tensor
structure in the diagonal blocks of the Fock matrix in the Fourier space
reduces the conventional 3D FFT to the product of 1D FFTs.
Lattice type systems in a box with Dirichlet boundary conditions
are treated numerically by our previous tensor solver for single
molecules, which makes possible calculations on rather
large

L
1

×

L
2

×

L
3

{L_{1}\times L_{2}\times L_{3}}

lattices due to reduced numerical cost for 3D problems.
The numerical simulations for both box-type and periodic

L
×
1
×
1

{L\times 1\times 1}

lattice chain in a 3D rectangular “tube” with L up to several hundred
confirm the theoretical complexity bounds for the block-structured
eigenvalue solvers in the limit of large L.
Spectral Analysis, Properties and Nonsingular Preconditioners for Singular Saddle Point Problems
Authors: Huang Na , Ma Chang-Feng , Zou Jun
Published: June 2017

We first derive some explicit bounds on the spectra of generalized
non-symmetric singular or nonsingular saddle point matrices. Then we propose two new nonsingular preconditioners for solving generalized singular saddle point problems, and show that GMRES determines a solution without breakdown when applied to the resulting preconditioned systems with any initial guess. Furthermore, the detailed spectral properties of the
preconditioned systems are analyzed. The nonsingular preconditioners are also applied to solve the singular
finite element saddle point systems
arising from the discretization of the Stokes problems to test their performance.
Original paper. Assessment of the need for information about planned gynecologic surgery
Authors: Derewianka-Polak Magdalena , Polak Grzegorz , Bobiński Marcin , Bednarek Wiesława , Kotarski Jan , Makara-Studzińska Marta , Gerhant Aneta , Olajossy Marcin
Published: June 2017

The objective of the study was to assess the level of patients' need for information about the planned gynecologic surgery.

Material and Methods. The number of 173 patients preparing to undergo planned gynecological procedure were qualified for the study. The participation in the survey was entirely voluntary. Each patient was asked to fulfill the survey conducted using the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale- APAIS that enables the estimation of the patient’s need for surgery-related information. Furthermore patients’ clinical and demographic data was collected. Results were analyzed using appropriate statistical tools: the Shapiro-Wilk W-test (for distribution of the studied parameters) and the Mann-Whitney U-test (for comparing two independent groups). P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results. It was shown that premenopausal women have a greater need for information about the planned surgery than postmenopausal patients (p<0.05). Patients, who have never been operated, displayed a significantly greater need (p=0.04) for information about their planned surgery in relation to women who have already undergone surgery. The patient’s age, the phase of the menstrual cycle, the education level, the marital status, as well as the preoperative diagnosis and the type of the planned surgery did not affect the level of the preoperative information requirement (p>0.05).

Conclusions. The high level of the need for information about the planned surgery characterizes premenopausal patients and those operated for the first time.
Conversion of Tobacco Biomass to Flavor Components by Means of Microwave and Parr Reactors
Authors: Ara Katayoun Mahdavi , Taylor Larry T. , Coleman William. M.
Published: June 2017

In the present work, microwave and Parr reactors were utilized for synthesis of pyrazines from plant-based biomass in the presence of ammonia and different amino acids. Using these techniques led to synthesis of a relatively wide range of pyrazines with sweet odor and chocolate-like smell. The optimum synthetic conditions to have maximum pyrazine yield for both the microwave and Parr reactions were 41 g of fructose/glucose syrup derived from cellulosic biomass, 28 mL NH4OH (30%), and 0.96 g L-threonine, 0.56 g L-valine, 0.5 g L-leucine, and 0.5 g L-isoleucine at 120 °C for 30 min. Quantitative results obtained via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) using the traditional open-heated oil bath method have been compared with data obtained via microwave and Parr reactors. In these two latter methods, sealed vessels under high pressure and higher temperature were used. The yield of synthesized pyrazines increased dramatically with both microwave and Parr reactors. Surprisingly, the yield of synthesized pyrazines was both reproducible and nearly two times higher via the Parr reactor than that observed with the microwave reactor under comparable conditions.
Multiplication operators on the space of functions of bounded variation
Authors: Astudillo-Villalba Franklin R. , Ramos-Fernández Julio C.
Published: June 2017

In this paper,we study the properties of the multiplication operator acting on the bounded variation space BV[0, 1]. In particular,we show the existence of non-null compact multiplication operators on BV[0, 1] and non-invertible Fredholm multiplication operators on BV[0, 1].
Perceptions of personal risk in tourists’ destination choices: nature tours in Mexico
Authors: Osland Gregory E. , Mackoy Robert , McCormick Marleen
Published: June 2017

Terrorism, pandemic diseases, and other threatening events have recently heightened the sense of personal risk for tourists considering international travel. This article addresses the paucity of research assessing perceptions of risk both before and during travel to risky destinations. Tourists on two nature tours in Mexico were interviewed and observed while engaged in the travel. Many types of specific perceived risks were uncovered, including insect-borne disease, traffic accidents, financial losses, and unattained goals. Some correlates of perceived risk were tour company reputation, stage of family life cycle, age, and motivation. Based on the types of perceived risk and the factors, five propositions are discussed. One unexpected proposition addresses the role of age and states that as the perceived years of physical ability to travel decreases, the tolerance for safety risk increases. Another proposes that eco-tourists with intense, destination-specific motivations are more tolerant of travel risk than those with casual and/or social motivations. The article concludes with suggestions for tour industry managers and directions for future research.
The Price Elasticity of Specialty Drug Use: Evidence from Cancer Patients in Medicare Part D
Authors: Jung Jeah , Feldman Roger D. , McBean Marshall
Published: June 2017

Specialty drugs can bring substantial benefits to patients with debilitating conditions, such as cancer, but their costs are very high. Insurers/payers have increased patient cost-sharing for specialty drugs to manage specialty drug spending. We utilized Medicare Part D plan formulary data to create the initial price (cost-sharing in the initial coverage phase in Part D), and estimated the total demand (both on- and off-label uses) for specialty cancer drugs among elderly Medicare Part D enrollees with no low-income subsidies (non-LIS) as a function of the initial price. We corrected for potential endogeneity associated with plan choice by instrumenting the initial price of specialty cancer drugs with the initial prices of specialty drugs in unrelated classes. We report three findings. First, we found that elderly non-LIS beneficiaries with cancer were less likely to use a Part D specialty cancer drug when the initial price was high: the overall price elasticity of specialty cancer drug spending ranged between −0.72 and −0.75. Second, the price effect in Part D specialty cancer drug use was not significant among newly diagnosed patients. Finally, we found that use of Part B-covered cancer drugs was not responsive to the Part D specialty cancer drug price. As the demand for costly specialty drugs grows, it will be important to identify clinical circumstances where specialty drugs can be valuable and ensure access to high-value treatments.
Influence of type and concentration of sugars, supplemented with 8-hydroxyquinoline sulphate, on the vase life of waxflower
Authors: Dung Cao D. , Seaton Kevin , Singh Zora
Published: June 2017

A study was conducted to test the effect of 58.5 mM maltose, glucose, fructose, galactose and sucrose, and sucrose concentrations of 14.6, 29.2, 58.5 and 117.0 mM supplemented with 200 mg L-18-hydroxyquinoline sulphate (HQS) on the vase life and stem fresh weight changes in waxflower (Chamelaucium Desf.). The effect of the interaction between sucrose and HQS concentrations on the vase life of the cultivar ‘Alba’ was also investigated. All the types of exogenous sugar significantly increased the vase life of flowers, but decreased the vase life of leaves of waxflower cultivars compared with the deionized water controls, except the leaves of ‘Lady Stephanie’, ‘Purple Pride’ and ‘Mullering Brook’. The flower vase life of almost all the cultivars treated with sucrose was not significantly different from the life of the cultivars kept in fructose and glucose, except ‘Laura Mae Pearl’, whose flower vase life in sucrose was significantly lower (9.7%) than in fructose. By contrast, the vase life of flowers of the cultivars treated with sucrose was longer than of those in maltose and galactose. At sucrose concentrations of up to 117.0 mM coupled with 200 mg L-1HQS, the flower vase life of six out of eight cultivars significantly increased, except in ‘Laura Mae Pearl’ and ‘Mullering Brook’, whose flower vase life was maximized at the concentrations of 29.2 and 58.5 mM respectively, while the vase life of their leaves decreased. Sucrose concentrations from 14.6 to 29.2 mM coupled with 50 mg L-1HQS maximized vase life for both the flowers and leaves of ‘Alba’. Cultivars with a longer vase life of flowers maintained stem fresh weight above the initial stem fresh weight longer.
The Białowieża Forest – a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site – protection priorities
Authors: Kujawa Anna , Orczewska Anna , Falkowski Michał , Blicharska Malgorzata , Bohdan Adam , Buchholz Lech , Chylarecki Przemysław , Gutowski Jerzy M. , Latałowa Małgorzata , Mysłajek Robert W. , Nowak Sabina , Walankiewicz Wiesław , Zalewska Anna
Published: June 2017

Despite the fact that only parts of the Białowieża Forest are protected as a national park and nature reserves, the forest is nevertheless as a whole considered a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site, Biosphere Reserve and an integrated Natura 2000 site. In the presently ongoing debate on the conservation priorities regarding the natural value of this forest and the current bark beetle outbreak, two distinct approaches can be recognized: (1) management assumed to involve considerable interference with the forest ecosystems; (2) maintenance of ecological processes and spontaneous restoration of the forest communities. The Białowieża Forest - especially its strictly protected parts - is a “bastion” where species characteristic of ancient forests (including so-called primeval forest relicts) have survived until today. This has been achieved by maintaining the forest’s complexity in areas with considerably reduced human influence, but most of all by maintaining a full spectrum of forest communities, naturally developing forests diverse in age, species composition and spatial structure including stand dieback and breakdown. The following factors need to be taken into account in the protection of the Natural Heritage Site: (1) the internationally recognized value of the Białowieża Forest including its biodiversity, the level of preservation of forest communities and the ongoing natural processes; (2) existing documents and policies concerning nature conservation; (3) research findings from the Białowieża Forest and other natural forest complexes. The key priority is to limit any activities in this forest to an indispensable minimum, mostly concerning security close to roads and tourist tracks as well as collection of fire wood by locals. Without this strict protection, successive and slow anthropogenic transformation will result in the Białowieża Forest sharing the same fate as other forest complexes of the temperate climate zone in Europe or America and lose its globally appreciated value.
Changes in the stands of the Białowieża National Park from 2000 to 2015
Authors: Miścicki Stanisław
Published: June 2017

The aim of the study was to characterise changes in the natural forest of the Białowieża National Park (BNP) Strict Reserve during a 15-year period. To allow for a more precise determination of the time course, overall duration and intensity of the observed changes, the 15-year period was further divided into shorter 2-7-year intervals. Taken together, the Strict Reserve forest stands cover 4584 hectares and they constitute the oldest part of the Białowieża Forest placed under protection in 1921.

The measurements were carried out in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2011 and 2015 on 160 permanent sample plots, which are systematically distributed throughout the BNP Strict Reserve. During those 15 years, the volume of merchantable timber and the tree density fluctuated only slightly, because the reduction in standing volume due to a spruce and ash decline was compensated for by an increase in the standing volume of lime, hornbeam and alder. The volume increment and tree loss fluctuated slightly, but were nevertheless similar throughout the whole period between 2000 and 2015. The number of trees in the regeneration layer increased. The number of hornbeam trees in this layer increased continuously throughout the whole measurement period, while the number of maple trees started to increase in the second half. All together only five tree species growing in the BNP Strict Reserve progressed from the regeneration layer to the canopy layer in significant numbers. As a result, a gradual decrease in species diversity of forest stands may be expected.

The rather stable, average volume of merchantable timber in the BNP Strict Reserve may be due to the fact that, in a forest with diverse habitats and high species richness, only a few stands are subjected to strong disturbances in a given period of time. Repeated measurements during a relatively short period of time allowed the detecting some fairly quick changes occurring in natural lowland forests.
Research Note. One minute, intraoperative assessment of the viability of hydatid cysts using a simple reagent strip test
Authors: Saftawy E. A. El , El-Aal A. A. Abd , Badawi M. , Attia S. S. , Abdelraouf A. , Shoeib E. Y. , Hassany M. , Mohsen A. , Afife A. A. , Gohar H. , Badr M. S.
Published: June 2017

The aim of the current work was to evaluate the possibility of using a rapid and simple reagent strip test to investigate the viability of hydatid cysts intraoperatively, via testing certain biochemical parameters. Thirty eight HCF samples were processed and examined by different methods for determining the viability status. Using the reagent strip test in the current study, the highest significant level of glucose was detected in HCF samples with the highest viability % at pH 7.5 and the lowest significant level of glucose was detected in HCF samples with the lowest viability % at pH 8.5, indicating a likely correlation between glucose concentration and the viability of PSs. On the contrary, protein was not detected in HCF containing viable PSs and was found to be higher in HCF containing non-viable PSs, denoting the possible degenerative processes in such PSs. Haemoglobin was found in trace amounts in all of our samples. In addition, the strip test detected bacterial contamination in 8 samples and biliary leakage in 7 samples. Our results suggest that the simple reagent strip test can assist in providing fast, uncomplicated primary data regarding the viability status of the hydatid cysts. Thus, it may aid the surgeons to make informed decisions for further management and appropriate follow up to minimise the risk of post-operative recurrence.
Research Note. The first helminth study on Brandt’s Persian Lizard Iranolacerta brandtii (De Filippi, 1863) (Squamata: Lacertidae) from Van Province, Turkey
Authors: Birlik S. , Yildirimhan H. S. , Kumlutaş Y. , Candan K. , Ilgaz Ç.
Published: June 2017

Population of Iranolacerta brandtii lizard including 56 (21♀, 34♂, 1 juvenile) samples were examined for helminths. 17 of them were found to harbour one or more helminth parasites, while 39 didn’t harbor any. Two helminth species were determined. These belong to Phylum: Nematoda, Spauligodon aloisei Casanova, Milazzo, Ribas & Cagnin, 2003 and Skrjabinodon medinae. García-Calvente, 1948. This study represents new host and locality records in both host lizard and the helminth species. Sp. aloisei is recorded for the first time; Sk. medinae is the third report from Turkey nevertheless Sk. medinae is a new host record for I. brandtii.
Performance of waterborne copper/organic wood preservatives in an AWPA E14 soft-rot laboratory soil bed test using modified soil
Authors: Nicholas Darrel
Published: June 2017

Soil chemistry is known to have a major effect on the degradation of treated wood by basidiomycete fungi in laboratory and exterior ground-contact exposures. However, this topic received little attention from a soft-rot (SR) decay perspective. In the present paper, laboratory SR tests were performed with two different types of forest soils, which were also modified. Test samples, made of Pinus glabra (Walt.) (pine) were treated with four commercial copper/organic waterborne preservatives. In addition, soluble or particulate copper and the organic co-biocides quarternary ammonia compound or tebuconazole, were individually examined. After 19 months of soil bed exposure, moderate to severe degradation was observed in all treated samples in both soils. Surprisingly, microscopic examination showed minimal SR decay. Samples in the neutral soil had extensive tunneling bacterial deterioration and the best performance was observed with both copper/quaternary commercial formulations. Samples in the acidic soil appeared to have some white-rot and bacterial deterioration and all four commercial copper/organic formulations showed good statistically equivalent efficacy. For samples treated with only copper, the particulate copper samples performed statistically equivalent or slightly better than amine copper, while samples treated with only the organic quarternary or tebuconazole performed poorly in both soils.
Route Planning Based On Urban Mobility Management
Authors: Mátrai Tamás , Tóth János , Horváth Márton Tamás
Published: June 2017

Mobility management centres play a significant role in urban transport, taking into account several factors that have an effect on the flow of vehicles. In the present paper a mobility management centre equipped with necessary information and information technologies for travellers is presented that can provide route plans. A route guidance methodology is described that combines current transportation demands with the results of the traditional four-step model.
Simulation of Electrical Grid with Omnet++ Open Source Discrete Event System Simulator
Authors: Sőrés Milán , Fodor Attila
Published: June 2017

The simulation of electrical networks is very important before development and servicing of electrical networks and grids can occur. There are software that can simulate the behaviour of electrical grids under different operating conditions, but these simulation environments cannot be used in a single cloud-based project, because they are not GNU-licensed software products. In this paper, an integrated framework was proposed that models and simulates communication networks. The design and operation of the simulation environment are investigated and a model of electrical components is proposed. After simulation, the simulation results were compared to manual computed results.
Computational Stability Analysis of Lotka-Volterra Systems
Authors: Polcz Péter ,   Szederkényi
Published: June 2017

This paper concerns the computational stability analysis of locally stable Lotka-Volterra (LV) systems by searching for appropriate Lyapunov functions in a general quadratic form composed of higher order monomial terms. The Lyapunov conditions are ensured through the solution of linear matrix inequalities. The stability region is estimated by determining the level set of the Lyapunov function within a suitable convex domain. The paper includes interesting computational results and discussion on the stability regions of higher (3,4) dimensional LV models as well as on the monomial selection for constructing the Lyapunov functions. Finally, the stability region is estimated of an uncertain 2D LV system with an uncertain interior locally stable equilibrium point.
Diagnosis of Technological Systems Based On the Structural Decomposition of Their Coloured Petri Net Model
Authors: Pózna Anna I. , Gerzson Miklós , Leitold Adrien , Hangos Katalin M.
Published: June 2017

Diagnosing faults during the operation of a system is an essential task when investigating technological systems. In this paper, a new online fault identification method is proposed which is based on the occurrence graph of the coloured Petri net model of the system. The model is able to simulate the normal and faulty operations of the system given in the form of event lists, so called traces. The diagnosis is based on the search for deviations between the traces of the normal and the actual operations. In the case of complex technological systems, the occurrence graph can contain hundreds of nodes; therefore, the computational effort and searching-time increase significantly. Our proposed structural decomposition method can manage these demands so it has a crucial impact on the practical application of diagnostic processes. The main idea of our method is that the complex systems can be decomposed into technological units. Therefore, the diagnosis can be done by components separately and the diagnostic result of a unit can be used for the diagnosis of the other units connected to it. Because of the structural decomposition, the diagnosis has to be performed on much smaller occurrence graphs but the effect of faults in previous units is taken into account. The proposed method is illustrated by a simple case study.
Original Article .The Optimal Allocation of Investment between Antivirals and Vaccines for Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Planning
Authors: Wang Yi , Li Yu-yuan , Guo Wen
Published: June 2017

Objectives To investigate that given a fixed amount of financial resources, what is the optimal combination of vaccine and antiviral stockpiles in terms of minimizing the attack rate.

Methods Mathematic modeling was used to simulate the dynamics that with fixed influenza pandemic budget. Different budget conditions were observed if the combination changed. Framework between vaccines and antivirals was introduced by taking into account the uncertainty in vaccine and antiviral efficacy.

Results Given a fixed budget, different budget allocations between vaccines and antivirals stockpile gave different attack rates. When the price of vaccine was lower than or similar with the antivirals, the attack rate increased with increasing investment in antiviral. But if the price of the vaccine was higher than the antivirals, the attack rate may not decrease with increasing investment in vaccine. Fixed the vaccine effectiveness, higher effectiveness of antiviral got a lower attack rate.When both antiviral and vaccine were with 50% probability of effectiveness, the attack rate changed by antiviral stockpile with a same pattern as they were with 100% efficacy probability, even it has a higher attack rate.

Conclusions Assume the antivirals have 100% probability to be effective, budget was limited to a fix number, then in any event, population should stockpile a small amount of antivirals such that if the post-vaccination reproductive number turns out to be near 1, the additional intervention may further reduce the reproductive number to <1 and prevent the epidemic. Under the fixed budget, the price of the vaccines and antivirals will strongly affect the strategy of the stockpile allocation. When the price of vaccine is comparative lower, more investment of vaccine is better for the pandemic control, but if the vaccine price is too high then more investment in antiviral may be better. We found that attack rates and the optimal budget allocation depend on the probability to be effective of vaccine and antivirals.
Original Article. Effectiveness of Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome Bivalent Vaccine in China: A Metaanalysis
Authors: Huang Xiao-xia , Yan Lei , Wang Shi-wen
Published: June 2017

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) bivalent vaccine in field.

Methods The articles on effectiveness of HFRS bivalent vaccine were retrieved from Vip Database, China Journal Full-text Database, Wanfang database, China Hospital Knowledge Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, MEDLINE and ProQuest. Two persons extracted data and evaluated the quality of data together for meta-analysis.

Results Seven articles were included into the analysis, and two articles were random clinical trials, five were quasi-trials. Meta-analysis showed that the overall effectiveness of HFRS bivalent vaccine was 85% (95% confidence interval: 53%-95%) within one year after vaccination, and the effectiveness in two-dose recipients and three-dose recipients was 87% (95% confidence interval: 54%-96%) and 60%, respectively; it was 96% (95% confidence interval: 78%-99%) within 2-5 years after vaccination, and the effectiveness in two-dose recipients and three-dose recipients was 95% (95% confidence interval: 19%-100%) and 96% (95% confidence interval: 70%-99%), respectively; it was 100% (only one article included) within 6-9.6 years after vaccination. The effectiveness in two-dose recipients was 88% (95% confidence interval: 62%-96%) during 1-2.5 years after vaccination, and that in three-dose recipients was 94% (95% confidence interval: 70%-99%) during 1-5 years after vaccination.

Conclusions HFRS bivalent vaccine is effective in field, and there is no difference between two-dose recipients and three-dose recipients. We should do some further studies on the long-term effectiveness of HFRS bivalent vaccine and on the age of vaccine reception.
Regulation Mechanism of HBV cccDNA
Authors: Cheng Jun , Quan Min , Li Min , Liu Shun-ai , Wang Qi
Published: June 2017

Covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA of hepatitis B virus (HBV) existed in the nuclei of HBV infected hepatocytes with a half-life time of 14.3 years in a mathematic model. Viral protein feedback regulation in HBV life cycle to maintain vital viral replication is an important mechanism. Interleukin-6, epithelial growth factor, heme oxygenase-1, histones, and hepatocyte nuclear factors are demonstrated as the key regulators for HBV life cycle. CpG island structure and methylation status are involved in the regulation of HBV DNA replication. Nucleos(t)ide analogues are widely used in the clinical practice for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B patients, although no evidence indicating a direct inhibiton of HBV cccDNA. In the future, along with the study of HBV life cycle, new drugs including RNA interference technique, will pave the way to eliminate the HBV cccDNA from infected hepatocytes resulting final cure of chronic hepatitis B.
Different Effects of Plasma from Patients with Acute on Chronic Liver Failure on the Proliferation and Biotransformation Function of C3A Cells
Authors: Chen Yu , Fu Li-ming , Zhao Xiu-ying , Zhao Jun , Duan Zhong-ping
Published: June 2017

Objective To investigate the effects of plasma from patients with acute on chronic liver failure on the proliferation and biotransformation function of C3A cells in vitro, and provide experimental data for C3A cells to be efficiently used in the bioartificial liver system.

Methods C3A cells were incubated in 100% normal human plasma (NHP) and 100% abnormal plasma (AP) from patients with acute on chronic liver failure. Growth morphology of the two groups were observed under inverted microscope and scanning electron microscope. The method of methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) was conducted for the proliferation activities of C3A cells. The cellular apoptosis rates were assessed by the flow cytometer. The biotransformation function of cells was evaluated through diazepam metabolic amount assay. The concentrations of epithelial growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) were detected in plasma of the two groups.

Results A: The proliferation activities of C3A cells incubated in 100% AP for 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours were significantly higher than that in 100% NHP (P < 0.01). B: Observation under the inverted microscope indicated that the cells in 100% AP were growing faster than those in 100% NHP after cells attached to the plastic at 24 and 48 hours. The same phenomena was observed under the scanning electronic microscope. C: The C3A cells cultured in both groups of plasma showed the same apoptosis rate at 48 hours and there was no statistical difference. D: The diazepam metabolic value of C3A cells incubated in 100% AP for 24, 72 and 120 hours were lower than that in 100% NHP and were statistically different (P < 0.01). E: The concentrations of TGF-α, EGF and IL-1 in AP were significantly higher than that in NHP (P < 0.01).

Conclusions Compared with normal human plasma, the plasma from patients with acute on chronic liver failure has more obvious effect to facilitate the proliferation of C3A cells, but also decreases partial biotransformation function of C3A cells.
Chronic Active Epstein–Barr Virus Infection
Authors: Li Jun , Li Shi-hong , Wang Gui-qiang , Zhao Hong
Published: June 2017

Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus (CAEBV) infection is a systemic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) positive lymphoprolifetative disease characterized by fever, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, unusual pattern of anti- EBV antibodies, and/or increased EBV genomes in affected tissues. Most cases are from Asia. So far, there is hardly any adult case reported from mainland of China. We herein presented a 33-year-old man with fever, facial erythema and rash, lymphadenopathy, lower limbs weakness, splenomegaly and liver lesion. EBV VCA, EA and EBNA were all positive. EBV DNA could be found in serum and PBMC. In situ hybridization of EBV encoded RNA in skin and liver biopsy was positive. Viral load in serum decreased under interferon alpha therapy. To our knowledge, it’s the first adult case reported from mainland of China.
A Case Report of Bronchobiliary Fistula and Literature Review
Authors: Cao Liang , Song Zhao-min , Liu Quan , Sheng Jun , Zhao Pei-li , Peng Xun
Published: June 2017

Bronchobiliary fistula (BBF) is one of the very rare disease. In this report, we described a BBF case. The case was diagnosed by endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) and percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage (PTCD) examinations, and treated properly. From the diagnosis of this BBF case, a patient with cough, biliptysis, fever and pain, should be considered for diagnosis of BBF.
The Serum NT-proBNP in Patients with Cirrhosis: Relationship to Cardiac Dysfunction and Liver Function
Authors: Mao Hua , Jiang Deng-feng , Huang Li-yun
Published: June 2017

Objective To detect the values of NT-proBNP and evaluate its relationship with liver function, cardiac structure, and cardiac function which was evaluated by echocardiography in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Methods A total of 50 liver cirrhotic patients and 11 healthy controls were studied by two dimensional Doppler echocardiography. Liver cirrhotic patients were divided into group A, B and C according to the Child-Pugh score. Cardiac dimensions and left and right ventricular functions were also evaluated. At the same time, the serum NTproBNP of liver cirrhotic patients and healthy controls were detected, respectively.

Results By Comparison between two groups, we found that the values of LVd, LAs, LVPW, AAO, A Wave, RVOTs, PV and NT-proBNP in liver cirrhosis group were higher than those in control group, whereas the value of E/A decreased. As for the value of LAs and serum NT-proBNP, A and B group were all lower than C group. With LAs > 35 mm, the number of cases in liver cirrhosis group was higher than that in control group. So did that With E/A < 1.

Conclusions The cardiac dysfunction confirmed the existence of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. More clinical implications were found in liver cirrhotic patients with increased values of serum NT-proBNP.
Detection and Clinical Significance of Circulating Microvesicles in Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome
Authors: Sun Li-ping , Li Hui-yu , Yi Xiao-ling , Niyonsaba Aime , Wang Ning-fang , Jie Sheng-hua
Published: June 2017

Objective Microvesicles (MV) released from blood cells play an important role in the progress of diseases. The purpose of this study is to detect circulating MV level of patients suffering from severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS).

Methods The plasma samples of SFTS patients and healthy controls were collected. And MV from samples were isolated and MV levels were detected quantitatively.

Results The results showed that the level of the circulating MV in SFTS patients was obviously higher than that of the healthy control, with statistically significant difference. Further analysis revealed that MV level was relevant to the severity of SFTS patients, namely the higher the concentration of MV, the more severity of the disease. Linear correlation analysis showed that the circulating MV level in SFTS was correlated positively with leukocyte count (r = 0.243, P < 0.05), but no correlation with the platelet count (r = 0.193, P >0.05).

Conclusions We demonstrated that there existed high level of circulating MV in SFTS patients, and the level of circulating MV had a close relationship with the severity of the disease and leukocyte count. Therefore, monitoring the level of circulating MV may provide a new indicator for predicting the prognosis of SFTS patients.
A Retrospective, Multi-Center, Post-Marketing Observational Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Ademetionine 1,4-Butanedisulfonate Injection (Transmetil®) Treatment in Chinese Patients with Intrahepatic Cholestasis Caused by Viral Hepatitis
Authors: Xie Wen , Zhao Hong , Chen Yu , Zhang Qin , Lu Wei , Liu Wei , Hu Ai-rong , Li Han-wei , Feng Ping , Chen Ming-sheng , Mei Cun-jin , Guo Xiao-lin , Zhao Xiao-hu , Wang Jiang-bin , Fan Zheng-qin , Gan Jian-he , Xie Qing , Cheng Jun
Published: June 2017

Obejective Ademetionine 1,4-butanedisulfonate [S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe)/Transmetil®, Abbott] has been available in China for more than 15 years, and it has been shown to reduce serum bilirubin and transaminase levels in viral hepatitis (VH) patients. However, no large-scale studies have focused on the impact of SAMe treatment regimen on reducing the serum total bilirubin (TBil) in VH patients with intrahepatic cholestasis (IHC). The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of intravenous SAMe (Transmetil®) treatment in reducing the serum TBil by 50%.

Methods This retrospective, multi-center, cross-sectional medical record review involved patients aged ≥18 years. Records of 1 280 hospitalized VH patients at 16 sites diagnosed with IHC who had received intravenous SAMe 1 000 mg or 2 000 mg q.d. for at least 7 days from January 1, 2006 to June 30, 2009, were screened and 905 records were randomly selected.

Results The safety set (SS) included 834 patients and the full analysis set 826 patients. TBil levels after 14 days injection treatment were available for 763 patients. TBil decreased ≥ 50% versus baseline after 14 days treatment in 288 (37.7%) patients (95% CI 34.3%, 41.2%). Twenty-nine non-serious adverse events (non-SAEs) were reported in 19 (2.3%) patients, and 29 SAEs were reported in 10 patients (1.2%). All adverse events (AEs) were considered unrelated to the study drug.

Conclusions This retrospective study shows that intravenous SAMe administration in VH patients with IHC is associated with significant reduction of TBil levels in more than 30% of patients 14 days after treatment initiation.
Late-stage Use of Low-dose Corticosteroids Aid Recovery of Severe H1N1 Viral Pneumonia
Authors: Cao Bin , Gu Li , Yu Xiao-min , Yin Yu-Dong , Ma Chen , Liu Ying-mei
Published: June 2017

The role of corticosteroids in the management of severely ill patients with influenza A (H1N1) viral infection is unclear and controversial. Two critically ill cases with influenza A (H1N1) infections complicated with organizing pneumonia (OP) in 2011 successfully treated with low dose corticosteroids were reported here. After initial clinical improvement, the condition of both patients aggravated 20-23 days after the onset of illness. Chest X-ray and computed tomographies (CT) showed an increment of lung infiltrates. Cultures of blood, pleural fluid and transbronchial aspirate were negative for bacteria and fungi. Organizing pneumonia was diagnosed clinically and both patients were successfully treated with low-dose corticosteroids. Low-dose corticosteroids initiated during convalescence may be beneficial for severe swine-origin influenza A H1N1 pandemic 2009 virus (S-OIV) infections.
Nodular Regenerative Hyperplasia of Liver Mimicking Cirrhosis: a Case Report
Authors: Zheng Rui-dan , Chen Zhuo-ran , Chen Jian-neng , Zhang Hui-yong
Published: June 2017

A 34-year-old man with no history of any abdominal pain or fatigue was admitted to our hospital in June 2008 due to the cirrhosis found incidentally during a physical examination. Laboratory examination, electrocardiograph, abdominal ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging were carried out during his hospitalization. However, according to the results of the above measures, the diagnosis of nodular regenerative hyperplasia of the liver (NRHL) could not be made. The result of electrocardiograph showed there was no sinus bradycardia. The abdominal ultrasonography showed evidence of hepatosplenomegaly, and magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple non-enhancing hepatic nodules. Histologic confirmation was available by means of liver biopsy and the definitive diagnosis of NRHL was confirmed histologically by liver biopsy. NRHL always presents with signs of portal hypertension with little evidence of obvious liver disease, NRHL may mimick the cirrhosis of liver and be easily confused with cirrhosis of the liver nodules, so liver biopsy should be recommended for correct diagnosis. We here report the clinical, radiological and pathologic features of this case with NRHL in order to familiarize the physicians with its clinical manifestations.
An Outbreak of SARS in a Diabetes Room of a General Hospital without Infected Medical Staff
Authors: Liu Chun-ling , Cheng Jun , Gao He , Zhang Bo , Yuan Qun , Tong Ao , Liang Yi-an , Tang Hong , Guan Xiao-hong
Published: June 2017

Objective To investigate the epidemiologic features of an outbreak of SARS that occurred in a single diabetes room of a general hospital in Beijing in late March 2003.

Methods Field investigation was carried out in the ward, the nursing log and the hospitalization medical record of correlative patients were consulted. SARS-CoV in serum specimen from SARS patient was detected by PCR.

Results The room where SARS outbreak occurred was on the 13th floor of the 16-story main ward building. There were 6 beds in the room, living with 6 female patients (aged 45-67) who were all hospitalized due to type 2 diabetes. On March 24, 2003, Patient 1 began to have a fever and cough, chest X-ray showed pneumonia. Five and six days later, Patient 2 and Patient 3 began to have a fever, respectively. Finally, all of these 3 patients died. Their beds were all at the same side of the room, and the other 3 patients at the opposite side were not infected. Serum SARS CoV-RNA of the Patient 3 was positive by nest-PCR. The daughter-in-law of Patient 1 who accompanied Patient 1 by the bedside several days, mainly near the window, upwind of Patient 1, was not infected. Medical staff, family members and visitors of the 6 patients were not infected.

Conclusions This outbreak was not transmitted by aerosol. The distance droplets travels could be up to 3.43 meters. Droplet spread has direction, and the droplets direction of propagation is closely related with the wind direction and speed. Those at the downwind position of SARS patients were susceptible to be infected. Medical staff wore face masks and good natural ventilation of this ward building may be important reasons for the prevention of infection.
Two Cases of Tuberculous Meningitis after Cesarean Section
Authors: Cheng Jun , Jiang Shou-wei , Ye Ying , Chen Shan , Liu Jing-quan , Yu Feng , Li Jia-bin
Published: June 2017

This article revealed two valuable case reports about two young females suffered tuberculous meningitis after cesarean section. After antituberculous therapy, the condition of one patient improved and the other one became deteriorated.
A Clinical Analysis of 293 FUO Patients, A Diagnostic Model Discriminating infectious Diseases from Non-infectious Diseases
Authors: Zhou Qing , Xu Xu-wen , Tan De-ming , Xie Yu-tao , Long Yun-zhu , Lu Meng-hou
Published: June 2017

Objective A diagnostic model was established to discriminate infectious diseases from non-infectious diseases.

Methods The clinical data of patients with fever of unknown origin (FUO) hospitalized in Xiangya Hospital Central South University, from January, 2006 to April, 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients enrolled were divided into two groups. The first group was used to develop a diagnostic model: independent variables were recorded and considered in a logistic regression analysis to identify infectious and non-infectious diseases (αin = 0.05, αout = 0.10). The second group was used to evaluate the diagnostic model and make ROC analysis.

Results The diagnostic rate of 143 patients in the first group was 87.4%, the diagnosis included infectious disease (52.4%), connective tissue diseases (16.8%), neoplastic disease (16.1%) and miscellaneous (2.1%). The diagnostic rate of 168 patients in the second group was 88.4%, and the diagnosis was similar to the first group. Logistic regression analysis showed that decreased white blood cell count (WBC < 4.0×109/L), higher lactate dehydrogenase level (LDH > 320 U/L) and lymphadenectasis were independent risk factors associated with non-infectious diseases. The odds ratios were 14.74, 5.84 and 5.11 (P ≤ 0.01) , respectively. In ROC analysis, the sensitivity and specificity of the positive predictive values was 62.1% and 89.1%, respectively, while that of negative predicting values were 75% and 81.7%, respectively (AUC = 0.76, P = 0.00).

Conclusions The combination of WBC < 4.0×109/L, LDH > 320 U/L and lymphadenectasis may be useful in discriminating infectious diseases from non-infectious diseases in patients hospitalized as FUO.