bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Boss’ Healthy Buddies Nutrition Resource Is Effective for Elementary School Students
Authors: Pittman David W. , Bland Ida R. , Cabrera Isai D. , Franck Kassie E. , Perkins Emily L. , Schmidt Nicole A. , Allen Heather N. , Atkins Savanah R. , Pittman Sharyn B.
Published: May 2018

Previously we have shown that our Healthy Eating Decisions school-based intervention can influence students’ selections of the healthiest foods available in their elementary school cafeterias through positive reinforcement techniques. Although effective, we recognized that students were missing fundamental nutrition knowledge necessary to understand why the Healthy Eating Decisions program identified particular beverages and foods as the healthiest in the cafeteria. Therefore, we developed the Boss’ Healthy Buddies nutrition education resource as a freely available curriculum matched with South Carolina education standards and designed for elementary school students from kindergarten through fourth grade. The current study implemented Boss’ Healthy Buddies and compared its efficacy to a commercially available nutrition program, CATCH. Elementary school students in Spartanburg, South Carolina, received weekly twenty-minute Boss’ Healthy Buddies lessons for eight weeks. Results from preassessment and postassessment surveys were compared with a positive control elementary school using the CATCH program and a negative control school receiving no nutrition education. Results show that Boss’ Healthy Buddies was equally effective as the CATCH program in improving the nutrition attitudes regarding healthiest beverages and food selections with the advantage of being freely available and minimizing the impact on classroom instruction time. In order to reduce most effectively the high prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity, it is crucial that children are taught nutrition education to support healthy eating habits at an early age. Both the Healthy Eating Decisions school-based intervention and the Boss’ Healthy Buddies nutrition education program are available online for use as free resources to aid in reducing childhood overweight and obesity within elementary schools.
Prognostic Factors of Functional Recovery from Left Hemispheric Stroke
Authors: Kongsawasdi Siriphan , Klaphajone Jakkrit , Watcharasaksilp Kanokwan , Wivatvongvana Pakorn
Published: May 2018

Although lateralization of the brain affects some specialized cortical functions, there are still limited data to address its influence on clinically important outcomes. This study aimed to reveal the prognostic variables that relate to functional recovery in stroke patients with a left-sided hemispheric lesion during 6 months of follow-up. Data from 167 left-sided and 183 right-sided hemispheric strokes were reviewed retrospectively. Outcomes in this study included walking capacity and functional recovery, assessed by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). In order to obtain independent predictive variables, this study used the step-backward method of multivariable regression analysis of parameters. The final model demonstrated that motor function of the hemiparetic leg was the strongest independent predictor for both walking ability and functional recovery (risk ratio (RR) of 2.41, 95% CI: 1.61–3.60, and p<0.001 and RR of 1.83, 95% CI: 1.03–3.26, and p=0.04, resp.). Therefore, lateralization did not seem to be involved. Understanding predictable variables that are associated with recovery can guide the rehabilitation team in setting priority and appropriate treatment for stroke patients.
Linear Analysis of an Integro-Differential Delay Equation Model
Authors: Verdugo Anael
Published: May 2018

This paper presents a computational study of the stability of the steady state solutions of a biological model with negative feedback and time delay. The motivation behind the construction of our system comes from biological gene networks and the model takes the form of an integro-delay differential equation (IDDE) coupled to a partial differential equation. Linear analysis shows the existence of a critical delay where the stable steady state becomes unstable. Closed form expressions for the critical delay and associated frequency are found and confirmed by approximating the IDDE model with a system of N delay differential equations (DDEs) coupled to N ordinary differential equations. An example is then given that shows how the critical delay for the DDE system approaches the results for the IDDE model as N becomes large.
Arterial Stiffness in Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Anthracycline and Trastuzumab-Based Regimens
Authors: Yersal Özlem , Eryilmaz Ufuk , Akdam Hakan , Meydan Nezih , Barutca Sabri
Published: May 2018

Aims. Cardiovascular diseases are the primary cause of premature morbidity and mortality in early breast cancer patients after treatment with cardiotoxic chemotherapeutic agents. Arterial stiffness is an independent risk factor for future cardiovascular diseases and can be used as a predictive marker of subclinical cardiac damage. The aim of this study is to analyze the arterial stiffness in breast cancer patients who are in the follow-up period after receiving anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimens with trastuzumab. Methods and Material. We enrolled 45 HER2-positive breast cancer patients who are on follow-up at least for six months after completion of adjuvant chemotherapy with trastuzumab, and cardiovascular risk matched 30 control volunteers. The measurements were done with pulse wave analyzing machine. Results. Mean pulse wave velocity was higher in breast cancer patients compared to controls. The pulse wave velocity was significantly higher in patients receiving aromatase inhibitors compared to patients under tamoxifen. It was also significantly higher in postmenopausal breast cancer patients than postmenopausal controls. Conclusions. Arterial stiffness measurements may predict the breast cancer survivors with higher risk for cardiovascular events earlier in the follow-up period, and necessary preventive approaches and/or treatments can be applied.
Experimental Study on Physicomechanical Properties of Sandstone under Acidic Environment
Authors: Li Shuguang , Huo Runke , Wang Bo , Ren Zhenzhong , Ding Yu , Qian Meiting , Qiu Tian
Published: May 2018

The influence of acid solution and immersion time on the physicomechanical properties of sandstone is investigated. Uniaxial compression tests on sandstone samples are conducted to determine the variations of relative mass, deformation, and strength characteristics of sandstone subjected to different pH sulfuric acid corrosion values. The changes of pH and Mg2+ and Ca2+ concentration of immersion solutions are monitored during soaking. The corrosion mechanism of sandstone attacked by the acid solution is discussed with the results of SEM tests. Based on the nondestructive CT scanning test, the damage variables of acid‐corroded sandstone are deduced, and the damage degree of sandstone is quantitatively analyzed. The results indicate that the deformation characteristics of sandstone samples under acid attack are characterized by the softening of rock, and the softening degree gradually increases with the increase of the acidity and the soaking time. The peak strength of sandstone samples declines as soaking time extends. The chemical effects lead to a large amount of dissolution of the rock mineral assemblage, resulting in the large‐scale development of the pores inside the rock, which changes the macroscopic mechanical properties. The damage variables of acid corrosion sandstone based on CT numbers are deduced, and the quantitative relationship between damage variables and immersion time is established, which provides a basis for constructing a damage constitutive model of sandstone in the acidic environment.
Mechanism Underlying Tissue Cryotherapy to Combat Obesity/Overweight: Triggering Thermogenesis
Authors: Loap Suvaddhana , Lathe Richard
Published: May 2018

Background. Local adipose tissue (AT) cooling is used to manage obesity and overweight, but the mechanism is unclear. The current view is that acute local cooling of AT induces adipocyte cell disruption and inflammation (“cryolipolysis”) that lead to adipocyte cell death, with loss of subcutaneous fat being recorded over a prolonged period of weeks/months. A contrasting view is that AT loss via targeted cryotherapy might be mediated by thermogenic fat metabolism without cell disruption.Methods. In this retrospective study of individuals presenting for cryotherapy to the Clinic BioEsthetic, Paris, France, we recorded waist circumference, body weight, and body mass index (BMI) by direct measurement and by whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometric scanning. In select individuals, blood analysis of markers of inflammation and fat mobilization was performed before and after the procedure.Results. We report that (i) single sessions of tissue cryotherapy lead to significant loss of tissue volume in the time frame of hours and (ii) multiple daily procedures lead to a cumulative decline in AT, as assessed by waist circumference, body weight, and BMI, confirmed by whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometric scanning. In addition, (iii) blood analysis following tissue cryotherapy found no significant changes in biochemical parameters including markers of inflammation. Moreover, (iv) calculations of heat extracted and of compensatory weight loss taking place through thermogenesis are substantially consistent with the observed loss of AT.Conclusions. These findings argue that cold-induced thermogenesis (“cryothermogenesis”) rather than adipocyte disruption underlies the reduction in AT volume, raising the prospect that more intensive cryotherapy may be a viable option for combating obesity and overweight.
Twin Positive Solutions for Schrödinger-Kirchhoff-Type Problem with Singularity and Critical Exponents
Authors: Han Wei , Zhao Yangyang
Published: May 2018

We study in this paper the following singular Schrödinger-Kirchhoff-type problem with critical exponent-a+b∫Ω∇u2dxΔu+u=Q(x)u5+μxα-2u+f(x)(λ/uγ)inΩ,u=0on∂Ω,wherea,b>0are constants,Ω⊂R3is a smooth bounded domain,0<α<1,λ>0is a real parameter,γ∈(0,1)is a constant, and0<μ<aμ1(μ1is the first eigenvalue of-Δu=μxα-2u, under Dirichlet boundary condition). Under appropriate assumptions onQandf, we obtain two positive solutions via the variational and perturbation methods.
Parallel Nonnegative Matrix Factorization with Manifold Regularization
Authors: Liu Fudong , Shan Zheng , Chen Yihang
Published: May 2018

Nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) decomposes a high-dimensional nonnegative matrix into the product of two reduced dimensional nonnegative matrices. However, conventional NMF neither qualifies large-scale datasets as it maintains all data in memory nor preserves the geometrical structure of data which is needed in some practical tasks. In this paper, we propose a parallel NMF with manifold regularization method (PNMF-M) to overcome the aforementioned deficiencies by parallelizing the manifold regularized NMF on distributed computing system. In particular, PNMF-M distributes both data samples and factor matrices to multiple computing nodes instead of loading the whole dataset in a single node and updates both factor matrices locally on each node. In this way, PNMF-M succeeds to resolve the pressure of memory consumption for large-scale datasets and to speed up the computation by parallelization. For constructing the adjacency matrix in manifold regularization, we propose a two-step distributed graph construction method, which is proved to be equivalent to the batch construction method. Experimental results on popular text corpora and image datasets demonstrate that PNMF-M significantly improves both scalability and time efficiency of conventional NMF thanks to the parallelization on distributed computing system; meanwhile it significantly enhances the representation ability of conventional NMF thanks to the incorporated manifold regularization.
Assessment of Esophageal High-Resolution Impedance Manometry in Patients with Nonobstructive Dysphagia
Authors: Liu Zhaoyu , Liao Jiazhi , Tian Dean , Liu Mei , Dan Zili , Yu Qin
Published: May 2018

Background. High-resolution impedance manometry (HRIM) can calculate the bolus motion parameters and the ratio of complete esophageal transit besides the conventional esophageal dynamic parameters; therefore, we could better manage the patients with nonobstructive dysphagia (NOD) clinically. Aim. To analyze the HRIM parameter results of NOD patients and evaluate the characteristics of their esophageal motility and transit function. Methods. In total, 58 NOD patients were assessed and the clinical diagnoses were determined. HRIM was performed, and both conventional high-resolution manometry and esophageal transit parameters were analyzed. Results. In 58 NOD patients, 28 patients had achalasia, 3 esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction, and 20 nonspecific esophageal motility disorders, and 7 were normal. Impedance results demonstrated that all the patients with achalasia exhibited incomplete esophageal transit (ICET), three patients with esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction showed ICET, and the average bolus transit time (BTT) was 6.6 ± 1.2 sec. In 20 nonspecific esophageal motility disorders, 13 patients with gastroenterologly reflux disease (GERD) presented ineffective esophageal motility and fragmented peristalsis, and 65.0% swallows had exhibited ICET. However, 49.1% swallows of 7 nonspecific esophageal motility disorder patients with non-GERD had exhibited ICET. The average BTT in 13 GERD patients was longer than that in the non-GERD patients (8.1 ± 1.1 sec versus 5.5 ± 0.3 sec, P<0.05). And in the seven patients with normal esophagus function, 3.5% swallows showed ICET and BTT was 5.6 ± 0.3 sec. Conclusion. Achalasia was the most common esophageal dysmotility in NOD patients, followed by nonspecific esophageal motility disorders. The clinical diagnoses of NOD were mostly achalasia and GERD. Impedance assessments showed that all achalasia cases exhibited ICET, and other esophageal motility abnormalities that represented ICET were associated with contraction break and ineffective swallow. Compared to non-GERD patients, BTT was significantly prolonged in patients with GERD.
Model for Developing a Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Emilija Nikolić , Aleksandar Nikolić , Ruža Stević , Tijana Brandmajer , Veselin Mićanović , Jelena Mašnić
Published: May 2018

Introduction. The St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and general health questionnaire (SF-36) are widely used for chronic respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Aim. We examined the reliability and validity of a modified questionnaire (MQ) to create a model for assessing the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in COPD. Method. In total, 132 COPD patients completed the MQ. Lung function, smoking index, and exacerbation frequency were measured. Cronbach’s α coefficient of correlation, standard deviation, and multifactorial nonlinear regression analysis were used to verify the internal validity of the MQ and to develop the mathematical model. Results. Female (63) patients had lesser airway obstruction than, and exacerbation frequency similar to that of, male patients. Exacerbation frequency significantly correlated with spirometry parameters in female patients. The MQ total score achieved high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.89) and showed significant correlations with exacerbation frequency, smoking habit, and spirometry parameters in male patients (p<0.005). Conclusion. The HRQOL questionnaire was shown to be a good indicator of the health status of COPD patients. The mathematical model easily and precisely confirmed the score of HRQOL questionnaire.
Job Satisfaction and Associated Factors among Anesthetists Working in Amhara National Regional State, Northwest Ethiopia, May 2017: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Yilkal Fentie Demeke , Enyew Ashagrie Henos , Getinet Kasahun Habtamu
Published: May 2018

Background. Job satisfaction is an important determinant of health staff’s motivation, retention, and performance. Difficulties in critical decision-making and problems with lack of respect and recognition lead to lower job satisfaction level among anesthetists. It leads to high turnover intention, dropout from the profession, burnout, impaired health status of anesthetists, and lower work performance. Objective. The aim of this multicenter cross-sectional study was to assess the level of job satisfaction and associated factors among anesthetists working in Amhara National Regional State. Methods. A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted from April 1 to June 30, 2017. Ninety-eight anesthetists that were working in Amhara National Regional State Hospitals were involved in this study. The structured questionnaire was scored on five-point Likert scales. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20. Binary logistic regression was used to measure statistical significance between dependent and each independent variable. Variables with P value of ≤0.2 on crude analysis were taken into multivariate analysis, and P value 0.05 and 95% CI was used as cut off point. Result. 98 out of 104 participants were involved in this study with a response rate of 94.3%. The overall level of job satisfaction was 46.9%. Anesthetists in academic working position were satisfied with the odds of about 2.3 (AOR = 2.269; CI = 1.137–6.740) compared to those in clinical working position. Anesthetists were least satisfied with coworker relationships (37.8%), work schedule (43.9%), professional opportunity (46.9%), and recognition (49%) while they were most satisfied from their control of responsibility (59.2%), social interaction (55%), and salary and benefits (51%). Conclusion and Recommendation. Job satisfaction of anesthetists was low, and we suggest that facilitation of professional development, creation of smooth relationship in working environment, increasing the number of anesthetists, and recognition of the anesthesia professional are of paramount importance to increase job satisfaction of anesthetists.
Synthesis and Catalytic and Biological Activities of Silver and Copper Nanoparticles Using Cassia occidentalis
Authors: Gondwal Manjul , Joshi nee Pant Geeta
Published: May 2018

An ecofriendly and green method for the synthesis of silver and copper nanoparticles has developed using aqueous leaves extract of Cassia occidentalis. The formation of AgNPs and CuNPs was monitored by measuring the UV-Vis spectra. The morphology and crystalline phase of the metal nanoparticles were determined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with X-ray energy dispersive spectrophotometer (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The synthesized metal nanoparticles were generally found to be spherical and oval in shape. The AgNPs and CuNPs showed highly potent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi bacteria, respectively. The CuNPs showed higher radical scavenging activity than AgNPs. The AgNPs showed lower haemolysis (1.7%) exhibiting lesser toxicity as compared to CuNPs. The CuNPs have better catalytic ability for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol and 2-nitrophenol as compared to AgNPs.
Automatic Task Classification via Support Vector Machine and Crowdsourcing
Authors: Shin Hyungsik , Paek Jeongyeup
Published: May 2018

Automatic task classification is a core part of personal assistant systems that are widely used in mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Even though many industry leaders are providing their own personal assistant services, their proprietary internals and implementations are not well known to the public. In this work, we show through real implementation and evaluation that automatic task classification can be implemented for mobile devices by using the support vector machine algorithm and crowdsourcing. To train our task classifier, we collected our training data set via crowdsourcing using the Amazon Mechanical Turk platform. Our classifier can classify a short English sentence into one of the thirty-two predefined tasks that are frequently requested while using personal mobile devices. Evaluation results show high prediction accuracy of our classifier ranging from 82% to 99%. By using large amount of crowdsourced data, we also illustrate the relationship between training data size and the prediction accuracy of our task classifier.
The Characteristics, Prognosis, and Risk Factors of Lymph Node Metastasis in Early Gastric Cancer
Authors: Li Xuan , Liu Shiyu , Yan Jin , Peng Lei , Chen Meihong , Yang Jiajia , Zhang Guoxin
Published: May 2018

Background. Lymph node metastasis (LNM) is the most important risk factor for endoscopic treatment in early gastric cancer (EGC) patients. We aimed to investigate the rate of LNM, the risk factors, and the prognosis of EGC patients with LMN. Methods. A total of 10,039 patients who underwent gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy were reviewed between January 2010 and December 2015 at Jiangsu Province Hospital in China. Among them, we identified 1004 (10%) EGCs. First, endoscopic and clinicopathological features related to LNM were analyzed, and then risk factors for LNM were identified using univariate and multivariate analysis. Finally, the short- and long-term outcomes were compared between the groups. Results. LNM occurred in 123 (12.3%) EGCs. Most of EGCs were male (n=720, 71.7%) and mean age was 59.65 ± 11.09 years. The rate of H. pylori infection was 78.0% (783/1004). LNM was significantly associated with age, sex, location, lesion size, macroscopic type, depth of invasion, differentiation type, histological morphology, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), and TMN stage. By multivariate analysis, significant independent risk factors for LNM in EGC were identified as following: male sex (OR 2.365, P=0.035), age ≦ 40 (OR 0.055, P=0.012), depressed type (OR 2.721, P=0.013), submucosa invasion (OR 2.987, P=0.032), LVI (OR 5.186, P=0.003), tumor located in corpora (OR 8.904, P=0.047), and in angle (OR 12.998, P=0.024). 86.5% were successfully followed up for 3 years. The overall 1- and 3-year survival rates in LNM group were 100% and 91.1%, respectively, and those with no LNM were 100% and 100%, respectively. Conclusion. EGCs were investigated in 10.0% of gastric cancer, which LNM occurred in 12.3% of EGC. Independent risk factors of LNM included male sex, age (>40), the depth of invasion, LVI, and tumor located in corpora or angle. The 3-year overall survival rate was greater in EGC patients without LNM.
Optimization and Damping Performance of a Coal‐Fired Power Plant Building Equipped with Multiple Coal Bucket Dampers
Authors: Peng Ling-Yun , Kang Ying-Jie , Lai Zong-Rui , Deng Yu-Ke
Published: May 2018

A parameter optimization design method is proposed for multiple coal bucket dampers (CBDs) to reduce the seismic response of coal‐fired power plants. To test the damping effect of the optimized CBDs, a 1 : 30 scale shaking table test model of a power plant structure was fabricated. A comparative testing program was conducted using three seismic excitations on a model with and without CBDs. A finite element analysis model, replicating the conditions of the shaking table test, was constructed for comparison, and the shock absorption effects of CBDs subjected to 22 groups of far‐field seismic action and 28 groups of near‐field seismic action were analyzed. Finally, the influence of changes in the structural period on the seismic response of the CBD‐equipped structure was studied. The results indicate that the use of CBDs in a coal‐fired power plant structure, based on an optimization design method for multiple‐tuned mass dampers (MTMDs), results in a significant reduction in the structure displacement response, displays a certain discreteness under different excitations, and maintains a certain damping stability even as the structural period changes. Overall, the use of CBDs is a promising prospect for improving the seismic performance of coal‐fired power plant structures.
Adaptive Step Size Gradient Ascent ICA Algorithm for Wireless MIMO Systems
Authors: Uddin Zahoor , Ahmad Ayaz , Iqbal Muhammad , Kaleem Zeeshan
Published: May 2018

Independent component analysis (ICA) is a technique of blind source separation (BSS) used for separation of the mixed received signals. ICA algorithms are classified into adaptive and batch algorithms. Adaptive algorithms perform well in time-varying scenario with high-computational complexity, while batch algorithms have better separation performance in quasistatic channels with low-computational complexity. Amongst batch algorithms, the gradient-based ICA algorithms perform well, but step size selection is critical in these algorithms. In this paper, an adaptive step size gradient ascent ICA (ASS-GAICA) algorithm is presented. The proposed algorithm is free from selection of the step size parameter with improved convergence and separation performance. Different performance evaluation criteria are used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. Performance of the proposed algorithm is compared with the FastICA and optimum block adaptive ICA (OBAICA) algorithms for quasistatic and time-varying wireless channels. Simulation is performed over quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) and binary phase shift keying (BPSK) signals. Results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms the FastICA and OBAICA algorithms for a wide range of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and input data block lengths.
Effects of Drug Policy Changes on Evolution of Molecular Markers of Plasmodium falciparum Resistance to Chloroquine, Amodiaquine, and Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine in the South West Region of Cameroon
Authors: Moyeh Marcel N. , Njimoh Dieudonne L. , Evehe Marie Solange , Ali Innocent M. , Nji Akindeh M. , Nkafu Dominique N. , Masumbe Palmer N. , Barbara Atogho-Tiedeu , Ndikum Valentine N. , Mbacham Wilfred F.
Published: May 2018

Background. As a result of the spread of parasites resistant to antimalarial drugs, Malaria treatment guidelines in Cameroon evolved from nonartemisinin monotherapy to artemisinin-based combination therapy. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of these therapy changes on the prevalence of molecular markers of resistance from 2003 to 2013 in Mutengene, Cameroon. Methodology. Dry blood samples (collected in 2003–2005 and 2009–2013) were used for parasite DNA extraction. Drug resistance genes were amplified by PCR and hybridized with oligonucleotide probes or subjected to restriction digestion. The prevalence of individual marker polymorphisms and haplotypes was compared in these two study periods using the Chi square test. Results. Alleles conferring resistance to 4-aminoquinolines in the Pfcrt 76T and Pfmdr1 86Y, 184F, and 1246Y genotypes showed a significant reduction of 97.0% to 66.9%, 83.6% to 45.2%, 97.3% to 56.0%, and 3.1% to 0.0%, respectively (P<0.05). No difference was observed in SNPs associated with antifolate drugs resistance 51I, 59R, 108N, or 540E (P>0.05). Haplotype analysis in the Pfmdr1 gene showed a reduction in the YFD from 75.90% to 42.2%, P<0.0001, and an increase in the NYD (2.9% to 30.1%;  P<0.0001). Conclusions. The results indicated a gradual return of the 4-aminoquinoline sensitive genotype while the antifolate resistant genotypes increased to saturation.
Antioxidant Potential of Propolis, Bee Pollen, and Royal Jelly: Possible Medical Application
Authors: Kocot Joanna , Kiełczykowska Małgorzata , Luchowska-Kocot Dorota , Kurzepa Jacek , Musik Irena
Published: May 2018

Honeybees products comprise of numerous substances, including propolis, bee pollen, and royal jelly, which have long been known for their medicinal and health‐promoting properties. Their wide biological effects have been known and used since antiquity. Bee products are considered to be a potential source of natural antioxidants such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, or terpenoids. Nowadays, the still growing concern in natural substances capable of counteracting the effects of oxidative stress underlying the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, such as neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, diabetes, and atherosclerosis, as well as negative effects of different harmful factors and drugs, is being observed. Having regarded the importance of acquiring drugs from natural sources, this review is aimed at updating the current state of knowledge of antioxidant capacity of selected bee products, namely, propolis, bee pollen, and royal jelly, and of their potential antioxidant‐related therapeutic applications. Moreover, the particular attention has been attributed to the understanding of the mechanisms underlying antioxidant properties of bee products. The influence of bee species, plant origin, geographic location, and seasonality as well as type of extraction solutions on the composition of bee products extracts were also discussed.
Dietary Patterns and Fitness Level in Mexican Teenagers
Authors: Estrada-Reyes César , Tlatempa-Sotelo Patricia , Valdés-Ramos Roxana , Cabañas-Armesilla María , Manjarrez-Montes-de-Oca Rafael
Published: May 2018

Background. Nowadays, the term “physical fitness” has evolved from sports performance to health status, and it has been considered a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease. In this sense, test batteries have been developed to evaluate physical fitness such as the ALPHA-FIT battery. On the other hand, the analysis of dietary patterns has emerged as an alternative method to study the relationship between diet and chronic noncommunicable diseases. However, the association between dietary patterns and the physical fitness level has not been evaluated in both adults and adolescents. This association is most important in adolescents due to the fact that establishing healthy dietary behaviors and a favorable nutritional profile in early stages of life prevents various chronic-degenerative diseases. Objective. To analyze the association between dietary patterns and the level of fitness in Mexican teenagers. Methods. We analyzed the relationship between dietary patterns and the fitness level of 42 teenage students in Toluca, Mexico. Students were weighed and measured, and their food intake was recorded for 2 weekdays and one weekend day. Dietary patterns were obtained by factorial analysis. The ALPHA-FIT battery was used to measure the fitness level. Results. Fifty percent of the students were found to have a low fitness level (62.1% men; 37.9% women). There was no association (X2 = 0.83) between the dietary patterns “high in fat and sugar,” “high in protein”, and “low in fat and protein” and the level of physical condition in teens. Conclusions. In this study, all of teenagers with a very low level of fitness obtained a high dietary pattern in protein; however, 40% with a high level of physical condition resulted in the same pattern; that is why we did not find a relationship between the fitness level and the patterns investigated in this study.
Effects of Deposition Temperature on Structural, Optical Properties and Laser Damage of LaTiO3 Thin Films
Authors: Li Jianchao , Yang Wanmin , Su Junhong , Yang Chen
Published: May 2018

LaTiO3 films were prepared under various deposition temperatures using electron beam evaporation on Si and fused quartz substrates. The relationship between the deposition temperature and structure and properties of optics was investigated by XPS, XRD, and various optical testing. The results showed that the LaTiO3 film is amorphous when the deposition temperature is below 200°C. The refractive index of LaTiO3 films increases from 1.8302 to 1.9112 at 1064 nm with the rise of deposition temperature. The extinction coefficient of LaTiO3 films is less than 10−6 in the range of 350 to 1700 nm. The laser damage threshold increases at first and then decreases with the increase of deposition temperature. The maximum of the laser damage threshold was 18.18 J/cm2 when the deposition temperature was 150°C. Compared with TiO2 film, the chemical structure and the laser damage threshold of LaTiO3 film are more stable by preparation of electron beam evaporation.
Stochastic Periodic Solution of a Susceptible-Infective Epidemic Model in a Polluted Environment under Environmental Fluctuation
Authors: Zhao Yu , Li Jiangping , Ma Xu
Published: May 2018

It is well known that the pollution and environmental fluctuations may seriously affect the outbreak of infectious diseases (e.g., measles). Therefore, understanding the association between the periodic outbreak of an infectious disease and noise and pollution still needs further development. Here we consider a stochastic susceptible-infective (SI) epidemic model in a polluted environment, which incorporates both environmental fluctuations as well as pollution. First, the existence of the global positive solution is discussed. Thereafter, the sufficient conditions for the nontrivial stochastic periodic solution and the boundary periodic solution of disease extinction are derived, respectively. Numerical simulation is also conducted in order to support the theoretical results. Our study shows that (i) large intensity noise may help the control of periodic outbreak of infectious disease; (ii) pollution may significantly affect the peak level of infective population and cause adverse health effects on the exposed population. These results can help increase the understanding of periodic outbreak patterns of infectious diseases.
Decreased Oxidative Stress in Male Patients with Active Phase Ankylosing Spondylitis Who Underwent Whole‐Body Cryotherapy in Closed Cryochamber
Authors: Stanek Agata , Cholewka Armand , Wielkoszyński Tomasz , Romuk Ewa , Sieroń Aleksander
Published: May 2018

Objective. The aim of the study was to estimate the impact of whole body cryotherapy (WBC) on oxidative stress when performed in a closed cryochamber on patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Material and methods. The effect of ten WBC procedures lasting 3 minutes a day with a subsequent 60‐minute session kinesiotherapy on oxidative stress in male AS patients (WBC group n = 16) was investigated. To assess the disease activity, the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Diseases Activity Index (BASDAI) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) were calculated. The WBC group was compared to the kinesiotherapy only (KT; n = 16) group. The routine parameters of oxidative stress (antioxidant enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant status, lipid peroxidation products, total oxidative status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI)) were estimated one day before the beginning and one day after the completion of the research program. Results. After the completion of the treatment in the WBC group, a significant decrease of oxidative stress markers (TOS and OSI) and a significant increase of total antioxidant status were observed. The erythrocyte activity of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase decreased significantly in both groups, but the differences of activity of that enzymes prior to post treatment values (Δ) in the KT group were significantly higher as compared to the WBC group. The activity of erythrocyte catalase and plasma ZnCu isoenzyme of superoxide dismutase showed a decreased tendency; erythrocyte total superoxide dismutase activity showed an increased tendency in the WBC group after the completion of the treatment. The BASDAI and BASFI decreased significantly in both groups, but the differences of value indexes prior to post treatment (Δ) were significantly higher in the WBC than KT group. Conclusion. WBC performed in a closed cryochamber decreases oxidative stress and improves BASDAI and BASFI indexes in male patients during the active phase of ankylosing spondylitis.
Analysis of Energy Performance on Envelope Ratio Exposed to the Outdoor
Authors: Lim Hong Soo , Kim Gon
Published: May 2018

The shape of a building largely contributes to its energy consumption. The current study utilized metrics of surface‐to‐volume ratio, surface‐to‐floor ratio, area‐to‐perimeter ratio, and volume ratio to evaluate building energy performance. Also, the paper focused on the relation between the air‐conditioned room and non‐air‐conditioned room. This approach affects both the design stages of the floor plan and the main designing factors that decide which spaces would become air‐conditioned spaces such as those mostly occupied by residents or non‐air‐conditioned space such as staircases and elevators. The heating load and cooling load were calculated using the new equation based on the location of non‐air‐conditioned spaces and envelope ratio facing the outdoor. Both the width‐depth ratio and envelope ratio were analyzed using the IES_V.E (Integrated Environmental Solutions Virtue Environment) program. It turns out that, as the non‐air‐conditioned spaces increase, both heating load and cooling load were reduced.
Association of Total Fluid Intake and Output with Duration of Hospital Stay in Patients with Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Koop Andree H. , Stancampiano Fernando F. , Jackson Jillian , Henry April , Horsley-Silva Jennifer , Pannala Rahul , Heckman Michael G. , Diehl Nancy N. , Palmer William C.
Published: May 2018

Background/Aims. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of fluid balance with outcomes in patients hospitalized with acute pancreatitis (AP).Methods. This was a retrospective study of patients hospitalized between May 2008 and June 2016 with AP and a clinical order for strict recording of intake and output. Data collected included various types of fluid intake and output at 24 and 48 hours after admission. The primary outcome was length of stay (LOS). Analysis was performed using single-variable and multivariable negative binomial regression models.Results. Of 1256 patients hospitalized for AP during the study period, only 71 patients (5.6%) had a clinical order for strict recording of intake and output. Increased urine output was associated with a decreased LOS at 24 and 48 hours in univariable analysis. An increasingly positive fluid balance (total intake minus urine output) at 24 hours was associated with a longer LOS in multivariable analysis.Conclusions. Few patients hospitalized for AP had a documented order for strict monitoring of fluid intake and output, despite the importance of monitoring fluid balance in these patients. Our study suggests an association between urine output and fluid balance with LOS in AP.
Productivity and Water Use Efficiency of Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] Grown under Different Nitrogen Applications in Sudan Savanna Zone, Nigeria
Authors: Ajeigbe Hakeem A. , Akinseye Folorunso Mathew , Ayuba Kunihya , Jonah Jerome
Published: May 2018

Nitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient for sorghum growth and development but often becomes limiting due to low availability and loss. The effects of N fertilization on water use efficiency (WUE) and physiological and yield traits of sorghum were investigated in two locations over two cropping seasons (2014 and 2015) in the Sudan Savanna zone of Nigeria. Three sorghum varieties were evaluated under six (6) N-levels (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 kg ha−1) at a constant phosphorus and potassium level of 30 kg ha−1. Results showed that N increased grain yield by 35–64% at the Bayero University Kano (BUK) and 23–78% at Minjibir. The highest mean grain yield in the N-fertilizer treatments (2709 kg ha−1 and 1852 kg ha−1 at BUK and Minjibir, resp.) was recorded at 80 kg N ha−1. ICSV400 produced the highest mean grain yields (2677 kg ha−1 and 1848 kg ha−1 at BUK and Minjibir, resp.). Significant differences were observed among the N-levels as well as among the sorghum varieties for estimated water use efficiency (WUE). The highest mean value coincided with the highest mean grain yield at an optimum application rate of 80 kg ha−1. N-fertilizer treatments increased WUE by 48–55% at BUK and increased WUE by 54–76% at Minjibir over control treatment. Maturity and physiological trait have a significant effect on WUE. The extra early maturing variety (ICSV400) recorded the highest mean WUE while late maturing variety (CSR01) recorded the lowest WUE.
Network Pharmacology‐Based Approach to Investigate the Mechanisms of Hedyotis diffusa Willd. in the Treatment of Gastric Cancer
Authors: Liu Xinkui , Wu Jiarui , Zhang Dan , Wang Kaihuan , Duan Xiaojiao , Meng Ziqi , Zhang Xiaomeng
Published: May 2018

Background. Hedyotis diffusa Willd. (HDW) is one of the renowned herbs often used in the treatment of gastric cancer (GC). However, its curative mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Objective. To systematically investigate the mechanisms of HDW in GC. Methods. A network pharmacology approach mainly comprising target prediction, network construction, and module analysis was adopted in this study. Results. A total of 353 targets of the 32 bioactive compounds in HDW were obtained. The network analysis showed that CA isoenzymes, p53, PIK3CA, CDK2, P27Kip1, cyclin D1, cyclin B1, cyclin A2, AKT1, BCL2, MAPK1, and VEGFA were identified as key targets of HDW in the treatment of GC. The functional enrichment analysis indicated that HDW probably produced the therapeutic effects against GC by synergistically regulating many biological pathways, such as nucleotide excision repair, apoptosis, cell cycle, PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, VEGF signaling pathway, and Ras signaling pathway. Conclusions. This study holistically illuminates the fact that the pharmacological mechanisms of HDW in GC might be strongly associated with its synergic modulation of apoptosis, cell cycle, differentiation, proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis.
The Plasticity of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+CD127low T Cells in Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma in the Course of Interferon-Alpha Immunotherapy
Authors: Sayapina Maria S. , Bykovskaia Svetlana N.
Published: May 2018

Aims. To examine changes in subpopulation of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+CD127low T lymphocytes (Treg) and their association with the efficiency of the IFN-α therapy. Materials and Methods. Pts with mRCC who had undergone nephrectomy were treated with IFN-α at a dose of 6×106 U/day three times a week (n = 18). An immunophenotypic analysis of lymphocytes in peripheral blood expressing CD4, CD25, CD127, and Foxp3 antigens could be performed in 18 pts before, 2 weeks, and 2 mo after IFN-α therapy and 22 normal volunteers. Blood samples were collected at baseline and 2 mo after treatment start. Serum levels of TGF-β1, IL-17A, and Epo were measured by ELISA. Results. PR was achieved in 3 (16.6%) pts who received first-line therapy. Long-lasting SD (≥6 months) was noted in 6 (33.3%) pts. The median progression free survival (PFS) was 4 mo (95% CI: 2-NE). The study of the population of Treg indicated that there were no significant differences in the groups depending on the effect (p = 0.71). In one patient, the reduction of Treg cells was associated with increased TGF-β and IL-17 levels, whereas in other two pts the increase in Treg cells was associated with decreased TGF-β and IL-17 levels. The endogenous levels of Epo did not show significant correlation with response to IFN-α immunotherapy. In the patient subgroup with an initial value of MCH > 31 pg, the median PFS was not achieved, but in the subgroup with an initial value of MCH < 31 pg, the median PFS was 2 months (p = 0.032). Conclusions. In our study, we have described functional plasticity of Treg cells, which prevents them from being used as a prognostic marker. The conversion of Treg cells into Th17 can serve as a basis for the development of a new specific immunotherapeutic method in oncology after confirmation in the experiment in vitro. Given the small dataset, the results will need further validation.
The Study of Drag Reduction on Ships Inspired by Simplified Shark Skin Imitation
Authors: Ibrahim M. D. , Amran S. N. A. , Yunos Y. S. , Rahman M. R. A. , Mohtar M. Z. , Wong L. K. , Zulkharnain A.
Published: May 2018

The skin of a fast swimming shark reveals riblet structures that help reduce the shark’s skin friction drag, enhancing its efficiency and speed while moving in the water. Inspired by the structure of the shark skin denticles, our team has carried out a study as an effort in improving the hydrodynamic design of marine vessels through hull design modification which was inspired by this riblet structure of shark skin denticle. Our study covers on macroscaled design modification. This is an attempt to propose an alternative for a better economical and practical modification to obtain a more optimum cruising characteristics for marine vessels. The models used for this study are constructed using computer-aided design (CAD) software, and computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations are then carried out to predict the effectiveness of the hydrodynamic effects of the biomimetic shark skins on those models. Interestingly, the numerical calculated results obtained show that the presence of biomimetic shark skin implemented on the vessels give about 3.75% reduction of drag coefficient as well as reducing up to 3.89% in drag force experienced by the vessels. Theoretically, as force drag can be reduced, it can lead to a more efficient vessel with a better cruising speed. This will give better impact to shipping or marine industries around the world. However, it can be suggested that an experimental procedure is best to be conducted to verify the numerical result that has been obtained for further improvement on this research.
Some Results of τ1τ2-δ Semiconnectedness and Compactness in Bitopological Spaces
Authors: Arunmaran M. , Kannan K.
Published: May 2018

We are going to establish some results of τ1τ2-δ semiconnectedness and compactness in a bitopological space. Besides, we will investigate several results in τ1τ2-δ semiconnectedness for subsets in bitopological spaces. In particular, we will discuss the relationship related to semiconnectedness between the topological spaces and bitopological space. That is, if a bitopological space (X,τ1,τ2) is τ1τ2-δ semiconnected, then the topological spaces (X,τ1) and (X,τ2) are δ-semiconnected. In addition, we introduce the result which states that a bitopological space (X,τ1,τ2) is τ1τ2-δ semiconnected if and only if X and ϕ are the only subsets of X which are τ1τ2-δ semiclopen sets. Moreover, we have proved some results in compactness also. Altogether, several results of τ1τ2-δ semiconnectedness and compactness in a bitopological space have been discussed.
An Overview on Citrus aurantium L.: Its Functions as Food Ingredient and Therapeutic Agent
Authors: Suntar Ipek , Khan Haroon , Patel Seema , Celano Rita , Rastrelli Luca
Published: May 2018

Citrus aurantium L. (Rutaceae), commonly known as bitter orange, possesses multiple therapeutic potentials. These biological credentials include anticancer, antianxiety, antiobesity, antibacterial, antioxidant, pesticidal, and antidiabetic activities. The essential oil of C. aurantium was reported to display marked pharmacological effects and great variation in chemical composition depending on growing locations but mostly contained limonene, linalool, and β‐myrcene. Phytochemically, C. aurantium is rich in p‐synephrine, an alkaloid, and many health‐giving secondary metabolites such as flavonoids. Animal studies have demonstrated a low affinity of p‐synephrine for adrenergic receptors and an even lower affinity in human models. The present review focuses on the different biological activities of the C. aurantium in animal and human models in the form of extract and its pure secondary metabolites. Finally, it is concluded that both the extract and isolated compounds have no unwanted effects in human at therapeutic doses and, therefore, can confidently be used in various dietary formulations.