bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Terminal Pregnancy Complicated by Measles and Premature Labor: a Case Report
Authors: Zhang Yu-chen , Liu Li , Yang Xiao-li
Published: June 2017

Measles infection in pregnant women is a very dangerous clinical condition. Patients usually had complicated pneumonia, and measles virus could pass through the placenta to the fetus, leading to premature delivery, stillbirth, miscarriage and neonatal measles. In this report, we described one such case, which was diagnosed by clinical signs and symptoms, clinical and laboratory examination. After proper therapeutic treatment, the infection was well-controlled and a baby was born by nature labor.
Comparison on Serum Levels of Procalcitonin of Children with Viral and Bacterial Infection
Authors: Wang Ming-ming , Cui Su-nan , Gong Yan-xue
Published: June 2017

Objective To compare and analyze serum levels of procalcitonin (PCT) of children with viral and bacterial infection and probe into the importance of determining the level of serum PCT in the diagnosis of bacterial infection in order to provide evidences of the clinical use of antibiotics.

Methods A total of 85 cases of children with an average age of 8.9 years (10 months -12 years) were enrolled in this study, 53 cases were with viral infection and 32 cases with bacterial infection. We determined serum levels of PCT by semi-quantitative solid phase immunoassay, and the serum levels of PCT were divided into four grades as <0.5 μg / L, ≥ 0.5μg / L, ≥ 2.0μg / L and ≥ 10μg / L for x2 test and Ridit analysis.

Results The serum level of PCT of the group with bacterial infection were significantly higher than that of the group with viral infection (P < 0.001). The sensitivity of diagnosis of bacterial infection in children with determination of serum levels of PCT was 87.50% while the specificity was 92.13%, and positive predictive value was 73.68% while negative predictive value was 91.49%, and positive likelihood ratio was 4.65 while negative likelihood ratio was 0.15, and the diagnostic accuracy was 83.53%.

Conclusions Serum PCT is a bacterial sensitive marker of bacterial infection in children, and the determination of the level of serum PCT is helpful for the diagnosis of bacterial infection, which can also be a basis for the use of antibiotics.
Studies on Mutual Relationship between Anti-HBx and sFas, IL-10 or IL-12 in Sera of Cases with Chronic Hepatitis B Infection
Authors: Ding Ai-kun , Guo Li-wei , Wang Yong-kong , Liu Wei , Li Cheng , Wang Chang-yuan
Published: June 2017

Objective To study the mutual relationship between anti-HBx and IL-10, IL-12 or soluble Fas (sFas) in sera of patients with chronic HBV infection and to explore the importance of anti-HBx detection as well as its role in the development of chronic HBV infection.

Methods Total of 90 cases with chronic HBV infection were randomly selected, including 10 of asymptomatic carriers (ASC), 28 of chronic hepatitis B (CHB), 26 of liver cirrhosis (LC) and 26 patients of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Their clinical data and blood samples were collected, and serum was prepared and stored at -73℃. Anti-HBx was detected with an indirect ELISA established in our earlier research, and levels of IL-10, IL-12 and Fas were determined with commercial double-antibody sandwich ELISA kits. The mutual relationship between anti-HBx and IL-10, IL-12 or sFas in serum were analyzed with the software SPSS 20.0.

Results All levels of IL-10, IL-12 and sFas in peripheral blood showed a rising trend with development of chronic HBV infection. The levels of IL-10 in ASC, CHB, LC and HCC groups were 13.93 ± 14.40 ng/L, 39.38 ± 20.77 ng/L, 69.06 ± 46.37 ng/L and 62.82 ± 23.42 ng/L, respectively, levels of IL-12 in the 4 groups were 15.64 ± 23.04 ng/L, 68.50 ± 23.14 ng/L, 76.83 ± 12.82 ng/L and 83.74 ± 24.88 ng/L, respectively, and levels of sFas were 58.17 ± 77.42 ng/L, 179.88 ± 104.36 ng/L, 249.22 ± 107.80 ng/L and 252.98 ± 87.65 ng/L, respectively. Twenty-seven out of 90 patients showed a positive result for anti-HBx detection, including 1 in ASC, 4 in CHB, 12 in LC and 10 in HCC group. The levels of IL-10, IL-12 and sFas were higher in anti-HBx positive group than in negative group. Statistical analysis demonstrated significant differences of IL-10 and IL-12 between the two groups (P < 0.05), but the differences of sFas had no statistical significance (P = 0.094).

Conclusions Anti-HBx antibody is not protective, and is closely related to IL-10, IL-12 and sFas. It may be an important serum indicator for aggravation from chronic hepatitis B to liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic HBV infection.
Investigation on Factors Associated with Severe Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
Authors: Yang Gui-lin , Liu Ying-xia , Fang Mu-tong , He Yan-xia , Nunnari John , Xie Jing-jing , Le Xiao-hua , Zhou Bo-ping
Published: June 2017

Objective To analyze the clinical and laboratory features of patients with mild and severe HFMD to identify early predictive or diagnostic markers for severe cases.

Methods Samples of feces, nasopharyngeal-swab specimens, peripheral blood, serum and cerebral spinal fluid were collected. Postmortem pathological examination was conducted on 2 dead patients with complication due to neurogenic pulmonary edema. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain-reaction (RT-PCR), culture and isolation of enterovirus 71 (EV71) were performed to detect EV71 infection. Both univariate and multivariate logistic analysis were used to identify factors associated with severe cases.

Results EV71 was mainly responsible for HFMD. In this study, 5 isolated EV71 strains belonged to C4 gene subtype. Compared with mild patients, EV71-RNA detection rate was higher and CoxA16 detection rate was lower among severe patients (P < 0.01). Inflammatory cell infiltration in the lung, cardiac and liver tissues were mild by postmortem pathological examination. It was found that body temperature, vomitting, limb tremor, neutrophil, blood glucose and EV71 infection were significantly related to the severe cases by univariate logistic analysis. However, after multivariate logistic regression analysis, only vomiting (OR 16.1, CI 2.3-110.5, P < 0.01) and limb tremor (OR 117.6, CI 13.8-1004.5, P < 0.01) were significantly and independently correlated with the severe cases.

Conclusions EV71 was mainly responsible for HFMD, particularly for severe cases. Vomiting and limb tremor were predictive markers for severe cases.
Effects of Interleukin-18 and Anti-interleukin- 18-mAb on Experimental Immunological Liver Fibrosis Induced by Repeatedly Administered Concanavalin A and Its Mechanism
Authors: Tan You-wen , Wu Jian-cheng , Ye Yun , Chen Li , Pai Peng-li
Published: June 2017

Objective To explore the prevention of IL-18 or anti-IL-18-mAb to the immune liver fibrosis model induced by repeated injection of concanavalin A in BALB/c mice and its mechanism.

Methods Total of 120 BALB/c mice were divided into four groups, control group mice (Ga) were injected weekly with normal saline, concanavalin A group was divided into Gb, Gc, Gd. All mice were injected with concanavalin A (15 mg/kg) once a week. Moreover, Gc, Gd mice were injected weekly with IL-18 (7.5 mg/kg) and anti-IL-18-mAb (10 mg/kg) 2 hours before treatment with concanavalin A, respectively. Twenty-four hours after concanavalin A challenge at 1, 5, 12 and 20 weeks, 3 mice were killed by vena orbitalis, repectively. The sera were storaged at 4° for detecting of up TNF-α and IFN-γ by ELISA. The liver of mice in different groups were excised and fixed in 10% formalin for HE staining and Masson staining or frozen in liquid nitrogen for immunohistochemical staining for α-SMA. After extracting of total RNA from liver tissue, MMP-2 and TIMP-1 Ａ messenger RNA were amplified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR). products were electrophoresed on agrose gel containing ethidium bromide and visualized under ultraviolet light. Densitometric RT-PCR data were standardized with β-actin signals.

Results After experiment, the number of dead mice of Ga, Gb, Gc and Gd were 0, 6, 15 and 3, respectively. There were significant difference on each group (P < 0.05). At the fifth week of experiment, hepatocellular necrosis in IL-18 administered group mice had become widespread throughout the lobule. Evidence of liver fibrosis was observed during this period. However, at the twelfth week of experimemt, bridging fibrosis and large fibrosis strip in the parenchyma with hepatocellular necrosis was detectable in Gb, but at twentieth week, only the small fibrosis strip had been found in anti-IL-18-mAb administered group mice by HE staining and Masson staining. The serum levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ in IL-18 administered group were higher than that in concanavalin A group and anti-IL-18 administered groups (P < 0.05). Moreover, immunohistochemical staining for α-SMA indicated that the semi-quantu scores in IL-18 administered group were more than concanavalin A group and anti-IL-18- mAb administered groups (P < 0.05). MMP-2-mRNA, TIMP-1- mRNA expression levels increased signifigantly compared with concanavalin A group and anti-IL-18-mAb administered group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions The immune liver fibrosis model induced by repeated injection of concanavalin A in BALB/c mice could be worsened by IL-18 administration and block by anti-IL-18 mAb administraion.
The Study of Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation
Authors: Chi Zhao-chun
Published: June 2017

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation after chemotherapy or immunosuppressive therapy is a cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality. Not all chronic hepatitis B patients will lead to HBV reactivation. The incidence is 0.3%- 30.2% according to the reports. The mechanism of HBV reactivation is still unclear, but it is believed that the viral load is increasing due to the suppression of immune response. No uniform diagnostic criteria are available. HBV reactivation can be confirmed by an increase of serum HBV DNA level. Recently, awareness of reactivation of occult HBV has been improved, especially in HBV endemic area. Preemptive antiviral therapy was the best approach to prevent the HBV reactivation. HBV reactivation can lead to acute hepatitis, severe hepatitis and acute liver failure. Therefore, it is worthy of great attention and further study. Antiviral therapy is safe and effective to prevent HBV reactivation.
Pride, shame and health among adolescents – a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Randell Eva , Joffer Junia , Flacking Renée , Starrin Bengt , Jerdén Lars
Published: June 2017

Background

Pride and shame are important emotions known to influence identity development and psychological well-being in adolescence. Research evidence indicates that self-rated health (SRH) is a strong predictor of future health. This cross-sectional study, conducted during 2008–2009, aimed to investigate the associations between pride, shame and SRH among adolescent boys and girls.

Methods

The study sample comprised 705 adolescents in Sweden aged 17–18 years (318 boys and 387 girls) who completed a questionnaire that included items on SRH, shame and pride (participation rate 67%). Logistic regression analyses (univariable and multivariable) were used to investigate the associations between pride and shame as separate and combined constructs on SRH, adjusting for potential confounders (country of birth, parental educational level, school experience, having enough friends, mood in family and being active in associations).

Results

Pride and shame separately were significantly associated with SRH in both genders. Logistic regression analysis of the pride-shame model showed that the odds of having lower SRH were highest in boys and girls with lower pride-higher shame. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis of the pride-shame model the odds of having lower SRH remained significant in boys and girls with lower pride-higher shame [boys: odds ratio (OR) 3.51, confidence interval (CI) 1.40–8.81; girls: OR 2.70, CI 1.22–5.96] and in girls with lower pride-lower shame (OR 2.16, CI 1.02–4.56).

Conclusion

The emotions of shame and pride are associated with SRH in adolescence. Experiencing pride seems to serve as a protective mechanism in SRH in adolescents exposed to shame. We believe that this knowledge should be useful in adolescent health promotion.
Work related musculoskeletal disorders among adolescent girls and young women employees of textile industries in Tamil Nadu, India – a comparative study
Authors: Angeline Gnanaselvam Nancy , Bobby Joseph
Published: June 2017

Musculoskeletal disorders are common in those employed in the textile industry. The aim of the study is to assess musculoskeletal disorders among adolescent girls who are current employees of textile industries in comparison with the adolescent girls and young women who are past employees of textile industries and adolescent girls who have never been employed in the textile industry.

Methodology

This is a cross-sectional study. A total of 321 subjects, 107 in each study group were sampled. Standardized nordic questionnaires (SNQ) was used to assess musculoskeletal symptoms.

Results

More than half of the current employees (67.28%) and past employees (67.28%) reported musculoskeletal pain. Among the never been employed, 18.69% reported musculoskeletal pain. Neck and shoulder were the most common sites of musculoskeletal pain among the current employees (49.5% and 50.5%, respectively) and the past employees (45.8% and 49.5%, respectively). In the regression model, having ever been diagnosed for anemia (AOR 6.57, 95% CI 1.4 to 30.76), working for more than 48 h in a week (AOR 3.37, 95% CI 1.53 to 7.41) and the presence of depression (AOR 6.6, 95% CI 1.48 to 29.36) were significantly associated with the presence of musculoskeletal pain in the study participants.

Conclusion

Musculoskeletal disorders are a major occupational health problem among the adolescent and young women employees of textile industries. Working hours should be fixed at 48 h per week and anemia and depression should be treated to avert the work related musculoskeletal disorders in the study population.
Association between perceived parental style and depressive symptoms among adolescents in Hulu Langat District, Malaysia
Authors: Ang Jin Kiat , Phang Cheng Kar , Mukhtar Firdaus , Osman Zubaidah Jamil , Awang Hamidin , Sidik Sherina Mohd , Ibrahim Normala , Ghaffar Siti Fatimah Ab
Published: June 2017

Depression among adolescents is increasing and worrying because of its morbidity and mortality from suicide. It has been found to be associated with negative parental styles. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between perceived negative parental styles and depressive symptoms among adolescents in Hulu Langat District, Selangor, Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 1769 secondary school students by using a multistage cluster sampling method. Data were collected by using a set of validated, pre-tested and standardized questionnaires which included the Measures of Parental styles (MOPS) and modified Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 12 (DASS-12) for adolescents. Data were analyzed by using the chi-square test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and independent t-tests. Out of 1800, 1769 completed the questionnaire giving a response rate of 98.3%. The prevalence of severe depressive symptoms was about 14% while 18.0% and 36.1% of respondents have moderate and mild depressive symptoms, respectively. There were significantly moderate and positive correlations between perceived indifferent parents (Father: r = 0.367; Mother: r = 0.340, p < 0.05), perceived abusive parents (Father: r = 0.338; Mother: r = 0.331, p < 0.05) and depressive symptoms among the respondents. While perceived over control parents shows a significantly positive but weak correlation (Father: r = 0.206; Mother: r = 0.244, p < 0.05) with depressive symptoms among respondents. All types of parental styles in this study were significantly different among respondents with different categories of depressive symptoms (p < 0.008). Perceived negative parental styles have significant influence on adolescents’ depressive symptoms. Intervention on modifying parental style is needed to reduce depressive symptoms.
Exercise intervention on cardiovascular disease risk factors in a university population in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Dalibalta Sarah , Mirshafiei Fatemeh , Davison Gareth
Published: June 2017

Objective

1) To assess the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in a university population, and 2) to investigate the effects of an 8-week exercise intervention on CVD risk factors.

Methods

Forty-six students participated in this study. Baseline cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed using maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max). Total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and triglycerides were measured. Body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip circumference ratio (WHR), blood pressure (BP) and arterial stiffness were also assessed. Participants performed 8weeks of exercise consisting of 60 min of moderate-high intensity exercise three times a week, and all parameters were repeated following the 8-week program.

Results

Participants were divided into an apparently healthy control group (BMI < 25 kg/m2) and an overweight/obese experimental group (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2). Both groups had low cardiorespiratory fitness and clear evidence of risk for CVD. Following the 8-week program, participants demonstrated significant improvement in biochemical parameters and in overall fitness (p < 0.05). WHRs decreased whilst peak oxygen volumes increased when comparing baseline and post-exercise values (p < 0.05). BMI decreased in both groups following exercise (p < 0.05). Systolic BP was surprisingly elevated in nearly 30% of participants, but was comparatively lower in the control group (p < 0.05). There was a clear increase in HDL-cholesterol values post-intervention (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Early detection of CVD risk factors, particularly in a young population, can lead to earlier prevention of disease through lifestyle changes. Moreover, short-term exercise can have important effects on reducing CVD risk factors, improving body composition and overall cardiorespiratory fitness.
New Connection of DFIG Wind Turbines to the Grid to Minimize Converter Number
Authors: Khattara A. , Becherif M. , Tabanjat A. , Aboubou A.
Published: June 2017

The Doubly Fed Induction Generator DFIG wind turbines are the most chosen for the grid connection thanks to its dynamic, but the disconnection of these wind turbines during line fault to protect its converters don’t conform the new grid codes which prohibit disconnection of wind turbine during line fault, and recommend them to contribute in grid stability. This paper proposes a new model of DFIG wind turbine connection between them, where the number of converters in grid side is reduced and the connection of wind turbines in parallel to the grid is transformed to series-parallel connection, the aim of this new model of connection are to reduce the converters number in the grid side, limit current transient in converters, double the voltage, and reduce the investment cost. The total power generated by the farm before this new connection will be kept unchanged thanks to the installed switch in the model, a fuzzy logic program is developed to control switches.
Non-similarity Solutions for Viscous Dissipation and Soret Effects in Micropolar Fluid over a Truncated Cone with Convective Boundary Condition: Spectral Quasilinearization Approach
Authors: RamReddy Chetteti , Pradeepa Teegala
Published: June 2017

This article emphasizes the influence of convective boundary condition on mixed convection flow of a micropolar fluid over a truncated cone with Soret and viscous dissipation effects. The governing micropolar fluid flow equations are non-dimensionalized using suitable non-similarity transformations. Several authors have applied the spectral quasilinearization method to solve the ordinary differential equations, but here the resulting nonlinear partial differential equations are solved for non-similarity solution by using a newly developed method called the spectral quasilinearization method (SQLM). The comparison of convection process namely free, forced and mixed convection on the micropolar fluid is provided in detail. The convergence and error analysis are also discussed to test the accuracy of the spectral method. From the results, it perceived that with the rise in viscous dissipation parameter, the wall couple stress coefficient and Nusselt number reduce, but velocity, temperature, concentration, skin friction coefficient and Sherwood number increase for both in the absence and in the presence of Soret number.
Social network structure and language change in Amdo Tibetan
Authors: Tribur Zoe
Published: June 2017

This article discusses dialectal diversity in Amdo Tibetan using a sociohistorical linguistic framework in which typological variation in related speech varieties is explained as a function of social network structure. It is argued that morphosyntactic and phonological complexity are functions of the complexity of network ties that characterize the community in which languages are spoken. Social network structure influences linguistic development in three ways: a network’s size and constituency determine the synchronic variation that members of the network are exposed to as a whole and that are available to become sources of diachronic change. The nature of the relationships characterizing different network types contributes to the context in which communication takes place, influencing the content of linguistic exchanges. Over time, biases in the interactional functions that linguistic expressions are used to perform favor the selection and development of some features over others. Finally, different social network types are associated with different language attitudes, including awareness and enforcement of linguistic norms. Network type interacts with other social factors to influence the direction of language change.
Analysis of the physicochemical properties of post-manufacturing waste derived from production of methyl esters from rapeseed oil
Authors: Kachel-Jakubowska Magdalena , Matwijczuk Arkadiusz , Gagoś Mariusz
Published: June 2017

The technology of transesterification of biodiesel obtained from many agricultural products, which are often referred to as renewable resources, yields substantial amounts of by-products. They exhibit various properties that prompt scientific research into potential application thereof. Various spectroscopic methods, e.g. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, are being increasingly used in the research. In this paper, we present the results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectroscopy analyses of technical glycerine, distilled glycerine, and matter organic non glycerol, i.e. by-products of biodiesel production. To facilitate the spectroscopic analysis, a number of parameters were determined for all the materials, e.g. the calorific value, water content, sulphated ash content, methanol content, acidity, as well as the contents of esters, heavy metals, aldehydes, nitrogen, and phosphorus. The results indicate that the analysed products are characterised by a comparable calorific value in the range from 11.35 to 16.05 MJ kg-1 in the case of matter organic non glycerol and technical glycerine. Observation of changes in the position of selected peaks in the range of 3700-650 cm-1 in the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy method facilitates determination of the level of degradation of the analysed material. Changes in the wavelength ranges can be used for monitoring the formation of secondary oxidation products containing carbonyl groups.
Yield variability prediction by remote sensing sensors with different spatial resolution
Authors: Kumhálová Jitka , Matějková Štěpánka
Published: June 2017

Currently, remote sensing sensors are very popular for crop monitoring and yield prediction. This paper describes how satellite images with moderate (Landsat satellite data) and very high (QuickBird and WorldView-2 satellite data) spatial resolution, together with GreenSeeker hand held crop sensor, can be used to estimate yield and crop growth variability. Winter barley (2007 and 2015) and winter wheat (2009 and 2011) were chosen because of cloud-free data availability in the same time period for experimental field from Landsat satellite images and QuickBird or WorldView-2 images. Very high spatial resolution images were resampled to worse spatial resolution. Normalised difference vegetation index was derived from each satellite image data sets and it was also measured with GreenSeeker handheld crop sensor for the year 2015 only. Results showed that each satellite image data set can be used for yield and plant variability estimation. Nevertheless, better results, in comparison with crop yield, were obtained for images acquired in later phenological phases, e.g. in 2007 - BBCH 59 - average correlation coefficient 0.856, and in 2011 - BBCH 59-0.784. GreenSeeker handheld crop sensor was not suitable for yield estimation due to different measuring method.
Original Article. Toxic effect of sodium fluoride on hydroxyproline level and expression of collagen-1 gene in rat bone and its amelioration by Tamrindus indica L. fruit pulp extract
Authors: Gupta Amit Raj , Dey Sahadeb , Saini Mohini , Swarup Devendra
Published: June 2017

Excessive fluoride intoxication plays an important role in the development of dental, skeletal and non-skeletal fluorosis. The aim of this study was to ascertain the toxic effect of excessive fluoride ingestion on the level of hydroxyproline and expression of type 1 collagen gene in rat bone and its amelioration by supplementation with Tamarindus indica fruit pulp extract. Forty albino rats were randomly assigned to four groups. The first group served as control and received only tap water. The second group received sodium fluoride (200 ppm) through drinking water. The third group received T. indica fruit pulp extract (200 mg/kg body weight) alone and the fourth group received the T. indica fruit pulp extract (200 mg/kg body weight) along with fluorinated drinking water (200 ppm) daily by gavage for a period of 90 days. The level of hydroxyproline and expression of type 1 collagen gene using quantitative real time PCR in the tibia bone decreased significantly with continuous exposure to sodium fluoride. Co-administration of T. indica fruit pulp extract during exposure to fluoride through drinking water restored the level of calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase in serum and the concentration of hydroxyproline in urine. It increased the level of hydroxyproline and expression of type 1 collagen gene in the tibia as compared to untreated fluoride-exposed rats. It is concluded that T. indica fruit pulp extract has an ameliorative potential to protect the bone from fluoride induced collagen damage.
Original Article. Inflammatory effect of 2-aminoanthracene (2AA) on adipose tissue gene expression in pregnant Sprague Dawley rats
Authors: Whitby Shamaya L. , Hunter Daniel A. , Yau Wilson , Howerth Elizabeth W. , Gato Worlanyo E.
Published: June 2017

Adipocyte dysfunction may be a critical link between obesity and insulin resistance as a result of abnormal fat storage and mobilization. Adipocytes uniquely secrete adipokines and cytokines, such as leptin and TNFα, wich promote insulin sensitivity. Previously we reported insulin-signaling related altered gene expression in animals exposed to 2-Aminoanthracene (2AA). 2AA is an aminosubstituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon used in manufacturing dyes, chemicals, inks, resins, and polyurethanes. The objective of this study was to examine the inflammation related effects of 2AA exposure from gestation to postnatal period on dams that ingested 2AA. To examine 2AA effects, pregnant dams were assigned into dose regimens of 2AA. Dams were fed 2AA contaminated diet during the period of gestation and postpartum. The expression of key gene transcripts reported to be important in mediating inflammatory processes was examined via quantitative RT-PCR. Histologic examination of adipose tissue (AT) was also carried out to understand the anatomy of AT due to 2AA exposure during gestation and two weeks postpartum. Examination of the adipose tissue for microscopic changes revealed no alterations between control and low-dose animals. However, AT of the high-dose animals was infiltrated by increased numbers of CD68+mononuclear cells (macrophages) and small numbers of eosinophils and mast cells, consistent with inflammation. In addition, analysis of the mRNA expression of cytokines and adipokines demonstrated the importance of inflammation in AT dysfunction. For instance, TNFα, LEPTIN and IL-6 transcripts were relatively more expressed in the low dose animals than in the high dose and control rats. At the protein level, however, high amounts of cytokines were noted. The effects of 2AA on pregnant dams appear to be more pronounced in the high dose group than in the low dose group, possibly indicating increased susceptibility of rat offspring within this group to elicit a diabetic-type response.
Original Article. Toxicity of Glandularia selloi (Spreng.) Tronc. leave extract by MTT and neutral red assays: influence of the test medium procedure
Authors: Figueiró Luciana Rizzieri , Comerlato Luana Christine , Da Silva Marcia Vignoli , Zuanazzi José Ângelo Silveira , Von Poser Gilsane Lino , Ziulkoski Ana Luiza
Published: June 2017

Cytotoxicity assays using cell cultures may be an alternative to assess biological toxicity of plant extracts with potential phytotherapeutic properties. This study compared three methods to prepare culture media for the exposure of Vero cells to plant extracts. Leaves of Glandularia selloi (Spreng.) Tronc. were used to prepare culture medium with aqueous extract, extract in culture medium and methanol extract. Toxicity was assessed using the MTT and neutral red (NR) assays. In general, alterations in the cellular functions were found in all extracts and assays. Cytotoxic effect occurred at lower doses in aqueous extract and the range of effect of the methanol extract was small. The procedure of preparing the test medium has an effect on the outcome of the assay. Cytotoxicity of plant extract can be assessed by MTT and NR assays. Aqueous extract added to the culture medium presented the best profile to assess cytotoxicity.
Review Article. Technical aspects of oxygen level regulation in primary cell cultures: A review
Authors: Yazdani Mazyar
Published: June 2017

Oxygen (O2) is an essential element for aerobic respiration. Atmospheric concentration of O2 is approximately 21%. Mammalian cells, however, are generally adapted to O2 levels much lower than atmospheric conditions. The pericellular levels of O2 must also be maintained within a fairly narrow range to meet the demands of cells. This applies equally to cells in vivo and cells in primary cultures. There has been growing interest in the performance of cell culture experiments under various O2 levels to study molecular and cellular responses. To this end, a range of technologies (e.g. gas-permeable technology) and instruments (e.g. gas-tight boxes and gas-controlled incubators) have been developed. It should be noted, however, that some of these have limitations and they are still undergoing refinement. Nevertheless, better results should be possible when technical concerns are taken into account. This paper aims to review various aspects of O2 level adjustment in primary cell cultures, regulation of pericellular O2 gradients and possible effects of the cell culture medium.
Is first language attrition possible without second language knowledge?
Authors: Baladzhaeva Liubov , Laufer Batia
Published: June 2017

The study explores whether Russian immigrants in Israel with no knowledge of Hebrew (L2) can experience attrition of Russian (L1). Immigrants with no knowledge of Hebrew (−Hebrew), bilingual immigrants who know Russian and Hebrew (+Hebrew), and monolingual controls were compared on lexical retrieval, correctness judgment of collocations, future tense formation, confidence in providing answers to two tasks and the time it took to complete them. Both immigrant groups showed signs of L1 attrition of collocations and of future tense formation, and the –Hebrew group performed significantly worse than +Hebrew group on future tense formation. The three groups did not differ in time-on-task. The –Hebrew group was less confident than the other groups in one task. Low and significant correlations were found between some sociolinguistic factors and test results. We conclude that first language attrition can occur both when immigrants acquire a second language and when they remain monolingual.
Viktor Krupa, as I Knew Him
Authors: Ondrejovič Slavomír
Published: June 2017

The paper is dedicated to Viktor Krupa, the famous linguist and orientalist as well as long-time friend and colleague of the author of the paper that celebrates his life anniversary – the eightieth birthday. The author deals not only with numerous book publications and studies of Viktor Krupa focused first of all on important linguistic theoretical, typological and orientalist works, but he also analyses his other books. Viktor Krupa is an author of numerous ethnological and folkloristic works, translator of more than 100 books from the world as well as oriental languages and he published many travel and adventure books. The author speaks also about some milestones in the life of Viktor Krupa and he tries to characterise the nature, which enabled Viktor Krupa to become one of the most significant authors of the contemporary Slovak and European oriental studies and linguistics as a whole.
ARIMA Forecasting: Variables without a Cause
Authors: Sack Elmaleh Michael
Published: June 2017

ARIMA forecast methods offer short term accuracy but have severe limitations in the appraisal context. ARIMA forecasts fail to identify or model causal variables, require more data points than are usually available and are very difficult to explain to non-statisticians. Better forecast alternatives are available to appraisers.
Review. Automatic Segmentation Techniques of the Coronary Artery Using CT Images in Acute Coronary Syndromes
Authors: Szilágyi Sándor Miklós , Popovici Monica Marton , Szilágyi László
Published: June 2017

Coronary artery disease represents one of the leading reasons of death worldwide, and acute coronary syndromes are their most devastating consequences. It is extremely important to identify the patients at risk for developing an acute myocardial infarction, and this goal can be achieved using noninvasive imaging techniques. Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is currently one of the most reliable methods used for assessing the coronary arteries; however, its use in emergency settings is sometimes limited due to time constraints. This paper presents the main characteristics of plaque vulnerability, the role of CCTA in the assessment of vulnerable plaques, and automatic segmentation techniques of the coronary artery tree based on CT angiography images. A detailed inventory of existing methods is given, representing the state-of-the-art of computational methods applied in vascular system segmentation, focusing on the current applications in acute coronary syndromes.
Case report. Multiple Mediastinal Arteriovenous Fistulas in a Patient with Myocardial Ischemia Symptoms and Tachy-Brady Arrhythmias
Authors: Kovács István , Condrea Sebastian , Rodean Ioana , Cernica Daniel
Published: June 2017

Arteriovenous fistulas are abnormal vascular communications between the arterial and venous system and may lead to the development of arteriovenous shunts. These malformations are extremely rare, and their diagnosis can be difficult due to the lack of symptoms or the absence of hemodynamic consequences. In many cases, arteriovenous fistulas are discovered by chance. In this brief report, we present the case of a 31-year-old male with symptoms suggestive of angina pectoris, tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome and multiple episodes of syncope. Multi-slice computed tomography revealed the presence of multiple mediastinal fistulas connecting the aorta, superior vena cava, pulmonary veins and azygos system.
Combining Haar Wavelet and Karhunen-Loeve Transform for Robust and Imperceptible Data Hiding Using Digital Images
Authors: Sharma Akankasha , Singh Amit Kumar , Kumar Pardeep
Published: June 2017

In this paper, we present an introduction of digital image watermarking followed by important characteristics and potential applications of digital watermarks. Further, recent state-of-the-art watermarking techniques as reported by noted authors are discussed in brief. It includes the performance comparison of reported transform/spatial domain based watermarking techniques presented in tabular form. This comprehensive survey will be significant for researchers who will be able to implement more efficient watermarking techniques. Moreover, we present a robust watermarking technique using fusion of discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and Karhunen-Loeve transform for digital images. Further, visual quality of the watermarked image is enhanced by using different image de-noising techniques. The results are obtained by varying the gain factor, size of the image watermark, different DWT sub-bands, and image processing attacks. Experimental results demonstrate that the method is imperceptible and robust for different image processing attacks.
The V-te-miro conditional imperative and other imperative forms: Grammaticalization of lexemes in constructions
Authors: Mori Hideki
Published: June 2017

Imperatives are sometimes interpreted as conditionals. Such conditional imperatives can be observed in both English and Japanese. The imperative form may induce the conditional meaning in English, but the discussion of the imperative form of a verb does not provide us with a full understanding of Japanese conditional imperatives. The present paper argues that the imperative form of the string V-te-miru induces the conditional interpretation. It is also argued that the imperative form of a single verb or the V1-te-V2 construction itself plays no crucial role in the inducement of that meaning. The V-te-miro conditional imperative (i.e. the imperative form of V-te-miru with the conditional interpretation) displays different behavior from other regular imperative forms. It co-occurs with negative polarity items, self-uncontrollable predicates, and the subject other than the second person, etc., whereas other imperative forms do not. The idea that a particular verbal form of V-te-miru (e.g. the imperative) induces a specific interpretation (e.g. the conditional) implies that different forms of V-te-miru give rise to different meanings. In fact, the hypothetical form of V-te-miru develops the meaning of viewpoint, while the reanalyzed imperative form of V-te-miru induces the exclamatory interpretation. These findings afford a profound insight into the constructional view in grammaticalization theory.
Transitivity in Japanese sentence production: Speech errors of the dative NI and the accusative O
Authors: Iwasaki Noriko
Published: June 2017

This study examines native Japanese speakers’ speech errors of the case particles, the dative ni and the accusative o, occurring in object NPs of two-place predicates. The speech error data demonstrate that the semantic basis of ni and o errors in native Japanese speakers’ utterances is closely related to transitivity (as discussed by Hopper and Thompson 1980). Japanese speakers tend to use the accusative o for the object NPs (even when the dative ni is required by the verb) if the meanings of the events and actions that the speakers wish to talk about are relatively high in transitivity and ni if the events are relatively low in transitivity and if they involve some kind of directionality. The findings suggest that Japanese speakers utilize dynamic online semantic mapping when selecting case particles in speech and that such mapping may facilitate online sentence production when the verb selection (the retrieval of the target verb) is not finalized.
Hypothesis testing in generative grammar: Evaluation of predicted schematic asymmetries
Authors: Hoji Hajime
Published: June 2017

This paper explores how the hypothetico-deductive method can be applied to research concerned with the properties of the language faculty. The paper first discusses how we can try to identify informant judgments that are likely a reflection of properties of the Computational System (or properties of the language faculty that are directly related to the Computational System), proposes a method of hypothesis testing in line with the hypothetico-deductive method, and provides an illustration by examining the predictions made under the lexical hypothesis that otagai in Japanese is a local anaphor.
The physical attribute construction in Japanese and the cognate object construction in English
Authors: Hatakeyama Yuji , Honda Kensuke , Tanaka Kosuke
Published: June 2017

This paper deals with the physical attribute construction (PAC) in Japanese such as Cameron Diaz-wa kireina me-o siteiru ‘Cameron Diaz has beautiful eyes’. This paper points out that the PAC shares some properties with the cognate object construction (COC) in English such as The tree grew a century's growth within only ten years. The properties include: (i) the obligatory presence of the modifier, (ii) the semantic focus on the modifier, (iii) the inability to be passivized and (iv) the inability to be operator-moved. Based upon these properties, this paper reaches the conclusion that the English COC involving unaccusative verbs is the counterpart of the Japanese PAC. Furthermore some principled accounts are given to those properties.
From a manner adverb to a discourse particle: The case of yahari, yappari and yappa
Authors: Shinzato Rumiko
Published: June 2017

Numerous studies have been done in various theoretical frameworks on the Japanese adverb yahari, but very few considered its morphophonologcal variants, yappari, and yappa as objects of serious investigation both synchronically and diachronically. Through the analyses of corpora, this study delineates semantic and functional changes of these variants. Yahari was first attested as a clause-internal manner adverb, meaning ‘being still’, then developed a sentential modal adverbial usage, ‘as expected, after all, at any rate’. Yappari was also a manner adverbial first, and through a sentential modal, it also developed discourse particle functions. Yappa was attested much later for more subjective and pragmatic functions. The developmental order of these three as yahari > yappari > yappa has bearing on issues in grammaticalization. First, the paper argues that the yahari case lends support to Traugott’s (1995) proposal that the adverbial cline, “Clause-internal Adverbial > Sentence Adverbial > Discourse Particle” should be added to the inventory of grammaticalization because of its similar developmental path. Second, this study also shows that the yahari case is an instantiation of intersubjectification (Traugott 2003). Third, it demonstrates that the yahari case counters the generally held parameter of “syntactic scope decrease” (Givon 1971, Lehmann 1995 [1982]), and instead exhibits “syntactic scope increase”.
An investigation into the interaction between intentionality and the use of transitive/ intransitive expression: A contrastive study of Japanese and Marathi
Authors: Pardeshi Prashant , Yoshinari Yuko
Published: June 2017

The phenomenon of cross-linguistic variation in the linguistic encoding of accidental events has attracted attention of linguists (Alfonso 1971; DeLancey 1985; Hinds 1986, among others) as well as psychologists (Fausey, Long, Inamori & Boroditsky 2010; Fausey & Boroditsky 2011). Accidental events rank lower than intentional events on the continuum of transitivity proposed by Hopper and Thompson (1980). Pardeshi (2002), and Pardeshi and Horie (2005) demonstrate that in Marathi (an Indo-Aryan language spoken in India) accidental events are typically encoded using intransitive verbs in sharp contrast to Japanese. They claim that Japanese is far more liberal than Marathi in terms of permitting transitive encoding of accidental events. For Japanese, Teramura (1982), Ikegami (1982), and Nishimura (1997), among others have also pointed out that Japanese allows transitive encoding of accidental events. With a view to empirically test whether Japanese and Marathi indeed differ in terms of describing an accidental event as claimed by the previous studies, we conducted a pilot study using a non-linguistic stimulus (a video clip depicting an accidental and intentional event) and elicited linguistic responses. The results of our pilot study support the claims made in previous studies that: (i) Japanese allows transitive rendering of accidental events and (ii) transitive encoding of accidental events in Marathi is more restricted than in Japanese.
On expressions of agent de-topicalized intentional events: A contrastive study between Japanese and Russian
Authors: Soejima Kensaku
Published: June 2017

In this paper differences in the depiction of the same event are described, setting forth the hypothesis that naturality of language or any language-likeness is due to differences in the construal of the objective world. As a case study, this paper considers how we express intentional events involving an agent that is unspecified or not important. To answer this question, data were collected from the same scene of a parallel corpus translated from Japanese to Russian (and vice versa). I then quantified the differences between the languages in the distribution of the constructions used, i.e., passive, indefinite-personal or active, intransitive, V-te aru construction or transitive, perfective or imperfective; and then determined what expressions are favored in each of the two languages. The data were then analyzed in detail to determine why these differences occur. The study yielded the following results.

I. In expressing a process, in Japanese, a passive construction is used, whereas in Russian, a passive indefinite-personal sentence is often used. In addition, in Russian, an active construction is sometimes used.

II. In expressing the results, in Japanese, an intransitive sentence tends to be used more often. In Russian, various expressions are used, including passive and intransitive sentences.

III. The difference between Japanese and Russian lies in the different ways of construal, that is, whether or not a speaker seizes and depicts events subjectively from the vantage point of the patient.
Relative tense in relative clauses
Authors: Ogihara Toshiyuki
Published: June 2017

Japanese adnominal modifiers with no overt tense markings can produce “simultaneous readings” under matrix predicates in the past tense. This article argues for the position that these adnominal phrases are not necessarily tenseless and that they can be gapped relative clauses that contain a phonetically empty present tense morpheme. The findings of this article reinforce the view presented in Ogihara (1996) and others that Japanese tense morphemes (both present and past) are instances of relative tense in the sense of Comrie (1985) and that this behavior is visible in both verb complements and adnominal modifier positions. In addition, the contention of this article indirectly refutes an alternative position, which claims the Japanese adnominal modifiers in question are tenseless phrases and do not involve gapped relative clauses (Kusumoto, 1999). I also offer a tentative and informal account of the semantic properties of the Japanese adnominal modifiers in question at the end of the article, which involve covert attitudes on the part of a salient individual who may or may not be mentioned in the sentence.