bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Introduction of anti-TNF therapy has not yielded expected declines in hospitalisation and intestinal resection rates in inflammatory bowel diseases: a population-based interrupted time series study
Authors: Murthy Sanjay K , Begum Jahanara , Benchimol Eric I , Bernstein Charles N , Kaplan Gilaad G , McCurdy Jeffrey D , Singh Harminder , Targownik Laura , Taljaard Monica
Published: June 2019

Objectives

To better understand the real-world impact of biologic therapy in persons with Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), we evaluated the effect of marketplace introduction of infliximab on the population rates of hospitalisations and surgeries and public payer drug costs.

Design

We used health administrative data to study adult persons with CD and UC living in Ontario, Canada between 1995 and 2012. We used an interrupted time series design with segmented regression analysis to evaluate the impact of infliximab introduction on the rates of IBD-related hospitalisations, intestinal resections and public payer drug costs over 10 years among patients with CD and 5 years among patients with UC, allowing for a 1-year transition.

Results

Relative to what would have been expected in the absence of infliximab, marketplace introduction of infliximab did not produce significant declines in the rates of CD-related hospitalisations (OR at the last observation quarter 1.06, 95% CI 0.811 to 1.39) or intestinal resections (OR 1.10, 95% CI 0.810 to 1.50), or in the rates of UC-related hospitalisations (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.39) or colectomies (OR 0.933, 95% CI 0.54 to 1.61). The findings were similar among infliximab users, except that hospitalisation rates declined substantially among UC patients following marketplace introduction of infliximab (OR 0.515, 95% CI 0.342 to 0.777). There was a threefold rise over expected trends in public payer drug cost among patients with CD following infliximab introduction (OR 2.98,95% CI 2.29 to 3.86), suggesting robust market penetration in this group, but no significant change among patients with UC (OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.955 to 1.18).

Conclusions

Marketplace introduction of infliximab has not yielded anticipated reductions in the population rates of IBD-related hospitalisations or intestinal resections, despite robust market penetration among patients with CD. Misguided use of infliximab in CD patients and underuse of infliximab in UC patients may largely explain our study findings.
Whither a Welfare-Funded ’Sex Doula' Programme?
Authors: Firth Steven J.
Published: June 2019

The sexual citizenship of disabled persons is an ethically contentious issue with important and broad-reaching ramifications. Awareness of the issue has risen considerably due to the increasingly public responses from charitable organisations which have recently sought to respond to the needs of disabled persons—yet this important debate still struggles for traction in academia. In response, this paper continues the debate raised in this journal between Appel and Di Nucci, concurring with Appel’s proposals that sexual pleasure is a fundamental human right and that access to sexual citizenship for the severely disabled should be publicly funded. To that endeavour, this paper refutes Di Nucci’s criticism of Appel’s sex rights for the disabled and shows how Di Nucci’s alternative solution is iniquitous. To advance the debate, I argue that a welfare-funded ‘sex doula' programme would be uniquely positioned to respond to the sexual citizenship issues of disabled persons.
Endosaccular flow disruption: where are we now?
Authors: Bhogal Pervinder , Udani Sundip , Cognard Christophe , Piotin Michel , Brouwer Patrick , Sourour Nader-Antoine , Andersson Tommy , Makalanda Levansri , Wong Ken , Fiorella David , Arthur Adam S , Yeo Leonard LL , Soderman Michael , Henkes Hans , Pierot Laurent
Published: June 2019

Endosaccular flow disruption is an innovative method of treating wide-necked complex aneurysms. Currently four types of devices have obtained the CE mark for use within Europe. These are the Woven EndoBridge device (WEB), the Luna Aneurysm Embolization System, the Medina Embolic Device (Medtronic), and the Contour Neurovascular System. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of these devices and to summarize the evidence in the literature pertaining to the treatment of intracranial aneurysms with them.
Use of autologous99mTechnetium-labelled neutrophils to quantify lung neutrophil clearance in COPD
Authors: Tregay Nicola , Begg Malcolm , Cahn Anthony , Farahi Neda , Povey Kathryn , Madhavan Sujith , Simmonds Rosalind , Gillett Daniel , Solanki Chandra , Wong Anna , Maison Joanna , Lennon Mark , Bradley Glyn , Jarvis Emily , de Groot Marius , Wilson Fred , Babar Judith , Peters A Michael , Hessel Edith M , Chilvers Edwin R
Published: June 2019

Rationale

There is a need to develop imaging protocols which assess neutrophilic inflammation in the lung.

Aim

To quantify whole lung neutrophil accumulation in (1) healthy volunteers (HV) following inhaled lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or saline and (2) patients with COPD using radiolabelled autologous neutrophils and single-photon emission computed tomography/CT (SPECT/CT).

Methods

20 patients with COPD (Global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease (GOLD) stages 2–3) and 18 HVs were studied. HVs received inhaled saline (n=6) or LPS (50 µg, n=12) prior to the injection of radiolabelled cells. Neutrophils were isolated using dextran sedimentation and Percoll plasma gradients and labelled with99mTechnetium (Tc)-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime. SPECT was performed over the thorax/upper abdomen at 45 min, 2 hours, 4 hours and 6 hours. Circulating biomarkers were measured prechallenge and post challenge. Blood neutrophil clearance in the lung was determined using Patlak-Rutland graphical analysis.

Results

There was increased accumulation of99mTc-neutrophils in the lungs of patients with COPD and LPS-challenged subjects compared with saline-challenged subjects (saline: 0.0006±0.0003 mL/min/mL lung blood distribution volume [mean ±1 SD]; COPD: 0.0022±0.0010 mL/min/mL [p<0.001]; LPS: 0.0025±0.0008 mL/min/mL [p<0.001]). The accumulation of labelled neutrophils in 10 patients with COPD who underwent repeat radiolabelling/imaging 7–10 days later was highly reproducible (0.0022±0.0010 mL/min/mL vs 0.0023±0.0009 mL/min/mL). Baseline interleukin (IL)-6 levels in patients with COPD were elevated compared with HVs (1.5±1.06 pg/mL [mean ±1 SD] vs 0.4±0.24 pg/mL). LPS challenge increased the circulating IL-6 levels (7.5±2.72 pg/mL) 9 hours post challenge.

Conclusions

This study shows the ability to quantify ‘whole lung’ neutrophil accumulation in HVs following LPS inhalation and in subjects with COPD using autologous radiolabelled neutrophils and SPECT/CT imaging. Moreover, the reproducibility observed supports the feasibility of using this approach to determine the efficacy of therapeutic agents aimed at altering neutrophil migration to the lungs.
New soliton solutions of conformable time fractional Caudrey–Dodd–Gibbon–Sawada–Kotera equation in modeling wave phenomena
Authors: Saha Ray S.
Published: June 2019

In this paper, new traveling wave solutions of time fractional Caudrey–Dodd–Gibbon–Sawada–Kotera (CDGSK) equation have been revealed by the help of extended Kudryashov’s method. In this case, the time fractional derivative has been considered in the sense of conformable fractional derivative. The salient feature of the proposed extended Kudryashov’s method is to take full advantage of solutions for the Riccati and the Bernoulli equations involving parameters. Using some particular wave transformation, the given equation is converted to the nonlinear ODE by the help of chain rule and the derivative of a composite function; and then, a novel analytical method viz. extended Kudryashov’s method has been used to solve the resulting equation. Consequently, some new exact solutions have been successfully obtained. The exact solutions devised by the proposed method manifest that the proposed method is effective and easy to implement.
Gradient nuclear norm minimization-based image filter
Authors: Khare Saurabh , Kaushik Praveen
Published: June 2019

Designing an efficient filtering technique is an ill-posed problem especially for image affected from high density of noise. The majority of existing techniques suffer from edge degradation and texture distortion issues. Therefore, in this paper, an efficient weighted nuclear norm minimization (NNM)-based filtering technique to preserve the edges and texture information of filtered images is proposed. The proposed technique significantly improves the quantitative improvements on the low rank approximation of nonlocal self-similarity matrices to deal with the overshrink problem. Extensive experiments reveal that the proposed technique preserves edges and texture details of filtered image with lesser number of visual artifacts on visual quality. The proposed technique outperforms the existing techniques over the competitive filtering techniques in terms of structural similarity index metric (SSIM), peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and edge preservation index (EPI).
Stability of McKean–Vlasov stochastic differential equations and applications
Authors: Bahlali Khaled , Mezerdi Mohamed Amine , Mezerdi Brahim
Published: June 2019

We consider McKean–Vlasov stochastic differential equations (MVSDEs), which are SDEs where the drift and diffusion coefficients depend not only on the state of the unknown process but also on its probability distribution. This type of SDEs was studied in statistical physics and represents the natural setting for stochastic mean-field games. We will first discuss questions of existence and uniqueness of solutions under an Osgood type condition improving the well-known Lipschitz case. Then, we derive various stability properties with respect to initial data, coefficients and driving processes, generalizing known results for classical SDEs. Finally, we establish a result on the approximation of the solution of a MVSDE associated to a relaxed control by the solutions of the same equation associated to strict controls. As a consequence, we show that the relaxed and strict control problems have the same value function. This last property improves known results proved for a special class of MVSDEs, where the dependence on the distribution was made via a linear functional.
Subnormality and the Chermak–Delgado lattice
Authors: Cocke W.
Published: June 2019

The Chermak–Delgado lattice of a finite group [Formula: see text] is a sublattice of the subgroup lattice of [Formula: see text] that has attracted interest since its discovery. In this paper, we show that every subgroup of [Formula: see text] in the Chermak–Delgado lattice is subnormal in [Formula: see text] with subnormal depth bounded by both the depth and height function of the Chermak–Delgado lattice; we provide a nontrivial example showing that our bounds are sharp. We also show that determining whether a given subgroup [Formula: see text] is in the Chermak–Delgado lattice can be decided by examining only those subgroups of [Formula: see text] that are comparable with [Formula: see text].
The enumeration of the set of atomic numerical semigroups with fixed Frobenius number
Authors: Robles-Pérez Aureliano M. , Rosales José Carlos
Published: June 2019

A numerical semigroup is irreducible if it cannot be obtained as an intersection of two numerical semigroups containing it properly. If we only consider numerical semigroups with the same Frobenius number, that concept is generalized to atomic numerical semigroup. Based on a previous one developed to obtain all irreducible numerical semigroups with a fixed Frobenius number, we present an algorithm for computing all atomic numerical semigroups with a fixed Frobenius number.
STUDY ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF TOTAL KNEE ARTICULAR CARTILAGE UNDER DIFFERENT LOADING RATES
Authors: WANG SHILEI , GAO LILAN , ZHANG CHUNQIU , SONG YANG , ZHANG XIZHENG , GUO TONGTONG
Published: June 2019

Knee joint is the main weight bearing tissue of human body, also it is one of the prone parts of the clinical disease. Under different sports conditions, knee joint was loaded at different forms. In this study, the changes of average contact pressure, peak contact pressure, contact area and pressure-sharing regions were researched using the intact and defect pig knee joints under different loading rates and loads, including fast rates and large loads. These data were measured and recorded by usage of the sensor plate that placed between the unilateral meniscus and the femur cartilage during loading process. As for the intact cartilage samples, the average contact pressure and peak contact pressure of the femur cartilage increase with the loading rate, while the contact area is contrast to it. As for defect cartilage samples, it not only emerged stress concentration on the edge of the defect and pressure distribution in joint cavity was different with intact cartilage samples, but also the main bearing region was transferred from the femur cartilage-meniscus contact area to the femur cartilage-tibial cartilage contact area at different loading forms. In different loading stages, the pressure-sharing regions between the cartilage and the meniscus also changes. Different loading rates, different loads and defects will change the mechanical states of the knee joint. In loading forms, the mechanical condition may cause or aggravate damnification of the knee joint cartilage. Therefore, this study is beneficial for promoting and perfecting the research of mechanical properties of knee joint cartilage and provides a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of knee cartilage injury.
EFFECT OF GYROSCOPE PARAMETERS ON GYROSCOPIC TREMOR SUPPRESSION IN A SINGLE DEGREE OF FREEDOM
Authors: ALLEN BRENDON C. , CHARLES STEVEN K.
Published: June 2019

Although tremor is one of the most common movement disorders, there are few effective tremor-suppressing options available to patients. Gyrostabilization is a potential option, but we do not currently know how to optimize gyrostabilization for tremor suppression. To address this gap, we present a systematic investigation of how gyrostabilizer parameters affect tremor suppression in a single degree of freedom (DOF). A simple model with a single DOF at the wrist and a gyroscope mounted on the back of the hand was used to focus on the most basic effects. We simulated the frequency response of the system (hand + gyroscope) to a tremorogenic input torque at the wrist. Varying system parameters one at a time, we determined the effect of individual parameters on the system’s frequency response. To minimize the bandwidth without adding significant inertia, the inertia and spin speed of the flywheel should be as high as design constraints allow, whereas the distance from the wrist joint axis to the gyroscope and the precession stiffness and damping should be kept as low as possible. The results demonstrate the potential of gyroscopic tremor suppression and can serve as foundation for further investigations of gyroscopic tremor suppression in the upper limb.
EFFECTS OF ALVEOLAR MORPHOLOGY ON ALVEOLAR MECHANICS: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF MOUSE LUNG BASED ON TWO- AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMAGING METHODS
Authors: LIU TIANYA , WANG YUXING , LIU XIAOYU , YUAN LAN , LI DEYU , QIAO HUITING , FAN YUBO
Published: June 2019

Understanding alveolar mechanics is important for preventing the possible lung injuries during mechanical ventilation. Alveolar clusters with smaller size are found having lower compliance in two-dimensional studies. But the influence of alveolar shape on compliance is unclear. In order to investigate how alveolar morphology affects their behavior, we tracked subpleural alveoli of isolated mouse lungs during quasi-static ventilation using two- and three-dimensional imaging techniques. Results showed that alveolar clusters with smaller size and more spherical shape had lower compliance. There was a better correlation of sphericity rather than circularity with alveolar compliance. The compliance of clusters with great shape change was larger than that with relatively slight shape change. These findings suggest the contribution of lung heterogeneous expansion to lung injuries associated with mechanical ventilation.
Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs: Review on Pregnancy and Lactation
Authors: wu Tsz-Yuen , Ying King-Yee
Published: June 2019

Rheumatic diseases occur commonly in patients of childbearing age. The compatibility of different Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) during pregnancy and lactation can affect the management decision when treating these patients. With the development of promising biologics DMARDs (bDMARDs) and targeted synthetic DMARDs (tsDMARDs) in various rheumatic diseases, their safety in pregnancy and lactation is an issue for both patients and clinicians. Recently, three different guidelines on the compatibility of DMARDs during pregnancy and lactation has been published by ACR, EULAR and BSR respectively. This article summarizes their recommendations on the management of patients on DMARDs during pregnancy and lactation.
Emerging role of extracellular vesicles in the regulation of skeletal muscle adaptation
Authors: Vechetti Ivan J.
Published: June 2019

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) were initially characterized as “garbage bags” with the purpose of removing unwanted material from cells. It is now becoming clear that EVs mediate intercellular communication between distant cells through a transfer of genetic material, a process important to the systemic adaptation in physiological and pathological conditions. Although speculative, it has been suggested that the majority of EVs that make it into the bloodstream would be coming from skeletal muscle, since it is one of the largest organs in the human body. Although it is well established that skeletal muscle secretes peptides (currently known as myokines) into the bloodstream, the notion that skeletal muscle releases EVs is in its infancy. Besides intercellular communication and systemic adaptation, EV release could represent the mechanism by which muscle adapts to certain stimuli. This review summarizes the current understanding of EV biology and biogenesis and current isolation methods and briefly discusses the possible role EVs have in regulating skeletal muscle mass.
Bifurcations, Complex Behaviors, and Dynamic Transition in a Coupled Network of Discrete Predator-Prey System
Authors: Huang Tousheng , Zhang Huayong , Ma Shengnan , Pan Ge , Wang Zhaodeng , Huang Hai
Published: June 2019

The nonlinear dynamics of predator-prey systems coupled into network is an important issue in recent biological advances. In this research, we consider each node of the coupled network represents a discrete predator-prey system, and the network dynamics is investigated. By applying Jacobian matrix, center manifold theorem and bifurcation theorems, stability of fixed points, flip bifurcation and Neimark-Sacker bifurcation of the discrete predator-prey system are analyzed. Via the method of Lyapunov exponents, the nonchaos-chaos transition of the coupled network along the routes to chaos induced by bifurcations is determined. Numerical simulations are performed to demonstrate the bifurcations, various attractors and dynamic transitions of the coupled network. Via comparison, we find that the coupled network exhibits far richer and more complex behaviors than single predator-prey system, including period-doubling cascades in orbits of period-2, period-4, period-8, invariant closed curves, dynamic windows for periodic orbits and invariant curves, quasiperiodic orbits, tori, and chaotic sets. Moreover, the attractors of the coupled network show more diverse and complicated structures. These results may provide a new perspective on the predator-prey dynamics in complex networks.
Wind Tunnel Test Investigation on Unsteady Aerodynamic Coefficients of Iced 4‐Bundle Conductors
Authors: Cai Mengqi , Zhou Linshu , Lei Hang , Huang Hanjie
Published: June 2019

Iced conductor motion is induced by the aerodynamic instability of these conductors. The unsteady aerodynamic characteristics are different from the steady aerodynamic characteristics. The unsteady aerodynamic coefficients of typical iced conductors’ models under torsional motion are measured by the unsteady wind tunnel test. The unsteady aerodynamic coefficients of crescent‐shape and sector‐shape iced 4‐bundle conductors under different torsional motion frequencies, wind velocities, and ice thicknesses are obtained. Wind test results show that there are significant differences between the unsteady and steady aerodynamic coefficients. The unsteady aerodynamic coefficients curve is a loop which is different from the steady aerodynamic coefficients. In addition, the obvious differences exist between unsteady aerodynamic coefficients of crescent‐shape and sector‐shape iced bundle conductors. Critical parameters, including torsional motion frequencies, wind velocity, ice shape, and ice thickness, have significant influences on unsteady aerodynamic coefficients. It shows that the wind tunnel experiment results are able to provide necessary data for the investigation of iced bundle conductor motion and their prevention techniques.
Quality Assessment of Four DEMs Generated Using In-Track KOMPSAT-3 Stereo Images
Authors: Oh Kwan-Young , Lee Kwang-Jae , Jeong Eui-Cheom , Kim Youn-Soo
Published: June 2019

The purpose of this research was to analyze the quality and characteristics of four digital elevation models (DEMs) generated using in-track Korea Multi-Purpose Satellite (KOMPSAT)-3 stereo images. The sensor modeling methods were based on ground control points (GCPs), the initial rational polynomial coefficients (RPCs), relative adjustment, and the automatic bias-compensation method. The GCPs and check points (CPs) were extracted from the 0.25 m aerial orthoimage and the 5 m DEM provided by the National Geographic Information Institute (NGII). The DEMs had the same resolution as the reference DEM (5 m) and comparative analysis was carried out. The results indicate that when relative adjustment was applied alone (DEM 3), the percentage of matched points with a correlation of 0.8 or more was improved by at least 17% compared to the case where only initial RPCs were used (DEM 2). Although the absolute horizontal position error of DEM 3 could not be eliminated, the relative elevation error at the same position was reduced significantly. Therefore, if the relative positions of DEMs produced at different times can be corrected, they can be used for the detection of changes in altitude. When applying the automatic bias-compensation method (DEM 4) without GCPs, the percentage of matched points with a correlation of 0.8 or more was 70.1%. When GCPs were used (DEM 1), the value was 70.2%, i.e., almost identical to that of DEM 4. The mean difference in resolution among DEMs 1 and 4 was -1.8 ± 3.4 m (median, -1.0 m). The results show that DEMs of sufficient quality can be generated without GCPs. Furthermore, although discrepancies among the DEMs were noted in forest and shadow areas, it is possible to produce a 5~10 m resolution DEM by using additional image processing techniques, such as shadow removal.
Study on Preliminarily Estimating Performance of Elementary Deep Underground Engineering Structures in Future Large-Scale Heat Mining Projects
Authors: Tang Min , Li Hong , Tang Chun’an
Published: June 2019

Geothermal energy will become an important part of energy in the future because of its advantages in source stability, sustainability, and potential high utilization ratio. In particular, the development and utilization of deep geothermal energy from HDR have gradually attracted people’s attention. Aiming at solution to the bottleneck of EGS-D, a new EGS-E based on excavation technology is proposed. In this paper, a concise and direct method for estimating the early performance of this disruptive and innovative geothermal development scheme is established as a viable alternative to supercomputing for the subsequent quantitative research of the corresponding relationship between a typical deep engineering structure and its heat extraction efficiency. Firstly, the effects of the fixed temperature at a tunnel wall, the radius of a tunnel, and the rock type on the annual heat extraction rate of the tunnel are studied based on the analytical solution of a one-dimensional radial plane problem of the transient heat conduction through high-temperature surrounding rock to the tunnel wall covering 30 years. Then, three different estimation methods of EGS-E efficiency with comb-shaped and chessboard-shaped underground tunnels, respectively, are studied, and the research ideas for the estimation of the EGS-E system with more complicated cobweb-shaped tunnels are pointed out.
Security‐Aware Scheduling for FlexRay‐Based Real‐Time Automotive Systems
Authors: Zhao R. , Qin G. H. , Chen H. P. , Qin J. , Yan J.
Published: June 2019

FlexRay is a hybrid communication protocol tailored to the requirements of safety‐critical distributed real‐time automotive systems, providing support for the transmission of time‐critical periodic frames in a static segment and event‐triggered frames in a dynamic segment. With the development of intelligence and networking of vehicles, such systems are becoming increasingly connected to external environments; thus, security has become a pressing issue in system design. However, FlexRay‐based architecture does not have direct support for secure communication. When deploying the security mechanisms on these architectures, a primary challenge is to guarantee the schedulability of systems, given the tight resource constraints and strict timing constraints. In this paper, we apply an authentication mechanism based on the delayed exposure of one‐way key chains to protect the authenticity of messages on FlexRay and make a slight modification to reduce the authentication delay. On that basis, we propose a mixed integer linear programming formulation for solving the scheduling problem of FlexRay‐based real‐time automotive systems subject to both authentication mechanism constraints and other traditional design constraints. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed method in system design and indicate the necessity of collaborative design between security and other functionalities.
In Vitro Evaluation of Bacterial Adhesion and Bacterial Viability of Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguinis, and Porphyromonas gingivalis on the Abutment Surface of Titanium and Zirconium Dental Implants
Authors: Meza-Siccha Ana Stefany , Aguilar-Luis Miguel Angel , Silva-Caso Wilmer , Mazulis Fernando , Barragan-Salazar Carolina , del Valle-Mendoza Juana
Published: June 2019

Objective. To evaluate the in vitro adherence and viability of 3 bacterial species Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 25175), Streptococcus sanguinis (ATCC 10556), and Porphyromonas gingivalis (ATCC 33277) on the surfaces of dental implants of titanium, zirconium, and their respective fixing screws. Methods. Two analysis groups were formed: group 1 with 3 titanium pillars and group 2 with 3 zirconium pillars, each with their respective fixing screws. Each of these groups was included in tubes with bacterial cultures of Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 25175), Streptococcus sanguinis (ATCC 10556), and Porphyromonas gingivalis (ATCC 33277). These samples were incubated at 37°C under anaerobic conditions. Bacterial adherence was assessed by measurement of the change in colony-forming units (CFU), and bacterial viability was evaluated with the colorimetric test of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2)-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT). Results. The bacterial adhesion in the titanium abutments was higher for Streptococcus mutans (190.90 CFU/mL), and the viability was greater in Porphyromonas gingivalis (73.22%). The zirconium abutment group showed the highest adherence with Streptococcus mutans (331.82 CFU/mL) and the highest bacterial viability with the S. sanguinis strain (38.42%). The titanium fixation screws showed the highest adhesion with S. sanguinis (132.5 CFU/mL) compared to the zirconium fixation screws where S. mutans had the highest adhesion (145.5 CFU/mL). The bacterial viability of S. mutans was greater both in the titanium fixation screws and in the zirconium fixation screws 78.04% and 57.38%, respectively. Conclusions. Our results indicate that there is in vitro bacterial adherence and viability in both titanium abutments and zirconium abutments and fixation screws for both. Streptococcus mutans is the microorganism that shows the greatest adherence to the surfaces of both titanium and zirconium and the fixing screws of the latter. On the contrary, bacterial viability is greater on the titanium abutments with P. gingivalis than on the zirconium abutments with S. sanguinis. With respect to the fixation screws, in both cases, the viability of S. mutans was greater with respect to the other bacteria. In general, the titanium abutments showed less adherence but greater bacterial viability.
Pericardial Tamponade: An Uncommon Clinical Presentation in cANCA Related Vasculitis and Glomerulonephritis in Association with Very High Titres of ANA
Authors: Vanga Amaresh , Rana Amna Z. , Kowalewska Jolanta , Rust Harlan
Published: June 2019

ANCA (anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody) vasculitides are systemic autoimmune diseases in which anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmic antibodies activate primed neutrophils, thereby generating an inflammatory cascade resulting in the damage of small sized blood vessels in various organs of the body, including the heart. Pleuropericardial involvement is underrecognized as a complication of ANCA vasculitis and is highlighted in this case report of a 51-year-old male who presented with an initial symptomatic presentation of pleuropericardial effusion progressing to pericardial tamponade in the setting of a later renal biopsy proven pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis with high ANA titres along with positive cANCA (cytoplasmic ANCA) and PR3 (proteinase 3) antibodies. He was found to have acute renal failure which progressively got better with cyclophosphamide.
Characterizing and Modeling the Mechanical Properties of the Cement Mortar Modified with Fly Ash for Various Water‐to‐Cement Ratios and Curing Times
Authors: Qadir Warzer , Ghafor Kawan , Mohammed Ahmed
Published: June 2019

Despite many research studies on the effect of the fly ash content (FA) on the mechanical behavior of the cement mortar, there has not been an extensive study investigating the effect of FA, curing time (t), and water‐to‐cement ratio (w/c) on the compressive (σc), tensile (σt), and flexural (σf) strengths of cement mortar. Therefore, this study investigates the subject which could be beneficial for the building and construction field. In this study, more than 1000 data on the mechanical properties of the cement mortar modified with different percentages of fly ash varying from 5% to 75% (by dry weight of the cement) were collected from the literature. The statistical analysis and modeling were performed on the collected data. The w/c of the cement mortar ranged from 0.20% to 0.80%, and the compressive, split tensile, and flexural strengths of cement mortar modified with fly ash and cured up to 90 days ranged from 15 MPa to 88 MPa, 0.4 MPa to 5 MPa, and 1 MPa to 10 MPa, respectively. The Vipulanandan model was also used and compared with the Hoek–Brown model to correlate the mechanical properties of cement mortar modified with fly ash. The results of this study showed that there is a good relationship between the compressive strength (σc) and w/c, curing time, and fly ash content. The compressive, split tensile, and flexural strengths of cement mortar quantified well as a function of w/c, fly ash content, and curing time using a nonlinear relationship.
Analysis of the Compressibility Effect of Overburden in a Deep Shield Tunnel Based on the Effect of the Pressure Arch
Authors: Lei Ping , Han Xin , Ye Fei , Liang Xing , He Biao , Duan Zhi-jun
Published: June 2019

With the continuous improvement of the planning system for urban subway construction, shield tunnels are being more frequently constructed, and thus, the floating problem of shield tunnels in construction has been paid increasingly more attention. In view of this, in this paper, with the combination of numerical simulation and theoretical analysis, the problem of floating segments compressing the overburden in the deep shield tunnel is discussed. The influential factors of the pressure arch effect are analysed using numerical simulation, the compressive displacement of soil in the plastic zone is investigated in a focused manner based on the pressure arch effect, and the problem of floating segments that the Mindlin solution is applied to under the actions of distributed force and concentrated force is solved. The results show the following: (1) the displacement of the segment is composed of the shield tail gap, the compressive displacement of the soil, and the translational displacement of the soil; (2) the intensity of the pressure arch effect is interactively influenced by the thickness‐diameter ratio and the soil properties; (3) the compressive displacement of the soil mass accounts for a larger proportion of floating segment‐induced displacements; and (4) the perturbation influence calculation formula of the surrounding strata and the building structure is obtained based on the Mindlin solution.
Dietary Iron Intake in Women of Reproductive Age in Europe: A Review of 49 Studies from 29 Countries in the Period 1993–2015
Authors: Milman Nils Thorm
Published: June 2019

Objective. Assessment of dietary iron intake in women of reproductive age in Europe. Design. Review. Setting. Literature search of dietary surveys reporting intake of iron using PubMed, Internet browsers, and national nutrient databases in the period 1993–2015. Subjects. Women of reproductive age. Results. 49 dietary surveys/studies in 29 European countries were included. Belgium, Bosnia, Denmark, Hungary, Italy, Northern Ireland, Serbia, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom/England, and Wales reported a median/mean iron intake of 7.6–9.9 mg/day. Finland, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and Spain reported an intake of 10.0–10.7 mg/day. Austria, Estonia, France, and Russia reported an intake of 11.0–11.9 mg/day. Latvia and Germany reported an intake of 12.0–12.2 mg/day. Croatia, Lithuania, Portugal, and Slovakia reported an intake of 15.9–19.0 mg/day. The percentage of dietary iron consisting of heme iron, reported in 7 studies, varied from 4.3% in United Kingdom to 25% in Spain. Nutrient density for iron (mg iron/10 MJ, median/mean) varied from 11.8 in Sweden to 23.0 in Lithuania. The correlation between nutrient density and dietary iron was significant (p=0.0006). In most countries, the majority of women had a dietary iron intake below 15 mg/day. In Belgium, Denmark, Hungary, and Sweden, 91–95% of women had an intake below 15 mg/day. In Ireland and Germany, 61–78% had an intake below 15 mg/day. Conclusions. In Europe, 61–97% of women have a dietary iron intake below 15 mg/day. This contributes to a low iron status in many women. We need common European standardized dietary methods, uniform dietary reference values, and uniform statistical methods to perform intercountry comparisons.
Fluid Phase Simulation and Evolution of a Condensate Gas Reservoir in the Tazhong Uplift, Tarim Basin
Authors: Deng Rui , Chen Chengsheng , Shi Shuyong , Wang Yunpeng
Published: June 2019

The fluid phase and the evolution of the condensate gas reservoir in the Lianglitage Formation (O3), Well ZG7-5, Tazhong Uplift, were studied by integrating the PVTsim and the PetroMod software. The fluid phase was successfully simulated, and the burial, temperature, pressure, and pressure coefficient histories were reconstructed. The evolution of the fluid phase and its properties (density, viscosity, and gas-oil ratio) under the ideal and gas washing conditions was also explored. The simulated pressure-temperature (P‐T) phase diagram confirms that the reservoir fluid is in the condensate gas phase at present, with an order of critical point-cricondenbar-cricondentherm (CP‐Pm‐Tm). The temperature and pressure show an overall increasing trend considering the entirety of geological evolution. Under ideal conditions, fluid transition from coexisting gas and liquid phases to a single condensate gas phase occurred during the Late Cretaceous (80 Ma, T=135.7°C, and P=58.19 MPa). The density and viscosity of the liquid phase decreased gradually while the density and viscosity of the gas phase and the solution gas-oil ratio increased during geological processes. With the consideration of gas washing, the critical phase transition time points for 100% and 50% gas washing fluid are 394 Ma, 383 Ma, 331 Ma, and 23 Ma, as well as 266 Ma and 23 Ma, respectively. The average liquid phase density, gas phase density, and liquid phase viscosity under 100% gas washing are larger than those under 50% gas washing before 23 Ma (Miocene), while the gas phase viscosity values are similar for both cases. This study visually suggests that the temperature and pressure histories, which are controlled by the burial history and heat flow evolution, and gas washing have significant impacts on the formation of the condensate gas reservoirs and evolution of the fluid phase and its features in the Tazhong Uplift.
Image Encryption Algorithm Based on the H-Fractal and Dynamic Self-Invertible Matrix
Authors: Zhang Xuncai , Wang Lingfei , Niu Ying , Cui Guangzhao , Geng Shengtao
Published: June 2019

In this paper, an image encryption algorithm based on the H-fractal and dynamic self-invertible matrix is proposed. The H-fractal diffusion encryption method is firstly used in this encryption algorithm. This method crosses the pixels at both ends of the H-fractal, and it can enrich the means of pixel diffusion. The encryption algorithm we propose uses the Lorenz hyperchaotic system to generate pseudorandom sequences for pixel location scrambling and self-invertible matrix construction to scramble and diffuse images. To link the cipher image with the original image, the initial values of the Lorenz hyperchaotic system are determined using the original image, and it can enhance the security of the encryption algorithm. The security analysis shows that this algorithm is easy to implement. It has a large key space and strong key sensitivity and can effectively resist plaintext attacks.
The Comparison of Morphologic Characteristics of Type 1 and Type 2 Choroidal Neovascularization in Eyes with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography
Authors: Zhao Zhi , Yang Fan , Gong Yuanyuan , Yu Suqin , Liu Haiyun , Wang Hong , Wang Fenghua , Sun Xiaodong
Published: June 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to use optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) to compare the morphology characteristics of type 1 and 2 choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) patients. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective, observational study of 51 eyes with nAMD using OCTA from July 2016 through March 2017. Results: In total, 51 eyes of 50 patients were included in the analysis. According to the anatomical classification based on OCT, 27 eyes (53%) were diagnosed with type 1 CNV, and 24 eyes (47%) were type 2 CNV. Type 2 CNV was characterized by smaller flow area, smaller greatest vascular caliber (GVC), smaller greatest linear dimension (GLD), and shorter duration of disease. The duration of disease only correlated with GVC (p = 0.026) in multivariate linear regression results. Meanwhile, GLD correlated with GVC and flow area whereas GVC was not associated with flow area. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that type 2 CNV was characterized by shorter duration of disease, smaller GVC, smaller GLD, and smaller flow area compared with type 1 CNV. Additionally, we showed that the duration of the disease correlated with GVC of the CNV.
A Calibration Technique for the Estimation of Lung Volumes in Nonintubated Subjects by Electrical Impedance Tomography
Authors: Sosio Simone , Bellani Giacomo , Villa Silvia , Lupieri Ermes , Mauri Tommaso , Foti Giuseppe
Published: June 2019

Background: Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a bedside monitoring technique of the respiratory system that measures impedance changes within the thorax. The close correlation between variations in impedance (ΔZ) and lung volumes (Vt) is known. Unless Vt is measured by an external reference (e.g., spirometry), its absolute value (in milliliters) cannot be determined; however, measurement of Vt would be useful in nonintubated subjects. Objective: To validate a simplified and feasible calibration method of EIT, which allows estimation of Vt in nonintubated subjects. Materials and Methods: We performed a prospective study on 13 healthy volunteers. Subjects breathed 10 times in a nonexpandable “calibration balloon” with a known volume while wearing the EIT belt. The relationship between ΔZ and the balloon volume was calculated (ΔZ/Vt). Subsequently, subjects were connected to a mechanical ventilator by a mouthpiece under different settings. Vt was calculated from EIT measurements (VtEIT) by means of the ΔZ/Vt coefficient and compared with the value obtained from the ventilator (Vtflow). Results: There was a close correlation between Vtflow and VtEIT (r2 = 0.89). The fit equation was VtEIT = 0.9 × Vtflow +10.1. The highest correlation was found at positive endexpiratory pressure (PEEP) 0 (mean: VtEIT = 0.93 × Vtflow) versus PEEP 8 (mean: VtEIT = 0.8 × Vtflow), p = 0.01. No differences in the fit equation were found between pressure support ventilation (PSV) 0 and PSV 8, p = 0.50. Further analysis showed no statistically significant differences between sex, height, and BMI. Conclusion: A simple and fast EIT calibration technique enables reliable, noninvasive monitoring of Vt in nonintubated subjects.
The Oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus Talimogene Laherparepvec Shows Promising Efficacy in Neuroendocrine Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Kloker Linus D. , Berchtold Susanne , Smirnow Irina , Schaller Martin , Fehrenbacher Birgit , Krieg Andreas , Sipos Bence , Lauer Ulrich M.
Published: June 2019

Metastatic neuroendocrine cancer still constitutes a palliative situation, lacking promising treatment options. Oncolytic virotherapy, a novel type of virus-based immunotherapy, lyses tumor cells using genetically engineered viruses thereby activating the immune system to induce an optimized antitumor response which could bring down tumor masses to a stage of minimal residual tumor disease. The oncolytic vector talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC, herpes simplex virus [HSV] type 1) has already shown excellent safety profiles in clinical studies and has become the first ever FDA/EMA-approved oncolytic virus (OV). This work presents a first preclinical assessment of this state-of-the-art OV, using a panel of human neuroendocrine tumor/neuroendocrine carcinoma (NET/NEC) cell lines. Cytotoxicity, transgene expression, and viral replication patterns were studied. Furthermore, the antiproliferative activity was compared to the one of mTOR inhibitor Everolimus and also interactions between the OV and Everolimus were evaluated. Moreover, virostatic effects of ganciclovir (GCV) on replication of T-VEC were assessed and electron microscopic pictures were taken to comprehend viral envelopment and details of the replication cycle of T-VEC in human neuroendocrine cancer. It could be shown that T-VEC infects, replicates in, and lyses human NET/NEC cells exhibiting high oncolytic efficiencies already at quite low virus concentrations. Interestingly, Everolimus was not found to have any relevant impact on rates of viral replication, but no additive effects could be proved using a combinatorial therapy regimen. On the other hand, GCV was shown to be able to limit replication of T-VEC, thus establishing an important safety feature for future treatments of NET/NEC patients. Taken together, T-VEC opens up a promising novel treatment option for NET/NEC patients, warranting its further preclinical and clinical development.
Reciprocal Multifaceted Interaction Between HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) and Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Sposito Andrei C. , de Lima-Junior José Carlos , Moura Filipe A. , Barreto Joaquim , Bonilha Isabella , Santana Michele , Virginio Vitor W. , Sun Lufan , Carvalho Luiz Sergio F. , Soares Alexandre A.S. , Nadruz Wilson , Feinstein Steve B. , Nofer Jerzy-Roch , Zanotti Ilaria , Kontush Anatol , Remaley Alan T.
Published: June 2019

Despite decades of therapeutic advances, myocardial infarction remains a leading cause of death worldwide. Recent studies have identified HDLs (high-density lipoproteins) as a potential candidate for mitigating coronary ischemia/reperfusion injury via a broad spectrum of signaling pathways. HDL ligands, such as S1P (sphingosine-1-phosphate), Apo (apolipoprotein) A-I, clusterin, and miRNA, may influence the opening of the mitochondrial channel, insulin sensitivity, and production of vascular autacoids, such as NO, prostacyclin, and endothelin-1. In parallel, antioxidant activity and sequestration of oxidized molecules provided by HDL can attenuate the oxidative stress that triggers ischemia/reperfusion. Nevertheless, during myocardial infarction, oxidation and the capture of oxidized and proinflammatory molecules generate large phenotypic and functional changes in HDL, potentially limiting its beneficial properties. In this review, new findings from cellular and animal models, as well as from clinical studies, will be discussed to describe the cardioprotective benefits of HDL on myocardial infarction. Furthermore, mechanisms by which HDL modulates cardiac function and potential strategies to mitigate postmyocardial infarction risk damage by HDL will be detailed throughout the review.
Statins Reduce Epicardial Adipose Tissue Attenuation Independent of Lipid Lowering: A Potential Pleiotropic Effect
Authors: Raggi Paolo , Gadiyaram Varuna , Zhang Chao , Chen Zhengjia , Lopaschuk Gary , Stillman Arthur E.
Published: June 2019

Background

High epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) attenuation (Hounsfield units [
HUs]
) on computed tomography is considered a marker of inflammation and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Statins reduce the volume of
EAT
, but it is unknown whether they affect
EAT HUs
.

Methods and Results

We reviewed the chest computed tomographic scans of 420 postmenopausal women randomized to either 80 mg of atorvastatin or 40 mg of pravastatin daily and rescanned after 1 year to measure change in coronary artery calcium score.
EAT HUs
were measured near the proximal right coronary artery and remote from any area of coronary artery calcium. Computed tomographic images were also queried for subcutaneous adipose tissue (SubQ) attenuation (
HUs
) change over time. The mean patients’ age was 65±6 years. The baseline
EAT HU
value was higher than the SubQ
HU
value (−89.4±24.0
HU
versus −123.3±30.4
HU
;
P
<0.001). The
EAT HU
value decreased significantly in the entire cohort (−5.4±29.7
HU
[−6% change];
P
<0.001), but equally in the patients given atorvastatin and pravastatin (−6.35+31
HU
and −4.55+28
HU
;
P
=0.55).
EAT HU
change was not associated with change in total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, coronary artery calcium, and
EAT
volume (all
P
=not significant). Change in high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol was marginally associated with
EAT HU
change (
P
=0.07). Statin treatment did not induce a change in SubQ
HUs
.

Conclusions

Statins induced a decrease in
EAT HUs
over time, independent of intensity of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering. The positive effect on
EAT
and the neutral effect on SubQ suggest that statins induced a decrease in metabolic activity in
EAT
by reduction in cellularity, vascularity, or inflammation. The clinical significance of the observed change in
EAT HUs
remains to be demonstrated.