bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fluid resuscitation in paediatric burns: how do we get it right? A systematic review of the evidence
Authors: Stutchfield Christopher , Davies Anna , Young Amber
Published: September 2018

Background

Optimal fluid resuscitation in children with major burns is crucial to prevent or minimise burn shock and prevent complications of over-resuscitation.

Objectives

To identify studies using endpoints to guide fluid resuscitation in children with burns, review the range of reported endpoint targets and assess whether there is evidence that targeted endpoints impact on outcome.

Design

Systematic review.

Methods

Medline, Embase, Cinahl and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched with no restrictions on study design or date. Search terms combined burns, fluid resuscitation, endpoints, goal-directed therapy and related synonyms. Studies reporting primary data regarding children with burns (<16 years) and targeting fluid resuscitation endpoints were included. Data were extracted using a proforma and the results were narratively reviewed.

Results

Following screening of 777 unique references, 7 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Four studies were exclusively paediatric. Six studies used urine output (UO) as the primary endpoint. Of these, one set a minimum UO threshold, while the remainder targeted a range from 0.5–1.0 mL/kg/hour to 2–3 mL/kg/hour. No studies compared different UO targets. Heterogeneous study protocols and outcomes precluded comparison between the UO targets. One study targeted invasive haemodynamic variables, but this did not significantly affect patient outcome.

Conclusions

Few studies have researched resuscitation endpoints for children with burns. Those that have done so have investigated heterogeneous endpoints and endpoint targets. There is a need for future randomised controlled trials to identify optimal endpoints with which to target fluid resuscitation in children with burns.
Atypical presentation of molar pregnancy
Authors: Langhe Ream , Muresan Bogdan Alexandru , Akpan Etop , Abdul Wahab Nor Azlia
Published: September 2018

The classic features of molar pregnancy are irregular vaginal bleeding, hyperemesis, enlarged uterus for gestational age and early failed pregnancy. Less common presentations include hyperthyroidism, early onset pre-eclampsia or abdominal distension due to theca lutein cysts. Here, we present a case of molar pregnancy where a woman presented to the emergency department with symptoms of acute abdomen and was treated as ruptured ectopic pregnancy. The woman underwent laparoscopy and evacuation of retained products of conception. Histological examination of uterine curettage confirmed the diagnosis of a complete hydatidiform mole. The woman was discharged home in good general condition with a plan for serial beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) follow-up. Complete follow-up includes use of contraception and follow-up after beta-hCG is negative for a year.
Idiopathic macrocheilia
Authors: Pandya Haren , Patel Hiren Dharmendrabhai , Purani Jigar Mayankbhai , Rayththa VIvek Ramesh
Published: September 2018

A 13-year-boy presented with painless swelling of upper and lower lips accompanied with gingival enlargement. The aetiology for these symptoms included vast pathological varieties but none of them could fit in. Clinical features were similar to orofacial graulomatosis but histopathological examination revealed chronic non-specific infection. Therefore, the final diagnosis was made as idiopathic macrocheilia through exclusion criteria. Management with intralesional triamcinolone acetonide 40 mg, twice a week for 3 weeks, resulted in significant remission in lip swelling without recurrence after a 6-month follow-up.
Comorbid presentation of syringomyelia and Guillain-Barre syndrome, attributed to mycoplasma, in a 6-year-old female patient
Authors: Vampertzi Olga , Dalpa Efterpi , Vavilis Theofanis , Tramma Despoina
Published: September 2018

Syringomyelia is the development of a fluid-filled cavity or syrinx within the spinal cord that can cause loss of sensation and muscle spasticity. Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is a postinfection autoimmune disease, classified as an acute polyneuropathy. This report describes the emergency admission of a 6-year-old girl presenting with sudden pallor and pain in both lower limbs. The patient’s reflexes were normal, as were the results of her sonography, radiography and biochemical tests; however, spinal MRI revealed extensive compartmentalised syringomyelia extending from C2 to T3. A sensory and motor nerve conduction study revealed a demyelinating type motor polyneuropathy which, along with positive Mycoplasma pneumoniae test, was suggestive of GBS. Intravenous immunoglobulin infusion showed excellent results. In conclusion, we report a rare paediatric case of syringomyelia coexisting with GBS. It is important to bear in mind the possibility of other coexisting diseases even if MRI reveals definitive characteristics of another condition.
Bilateral submandibular gland nodular oncocytic hyperplasia with papillary cystadenoma-like areas
Authors: Bannister Miles , Thompson Christopher S G , Conn Brendan
Published: September 2018

A 57-year-old man presented in 2016 with a 4-month history of a right submandibular mass, having undergone left submandibular gland (SMG) excision in 2003. Imaging suggested a benign tumour and subsequent core biopsy findings suggested a nodular oncocytic hyperplasia, similar to the tumour removed from the contralateral side. This was confirmed on histological analysis following right submandibular gland excision which showed characteristic features of nodular oncocytic hyperplasia along with an unusual diffuse papillary cystadenoma-like ductal proliferation, similar to that seen in the 2003 specimen. A diagnosis of multinodular adenomatous oncocytic hyperplasia (MAOH) was rendered in order to communicate the unique histological features that have otherwise not been described in the literature. We believe that this is the first reported case of non-synchronous multinodular oncocytic hyperplasia and the first case affecting the submandibular glands.
Paediatric ocular super glue injuries: assessment of two cases
Authors: Pujari Amar , Shakrawal Jyoti , Gagrani Meghal , Bajaj Mandeep S
Published: September 2018

In this report, we elaborate the clinical findings and the optimal management of two cases with ocular glue injuries in two paediatric patients. Both the patients were presented to the ocular emergency with completely closed eyelid and periocular erythema. The eyelids were completely closed due to matting of the eyelashes with glue retention up to lash roots. Thus, in both cases, after the application of local anaesthetic agent, immediate lash trimming was performed along with the removal of crystallised glue particles. However, the ocular surface showed only congestion in absence of any added corneal complications. Patients were followed up with standard treatment protocol as per chemical injuries. Until the end of 5 months, the clinical course was uneventful.
Pediatric perimedullary arteriovenous fistula: clinical features and endovascular treatments
Authors: Li Jingwei , Zeng Gao , Zhi Xinglong , Bian Lisong , Yang Fan , Du Jianxin , Ling Feng , Zhang Hongqi
Published: September 2018

Objective

Pediatric spinal perimedullary arteriovenous fistula (PMAVF) is rare but may cause permanent disability. We aim to summarize the clinical features of pediatric PMAVFs and our clinical experience in their treatment and to evaluate the effect of endovascular treatment in a large cohort.

Methods

From 2008 to 2017, 51 PMAVFs in pediatric patients (<14 years' old) treated with endovascular techniques were retrospectively reviewed, including 24 type IVb (47.1%) and 27 type IVc (52.9%) lesions. Clinical features, radiological findings, treatment, and outcomes were evaluated.

Results

Thirty-eight boys and thirteen girls were included, and the mean age at presentation was 5.6±4.1 years. Acute neurological deterioration was identified in 33 patients, and 21 of those patients (63.6%) suffered from bleeding. The annual bleeding rate before treatment was 2.55%. After transarterial embolization with coils and glue, 46 PMAVFs (90.2%) were completely occluded, and five (9.8%) were obliterated by supplementary microsurgery. During a follow-up period of 6 to 119 months (mean 58.4±16.7 months), the patients’ clinical states were improved in 42 cases (82.4%), stationary in nine cases (17.6%), and aggravated in none. Type IVc patients had a longer preoperative period, more chronic symptoms, a lower cure rate by embolization, and less improvement of symptoms than type IVb patients had (P<0.05).

Conclusions

Pediatric PMAVF is a special subgroup of intradural arteriovenous shunt that should be treated early. Endovascular embolization is safe and effective in the treatment of pediatric PMAVFs.
Role of cardiovascular imaging for the diagnosis and prognosis of cardiac amyloidosis
Authors: Agha Ali M , Parwani Purvi , Guha Avirup , Durand Jean B , Iliescu Cezar A , Hassan Saamir , Palaskas Nicolas L , Gladish Greg , Kim Peter Y , Lopez-Mattei Juan
Published: September 2018

Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) describes the pathological process of amyloid protein deposition in the extracellular space of the myocardium. Unfortunately, the diagnosis of CA is often made late and when the disease process is advanced. However, advances in cardiovascular imaging have allowed for better prognostication and establishing diagnostic pathways with high sensitivity and specificity. This review discusses the role of echocardiography, cardiac MRI and nuclear cardiology in current clinical practice for diagnosis and prognosis of CA.
Phenylephrine use for blood sparing during splenectomy in a dog
Authors: Hughes Jodie , Raszplewicz Joanna
Published: September 2018

A dog with immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia was presented for splenectomy. Phenylephrine administration immediately before the removal of the spleen induced splenic contraction and significantly elevated packed cell volume. This technique conserved red blood cells and may be beneficial in euvolaemic animals to reduce the likelihood of a transfusion being required in the event of surgical haemorrhage.
Chronic lung lobe torsion in a pug
Authors: Elliott Ross Christopher , Cassel Nicky
Published: September 2018

This case report documents a chronic presentation of a lung lobe torsion involving the right cranial and right middle lung lobe in a dog and the benefit of CT in aiding in the diagnosis. The patient presented to the referral practice two weeks after clinical signs developed with minimal resting dyspnoea. The referring veterinarian suspected a diaphragmatic hernia and had been medically managing the patient prior to referral. The radiographic findings showed features more consistent with a lobar mass and no pleural effusion was noted. Signs suggestive of lung lobe torsion were seen on the CT scan, except for the absence of pleural effusion. The patient was a pug, a predisposed breed, which further supported the diagnosis. On lateral thoracotomy a lung lobe torsion of the right cranial and right middle lung lobe was found. Unfortunately the patient did not survive the surgery.
Inadvertent intrathecal injection of Gudair vaccine leading to recumbency and ataxia in replacement gimmers: a case of ‘OJD staggers’ in North East England
Authors: Strugnell Benjamin William , Wessels Mark , Reynolds Magdalena , Brown Pam
Published: September 2018

Five of 730 replacement gimmers in a 5000-ewe crossbred flock presented with progressive ataxia and recumbency over a two-week period. On gross postmortem examination, there was spinal cord compression and large fibrogranulomatous masses in the spinal canal of two lambs. Histological examination of one mass and the adjacent tissues revealed chronic active necrotising and granulomatous inflammation with acid-fast bacilli and severe granulomatous osteomyelitis, respectively. PCR of the mass was positive for Mycobacterium aviumsubspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). Lambs had been injected six weeks previously with a Johne’s disease vaccine (Gudair, Merial Animal Health). Gross and histological findings unequivocally suggest an intrathecal injection; the acid-fast bacilli and PCR-positive result for MAP confirm that the maladministration of vaccine was the cause of the pathology. Great care must be taken when injecting sheep in the neck region to avoid iatrogenic damage. Clinical signs may manifest some weeks or months after injection.
Renewable energy and energy autonomy: how Indigenous peoples in Canada are shaping an energy future
Authors: Stefanelli Robert D. , Walker Chad , Kornelsen Derek , Lewis Diana , Martin Debbie H. , Masuda Jeff , Richmond Chantelle A.M. , Root Emily , Tait Neufeld Hannah , Castleden Heather
Published: September 2018

In 2015, the Liberal Party of Canada formed a majority federal government on a platform that included prioritizing Nation-to-Nation relationships with Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) peoples in the country and re-asserting global leadership in climate change action by moving away from fossil-fuel based extraction and toward renewable energy initiatives. It may be argued that addressing both of these issues, advancing Indigenous–Settler reconciliation, and mitigating climate change, can be done in the same space. Indeed, though Indigenous peoples in Canada and elsewhere have recently moved forward with renewable energy initiatives within their Territories, there has been very little critical analysis on just how such projects have been operationalized and whether renewable energy can or even should be considered a vehicle for reconciliation efforts. In this paper, we present a systematic review of Canadian literature (spanning from 1980 to 2017) concerning Indigenous peoples’ involvement in renewable energy to better understand the stated motivations and desires of Indigenous peoples in Canada taking leadership, partnering in, and (or) participating in the renewable energy sector. Using a series of keyword search strings across three academic databases, two theses databases, and a grey literature search, we retrieved literature (n = 980) that was subjected to four exclusionary forms and then thematically analyzed the included literature (n = 26). Our findings suggest Indigenous peoples’ experiences and motivations are varied, yet many are developing renewable energy in their Territories to: break free of colonial ties, move towards energy autonomy, establish more reliable energy systems, and reap the long-term financial benefits that clean energy can provide. Despite the apparent advantages seen throughout most of the literature reviewed here, we suggest further research in this area is necessary before this kind of positive rhetoric of renewable energy in Indigenous communities builds enough momentum that proponents become blind to possible shortcomings. We conclude with a broader discussion of the interactions between Indigenous–Settler reconciliation in the context of renewable energy projects as well as offering indicators for future research to fill current knowledge gaps.
Four revolutions in physics and the second quantum revolution — A unification of force and matter by quantum information
Authors: Wen Xiao-Gang
Published: September 2018

Newton’s mechanical revolution unifies the motion of planets in the sky and the falling of apples on Earth. Maxwell’s electromagnetic revolution unifies electricity, magnetism, and light. Einstein’s relativistic revolution unifies space with time, and gravity with space–time distortion. The quantum revolution unifies particle with waves, and energy with frequency. Each of those revolution changes our world view. In this article, we will describe a revolution that is happening now: the second quantum revolution which unifies matter/space with information. In other words, the new world view suggests that elementary particles (the bosonic force particles and fermionic matter particles) all originated from quantum information (qubits): they are collective excitations of an entangled qubit ocean that corresponds to our space. The beautiful geometric Yang–Mills gauge theory and the strange Fermi statistics of matter particles now have a common algebraic quantum informational origin.
Understanding all-optical spin switching: Comparison between experiment and theory
Authors: Zhang G. P. , Murakami M. , Si M. S. , Bai Y. H. , George Thomas F.
Published: September 2018

Information technology depends on how one can control and manipulate signals accurately and quickly. Transistors are at the core of modern technology and are based on electron charges. But as the device dimension shrinks, heating becomes a major problem. The spintronics explores the spin degree of electrons and thus bypasses the heat, at least in principle. For this reason, spin-based technology offers a possible solution. In this review, we survey some of the latest developments in all-optical switching (AOS), where ultrafast laser pulses are able to reverse spins from one direction to the other deterministically. But AOS only occurs in a special group of magnetic samples and within a narrow window of laser parameters. Some samples need multiple pulses to switch spins, while others need a single-shot pulse. To this end, there are several models available, but the underlying mechanism is still under debate. This review is different from other prior reviews in two aspects. First, we sacrifice the completeness of reviewing existing studies, while focusing on a limited set of experimental results that are highly reproducible in different labs and provide actual switched magnetic domain images. Second, we extract the common features from existing experiments that are critical to AOS, without favoring a particular switching mechanism. We emphasize that given the limited experimental data, it is really premature to identify a unified mechanism. We compare these features with our own model prediction, without resorting to a phenomenological scheme. We hope that this review serves the broad readership well.
Multiparty to multiparty quantum secret sharing
Authors: Qin Huawang , Tang Wallace K. S. , Tso Raylin
Published: September 2018

A multiparty to multiparty quantum secret sharing (QSS) scheme is proposed. In our scheme, the participants can transmit their shared secret to other participants. The old participants and the new participants all can keep their shares secret. The main operations in our scheme are the quantum-logic-gate transformations and the single-particle measurements, which can be realized easily within the present technology.
Highly Resolved Brownian Motion in Space and in Time
Authors: Mo Jianyong , Raizen Mark G.
Published: September 2018

Since the discovery of Brownian motion in bulk fluids by Robert Brown in 1827 , Brownian motion at long timescales has been extensively studied both theoretically and experimentally for over a century. The theory for short-timescale Brownian motion was also well established in the last century, while experimental studies were not accessible until this decade. This article reviews experimental progress on short-timescale Brownian motion and related applications. The ability to measure instantaneous velocity enables new fundamental tests of statistical mechanics of Brownian particles, such as the Maxwell–Boltzmann velocity distribution and the energy equipartition theorem. In addition, Brownian particles can be used as probes to study boundary effects imposed by a solid wall, wettability at solid–fluid interfaces, and viscoelasticity. We propose future studies of fluid compressibility and nonequilibrium physics using short-duration pulsed lasers. Lastly, we also propose that an optically trapped particle can serve as a new testing ground for nucleation in a supersaturated vapor or a supercooled liquid.
Model-Based Learning from Preference Data
Authors: Liu Qinghua , Crispino Marta , Scheel Ida , Vitelli Valeria , Frigessi Arnoldo
Published: September 2018

Preference data occur when assessors express comparative opinions about a set of items, by rating, ranking, pair comparing, liking, or clicking. The purpose of preference learning is to ( a) infer on the shared consensus preference of a group of users, sometimes called rank aggregation, or ( b) estimate for each user her individual ranking of the items, when the user indicates only incomplete preferences; the latter is an important part of recommender systems. We provide an overview of probabilistic approaches to preference learning, including the Mallows, Plackett–Luce, and Bradley–Terry models and collaborative filtering, and some of their variations. We illustrate, compare, and discuss the use of these methods by means of an experiment in which assessors rank potatoes, and with a simulation. The purpose of this article is not to recommend the use of one best method but to present a palette of different possibilities for different questions and different types of data.
Transforming growth factor-β downregulates sGC subunit expression in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells via MEK and ERK signaling
Authors: Du Lili , Roberts Jesse D.
Published: September 2018

TGFβ activation during newborn lung injury decreases the expression of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMC)-soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), a critical mediator of nitric oxide signaling. Using a rat PASMC line (CS54 cells), we determined how TGFβ downregulates sGC expression. We found that TGFβ decreases sGC expression through stimulating its type I receptor; TGFβ type I receptor (TGFβR1) inhibitors prevented TGFβ-1-mediated decrease in sGCα1 subunit mRNA levels in the cells. However, TGFβR1-Smad mechanisms do not regulate sGC; effective knockdown of Smad2 and Smad3 expression and function did not protect sGCα1 mRNA levels during TGFβ-1 exposure. A targeted small-molecule kinase inhibitor screen suggested that MEK signaling regulates sGC expression in TGFβ-stimulated PASMC. TGFβ activates PASMC MEK/ERK signaling; CS54 cell treatment with TGFβ-1 increased MEK and ERK phosphorylation in a biphasic, time- and dose-dependent manner. Moreover, MEK/ERK activity appears to be required for TGFβ-mediated sGC expression inhibition in PASMC; MEK and ERK inhibitors protected sGCα1 mRNA expression in TGFβ-1-treated CS54 cells. Nuclear ERK activity is sufficient for sGC regulation; heterologous expression of a nucleus-retained, constitutively active ERK2-MEK1 fusion protein decreased CS54 cell sGCα1 mRNA levels. The in vivo relevance of this TGFβ-MEK/ERK-sGC downregulation pathway is suggested by the detection of ERK activation and sGCα1 protein expression downregulation in TGFβ-associated mouse pup hyperoxic lung injury, and the determination that ERK decreases sGCα1 protein expression in TGFβ-1-treated primary PASMC obtained from mouse pups. These studies identify MEK/ERK signaling as an important pathway by which TGFβ regulates sGC expression in PASMC.
Thyroid hormone: a resurgent treatment for an emergent concern
Authors: Breitzig Mason T. , Alleyn Matthew D. , Lockey Richard F. , Kolliputi Narasaiah
Published: September 2018

The story of thyroid hormone in human physiology is one of mixed emotions. Studying past literature on its use leads one to believe that it serves only a few functions in a handful of diseases. In reality, the pathophysiological role of thyroid hormone is an uncharted expanse. Over the past few decades, research on thyroid hormone has been understandably monopolized by studies of hypo- and hyperthyroidism and cancers. However, in our focused pursuit, we have neglected to observe its role in systems that are not so easily relatable. Recent evidence in lung disease suggests that the thyroid hormone is capable of preserving mitochondria in an indirect manner. This is an exciting revelation given the profound implications of mitochondrial dysfunction in several lung diseases. When paired with known links between thyroid hormone and fibrotic pathways, thyroid hormone-based therapies become more enticing for research. In this article, we inspect the sudden awareness surrounding thyroid hormone and discuss why it is of paramount importance that further studies scrutinize the potential of thyroid hormone, and/or thyromimetics, as therapies for lung diseases.
Adult skeletal muscle deletion of Mitofusin 1 and 2 impedes exercise performance and training capacity
Authors: Bell Margaret B. , Bush Zachary , McGinnis Graham R. , Rowe Glenn C.
Published: September 2018

Endurance exercise has been shown to be a positive regulator of skeletal muscle metabolic function. Changes in mitochondrial dynamics (fusion and fission) have been shown to influence mitochondrial oxidative capacity. We therefore tested whether genetic disruption of mitofusins (Mfns) affected exercise performance in adult skeletal muscle. We generated adult-inducible skeletal muscle-specific Mfn1 (iMS-Mfn1KO), Mfn2 (iMS-Mfn2KO), and Mfn1/2 (iMS-MfnDKO) knockout mice. We assessed exercise capacity by performing a treadmill time to exhaustion stress test before deletion and up to 8 wk after deletion. Analysis of either the iMS-Mfn1KO or the iMS-Mfn2KO did not reveal an effect on exercise capacity. However, analysis of iMS-MfnDKO animals revealed a progressive reduction in exercise performance. We measured individual electron transport chain (ETC) complex activity and observed a reduction in ETC activity in both the subsarcolemmal and intermyofibrillar mitochondrial fractions specifically for NADH dehydrogenase (complex I) and cytochrome- c oxidase (complex IV), which was associated with a decrease in ETC subunit expression for these complexes. We also tested whether voluntary exercise training would prevent the decrease in exercise capacity observed in iMS-MfnDKO animals ( n = 10/group). However, after 8 wk of training we did not observe any improvement in exercise capacity or ETC subunit parameters in iMS-MfnDKO animals. These data suggest that the decrease in exercise capacity observed in the iMS-MfnDKO animals is in part the result of impaired ETC subunit expression and ETC complex activity. Taken together, these results provide strong evidence that mitochondrial fusion in adult skeletal muscle is important for exercise performance.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study is the first to utilize an adult-inducible skeletal muscle-specific knockout model for Mitofusin (Mfn)1 and Mfn2 to assess exercise capacity. Our findings reveal a progressive decrease in exercise performance with Mfn1 and Mfn2 deletion. The decrease in exercise capacity was accompanied by impaired oxidative phosphorylation specifically for complex I and complex IV. Furthermore, voluntary exercise training was unable to rescue the impairment, suggesting that normal fusion is essential for exercise-induced mitochondrial adaptations.
Renal autoregulation in experimental septic shock and its response to vasopressin and norepinephrine administration
Authors: Post Emiel Hendrik , Su Fuhong , Righy Shinotsuka Cláudia , Taccone Fabio Silvio , Creteur Jacques , De Backer Daniel , Vincent Jean-Louis
Published: September 2018

Evidence suggests that septic shock patients with chronic arterial hypertension may benefit from resuscitation targeted to achieve higher blood pressure values than other patients, possibly as a result of altered renal autoregulation. The effects of different vasopressor agents on renal autoregulation may be important in this context. We investigated the effects of arginine vasopressin (AVP) and norepinephrine (NE) on renal autoregulation in ovine septic shock. Sepsis was induced by fecal peritonitis. When shock developed (decrease in mean arterial pressure to <65 mmHg and no fluid responsiveness), animals were randomized to receive NE or AVP in a crossover design. Before the switch to the second vasopressor, the first vasopressor was discontinued for 30 min to ensure complete washout of the first vasopressor. Renal autoregulation was evaluated by recording the change in renal blood flow (RBF) in response to manual, stepwise reductions in renal inflow pressure. In this model, the lower limit of renal autoregulation was not significantly altered 6 h after sepsis induction (59 ± 9 vs. 64 ± 7 mmHg at baseline, P = 0.096). After development of shock, the autoregulatory threshold was lower with AVP than with NE (59 ± 5 vs. 65 ± 7 mmHg, P = 0.010). However, RBF was higher with NE both at the start of autoregulatory measurements (206 ± 58 vs. 170 ± 52 ml/min; P = 0.049) and at the autoregulatory threshold (191 ± 53 vs. 150 ± 47 ml/min; P = 0.008). As vasopressors may have different effects on renal autoregulation, blood pressure management in patients with septic shock should be individualized and take into account drug-specific effects.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Septic shock patients with chronic arterial hypertension may benefit from higher blood pressure targets due to underlying deficits in renal autoregulatory efficiency. The current study is the first to show that the choice of vasopressor agent can differentially affect renal autoregulation. These findings may contribute to more personalized blood pressure management in patients with septic shock.
Influences of Bath Chemistry and Plating Variables on Characteristics of Electroless Ni–P Films on Si Wafers from Alkaline Citrate Solutions
Authors: Miao Naiming , Jiang Jinjin , Wu Wangping
Published: September 2018

Electroless nickel–phosphorus (Ni–P) films were produced on the surface of p-type monocrystalline silicon in the alkaline citrate solutions. The influences of bath chemistry and plating variables on the chemical composition, deposition rate, morphology, and thermal stability of electroless Ni–P films on silicon wafers were studied. The as-deposited Ni–P films were almost all medium- and high-P deposits. The concentrations of Ni2+ and citric ions influenced the deposition rate of the films but did not affect P content in the deposits. With increasing H2PO2− content, the P content and deposition rate were steadily increased. The pH and plating temperature had a significant effect on the chemical composition and the deposition rate of the films. The thermal stability of the medium-P film was better than that of the high-P deposit. At the same time, the proposed mechanism of Ni–P films on monocrystalline silicon substrates in the alkaline bath solution was discussed and addressed.
Mass Collaboration-Driven Method for Recommending Product Ideas Based on Dempster-Shafer Theory of Evidence
Authors: Du Yuan-Wei , Shan Yu-Kun , Li Chang-Xing , Wang Rui
Published: September 2018

In the mass collaboration mode, there exist a large number of product ideas with low value density and thousands of participants who are differed on their professional backgrounds, knowledge structures, and value orientations. It is impossible for each participant to give a comprehensive evaluation of each idea as that in traditional methods for the reasons as mentioned above. In order to solve this problem, a mass collaboration-driven method for recommending product ideas is proposed based on Dempster-Shafer theory of evidence (DST). Firstly, the method for computing basic probability assignment (BPA) function, which can effectively reflect the facticity of experts’ evaluations, is introduced by discounting belief degrees with weights to extract the evaluation information of product ideas. Then, Dempster’s combination rule is used to combine the derived BPA functions for two times: the first one is to combine the discounted BPA functions on all criteria with respect to a specified expert and the other is to combine the combined BPA functions for all experts with respect to a specified alternative. Finally, the steps of mass collaboration-driven method for recommending product ideas based on the DST are proposed. An illustrative example is provided to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method.
α-Hederin Arrests Cell Cycle at G2/M Checkpoint and Promotes Mitochondrial Apoptosis by Blocking Nuclear Factor-κB Signaling in Colon Cancer Cells
Authors: Sun Dongdong , Shen Weixing , Zhang Feng , Fan Huisen , Tan Jiani , Li Liu , Xu Changliang , Zhang Haibin , Yang Ye , Cheng Haibo
Published: September 2018

Colon cancer represents the third most common malignancy worldwide. New drugs with high efficaciousness and safety for the treatment of colon cancer are urgently needed in clinical context. Here, we were aimed to evaluate the antitumor activity of the natural compoundα-hederin in human colon cancer cells. We treated SW620 cells with interleukin-6 (IL-6)in vitroto mimic the paracrine inflammatory microenvironment of tumor cells.α-Hederin concentration dependently reduced the viability of IL-6-stimulated SW620 cells.α-Hederin increased the number of IL-6-stimulated SW620 cells at the G2/M phase and reduced the mRNA and protein expression of cyclin B1 and CDK1. Moreover,α-hederin induced apoptosis and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential in IL-6-stimulated SW620 cells.α-Hederin downregulated Bcl-2 expression, upregulated Bax expression, and promoted cytochrome c release from mitochondria into cytoplasm. Additionally,α-hederin elevated the levels of cleaved-caspase-9, cleaved-caspase-3, and cleaved-PARP, but had little effects on the levels of cleaved-caspase-8. Moreover,α-hederin prevented the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and reduced the phosphorylation of IκBαand IKKα, suggesting the blockade of NF-κB signaling. NF-κB inhibitor PDTC not only produced similar proapoptotic effects on IL-6-stimulated SW620 cells asα-hederin did, but also synergistically enhancedα-hederin’s proapoptotic effects. Furthermore,α-hederin inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK in IL-6-stimulated SW620 cells, which was involved inα-hederin blockade of NF-κB nuclear translocation. Altogether,α-hederin suppressed viability, induced G2/M cell cycle arrest, and stimulated mitochondrial and caspase-dependent apoptosis in colon cancer cells, which were associated with disruption of NF-κB and ERK pathways, suggestingα-hederin as a promising candidate for intervention of colon cancer.
Using Adipose Measures from Health Care Provider-Based Imaging Data for Discovery
Authors: Cha Elliot D. K. , Veturi Yogasudha , Agarwal Chirag , Patel Aalpen , Arbabshirani Mohammad R. , Pendergrass Sarah A.
Published: September 2018

The location and type of adipose tissue is an important factor in metabolic syndrome. A database of picture archiving and communication system (PACS) derived abdominal computerized tomography (CT) images from a large health care provider, Geisinger, was used for large-scale research of the relationship of volume of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) with obesity-related diseases and clinical laboratory measures. Using a “greedy snake” algorithm and 2,545 CT images from the Geisinger PACS, we measured levels of VAT, SAT, total adipose tissue (TAT), and adipose ratio volumes. Sex-combined and sex-stratified association testing was done between adipose measures and 1,233 disease diagnoses and 37 clinical laboratory measures. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) for adipose measures was also performed. SAT was strongly associated with obesity and morbid obesity. VAT levels were strongly associated with type 2 diabetes-related diagnoses (p = 1.5 × 10−58), obstructive sleep apnea (p = 7.7 × 10−37), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels (p = 1.42 × 10−36), triglyceride levels (p = 1.44 × 10−43), and white blood cell (WBC) counts (p = 7.37 × 10−9). Sex-stratified tests revealed stronger associations among women, indicating the increased influence of VAT on obesity-related disease outcomes particularly among women. The GWAS identified some suggestive associations. This study supports the utility of pursuing future clinical and genetic discoveries with existing imaging data-derived adipose tissue measures deployed at a larger scale.
Numerical Solution to Coupled Burgers’ Equations by Gaussian-Based Hermite Collocation Scheme
Authors: Chuathong Nissaya , Kaennakham Sayan
Published: September 2018

One of the most challenging PDE forms in fluid dynamics namely Burgers equations is solved numerically in this work. Its transient, nonlinear, and coupling structure are carefully treated. The Hermite type of collocation mesh-free method is applied to the spatial terms and the 4th-order Runge Kutta is adopted to discretize the governing equations in time. The method is applied in conjunction with the Gaussian radial basis function. The effect of viscous force at high Reynolds number up to 1,300 is investigated using the method. For the purpose of validation, a conventional global collocation scheme (also known as “Kansa” method) is applied parallelly. Solutions obtained are validated against the exact solution and also with some other numerical works available in literature when possible.
Radiomic Profiling of Head and Neck Cancer: 18F-FDG PET Texture Analysis as Predictor of Patient Survival
Authors: Feliciani G. , Fioroni F. , Grassi E. , Bertolini M. , Rosca A. , Timon G. , Galaverni M. , Iotti C. , Versari A. , Iori M. , Ciammella P.
Published: September 2018

Background and Purpose. The accurate prediction of prognosis and pattern of failure is crucial for optimizing treatment strategies for patients with cancer, and early evidence suggests that image texture analysis has great potential in predicting outcome both in terms of local control and treatment toxicity. The aim of this study was to assess the value of pretreatment 18F-FDG PET texture analysis for the prediction of treatment failure in primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with concurrent chemoradiation therapy. Methods. We performed a retrospective analysis of 90 patients diagnosed with primary HNSCC treated between January 2010 and June 2017 with concurrent chemo-radiotherapy. All patients underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT before treatment. 18F-FDG PET/CT texture features of the whole primary tumor were measured using an open-source texture analysis package. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) was employed to select the features that are associated the most with clinical outcome, as progression-free survival and overall survival. We performed a univariate and multivariate analysis between all the relevant texture parameters and local failure, adjusting for age, sex, smoking, primary tumor site, and primary tumor stage. Harrell c-index was employed to score the predictive power of the multivariate cox regression models. Results. Twenty patients (22.2%) developed local failure, whereas the remaining 70 (77.8%) achieved durable local control. Multivariate analysis revealed that one feature, defined as low-intensity long-run emphasis (LILRE), was a significant predictor of outcome regardless of clinical variables (hazard ratio < 0.001, P=0.001).The multivariate model based on imaging biomarkers resulted superior in predicting local failure with a c-index of 0.76 against 0.65 of the model based on clinical variables alone. Conclusion. LILRE, evaluated on pretreatment 18F-FDG PET/CT, is associated with higher local failure in patients with HNSCC treated with chemoradiotherapy. Using texture analysis in addition to clinical variables may be useful in predicting local control.
Detection of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Water Samples by Annular Platform-Supported Ionic Liquid-Based Headspace Liquid-Phase Microextraction
Authors: Sun Xiaojie , Tan Jie , Ding Haiyan , Tan Xiaojie , Xing Jun , Xing Lihong , Zhai Yuxiu , Li Zhaoxin
Published: September 2018

In this paper, a new method of annular platform-supported headspace liquid-phase microextraction (LPME) was designed using ionic liquid as an extraction solvent, wherein extraction stability and efficiency were improved by adding an annular platform inside the extraction bottle. The ionic liquid 1-silicyl-3-benzylimidazolehexafluorophosphate was first synthesized and proved to be an excellent extraction solvent. Coupled with liquid chromatography, the proposed method was employed to analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water and optimized in aspects of extraction temperature, extraction solvent volume, extraction time, pH, stirring rate, and salt effect of solution. The results indicated that this method showed good linearity (R2 > 0.995) within 0.5 µg·L−1 to 1000 µg·L−1 for PAHs. The method was more suitable for extraction of volatile PAHs, with recoveries from 65.0% to 102% and quantification limits from 0.01 to 0.05 µg·L−1. It has been successfully applied for detection of PAHs in seawater samples.
Image Quality and Patient-Specific Organ Doses in Stone Protocol CT: A Comparison of Traditional CT to Low Dose CT with Iterative Reconstruction
Authors: Pai Raghav , Modh Rishi , Lamoureux Rebecca H. , Deitte Lori , Wymer David C. , Mench Anna , Lipnharski Izabella , Henriksen Carl , Arreola Manuel , Canales Benjamin K.
Published: September 2018

Objective. To compare organ specific radiation dose and image quality in kidney stone patients scanned with standard CT reconstructed with filtered back projection (FBP-CT) to those scanned with low dose CT reconstructed with iterative techniques (IR-CT). Materials and Methods. Over a one-year study period, adult kidney stone patients were retrospectively netted to capture the use of noncontrasted, stone protocol CT in one of six institutional scanners (four FBP and two IR). To limit potential CT-unit use bias, scans were included only from days when all six scanners were functioning. Organ dose was calculated using volumetric CT dose index and patient effective body diameter through validated conversion equations derived from previous cadaveric, dosimetry studies. Board-certified radiologists, blinded to CT algorithm type, assessed stone characteristics, study noise, and image quality of both techniques. Results. FBP-CT (n=250) and IR-CT (n=90) groups were similar in regard to gender, race, body mass index (mean BMI = 30.3), and stone burden detected (mean size 5.4 ± 1.2 mm). Mean organ-specific dose (OSD) was 54-62% lower across all organs for IR-CT compared to FBP-CT with particularly reduced doses (up to 4.6-fold) noted in patients with normal BMI range. No differences were noted in radiological assessment of image quality or noise between the cohorts, and intrarater agreement was highly correlated for noise (AC2=0.873) and quality (AC2=0.874) between blinded radiologists. Conclusions. Image quality and stone burden assessment were maintained between standard FBP and low dose IR groups, but IR-CT decreased mean OSD by 50%. Both urologists and radiologists should advocate for low dose CT, utilizing reconstructive protocols like IR, to reduce radiation exposure in their stone formers who undergo multiple CTs.
Metabolomics Analysis of the Lipid‐Regulating Effect of Allium hookeri in a Hamster Model of High‐Fat Diet‐Induced Hyperlipidemia by UPLC/ESI‐Q‐TOF Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Jang Gwang-Ju , Sung Mi Jeong , Hur Haeng Jeon , Yoo Miyoung , Choi Jung Hoon , Hwang In Koo , Lee Sanghee
Published: September 2018

Hyperlipidemia is a risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and is a major public health concern. Allium hookeri (AH) is an Allium species containing high levels of bioactive organosulfur compounds such as methiin and cycloalliin. AH exerts hypolipidemic effects in animals fed a high‐fat diet. However, there exists little information on the mechanisms underlying these effects. To address this issue, we used a metabolomic approach based on ultra‐performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry to identify factors mediating the lipid‐lowering effects of AH. Principal component and partial least‐squares discriminant analyses of serum metabolome profiles revealed 25 metabolites as potential biomarkers for the effects of AH on lipid levels. These compounds were predominantly phospholipids, including phosphatidylcholines (PCs), lysoPCs, and lysophosphatidylethanolamines. Glycerophospholipid metabolism was identified as a significantly enriched pathway. These results provide mechanistic insight into the antihyperlipidemic effects of AH and evidence for its efficacy as a therapeutic agent.
A Review on Superplastic Formation Behavior of Al Alloys
Authors: Wang Xiao-guo , Li Qiu-shu , Wu Rui-rui , Zhang Xiao-yuan , Ma Liyun
Published: September 2018

Superplastic formation technology is considered to be an effective and promising method to conquer formation difficulties of Al alloys, especially thin‐walled or complex structure. In this paper, fundamentals of superplastic deformation of Al alloys are summarized and the superplastic deformation behaviors of main kinds of Al alloys are summarized and compared, including Al‐Mg alloys, Al‐Li alloys, and Al‐Zn‐Mg alloys as well as aluminum matrix composites. Then, the superplastic deformation mechanism for different Al alloys is thoroughly discussed. Last but not the least, the factors affecting the superplastic deformation process are fully analyzed.
Dissipative Coupling of Fluid and Immersed Objects for Modelling of Cells in Flow
Authors: Bušík Martin , Slavík Martin , Cimrák Ivan
Published: September 2018

Modelling of cell flow for biomedical applications relies in many cases on the correct description of fluid-structure interaction between the cell membrane and the surrounding fluid. We analyse the coupling of the lattice-Boltzmann method for the fluid and the spring network model for the cells. We investigate the bare friction parameter of fluid-structure interaction that is mediated via dissipative coupling. Such coupling mimics the no-slip boundary condition at the interface between the fluid and object. It is an alternative method to the immersed boundary method. Here, the fluid-structure coupling is provided by forces penalising local differences between velocities of the object’s boundaries and the surrounding fluid. The method includes a phenomenological friction coefficient that determines the strength of the coupling. This work aims at determination of proper values of such friction coefficient. We derive an explicit formula for computation of this coefficient depending on the mesh density assuming a reference friction is known. We validate this formula on spherical and ellipsoidal objects. We also provide sensitivity analysis of the formula on all parameters entering the model. We conclude that such formula may be used also for objects with irregular shapes provided that the triangular mesh covering the object’s surface is in some sense uniform. Our findings are justified by two computational experiments where we simulate motion of a red blood cell in a capillary and in a shear flow. Both experiments confirm our results presented in this work.
A Case of Malaria Predisposing to Salmonella Bacteremia in a Returning Traveler from Nigeria
Authors: Jakubowski Robert , Steed Lisa L. , Dorman Susan E. , Marculescu Camelia
Published: September 2018

We describe a febrile adult returning to the U.S. from Nigeria. Malaria was diagnosed by rapid antigen testing, but recognition of invasive nontyphoidal Salmonella disease was delayed. While the moniker, “typhomalaria,” once used to describe an illness with features of malaria and typhoid fever, has fallen out of favor, it may nevertheless be a helpful reminder to clinicians that both infectious diseases can arise in the same patient. Blood cultures should be obtained routinely in febrile returning travelers from malaria-endemic regions, including those in whom the diagnosis of malaria has already been established.