bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toxoplasmosis gástrica en el síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida.
Authors: Guerrero-Flores Alejandro , Vega-Ramos Beatriz
Published: October 2018

Introducción. Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) es un protozoario ubicuo de aves y mamíferos, parásito intracelular obligado, cuya reactivación se observa en personas inmunodeprimidas. En el síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida (SIDA), la mayoría de los casos se relacionan con infecciones del sistema nervioso central (SNC) y se ha publicado poco sobre localización gastrointestinal de esta parasitosis oportunista. Caso clínico. Hombre de 34 años de edad atendido por fiebre irregular de 6 meses de evolución, disfagia, epigastralgia, anorexia y pérdida de peso. Una endoscopía demostró candidiasis oroesofágica y úlceras en tercio inferior del esófago, sugestivas de citomegalovirus (CMV). El paciente tenía siete años con infección VIH/SIDA sin tratamiento y presentaba anemia, anticuerpos IgG positivos contra toxoplasma y CMV. La cuenta de linfocitos CD4 fue 28/µL y la carga viral de 195,574 copias/mL.Recibió tratamiento con ganciclovir y fluoconazole I.V. Inició antiretrovirales combinados que suspendió por intolerancia gástrica luego de un mes. Por persistir síntomas digestivos altos, una nueva endoscopía demostró gastritis y en la biopsia se identificó T. gondii. El paciente falleció 2 meses después en su domicilio con síndrome de desgaste. Discusión. Este tipo de casos se acompaña de acentuada inmunodepresión de linfocitos CD4, síntomas digestivos altos atribuibles a múltiples causas. Este es el primer caso en la Península de Yucatán de una persona con SIDA e identificación de trofozoitos de T. gondii en la mucosa gástrica, por lo que se debe considerar su búsqueda intencionada en pacientes con SIDA, linfocitos CD4 ‹ 50/µL y síntomas como anorexia, nausea, vómito, dolor abdominal en epigastrio, fiebre y diarrea.
Compartamiento de la insulina plasmática con el ejercicio aeróbico de baja intensidad en pacientes con factores de riesgo cardiovascular
Authors: Fuentes-González Pedro , G Cantón-Cuevas Felipe , Vargas-Cano William
Published: October 2018

Introducción. Se realizó un estudio experimental, longitudinal de ensayo clínico en 10 pacientes de ambos sexos, con edades entre 25 y 65 años, con más de dos factores de riesgo cardiovascular, el objetivo del estudio fue demostrar el efecto del ejercicio aeróbico de baja intensidad, sobre las concentraciones de insulina plasmática.
Material y método. El grupo fue sometido a un programa de ejercicio aeróbico de baja intensidad en banda sinfín de 3 meses de duración en sesiones de 30 minutos por día, cinco días a la semana, con medición mensual de insulina plasmática.
Resultados. Se observó disminución de la insulina plasmática en el 70 % de los pacientes, aun que la respuesta no fue uniforme, observándose mejores resultados en los sujetos que iniciaron el estudio con hiperinsulinemia.
Legionella spp. ¿Ausente en los hospitales de Costa Rica?
Authors: Rodríguez Evelyn , Del M Gamboa María , L Arias María
Published: October 2018

Introducción. Legionella spp. se encuentra ampliamente distribuida en ambientes húmedos naturales, así como en tanques de almacenamiento de agua potable, torres de enfriamiento, aires acondicionados y duchas, entre otros. Varias especies, especialmente L. pneumophila, son capaces de originar una enfermedad respiratoria aguda que puede conducir a neumonías fatales sobre todo en pacientes inmunocomprometidos o con enfermedad pulmonar concomitante. En Costa Rica no se ha informado de casos clínicos ni de hallazgos de laboratorio que confirmen la presencia de Legionella, desconociéndose la realidad al respecto; a fin de contribuir a esclarecerla se decidió investigar su presencia en el ambiente hospitalario.
Materiales y Métodos. Se analizaron 160 muestras de aguas provenientes de 56 aires acondicionados y 104 respiradores de los cuatro hospitales costarricenses más importantes. Las muestras fueron recolectadas en bolsas plásticas estériles, que se mantuvieron en frío hasta su análisis en el laboratorio. Para el aislamiento de Legionella se siguió la metodología recomendada por el Centro de Control y Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC), utilizando L. pneumophila ATCC 33152 como cepa control. Se realizó también cultivo de amebas, a fin de evaluar el posible crecimiento de Legionella en ellas.
Resultados. En ninguna de las 160 muestras analizadas fue posible el aislamiento de Legionella spp., a pesar de que en todos los muestreos se recuperó la cepa control inoculada en muestras negativas. Tampoco se aislaron amebas de vida libre en las ninguna de las muestras.
Conclusiones. Con este estudio se demuestra que Legionella spp. no se encuentra presente o lo está en muy baja cantidad en el ambiente hospitalario costarricense, lo que correlaciona con la ausencia de casos clínicos documentados. Costa Rica sería otro de los países de Latinoamérica en los que su hallazgo no es frecuente.
Algunos aspectos etológicos de la comunicación química en ratas y ratones de laboratorio
Authors: G  Gutiérrez-García Ana , M  Contreras Carlos
Published: October 2018

La comunicación química a través de las feromonas, es fundamental para las relaciones intraespecíficas. Estas sustancias son particularmente importantes para promover la reproducción, el apareamiento, la inhibición o el desencadenamiento del comportamiento agresivo, la identificación entre grupos y entre individuos, la organización social, el marcaje territorial y el miedo, entre otras pautas conductuales. Diversos estudios han determinado que la presencia de sustancias de naturaleza volátil en la orina de ratas, satisfacen los criterios de feromonas, en tanto que: a) tienen efectos conductuales inmediatos y no atribuibles a otro estímulo sensorial; b) son sustancias especieespecíficas; c) existe mínima influencia de la experiencia; d) indican el estado social y reproductivo de quien las produce y secreta; y e) las ratas o ratones expuestos al olor de conespecíficos estresados muestran aversión por el origen del olor. El estudio de las señales químicas constituye una herramienta fundamental para investigar los aspectos morfológicos, fisiológicos y bioquímicos de los receptores olfatorios, el mecanismo para el procesamiento de la información odorífera, así como el estudio de las distintas conductas y cambios endócrinos asociados a la comunicación feromonal, todo lo cual hasta hace relativamente poco tiempo se asociaba a ciertas pautas conductuales presentes sólo en los insectos. La evidencia ha indicado con claridad que las feromonas también están presentes en los mamíferos, incluido el humano, un hecho que abre expectativas que aguardan ser exploradas para explicar pautas de comportamiento en prácticamente todas las especies de animales.
Bacterias de importancia clínica en respiradores y aires acondicionados de hospitales de San José, Costa Rica
Authors: Del M Gamboa María , Rodríguez Evelyn , Rojas Marianela
Published: October 2018

Introducción. El riesgo de adquirir infecciones nosocomiales respiratorias, cuya tasa de mortalidad puede ser hasta del 76%, aumenta con el uso de respiradores y aires acondicionados, de manera que detectando bacterias de importancia médica en ellos se pretende contribuir a controlar dichas infecciones en hospitales costarricenses.
Material y métodos. En cuatro hospitales, se analizaron 120 muestras de agua acumulada en 79 respiradores y 41 aires acondicionados; cada una se concentró por filtración, se resuspendió y se inoculó en medios de cultivo adecuados. Los aislamientos se identificaron utilizando un sistema semiautomatizado API® y el método de Kirby y Bauer o tiras ATB® para las pruebas de sensibilidad.
Resultados. El 80% de los aires acondicionados y 53% de los respiradores fueron positivos, lo que representa un 63% de muestras positivas. La mayoría de los aislamientos fueron bacilos Gram negativos (73%), Pseudomonas y géneros relacionados el grupo más frecuente (47%), mostrando mayor resistencia antimicrobiana hacia cefalotina (77%), menor a imipenem (6%) y una multirresistencia de 64%. Staphylococcus fue el género más frecuente de los cocos Gram positivos (84%), con la mayor resistencia a rifampicina (86%), la menor a penicilina (25%) y una multirresistencia del 50%; seis cepas (todas coagulasa negativas) fueron resistentes a vancomicina.
Discusión. El alto porcentaje de muestras positivas con bacterias de importancia médica representa un riesgo para los pacientes, especialmente en salas de cuidados intensivos y de cirugía. El predominio de Gram negativos concuerda con su importancia en neumonías nosocomiales; su presencia indica contaminación con el ambiente hospitalario o mala higiene al manipular el equipo. La alta multirresistencia encontrada es preocupante y debe llamar la atención de las autoridades en salud.
Tiempo de asistencia e incidencia de diarrea en infantes que asisten a una guardería
Authors: Alonzo-Salomón Jorge , García-Roque Onelia , Heredia-Navarrete Ramón
Published: October 2018

Objetivo. Examinar la relación entre el tiempo de asistencia (TA) y la tasa de incidencia de diarrea (TID) en un grupo de infantes que asistieron a una guardería en Mérida, Yucatán, México.
Diseño. Estudio epidemiológico observacional y prospectivo.
Sujetos. Infantes de 1.5 a 23 meses de edad que asistieron a una guardería desde el 1 de agosto de 1996 hasta el 31 de julio de 1997.
Mediciones. El número de episodios de diarrea y el tiempo en riesgo de diarrea en un grupo de infantes clasificados como expuestos sí TA£30 días y como no expuestos si TA›30 días.
Resultados. Tomando en consideración la variable edad, la TID es un 41% mayor en el grupo expuesto comparada con la de los no expuestos y la Razón de Tasas de Incidencia de Diarrea (RTID) decrece en promedio un 49% entre grupos de edad al comparar la RTID de un Grupo de Edad (GE) con la del siguiente grupo de mayor edad.
Conclusiones. El TA tiene un efecto perjudicial sobre la TID de los infantes con TA£30 días y el GE tiene un efecto protector sobre el comportamiento de la TID cuando los infantes cambian de un GE al siguiente grupo de mayor edad.
Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad (TDAH) como posible factor mediador para intento suicida en niño de 10 años: Reporte de un caso
Authors: Perales-Blum Laurencia , Juárez-Treviño Myrthala , Treviño-Treviño Jaime , Cáceres-Vargas Mario
Published: October 2018

El propósito de este artículo es hacer la descripción de un caso clínico donde se observa una convergencia entre el diagnóstico de TDAH e intento suicida, en ausencia de otras enfermedades psiquiátricas comórbidas, describiendo los antecedentes y el proceso de evaluación.Se trata de un paciente de 10 años de edad, con diagnóstico de TDAH (de acuerdo a los criterios clínicos del DSM IV TR), quien es hospitalizado al presentar intento suicida de alta letalidad por ahorcamiento en ausencia de comorbilidad psiquiátrica alguna, evaluado clínicamente, usando múltiples fuentes de información y por medio de escalas clinimétricas.A pesar de que la tasa de TDAH es alta en poblaciones con ideación, intentos y suicidio completado, (casi el doble que los controles)(1), son relativamente pocas las investigaciones que se han realizado de dicha asociación y además suelen intentar explicar la suicidalidad mediante la psicopatología comórbida (Trastornos afectivos, de ansiedad, de personalidad, abuso de sustancias), sin cuestionar la relación TDAH-riesgo suicida como mecanismo explicativo de forma independiente. La disfunción ejecutiva que se presenta en el TDAH, particularmente, la impulsividad, pudiera estudiarse como un posible mecanismo mediador en el riesgo suicida.
piRNAs, un nuevo campo de biomarcadores en cáncer
Authors: Pérez-Alvarado Joaquín , Moreno-Ortiz José Miguel
Published: October 2018

Los piRNA son secuencias de 24 a 32 nucleótidos asociados a proteínas piwi de la familia argonauta, la cual posee propiedad endonucleasa. Son sintetizados a partir de regiones intergénicas repetitivas y su principal función es el silenciamiento de transposones, sin embargo, se ha encontrado que su descontrol esta asociado con el desarrollo de diversos tipos de cancer. Varios piRNAs han sido propuestos como biomarcadores del desarrollo tumoral, sin embargo no en todos los tipos de cancer han sido estudiados, investigaciones recientes muestran que cancer de mama y cancer gástrico son lo que encabezan la lista con un mayor número de publicaciones. Por lo que el presente trabajo se centra en conocer los piRNAs de mayor relevancia en tipos específicos de cáncer, con la finalidad de que se promueva su análisis en aquellos cánceres poco estudiados o que predominan epidemiológicamente en ciertas poblaciones.
Estudio sobre roedores sinántropicos como reservorios de patógenos zoonóticos en Yucatán
Authors: Torres-Castro Marco Antonio
Published: October 2018

Los roedores sinantrópicos participan en el ciclo infeccioso de numerosas enfermedades zoonóticas de importancia a nivel mundial y nacional, ya sea como reservorios, hospederos intermediarios u hospederos de los ectoparásitos vectores que transmiten a los agentes etiológicos. En Yucatán, México, las especies más frecuentes son Rattus rattus y Mus musculus, los cuales han sido identificados en medios rurales, sub-urbanos y urbanos. En los últimos años en Yucatán, se han realizado distintos estudios epidemiológicos en los que se han descrito a estos roedores como positivos a diversos agentes zoonóticos de relevancia en salud pública y animal. El objetivo de la presente revisión es caracterizar los agentes infecciosos reportados en estas investigaciones, para manifestar la importancia de los roedores sinantrópicos en la diseminación y/o control de las enfermedades endémicas en la región.
Actividad de enzimas antioxidantes eritrocitarias en una muestra de adultos jóvenes y mayores del Valle Central, Costa Rica
Authors: Jiménez Mora Jenny Paola , Rodriguez Romero Walter Enrique
Published: October 2018

Introducción. El daño oxidativo provocado por los radicales libres de oxígeno está relacionado con el proceso de envejecimiento, diversas patologías y el estilo de vida de las personas, pero en el organismo existen defensas enzimáticas antioxidantes que confieren una debida protección.Objetivo. Determinar la actividad enzimática de la glucosa-6-fosfato deshidrogenasa (G6PD), la catalasa (CAT) y la NADH metahemoglobina reductasa (NADH-MR), en una población costarricense de adultos jóvenes y mayores, para establecer el intervalo de referencia y evaluar el efecto de algunas condiciones en donde se presenta daño oxidativo. Materiales y métodos. Se determinó la actividad enzimática en una población de 110 individuos entre los 19 y 95 años, utilizando el método propuesto por Ernest Beutler. Se estableció el intervalo de referencia de la población y se evaluó el efecto de la edad, patologías de fondo y el fumado, mediante estadística descriptiva.   Resultados. Conforme avanza la edad las enzimas NADH-MR y la CAT disminuyeron su actividad eritrocitaria y la G6PD no presentó cambios significativos. No se encontró evidencia de un cambio significativo en la actividad enzimática con respecto al hábito de fumado y las condiciones patológicas estudiadas.   Conclusiones. Es necesario realizar más investigación en cuanto a factores ambientales y del estilo de vida que influyen en la actividad enzimática antioxidante. El tamaño de las poblaciones, la ausencia de métodos estandarizados y las condiciones del ensayo pueden afectar los resultados y su grado de significancia. Por lo tanto, deben estandarizarse las metodologías, de manera que en futuros proyectos se evalúen los resultados de acuerdo con estas condiciones. Palabras Clave:  Glucosa-6-fosfato deshidrogenasa, NADH metahemoglobina reductasa, Catalasa.
¿Después de la tempestad…vienen las epidemias?
Authors: Torres-Flores Jesús Miguel
Published: October 2018

Aunque cada vez hay más grupos de investigación enfocados en el estudio de diferentes tipos de desastres naturales, hasta hoy no hay nada que se pueda hacer para evitar por completo sus devastadores efectos. Tan solo en 2017, los huracanes y tormentas tropicales Harvey, Irma, María, José, Katia y Lee, que azotaron varias islas del Caribe, México y Florida, así como los dos fuertes terremotos que azotaron el Sureste y Centro de México, provocaron cuantiosas pérdidas económicas y humanas.
Características clínicas y fisiológicas del síndrome de Hellp
Authors: Bracamonte-Peniche Jimena , López-Bolio Vanesa , Mendicuti-Carrillo María del Mar , Ponce-Puerto José María , Sanabrais-López María José , Mendez-Dominguez Nina
Published: October 2018

RESUMENEl síndrome de HELLP es una complicación multisistémica del embarazo que se distingue por el trastorno hipertensivo más la triada: hemólisis microangiopática, elevación de enzimas hepáticas y disminución del conteo de plaquetas. Está asociado con la aparición de graves complicaciones perinatales e incremento de la mortalidad materna. Ocurre en 0,5 a 0,9% de todos los embarazos y en 10 a 20% de las pacientes con preeclampsia-eclampsia. Complicaciones obstétricas como ésta deben sospecharse de manera temprana para poderlas atender de manera oportuna y así prevenir situaciones potencialmente fatales tanto para la madre como para el feto. Es por ello, que deben integrarse adecuadamente los signos y síntomas, comprendiendo el reto diagnóstico que este síndrome puede significar.ABSTRACT HELLP syndrome is a severe systemic complication in pregnancy characterized by hypertensive disorder added to the clinical profile that includes: microangiopathic hemolysis, elevation of liver enzymes, and decreased platelet count. It is associated with the appearance of serious perinatal complications and increased maternal mortality. It occurs in 0.5 to 0.9% of all pregnancies and in 10 to 20% of patients with pre-eclampsia/eclampsia. Obstetric complications such as this syndrome need to be suspected in clinical practice, to prevent fatal outcomes for both, the mother and the fetus. Therefore, clinical manifestations should be identified early to approach challenges that the diagnosis may pose.
Patrón Estacional de la Influenza en México: Regiones tropicales vs. templadas
Authors: Ayora-Talavera Guadalupe
Published: October 2018

La influenza es una enfermedad respiratoria aguda que afecta a personas de todas las edades. Generalmente se caracteriza por la aparición espontánea de síntomas agudos, incluyendo fiebre, mialgias y síntomas respiratorios. En personas sanas, la enfermedad resuelve sin consecuencias. La influenza causa altas tasas de morbilidad y mortalidad a nivel mundial; sólo en México, anualmente se reportan más de 10,000 casos de enfermedad tipo influenza.
Conductas sexuales en adolescentes en una escuela secundaria en Mérida, Yucatán, México
Authors: Losa-Castillo Ramón Ignacio , González-Losa María Del Refugio
Published: October 2018

ResumenIntroducción.  La conducta sexual ha sido ampliamente estudiada en sujetos mayores de 18 años. La edad de inicio de vida sexual ha ido disminuyendo, sin embargo, estudiar la conducta sexual en adolescentes es un reto, y la información es escasa.  En este trabajo se realiza un análisis descriptivo de la conducta sexual de un grupo de adolescentes yucatecos.Material y Método.  Se realizó un estudio prospectivo, transversal y descriptivo que incluyó a 245 adolescentes de 11 a 16 años. La recolección de datos se llevó a cabo con un instrumento autoaplicable y los resultados se analizaron con estadística descriptiva.Resultados.  El 5.71% de la población estudiada refirió ser sexualmente activos (8.26% de los varones y 3.22% de las mujeres), declarándose todos heterosexuales.  Las caricias y/o besos en genitales fue la práctica sexual más común (78.57%); la masturbación a la pareja, el sexo oral y el sexo con penetración anal  o vaginal se reportaron con la misma frecuencia (28.57%).  El 21.4% utilizaron condón en su primera relación sexual y 7.14% ha tenido relaciones sexuales en los últimos 6 meses bajo el efecto del alcohol o drogas. El 2.04% de la población estudiada practica cibersexo.Conclusión. Es baja la frecuencia de adolescentes que han iniciado su vida sexual, sin embargo, la protección es prácticamente inexistente lo que los hace vulnerables a contraer infecciones de transmisión sexual  y tener embarazos no deseados.Palabras clave: adolescentes; conducta sexual; México
Integration of Probability and Clustering Based Approaches in the Field of Black Spot Identification
Authors: Ghadi Maen , Török Árpád , Tánczos Katalin
Published: October 2018

The objective of the paper is to define a complex methodology to analyze black spot locations of road infrastructure network combining the benefit of both; Empirical Bayes method and K-mean clustering approach. In the first step, K-mean algorithm is used to define homogeneous accident clusters. The homogeneity is described in three terms: traffic conditions, geometric design of the road and accident characteristics. Then, Empirical Bayes method is applied to define black spots based on the determined clusters. Due to the combination of the introduced methods, a powerful technique is provided that is able to identify high-risk locations and cluster dependent segment length as the output of the model.
Surgical Management of Large Mediastinal Masses–12 Years’ Experience in Apollo Hospitals Dhaka
Authors: Zahangir NM , Hasan MK , Basak RK , Meher T , Alam NS , Hossain MN , Khan A , Ahmed N , Ahmed S , Haider MZ
Published: October 2018

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of surgical treatment for large mediastinal tumors. A retrospective study was done from 6.8.2005 to 11.5.2017. Total 39 patients were included in this study. Age range was from 7 months to 70 years. Male was 24 and female was 15.Background: Most of the tumours were thymoma (12 cases). Others were thymoma with myasthenia gravis in 3 cases, Thymic carcinoma 2 cases, Nodular sclerosing Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1 case, Schwannoma in 3 cases, Cystic mass in 5 cases, Schwannoma with cystic degeneration in 1 case, Fibromyxoma in 1 case, Dermoid in 4 cases, Teratoma in 3 cases, Fibrosing mediastinitis in thymic mass in 1 case, Lymphoid hyperplasia in 1 case, Malignant Mesenchymal tumour in 1 case, Myxoid Liposarcoma in 1 case.Method: Surgical exposure varies from sternotomy in 22 cases, to clamshell incision in 1 case, posterolateral thoracotomy in 14 cases and anterolateral thoracotomy in 2 cases. Superior Venacava was injured in 1 case, repaired successfully by 6/0 prolene controlled by partial clamp. Some of the mediastinal mass needed careful dissection from lung, pleura, encircling distal aortic arch and proximal part of left subclavian artery, encircling left brachiocephalic vein. 1 case needed reconstruction of sternum with prolene mesh, marsupialization was done in 2 cases, adjacent pleura, fatty tissue, part of pericardium was removed in 5 cases. Lobectomy was needed in 1 case. In 1 case, recurrence of fibrosing mediastinitis needed steroid therapy. Extensive growth of the tumour which involved surrounding vital structures was decided not to proceed for excision in 2 cases.Results: Overall five-years survival rate was 94.87% .2 patients of the series died due to disease process as they were cases of advanced malignant mediastinal mass.Conclusion: Surgical treatment for mediastinal mass specially involving surrounding structures though challenging, gives good outcome.Pulse Vol.10 January-December 2017 p.12-17
CME in Apollo Vol.10(1)
Authors: Editor The
Published: October 2018

Abstract not availablePulse Vol.10 January-December 2017 p.57-58
Who counts? Disruptions to adult education’s idyll and its topography of lifelong learning
Authors: Schreiber-Barsch Silke
Published: October 2018

The question: ‘who counts?’ is raised in this paper at modern democratic society’s fabric, and, more specifically, at the arena of adult education and its counting procedure regarding its clientele, bringing the issue of dis/ability to the fore. For, thus, interlinking citizenship, adult education, and dis/ability, the paper explores the work on disagreement and dissensus by the French political philosopher Jacques Rancière as a theoretical framework. References to qualitative empirical research, elaborating on citoyen sanspapiers (= people without legal papers) in France and on planning and managing activities towards inclusive learning settings by adult education practitioners in Germany, serve to illuminate the theoretical underpinnings’ strengths and limitations. It shall lead not only to a fruitful encounter between interdisciplinary theoretical approaches, but also to push the claim that deliberation and civic learning ultimately depends on expressing voice and being listened to, not least by adult education academia, profession and practitioners.
Passive Tracking of the Electrochemical Impedance of a Hybrid Electric Vehicle Battery and State of Charge Estimation through an Extended and Unscented Kalman Filter
Authors: Sockeel Nicolas , Ball John , Shahverdi Masood , Mazzola Michael
Published: October 2018

Estimation of a lithium battery electrical impedance can provide relevant information regarding its characteristics. Currently, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) constitutes the most recognized and accepted method. Although highly precise and robust, EIS is usually performed during laboratory testing and is not suitable for any on-board application, such as in battery electric vehicles (BEVs) because it is an instrumentally and computationally heavy method. To address this issue and on-line system applications, this manuscript describes, as a main contribution, a passive method for battery impedance estimation in the time domain that involves the voltage and current profile induced by the battery through its ordinary operation without injecting a small excitation signal. This method has been tested on the same battery with different passive voltage and current profile and has been validated by achieving similar results. Compared to the original idea presented in the published conference paper, this manuscript explains, in detail, the previously developed method of transforming the battery impedance from the frequency domain to time domain. Moreover, this impedance measurement is used to estimate more robustly the battery state of charge (SoC) through Kalman filters. In the original published conference paper, only an extended Kalman filter (EKF) was applied. However, in this manuscript, an EKF and an unscented Kalman filter (UKF) are used and their performances are compared.
The Goldilocks Approach: A Review of Employing Design of Experiments in Prokaryotic Recombinant Protein Production
Authors: Uhoraningoga Albert , Kinsella Gemma K. , Henehan Gary T. , Ryan Barry J.
Published: October 2018

The production of high yields of soluble recombinant protein is one of the main objectives of protein biotechnology. Several factors, such as expression system, vector, host, media composition and induction conditions can influence recombinant protein yield. Identifying the most important factors for optimum protein expression may involve significant investment of time and considerable cost. To address this problem, statistical models such as Design of Experiments (DoE) have been used to optimise recombinant protein production. This review examines the application of DoE in the production of recombinant proteins in prokaryotic expression systems with specific emphasis on media composition and culture conditions. The review examines the most commonly used DoE screening and optimisation designs. It provides examples of DoE applied to optimisation of media and culture conditions.
AMROBS: All-Metal Replicas of Biological Surfaces—A Novel Approach Combining Established Techniques
Authors: Hischen Florian , Keser Mirjana , Baumgartner Werner
Published: October 2018

Biomimetic work often concerns to biological surfaces and their interaction with the environment. Liquid handling, barrier function and protection against heat, pathogens and predators, to name just a few, require biological surfaces to exhibit specific material properties—properties that often are not suited for specific measurements under lab conditions. In particular, the lack of the necessary sample toughness or conductivity can prove difficult to perform certain experiments. Hence, we present a novel approach to achieve all-metal replicas from biological surfaces (AMROBS). Resulting replicas exhibit microscale accurate replication of morphological topography while providing tough, conductive subjects for investigation and easy chemical surface modification. Combining established techniques like polymer casting (e.g., silicone), chemical silver precipitation and electroplating, all-metal replicas of several technical and biological surfaces (e.g., diffraction foils, lizard skin, flat bug surface) were produced and compared to their original counterparts with regard to morphology and functionality. By using scanning electron microscopy and video analysis, we show that a high degree of replication accuracy is achievable, and conclude the future possibilities of AMROBS in a comprehensive discussion, including the general “do’s” and “do nots” of metal replication following this approach.
Perivascular Tumor-Infiltrating Leukocyte Scoring for Prognosis of Resected Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Schoenberg Markus Bo , Hao Jingcheng , Bucher Julian Nikolaus , Miksch Rainer Christoph , Anger Hubertus Johann Wolfgang , Mayer Barbara , Mayerle Julia , Neumann Jens , Guba Markus Otto , Werner Jens , Bazhin Alexandr V.
Published: October 2018

Liver resection is a curative treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Tumor-infiltrating leukocytes (TILs) are important players in predicting HCC recurrence. However, the invasive margin could not be confirmed as relevant for HCC. The migration of immune cells into HCC may originate from intratumoral vessels. No previous study has examined perivascular (PV) infiltration. Tumors from 60 patients were examined. Immunohistochemistry was performed against CD3, CD8, CD20, and CD66b. TILs were counted in the PV regions using an algorithm for quantification of the tumor immune stroma (QTiS). The results were correlated with overall (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), clinical parameters, and laboratory values. PV infiltration of TILs was predominant in resected HCC. Higher PV infiltration of CD3+ (p = 0.016) and CD8+ (p = 0.028) independently predicted better OS and DFS, respectively. CD20+ showed a trend towards better DFS (p = 0.076). Scoring of CD3+, CD8+, and CD20+ independently predicted OS and DFS (p < 0.01). The amount of perivascular-infiltrating CD3+ cells is an independent predictor of better OS, and CD8+ cells independently predict prolonged DFS. Our novel perivascular infiltration scoring (PVIS) can independently predict both DFS and OS in resected HCC patients.
Facile Synthesis of Bi2MoO6 Microspheres Decorated by CdS Nanoparticles with Efficient Photocatalytic Removal of Levfloxacin Antibiotic
Authors: Li Shijie , Liu Yanping , Long Yunqian , Mo Liuye , Zhang Huiqiu , Liu Jianshe
Published: October 2018

Developing high-efficiency and stable visible-light-driven (VLD) photocatalysts for removal of toxic antibiotics is still a huge challenge at present. Herein, a novel CdS/Bi2MoO6 heterojunction with CdS nanoparticles decorated Bi2MoO6 microspheres has been obtained by a simple solvothermal-precipitation-calcination method. 1.0CdS/Bi2MoO6 has stronger light absorption ability and highest photocatalytic activity with levofloxacin (LEV) degradation efficiency improving 6.2 or 12.6 times compared to pristine CdS or Bi2MoO6. CdS/Bi2MoO6 is very stable during cycling tests, and no appreciable activity decline and microstructural changes are observed. Results signify that the introduction of CdS could enhance the light absorption ability and dramatically boost the separation of charge carriers, leading to the excellent photocatalytic performance of the heterojunction. This work demonstrates that flower-like CdS/ Bi2MoO6 is an excellent photocatalyst for the efficient removal of the LEV antibiotic.
Computational Analysis of the Performance Characteristics of a Supercritical CO2 Centrifugal Compressor
Authors: Raman Senthil Kumar , Kim Heuy Dong
Published: October 2018

A centrifugal compressor working with supercritical CO 2 (S-CO 2 ) has several advantages over other supercritical and conventional compressors. S-CO 2 is as dense as the liquid CO 2 and becomes difficult to compress. Thus, during the operation, the S-CO 2 centrifugal compressor requires lesser compression work than the gaseous CO 2 . The performance of S-CO 2 compressors is highly varying with tip clearance and vanes in the diffuser. To improve the performance of the S-CO 2 centrifugal compressor, knowledge about the influence of individual components on the performance characteristics is necessary. This present study considers an S-CO 2 compressor designed with traditional engineering design tools based on ideal gas behaviour and tested by SANDIA national laboratory. Three-dimensional, steady, viscous flow through the S-CO 2 compressor was analysed with computational fluid dynamics solver based on the finite volume method. Navier-Stokes equations are solved with K- ω (SST) turbulence model at operating conditions in the supercritical regime. Performance of the impeller, the main component of the centrifugal compressor is compared with the impeller with vaneless diffuser and vaned diffuser configurations. The flow characteristics of the shrouded impeller are also studied to analyse the tip-leakage effect.
The Long View of Visible Learning’s Impact
Authors: Fisher Douglas , Frey Nancy
Published: October 2018

In this article, we address the common criticisms of the Visible Learning research and offer a long-term view of the potential presented with this body of knowledge. We contextualize our view with some experiences in a high school that is focused on improving student learning.
PLDAD—An Algorihm to Reduce Data Center Energy Consumption
Authors: Ferreira Joao , Callou Gustavo , Tutsch Dietmar , Maciel Paulo
Published: October 2018

Due to the demands of new technologies such as social networks, e-commerce and cloud computing, more energy is being consumed in order to store all the produced data. While these new technologies require high levels of availability, a reduction in the cost and environmental impact is also expected. The present paper proposes a power balancing algorithm (power load distribution algorithm-depth (PLDA-D)) to optimize the energy distribution of data center electrical infrastructures. The PLDA-D is based on the Bellman and Ford–Fulkerson flow algorithms that analyze energy-flow models (EFM). EFM computes the power efficiency, sustainability and cost metrics of data center infrastructures. To demonstrate the applicability of the proposed strategy, we present a case study that analyzes four power infrastructures. The results obtained show about a 3.8% reduction in sustainability impact and operational costs.
Correction: Rubin, J.L. Applications of a Particular Four-Dimensional Projective Geometry to Galactic Dynamics. Galaxies 2018, 6, 83
Authors: Rubin Jacques L.
Published: October 2018

The author wishes to make the following corrections to this paper [1]: [...]
Low-Cost Microfluidic Sensors with Smart Hydrogel Patterned Arrays Using Electronic Resistive Channel Sensing for Readout
Authors: Leu Hsuan-Yu , Farhoudi Navid , Reiche Christopher F. , Körner Julia , Mohanty Swomitra , Solzbacher Florian , Magda Jules
Published: October 2018

There is a strong commercial need for inexpensive point-of-use sensors for monitoring disease biomarkers or environmental contaminants in drinking water. Point-of-use sensors that employ smart polymer hydrogels as recognition elements can be tailored to detect almost any target analyte, but often suffer from long response times. Hence, we describe here a fabrication process that can be used to manufacture low-cost point-of-use hydrogel-based microfluidics sensors with short response times. In this process, mask-templated UV photopolymerization is used to produce arrays of smart hydrogel pillars inside sub-millimeter channels located upon microfluidics devices. When these pillars contact aqueous solutions containing a target analyte, they swell or shrink, thereby changing the resistance of the microfluidic channel to ionic current flow when a small bias voltage is applied to the system. Hence resistance measurements can be used to transduce hydrogel swelling changes into electrical signals. The only instrumentation required is a simple portable potentiostat that can be operated using a smartphone or a laptop, thus making the system suitable for point of use. Rapid hydrogel response rate is achieved by fabricating arrays of smart hydrogels that have large surface area-to-volume ratios.
There’s No Nostalgia Like Hollywood Nostalgia
Authors: Leitch Thomas
Published: October 2018

This essay argues that the complexities of the nostalgic impulse in Hollywood cinema are inadequately described by Svetlana Boym’s particular description of Hollywood as “both induc[ing] nostalgia and offer[ing] a tranquilizer” and her highly influential general distinction between restorative and reflective nostalgia. Instead, it contends that Hollywood departs in important ways from the models of both the restorative nostalgia established by the heritage cinema and Great Britain and the reflective nostalgia commonly found in American literature. Using a wide range of examples from American cinema, American literature, and American culture, it considers the reasons why nostalgia occupies a different place and seeks different kinds of expressions in American culture than it does in other national cultures, examines the leading Hollywood genres in which restorative nostalgia appears and the distinctive ways those genres inflect it, and concludes by urging a closer analysis of the more complex, multi-laminated nostalgia Hollywood films offer as an alternative to Boym’s highly influential categorical dichotomy.
Reconstruction of Water Infiltration Rate Reducibility in Response to Suspended Solid Characteristics Using Singular Spectrum Analysis: An Application to the Caspian Sea Coast of Nur, Iran
Authors: Taie Semiromi Majid , Ghasemian Davood
Published: October 2018

Drawing a distinction between the suspended solid size and concentration impacts on physical clogging process in the Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) systems has been fraught with difficulties. Therefore, the current study was then aimed to statistically investigate and differentiate the impacts of clay-, silt- and sand-sized suspended solids at three concentration levels including 2, 5 and 10 g/L, compared with the clean water (0 g/L), on infiltration rate reducibility. The treatments were compared by virtue of Cohen’s d effect size measure. Furthermore, the competency of Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA) was evaluated in reconstruction of infiltration rate. Results showed that clay-sized suspended solids were found to be the most important determining factor in physical clogging occurrence. The effect size measure highlighted that a lower concentration level of clay-sized suspended solids, that is, 2 g/L could be more important in trigging the physical clogging than a higher concentration level of silt-sized suspended solids namely 5 g/L. Also, we recognized that concentration level of clay-sized suspended sediments could non-linearly decrease the infiltrability. Also, findings revealed that SSA represented a high level of competency in reconstruction of the infiltration rate under all treatments. Hence, SSA can be quite beneficial to MAR systems for forecasting applications.
Mitigation of Particulate Matter-Induced Inflammation and Vasoactivity in Human Vascular Endothelial Cells by Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids
Authors: Sriram Jaya , Adetona Olorunfemi , Orchard Tonya , Wu Chieh-Ming , Odei James
Published: October 2018

Airborne particulate matter (PM) exposure remains the leading environmental risk factor for disease globally. Interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of PM are required, since there is no discernible threshold for its effects, and exposure reduction approaches are limited. The mitigation of PM (specifically diesel exhaust particles (DEP))-induced release of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) and vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 (ET-1) after 24 and 48 h of exposure by pre-treatment with individual pure, combined pure, and an oil formulation of two fish oil omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) were all tested at an equivalent concentration of 100 µM in vitro in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The PUFAs and fish oil formulation completely mitigated or diminished the DEP-induced release of IL-6, IL-8, and ET-1 by 14–78%. DHA was more effective in reducing the levels of the DEP-induced release of the cytokines, especially IL-6 after 48 h of DEP exposure in comparison to EPA (p < 0.05), whereas EPA seemed to be more potent in reducing ET-1 levels. The potential of fish ω-3 PUFAs to mitigate PM-induced inflammation and vasoactivity was demonstrated by this study.
Trimethylamine N-Oxide: A Link among Diet, Gut Microbiota, Gene Regulation of Liver and Intestine Cholesterol Homeostasis and HDL Function
Authors: Canyelles Marina , Tondo Mireia , Cedó Lídia , Farràs Marta , Escolà-Gil Joan Carles , Blanco-Vaca Francisco
Published: October 2018

Recent evidence, including massive gene-expression analysis and a wide-variety of other multi-omics approaches, demonstrates an interplay between gut microbiota and the regulation of plasma lipids. Gut microbial metabolism of choline and l-carnitine results in the formation of trimethylamine (TMA) and concomitant conversion into trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) by liver flavin monooxygenase 3 (FMO3). The plasma level of TMAO is determined by the genetic variation, diet and composition of gut microbiota. Multiple studies have demonstrated an association between TMAO plasma levels and the risk of atherothrombotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to review the molecular pathways by which TMAO production and FMO3 exert their proatherogenic effects. TMAO may promote foam cell formation by upregulating macrophage scavenger receptors, deregulating enterohepatic cholesterol and bile acid metabolism and impairing macrophage reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). Furthermore, FMO3 may promote dyslipidemia by regulating multiple genes involved in hepatic lipogenesis and gluconeogenesis. FMO3 also impairs multiple aspects of cholesterol homeostasis, including transintestinal cholesterol export and macrophage-specific RCT. At least part of these FMO3-mediated effects on lipid metabolism and atherogenesis seem to be independent of the TMA/TMAO formation. Overall, these findings have the potential to open a new era for the therapeutic manipulation of the gut microbiota to improve CVD risk.
A Model of Evolutionary Selection: The Cardiovascular Protective Function of the Longevity Associated Variant of BPIFB4
Authors: Villa Francesco , Carrizzo Albino , Ferrario Anna , Maciag Anna , Cattaneo Monica , Spinelli Chiara Carmela , Montella Francesco , Damato Antonio , Ciaglia Elena , Puca Annibale Alessandro
Published: October 2018

Evolutionary forces select genetic variants that allow adaptation to environmental stresses. The genomes of centenarian populations could recapitulate the evolutionary adaptation model and reveal the secrets of disease resistance shown by these individuals. Indeed, longevity phenotype is supposed to have a genetic background able to survive or escape to age-related diseases. Among these, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the most lethal and their major risk factor is aging and the associated frailty status. One example of genetic evolution revealed by the study of centenarians genome is the four missense Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) haplotype in bactericidal/permeability-increasing fold-containing family B, member 4 (BPIFB4) locus that is enriched in long living individuals: the longevity associated variant (LAV). Indeed, LAV-BPIFB4 is able to improve endothelial function and revascularization through the increase of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) dependent nitric oxide production. This review recapitulates the beneficial effects of LAV-BPIFB4 and its therapeutic potential for the treatment of CVDs.
Sub-Chronic Stress Exacerbates the Pro-Thrombotic Phenotype in BDNFVal/Met Mice: Gene-Environment Interaction in the Modulation of Arterial Thrombosis
Authors: Sandrini Leonardo , Ieraci Alessandro , Amadio Patrizia , Veglia Fabrizio , Popoli Maurizio , Lee Francis S. , Tremoli Elena , Barbieri Silvia Stella
Published: October 2018

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism has been associated with increased susceptibility to develop mood disorders and recently it has been also linked with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Interestingly, stressful conditions unveil the anxious/depressive-like behavioral phenotype in heterozygous BDNFVal66Met (BDNFVal/Met) mice, suggesting an important relationship in terms of gene-environment interaction (GxE). However, the interplay between stress and BDNFVal/Met in relation to CVD is completely unknown. Here, we showed that BDNFVal/Met mice display a greater propensity to arterial thrombosis than wild type BDNFVal/Val mice after 7 days of restraint stress (RS). RS markedly increased the number of leukocytes and platelets, and induced hyper-responsive platelets as showed by increased circulating platelet/leukocyte aggregates and enhanced expression of P-selectin and GPIIbIIIa in heterozygous mutant mice. In addition, stressed BDNFVal/Met mice had a greater number of large and reticulated platelets but comparable number and maturation profile of bone marrow megakaryocytes compared to BDNFVal/Val mice. Interestingly, RS led to a significant reduction of BDNF expression accompanied by an increased activity of tissue factor in the aorta of both BDNFVal/Val and BDNFVal/Met mice. In conclusion, we provide evidence that sub-chronic stress unveils prothrombotic phenotype in heterozygous BDNF Val66Met mice affecting both the number and functionality of blood circulating cells, and the expression of key thrombotic molecules in aorta. Human studies will be crucial to understand whether this GxE interaction need to be taken into account in risk stratification of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients.
AMPK: An Epigenetic Landscape Modulator
Authors: Gongol Brendan , Sari Indah , Bryant Tiffany , Rosete Geraldine , Marin Traci
Published: October 2018

Activated by AMP-dependent and -independent mechanisms, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a central role in the regulation of cellular bioenergetics and cellular survival. AMPK regulates a diverse set of signaling networks that converge to epigenetically mediate transcriptional events. Reversible histone and DNA modifications, such as acetylation and methylation, result in structural chromatin alterations that influence transcriptional machinery access to genomic regulatory elements. The orchestration of these epigenetic events differentiates physiological from pathophysiological phenotypes. AMPK phosphorylation of histones, DNA methyltransferases and histone post-translational modifiers establish AMPK as a key player in epigenetic regulation. This review focuses on the role of AMPK as a mediator of cellular survival through its regulation of chromatin remodeling and the implications this has for health and disease.
miRNA-Mediated Interactions in and between Plants and Insects
Authors: Li Chade , Wong Annette Y. P. , Wang Shuang , Jia Qi , Chuang Wen-Po , Bendena William G. , Tobe Stephen S. , Yang Seung Hwan , Chung Gyuhwa , Chan Ting-Fung , Lam Hon-Ming , Bede Jacqueline C. , Hui Jerome H. L.
Published: October 2018

Our understanding of microRNA (miRNA) regulation of gene expression and protein translation, as a critical area of cellular regulation, has blossomed in the last two decades. Recently, it has become apparent that in plant-insect interactions, both plants and insects use miRNAs to regulate their biological processes, as well as co-opting each others’ miRNA systems. In this review article, we discuss the current paradigms of miRNA-mediated cellular regulation and provide examples of plant-insect interactions that utilize this regulation. Lastly, we discuss the potential biotechnological applications of utilizing miRNAs in agriculture.