bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ouabain Contributes to Kidney Damage in a Rat Model of Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Villa Luca , Buono Roberta , Ferrandi Mara , Molinari Isabella , Benigni Fabio , Bettiga Arianna , Colciago Giorgia , Ikehata Masami , Messaggio Elisabetta , Rastaldi Maria , Montorsi Francesco , Salonia Andrea , Manunta Paolo
Published: October 2016

Warm renal ischemia performed during partial nephrectomy has been found to be associated with kidney disease. Since endogenous ouabain (EO) is a neuro-endocrine hormone involved in renal damage, we evaluated the role of EO in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). We measured plasma and renal EO variations and markers of glomerular and tubular damage (nephrin, KIM-1, Kidney-Injury-Molecule-1, α1 Na-K ATPase) and the protective effect of the ouabain inhibitor, rostafuroxin. We studied five groups of rats: (1) normal; (2) infused for eight weeks with ouabain (30 µg/kg/day, OHR) or (3) saline; (4) ouabain; or (5) saline-infused rats orally treated with 100 µg/kg/day rostafuroxin for four weeks. In group 1, 2–3 h after IRI, EO increased in ischemic kidneys while decreased in plasma. Nephrin progressively decreased and KIM-1 mRNA increased starting from 24 h. Ouabain infusion (group 2) increased blood pressure (from 111.7 to 153.4 mmHg) and ouabain levels in plasma and kidneys. In OHR ischemic kidneys at 120 h from IRI, nephrin, and KIM-1 changes were greater than those detected in the controls infused with saline (group 3). All these changes were blunted by rostafuroxin treatment (groups 4 and 5). These findings support the role of EO in IRI and suggest that rostafuroxin pre-treatment of patients before partial nephrectomy with warm ischemia may reduce IRI, particularly in those with high EO.
Assessment of Amino Acid/Drug Transporters for Renal Transport of [18F]Fluciclovine (anti-[18F]FACBC) in Vitro
Authors: Ono Masahiro , Baden Atsumi , Okudaira Hiroyuki , Kobayashi Masato , Kawai Keiichi , Oka Shuntaro , Yoshimura Hirokatsu
Published: October 2016

[18F]Fluciclovine (trans-1-amino-3-[18F]fluorocyclobutanecarboxylic acid; anti-[18F]FACBC), a positron emission tomography tracer used for the diagnosis of recurrent prostate cancer, is transported via amino acid transporters (AATs) with high affinity (Km: 97–230 μM). However, the mechanism underlying urinary excretion is unknown. In this study, we investigated the involvement of AATs and drug transporters in renal [18F]fluciclovine reuptake. [14C]Fluciclovine (trans-1-amino-3-fluoro[1-14C]cyclobutanecarboxylic acid) was used because of its long half-life. The involvement of AATs in [14C]fluciclovine transport was measured by apical-to-basal transport using an LLC-PK1 monolayer as model for renal proximal tubules. The contribution of drug transporters herein was assessed using vesicles/cells expressing the drug transporters P-glycoprotein (P-gp), breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), multidrug resistance-associated protein 4 (MRP4), organic anion transporter 1 (OAT1), organic anion transporter 3 (OAT3) , organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2), organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1), and organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B3 (OATP1B3). The apical-to-basal transport of [14C]fluciclovine was attenuated by l-threonine, the substrate for system alanine-serine-cysteine (ASC) AATs. [14C]Fluciclovine uptake by drug transporter-expressing vesicles/cells was not significantly different from that of control vesicles/cells. Fluciclovine inhibited P-gp, MRP4, OAT1, OCT2, and OATP1B1 (IC50 > 2.95 mM). Therefore, system ASC AATs may be partly involved in the renal reuptake of [18F]fluciclovine. Further, given that [18F]fluciclovine is recognized as an inhibitor with millimolar affinity for the tested drug transporters, slow urinary excretion of [18F]fluciclovine may be mediated by system ASC AATs, but not by drug transporters.
The Potential Mechanisms of Berberine in the Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Zhu Xiaopeng , Bian Hua , Gao Xin
Published: October 2016

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a globally observed metabolic disease with high prevalence both in adults and children. However, there is no efficient medication available yet. Increased evidence indicates that berberine (BBR), a natural plant product, has beneficial effects on NAFLD, though the mechanisms are not completely known. In this review, we briefly summarize the pathogenesis of NAFLD and factors that influence the progression of NAFLD, and focus on the potential mechanisms of BBR in the treatment of NAFLD. Increase of insulin sensitivity, regulation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway, improvement of mitochondrial function, alleviation of oxidative stress, LDLR mRNA stabilization, and regulation of gut microenvironment are the major targets of BBR in the treatment of NAFLD. Additionally, reduction of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) expression and DNA methylation are also involved in pharmacological mechanisms of berberine in the treatment of NAFLD. The immunologic mechanism of BBR in the treatment of NAFLD, development of berberine derivative, drug combinations, delivery routes, and drug dose can be considered in the future research.
Thymol Mitigates Cadmium Stress by Regulating Glutathione Levels and Reactive Oxygen Species Homeostasis in Tobacco Seedlings
Authors: Ye Xiefeng , Ling Tianxiao , Xue Yanfeng , Xu Cunfa , Zhou Wei , Hu Liangbin , Chen Jian , Shi Zhiqi
Published: October 2016

Thymol is a famous plant-derived compound that has been widely used in pharmacy due to its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. However, the modulation of intrinsic plant physiology by thymol remains unclear. It is a significant challenge to confer plant tolerance to Cd (cadmium) stress. In the present study physiological, histochemical, and biochemical methods were applied to investigate thymol-induced Cd tolerance in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) seedlings. Thymol was able to alleviate Cd-induced growth inhibition of tobacco seedlings in both dose- and time-dependent manners. Both histochemical detection and in-tube assays suggested that thymol treatment blocked Cd-induced over-generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation, and loss of membrane integrity in both leaves and roots. Thymol decreased Cd-induced cell death that was indicated in vivo by propidium iodide (PI) and trypan blue, respectively. Thymol stimulated glutathione (GSH) biosynthesis by upregulating the expression of γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase 1 (GSH1) in Cd-treated seedlings, which may contribute to the alleviation of Cd-induced oxidative injury. In situ fluorescent detection of intracellular Cd2+ revealed that thymol significantly decreased free Cd2+ in roots, which could be explained by the thymol-stimulated GSH biosynthesis and upregulation of the expression of phyochelatin synthase 1 (PCS1). Taken together, these results suggested that thymol has great potential to trigger plant resistant responses to combat heavy metal toxicity, which may help our understanding of the mechanism for thymol-modulated cell metabolic pathways in response to environmental stimuli.
Enhancing the Compatibility, Hydrophilicity and Mechanical Properties of Polysulfone Ultrafiltration Membranes with Lignocellulose Nanofibrils
Authors: Ding Zhaodong , Liu Xuejiao , Liu Yang , Zhang Liping
Published: October 2016

Lignocellulose nanofibrils (LCN) and cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) are popular nanometer additives to improve mechanical properties and hydrophilic abilities; moreover, lignocellulose has potential as a natural adhesion promoter in fiber-reinforced composites. LCN and CNF were blended into polysulfone (PSF) to prepare ultrafiltration membranes via the phase inversion method. These additives were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy, and the rheological properties such as shear viscosity and non-Newtonian fluid index of the casting solutions were analyzed using a rotational rheometer. The performance of ultrafiltration membranes was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The pure water flux, bovine serum albumin retention ratio, water contact angle, surface energy, molecular weight cut-off, pore size and mechanical properties were measured. The equilibrium contact angle of water decreased from 63.5° on the PSF membrane to 42.1° on the CNF/PSF membrane and then decreased to 33.9° on the LCN/PSF membrane when the nanometer additives content was 0.8 wt %. The results reveal that LCN and CNF were successfully combined with PSF. Moreover, the combination of LCN/PSF ultrafiltration membranes was more promising than that of CNF/PSF ultrafiltration membranes.
A Multi-Resolution Blending Considering Changed Regions for Orthoimage Mosaicking
Authors: Pan Jun , Wang Mi , Cao Xiaohui , Chen Shengtong , Hu Fen
Published: October 2016

Blending processing based on seamlines in image mosaicking is a procedure designed to obtain a smooth transition between images along seamlines and make seams invisible in the final mosaic. However, for high-resolution aerial orthoimages in urban areas, factors such as projection differences, moving objects, and radiometric differences in overlapping areas may result in ghosting and artifacts or visible shifts in the final mosaic. Such a mosaic is not a true reflection of the earth’s surface and may have a negative impact on image interpretation. Therefore, this paper presents a multi-resolution blending method considering changed regions to improve mosaic image quality. The method utilizes the region change rate (RCR) to distinguish changed regions from unchanged regions in overlapping areas. The RCR of each region is computed using image segmentation and change detection methods. Then, a mask image is generated considering changed regions, and Gaussian and Laplacian pyramids are constructed. Finally, a multi-resolution reconstruction is performed to obtain the final mosaic. Experimental results from digital aerial orthoimages in urban areas are provided to verify this method for blending processing based on seamlines in mosaicking. Comparisons with other methods further demonstrate the potential of the presented method, as shown in a detailed comparison in three typical cases of the seamline passing by buildings, the seamline passing through buildings, and the seamline passing through areas with large radiometric differences.
Performance Enhancement of Land Vehicle Positioning Using Multiple GPS Receivers in an Urban Area
Authors: Song Jong-Hwa , Jee Gyu-In
Published: October 2016

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is the most widely used navigation system in land vehicle applications. In urban areas, the GPS suffers from insufficient signal strength, multipath propagation and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) errors, so it thus becomes difficult to obtain accurate and reliable position information. In this paper, an integration algorithm for multiple receivers is proposed to enhance the positioning performance of GPS for land vehicles in urban areas. The pseudoranges of multiple receivers are integrated based on a tightly coupled approach, and erroneous measurements are detected by testing the closeness of the pseudoranges. In order to fairly compare the pseudoranges, GPS errors and terms arising due to the differences between the positions of the receivers need to be compensated. The double-difference technique is used to eliminate GPS errors in the pseudoranges, and the geometrical distance is corrected by projecting the baseline vector between pairs of receivers. In order to test and analyze the proposed algorithm, an experiment involving live data was performed. The positioning performance of the algorithm was compared with that of the receiver autonomous integrity monitoring (RAIM)-based integration algorithm for multiple receivers. The test results showed that the proposed algorithm yields more accurate position information in urban areas.
Integration of Error Compensation of Coordinate Measuring Machines into Feature Measurement: Part II—Experimental Implementation
Authors: Calvo Roque , D’Amato Roberto , Gómez Emilio , Domingo Rosario
Published: October 2016

Coordinate measuring machines (CMM) are main instruments of measurement in laboratories and in industrial quality control. A compensation error model has been formulated (Part I). It integrates error and uncertainty in the feature measurement model. Experimental implementation for the verification of this model is carried out based on the direct testing on a moving bridge CMM. The regression results by axis are quantified and compared to CMM indication with respect to the assigned values of the measurand. Next, testing of selected measurements of length, flatness, dihedral angle, and roundness features are accomplished. The measurement of calibrated gauge blocks for length or angle, flatness verification of the CMM granite table and roundness of a precision glass hemisphere are presented under a setup of repeatability conditions. The results are analysed and compared with alternative methods of estimation. The overall performance of the model is endorsed through experimental verification, as well as the practical use and the model capability to contribute in the improvement of current standard CMM measuring capabilities.
A Temperature Compensation Method for Piezo-Resistive Pressure Sensor Utilizing Chaotic Ions Motion Algorithm Optimized Hybrid Kernel LSSVM
Authors: Li Ji , Hu Guoqing , Zhou Yonghong , Zou Chong , Peng Wei , Alam SM Jahangir
Published: October 2016

A piezo-resistive pressure sensor is made of silicon, the nature of which is considerably influenced by ambient temperature. The effect of temperature should be eliminated during the working period in expectation of linear output. To deal with this issue, an approach consists of a hybrid kernel Least Squares Support Vector Machine (LSSVM) optimized by a chaotic ions motion algorithm presented. To achieve the learning and generalization for excellent performance, a hybrid kernel function, constructed by a local kernel as Radial Basis Function (RBF) kernel, and a global kernel as polynomial kernel is incorporated into the Least Squares Support Vector Machine. The chaotic ions motion algorithm is introduced to find the best hyper-parameters of the Least Squares Support Vector Machine. The temperature data from a calibration experiment is conducted to validate the proposed method. With attention on algorithm robustness and engineering applications, the compensation result shows the proposed scheme outperforms other compared methods on several performance measures as maximum absolute relative error, minimum absolute relative error mean and variance of the averaged value on fifty runs. Furthermore, the proposed temperature compensation approach lays a foundation for more extensive research.
Self-Tuning Fully-Connected PID Neural Network System for Distributed Temperature Sensing and Control of Instrument with Multi-Modules
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Ma Cheng , Zhu Rong
Published: October 2016

High integration of multi-functional instruments raises a critical issue in temperature control that is challenging due to its spatial–temporal complexity. This paper presents a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) self-tuning temperature sensing and control system for efficiently modulating the temperature environment within a multi-module instrument. The smart system ensures that the internal temperature of the instrument converges to a target without the need of a system model, thus making the control robust. The system consists of a fully-connected proportional–integral–derivative (PID) neural network (FCPIDNN) and an on-line self-tuning module. The experimental results show that the presented system can effectively control the internal temperature under various mission scenarios, in particular, it is able to self-reconfigure upon actuator failure. The system provides a new scheme for a complex and time-variant MIMO control system which can be widely applied for the distributed measurement and control of the environment in instruments, integration electronics, and house constructions.
Exploring Perceptions of Raspberries and Blueberries by Italian Consumers
Authors: Girgenti Vincenzo , Massaglia Stefano , Mosso Angela , Peano Cristiana , Brun Filippo
Published: October 2016

Consumers can be important active contributors to a sustainable society by selecting foods that are produced respecting environmental and socially ethical standards. In the fruit sector, sustainability issues are often associated with imprecisely defined concepts such as “locally grown”, “freshness” and “local product”. This study has investigated raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.) and blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) purchases in order to identify how berry fruits choice attributes are ranked by consumers in two Italian Regions, using a choice experiment (best-worst methodology). Twelve attributes—that indirectly refer to the concept of environmental sustainability—have been investigated. According to the preferences expressed by our sample of retail purchasers (n = 669), the results show that the reasons for the purchase of berries are associated with numerous parameters among which freshness and product origin are the most important and price was not ranked as so relevant. These findings indirectly testify the consumer attention towards the sustainability of local production and the link between sustainability and territory. Therefore, we can presume that the improvement of consumer familiarity with attributes such as “locally grown” and “local product” could support more eco-friendly consumption of raspberries and blueberries.
Polymorphic microsatellite markers in Anthoxanthum (Poaceae) and cross‐amplification in the Eurasian complex of the genus
Authors: Lema‐Suárez Irene , Sahuquillo Elvira , Marí‐Mena Neus , Pimentel Manuel
Published: October 2016

Premise of the study:

Nonplastid microsatellite primers were developed for the first time in the Euro‐Siberian complex of Anthoxanthum (Poaceae), a genus of temperate grasses in which reticulate evolution is common.

Methods and Results:

A microsatellite‐enriched genomic DNA library allowed the detection of 500 fragments containing a microsatellite motif. Fifteen primer pairs were selected for an extended primer test. A preliminary analysis was conducted on the Eurasian diploid lineages of Anthoxanthum, with special emphasis on three populations of the Mediterranean A. aristatum–A. ovatum complex. Thirteen out of 15 markers tested were polymorphic in the complex, with successful cross‐amplification in A. odoratum (93% polymorphic loci), A. amarum (73% polymorphic), A. alpinum (73% polymorphic), and A. maderense (60% polymorphic).

Conclusions:

These microsatellite markers will enable the analysis of evolution and phylogeography in diploid and polyploid lineages of this important genus.
PARALLAXES AND PROPER MOTIONS OF QSOs: A TEST OF ASTROMETRIC PRECISION AND ACCURACY
Authors: Harris Hugh C. , Dahn Conard C. , Zacharias Norbert , Canzian Blaise , Guetter Harry H. , Levine Stephen E. , Luginbuhl Christian B. , Monet Alice K. B. , Monet David G. , Pier Jeffrey R. , Stone Ronald C. , Subasavage John P. , Tilleman Trudy , Walker Richard L. , Johnston Kenneth J.
Published: October 2016

Optical astrometry of 12 fields containing quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) is presented. The targets are radio sources in the International Celestial Reference Frame with accurate radio positions that also have optical counterparts. The data are used to test several quantities: the internal precision of the relative optical astrometry, the relative parallaxes and proper motions, the procedures to correct from relative to absolute parallax and proper motion, the accuracy of the absolute parallaxes and proper motions, and the stability of the optical photocenters for these optically variable QSOs. For these 12 fields, the mean error in absolute parallax is 0.38 mas and the mean error in each coordinate of absolute proper motion is 1.1 mas yr−1. The results yield a mean absolute parallax of −0.03 ± 0.11 mas. For 11 targets, we find no significant systematic motions of the photocenters at the level of 1–2 mas over the 10 years of this study; for one BL Lac object, we find a possible motion of 4 mas correlated with its brightness.
A PURE HYDRODYNAMIC INSTABILITY IN SHEAR FLOWS AND ITS APPLICATION TO ASTROPHYSICAL ACCRETION DISKS
Authors: Nath Sujit Kumar , Mukhopadhyay Banibrata
Published: October 2016

We provide a possible resolution for the century-old problem of hydrodynamic shear flows, which are apparently stable in linear analysis but shown to be turbulent in astrophysically observed data and experiments. This mismatch is noticed in a variety of systems, from laboratory to astrophysical flows. There are so many uncountable attempts made so far to resolve this mismatch, beginning with the early work of Kelvin, Rayleigh, and Reynolds toward the end of the nineteenth century. Here we show that the presence of stochastic noise, whose inevitable presence should not be neglected in the stability analysis of shear flows, leads to pure hydrodynamic linear instability therein. This explains the origin of turbulence, which has been observed/interpreted in astrophysical accretion disks, laboratory experiments, and direct numerical simulations. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first solution to the long-standing problem of hydrodynamic instability of Rayleigh-stable flows.
HST GRISM CONFIRMATION OF TWO z ∼ 2 STRUCTURES FROM THE CLUSTERS AROUND RADIO-LOUD AGN (CARLA) SURVEY
Authors: Noirot Gaël , Vernet Joël , De Breuck Carlos , Wylezalek Dominika , Galametz Audrey , Stern Daniel , Mei Simona , Brodwin Mark , Cooke Elizabeth A. , Gonzalez Anthony H. , Hatch Nina A. , Rettura Alessandro , Stanford Spencer Adam
Published: October 2016

Using Hubble Space Telescope slitless grism data, we report the spectroscopic confirmation of two distant structures at

associated with powerful high-redshift radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGNs). These rich structures, likely (forming) clusters, are among the most distant structures currently known, and were identified on the basis of Spitzer/IRAC [3.6]–[4.5] color. We spectroscopically confirm nine members in the field of MRC 2036−254, comprising eight star-forming galaxies and the targeted radio galaxy. The median redshift is z = 2.000. We spectroscopically confirm 10 members in the field of B3 0756+406, comprising 8 star-forming galaxies and 2 AGNs, including the targeted radio-loud quasar. The median redshift is z = 1.986. All confirmed members are within 500 kpc (1 arcmin) of the targeted AGNs. We derive median (mean) star-formation rates of

(

) for the confirmed star-forming members of both structures based on their [O iii]

luminosities, and estimate average galaxy stellar masses

based on mid-infrared fluxes and spectral energy distribution modeling. Most of our confirmed members are located above the star-forming main sequence toward starburst galaxies, consistent with clusters at these early epochs being the sites of significant levels of star formation. The structure around MRC 2036−254 shows an overdensity of IRAC-selected candidate galaxy cluster members consistent with being quiescent galaxies, while the structure around B3 0756+406 shows field values, albeit with many lower limits to colors that could allow an overdensity of faint red quiescent galaxies. The structure around MRC 2036−254 shows a red sequence of passive galaxy candidates.
COMPLETE ELEMENT ABUNDANCES OF NINE STARS IN THE r-PROCESS GALAXY RETICULUM II*
Authors: Ji Alexander P. , Frebel Anna , Simon Joshua D. , Chiti Anirudh
Published: October 2016

We present chemical abundances derived from high-resolution Magellan/Magellan Inamori Kyocera Echelle spectra of the nine brightest known red giant members of the ultra-faint dwarf galaxy Reticulum II (Ret II). These stars span the full metallicity range of Ret II (−3.5 < [Fe/H] < −2). Seven of the nine stars have extremely high levels of r-process material ([Eu/Fe] ∼ 1.7), in contrast to the extremely low neutron-capture element abundances found in every other ultra-faint dwarf galaxy studied to date. The other two stars are the most metal-poor stars in the system ([Fe/H] < −3), and they have neutron-capture element abundance limits similar to those in other ultra-faint dwarf galaxies. We confirm that the relative abundances of Sr, Y, and Zr in these stars are similar to those found in r-process halo stars, but they are ∼0.5 dex lower than the solar r-process pattern. If the universal r-process pattern extends to those elements, the stars in Ret II display the least contaminated known r-process pattern. The abundances of lighter elements up to the iron peak are otherwise similar to abundances of stars in the halo and in other ultra-faint dwarf galaxies. However, the scatter in abundance ratios is large enough to suggest that inhomogeneous metal mixing is required to explain the chemical evolution of this galaxy. The presence of low amounts of neutron-capture elements in other ultra-faint dwarf galaxies may imply the existence of additional r-process sites besides the source of r-process elements in Ret II. Galaxies like Ret II may be the original birth sites of r-process enhanced stars now found in the halo.
Treatment of HIV Infection with a Raltegravir-Based Regimen Increases LDL Levels, but Improves HDL Cholesterol Efflux Capacity
Authors: Funderburg Nicholas T , Xu Dihua , Playford Martin P , Joshi Aditya A , Andrade Adriana , Kuritzkes Daniel R , Lederman Michael M , Mehta Nehal N
Published: October 2016

Background

Persons infected with HIV often have altered lipid profiles that may be affected by antiretroviral therapies (ART). Traditional lipid measurements may be insufficient to assess cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in this population.

Methods

We report results from 39 ART-naive participants in a substudy of A5248, a single-arm study of raltegravir, emtricitabine/tenofovir administration. Samples were collected at baseline, 12, 24 and 48 weeks after ART initiation. We performed advanced lipid phenotyping using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (Liposcience, Raleigh, NC, USA) for lipid particle size and number, and examined high-density lipoprotein (HDL) function measuring reverse cholesterol transport using J774 macrophages.

Results

We report significant increases in total cholesterol (13 mg/dl; P<0.001) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL; 8 mg/dl; P=0.03), with no change in triglycerides and without an increase in LDL particle number ( P>0.1 all time points). HDL levels were increased over baseline levels at all time points ( P<0.003), but reached a peak at week 12 and subsequently declined. HDL particle numbers also increased from baseline ( P<0.002) and HDL function improved at week 48 (7% increase in efflux capacity; P<0.001). Oxidized LDL (oxLDL) levels decreased by week 12, but rose subsequently, and were not different from baseline at later time points.

Conclusions

HDL increases were associated with increases in beneficial HDL particles and HDL cholesterol efflux capacity, which may reduce future CVD events. Persistent inflammation in these HIV+ participants, may be a cause or consequence of oxLDL levels, and may contribute to declining levels of HDL over time. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00660972.
Accompagner des étudiants en médecine
Authors: Deverre s.j. Jean-Claude , Degiovanni Chantal
Published: October 2016

Les études médicales sont longues et contraignantes. Elles exigent un énorme effort de travail pour fonder une compétence à laquelle le malade a droit. Elles conduisent aussi à vivre très tôt des expériences humaines rudes et souvent fortes émotionnellement. Jean-Claude Deverre témoigne de son expérience d’accompagnement de générations d’étudiants en médecine, selon la pédagogie des centres Laennec.
THATCamp Saint-Malo 2013
Authors: Thély Nicolas , Serres Alexandre , Le Deuff Olivier
Published: October 2016

Du 17 au 20 octobre 2013, s'est déroulé le premier ThatCamp de Saint-Malo. Inventés par le Center for History and New Media de l’Université George Mason à Washington, les THATCamps (The Humanities and Technology Camp) sont des rencontres informelles entre acteurs des humanités numériques qui leur permettent de partager expériences et bonnes pratiques dans ce domaine de recherche en pleine expansion. Plus de quatre-vingts personnes venant de toute la France et provenant des toutes les disciplines des sciences humaines et sociales ont participé à l’événement. Cette rencontre s'est déroulée près de trois ans après la première du genre en France, au cours de laquelle avait été rédigé le Manifeste des digital humanities. Cet ouvrage fait le compte rendu des échanges qui ont eu lieu au cours de cette non-conférence.
Angiosarcoma: A Case Report of Gingival Disease with Both Palatine Tonsils Localization
Authors: Chamberland Frédéric , Maurina Tristan , Degano-Valmary Séverine , Spicarolen Thierry , Chaigneau Loïc
Published: October 2016

Angiosarcomas are one of the rarest subtypes of sarcomas; those are malignant vascular tumors arising from vascular endothelial cells. Occurrence of intra-oral angiosarcoma is extremely rare (0.0077% of all cancers in Europe). We present here, to our knowledge, the first case of a 83-year-old man with gingival and both palatine tonsils localization of a grade-two angiosarcoma discovered after a two months history of a painful lesion followed by hematoma and spontaneous bleeding. Chemotherapy with paclitaxel and hemostatic radiotherapy were inefficient and he died seven months after the first symptoms. It is essential to use the vascular markers, such as CD34, CD31, ERG and FLI1, for a correct histological diagnosis, which remains difficult because it displays a wide range of morphological appearances and multiple patterns may be present in the same tumor. The main prognostic factors are chronic pre-existing lymphedema and tumor size greater than five centimeters. Malignancy grade and stage classification should be provided in all cases in which this is feasible because of predictive meaning. When possible, wide surgical resection with negative margins remains the cornerstone for the treatment of localized angiosarcomas, but despite the improvement of surgical techniques the prognosis is poor with more than half of patients died within the first year. Adjuvant radiotherapy is the standard treatment of high–grade (two and three), deep lesions, regardless of size, because it improved the local recurrence-free survival. For advanced disease, if possible, metastasectomy should be considered. The first-line chemotherapy with doxorubicin or paclitaxel should be discussed compared to best supportive care according to patient comorbidities and preference.
Unusual Ultrasound Presentation of Testicular Metastasis from Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Dell'Atti Lucio
Published: October 2016

Testicular metastases from renal clear cell carcinoma (RCC) are extremely uncommon. To the best of our knowledge, only 32 cases have been reported in the literature. We report a rare case of testicular metastasis from RCC. A 69-year-old patient presented with discomfort and pain in his left testis. He had undergone laparoscopic left radical nephrectomy at another institution. Scrotal ultrasonography revealed a non-palpable lesion at the upper pole of the left testis with hypoechoic aspect, highly suspicious for malignancy. We performed a left inguinal orchiectomy. The testicular lesion was diagnosed as a metastasis from RCC. After orchiectomy, a computed tomography of the chest and abdomen revealed no other metastatic lesions. The patient remains free of clinical recurrence after 20 months without adjuvant therapy.
A Hopf–Lax formula for the time evolution of the level-set equation and a new approach to shape sensitivity analysis
Authors: Kraft Daniel
Published: October 2016

The level-set method is used in many different applications to describe the propagation of shapes and domains. When scalar speed fields are used to encode the desired shape evolution, this leads to the classical level-set equation. We present a concise Hopf–Lax representation formula that can be used to characterise the evolved domains at arbitrary times. This result is also applicable for the case of speed fields without a fixed sign, even though the level-set equation has a non-convex Hamiltonian in these situations. The representation formula is based on the same idea that underpins the Fast-Marching Method, and it provides a strong theoretical justification for a generalised
Composite Fast-Marching
method.

Based on our Hopf–Lax formula, we are also able to present new theoretical results. In particular, we show non-fattening of the zero level set in a measure-theoretic sense, derive a very general shapesensitivity calculus that does not require the usual regularity assumptions on the domains, prove optimal Lipschitz constants for the evolved level-set function and discuss the effect of perturbations in both the speed field and the initial geometry.
Interfaces determined by capillarity and gravity in a two-dimensional porous medium
Authors: Calle Maria , Cuesta Carlota Maria , Velázquez Juan J.L.
Published: October 2016

We consider a two-dimensional model of a porous medium where circular grains are uniformly distributed in a squared container. We assume that such medium is partially filled with water and that the stationary interface separating the water phase from the air phase is described by the balance of capillarity and gravity. Taking the unity as the average distance between grains, we identify four asymptotic regimes that depend on the Bond number and the size of the container. We analyse, in probabilistic terms, the possible global interfaces that can form in each of these regimes. In summary, we show that in the regimes where gravity dominates the probability of configurations of grains allowing solutions close to the horizontal solution is close to one. Moreover, in such regimes where the size of the container is sufficiently large we can describe deviations from the horizontal in probabilistic terms. On the other hand, when capillarity dominates while the size of the container is sufficiently large, we find that the probability of finding interfaces close to the graph of a given smooth curve without self-intersections is close to one.
Widespread and Persistent Ozone Pollution in Eastern China
Authors: Li Guohui , Bei Naifang , Cao Junji , Wu Jiarui , Long Xin , Feng Tian , Dai Wenting , Liu Suixin , Zhang Qiang , Tie Xuexi
Published: October 2016

Abstract. Rapid growth of industrialization, transportation, and urbanization has caused increasing emissions of ozone (O3) precursors recently, enhancing the O3 formation in Eastern China. We show here that Eastern China has experienced widespread and persistent O3 pollution from April to September in 2015 based on the O3 observations in 223 cities. The observed maximum 1-h O3 concentrations exceed 200 μg m−3 in almost all the cities, 400 μg m−3 in more than 25 % of the cities, and even 800 μg m−3 in six cities in Eastern China. The average daily maximum 1-h O3 concentrations are more than 160 μg m−3 in 45 % of the cities, and the 1-h O3 concentrations of 200 μg m−3 have been exceeded on over 10 % of days from April to September in 129 cities. A widespread and severe O3 pollution episode from 22 to 28 May 2015 in Eastern China has been simulated using the WRF-CHEM model to evaluate the O3 contribution of biogenic and various anthropogenic sources. The model generally performs reasonably well in simulating the temporal variations and spatial distributions of near-surface O3 concentrations. Using the factor separate approach, sensitivity studies have indicated that the industry source plays the most important role in the O3 formation, and constitutes the culprit of the severe O3 pollution in Eastern China. The transportation source contributes considerably to the O3 formation, and the O3 contribution of the residential source is not significant generally. The biogenic source provides a background O3 source, and also plays an important role in the south of Eastern China. Further model studies are needed to comprehensively investigate O3 formation for supporting the design and implementation of O3 control strategies, considering rapid changes of emissions inventories and photolysis caused by the "Atmospheric Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan", released by the Chinese State Council in 2013.
Estimating global nitrous oxide emissions by lichens and bryophytes
with a process-based productivity model
Authors: Porada Philipp , Pöschl Ulrich , Kleidon Axel , Beer Christian , Weber Bettina
Published: October 2016

Abstract. Nitrous oxide is a strong greenhouse gas and atmospheric ozone-depleting agent, which is largely emitted by soils. Recently, also lichens and bryophytes have been shown to release significant amounts of nitrous oxide. This finding relies on empirical relationships between nitrous oxide emissions, respiration and net primary productivity of lichens and bryophytes, which are combined with ecosystem-scale values of their productivity. Here we obtain an alternative estimate of nitrous oxide emissions which is based on a global process-based non-vascular vegetation model of lichens and bryophytes. The model quantifies photosynthesis and respiration of lichens and bryophytes directly as a function of environmental conditions, such as light and temperature. Nitrous oxide emissions are then derived from simulated respiration assuming a fixed relationship between the two fluxes. This approach yields a global estimate of 0.27 (0.19–0.35) Tg yr−1 of nitrous oxide released by lichens and bryophytes. This is lower than previous estimates, but corresponds to about 50 % of the atmospheric deposition of N2O into the oceans or 25 % of the atmospheric deposition on land. Uncertainty in our simulated estimate results from large variation in emission rates due to both physiological differences between species and spatial heterogeneity of climatic conditions. To constrain our predictions, field observations of respiration in combination with a more process-based approach for relating nitrous oxide emissions to respiration may be helpful.
Soil Quality Analysis of Brackishwater Shrimp Farming in Coastal Areas of Takalar Regency - Indonesia
Authors: Kasnir Muhammad , Harlina Harlina , Jayadi Jayadi
Published: October 2016

The study aims to find out condition of soil quality in brackishwater ponds in Mangara Bombang Sub-district, Takalar Regency where the center for brackishwater farming development is built.  Soil quality sampling used as the main requirements for brackishwater shrimp farming parameter consist of soil texture, pH, organic matter, nutrients and pyrite content. Supporting soil quality parameters in brackishwater shrimp farming are pHFOX, KTK, Cation (K, Ca, Na, and Mg), TSA, TAA, and redox.  Sampling is then analyzed in laboratory to find out condition of soil parameters in brackishwater areas, Mangara Bombang coastal areas.  Calculation of soil quality including pHFOX, KTK, Cation (K, Ca, Na, and Mg), TSA, TAA, and redox aims to find out eligibility for brackishwater shrimp farming. The findings indicate that in general, brackishwater soil quality in Mangara Bombang coastal areas, Takalar Regency is at the eligible limits, or the soil is capable of promoting brackishwater shrimp farming. 
Comparing Ranibizumab Monotherapy and Combination with Single Photodynamic Therapy in Wet AMD: Retreatment and Morphologic Results
Authors: Hatz Katja , Schneider Ulrike , Henrich Bernhard , Braun Beatrice , Sacu Stefan , Prünte Christian
Published: October 2016

Purpose

To evaluate retreatment indications/morphologic responses to ranibizumab monotherapy and combination with verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Methods

A total of 40 patients received 3 monthly intravitreal ranibizumab 0.3 mg injections combined with either PDT or sham PDT at baseline (1:1) followed by as-needed ranibizumab based on predetermined vision/anatomical criteria.

Results

Retreatment criteria were visual acuity (VA) loss (59%/58%), central retinal thickness (CRT) increase (27%/26%), or both (14%/16%). One month before retreatment, intraretinal cysts (IRC) were present in 84%/74%, subretinal fluid (SRF) in 70%/63%, and at least one of them in 84%/89% of eyes. A significant decrease in mean leakage area, IRC, and SRF as well as a reduction in presence of hemorrhages and hard exudates occurred in both treatment groups at 12 months (compared to baseline).

Conclusions

Retreatment indications were mostly based on VA loss, probably due to the quantitative optical coherence tomography criterion. Intraretinal cysts and SRF were earlier predictors for recurring choroidal neovascularization (CNV) activity than CRT/VA changes. Both treatment strategies were equally potent in reducing CNV activity.
Combination Prophylaxis versus Pharmacologic Prophylaxis Alone for Preventing Deep Vein Thrombosis in Hip Surgery
Authors: Lin Feng-Fei , Lin Chao-Hui , Chen Bin , Zheng Ke
Published: October 2016

Purpose

To evaluate the comparative efficacy and safety of combination pharmacologic and graduated compression stockings (GCS) prophylaxis versus pharmacological prophylaxis alone for preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in hip surgery.

Methods

Relevant publications indexed in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, Wanfang Data, CNKI and Sinomed (CBM) were identified. Appropriate articles identified from the reference lists of the above searches were also reviewed.

Results

Significant differences in the rate of distal DVT were observed between combination prophylaxis and pharmacological groups. When data from Fredin 1989 was excluded no significant difference in the rate of distal DVT was seen between groups. No significant difference in the rate of proximal DVT or PE was observed between combination and pharmacologic prophylaxis groups.

Conclusions

A combination of pharmacological prophylaxis and GCS can decrease distal DVT in the lower extremity when compare to pharmacological prophylaxis alone, but it is not useful in decreasing proximal DVT and PE. If we use currently recommended pharmacologic prophylaxis it is not necessary to combine this with GCS.
Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty Using Modified Posterior Approach through Quadratus Femoris Flap Osteotomy; Comparison with Conventional Posterior Approach
Authors: Lee Se-Won , Kim Weon-Yoo , Kang Min-Sung
Published: October 2016

Introduction

The quadratus femoris muscle has not attracted attention as a structure for surgical exposure during posterior hip approaches. We sought to introduce a modified posterior approach through the quadratus femoris muscle area only, by flap osteotomy, which we have named the quadratus femoris osteotomy (QFO) approach. We compare this with the conventional posterior approach to determine the effectiveness of the new technique.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 329 patients (383 hips) who had undergone primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) between March 2006 and January 2013 by a single hip surgeon. The conventional group consisted of consecutive 118 patients (138 hips) who had undergone THA using the conventional posterior approach. The QFO group consisted of consecutive 101 patients (120 hips) who were treated with THA using the QFO approach.

Results

The 2-year postoperative average Harris hip score were 88.8 ± 6.6 in the conventional group and 93.1 ± 6.9 in the QFO group. The 2-year postoperative average WOMAC scores were 20.8 ± 6.7 in the conventional group and 14.1 ± 6.6 in the QFO group. Complications in the conventional group were 2 deep vein thrombosis (DVT)s, 1 intraoperative fracture, and 6 posterior dislocations; the QFO group experienced 1 DVT and 3 intraoperative fracture. No dislocation was noted within 2 years after surgery.

Conclusions

Although further studies are needed to confirm the validity of our ﬁndings, a modified posterior approach using a quadratus femoris flap osteotomy could be an option worth considering among the variants of posterior approaches in THA.
Data Analytics for Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy: Historical Limitations and Recent Technology Advances
Authors: Clark William R. , Garzotto Francesco , Neri Mauro , Lorenzin Anna , Zaccaria Marta , Ronco Claudio
Published: October 2016

Purpose

Dialysis is a highly quantitative therapy involving large volumes of both clinical and technical data. While automated data collection has been implemented for chronic dialysis, this has not been done for acute kidney injury patients treated with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT).

Methods

After a brief review of the fundamental aspects of electronic medical records (EMRs), a new tool designed to provide clinicians with individualized CRRT treatment data is analyzed, with emphasis on its quality assurance capabilities.

Results

The first platform addressing the problem of data collection and management with current CRRT machines (Sharesource system; Baxter Healthcare) is described. The system provides connectivity for the Prismaflex CRRT machine and enables both EMR connectivity and therapy analytics with 2 basic components: the connect module and the report module.

Conclusions

The enormous amount of data in CRRT should be collected and analyzed to enable adequate clinical decisions. Current CRRT technology presents significant limitations with consequent lack of rigorous analysis of technical data and relevant feedback. From a quality assurance perspective, these limitations preclude any systematic assessment of prescription and delivery trends that may be adversely affecting clinical outcomes. A detailed assessment of current practice limitations is provided together with several possible ways to address such limitations by a new technical tool.
Telicity marking in Hungarian
Authors: Kardos Éva
Published: October 2016

This paper explores the encoding of telicity in Hungarian. While proposing a mereological, scalar semantic analysis, it shows that Hungarian uses a telicity-marking strategy in which it contrasts with English, where telicity is not the direct consequence of an overt marker but arises as a cumulative effect of specific, well-definable properties of various components of verbal predicates including the head verb and its argument(s). A major contribution of the analysis, which mainly addresses telicity marking in the class of non-creation/non-consumption predicates in neutral sentences, lies in the fact that it reveals important cross-linguistic differences with respect to the aspectual role of verbal particles and resultative/locative expressions and the referential properties of telic verbal predicates. As for the former, it is demonstrated that Hungarian verbal particles and resultative/locative expressions mark telicity by directly placing bounds on events by virtue of serving an event maximalizing function, whereas the English counterparts of these elements do not have such direct event-bounding effects. As for the latter, it emerges that in Hungarian quantized reference is a necessary and sufficient condition for telicity in cases where in English it is only sufficient.
La Investigación como sustento del desarrollo
Authors: Cuéllar-Barandiarán Guillermo
Published: October 2016

Revista Ciencia, Cultura y Sociedad Vol.2 No.1 enero-junio 2015; 5-8
Acoso en la Escuela Salvadoreña: Más allá del Bullying
Authors: Bermúdez-Valle Alvaro
Published: October 2016

Bullying es el término anglosajón con el que se designa a la situación de acoso entre escolares. Acuñado por Dan Olweus en la década de 1970, el término ayudó a identificar y estudiar dichas prácticas alrededor del mundo.Sin embargo, el acoso escolar, como todo fenómeno social, muta a través del tiempo. Este ensayo parte del supuesto que el término bullying es insuficiente para explicar las situaciones que actualmente suceden en la escuela salvadoreña.Realizado en el marco de una investigación más amplia denominada “Diagnóstico de la Violencia en la Escuela en centros educativos salvadoreños de nivel medio”, desarrollada por Centro de Investigación Salud y Sociedad –CISS- de la Universidad Evangélica de El Salvador. Revista Ciencia, Cultura y Sociedad Vol.2 No.1 enero-junio 2015; 39-49