bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption, correlates and interventions among Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities: a scoping review
Authors: Wright Kathleen M , Dono Joanne , Brownbill Aimee L , Pearson (nee Gibson) Odette , Bowden Jacqueline , Wycherley Thomas P , Keech Wendy , O’Dea Kerin , Roder David , Avery Jodie C , Miller Caroline L
Published: February 2019

Objectives

Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption in Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is reported to be disproportionally high compared with the general Australian population. This review aimed to scope the literature documenting SSB consumption and interventions to reduce SSB consumption among Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Findings will inform strategies to address SSB consumption in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Methods

PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL, Informit, Joanna Briggs Institute EBP, Mura databases and grey literature were searched for articles published between January 1980 and June 2018. Studies were included if providing data specific to an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander population’s SSB consumption or an intervention that focused on reducing SSB consumption in this population.

Design

Systematic scoping review.

Results

59 articles were included (1846 screened). While reported SSB consumption was high, there were age-related and community-related differences observed in some studies. Most studies were conducted in remote or rural settings. Implementation of nutrition interventions that included an SSB component has built progressively in remote communities since the 1980s with a growing focus on community-driven, culturally sensitive approaches. More recent studies have focused exclusively on SSB consumption. Key SSB-related intervention elements included incentivising healthier options; reducing availability of less-healthy options; nutrition education; multifaceted or policy implementation (store nutrition or government policy).

Conclusions

There was a relatively large number of studies reporting data on SSB consumption and/or sales, predominantly from remote and rural settings. During analysis it was subjectively clear that the more impactful studies were those which were community driven or involved extensive community consultation and collaboration. Extracting additional SSB-specific consumption data from an existing nationally representative survey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people could provide detailed information for demographic subgroups and benchmarks for future interventions. It is recommended that a consistent, culturally appropriate, set of consumption measures be developed.
Computerised memory specificity training (c-MeST) for the treatment of major depression: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Hallford David J , Austin David W , Raes Filip , Takano Keisuke
Published: February 2019

Introduction

Major depression is a prevalent and debilitating disorder, but many sufferers do not receive support or respond to current treatments. The development of easily accessible and low-intensity treatments that have clear cognitive mechanisms of change is indicated. Memory specificity training (MeST) is an intervention for depression that targets deficits in recalling detailed memories of past experiences through repeated practice of autobiographical memory retrieval. This randomised controlled trial will assess the efficacy of an online, computerised version of MeST (c-MeST).

Methods and analysis

Adults aged 18 and over with a current major depressive episode (MDE) will be recruited and randomised to have access to the seven session, online c-MeST programme for 2 weeks, or to a wait-list control group. The primary outcomes will be diagnostic status of MDE and self-reported depressive symptoms at postintervention. One-month and three-month follow-ups will be collected. Increases in autobiographical memory specificity will be assessed as a mediator of change, as well as other variables thought to contribute to reduced memory specificity, such as rumination and cognitive avoidance.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval has been granted by the Deakin University Human Research Ethics Committee to conduct the study (ID: 2017_168). The findings will be disseminated through scholarly publications and workshops and will inform future trials, such as with an active comparator or as an adjunct treatment.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12618000257268; Pre-results.
Delay in patients suspected of transient ischaemic attack: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Dolmans L Servaas , Kappelle L Jaap , Bartelink Marie-Louise EL , Hoes Arno W , Rutten Frans H
Published: February 2019

Objectives

Suspected transient ischaemic attack (TIA) necessitates an urgent neurological consultation and a rapid start of antiplatelet therapy to reduce the risk of early ischaemic stroke following a TIA. Guidelines for general practitioners (GPs) emphasise the urgency to install preventive treatment as soon as possible. We aimed to give a contemporary overview of both patient and physician delay.

Methods

A survey at two rapid-access TIA outpatient clinics in Utrecht, the Netherlands. All patients suspected of TIA were interviewed to assess time delay to diagnosis and treatment, including the time from symptom onset to (1) the first contact with a medical service (patient delay), (2) consultation of the GP and (3) assessment at the TIA outpatient clinic. We used the diagnosis of the consulting neurologist as reference.

Results

Of 93 included patients, 43 (46.2%) received a definite, 13 (14.0%) a probable, 11 (11.8%) a possible and 26 (28.0%) no diagnosis of TIA. The median time from symptom onset to the visit to the TIA service was 114.5 (IQR 44.0–316.6) hours. Median patient delay was 17.5 (IQR 0.8–66.4) hours, with a delay of more than 24 hours in 36 (38.7%) patients. The GP was first contacted in 76 (81.7%) patients, and median time from first contact with the GP practice to the actual GP consultation was 2.8 (0.5–18.5) hours. Median time from GP consultation to TIA service visit was 40.8 (IQR 23.1–140.7) hours. Of the 62 patients naïve to antithrombotic medication who consulted their GP, 27 (43.5%) received antiplatelet therapy.

Conclusions

There is substantial patient and physician delay in the process of getting a confirmed TIA diagnosis, resulting in suboptimal prevention of an early ischaemic stroke.
Applying veterinary ethics to a case of tail docking
Authors: Yeates James
Published: February 2019

This article, the second in a series of three, uses the general principles of veterinary ethics that were discussed in the last issue of In Practice (January/February 2019, volume 41, pp 42‐44) to decide whether tail docking should be authorised on a farm on which there is a high prevalence of tail biting. It does not suggest an outcome but tries neutrally to highlight how each pathway might be defended or challenged to improve reflection and discussion with the farmer and colleagues. If we know we have reasoned well, we can confidently implement our decision. The third in this series of articles, which will be published in a subsequent issue of In Practice, will present a step‐by‐step guide to resolving ethical dilemmas in veterinary practice.
Comments on the dilemma in the January/February issue: Disclosing pre‐existing veterinary conditions to insurance companies
Authors: McCulloch Steven
Published: February 2019

In the dilemma discussed in the January/February issue of In Practice, Kathryn Henderson described a scenario where a client brings her two‐year‐old dog in to see you regarding his ongoing lameness after long periods of exercise. On examination the left stifle is thickened and you recommend sedation and radiographs to evaluate the joint further. As the dog is due to be neutered you recommend doing both procedures at the same time. The owner says she will save up to pay for them and come back another time. The dog is not insured. A few months later she phones the practice to ask what has been documented about the dog's lameness, and to enquire if her recently taken out policy would cover x‐rays. After being advised that the clinical history contains information about the lameness she becomes upset as she doesn’t want the insurance company to know it is a pre‐existing condition because she was hoping to claim for the radiographs on the new insurance policy. She asks you ‘what shall we do then, do we leave him to suffer’? (IP, January/February 2019, vol 41, pp 46‐47). What should you advise?
High kinesin family member 11 expression predicts poor prognosis in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Jin Qin , Dai Yanfeng , Wang Yan , Zhang Shu , Liu Gang
Published: February 2019

Aims

Kinesin family member 11 (Kif11) is a member of the kinesin family motor proteins, which is associated with spindle formation and tumour genesis. In this study, we investigated the relationship between Kif11 expression and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) development.

Methods

The relationship between Kif11 expression and CCRCC development was analysed by quantitative real-time (qRT)-PCR analyses, and tissue immunohistochemistry. The prognostic significance of Kif11 expression was explored by univariable and multivariable survival analyses of 143 included patients. Furthermore, SB743921 was used as a specific Kif11 inhibitor to treat 786-O cells with the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) process analysed by qRT-PCR, and cell survival rates analysed with Annexin V-FITC/PI staining followed by flow cytometric analyses. Disease-free survival curves of Kif11 with different cancers and the relationships between Kif11 and the von Hippel-Lindau disease tumour suppressor gene (VHL), and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in kidney cancer were further analysed using the GEPIA database.

Results

The levels ofKif11mRNA were significantly higher in CCRCC tissues compared with corresponding non-cancerous tissues. The results of immunohistochemistry demonstrated that the expression of Kif11 protein was significantly associated with clinicopathologial parameters, including nuclear grade and TNM stage. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve indicated that high Kif11 expression, nuclear grade and TNM stage were independent factors to predict poor prognosis in patients with CCRCC. In addition, inhibition of Kif11 expression by SB743921 suppressed cell proliferation, migration and the EMT process with increased apoptosis rate.

Conclusions

These results combined with bioinformation analyses suggest that high Kif11 expression was associated with unfavourable prognosis in CCRCC and could be used as a potential prognostic marker in the clinical diagnosis of CCRCC.
Genotype–phenotype correlations in ataxia telangiectasia patients with ATM c.3576G>A and c.8147T>C mutations
Authors: van Os Nienke J H , Chessa Luciana , Weemaes Corry M R , van Deuren Marcel , Fiévet Alice , van Gaalen Judith , Mahlaoui Nizar , Roeleveld Nel , Schrader Christoph , Schindler Detlev , Taylor Alexander M R , Van de Warrenburg Bart P C , Dörk Thilo , Willemsen Michèl A A P
Published: February 2019

Background

Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is a neurodegenerative disorder. While patients with classic A-T generally die in their 20s, some patients with variant A-T, who have residual ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase activity, have a milder phenotype. We noticed two commonly occurring ATM mutations that appeared to be associated with prolonged survival and decided to study patients carrying one of these mutations.

Methods

Data were retrospectively collected from the Dutch, Italian, German and French A-T cohorts. To supplement these data, we searched the literature for patients with identical genotypes.

Results

This study included 35 patients who were homozygous or compound heterozygous for the ATM c.3576G>A; p.(Ser1135_Lys1192del58) mutation and 24 patients who were compound heterozygous for the ATM c.8147T>C; p.(Val2716Ala) mutation. Compared with 51 patients with classic A-T from the Dutch cohort, patients with ATM c.3576G>A had a longer survival and were less likely to develop cancer, respiratory disease or immunodeficiency. This was also true for patients with ATM c.8147T>C, who additionally became wheelchair users later in life and had fewer telangiectasias. The oldest patient with A-T reported so far was a 78-year-old patient who was compound heterozygous for ATM c.8147T>C. ATM kinase activity was demonstrated in cells from all patients tested with the ATM c.8147T>C mutant protein and only at a low level in some patients with ATM c.3576G>A.

Conclusion

Compared with classic A-T, the presence of ATM c.3576G>A results in a milder classic phenotype. Patients with ATM c.8147T>C have a variant phenotype with prolonged survival, which in exceptional cases may approach a near-normal lifespan.
Cocreating guide dog partnerships: dog training and interdependence in 1930s America
Authors: Pemberton Neil
Published: February 2019

This article scrutinises issues around disability and dependent (interdependent) agency, extending these to non-human animals and service dogs, with a sustained reference to the training of guide dogs. It does this through a detailed engagement with the training methodology and philosophy of The Seeing Eye guide dog school in the 1930s, exploring the physical, bodily and instrumental means through which the guide dog partnership, and the identity of the instructor, the guide dog and the guide dog owner, jointly came into being. The novelty of the article lies in how it reconsiders what interdependence meant and means from the perspectives drawing from historical and sociological literature on dog training. In doing so it opens up new ways of thinking about service animals that recognise their historical contingency and the complex processes at work in the creation and development of interdependent agency.
Determinants of walking fitness in patients with heart failure attending cardiac rehabilitation
Authors: Doherty Patrick , Harrison Alexander Stephen , Hossain Rashed
Published: February 2019

Introduction

Patients with heart failure (HF) attending cardiac rehabilitation (CR) benefit in terms of improved quality of life, physical fitness and reduced hospital admissions. Too few patients with HF attend CR and little data exist on the characteristics of those who do especially in respect of physical fitness. This study evaluates the extent by which clinical and demographic factors determine walking fitness in patients with a primary diagnosis of HF.

Methods

Clinical data from the British Heart Foundation National Audit of Cardiac Rehabilitation identified 1519 patients with HF who completed an incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT). Stepwise regression accounting for age, gender and multiple potential confounders assessed their contribution to total walking distance.

Results

Mean age was 64.5 (SD 12.70) years with a range of ISWT distances across gender and associated comorbidities from 215 to 282 m. Walking distance reduced by 4.9 m for each year increase in age above mean age (p<0.001). After accounting for confounders, females walked 42.1 m less than males (p≤ 0.001). Pulmonary disease and the existence of depression was associated with a 39.3 and 52.2 m reduction in walking distance, respectively. Body mass index >30 was associated with 28.5 m reduction in walking distance (p<0.001). HF severity failed to improve the regression model fit or achieve significance in the analysis

Conclusions

Age, gender and the presence of pulmonary disease or depression were highly significant factors in predicting walking fitness in patients with HF. The study also produced a set of reference values based on these four factors to aid the interpretation of walking fitness in patients with HF.
Pregnancy complications and premature cardiovascular events among 1.6 million California pregnancies
Authors: Arnaout Rima , Nah Gregory , Marcus Greg , Tseng Zian , Foster Elyse , Harris Ian S , Divanji Punag , Klein Liviu , Gonzalez Juan , Parikh Nisha
Published: February 2019

Background

Cardiovascular complications of pregnancy present an opportunity to assess risk for subsequent cardiovascular disease. We sought to determine whether peripartum cardiomyopathy and hypertensive disorder of pregnancy subtypes predict future myocardial infarction, heart failure or stroke independent of one another and of other risks such as gestational diabetes, preterm birth and intrauterine growth restriction.

Methods and results

The California Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project database was used to identify all hospitalised pregnancies from 2005 to 2009, with follow-up through 2011, for a retrospective cohort study. Pregnancies, exposures, covariates and outcomes were defined by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes. Among 1.6 million pregnancies (mean age 28 years; median follow-up time to event excluding censoring 2.7 years), 558 cases of peripartum cardiomyopathy, 123 603 hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, 107 636 cases of gestational diabetes, 116 768 preterm births and 23 504 cases of intrauterine growth restriction were observed. Using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models, peripartum cardiomyopathy was independently associated with a 39.2-fold increase in heart failure (95% CI 30.0 to 51.9), resulting in ~1 additional hospitalisation per 1000 person-years. There was a 13.0-fold increase in myocardial infarction (95% CI 4.1 to 40.9) and a 7.7-fold increase in stroke (95% CI 2.4 to 24.0). Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were associated with 1.4-fold (95% CI 1.0 to 2.0) to 7.6-fold (95% CI 5.4 to 10.7) higher risk of myocardial infarction, heart failure and stroke, resulting in a maximum of ~1 additional event per 1000 person-years. Gestational diabetes, preterm birth and intrauterine growth restriction had more modest associations.

Conclusion

These findings support close monitoring of women with cardiovascular pregnancy complications for prevention of early cardiovascular events and study of mechanisms underlying their development.
Estimating in situ relative density and friction angle of nearshore sand from portable free-fall penetrometer tests
Authors: Albatal Ali , Stark Nina , Castellanos Bernardo
Published: February 2019

The friction angle of sand in the nearshore zone of Cannon Beach, Yakutat, Alaska, was estimated from the deceleration measured by a portable free-fall penetrometer (PFFP) at 72 test locations. A correlation between the relative density and PFFP’s maximum deceleration was developed from controlled PFFP deployments into sand of different relative densities. Two approaches were tested: (i) a correlation between relative density and friction angle and (ii) bearing capacity theory. For the former, laboratory vacuum triaxial tests were performed to adjust an existing correlation between relative density and friction angle for the tested nearshore sediments. In situ peak friction angles were then determined using this adjusted correlation and estimates of relative densities. The resulting in situ relative density and friction angle varied between 32%–88% and 44°–56°, respectively. Two bearing capacity–based methods suitable for shallow penetrations were tested. For this approach, equivalents of static cone resistance were determined from the measured decelerations considering the strain rate effect. A range of empirical strain rate coefficients K = 0.1–1.5 were tested. A K value between 0.2 and 0.4 yielded matching results between the two approaches. The estimated friction angles agreed well with expected values and may be applied to problems of sediment transport or early site assessment.
High-order rogue-wave of the inhomogeneous nonlinear Hirota equation with a self-consistent source
Authors: Yao Yuqin , Huang Yehui
Published: February 2019

The inhomogeneous nonlinear Hirota equation is more realistic than the nonlinear Schrödinger equation when approximating the wave propagation in the ocean and optical fibers. In this paper, the inhomogeneous nonlinear Hirota equation with a self-consistent source and its Lax pair are presented. The high-order rogue-wave solutions are worked out by the generalized Darboux transformation and their evolution dynamics is analyzed.
Defects in Li-rich manganese-based layered oxide: A first-principles study
Authors: Shi Jianjian , Chen Xiaoxing , Wang Chunyu , Wang Zhiguo
Published: February 2019

Lithium-rich manganese-based layered oxides are of great interest as cathode materials for lithium ion batteries due to their high energy density. The voltage decay and capacity fading during prolonged charge/discharge cycling are the key obstacles for their practical usage. In this work, using density functional theory, we investigated the origin of the Ni surface segregation by calculating the defect formation energies of antisite defects, including Ni cation substituting a Li cation [Formula: see text] and pairs of Ni cation swapping with Li cation ([Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text]) in [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] to represent the Mn-rich, Mn–Ni equivalence and Ni-rich conditions, respectively. Results show that [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] defect is of energy favorable in Li-rich and Mn-rich layered oxide cathode. Al-doping is beneficial for improving the structure stability and preventing the surface segregation, thus Al-doping can improve cycle ability and rate capability of Li-rich and Mn-rich layered cathodes. This work provides deep insights for the design of layered cathode materials with both high capacity and voltage stability during cycling.
Artificial Immune System with Negative Selection Applied to Facial Biometry Based on Binary Pattern Characteristics
Authors: Silva Jadiel C. , Lima Fernando P. A. , Lotufo Anna Diva P. , Batista Jorge M. M. C. P.
Published: February 2019

This work aims to explore resources and alternatives for 3D facial biometry using Binary Patterns. A 3D facial geometry image is converted into two 2D representations, appointed as descriptors: A Depth Map and an Azimuthal Projection Distance Image. The first is known as traditional facial geometry, and the second is normal facial geometry that is able to capture the information of different geometries. The characteristics of Local Binary Patterns, Local Phase Quantisers and Gabor Binary Patterns were used with the Depth Map and Azimuthal Projection Distance Image to produce six new facial descriptors: 3D Local Binary Patterns, Local Azimuthal Binary Patterns, Local Depth Phase Quantisers, Local Azimuthal Phase Patterns, and Local Depth Gabor Binary Pattern Magnitudes and Phases. Then, this work uses the immune concept to propose a new approach to realize facial biometry, where the eight new facial descriptors were applied to an Artificial Intelligence algorithm named Artificial Immune Systems of Negative Selection. The analysis of the results shows the efficiency, robustness, precision and reliability of this approach, encouraging further research in this area.
Incoherent nullification of torus knots and links
Authors: Bettersworth Zac , Ernst Claus
Published: February 2019

In the paper, we study the incoherent nullification number [Formula: see text] of knots and links. We establish an upper bound on the incoherent nullification number of torus knots and links and conjecture that this upper bound is the actual incoherent nullification number of this family. Finally, we establish the actual incoherent nullification number of particular subfamilies of torus knots and links.
CANDIDATE GENES AND PATHWAYS LINKING SLEEP DEPRIVATION TO OBESITY
Authors: WEI YI
Published: February 2019

Sleep deprivation has been reported to be a contributing factor for the epidemic of obesity. However, it is still largely unknown how sleep deprivation contributes to obesity at the transcriptional level. Here, we identified the significantly changed genes and pathways that may contribute to the sleep deprivation-induced obesity by analyzing two online datasets, including mouse obesity database and mouse sleep deprivation database. 298 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in high fat diet mice as compared to normal diet mice, while 541 DEGs were identified in mice with sleep deprivation when compared with mice with normal sleep. There are 12 common DEGs, such as Saa3 and Plin4, in both comparisons. And six of common DEGs were validated in other Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset. GO and KEGG pathway analyses revealed 19 common altered pathways, and most of them were metabolic processes, including steroid metabolic process, small molecule metabolic process and cholesterol metabolic process. Notably, we found that Aldoc, Cyp2b10, Nsdhl, Pcsk9, Saa3, Plin4 and Acss2 were involved in most of those altered pathways. Taken together, our study suggests that Saa3, Plin4, Aldoc, Cyp2b10, Nsdhl, Pcsk9 and Acss2 might be involved in sleep deprivation-induced obesity by regulating metabolic processes.
COMPUTATIONAL STUDY ON THE RUPTURE RISK IN REAL CEREBRAL ANEURYSMS WITH GEOMETRICAL AND FLUID-MECHANICAL PARAMETERS USING FSI SIMULATIONS AND MACHINE LEARNING ALGORITHMS
Authors: ARANDA ALFREDO , VALENCIA ALVARO
Published: February 2019

Fluid-mechanical and morphological parameters are recognized as major factors in the rupture risk of human aneurysms. On the other hand, it is well known that a lot of machine learning tools are available to study a variety of problems in many fields. In this work, fluid–structure interaction (FSI) simulations were carried out to examine a database of 60 real saccular cerebral aneurysms (30 ruptured and 30 unruptured) using reconstructions by angiography images. With the results of the simulations and geometric analyses, we studied the analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistic test in many variables and we obtained that aspect ratio (AR), bottleneck factor (BNF), maximum height of the aneurysms (MH), relative residence time (RRT), Womersley number (WN) and Von-Mises strain (VMS) are statically significant and good predictors for the models. In consequence, these ones were used in five machine learning algorithms to determine the rupture risk predictions of the aneurysms, where the adaptative boosting (AdaBoost) was calculated with the highest area under the curve (AUC) in the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC 0.944).
Mapping Structural Relationships Among the Critical Factors of FMS Flexibility
Authors: Kumar Surinder , Raj Tilak , Attri Rajesh
Published: February 2019

The excessive competition in domestic as well as international market has forced the manufacturing organizations to adopt advance manufacturing systems such as flexible manufacturing system (FMS). Adoption of these systems has resulted into increased productivity and better quality products. In order to continue their presence in cut-throat competitive environment, the manufacturing organizations are exploring the flexibility options of FMS. In order to analyze the flexibility options of FMS, an endeavor has been performed to identify the critical factors (CFs) that are pertinent to the flexibility of FMS. These CFs have a reflective impact in designing of FMS. After ascertaining these CFs, interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and MICMAC approach have been used to establish the structural relationships among these CFs to develop a hierarchical model. The verdicts of this exploration may assist managers to analyze the flexibility options of FMS in their organizations.
Non-reversal Open Quantum Walks
Authors: Goolam Hossen Y. H. , Sinayskiy I. , Petruccione F.
Published: February 2019

A model of non-reversal quantum walk is introduced. The process is introduced in 1D and 2D using the formalism of open quantum walks (OQWs). In such a walk, a particle cannot go back to previously visited sites but it can jump on the same site or move to a new site. Examples of some non-reversal quantum trajectories and distributions are given and their difference with normal OQWs is discussed. Finally, a linear relationship is formulated between the radius of the spread and the number of steps of the walk that might have interesting applications.
Synthesis of SiNW-rGO core-shell nanowires via low temperature process
Authors: Soam Ankur , Kavle Pravin , Dusane Rajiv O.
Published: February 2019

The graphene nanosheets have been deposited on silicon nanowires (SiNWs) at room temperature. SiNWs were grown by hot-wire chemical vapor process (HWCVP). A simple and room temperature approach known as electrophoretic deposition (EPD) process was adopted for the deposition of graphene sheets on SiNWs. GO sheets on SiNWs were converted to reduced graphene oxide (rGO) by photo-reduction method. EPD parameters were optimized to get a uniform coating of rGO on SiNWs. It was observed that the rGO deposition is greatly influenced by the deposition time and the applied voltage in the EPD process. rGO deposition was confirmed by FEG-SEM and FEG-TEM, and the reduction of GO to rGO was verified by Raman, UV–Vis and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.
Effect of volume status on the estimation of mean systemic filling pressure
Authors: Werner-Moller Per , Sondergaard Soren , Jakob Stephan M. , Takala Jukka , Berger David
Published: February 2019

Various methods for indirect assessment of mean systemic filling pressure (MSFP) produce controversial results compared with MSFP at zero blood flow. We recently reported that the difference between MSFP at zero flow measured by right atrial balloon occlusion (MSFPRAO) and MSFP estimated using inspiratory holds depends on the volume status. We now compare three indirect estimates of MSFP with MSFPRAO in euvolemia, bleeding, and hypervolemia in a model of anesthetized pigs ( n = 9) with intact circulation. MSFP was estimated using instantaneous beat-to-beat venous return during tidal ventilation (MSFPinst_VR), right atrial pressure-flow data pairs at flow nadir during inspiratory holds (MSFPnadir_hold), and a dynamic model analog adapted to pigs (MSFPa). MSFPRAO was underestimated by MSFPnadir_hold and MSFPa in all volume states. Volume status modified the difference between MSFPRAO and all indirect methods (method × volume state interaction, P ≤ 0.020). All methods tracked changes in MSFPRAO concordantly, with the lowest bias seen for MSFPa [bias (confidence interval): −0.4 (−0.7 to −0.0) mmHg]. We conclude that indirect estimates of MSFP are unreliable in this experimental setup.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY For indirect estimations of MSFP using inspiratory hold maneuvers, instantaneous beat-to-beat venous return, or a dynamic model analog, the accuracy was affected by the underlying volume state. All methods investigated tracked changes in MSFPRAO concordantly.
Can Inflammatory and Nutritional Serum Markers Predict Chemotherapy Outcomes and Survival in Advanced Stage Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer Patients?
Authors: Cehreli Ruksan , Yavuzsen Tugba , Ates Halil , Akman Tulay , Ellidokuz Hulya , Oztop Ilhan
Published: February 2019

Purpose. To determine the values of prognostic nutritional and inflammatory markers in chemotherapy outcomes and survival in the patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and also in the secondary malnutrition and cachexia. Methods. Twenty-five patients with diagnosis of aNSCLC were registered for the prospective study. Malnutrition was determined by the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) and performance status by criteria of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG). Before treatment, serum levels of albumin, prealbumin, vitamin D, zinc (Zn), C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6, IL-1 β, TNF-α, lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and the Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) were recorded. Patients were followed prospectively for treatment outcomes and survival. Results. Due to the deaths of 18 patients during the 4-month follow-up period, no adequate measurements of inflammatory and nutritional markers could be performed. However, seven patients completed the treatment period and evaluations of these markers could be performed during the three periods. Eighty-four percent of patients were male with a mean age of 63.3 ± 8.7 years. Evaluation of the malnutrition by SGA showed that 5 (20%) patients were well nourished (A), 12(48%) were moderately malnourished (B), and 8(32%) were severely malnourished (C). Low levels of serum albumin (<3.5g/dl), prealbumin (<20 mg/ml), 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (<30 ng/ml), and Zn (<70mg/ml) were detected in 15(60%), 17(68%), 24 (96%), and 22 (88%) patients, respectively. Elevated levels of CRP (≥10 mg/L), IL6 (≥18pg/ml), TNF-α (≥24pg/ml), IL-1β (≥10pg/ml), and LPL (<12pg/ml) were found in 24 (96%), 11(44%), 9(36), 13(52%), and 11(44%) patients, respectively. Moderate and severe malnutrition, acute phase response, and reduced survival were determined in patients with NCSLC. In 7 patients that completed the treatment period, there was an association between elevated serum levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, CRP, and LPL and also the reduced serum levels of albumin, prealbumin, Zn, vitamin D, and GPS, respectively. Similarly, Friedman analysis indicated that prealbumin significantly increased (p=0.007) in the follow-up period. But the serum levels of CRP (mean 37.3±22.3; Wilcoxon test P=0.368) in the seven patients were lower than those of the 18 patients that expired (mean 75.82±56.2). Conclusion. Malnutrition and cachexia negatively influence oncological outcomes in patients with NSCLC. These nutritional/inflammatory markers may be useful for selection of high risk and reduced survival in patients with aNSCLC undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy.
Interaction of Anticancer Drugs with Human Organic Anion Transporter hOAT4
Authors: Liu Chenchang , Zhang Jinghui , You Guofeng
Published: February 2019

Human organic anion transporter 4 (hOAT4) belongs to a family of multispecific organic anion transporters that play critical roles in the disposition of numerous drugs and therefore are the major sites for drug-drug interaction. Drug-drug interactions contribute significantly to the individual variation in drug response. hOAT4 is expressed in the kidney and placenta. In the current study, we examined the interaction of 36 anticancer drugs with hOAT4 in kidney COS-7 cells and placenta BeWo cells. Among the drugs tested, only epirubicin hydrochloride and dabrafenib mesylate exhibited > 50% cis-inhibitory effect, in COS-7 cells, on hOAT4-mediated uptake of estrone sulfate, a prototypical substrate for the transporter. The IC50values for epirubicin hydrochloride and dabrafenib mesylate were 5.24±0.95μM and 8.30±3.30μM, respectively. Dixon plot analysis revealed that inhibition by epirubicin hydrochloride was noncompetitive with aKi= 3μM whereas inhibition by dabrafenib mesylate was competitive with aKi= 4.26μM. Our results established that epirubicin hydrochloride and dabrafenib mesylate are inhibitors of hOAT4. Furthermore, by comparing our data with clinically relevant exposures of these drugs, we conclude that although the tendency for dabrafenib mesylate to cause drug-drug interaction through hOAT4 is insignificant in the kidney, the propensity for epirubicin hydrochloride to cause drug-drug interaction is high.
Effectiveness of Decompressive Hemicraniectomy to Treat a Life-Threatening Cerebral Fat Embolism
Authors: Couturier Charlène , Dupont Guillaume , Vassal François , Boutet Claire , Morel Jérôme
Published: February 2019

Background and Importance. Cerebral fat embolism (CFE) occurs mainly after long-bone fractures. Often reducing to minor neurological disorders as confusion, it can sometimes cause more severe consequences such as coma or even death. While CFE has been described for several years, there is no consensual treatment. Clinical Presentation. We report the case of a 15-year-old girl with a severe cerebral fat embolism secondary to a longboard fall with a femur fracture. She developed in less than 4 hours a coma. On day 4, she lost her brainstem reflexes with a clinical condition close to brain death, with a very high intracranial pressure (ICP) value above 75 mmgH at worst. She was treated as having a trauma brain injury based on ICP control with a decompressive hemicraniectomy. She recovered in some weeks, allowing discharge to a post ICU rehabilitation center, one month after admission. Conclusion. We report a severe case of cerebral fat embolism with good outcome. It was managed as a trauma brain injury. We emphasize the neurological management based on ICP and discuss the position of hemicraniectomy.
Soluble Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products: A Protective Molecule against Intramyocardial Lipid Accumulation in Obese Zucker Rats?
Authors: Dozio Elena , Vianello Elena , Bandera Francesco , Longhi Erika , Brizzola Stefano , Nebuloni Manuela , Corsi Romanelli Massimiliano M.
Published: February 2019

Most of the obesity-related complications are due to ectopic fat accumulation. Recently, the activation of the cell-surface receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) has been associated with lipid accumulation in different organs. Nevertheless, the role of RAGE and sRAGE, the soluble form that prevents ligands to activate RAGE, in intramyocardial lipid accumulation is presently unknown. To this aim, we analyzed whether, in obesity, intramyocardial lipid accumulation and lipid metabolism-related transcriptome are related to RAGE and sRAGE. Heart and serum samples were collected from 10 lean (L) and 10 obese (OB) Zucker rats. Oil red staining was used to detect lipids on frozen heart sections. The lipid metabolism-related transcriptome (84 genes) was analyzed by a specific PCR array. Heart RAGE expression was explored by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot analyses. Serum levels of sRAGE (total and endogenous secretory form (esRAGE)) were quantified by ELISA. Genes promoting fatty acid transport, activation, and oxidation in mitochondria/peroxisomes were upregulated in OB hearts. Intramyocardial lipid content did not differ between OB and L rats, as well as RAGE expression. A slight increase in epicardial adipose tissue was observed in OB hearts. Total sRAGE and esRAGE concentrations were significantly higher in OB rats. sRAGE may protect against obesity-induced intramyocardial lipid accumulation by preventing RAGE hyperexpression, therefore allowing lipids to be metabolized. EAT also played a protective role by working as a buffering system that protects the myocardium against exposure to excessively high levels of fatty acids. These observations reinforce the potential role of RAGE pathway as an interesting therapeutic target for obesity-related complications, at least at the cardiovascular level.
Increased Mortality from Extrapancreatic Infections in Hospitalized Patients with Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Grajales-Figueroa Guido , Díaz Hernández Héctor Adrián , Chacón Portillo Martín Alejandro , Uscanga Luis F. , Peláez-Luna Mario , Hernández Calleros Jorge
Published: February 2019

Nosocomial extrapancreatic infections in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) are associated with a higher mortality even after adjusting the risk for the severity of the pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical features of hospitalized patients with AP who died during their hospitalization and to evaluate risk factors associated with mortality. We performed a descriptive study of the clinical features of adult patients who died from AP during their hospitalization and a case control study with a paired group of patients that survived AP during a 10-year period. Data of interest were collected from the medical records and are presented with appropriate measures of central tendency and dispersion. For the case control study, the primary outcome evaluated was death, and to evaluate associated clinical features and determine differences between groups, we performed the χ2 or Fisher’s exact tests for categorical variables and the Student t-test or Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables as appropriate. We found 48 patients with acute pancreatitis who died within the period of the study during hospitalization; from these, 50% were men, mean age was 53.2 years, and the most common etiology was biliary obstruction by gallstones in 45.8%. The global mortality rate was of 2.5%. A total of 43.7% patients had infected pancreatic necrosis, and in 58.3%, some extrapancreatic infection was documented, being the most common urinary tract infection in 50%, bacteremia in 50% and pneumonia in 33.3%. Clinical features associated with mortality were the presence of organ failure (p<0.001), nosocomial complications (p<0.001), infected necrosis (p<0.001), and extrapancreatic infections (p=0.002). From the different extrapancreatic infections, only bacteremia (p=0.001) and pneumonia (p=0.011) were associated with higher mortality. In conclusion, extrapancreatic infections are associated with increased mortality among hospitalized patients with acute pancreatitis, in particular, bacteremia and pneumonia with an isolated pathogen.
Cornell Potential: A Neural Network Approach
Authors: Mutuk Halil
Published: February 2019

We solved Schrödinger equation with Cornell potential (Coulomb-plus-linear potential) by using neural network approach. Four different cases of Cornell potential for different potential parameters were used without a physical relevance. Besides that charmonium, bottomonium and bottom-charmed spin-averaged spectra were also calculated. Obtained results are in good agreement with the reference studies and available experimental data.
Nanomaterial Exposure Induced Neutrophil Extracellular Traps: A New Target in Inflammation and Innate Immunity
Authors: Yang Hang , Marion Tony N. , Liu Yi , Zhang Lingshu , Cao Xue , Hu Huifang , Zhao Yi , Herrmann Martin
Published: February 2019

Nanotechnology has become a novel subject with impact in many research and technology areas. Nanoparticles (NPs), as a key component in nanotechnology, are widely used in many areas such as optical, magnetic, electrical, and mechanical engineering. The biomedical and pharmaceutical industries have embraced NPs as a viable drug delivery modality. As such, the potential for NP-induced cytotoxicity has emerged as a major concern for NP drug delivery systems. Thus, it is important to understand how NPs affect the innate immune system. As the most abundant myeloid cell type in innate immune responses, neutrophils are critical for concerns about potentially toxic side effects of NPs. When activated by innate immune stimuli, neutrophils may initiate NETosis to release neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Herein, we have reviewed the relationship between NPs and the induction of NETosis and release of NETs.
Spiral Field Generation in Smith-Purcell Radiation by Helical Metagratings
Authors: Jing Liqiao , Wang Zuojia , Lin Xiao , Zheng Bin , Xu Su , Shen Lian , Yang Yihao , Gao Fei , Chen Min , Chen Hongsheng
Published: February 2019

Moving electrons interacting with media can give rise to electromagnetic radiations and has been emerged as a promising platform for particle detection, spectroscopies, and free-electron lasers. In this letter, we investigate the Smith-Purcell radiation from helical metagratings, chiral structures similar to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), in order to understand the interplay between electrons, photons, and object chirality. Spiral field patterns can be generated while introducing a gradient azimuthal phase distribution to the induced electric dipole array at the cylindrical interface. Experimental measurements show efficient control over angular momentum of the radiated field at microwave regime, utilizing a phased electromagnetic dipole array to mimic moving charged particles. The angular momentum of the radiated wave is determined solely by the handedness of the helical structure, and it thus serves as a potential candidate for the detection of chiral objects. Our findings not only pave a way for design of orbital angular momentum free-electron lasers but also provide a platform to study the interplay between swift electrons with chiral objects.
Prenatal Malnutrition-Induced Epigenetic Dysregulation as a Risk Factor for Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Vaiserman Alexander , Lushchak Oleh
Published: February 2019

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is commonly regarded as a disease originating from lifestyle-related factors and typically occurring after the age of 40. There is, however, consistent experimental and epidemiological data evidencing that the risk for developing T2D may largely depend on conditions early in life. In particular, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) induced by poor or unbalanced nutrient intake can impair fetal growth and also cause fetal adipose tissue and pancreatic β-cell dysfunction. On account of these processes, persisting adaptive changes can occur in the glucose-insulin metabolism. These changes can include reduced ability for insulin secretion and insulin resistance, and they may result in an improved capacity to store fat, thereby predisposing to the development of T2D and obesity in adulthood. Accumulating research findings indicate that epigenetic regulation of gene expression plays a critical role in linking prenatal malnutrition to the risk of later-life metabolic disorders including T2D. In animal models of IUGR, changes in both DNA methylation and expression levels of key metabolic genes were repeatedly found which persisted until adulthood. The causal link between epigenetic disturbances during development and the risk for T2D was also confirmed in several human studies. In this review, the conceptual models and empirical data are summarized and discussed regarding the contribution of epigenetic mechanisms in developmental nutritional programming of T2D.
Surgical Treatment for Posterior Dislocation of Hip Combined with Acetabular Fractures Using Preoperative Virtual Simulation and Three-Dimensional Printing Model-Assisted Precontoured Plate Fixation Techniques
Authors: Li Yuan-Ta , Hung Chun-Chi , Chou Yu-Ching , Chen Jia-En , Wu Chia-Chun , Shen Hsain-Chung , Yeh Tsu-Te
Published: February 2019

Background and Purpose. Hip dislocation combined with acetabular fracture remains a challenging condition for orthopedic surgeons. In this study, we utilized a computer-assisted simulation and three-dimensional (3D) printing technology to treat patients with hip dislocation combined with acetabular fracture. We hypothesized that the 3D printing-assisted method would shorten the internal fixation time and surgical time. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed 16 patients diagnosed with traumatic posterior dislocation of hip combined with acetabular fractures and treated with plate fixation from September 2013 to August 2017. Patients were divided into two groups: (1) traditional method and (2) 3D printing groups. In the traditional method group, the plates were contoured during the surgery, whereas in the 3D printing group, the patient’s pelvic computed tomography image was transformed to the 3D medical image software for processing preoperatively. The fracture reduction was simulated by the computer. Thereafter, the 1:1 scale 3D printing model was used to design the surgical plan and contour patient-specific plates preoperatively. Results. The internal fixation time was significantly shorter in the 3D printing group than in the traditional method group (-33 min, P<0.05). The mean operative time was shorter than that in the traditional method group (-43 min). However, blood loss and postoperative radiograph results were similar between the groups. The complication rate was lower in the 3D printing group (2/7) than in the traditional method group (5/9). Interpretation. Computer-assisted simulation with 3D printing technology is a more efficient method for treating hip dislocation combined with acetabular fractures.