bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporal and long-term trend analysis of class C notifiable diseases in China from 2009 to 2014
Authors: Zhang Xingyu , Hou Fengsu , Qiao Zhijiao , Li Xiaosong , Zhou Lijun , Liu Yuanyuan , Zhang Tao
Published: October 2016

Objectives

Time series models are effective tools for disease forecasting. This study aims to explore the time series behaviour of 11 notifiable diseases in China and to predict their incidence through effective models.

Settings and participants

The Chinese Ministry of Health started to publish class C notifiable diseases in 2009. The monthly reported case time series of 11 infectious diseases from the surveillance system between 2009 and 2014 was collected.

Methods

We performed a descriptive and a time series study using the surveillance data. Decomposition methods were used to explore (1) their seasonality expressed in the form of seasonal indices and (2) their long-term trend in the form of a linear regression model. Autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models have been established for each disease.

Results

The number of cases and deaths caused by hand, foot and mouth disease ranks number 1 among the detected diseases. It occurred most often in May and July and increased, on average, by 0.14126/100 000 per month. The remaining incidence models show good fit except the influenza and hydatid disease models. Both the hydatid disease and influenza series become white noise after differencing, so no available ARIMA model can be fitted for these two diseases.

Conclusion

Time series analysis of effective surveillance time series is useful for better understanding the occurrence of the 11 types of infectious disease.
Associations between excessive adiposity and seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 among US adults: a population-based age–period–cohort analysis
Authors: Liu Su-Hsun , Tzeng I-Shiang , Hsieh Tsung-Han , Huang Yhu-Chering
Published: October 2016

Objectives

Evidence on the association between herpes simplex virus (HSV) and excessive adiposity, such as obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2) and abdominal obesity (waist circumference (WC) >102 or 88 cm), has been inconsistent. We sought to examine whether age–period–cohort (APC) effects could explain for the observed heterogeneities.

Design

Population-based cross-sectional study.

Participants

Adults aged 20–49 years with available serological data in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in 1999–2012.

Exposure measures

Obesity and abdominal obesity.

Results

In men, excessive adiposity was generally not associated with HSV1 or HSV2 (all p>0.05); however, there were positive correlations between HSV seroprevalence and excessive adiposity in certain age and birth cohort groups. Based on APC analysis, abdominally obese men aged 30–40 years showed a nearly 20% increase in risk for HSV1 seropositivity (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR)=1.18; 95% CI 1.10 to 1.27) as compared with abdominally non-obese men of the same age; there was no such association in men of other age groups. Also, men of a large WC who were born before 1962 or after 1979 had a 28% higher risk for HSV2 seropositivity than those of a normal WC in the same birth cohorts (aPR=1.28, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.54); yet the association did not hold for men in other cohorts (aPR=0.86, 95% CI 0.64 to 1.17). In women, a large WC was correlated with a minimally increased HSV1 seroprevalence (aPR=1.07, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.13) but not with HSV2 seropositivity (aPR=1.13; 95% CI 0.99 to 1.28). Likewise, there were strong associations between abdominal obesity and HSV2 seropositivity in subgroups of women participating in the earliest survey cycle (aPR=1.41, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.78) but not in other survey periods (aPR=0.94, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.03).

Conclusions

There was no consistent evidence for strong associations between HSV seropositivity and excessive adiposity in adults. APC analysis results further cautioned the generalisability of previous reports based on 1 or 2 cycles of survey data.
Text2PreventCVD: protocol for a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis of text message-based interventions for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Chow Clara K , Islam Sheikh Mohammed Shariful , Farmer Andrew , Bobrow Kirsty , Maddision Ralph , Whittaker Robyn , Dale Leila Pfaeffli , Lechner Andreas , Niessen Louis , Lear Scott A , Eapen Zubin J , Santo Karla , Stepien Sandrine , Redfern Julie , Rodgers Anthony
Published: October 2016

Introduction

Text message interventions have been shown to be effective in prevention and management of several non-communicable disease risk factors. However, the extent to which their effects might vary in different participants and settings is uncertain. We aim to conduct a systematic review and individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials examining text message interventions aimed to prevent cardiovascular diseases (CVD) through modification of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs).

Methods and analysis

Systematic review and IPD meta-analysis will be conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis of IPD (PRISMA-IPD) guidelines. Electronic database of published studies (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library) and international trial registries will be searched to identify relevant randomised clinical trials. Authors of studies meeting the inclusion criteria will be invited to join the IPD meta-analysis group and contribute study data to the common database. The primary outcome will be the difference between intervention and control groups in blood pressure at 6-month follow-up. Key secondary outcomes include effects on lipid parameters, body mass index, smoking levels and self-reported quality of life. If sufficient data is available, we will also analyse blood pressure and other secondary outcomes at 12 months. IPD meta-analysis will be performed using a one-step approach and modelling data simultaneously while accounting for the clustering of the participants within studies. This study will use the existing data to assess the effectiveness of text message-based interventions on CVRFs, the consistency of any effects by participant subgroups and across different healthcare settings.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was obtained for the individual studies by the trial investigators from relevant local ethics committees. This study will include anonymised data for secondary analysis and investigators will be asked to check that this is consistent with their existing approvals. Results will be disseminated via scientific forums including peer-reviewed publications and presentations at international conferences.

Trial registration number

CRD42016033236.
Does chronic physical activity level modify the airway inflammatory response to an acute bout of exercise in the postprandial period?
Authors: Kurti Stephanie P. , Rosenkranz Sara K. , Chapes Stephen K. , Teeman Colby S. , Cull Brooke J. , Emerson Sam R. , Levitt Morton H. , Smith Joshua R. , Harms Craig A.
Published: October 2016

Recent studies have confirmed that a single high-fat meal (HFM) leads to increased airway inflammation. However, exercise is a natural anti-inflammatory and may modify postprandial airway inflammation. The postprandial airway inflammatory response is likely to be modified by chronic physical activity (PA) level. This study investigated whether chronic PA modifies the airway inflammatory response to an acute bout of exercise in the postprandial period in both insufficiently active and active subjects. Thirty-nine nonasthmatic subjects (20 active, 13 males/7 females) who exceeded PA guidelines (≥150 min moderate−vigorous PA/week) and 19 insufficiently active (6 males/13 females) underwent an incremental treadmill test to exhaustion to determine peak oxygen uptake. Subjects were then randomized to a condition (COND), either remaining sedentary (CON) or exercising (EX) post-HFM. Exercise was performed at the heart rate corresponding to 60% peak oxygen uptake on a treadmill for 1 h post-HFM (63% fat, 10 kcal/kg body weight). Blood lipids and exhaled nitric oxide (eNO: marker of airway inflammation) were measured at baseline and 2 h and 4 h post-HFM. Sputum differential cell counts were performed at baseline and 4 h post-HFM. The mean eNO response for all groups increased at 2 h post-HFM (∼6%) and returned to baseline by 4 h (p = 0.03). There was a time × COND interaction (p = 0.04), where EX had a greater eNO response at 4 h compared with CON. Sputum neutrophils increased at 4 h post-HFM (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that airway inflammation occurs after an HFM when exercise is performed in the postprandial period, regardless of habitual activity level.
Offshore pipelines and ice gouge geohazards: comparative performance assessment of decoupled structural and coupled continuum models
Authors: Pike Kenton , Kenny Shawn
Published: October 2016

Offshore pipelines in ice environments may be subjected to unique geohazards such as seabed ice gouging. These events involve nonlinear processes including large deformations and strains, contact mechanics, and failure mechanisms. Current pipeline engineering design practice employs decoupled, structural finite element modelling procedures to assess system demand and capacity. The inherent error and uncertainty within this approach drives conservative engineered solutions. Physical modelling and continuum numerical simulation tools complement this engineering framework to improve confidence in predicted outcomes. The relative performance of engineering models, used in current practice, and numerical simulation tools, including structural and continuum finite element modelling procedures, to predict the deformation and strain response of a buried pipeline subjected to an ice gouge event is examined. Refinements to the numerical modeling procedures and establishment of a consistent and compatible reference framework for the performance evaluation differentiate this study from others, which are subsets of the current investigation. For the parameter analysis conducted, within an equivalent reference framework, the outcomes demonstrate key factors, including superposition error and directional load decoupling, that influence model error that may not be as significant as previously considered. The scope and extent of this outcome is not fully understood and requires further investigations to delineate the significance across a wider parameter range.
An analytical approach to assess quality control sample sizes of cement-based “solidification/stabilization”
Authors: Liza Rukhsana , Fenton Gordon A. , Lake Craig B. , Griffiths D.V.
Published: October 2016

This paper presents an analytical approach to selecting the sample size required to achieve acceptable quality control in a cement-based “solidification/stabilization” construction cell program intended for the treatment–containment of contaminated soils. The proposed approach is based on the hypothesis test that the cell does not have an acceptably low hydraulic conductivity (the null hypothesis) versus the alternative hypothesis that it does. Analytical solutions are developed to compute the probabilities of both type I (mistakenly rejecting the null hypothesis) and type II (mistakenly failing to reject the null hypothesis) errors as functions of the number of samples and the statistics of the hydraulic conductivity field. The analytical results are validated by Monte Carlo simulations and are then used to develop rational sampling requirements. An example is presented to illustrate how the proposed approach can be used in practice to assess the required sample size for the quality control program of cement-based S/S construction cells.
Numerical study of the effect of soil–atmosphere interaction on the stability and serviceability of cut slopes in London clay
Authors: Tsiampousi A. , Zdravkovic L. , Potts D.M.
Published: October 2016

The stability of cut slopes is greatly influenced by seasonal pore-water pressure variations under the combined effect of rainfall and vegetation. However, predicting soil–atmosphere interaction is not straightforward, due to the complexity of both the boundary conditions involved and the hydromechanical behaviour of soils, which is coupled and highly nonlinear, rendering the use of numerical tools, such as finite element analysis, necessary. This paper discusses the numerical modelling of soil–atmosphere interaction and presents the analysis of a slope cut in London clay in a highly vegetated area. The whole life cycle of the slope is considered with phases of low and high water demand vegetation and vegetation clearance. The analysis results indicate that dense vegetation is associated with high factors of safety, but may induce large differential displacements, which are likely to affect the serviceability of the slope. Vegetation clearance, however, may initiate instability, highlighting the need for effective vegetation management to achieve a balance between serviceability and ultimate limit states. Although the case considered is representative of southeast England, it introduces the necessary tools for realistic numerical analysis of soil–atmosphere interaction.
Application of biomarkers to petroleum migration in the Linyi fault area, Huimin Depression, Bohai Bay Basin, China
Authors: Pei Lixin , Gang Wenzhe , Wang Daming , Xiong Min
Published: October 2016

A geochemical investigation was carried out on 32 crude oil samples to investigate the origin of the oil and to trace the migration direction in the Linyi fault area, Huimin Depression, Bohai Bay Basin, China. The oils, which were characterized by low gammacerane content and a dominance of C27 over C29 regular steranes, originated from the source rock of the third member of the Shahejie Formation (Es3) in the Linnan Sag. A sequential charge of low- and high-maturity oils from the Es3 source rocks resulted in a decrease in oil maturity in the migration direction. The petroleum migration direction in the footwall of the Linyi fault was northward, away from the fault, and the migration direction at the southwest end (in the hanging wall) of the Linyi fault was westward, along the fault, as evidenced by lateral gradients of biomarker parameters of various maturity, density, and viscosity.
Mantle influence of syn- to late-Grenvillian alkaline magmatism in the Grenville Province: causes and implications
Authors: Augland Lars Eivind , Moukhsil Abdelali , Solgadi Fabien
Published: October 2016

Several features of Geon 10 magmatic evolution in the Grenville Orogenic Belt is difficult to reconcile with generally accepted models of protracted (ca. 100 Myr) continent–continent collision during the Grenville Orogeny. Particularly the presence of (partly) mantle-derived magmatic rocks, some with subduction signatures, intruded during the inferred climax of the orogeny, is not well accounted for in existing models. We present new geochemical, Lu–Hf isotopic and U–Pb geochronological data from three alkaline composite plutons in Quebec, Canada, that give important clues to the tectono-magmatic evolution from ca. 1040 to 1000 Ma of the Grenville Laurentian margin. The oldest pluton, emplaced at ca. 1038 Ma, has a geochemical composition compatible with derivation in an arc setting by partial melting of subcontinental lithospheric mantle. The two youngest plutons, emplaced at ca. 1014 and 1009 Ma, respectively, have typical within-plate geochemical signatures showing no obvious influence of subduction. The new and existing data indicate that much of the Grenville Laurentian margin experienced ensialic magmatism through large parts of Geon 10, an observation calling for alternative models to the existing to explain the Geon 10 evolution of the Grenville Orogenic Belt. We propose a model where Ottawan metamorphism and magmatism resulted from accretion of terranes and continued subduction beneath Laurentia until late Geon 10. Late Geon 10 magmatism could have been related to slab breakoff prior to or at the onset of a late Geon 10 collisional event, which has also been recently proposed based on paleomagnetic arguments.
Arctosaurus osborni, a Late Triassic archosauromorph reptile from the Canadian Arctic Archipelago
Authors: Sues Hans-Dieter
Published: October 2016

Arctosaurus osborni is known only from an incomplete cervical vertebra from the Upper Triassic Heiberg Formation of Cameron Island, Nunavut, Canada. Re-examination of the unique specimen indicates that it represents an archosauromorph reptile, possibly from the clade Allokotosauria. To date, Arctosaurus osborni represents the sole record of Late Triassic continental tetrapods from Nunavut and the northernmost record of such animals anywhere in the world.
Porphyrins with directly meso-attached disaccharide moieties: Synthesis, self-assembly and cellular study
Authors: Malachowska Magdalena , Sperduto Claudio , Darmostuk Mariia , Monti Donato , Venanzi Mariano , Mancini Giovana , D'Acunto Cosimo Walter , Králová Jarmila , Ruml Tomáš , Wimmer Zdenĕk , Drašar Pavel B.
Published: October 2016

A series of porphyrins with directly meso-attached “sucrose” moiety by the carbon C-6′ of its “fructose” end was synthesized, and their physico-chemical and aggregation properties studied by spectroscopic (fluorescence, circular dichroism, resonance light scattering) techniques. The effect of selected porphyrins on tumor cells was also evaluated.
Effect of NO2 substitution and solvent on UV-visible spectra, redox potentials and electron transfer mechanisms of copper β-nitrotriarylcorroles. Proposed electrogeneration of a Cu(I) oxidation state
Authors: Ye Lina , Ou Zhongping , Fang Yuanyuan , Song Yang , Li Bihong , Liu Rui , Kadish Karl M.
Published: October 2016

Three copper triarylcorroles containing a [Formula: see text]-pyrrole nitro substituent were synthesized and characterized as to their spectral and electrochemical properties in nonaqueous media. The examined compounds are represented as [Formula: see text]-NO2(YPh)3CorCu, where Cor is the trianion of a triphenylcorrole and Y is a Cl, H or CH3 substituent at the para-position of the three meso-phenyl rings of the compound. The data from absorption spectra, electrochemistry and thin-layer spectroelectrochemistry are consistent with an initial assignment of Cu[Formula: see text]-Cor[Formula: see text] in CH2Cl2, DMF and pyridine and electrogeneration of a formal Cu(II) corrole with an unreduced macrocycle, represented as Cu[Formula: see text]-Cor[Formula: see text], after the first one-electron reduction in these solvents. The doubly reduced [Formula: see text]-nitrocorrole has a sharp Soret band at 439 nm and a well-defined Q-band at 611 nm in CH2Cl2. Similar absorption spectra are seen for the three examined doubly reduced nitrocorroles in DMF and pyridine, suggesting formation of a Cu(I) species with an unreduced macrocycle which is represented as Cu[Formula: see text]-Cor[Formula: see text]. Changes in redox potentials and absorption spectra of the nitrocorroles are examined as a function of solvent and substituents on the meso-phenyl rings of the compounds and comparisons are made between spectral and electrochemical data of the newly synthesized corroles and that of structurally related tetraarylcorroles lacking a [Formula: see text]-nitro group.
Synthesis and characterization of a β-fused tetraporphyrin-phthalocyanine star-shaped array
Authors: Mandoj Federica , Pomarico Giuseppe , Fronczek Frank R. , Smith Kevin M. , Paolesse Roberto
Published: October 2016

A star-shaped array, consisting in four tetraphenylporphyrin fused to a phthalocyanine central unit by pyrazine groups, is constructed via the condensation reaction of a dicyanoquinoxaline annulated to a porphyrin ring. The nature of the annulated group is critical for the success of the reaction; in the case of smaller linkers, such as a dicyanopyrazine unit, a nucleophilic substitution occurred, giving the corresponding alcoxy derivative in alcoholic solvents. The visible spectrum of the array shows the typical absorptions of the macrocyclic sub units. The synthetic pathway here presented opens the way to the preparation of [Formula: see text]-fused porphyrin-phthalocyanine arrays.
The Role ofAnethum graveolensL. (Dill) in the Management of Diabetes
Authors: Goodarzi Mohammad Taghi , Khodadadi Iraj , Tavilani Heidar , Abbasi Oshaghi Ebrahim
Published: October 2016

Aim. There is evidence thatAnethum graveolens(AG) has been used for centuries in Asian traditional medicine, and its constituents have useful effects on the control and management of diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. AG has many useful effects, including hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects, and it has been reported to reduce the incidence of diabetic complications. It acts mainly by affecting antioxidant capacity and change in some genes in glucose and lipid pathways. The aim of the present paper was to summarize pharmacological effects of AG in the management of diabetes.Methods. To prepare this review, a pharmacological and phytochemical literature survey was performed using Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science. Also, some historical and ethnopharmacological literature sources were used.Results. This review plans to provide readers with an assessment of the pharmacological effects of AG, especially in diabetes.Conclusion. The paper highlights the therapeutic effects of AG which would aid in supporting their safe use in the management of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
A Novel Hysteresis Model of Magnetic Field Strength Determined by Magnetic Induction Intensity for Fe-3% Si Electrical Steel Applied in Cigarette Making Machines
Authors: Wang Hao , Zhan Jianbo , Yu Zhenhua , Zhang Ying , Yu Jiang , Gui Yongfa , Yu Tingting , Xie Jiao , Zhang Hongkui , Ji Yafeng , Zan Na , Fu Rongrong , Perin Deniz
Published: October 2016

Hysteresis characteristics of grain-oriented electrical steel were studied through the hysteresis loop. Existing hysteresis fitting simulation methods were summarized, and new Fe-3% Si grain-oriented electrical steel hysteresis loop model was proposed. Undetermined coefficients of the magnetic field intensity and magnetic flux density were determined by both the fixed angle method and the least squares method, and the hysteresis loop model was validated with high fitting degree by experimental data.
Minimizing Investment Risk of Integrated Rail and Transit-Oriented-Development Projects over Years in a Linear Monocentric City
Authors: Liu Ding , Jiang Xi , Meng Lingyun , Ge Ying-En (Ethan)
Published: October 2016

Rail and transit-oriented-development (TOD) projects are simultaneously optimized in this paper, with special consideration given to yearly variation and spatial and temporal correlation of population densities. In the proposed model, the objective is to minimize the investment risk of integrated rail and TOD projects with a given required expected return on investment. The investment risk is optimized based on closed-form solutions of the design variables, including rail line length, the number of TOD projects, and the number of housing units in each TOD project. The closed-form solutions are given explicitly under the assumption of social welfare maximization. It is found that underestimation exists for rail and TOD projects without consideration of the correlation of spatial and temporal population densities. TOD projects can greatly improve the return on investment of the rail operator. A numerical example is also presented.
Fungicides and Application Timing for Control of Early Leafspot, Southern Blight, andSclerotiniaBlight of Peanut
Authors: Grichar W. James , Woodward Jason E.
Published: October 2016

Field studies were conducted in 2013 and 2014 in south Texas near Yoakum and from 2008 to 2011 in central Texas near Stephenville to evaluate various fungicides for foliar and soilborne disease control as well as peanut yield response under irrigation. Control ofSclerotiniablight caused bySclerotinia minorJagger with penthiopyrad at 1.78 L/ha was comparable to fluazinam or boscalid; however, the 1.2 L/ha dose of penthiopyrad did not provide consistent control. Peanut yield was reduced with the lower penthiopyrad dose when compared with boscalid, fluazinam, or the high dose of penthiopyrad. Control of early leaf spot, caused byCercospora arachidicolaS. Hori or southern blight, caused bySclerotium rolfsiiSacc., with penthiopyrad in a systems approach was comparable with propiconazole, prothioconazole, or pyraclostrobin systems and resulted in disease control that was higher than the nontreated control. Peanut yield was also comparable with the penthiopyrad, propiconazole, prothioconazole, or pyraclostrobin systems and reflects the ability of the newer fungicides to control multiple diseases found in Texas peanut production.
Members of the Cyr61/CTGF/NOV Protein Family: Emerging Players in Hepatic Progenitor Cell Activation and Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Wu Qunfeng , Jorgensen Marda , Song Joanna , Zhou Junmei , Liu Chen , Pi Liya
Published: October 2016

Hepatic stem/progenitor cells (HPC) reside quiescently in normal biliary trees and are activated in the form of ductular reactions during severe liver damage when the replicative ability of hepatocytes is inhibited. HPC niches are full of profibrotic stimuli favoring scarring and hepatocarcinogenesis. The Cyr61/CTGF/NOV (CCN) protein family consists of six members, CCN1/CYR61, CCN2/CTGF, CCN3/NOV, CCN4/WISP1, CCN5/WISP2, and CCN6/WISP3, which function as extracellular signaling modulators to mediate cell-matrix interaction during angiogenesis, wound healing, fibrosis, and tumorigenesis. This study investigated expression patterns of CCN proteins in HPC and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Mouse HPC were induced by the biliary toxin 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC). Differential expression patterns of CCN proteins were found in HPC from DDC damaged mice and in human CCA tumors. In addition, we utilized reporter mice that carried Ccn2/Ctgf promoter driven GFP and detected strong Ccn2/Ctgf expression in epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM)+ HPC under normal conditions and in DDC-induced liver damage. Abundant CCN2/CTGF protein was also found in cytokeratin 19 (CK19)+ human HPC that were surrounded by α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)+ myofibroblast cells in intrahepatic CCA tumors. These results suggest that CCN proteins, particularly CCN2/CTGF, function in HPC activation and CCA development.
Nonsolvable Subalgebras of gl(4,R)
Authors: Ghanam Ryad , Thompson Gerard
Published: October 2016

All the simple and then semisimple subalgebras of gl(4,R) are found. Each such semisimple subalgebra acts by commutator on gl(4,R). In each case the invariant subspaces are found and the results are used to determine all possible subalgebras of gl(4,R) that are not solvable.
The Usefulness of T1-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Images for Diagnosis of Acute Leukemia Manifesting Musculoskeletal Symptoms prior to Appearance of Peripheral Blood Abnormalities
Authors: Yoshikawa Toshihide , Tanizawa Akihiko , Suzuki Koji , Tanaka Nanae , Hayashi Taihei , Tsuda Masayo , Ohta Genrei , Kikuchi Naoko , Okamoto Hiroyuki , Sakai Takehiko , Taniguchi Yoshihiro , Ohshima Yusei
Published: October 2016

The patients with acute leukemia occasionally present with musculoskeletal symptoms initially, including bone pain, joint pain, muscular pain, and functional impairment. Without abnormal findings of peripheral blood cell counts or smear, the correct diagnosis tends to be delayed. Magnetic resonance imaging is often performed to examine musculoskeletal abnormalities; it can simultaneously reveal the bone marrow composition with high anatomical resolution and excellent soft tissue contrast. We present 4 pediatric patients who were initially diagnosed with acute pyogenic osteomyelitis or arthritis, based on the elevated white blood cell counts and/or C-reactive protein in addition to the localized high signal intensity on T2-weighted magnetic resonance images. Finally, they were diagnosed with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia by bone marrow examination. The period between the onset of musculoskeletal symptoms and the diagnosis of leukemia ranged from 20 days to 6 months. In all cases, the T1-weighted magnetic resonance images taken prior to detection of peripheral blood abnormality revealed diffuse low signal intensity of the bone marrow in regions adjacent or contralateral to localized musculoskeletal symptoms. These findings should raise the suspicion of leukemia even without abnormalities in peripheral blood.
A Case of Stercoral Perforation Detected on CT Requiring Proctocolectomy in a Heroin-Dependent Patient
Authors: Seligman William H. , Alam Fahreyar , Planner Andy , Alexander Roderick J.
Published: October 2016

Stercoral perforation of the colon is rare but carries with it significant morbidity and mortality. Stercoral perforation usually occurs in elderly, immobile patients with chronic constipation. In this manuscript, we report the case of stercoral perforation in a patient due to chronic heroin dependence. We report the case of a 56-year-old male patient with stercoral perforation, diagnosed by computed tomography, secondary to heroin dependence, requiring proctocolectomy and an end ileostomy. There are very few reports in the literature describing cases of stercoral perforation and questions have been asked about the importance of preoperative cross-sectional imaging. In our case, the diagnosis of stercoral perforation was made only on CT. Although this is not the first such case to be reported, it is significant as preoperative CT imaging was influential not only in determining the aetiology of the abdominal distension seen on the plain film, but also in detecting the pneumoperitoneum which was not evident clinically or on plain radiographs.
Endothelial Dysfunction of Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease Measured by Peripheral Arterial Tonometry
Authors: Igari Kimihiro , Kudo Toshifumi , Toyofuku Takahiro , Inoue Yoshinori
Published: October 2016

Objective. Endothelial dysfunction plays a key role in atherosclerotic disease. Several methods have been reported to be useful for evaluating the endothelial dysfunction, and we investigated the endothelial dysfunction in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) using peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) test in this study. Furthermore, we examined the factors significantly correlated with PAT test.Methods. We performed PAT tests in 67 patients with PAD. In addition, we recorded the patients’ demographics, including comorbidities, and hemodynamical status, such as ankle brachial pressure index (ABI).Results. In a univariate analysis, the ABI value (r=0.271,P=0.029) and a history of cerebrovascular disease (r=0.208,P=0.143) were found to significantly correlate with PAT test, which calculated the reactive hyperemia index (RHI). In a multivariate analysis, only the ABI value significantly and independently correlated with RHI (β=0.254,P=0.041).Conclusion. This study showed a significant correlation between RHI and ABI. The PAT test is a useful tool for evaluating not only endothelial dysfunction but also the hemodynamical state in patients with PAD.
Proteasome Activators, PA28αand PA28β, Govern Development of Microvascular Injury in Diabetic Nephropathy and Retinopathy
Authors: Yadranji Aghdam Saeed , Mahmoudpour Ali
Published: October 2016

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) are major complications of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. DN and DR are mainly caused by injury to the perivascular supporting cells, the mesangial cells within the glomerulus, and the pericytes in the retina. The genes and molecular mechanisms predisposing retinal and glomerular pericytes to diabetic injury are poorly characterized. In this study, the genetic deletion of proteasome activator genes, PA28αand PA28βgenes, protected the diabetic mice in the experimental STZ-induced diabetes model against renal injury and retinal microvascular injury and prolonged their survival compared with wild type STZ diabetic mice. The improved wellbeing and reduced renal damage was associated with diminished expression of Osteopontin (OPN) and Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1) in the glomeruli of STZ-injected PA28α/PA28βdouble knockout (Pa28αβDKO) mice and also in cultured mesangial cells and retinal pericytes isolated from Pa28αβDKO mice that were grown in high glucose. The mesangial PA28-mediated expression of OPN under high glucose conditions was suppressed by peptides capable of inhibiting the binding of PA28 to the 20S proteasome. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that diabetic hyperglycemia promotes PA28-mediated alteration of proteasome activity in vulnerable perivascular cells resulting in microvascular injury and development of DN and DR.
Therapeutic Potential of Stem Cells Strategy for Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Lee Chang Youn , Kim Ran , Ham Onju , Lee Jihyun , Kim Pilseog , Lee Seokyeon , Oh Sekyung , Lee Hojin , Lee Minyoung , Kim Jongmin , Chang Woochul
Published: October 2016

Despite development of medicine, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are still the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Over the past 10 years, various stem cells have been utilized in therapeutic strategies for the treatment of CVDs. CVDs are characterized by a broad range of pathological reactions including inflammation, necrosis, hyperplasia, and hypertrophy. However, the causes of CVDs are still unclear. While there is a limit to the currently available target‐dependent treatments, the therapeutic potential of stem cells is very attractive for the treatment of CVDs because of their paracrine effects, anti‐inflammatory activity, and immunomodulatory capacity. Various studies have recently reported increased therapeutic potential of transplantation of microRNA‐ (miRNA‐) overexpressing stem cells or small‐molecule‐treated cells. In addition to treatment with drugs or overexpressed miRNA in stem cells, stem cell‐derived extracellular vesicles also have therapeutic potential because they can deliver the stem cell‐specific RNA and protein into the host cell, thereby improving cell viability. Here, we reported the state of stem cell‐based therapy for the treatment of CVDs and the potential for cell‐free based therapy.
A Pregnancy with Severe Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy after Surgery for an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Mitsui Takashi , Masuyama Hisashi , Ejiri Kentaro , Hayata Kei , Ito Hiroshi , Hiramatsu Yuji
Published: October 2016

Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) is cardiac hypertrophy of ventricular myocardium with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. We report a pregnancy with HOCM after defibrillator implantation surgery. The patient was a 33-year-old nulligravida and was categorized as New York Heart Association class II. Her brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level was 724.6 pg/dL at preconception. She received careful pregnancy management. However, because frequent uterine contractions were observed at 25 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy, she was hospitalized, and magnesium sulfate was started as a tocolytic agent. At 27 weeks and 5 days of pregnancy, she had respiratory discomfort and orthopnea with a sudden decrease in peripheral oxygen saturation. Cardiac ultrasonography showed a worsened condition of HOCM and her BNP level was 1418.0 pg/mL. We performed an emergent cesarean section and she delivered a boy weighing 999 g. The Apgar score was 8 and 9 points at 1 and 5 minutes, respectively. The mother’s heart failure quickly improved after birth and she was discharged at 10 days postoperatively. Fluctuations in circulatory dynamics during pregnancy may sometimes exacerbate heart disease. Therefore, the risks should be fully explained and careful assessment of cardiac function should be performed during pregnancy in patients with severe HOCM.
FBS or BSA Inhibits EGCG Induced Cell Death through Covalent Binding and the Reduction of Intracellular ROS Production
Authors: Zhang Yin , Xu Yu-Ying , Sun Wen-Jie , Zhang Mo-Han , Zheng Yi-Fan , Shen Han-Ming , Yang Jun , Zhu Xin-Qiang
Published: October 2016

Previously we have shown that (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) can induce nonapoptotic cell death in human hepatoma HepG2cells only under serum-free condition. However, the underlying mechanism for serum in determining the cell fate remains to be answered. The effects of fetal bovine serum (FBS) and its major component bovine serum albumin (BSA) on EGCG-induced cell death were investigated in this study. It was found that BSA, just like FBS, can protect cells from EGCG-induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner. Detailed analysis revealed that both FBS and BSA inhibited generation of ROS to protect against toxicity of EGCG. Furthermore, EGCG was shown to bind to certain cellular proteins including caspase-3, PARP, andα-tubulin, but not LC3 norβ-actin, which formed EGCG-protein complexes that were inseparable by SDS-gel. On the other hand, addition of FBS or BSA to culture medium can block the binding of EGCG to these proteins.In silicodocking analysis results suggested that BSA had a stronger affinity to EGCG than the other proteins. Taken together, these data indicated that the protective effect of FBS and BSA against EGCG-induced cell death could be due to (1) the decreased generation of ROS and (2) the competitive binding of BSA to EGCG.
Synergistic Effects of Danshen (Salvia Miltiorrhiza Radix et Rhizoma) and Sanqi (Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma) Combination in Inhibiting Inflammation Mediators in RAW264.7 Cells
Authors: Zhou Xian , Razmovski-Naumovski Valentina , Chang Dennis , Li Chunguang , Kam Antony , Low Mitchell , Bensoussan Alan , Chan Kelvin
Published: October 2016

Aims. This study aims to investigate the possible synergistic interactions of the Danshen-Sanqi combination on vascular disease via their anti-inflammatory activities.Methods. Nine combination ratios of Danshen-Sanqi extracts were screened in the RAW264.7 cell line and their anti-inflammatory effects were examined in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) generation pathways. The interaction between Danshen and Sanqi on each target was analysed using combination index (CI) and isobologram models. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory activities of key bioactive compounds from Danshen and Sanqi were tested using the same models. The compounds from each herb that exerted the most potent activity were combined to evaluate their possible synergistic/antagonistic interactions.Results. Danshen-Sanqi 8 : 2 was found to be the optimal ratio and exerted a synergistic effect in inhibiting NO, TNF, and MCP-1 when the concentrations were higher than 1.24, 1.89, and 2.17 mg/mL, respectively. Although dihydrotanshinone I (DT) and ginsenoside Rd (Rd) from Danshen and Sanqi, respectively, exhibited the greatest individual bioactivity in the assays, antagonistic effects were observed for the DT-Rd combination 7 : 3.Conclusion. This study provided scientific evidence to support the traditional use of the Danshen-Sanqi combination for vascular disease through their synergistic interactions on anti-inflammatory pathways.
How Colposcopy Misses Invasive Cervical Cancer: A Case Report from the IMPROVE-COLPO Study
Authors: Livingston Jeff , Papagiannakis Emmanouil
Published: October 2016

Colposcopy with biopsy is pivotal to cervical cancer prevention programs as it is called to identify the precancerous lesions on patients that screen positive. We present a cervical cancer case from IMPROVE-COLPO, a postmarketing, multicenter, two-arm observational study on US community colposcopy that collects outcomes with the adjunctive Dynamic Spectral Imaging (DSI) in its prospective arm. A 45-year-old woman was seen for suffering of heavy periods. She had cytology of Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance (ASC-US) and was Human Papillomavirus (HPV) positive. Her colposcopy did not recognize the underlying condition and opted for no biopsy. The DSI assessment led to a biopsy of a lesion challenging traditional colposcopic templates: small, away from the cervical os, with slow acetowhitening development. Pathology review revealed the presence of invasive squamous carcinoma. In the era of sensitive screening, it is concerning that invasive cancers can challenge colposcopy and that the way to improve colposcopy is to collect multiple biopsies from each patient. The case presented indicates that the adjunctive objective assessment by DSI increases reassurance that observations outside of traditional standard visual templates are not underestimated or ignored.
Optimal Scheduling of Doctors Outpatient Departments Based on Patients’ Behavior
Authors: Ren Zongwei , Guo Haini , Bai Shizhen , Li Peng
Published: October 2016

The low operational efficiency in the field of medical and health care has become a serious problem in China; the long time that the patients have to wait for is the main phenomenon of difficult medical service. Medical industry is service-oriented and its main purpose is to make profits, so the benefits and competitiveness of a hospital depend on patient satisfaction. This paper makes a survey on a large hospital in Harbin of China and collects relevant data and then uses the prospect theory to analyze patients’ and doctors’ behavioral characteristics and the model of patient satisfaction is established based on fuzzy theory with a tripletα/β/γ. The optimal scheduling of clinic is described as a problem with the rule of first come, first served which maximizes patient satisfaction for the main goal and minimizes operating costs for the secondary goal. And the corresponding mathematical model is established. Finally, a solution method named plant growth simulation algorithm (PGSA) is presented. Then, by means of calculating of the example and comparing with genetic algorithm, the results show that the optimum can be reached; meanwhile the efficiency of the presented algorithm is better than the genetic algorithm.
Fast Program Codes Dissemination for Smart Wireless Software Defined Networks
Authors: Liu Xiao , Wei Tianyi , Liu Anfeng
Published: October 2016

In smart wireless software defined networks (WSDNs), sensor nodes are deployed in the monitored area to sense data. In order to increase the flexibility of WSDNs configuration, sensor nodes use programmable technology. Thus, programming and software engineering that integrate Internet of Things (IoT) lead to a smart world. Due to the large capacity of program codes and the limited energy of wireless network, only a subset of nodes is selected to spread program codes, and the remaining nodes are in sleep status to save energy. In this paper, a fast program codes dissemination (FPCD) scheme for smart wireless software defined networking is proposed; many nodes in the area far from the sink will be selected to spread program codes; those areas have much energy left, while the area near the sink chooses less number of active nodes to spread program codes to save energy. Thus, FPCD scheme can reduce delay for spreading program codes while retaining network lifetime. The theoretical analysis and experimental results show that our approach can reduce transmission delay by 10.76%–105.791% while retaining network lifetime compares with previous broadcast schemes.
Linguistic Factors Influencing Speech Audiometric Assessment
Authors: Coene Martine , Krijger Stefanie , Meeuws Matthias , De Ceulaer Geert , Govaerts Paul J.
Published: October 2016

In speech audiometric testing, hearing performance is typically measured by calculating the number of correct repetitions of a speech stimulus. We investigate to what extent the repetition accuracy of Dutch speech stimuli presented against a background noise is influenced by nonauditory processes. We show that variation in verbal repetition accuracy is partially explained by morpholexical and syntactic features of the target language. Verbs, prepositions, conjunctions, determiners, and pronouns yield significantly lower correct repetitions than nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. The reduced repetition performance for verbs and function words is probably best explained by the similarities in the perceptual nature of verbal morphology and function words in Dutch. For sentences, an overall negative effect of syntactic complexity on speech repetition accuracy was found. The lowest number of correct repetitions was obtained with passive sentences, reflecting the cognitive cost of processing a noncanonical sentence structure. Taken together, these findings may have important implications for the audiological practice. In combination with hearing loss, linguistic complexity may increase the cognitive demands to process sentences in noise, leading to suboptimal functional hearing in day-to-day listening situations. Using test sentences with varying degrees of syntactic complexity may therefore provide useful information to measure functional hearing benefits.
Genetic Polymorphism of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Risk: An Updated Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kang Sang Wook , Kim Su Kang , Chung Joo-Ho , Jung Hee-Jae , Kim Kwan-Il , Kim Jinju , Ban Ju Yeon
Published: October 2016

The relationship between polymorphism of the angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) gene and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been examined in many previous studies. However, their results were controversial. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between theACEgene and the risk of COPD. Fourteen case-control studies were included in this meta-analysis. The pooledpvalue, odds ratio (OR), and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were used to investigate the strength of the association. The meta-analysis was performed using comprehensive meta-analysis software. Our meta-analysis results revealed that ACE polymorphisms were not related to the risk of COPD (p>0.05in each model). In further analyses based on ethnicity, we observed an association between insertion/deletion polymorphism of theACEgene and risk of COPD in the Asian population (codominant 2, OR = 3.126, 95% CI = 1.919–5.093,p<0.001; recessive, OR = 3.326, 95% CI = 2.190–5.050,p<0.001) but not in the Caucasian population (p>0.05in each model). In conclusion, the present meta-analysis indicated that the insertion/deletion polymorphism of theACEgene may be associated with susceptibility to COPD in the Asian population but not in the Caucasian population. However, the results of the present meta-analysis need to be confirmed in a larger sample.
Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Spatial Memory and Synaptic Plasticity Impairment Is Preventable by Captopril
Authors: Abareshi Azam , Anaeigoudari Akbar , Norouzi Fatemeh , Shafei Mohammad Naser , Boskabady Mohammad Hossein , Khazaei Majid , Hosseini Mahmoud
Published: October 2016

Introduction.Renin-angiotensin system has a role in inflammation and also is involved in many brain functions such as learning, memory, and emotion. Neuroimmune factors have been proposed as the contributors to the pathogenesis of memory impairments. In the present study, the effect of captopril on spatial memory and synaptic plasticity impairments induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was investigated.Methods.The rats were divided and treated into control (saline), LPS (1 mg/kg), LPS-captopril (LPS-Capto; 50 mg/kg captopril before LPS), and captopril groups (50 mg/kg) before saline. Morris water maze was done. Long-term potentiation (LTP) from CA1 area of hippocampus was assessed by 100 Hz stimulation in the ipsilateral Schaffer collateral pathway.Results.In the LPS group, the spent time and traveled path to reach the platform were longer than those in the control, while, in the LPS-Capto group, they were shorter than those in the LPS group. Moreover, the slope and amplitude of field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) decreased in the LPS group, as compared to the control group, whereas, in the LPS-Capto group, they increased compared to the LPS group.Conclusion.The results of the present study showed that captopril improved the LPS-induced memory and LTP impairments induced by LPS in rats. Further investigations are required in order to better understand the exact responsible mechanism(s).