bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pulse oximetry values of neonates admitted for care and receiving routine oxygen therapy at a resource‐limited hospital in Kenya
Authors: Morgan Melissa C , Maina Beth , Waiyego Mary , Mutinda Catherine , Aluvaala Jalemba , Maina Michuki , English Mike
Published: October 2017

Aim

There are 2.7 million neonatal deaths annually, 75% of which occur in sub‐Saharan Africa and South Asia. Effective treatment of hypoxaemia through tailored oxygen therapy could reduce neonatal mortality and prevent oxygen toxicity.

Methods

We undertook a two‐part prospective study of neonates admitted to a neonatal unit in Nairobi, Kenya, between January and December 2015. We determined the prevalence of hypoxaemia and explored associations of clinical risk factors and signs of respiratory distress with hypoxaemia and mortality. After staff training on oxygen saturation (SpO2) target ranges, we enrolled a consecutive sample of neonates admitted for oxygen and measured SpO2 at 0, 6, 12, 18 and 24 h post‐admission. We estimated the proportion of neonates outside the target range (≥34 weeks: ≥92%; <34 weeks: 89–93%) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

A total of 477 neonates were enrolled. Prevalence of hypoxaemia was 29.2%. Retractions (odds ratio (OR) 2.83, 95% CI 1.47–5.47), nasal flaring (OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.51–4.75), and grunting (OR 2.47, 95% CI 1.27–4.80) were significantly associated with hypoxaemia. Nasal flaring (OR 2.85, 95% CI 1.25–6.54), and hypoxaemia (OR 3.06, 95% CI 1.54–6.07) were significantly associated with mortality; 64% of neonates receiving oxygen were out of range at ≥2 time points and 43% at ≥3 time points.

Conclusion

There is a high prevalence of hypoxaemia at admission and a strong association between hypoxaemia and mortality in this Kenyan neonatal unit. Many neonates had out of range SpO2 values while receiving oxygen. Further research is needed to test strategies aimed at improving the accuracy of oxygen provision in low‐resource settings.
Readiness for transition from pediatric to adult care for adolescents with chronic heart disease
Authors: Ekim Ayfer , Kolay Melek , Ocakci Ayse Ferda
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine transition readiness of adolescents with chronic heart disease to adult care.

Methods

The sample of the study comprised 113 adolescents between the ages 12 and 18 years with chronic heart disease. Transition readiness was assessed by the Transition‐Q self‐administered tool.

Results

The Transition‐Q mean score was 63.0 (range = 31–92). The self‐management skills of the adolescents increased significantly in direct proportion to their ages. Most of the adolescents had a lack of confidence about medication management and communicating with healthcare providers. No significant difference was detected between boys and girls in terms of total and individual items’ scores.

Practice Implications

Transition readiness should be assessed to understand transitional requirements of adolescents with chronic heart disease and to plan appropriate nursing interventions accordingly.
Alpha‐enolase regulates hepatitis B virus replication through suppression of the interferon signalling pathway
Authors: Xiang‐Chun D. , Xiao‐qing Y. , Ting‐Ting Y. , Zhen‐Hui L. , Xiao‐Yan L. , Xia L. , Yan‐Chao H. , Yi‐Xuan Y. , Li‐Na M.
Published: October 2017

Persistent chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major risk factor for the development of HBV‐related diseases. The molecular mechanisms that underlie HBV infection and associated carcinogenesis are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to explore the role of ENO1 in HBV replication processes. Here, we examined ENO1 expression levels in HBV‐infected and non‐HBV‐infected liver tissues and cells by Western blot analysis, real‐time PCR and immunohistochemistry. In addition, HBsAg and HBeAg in the media of transfected HepG2.2.15 cells were detected using an electrochemical luminescence analyser within 48 hours after ENO1‐specific siRNA transfection. The expression levels of HBV DNA, type I interferon and 5 downstream IFN‐stimulated genes in HepG2.2.15 cells were examined using real‐time PCR. We found ENO1 expression was upregulated in the HBV‐infected liver tissues and cells. Silencing of ENO1 resulted in a significant reduction in HBV replication, and this siRNA‐mediated reaction also caused the upregulation of expression of type I interferon and downstream IFN‐stimulated genes. Therefore, we come to the conclusion ENO1 is involved in HBV replication. It is therefore likely that HBV replication is enhanced following suppression of the IFN signalling pathway. However, the mechanisms that underpin ENO1‐mediated modulation of the IFN signalling pathway remain to be elucidated.
Interpretation of liver stiffness measurement‐based approach for the monitoring of hepatitis B patients with antiviral therapy: A 2‐year prospective study
Authors: Liang X. , Xie Q. , Tan D. , Ning Q. , Niu J. , Bai X. , Chen S. , Cheng J. , Yu Y. , Wang H. , Xu M. , Shi G. , Wan M. , Chen X. , Tang H. , Sheng J. , Dou X. , Shi J. , Ren H. , Wang M. , Zhang H. , Gao Z. , Chen C. , Ma H. , Chen Y. , Fan R. , Sun J. , Jia J. , Hou J.
Published: October 2017

Liver biopsy is not routinely performed in treated chronic hepatitis B. Liver stiffness measurement has been validated for noninvasive liver fibrosis assessment in pretreatment chronic hepatitis B but has not been assessed for fibrosis monitoring during antiviral therapy. Liver stiffness was systemically monitored by Fibroscan® every 6 months in a cohort of patients with hepatitis B receiving antiviral therapy and compared with liver biopsies at baseline and week 104. A total of 534 hepatitis B e antigen‐positive treatment‐naive patients receiving telbivudine‐based therapy with qualified liver stiffness measurement at baseline and week 104 were analyzed, 164 of which had adequate paired liver biopsies. Liver stiffness decreased rapidly (−2.2 kPa/24 weeks) in parallel with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) from 8.6 (2.6‐49.5) kPa at baseline to 6.1 (2.2‐37.4) kPa at week 24. Interestingly, liver stiffness decreased slowly (−0.3 kPa/24 weeks) but continually from week 24 to week 104 (6.1 vs 5.3 kPa, P < .001) while ALT levels remained stable within the normal range. More importantly, liver stiffness declined significantly irrespective of baseline ALT levels and liver necroinflammation grades. From baseline to week 104, the proportion of patients with no or mild fibrosis (Ishak, 0‐2) increased from 74.4% (122/164) to 93.9% (154/164). Multivariate analysis revealed that percentage decline of 52‐week liver stiffness from baseline was independently associated with 104‐week liver fibrosis regression (odds ratio, 3.742; P = .016). Early decline of 52‐week liver stiffness from baseline may reflect the remission of both liver inflammation and fibrosis and was predictive of 104‐week fibrosis regression in treated patients with chronic hepatitis B.
Risk of diabetes in viral hepatitis B or C patients compared to that in noninfected individuals in Korea, 2002‐2013: A population‐based cohort study
Authors: Choi H. Y. , Kim Y. , Cho H. , Kim B. H. , Ki M.
Published: October 2017

While the association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and diabetes has been established, the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and diabetes remains unclear. Therefore, we compared the association between diabetes development in HBV, HCV and co‐infected (HBV/HCV) patients to that in noninfected participants using population‐based cohort data. We used the National Health Insurance Service‐National Sample Cohort, which consists of 514 791 randomly selected persons among those who underwent health check‐ups from 2002 to 2003 aged 40‐79 years. Adults found to have HBV or HCV infection from 2002 to 2003, without a prior history of diabetes, were selected as subjects. Competing risk regression models were used to estimate cumulative incidence and hazards ratios (HRs) of diabetes development. The cumulative incidences, incidence densities and HRs of diabetes were highest in the co‐infected group, followed by those in the HCV‐, HBV‐ and noninfected groups. The 12‐year cumulative incidences were as follows: 42.0% in HBV/HCV‐, 32.9% in HCV‐, 23.9% in HBV‐ and 18.3% in the noninfected groups. The incidence density per 1000 person‐years was 55.0, 51.5, 38.2 and 28.2 for the HBV/HCV‐, HCV‐, HBV‐ and noninfected groups, respectively. The adjusted HRs for diabetes were 1.90, 1.68 and 1.41 for the HBV/HCV‐, HCV‐ and HBV‐infected groups, respectively. Our findings suggest that both HCV and HBV infections are associated with the development of diabetes; therefore, prevention of, screening for, and treatment of both may reduce the risk of diabetes in these patients.
Role of Functional IFNL4,IFNLR1,IFNA, IFNAR2 Polymorphisms in Hepatitis B virus‐related liver disease in Han Chinese population
Authors: Ma N. , Zhang X. , Yang L. , Zhou J. , Liu W. , Gao X. , Yu F. , Zheng W. , Ding S. , Gao P. , Yuan M. , Liu D.
Published: October 2017

Recent studies show that variants in some interferon genes together with interferon receptor genes are associated with the outcome of infectious diseases. We examined the association between the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐related liver disease and the functional polymorphisms within IFNL4, IFNLR1, IFNA1, IFNA2, IFNA5 and IFNAR2 genes (14 loci in all) in a Han Chinese population. A total of 3128 people participated and were divided into 5 groups: healthy controls, natural clearance, chronic hepatitis B(CHB), liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Significant associations were observed for 4 variants in IFNAR2, IFNLR1 with HBV infection, and IFNLR1‐rs4649203 was associated with HBV recovery. Moreover, we demonstrated the clear relevance of 5 polymorphisms in IFNA1, IFNA2, IFNL4 with HCC. Three SNPs in IFNL4 gene may be important susceptible factors for the progression of HBV‐related liver disease by trend chi‐square test. The IFNL4 haplotype conformed by rs12971396_G, rs8113007_T and rs7248668A was more frequent in HCC than CHB and LC group. Three polymorphisms in the 5′ region of the IFNL4 gene are associated with the progression of HBV‐related liver disease. IFNA1‐ rs1831583 and IFNA2‐ rs649053 are associated with the development of HCC. IFNLR1‐ rs4649203, rs7525481 are predictors for HBV infection, and rs4649203 is a predictor of spontaneous clearance. IFNAR2 ‐rs1051393, rs12233338 may be predictive markers of HBV infection in the Chinese population.
Clinical Evaluation of Tavocept to Decrease Diuresis Time and Volume in Dogs with Bladder Cancer Receiving Cisplatin
Authors: Henry C.J. , Flesner B.K. , Bechtel S.A. , Bryan J.N. , Tate D.J. , Selting K.A. , Lattimer J.C. , Bryan M.E. , Grubb L. , Hausheer F.
Published: October 2017

Background

Transitional cell carcinoma is the most common bladder cancer of dogs. Cisplatin combined with piroxicam provides superior response rates, but unacceptable rates of nephrotoxicity. Tavocept is a chemoprotectant that has mitigated cisplatin toxicity and decreased the required infusion/diuresis volume in clinical trials in humans.

Hypothesis/Objectives

We hypothesized that Tavocept would decrease diuresis volume and time and facilitate safe administration of a cisplatin/piroxicam protocol to dogs with bladder cancer. Secondary objectives were to compare response rate and survival times to an historical comparator group treated without Tavocept.

Animals

Fourteen client‐owned dogs were prospectively enrolled.

Methods

Tumor volume was measured by computed tomography at days 0, 42, and 84. Dogs received combination Tavocept/cisplatin with a shortened diuresis protocol. A total of 4 doses was planned, with concurrent administration of piroxicam. Serial biochemical analyses were evaluated for azotemia.

Results

A 90‐minute infusion/diuresis time was used for all dogs. Three dogs (21%) had concurrent increases in serum creatinine (>2.0 mg/dL) and BUN (>42 mg/dL) concentrations; 2 of these dogs were isosthenuric. This frequency of nephrotoxicity is significantly less (P= 0.0406) than that of an historical control group treated without Tavocept. Overall response rate was 27%. Median survival time was comparable to historical controls (253 vs. 246 days).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Tavocept decreased the required diuresis time with cisplatin from > 6 hours to 90 minutes, while also decreasing occurrence of azotemia. Survival time was comparable, but the response rate was inferior to an historical comparator group. Further evaluation in other tumors susceptible to platinum agents is warranted.
Plumbagin‐mediating GLUT1 suppresses the growth of human tongue squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Na S , Zhang J , Zhou X , Tang A , Huang D , Xu Q , Xue D , Qiu J
Published: October 2017

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical and histopathological characteristics of GLUT1 in human tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) and the role of plumbagin (PLB)‐mediating GLUT1 in the growth of TSCC.

Subjects and methods

Forty‐five cases of TSCC samples were collected and the expression and location of GLUT1 was analyzed. The role and mechanism of PLB meditating GLUT1 in the inhibitory growth of human TSCC cell line CAL27 were investigated in vitro and vivo.

Results

The expression of GLUT1 was observed in all samples of human TSCC by immunohistochemical staining. GLUT1 expression was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis and clinical stage in TSCC. PLB treatment decreased cell viability and colony formation, and increased cell apoptosis in association with the downregulation of GLUT1 via inhibiting PI3K/Akt pathway in vitro and PLB suppressed tumor growth in correlation with downregulation of GLUT1, compared with control group in vivo.

Conclusions

The findings demonstrated a novel anti‐cancer mechanism of PLB, inhibitory TSCC growth via suppressing PI3K/Akt/GLUT1 pathway, which will supply a theoretical basis for PLB to treat TSCC.
Developing BrightHearts: A Pediatric Biofeedback‐Mediated Relaxation App to Manage Procedural Pain and Anxiety
Authors: Morrow Angela M. , Burton Karen L. O. , Watanabe Melissa M. , Cloyd Benjamin H. , Khut George P.
Published: October 2017

Objective

The objective of this study was to develop a child‐friendly biofeedback‐mediated relaxation device called BrightHearts.

Methods

Qualitative data were collected at a tertiary pediatric hospital to inform an iterative design process. Clinicians participated in expert group interviews to identify practical considerations that would facilitate the use of BrightHearts during procedures and provide feedback on prototype designs. Children 7 to 18 years of age participated in interactive exhibitions of the prototypes and were interviewed about their experiences using BrightHearts.

Results

Twenty‐four clinicians participated in 6 group interviews. Thirty‐nine children participated in interactive exhibitions, and 21 were interviewed. Clinicians placed high value on the following factors in the management of procedural pain: providing children with an element of control, the use of relaxation techniques, and the use of portable electronic devices such as iPads. They highlighted the need for BrightHearts to be cost effective, portable, and capable of engaging children's interest. They confirmed the utility of developing a biofeedback‐assisted relaxation device for children. Based on the factors identified by clinicians, BrightHearts was developed as an iPad application (app) paired with a wireless heart rate monitor. The BrightHearts heart rate biofeedback app displays digital geometric artwork that responds to changes in heart rate. Children 7 to 17 years of age understood the concept of biofeedback and operated the app by slowing their heart rates.

Conclusion

The BrightHearts app can be used to teach children biofeedback‐assisted relaxation. Ongoing studies are evaluating its efficacy for the management of procedural pain in children.
Insidious: The relationship patients have with their eating disorders and its impact on symptoms, duration of illness, and self‐image
Authors: Forsén Mantilla Emma , Clinton David , Birgegård Andreas
Published: October 2017

Objectives

In published clinical and autobiographical accounts of eating disorders, patients often describe their disorder in personified ways, that is, relating to the disorder as if it were an entity, and treatment often involves techniques of externalization. By encouraging patients to think about their eating disorder as a relationship, this study aimed to examine how young female patients experience their eating disorder as acting towards them, how they react in response, and whether these interactions are associated with symptoms, illness duration, and self‐image.

Design

Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (SASB) was used to operationalize how patients experience the actions of their eating disorder and their own reactions to the disorder.

Method

The relationship between patients (N = 150) and their eating disorders was examined with respect to symptoms, duration of illness, and self‐image. Patients were also compared on their tendency to react with affiliation in relation to their disorder.

Results

Patients’ responses on the SASB indicated that they tended to conceptualize their eating disorders as blaming and controlling, and they themselves as sulking and submitting in response. Greater experience of the eating disorder as being controlling was associated with higher levels of symptomatology. Patients reacting with more negative affiliation towards their disorder were less symptomatic.

Conclusions

When encouraging patients to think about their eating disorder as a relationship, comprehensible relationship patterns between patients and their eating disorders emerged. The idea that this alleged relationship may resemble a real‐life relationship could have theoretical implications, and its exploration may be of interest in treatment.

Practitioner points

Patients were able to conceptualize their eating disorder as a significant other to whom they relate when encouraged to do so.

Patients tended to experience their disorder as controlling and domineering.

Exploring the hypothetical patient–eating disorder relationship may prove helpful in understanding dysfunctional relational patterns.

Helping patients to rebel against their eating disorder could potentially aid in symptom reduction.
Urinary excretion of sphingomyelinase phosphodiesterase acid‐like 3b in children with intractable nephrotic syndrome
Authors: Watanabe Shojiro , Tsugawa Koji , Tsuruga Kazushi , Imaizumi Tadaatsu , Tanaka Hiroshi
Published: October 2017

Rituximab (RTX), a specific antibody to human CD20, has been successfully used to treat intractable nephrotic syndrome (NS). Recent studies have suggested a direct effect of RTX on podocytes by targeting sphingomyelinase phosphodiesterase acid‐like 3b (SMPDL‐3b). Thus, we examined the urinary excretion of SMPDL‐3b as well as its immunoreactivity in biopsy specimens from children with intractable NS. Urine samples from six patients (five with minimal‐change NS and one with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis) and from four healthy adults were examined. Glomerular immunoreactivity and urinary excretion of SMPDL3b in proteinuric NS patients decreased compared with controls. Interestingly, urine samples obtained from the same patients at the remission stage after RTX treatment showed an increase in urinary SMPDL‐3b excretion compared with the proteinuric stage. Urinary excretion level of SMPDL‐3b could thus be used to predict the clinical efficacy of RTX treatment in NS patients.
Herpes zoster meningitis in immunocompetent children: Two case reports and a literature review
Authors: Itoh Naohiro , Motokura Kouji , Kumakura Akira , Hata Daisuke , Hata Atsuko
Published: October 2017

We encountered two cases of Herpes zoster (HZ) meningitis, a rarely occurring complication of HZ, in previously healthy children. One patient treated with i.v. acyclovir (ACV, 31 mg/kg/day) did not recover. His symptoms were relieved somewhat by increased ACV dosage, but it caused transient renal dysfunction. Another patient treated with i.v. ACV (30 mg/kg/day) recovered. Treatment for HZ meningitis in immunocompetent children has not been established. In a literature review, 80% of 20 patients were treated with the usual dose of ACV 15–30 mg/kg/day. The present cases suggest that a high dosage of ACV up to 60 mg/kg/day should be considered (while monitoring for side‐effects) unless symptoms improve. In the review, one of every three vaccine‐strain Varicella zoster virus (VZV) cases was severe, whereas the present cases resulted from wild type. Further investigations must examine different clinical characteristics of HZ meningitis caused by wild‐type and vaccine‐strain VZV.
Pediatric resident perceptions of shift work in ward rotations
Authors: Nomura Osamu , Mishina Hiroki , Jasti Harish , Sakai Hirokazu , Ishiguro Akira
Published: October 2017

Although the long working hours of physicians are considered to be a social issue, no effective policies such as duty hour regulations have so far been proposed in Japan. We implemented an overnight call shift (OCS) system for ward rotations to improve the working environment for residents in a pediatric residency program. We later conducted a cross‐sectional questionnaire asking the residents to compare this system with the traditional overnight call system. Forty‐one pediatric residents participated in this survey. The residents felt that the quality of patient care improved (80.4% agreed). Most felt that there was less emphasis on education (26.8%) and more emphasis on service (31.7%). Overall, the residents reported that the OCS was beneficial (90.2%). In conclusion, the pediatric residents considered the OCS system during ward rotations as beneficial. Alternative solutions are vital to balance improvements in resident work conditions with the requirement for a high quality of education.
Effect of cesarean section on relapse of childhood idiopathic nephrotic syndrome
Authors: Kimata Takahisa , Kino Jiro , Yamanouchi Sohsaku , Suruda Chikushi , Tsuji Shoji , Kaneko Kazunari
Published: October 2017

In parallel with the increase in the prevalence of childhood chronic diseases, the rate of cesarean delivery has risen during the past decades. This study tested the hypothesis that children delivered by cesarean section (CS) have a higher risk of relapse of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS). Fifty‐six children with INS were categorized into three groups. Group A consisted of patients with INS who had no relapses after the onset of INS; group B consisted of patients with INS who had infrequent relapse; and group C consisted of patients with INS who had frequent relapse. The number of enrolled patients in groups A, B, and C was 10, 14, and 32, respectively. The ratio of neonates delivered via CS was significantly higher in group C (37.5%, P < 0.001) than in groups A (0%) and B (7.1%). This study shows that CS is associated with an increased risk of relapse of childhood INS.
Immunochromatography test for rapid diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection
Authors: Onari Shigeru , Okada Takashige , Okada Takafumi , Okano Syuko , Kakuta Osamu , Kutsuma Hirokazu , Kobayashi Masaaki , Kondo Yasuo , Sakaguchi Naoya , Tajima Takeshi , Nagao Masayoshi , Nakayama Eiichi , Niimi Ryo , Nishimura Syuichi , Higashidate Yoshihito , Hikita Toshiyuki , Meguro Hidenori , Mori Toshihiko , Yoto Yuko , Tsutsumi Hiroyuki
Published: October 2017

The sensitivity and specificity of a new rapid Mycoplasma pneumoniae antigen immunochromatography (IC) test, DK‐MP‐001, were determined using particle agglutination (PA) antibody response and loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) gene detection as the gold standard. Of 165 patients, 59 were diagnosed with M. pneumoniae infection based on a ≥fourfold rise of serum PA antibody during the course of the illness. Of the first visit swabs, 60 were positive for M. pneumoniae on LAMP, and 49 were positive for M. pneumoniae antigen on IC test. Compared with PA antibody and LAMP, the sensitivity/specificity of the IC test were 81.4% (48/59) and 99.1% (105/106); and 81.7% (49/60) and 100% (105/105), respectively. IC test detected antigen in pharyngeal swabs more sensitively than in nasal swabs for the same subjects (P < 0.05). The IC test performs well enough to be used with pharyngeal swabs at the first examination.
Diachronic Dutch Books and Evidential Import
Authors: Gallow J. Dmitri
Published: October 2017

A handful of well‐known arguments (the ‘diachronic Dutch book arguments’) rely upon theorems establishing that, in certain circumstances, you are immune from sure monetary loss (you are not ‘diachronically Dutch book‐able’) if and only if you adopt the strategy of conditionalizing (or Jeffrey conditionalizing) on whatever evidence you happen to receive. These theorems require non‐trivial assumptions about which evidence you might acquire—in the case of conditionalization, the assumption is that, if you might learn that e, then it is not the case that you might learn something else that is consistent with e. These assumptions may not be relaxed. When they are, not only will non‐(Jeffrey) conditionalizers be immune from diachronic Dutch bookability, but (Jeffrey) conditionalizers will themselves be diachronically Dutch bookable. I argue: 1) that there are epistemic situations in which these assumptions are violated; 2) that this reveals a conflict between the premise that susceptibility to sure monetary loss is irrational, on the one hand, and the view that rational belief revision is a function of your prior beliefs and the acquired evidence alone, on the other; and 3) that this inconsistency demonstrates that diachronic Dutch book arguments for (Jeffrey) conditionalization are invalid.
Stress response regulation by epigenetic mechanisms: changing of the guards
Authors: Annacondia Maria Luz , Magerøy Melissa H. , Martinez German
Published: October 2017

Plants are sessile organisms that lack a specialized immune system to cope with biotic and abiotic stress. Instead, plants have complex regulatory networks that determine the appropriate distribution of resources between the developmental and the defense programs. In the last years, epigenetic regulation of repeats and gene expression has evolved as an important player in the transcriptional regulation of stress‐related genes. Here, we review the current knowledge about how different stresses interact with different levels of epigenetic control of the genome. Moreover, we analyze the different examples of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance and connect them with the known features of genome epigenetic regulation. Although yet to be explored, the interplay between epigenetics and stress resistance seems to be a relevant and dynamic player of the interaction of plants with their environments.
Concentration effect of prostaglandin E2 on the growth factor expression and cell proliferation in bovine endometrial explants and their kinetic characteristics
Authors: Zhang S , Mao W , Li Q , Gao R , Zhang Y , Gao L , Fu C , Wu J , Deng Y , Shen Y , Li T , Liu B , Cao J
Published: October 2017

Contents

Bovine endometrium undergoes various physiological and histological changes that are necessary for blastocyst implantation during oestrous cycle. From pro‐oestrus to late‐oestrus, endometrium thickens gradually for implantation preparation and exhibits remarkable capacity for self‐repair after uterine lining shedding while implantation does not occur. The prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) secretion pattern is synchronized with endometrial growth during oestrous cycles in bovine endometrium; however, limited information is available regarding the association between PGE2 secretion and endometrial growth. In this study, the concentration (10−9 to 10−5 M) and time effect (2–36 hr) of PGE2 treatment on a series of growth factors are essential for endometrial growth including connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2), interleukin‐8 (IL‐8), transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1), matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2), and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) mRNA and protein expression, and proliferation of epithelial and fibroblast cells was investigated in bovine endometrial explants in vitro. The results indicated that PGE2 at concentration about 10−7 to 10−5 M could up‐regulate CTGF, FGF‐2, IL‐8, MMP‐2, TGF‐β1, VEGFA mRNA and protein expression, and could induce the proliferation of epithelial and fibroblast cells and reduce the proapoptotic factor (caspase‐3) expression in bovine endometrial explants in vitro. These results collectively improved the possibility of PGE2 functions in endometrial growth during oestrous cycles.
Proteomic profiling of follicle fluids after superstimulation in one‐month‐old lambs
Authors: Wu Y , Lin J , Han B , Wang L , Chen Y , Liu M , Huang J
Published: October 2017

Contents

Follicular fluid (FF) accumulates in the antrum of the ovarian follicle. In addition, FF provides the microenvironment for oocyte development, oocyte maturation and competence, which are acquired during follicular development. Superstimulatory treatment of 1‐month‐old lambs can achieve synchronous development of numerous growing follicles. However, these growing follicles are unable to completely mature and ovulate. Furthermore, the oocytes exhibit lower competence compared with those of ewes. In this study, we utilized an isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ)‐based proteomics analysis and compare protein composition between pre‐pubertal and adult superstimulated follicle FF in sheep. In total, 243 differentially expressed proteins were identified, including 155 downregulated and 88 upregulated between lamb and ewe. Gene ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analysis indicated that the differentially expressed proteins are involved in signal transduction, anatomical structure development, stress response, metabolic pathways, and the complement and coagulation cascades. Many of the proteins known to affect follicle development were observed in lower abundance in FF of lamb (e.g. ADAMTS9, CD14, CTNNB1, FST, GCLC, HSPG2, IGFBP2, IGFBP6, INHBA, PRL, PAPPA, POSTN, PRDX1, SERPINA1, SOD3, STC1, VEGFC, etc.). However, a higher abundance was observed for proteasome proteins. Inadequate amounts of these proteins in FF may be lead to the unique characteristics of follicular development in lamb. These differentially expressed proteins illuminate the age‐dependent changes in protein expression in the follicle microenvironment.
Exogenous factors matter when interpreting the results of an impact evaluation: a case study of rainfall and child health programme intervention in Rwanda
Authors: Mukabutera Assumpta , Thomson Dana R. , Hedt‐Gauthier Bethany L. , Atwood Sidney , Basinga Paulin , Nyirazinyoye Laetitia , Savage Kevin P. , Habimana Marcellin , Murray Megan
Published: October 2017

Objective

Public health interventions are often implemented at large scale, and their evaluation seems to be difficult because they are usually multiple and their pathways to effect are complex and subject to modification by contextual factors. We assessed whether controlling for rainfall‐related variables altered estimates of the efficacy of a health programme in rural Rwanda and have a quantifiable effect on an intervention evaluation outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective quasi‐experimental study using previously collected cross‐sectional data from the 2005 and 2010 Rwanda Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), 2010 DHS oversampled data, monthly rainfall data collected from meteorological stations over the same period, and modelled output of long‐term rainfall averages, soil moisture, and rain water run‐off. Difference‐in‐difference models were used.

Results

Rainfall factors confounded the PIH intervention impact evaluation. When we adjusted our estimates of programme effect by controlling for a variety of rainfall variables, several effectiveness estimates changed by 10% or more. The analyses that did not adjust for rainfall‐related variables underestimated the intervention effect on the prevalence of ARI by 14.3%, fever by 52.4% and stunting by 10.2%. Conversely, the unadjusted analysis overestimated the intervention's effect on diarrhoea by 56.5% and wasting by 80%.

Conclusion

Rainfall‐related patterns have a quantifiable effect on programme evaluation results and highlighted the importance and complexity of controlling for contextual factors in quasi‐experimental design evaluations.
Validity and feasibility of the wound‐QoL questionnaire on health‐related quality of life in chronic wounds
Authors: Augustin Matthias , Conde Montero Elena , Zander Nicole , Baade Katrin , Herberger Katharina , Debus E. Sebastian , Diener Holger , Neubert Thomas , Blome Christine
Published: October 2017

Chronic wounds have a major socioeconomic impact due to their frequency, chronicity, and societal costs. Patients experience substantial quality of life (QoL) impairments. The use of questionnaires for a continuous assessment of QoL and resulting interventions to improve the situation of the individual are an important cornerstone of a guideline‐based wound care. The aim of this study was to investigate the validity of the Wound‐QoL questionnaire. Patients with chronic wounds from two different centers were included in the prospective study. All patients completed the Wound‐QoL and two other QoL questionnaires (European Quality of Life‐5 Dimensions, EQ‐5D, and Freiburg Life Quality Assessment for wounds, FLQA‐wk) at baseline and at two more time points (4 and 8 weeks, respectively). Wound status was defined with an anchor question. Two hundred and twenty‐seven patients (48.5% women) participated in the study. Mean age was 66.9 years (range 17–96, median 69.5). Indications were venous leg ulcers (40.1%), pyoderma gangraenosum (14.1%), diabetic or ischemic foot ulcers (5.3%), pressure ulcers (2.6%), and other etiologies (30.0%). The Wound‐QoL showed good internal consistency, with high Cronbach's alpha in all the subscales and in the global scale in all time points (>0.8). Convergent validity was satisfactory since there were significantly (p ≤ 0.001) good correlations with the EQ‐5D (range = 0.5–0.7) and FLQA‐wk global score (r > 0.8) at every time point. Responsiveness was high, too. The Wound‐QoL is a simple, valid tool for the longitudinal assessment of QoL in patients with chronic wounds. This questionnaire is suitable for use in clinical trials, quality of care studies and clinical routine.
Effectiveness of Morita Therapy-Based Consultation for a School-Refusing Adolescent with Psychogenic Fever
Authors: Maeda Naoki
Published: October 2017

Morita therapy, developed by Shoma Morita (1874-1938) in Japan, is a type of psychotherapy that has been applied to deal with neurotic symptoms. This therapeutic approach is based on the conviction that neurotic symptoms are universal issues that eventually subside if the symptoms are accepted and everyday activities are carried out. By examining a school-refusing female adolescent suffering from somatic complaints (mainly psychogenic fever), the present study explores the effectiveness of Morita therapy-based consultation on the adolescent’s school refusal tendencies. The findings indicate that, after the school counselor provided Morita therapy-based consultation to the parents of the school-refusing adolescent and the school staff members, the adolescent returned to school and psychogenic fever became afebrile after several days of resuming regular school attendance. The implication of the results is that Morita therapy can be effective for dealing with school-refusing adolescents suffering from neurotic symptoms.
Dynamical Analysis and Realization of an Adaptive Isolator
Authors: Xiuting Sun , Zhang Shu , Xu Jian , Wang Feng
Published: October 2017

An adaptive vibration isolation system is proposed in this paper to combine the advantages of both linear and nonlinear isolators. Because of the proposed structural piecewise characteristics for different levels of response, the stiffness and damping properties could be designed according to the vibration performances. The adaptive stiffness and damping properties are achieved by the joined utilization of symmetrical precompression triangle-like structure (TLS) and column frame with cam. In order to design the control mechanism with optimum structural parameters, nonlinear vibration performances are analyzed by using averaging method and singularity theory. The parameter plane is divided into transition sets, and then the optimization criterions for structural design are provided according to multiple nonlinear vibration performances including frequency band for effective isolation, multisteady state band and resonance peak, etc. The experiment is carried out to verify the theoretical selection of desirable parameters and indicates the advantages and improvement of vibration isolation/suppression brought by the structural property adaptation. This study provides a novel method of achieving structural property adaptation for the improvement of isolation effectiveness, which shows the intelligent realization by passive components.
Fracture Behaviors of Bulk Metallic Glasses Under Complex Tensile Loading
Authors: Yu Li , Wang Tzu-Chiang
Published: October 2017

Up to now the theoretical analysis for fracture behaviors of bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) are limited to uniaxial loading. However, materials usually suffer complex stress conditions in engineering applications. Thus, to establish an analysis method that could describe fracture behaviors of BMGs under complex loading is rather important. In this paper, a universal formula for the fracture angle is proposed toward solving this problem. The ellipse criterion is used as an example to show how to predict fracture behaviors of BMGs subjected to complex loading according to this formula. In this case, both the fracture strength and fracture angle are found to be well consistent with experimental data.
Wave Directionality in Three-Dimensional Periodic Lattices
Authors: Bayat Alireza , Gaitanaros Stavros
Published: October 2017

This work focuses on elastic wave propagation in three-dimensional (3D) low-density lattices and explores their wave directionality and energy flow characteristics. In particular, we examine the dynamic response of Kelvin foam, a simple-and framed-cubic lattice, as well as the octet lattice, spanning this way a range of average nodal connectivities and both stretching-and bending-dominated behavior. Bloch wave analysis on unit periodic cells is employed and frequency diagrams are constructed. Our results show that in the low relative-density regime analyzed here, only the framed-cubic lattice displays a complete bandgap in its frequency diagram. New representations of iso-frequency contours and group-velocity plots are introduced to further analyze dispersive behavior, wave directionality, and the presence of partial bandgaps in each lattice. Significant wave beaming is observed for the simple-cubic and octet lattices in the low frequency regime, while Kelvin foam exhibits a nearly isotropic behavior in low frequencies for the first propagating mode. Results of Bloch wave analysis are verified by explicit numerical simulations on finite size domains under a harmonic perturbation.
Part Build Orientation Optimization and Neural Network-Based Geometry Compensation for Additive Manufacturing Process
Authors: Chowdhury Sushmit , Mhapsekar Kunal , Anand Sam
Published: October 2017

Significant advancements in the field of additive manufacturing (AM) have increased the popularity of AM in mainstream industries. The dimensional accuracy and surface finish of parts manufactured using AM depend on the AM process and the accompanying process parameters. Part build orientation is one of the most critical process parameters, since it has a direct impact on the part quality measurement metrics such as cusp error, manufacturability concerns for geometric features such as thin regions and small fusible openings, and support structure parameters. In conjunction with the build orientation, the cyclic heating and cooling of the material involved in the AM processes lead to nonuniform deformations throughout the part. These factors cumulatively affect the design conformity, surface finish, and the postprocessing requirements of the manufactured parts. In this paper, a two-step part build orientation optimization and thermal compensation methodology is presented to minimize the geometric inaccuracies resulting in the part during the AM process. In the first step, a weighted optimization model is used to determine the optimal build orientation for a part with respect to the aforementioned part quality and manufacturability metrics. In the second step, a novel artificial neural network (ANN)-based geometric compensation methodology is used on the part in its optimal orientation to make appropriate geometric modifications to counteract the thermal effects resulting from the AM process. The effectiveness of this compensation is assessed on an example part using a new point cloud to part conformity metric and shows significant improvements in the manufactured part's geometric accuracy.
Characterizing Energy Consumption in Injection Molding: Model Versus Logger
Authors: Sánchez-Valencia Andrea , Loste Julien
Published: October 2017

Recent changes in legislation along with environmental initiatives to drive sustainability and reduce carbon emissions have sprouted the development of energy models to characterize manufacturing processes. In the case of injection molding, much work has been performed in coupling sensors with control statistical systems to promptly identify process' instabilities, such as pressure drops or fluctuations in the filling point. Latest energy models for injection molding make use of injection pressure and temperature parameters that are a function of the machine, mold geometry, and process characteristics. The latest state-of-the-art way to measure energy consumption is through the use of energy loggers, which provide power data at the end of the production cycles. Although seemingly correlated, little has been published on the extrapolation of cavity signals for their use in energy calculations. In this study, the advantages and disadvantages of using cavity sensors in injection molding are explored; a novel approach to the use of cavity sensors' pressure and temperature data is proposed by exploring their input in an energy model for the estimation of specific energy consumption (SEC). The model was validated against power data obtained via an energy logger; the averaged energy reported by the model indicated a range of 60–67% accuracy.
Coupled Electro-Thermo-Mechanical Simulation for Multiple Pellet Fabrication Using Spark Plasma Sintering
Authors: Nili Bijan , Subhash Ghatu , Tulenko James S.
Published: October 2017

A coordinated experimental and computational analysis was undertaken to investigate the temperature field, heat generation, and stress distribution within a spark plasma sintering (SPS) tooling-specimen system during single- and multipellet fabrication of uranium dioxide (UO2) fuel pellets. Different SPS tool assembly configurations consisting of spacers, punches, pellets, and a die with single or multiple cavities were analyzed using ANSYS finite element (FE) software with coupled electro-thermo-mechanical modeling approach. For single-pellet manufacture, the importance of the die dimensions in relation to punch length and their influence on temperature distribution in the pellet were analyzed. The analysis was then extended to propose methods for reducing the overall power consumption of the SPS fabrication process by optimizing the dimensions and configurations of tooling for simultaneous sintering of multiple pellets in each processing cycle. For double-pellet manufacture, the effect of the center punch length (that separates the two pellets) on the temperature distribution in the pellets was investigated. Finally, for the multiple pellet fabrication, the optimum spacing between the pellets as well as the distance between the die cavities and the outer surface of the die wall were determined. A good agreement between the experimental data on the die surface temperature and FE model results was obtained. The current analysis may be utilized for further optimization of advanced tooling concepts to control temperature distribution and obtain uniform microstructure in fuel pellets in large-scale manufacturing using SPS process.
On the Pareto Optimality of Ashby's Selection Method for Beams Under Bending
Authors: Previati Giorgio , Mastinu Gianpiero , Gobbi Massimiliano
Published: October 2017

The paper deals with the problem of choosing the material and the cross section of a beam subjected to bending under structural safety, elastic stability, and available room constraints. An extension of the theory proposed by Ashby is presented. The Pareto-optimal set for the multi-objective problem of stiffness maximization and mass minimization under elastic stability, structural safety, and available room constraints for a beam under bending is derived analytically. The Pareto-optimal set is compared with the solution of the Ashby's selection method.
Parametric Design of Scalable Mechanisms for Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Li Xianda , Zhao Jie , He Ren , Tian Yaobin , Wei Xiangzhi
Published: October 2017

Additive manufacturing allows a direct fabrication of any sophisticated mechanism when the clearance of each joint is sufficiently large to compensate the fabrication error, which frees the designers of cumbersome assembly jobs. Clearance design for assembly mechanism whose parts are fabricated by subtractive manufacturing has been well defined. However, the related standard for parts fabricated by additive manufacturing is still under exploration due to the fabrication error and the diversity of printing materials. For saving time and materials in a design process, a designer may fabricate a series of small mechanisms to examine their functionality before the final fabrication of a large mechanism. As a mechanism is scaled, its joint clearances may be reduced, which affects the kinematics of the mechanisms. Maintaining certain clearance for the joints during the scaling process, especially for gear mechanisms, is an intricate problem involving the analysis of nonlinear systems. In this paper, we focus on the parametric design problem for the major types of joints, which allows the mechanisms to be scaled to an arbitrary level while maintaining their kinematics. Simulation and experimental results are present to validate our designs.
Tuned Nonlinear Energy Sink With Conical Spring: Design Theory and Sensitivity Analysis
Authors: Qiu Donghai , Seguy Sébastien , Paredes Manuel
Published: October 2017

This paper is devoted to the study of a nonlinear energy sink (NES) intended to attenuate vibration induced in a harmonically forced linear oscillator (LO) and working under the principle of targeted energy transfer (TET). The purpose motivated by practical considerations is to establish a design criterion that first ensures that the NES absorber is activated and second provides the optimally tuned nonlinear stiffness for efficient TET under a given primary system specification. Then a novel NES design yielding cubic stiffness without a linear part is exploited. To this end, two conical springs are specially sized to provide the nonlinearity. To eliminate the linear stiffness, the concept of a negative stiffness mechanism is implemented by two cylindrical compression springs. A small-sized NES system is then developed. To validate the concept, a sensitivity analysis is performed with respect to the adjustment differences of the springs and an experiment on the whole system embedded on an electrodynamic shaker is studied. The results show that this type of NES can not only output the expected nonlinear characteristics, but can also be tuned to work robustly over a range of excitation, thus making it practical for the application of passive vibration control.