bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mangiferin Improved Palmitate-Induced-Insulin Resistance by Promoting Free Fatty Acid Metabolism in HepG2 and C2C12 Cells via PPARα: Mangiferin Improved Insulin Resistance
Authors: Zhang Qiao , Kong Xiangju , Yuan Hang , Guan Hongjun , Li Ying , Niu Yucun
Published: January 2019

Elevated free fatty acid (FFA) is a key risk factor for insulin resistance (IR). Our previous studies found that mangiferin could decrease serum FFA levels in obese rats induced by a high-fat diet. Our research was to determine the effects and mechanism of mangiferin on improving IR by regulating FFA metabolism in HepG2 and C2C12 cells. The model was used to quantify PA-induced lipid accumulation in the two cell lines treated with various concentrations of mangiferin simultaneously for 24 h. We found that mangiferin significantly increased insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, via phosphorylation of protein kinase B (P-AKT), glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2), and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) protein expressions, and markedly decreased glucose content, respectively, in HepG2 and C2C12 cells induced by PA. Mangiferin significantly increased FFA uptake and decreased intracellular FFA and triglyceride (TG) accumulations. The activity of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) protein and its downstream proteins involved in fatty acid translocase (CD36) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) and the fatty acid β-oxidation rate corresponding to FFA metabolism were also markedly increased by mangiferin in HepG2 and C2C12 cells. Furthermore, the effects were reversed by siRNA-mediated knockdown of PPARα. Mangiferin ameliorated IR by increasing the consumption of glucose and promoting the FFA oxidation via the PPARα pathway in HepG2 and C2C12 cells.
Differentiated-Type Intraepithelial Neoplasia-Like Lesion Associated with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anus: A Case Report with Molecular Profile
Authors: Koopmansch Caroline , Maris Calliope , Demetter Pieter , Van de Stadt Jean , Hendlisz Alain , D’Haene Nicky , Noël Jean-Christophe
Published: January 2019

Differentiated-type Intraepithelial Neoplasia (DIN) is defined as HPV-negative squamous intraepithelial proliferation with abnormal keratinocyte differentiation and basal cell atypia, originally described in the vulva, with following descriptions in the oral cavity. DIN occurring in the anus is quite rare, and to the best of our knowledge, only one publication reported it. In this report, we describe the clinicopathological features of this entity on anal margin, associated with invasive squamous cell carcinoma. In addition, using the next generation sequencing (NGS) technique, we have demonstrated TP53 mutation in the invasive component but not in the associated DIN-like lesion, where p53 immunohistochemical expression was restricted to basal layers.
Self-Healing Microcapsule-Thickened Oil Barrier Coatings
Authors: Lim Alane Tarianna O. , Cui Chenlong , Jang Hee Dong , Huang Jiaxing
Published: January 2019

Low-viscosity oils could potentially act as self-healing barrier coatings because they can readily flow and reconnect to heal minor damage. For the same reason, however, they typically do not form stable coatings on metal surfaces. Increasing viscosity helps to stabilize the oil coating, but it also slows down the healing process. Here, we report a strategy for creating highly stable oil coatings on metal surfaces without sacrificing their remarkable self-healing properties. Low-viscosity oil films can be immobilized on metal surfaces using lightweight microcapsules as thickeners, which form a dynamic network to prevent the creep of the coating. When the coating is scratched, oil around the opening can rapidly flow to cover the exposed area, reconnecting the particle network. Use of these coatings as anticorrosion barriers is demonstrated. The coatings can be easily applied on metal surfaces, including those with complex geometries, both in air or under water, and remain stable even in turbulent water. They can protect metal in corrosive environments for extended periods of time and can self-heal repeatedly when scratched at the same spot. Such a strategy may offer effective mitigation of the dangerous localized corrosion aggravated by minor imperfections or damage in protective coatings, which are typically hard to prevent or detect, but can drastically degrade metal properties.
Reformulated Reciprocal Degree Distance and Reciprocal Degree Distance of the Complement of the Mycielskian Graph and Generalized Mycielskian
Authors: Zhao Feifei , Bian Hong , Yu Haizheng , Liu Min
Published: January 2019

The reformulated reciprocal degree distance is defined for a connected graph G as , which can be viewed as a weight version of the t−Harary index; that is, . In this paper, we present the reciprocal degree distance index of the complement of Mycielskian graph and generalize the corresponding results to the generalized Mycielskian graph.
Epidemiological Features of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Cameroon
Authors: Kouam Marc K. , Tchouankui Honorine N. , Ngapagna Arouna Njayou
Published: January 2019

The epidemiology of avian influenza is unknown in Cameroon despite the two outbreaks that occurred in 2006 and 2016-2017, respectively. In order to fill the gap, an attempt was made to provide some basic information on the epidemiology of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Cameroon. Thus, data were collected from follow-up reports of the second HPAI outbreaks prepared by the veterinary health officials of Cameroon and sent to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Two HPAI virus strains (H5N1 and H5N8) turned out to occur, with H5N1 virus involved in the Center, South, West, and Adamawa regions outbreaks and H5N8 involved in the Far North outbreak only. The affected hosts were the laying hens, backyard chickens, turkeys, guinea fowls, ducks, broiler and layer breeders, and geese for the H5N1 virus and the Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus), pigeon, ducks, backyard chickens, and guinea fowls for the H5N8 virus. The first outbreak took place in Mvog-Betsi poultry complex in the Center region on the 20th May 2016 and spread to other regions. The mortality rate varied from 8% to 72% for H5N1 virus and was 96.26% for the H5N8 strain in Indian peafowl. No human case was recorded. The potential supporting factors for disease dissemination identified on the field were the following: poultry and eggs dealers moving from one farm, market, or town to another without any preventive care; poor biosecurity measures on farms and live poultry markets. After the first HPAI H5N1 virus outbreak in 2006, the second HPAI outbreak ten years later (2016-2017) involving two virus strains is a cause of concern for the poultry industry. The Cameroon Epidemio-Surveillance Network needs to be more watchful.
Chromium-Cobalt Intoxication with Intense Systemic Complications following Total Hip Revision after Per-Operative Ceramic Fracture
Authors: Lecoanet Paul , Blangis Mathias , Garcia Matthieu , Legallois Yohan , Fabre Thierry
Published: January 2019

Introduction. Heavy metal intoxication after arthroplasty is extremely rare but could be lethal. Case Report. We report the case of a 69-year-old woman, who presented intense systemic symptoms of chromium-cobalt intoxication after revision of per-operative fractured ceramic components with metal-on-polyethylene. Systemic toxicity occurred a year after surgery and expressed brutally with mostly central neurological symptoms. Chelation associated with revision surgery allowed rapid regression of all symptoms. Conclusion. Revision of fractured ceramic, even per-operatively, should not be done with metal-on-polyethylene components, in order to avoid potentially lethal metal intoxication.
Simulation of Threshold UV Exposure Time for Vitamin D Synthesis in South Korea
Authors: Park Sang Seo , Lee Yun Gon , Kim Migyoung , Kim Jaemin , Koo Ja-Ho , Kim Chang Ki , Um Junshik , Yoon Jongmin
Published: January 2019

The threshold exposure time for synthesis of vitamin D was simulated by using a radiative transfer model considering variations in total ozone, cloud, and surface conditions. The prediction of total ozone took the form of an empirical linear regression with the variables of meteorological parameters in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere and the climatology value of total ozone. Additionally, to consider cloud extinction after the estimation of clear-sky UV radiation using a radiative transfer model simulation, a cloud modification factor was applied. The UV irradiance was estimated at one-hour intervals, and then, to improve the temporal resolution of the exposure time simulation, it was interpolated to a one-minute resolution. Exposure times from the simulation clearly followed seasonal and diurnal cycles. However, upon comparison with observations, biases with large variations were found, and the discrepancy in the exposure time between the observations and simulations was higher in low UV irradiance conditions. The large deviations in the prediction errors for total ozone and the simplified assumption for the cloud modification factor contributed to the large deviations in exposure time differences between the model estimation and observations. To improve the accuracy of the simulated exposure time, improved predictions of total ozone with a more detailed cloud treatment will be essential.
Implicit Pilots for an Efficient Channel Estimation in Simplified Massive MIMO Schemes with Precoding
Authors: Marques da Silva Mário , Dinis Rui , Guerreiro João
Published: January 2019

This paper proposes a new channel estimation scheme based on implicit pilots, optimized for a simplified massive multiple input, multiple output (MIMO), implemented with precoding, combined with Single-Carrier with Frequency-Domain Equalization (SC-FDE) modulations. We propose an iterative receiver that considers an iterative detection with interference cancellation and channel estimation. The channel estimates are usually obtained with the help of pilot symbols and/or training sequences multiplexed with data symbols. Since the required overheads in massive MIMO schemes can be too high, leading to spectral degradation, the use of superimposed pilots (i.e., pilots added to data) is an efficient alternative. Three different types of preprocessing algorithms are considered in this paper: Zero-Forcing Transmitter (ZFT), Maximum Ratio Transmitter (MRT), and Equal Gain Transmitter (EGT). The main advantage of MRT and EGT is that they do not require matrix inversions. Nevertheless, some level of interference is generated in the decoding process. Such interference is mitigated by employing an optimized iterative receiver. By employing the proposed implicit pilots, the performance of MRT and EGT is very close to the Matched Filter Bound just after a few iterations, even when the number of transmit or receiver antennas is not much higher than the number of data streams.
Successful Treatment of Atlantoaxial Subluxation in an Adolescent Patient with BrachytelephalangicChondrodysplasia Punctata
Authors: Fujimoto Yoh , Taniguchi Yuki , Oshima Yasushi , Matsubayashi Yoshitaka , Okada Keita , Haga Nobuhiko , Tanaka Sakae
Published: January 2019

Brachytelephalangic chondrodysplasia punctata (CDPX1) is characterized by brachytelephalangy and nasomaxillary hypoplasia, in addition to stippled epiphyses. Some reports have described infants with CDPX1 who exhibited cervical spinal stenosis. However, the natural course of cervical spinal lesions in this condition has not been elucidated. Here, we report a very rare adolescent case of CDPX1, which demonstrated progressive myelopathy caused by atlantoaxial subluxation and a subsequent retroodontoid pseudotumor, successfully treated with surgery. Our case highlights a new clinically important fact that upper cervical spinal lesions in CDPX1 can deteriorate even after childhood and thus need close monitoring.
Study of Simulation Test in Inclusion Rockburst
Authors: Wang Zhidong , Li Liyun , Liu Bingquan , Han Chuang , Lan Tianxiang
Published: January 2019

Based on the existing classification research of rockburst dynamic disasters, a new rockburst model is introduced. The model specimens with inclusion rock are designed and produced, and the indoor test of inclusion rockburst with or without cementation, different inclusion angles, and prefabricated cracks of different lengths is carried out. The failure process and displacement variation of rock specimens are recorded and measured by the high‐speed camera system and digital image correlation method, and based on this, the characteristics and laws of rockburst are analyzed. The results show that the failure process of inclusion rock can be divided into several periods, such as crushing and extrusion of the cement body, and the cracks in the upper left tip, the lower right tip, the lower left tip, and the upper tip are expanded and broken in different orders. The dynamic ejection failure of the rock fragments occurs when the degree of failure is severe, and the static failure occurs when the degree of failure is weak. The inclusions have cementation, and the better the cementation, the greater the stress loading required in the failure, the greater the energy accumulated, the more severe the failure, and the higher the fractal dimension of the fragments. The larger the angle of the inclusion tip, the greater the stress loading in failure; the greater the change of the u and v displacements, the more the displacement of the inclusions changed; and the more the energy accumulated, the higher the fractal dimension of the fragment. The smaller the crack length, the greater the stress loading in failure, and the more the energy accumulated, the higher the fractal dimension of the fragments in failure. With more number of cracks and the more severe expansion before failure, the failure of rock mass can be transformed from the dynamic to the static.
Feature Genes Selection Using Fuzzy Rough Uncertainty Metric for Tumor Diagnosis
Authors: Xu Jiucheng , Wang Yun , Xu Keqiang , Zhang Tianli
Published: January 2019

To select more effective feature genes, many existing algorithms focus on the selection and study of evaluation methods for feature genes, ignoring the accurate mapping of original information in data processing. Therefore, for solving this problem, a new model is proposed in this paper: rough uncertainty metric model. First, the fuzzy neighborhood granule of the sample is constructed by combining the fuzzy similarity relation with the neighborhood radius in the rough set, and the rough decision is defined by using the fuzzy similarity relation and the decision equivalence class. Then, the fuzzy neighborhood granule and the rough decision are introduced into the conditional entropy, and the rough uncertainty metric model is proposed; in the meantime, the definition of measuring the significance of feature genes and the proof of some related theorems are given. To make this model tolerate noises in data, this paper introduces a variable precision model and discusses the selection of parameters. Finally, based on the rough uncertainty metric model, we design a feature genes selection algorithm and compare it with some existing similar algorithms. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can select the smaller feature genes subset with higher classification accuracy and verify that the model proposed in this paper is more effective.
Handling Big Data Scalability in Biological Domain Using Parallel and Distributed Processing: A Case of Three Biological Semantic Similarity Measures
Authors: Almasoud Ameera M. , Al-Khalifa Hend S. , Al-Salman Abdulmalik S.
Published: January 2019

In the field of biology, researchers need to compare genes or gene products using semantic similarity measures (SSM). Continuous data growth and diversity in data characteristics comprise what is called big data; current biological SSMs cannot handle big data. Therefore, these measures need the ability to control the size of big data. We used parallel and distributed processing by splitting data into multiple partitions and applied SSM measures to each partition; this approach helped manage big data scalability and computational problems. Our solution involves three steps: split gene ontology (GO), data clustering, and semantic similarity calculation. To test this method, split GO and data clustering algorithms were defined and assessed for performance in the first two steps. Three of the best SSMs in biology [Resnik, Shortest Semantic Differentiation Distance (SSDD), and SORA] are enhanced by introducing threaded parallel processing, which is used in the third step. Our results demonstrate that introducing threads in SSMs reduced the time of calculating semantic similarity between gene pairs and improved performance of the three SSMs. Average time was reduced by 24.51% for Resnik, 22.93%, for SSDD, and 33.68% for SORA. Total time was reduced by 8.88% for Resnik, 23.14% for SSDD, and 39.27% for SORA. Using these threaded measures in the distributed system, combined with using split GO and data clustering algorithms to split input data based on their similarity, reduced the average time more than did the approach of equally dividing input data. Time reduction increased with increasing number of splits. Time reduction percentage was 24.1%, 39.2%, and 66.6% for Threaded SSDD; 33.0%, 78.2%, and 93.1% for Threaded SORA in the case of 2, 3, and 4 slaves, respectively; and 92.04% for Threaded Resnik in the case of four slaves.
Experimental Analysis and Failure Criterion of Plain Concrete Subjected to Biaxial Loading under Fixed Lateral Loading
Authors: Yu Zhenpeng , Sun Xue , Li Furong
Published: January 2019

By using a rock true triaxial apparatus hydraulic servo machine, biaxial loading experiments including biaxial compression‐compression and biaxial compression‐tension with fixed lateral loading on plain concretes were conducted and the stress‐strain curves of plain concrete under various stress ratios were obtained. After determining the peak principal stress, the damage modes of plain concrete under various stress ratios were analyzed and the law of strength in the principal stress direction was studied as well. The experimental findings show that, under the fixed lateral loading, the failure modes of plain concrete under biaxial compression‐compression and biaxial compression‐tension are very similar to those under the equal proportional loading, but with higher amplitude of variation. In this paper, Kupfer’s classical failure criterion was applied to verify the experimental data and the predicted biaxial loading on plain concrete under fixed lateral loading and was regarded as relatively conservative. Meantime, based on Kupfer’s failure criterion and octahedral stress space, two different failure criteria had been proposed and verified. The results show that the proposed failure criteria have good applicability. The failure mechanism under fixed lateral loading was discussed and compared with that under the equal proportional loading method. This research is meaningful to plain concrete engineering application and calculation.
Intestinal Epithelial Organoids as Tools to Study Epigenetics in Gut Health and Disease
Authors: Kraiczy Judith , Zilbauer Matthias
Published: January 2019

The intestinal epithelium forms the inner layer of the human intestine and serves a wide range of diverse functions. Its constant exposure to a vast amount of complex microbiota highlights the critical interface that this single-cell layer forms between the host and our environment. Importantly, the well-documented contribution of environmental factors towards the functional development of the human intestinal epithelium directly implies epigenetic mechanisms in orchestrating this complex interplay. The development of intestinal epithelial organoid culture systems that can be generated from human tissue provides researchers with unpresented opportunities to study functional aspects of human intestinal epithelial pathophysiology. In this brief review, we summarise existing evidence for the role of epigenetics in regulating intestinal epithelial cell function and highlight the great potential for human gut organoids as translational research tools to investigate these mechanisms in vitro.
Synthesis of an Acrylamide Copolymer Containing Nano-SiO2 by Ex Situ Cu(0)-Mediated SET-LRP
Authors: Wang Ling , Li Zhendong , Huang Pingsen , Ding Wei
Published: January 2019

We report herein the synthesis of a novel star-shaped copolymer containing nano-SiO2 by single-electron transfer living radical polymerization (SET-LRP) in aqueous solution. The effects of polymerization conditions, such as the total amounts and molar ratios of the monomer, initiator, catalyst, ligand, and modified nano-SiO2, have been investigated through a series of experiments. The prepared acrylamide copolymers have been characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and 1H NMR spectrometry. The properties of the copolymers have been assessed by viscometry and rheometry. The results confirmed that the nano-SiO2 functional monomer was successfully combined in the SET-LRP. The optimum polymerization conditions were established through orthogonal experiments as a ratio of [AM] : [DMAEMA] : [I] : [CuBr] : [Me6TREN] of 674.4 : 35.5 : 1 : 1 : 2 at a total concentration of [AM] + [DMAEMA] of 2.5 mol/L. The appropriate concentration of the nano-SiO2 functional monomer (NSFM) was 0.5 wt% with respect to AM + DMAEMA. The rheology of the star-shaped copolymer exhibited a shear-thickening property when the shear rate exceeded a critical value (100 s−1). The AM/DMAEMA/NSFM copolymer displayed a higher viscosity than AM/DMAEMA at the same concentration. It was found that AM/DMAEMA/NSFM exhibited better salt and temperature tolerances.
Fault Diagnosis of Induction Motors Using Recurrence Quantification Analysis and LSTM with Weighted BN
Authors: Xiao Dengyu , Huang Yixiang , Qin Chengjin , Shi Haotian , Li Yanming
Published: January 2019

Motor fault diagnosis has gained much attention from academic research and industry to guarantee motor reliability. Generally, there exist two major approaches in the feature engineering for motor fault diagnosis: (1) traditional feature learning, which heavily depends on manual feature extraction, is often unable to discover the important underlying representations of faulty motors; (2) state‐of‐the‐art deep learning techniques, which have somewhat improved diagnostic performance, while the intrinsic characteristics of black box and the lack of domain expertise have limited the further improvement. To cover those shortcomings, in this paper, two manual feature learning approaches are embedded into a deep learning algorithm, and thus, a novel fault diagnosis framework is proposed for three‐phase induction motors with a hybrid feature learning method, which combines empirical statistical parameters, recurrence quantification analysis (RQA) and long short‐term memory (LSTM) neural network. In addition, weighted batch normalization (BN), a modification of BN, is designed to evaluate the contributions of the three feature learning approaches. The proposed method was experimentally demonstrated by carrying out the tests of 8 induction motors with 8 different faulty types. Results show that compared with other popular intelligent diagnosis methods, the proposed method achieves the highest diagnostic accuracy in both the original dataset and the noised dataset. It also verifies that RQA can play a bigger role in real‐world applications for its excellent performance in dealing with the noised signals.
Optimisation Design and Damping Effect Analysis of Large Mass Ratio Tuned Mass Dampers
Authors: Kang Ying-jie , Peng Ling-yun
Published: January 2019

Under harmonic load and random stationary white noise load, the existing fitting formulas are not suitable for calculating the optimal parameters of large mass ratio tuned mass dampers (TMDs). For this reason, the optimal parameters of large mass ratio TMDs are determined by numerical optimisation methods, and a revised fitting formula is proposed herein based on a curve fitting technique. Finally, the dynamic time history analysis method is used to study the control effect of large mass ratio TMDs. The results show that when the mass ratio is large, the error between the existing fitting formula and the actual optimal value is quite large, and the revised fitting formula is applicable to the parameter design of the traditional small mass ratio and large mass ratio (≤1) TMDs. When the ratio of local base soil predominant frequency to structure vibration frequency is greater than 4, the optimal parameters of a TMD under white noise excitation can be calculated according to the revised fitting formula, and the remaining conditions should be determined by numerical optimisation. In addition, a large mass ratio TMD reduces the dynamic response of the main structure effectively compared with a small mass ratio TMD and reduces the relative displacement between the TMD and main structure.
Arc Thermal Spray NiCr20 Alloy Coating: Fabrication, Sealant, Heat Treatment, Wear, and Corrosion Resistances
Authors: Nguyen Van Tuan , Thu Quy Le , Nguyen Tuan Anh , Ly Quoc Cuong , Thi Ly Pham , Thi Ha Pham , Dinh Thi Mai Thanh
Published: January 2019

This study presents the effect of heat treatment on porosity, phase composition, microhardness, and wear and corrosion resistances of the thermal sprayed NiCr20 coating after sealing with aluminum phosphate. The annealing temperatures were varied in a range of 400 to 1000°C. The obtained results indicated the porosity of coating decreased with increasing the annealing temperature. After treatment at temperatures in range of 800-1000°C, more than 90% of initial pores in the coating were successfully filled with the sealants. The XRD data revealed not only the formation of new phases of other compounds, but also the interaction between coating and sealant. After heat treatment, wear resistance of coating was 12 times higher than that without heat treatment. The corrosion test in H2SO4 solution indicated that the presence of sealant in coatings increased their corrosion resistance. From these findings, application of these NiCr20 coatings to protect steel against wear and corrosion appears very promising.
Nd:YAG Laser Vitreolysis for Symptomatic Vitreous Floaters: Application of Infrared Fundus Photography in Assessing the Treatment Efficacy
Authors: Sun Xiaolei , Tian Jingyi , Wang Jinyan , Zhang Jingjing , Wang Ying , Yuan Gongqiang
Published: January 2019

Background. Vitreous floater is a physically common phenomenon with aging and is related to visual impairment and decrease of quality of life. Nd:YAG vitreolysis is supposed to be an option for resolving floaters, but its clinical efficacy is undefined. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Nd:YAG vitreolysis in treating floater semiquantifiably by determining changes of floater areas on infrared fundus photography (IR). Methods. Patients with floaters and those who underwent Nd:YAG vitreolysis were retrospectively summarized from June 2015 to Nov 2017. Intraocular pressure, visual acuity, visual function questionnaire (VFQ-25) scores, and floater areas calculated using Image J software were recorded preoperatively and 6 months after YAG lasers. Results. 50 patients (25 female/25 male, with an average age of 60.34 years) with 55 eyes (29 OD and 26 OS) presenting floaters and underwent YAG vitreolysis treatment were included. Severe symptoms were reported in 17 eyes, moderate in 21 and mild in 17 eyes. No severe Nd:YAG vitreolysis procedure-related complications occurred in all patients except one mild retinal injury. There were no significant changes in intraocular pressure and visual acuity after the laser treatment. 43 eyes had improved symptoms; in 8, floaters had disappeared; and 4 had no changes according to VFQ-25 scores. The median of shadow areas of floaters before operation was 1.41 (0.29–12.85) cm2, which decreased to 0.12 (0–2.77) cm2 after the operations (t=5.849,  P=0.001). The mean VFQ-25 scores increased to 88.54 ± 12.74 from the baseline 71.44 ± 12.77 (t=11.82,  P=0.001). Pearson correlation analysis showed that the shadow areas of floaters were negatively correlated to VFQ-25 scores before (r=−0.73,  P=0.001) and after (r=−0.72,  P=0.001) treatments. Conclusion. Nd:YAG vitreolysis was effective and safe in alleviating the visual symptoms induced by floaters. Quantification of floater shadow areas on infrared fundus photography could serve as an objective index for assessing treatment efficacy of Nd:YAG vitreolysis.
Proinflammatory Role of Angiotensin II in the Aorta of Normotensive Mice
Authors: Lima Rariane Silva de , Silva Juliane Cristina de Souza , Lima Cintia Taniguti , Souza Leandro Ezequiel de , Silva Maikon Barbosa da , Baladi Marina Gazzano , Irigoyen Maria Claudia , Lacchini Silvia
Published: January 2019

Angiotensin II plays important functions in cardiovascular system mediating actions leading to inflammatory responses such as activation of VSMC in order to produce ROS, inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules. Changes in angiotensin II production could stimulate the recruitment and activation of myeloid cells initiating local inflammatory response without effect on BP. We aimed to verify if angiotensin II induces an inflammatory response in the aorta and if it correlates with variations in BP. C57Bl/6 mice treated with saline solution (0.9%, control group) or angiotensin II (30ng/kg, Ang II group) were used. BP and HR levels were measured. Immunohistochemistry for IL1-β, TGF-β, iNOS, CD45, andα-actin was performed in the aorta. BP and HR do not change. A biphasic response was observed both for IL1-βand TGF-βexpression and also for the presence of CD45 positive cells, with an acute increase (between 30 and 60 minutes) and a second increase, between 24 and 48 hours. Positive staining for iNOS increased in the earlier period (30 minutes) in perivascular adipose tissue and in a longer period (48 hours) in tunica adventitia. Immunoblotting toα-actin showed no alterations, suggesting that the applied dose of angiotensin II does not alter the aortic VSMCs phenotype. The results suggest that angiotensin II, even at doses that do not alter BP, induces the expression of inflammatory markers and migration of inflammatory cells into the aorta of normotensive mice. Thus, angiotensin II may increase the propensity to develop a cardiovascular injury, even in normotensive individuals.
Decreased Surface Photovoltage of ZnO Photoanode Films via Optimal Annealing Temperature for Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Performance
Authors: Liu Yichong , Xiao Bohuai , Chen Haijian , Li Yunchuan , Chang Shuai
Published: January 2019

The electronic structure of semiconducting materials at the electrode/electrolyte interface plays a vital role in the process of photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. In this work, we could reliably tune the surface defect density of ZnO films through changing the annealing temperature, thereby optimizing the PEC performance. The surface photovoltage (SPV) of ZnO films could be obtained by Kelvin probe force microscopy and compared to insightfully understand the effect of the annealing temperature on the performance of the electrode in PEC water splitting. The minimum SPV annealed at 450°C indicated low surface defect density, eventually resulting in an enhanced photoelectrochemical performance. The applied bias photo-to-current efficiency of ZnO films annealed at 450°C reached 0.237%, about 7.4 times that of unannealed ZnO photoanode. This work provides an effective method for the rational fabrication of efficient photoelectrodes for the realization of high-performance photoelectrochemical water splitting.
Postpartum Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES): Three Case Reports and Literature Review
Authors: Marcoccia Eleonora , Piccioni Maria Grazia , Schiavi Michele Carlo , Colagiovanni Vanessa , Zannini Ilaria , Musella Angela , Visentin Virginia Sibilla , Vena Flaminia , Masselli Gabriele , Monti Marco , Perrone Giuseppina , Panici Pierluigi Benedetti , Brunelli Roberto
Published: January 2019

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome is a rare complication generally associated with headache and acute changes in blood pressure. Delay in the diagnosis and treatment may result in death or in irreversible neurological sequelae. We present three cases of PRES occurring in young women during puerperium. We report a literature review ranged from January 1990 to June 2015 describing clinical features, diagnostic and medical approach, and maternal outcome.
Bistatic ISAR Sparse Imaging Method for High-Speed Moving Target Based on Dechirping Processing
Authors: Zeng Chuangzhan , Zhu Weigang , Jia Xin
Published: January 2019

Bistatic inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) can increase the probability of tracking the high-speed target and provide more angle information than monostatic ISAR. However, bistatic ISAR suffers from a serious defocusing problem, resulting from the high-speed motion. Furthermore, the inherent geometry distortion and calibration problems make bistatic ISAR (B-ISAR) imaging more complex. In response to these problems, we propose a bistatic ISAR imaging method for high-speed moving target with geometric distortion correction and calibration based on dechirping processing. At first, based on the motion decomposition idea, the B-ISAR echo model of the high-speed moving target is established. Then, by analyzing the imaging mechanism of the Range-Doppler algorithm (RDA), we eliminate the phase items influencing the imaging quality with speed compensation and Doppler compensation. After that, the analytic formula of the geometric distortion factor and calibration factor are deduced, which helps transform the geometric correction and calibration problem into a parameter estimation problem. Finally, with the sparsity of the scattering points, the required parameters are solved using the expectation maximization (EM) algorithm based on the maximum a posteriori probability criterion. With the estimated parameters, a clear B-ISAR image of a high-speed moving target with geometric correction and calibration is obtained. The simulations show that the proposed method has a better resolution and simultaneously attains geometric correction and calibration of the image.
DNA Damage Response/TP53 Pathway Is Activated and Contributes to the Pathogenesis of Dilated Cardiomyopathy Associated With LMNA (Lamin A/C) Mutations
Authors: Chen Suet Nee , Lombardi Raffaella , Karmouch Jennifer , Tsai Ju-Yun , Czernuszewicz Grace , Taylor Matthew R.G. , Mestroni Luisa , Coarfa Cristian , Gurha Priyatansh , Marian Ali J.
Published: January 2019

Rationale:

Mutations in the
LMNA
gene, encoding LMNA (lamin A/C), are responsible for laminopathies. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in laminopathies.

Objective:

To gain insights into the molecular pathogenesis of DCM in laminopathies.

Methods and Results:

We generated a tet-off bigenic mice expressing either a WT (wild type) or a mutant LMNA (D300N) protein in cardiac myocytes. LMNA
D300N
mutation is associated with DCM in progeroid syndromes. Expression of LMNA
D300N
led to severe myocardial fibrosis, apoptosis, cardiac dysfunction, and premature death. Administration of doxycycline suppressed LMNA
D300N
expression and prevented the phenotype. Whole-heart RNA sequencing in 2-week-old WT and LMNA
D300N
mice led to identification of ≈6000 differentially expressed genes. Gene Set Enrichment and Hallmark Pathway analyses predicted activation of E2F (E2F transcription factor), DNA damage response, TP53 (tumor protein 53), NFκB (nuclear factor κB), and TGFβ (transforming growth factor-β) pathways, which were validated by Western blotting, quantitative polymerase chain reaction of selected targets, and immunofluorescence staining. Differentially expressed genes involved cell death, cell cycle regulation, inflammation, and epithelial-mesenchymal differentiation. RNA sequencing of human hearts with DCM associated with defined LMNA pathogenic variants corroborated activation of the DNA damage response/TP53 pathway in the heart. Increased expression of CDKN2A (cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A)—a downstream target of E2F pathway and an activator of TP53—provided a plausible mechanism for activation of the TP53 pathway. To determine pathogenic role of TP53 pathway in DCM,
Tp53
gene was conditionally deleted in cardiac myocytes in mice expressing the LMNA
D300N
protein. Deletion of
Tp53
partially rescued myocardial fibrosis, apoptosis, proliferation of nonmyocyte cells, left ventricular dilatation and dysfunction, and slightly improved survival.

Conclusions:

Cardiac myocyte-specific expression of LMNA
D300N
, associated with DCM, led to pathogenic activation of the E2F/DNA damage response/TP53 pathway in the heart and induction of myocardial fibrosis, apoptosis, cardiac dysfunction, and premature death. The findings denote the E2F/DNA damage response/TP53 axis as a responsible mechanism for DCM in laminopathies and as a potential intervention target.
Abstract 146: Endovascular Treatment May Still Benefit Patients With Low Baseline Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score
Authors: Kappelhof Manon , Jansen Ivo G , Yoo Albert J , Beenen Ludo F , Roosendaal Stefan D , Mulder Maxim J , Martens Jasper , Postma Alida A , Dippel Diederik W , Lingsma Hester , van Zwam Wim H , Berkhemer Olvert A , Marquering Henk A , Majoie Charles B ,   MR CLEAN Registry Investigators
Published: January 2019

Introduction:
We aimed to investigate the outcome of endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke in patients with low Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS).

Methods:
This study reports on MR CLEAN Registry patients with available baseline ASPECTS (N=1423). ASPECTS was trichotomized in 0-4, 5, and 6-10 in order to create low ASPECTS groups of similar size. Primary outcome was modified Rankin Scale score (mRS) at 90 days. Secondary outcomes were symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) and mortality. Benefit of reperfusion (defined as extended thrombolysis in cerebral infarction [eTICI] score 2B-3) was assessed by multivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis, including an interaction term of reperfusion and ASPECTS, and it was expressed as an adjusted common odds ratio (acOR). A comparison with the MR CLEAN trial control arm was made to assess benefit of EVT.

Results:
Higher trichotomized ASPECTS was associated with improved mRS (acOR 1.4, 95%CI 1.2-1.7). For ASPECTS 0-4 (n=93) successful reperfusion was not associated with improved mRS (acOR 1.4, 95%CI 0.6-2.9). ASPECTS 5 (n=63) and ASPECTS 6-10 subgroups (n=1267) however, did show significant benefit of reperfusion (acOR 3.9, 95%CI 1.3-11.8; acOR 2.7, 95%CI 2.2-3.3, respectively)(Fig1). Interaction between trichotomized ASPECTS and reperfusion was not significant (
p
=0.13). Comparison with the MR CLEAN trial control group showed that trichotomized ASPECTS did not modify the effect of EVT (
p
=0.14). Patients with lower trichotomized ASPECTS had a higher risk of mortality (aOR 0.9, 95%CI 0.9-1.0), but not of sICH (aOR 1.0, 95%CI 0.9-1.1).

Conclusion:
ASPECTS does not modify effect of reperfusion or EVT on functional outcome after acute ischemic stroke. Patients with ASPECTS 5 or higher seem to benefit from successful reperfusion.
Abstract 16: The Tranexamic Acid for Intracerebral Haemorrhage-2 (TICH-2) Trial: Results of One Year Follow Up Data
Authors: Law Zhe Kang , Scutt Polly , Woodhouse Lisa J , Gray Robert , Appleton Jason P , Lysons Christopher , Frowd Nadia , Bath Philip M , Sprigg Nikola ,   on behalf of the TICH-2 Investigators
Published: January 2019

Introduction:
The Tranexamic acid for IntraCerebral Haemorrhage-2 (TICH-2) trial reported no significant improvement in death and dependency at day 90 despite reduction in haematoma expansion and early neurological deterioration. However, significant recovery after stroke, particularly intracerebral haemorrhage may take more than 3 months. Here we will report the participant outcomes one year after stroke.

Methods:
TICH-2 was a prospective randomised controlled trial that tested the efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid in spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage when given within 8 hours of onset. Centralised blinded telephone follow up was performed for patients from the United Kingdom at Day 365. Outcome assessments included modified Rankin Scale, Barthel index, Telephone Interview Cognitive Status-modified, EuroQoL-5D and Zung Depression Scale.

Results:
2325 patients were recruited into the trial (age 68.9 ±13.8 years; 1301 male, 56%). 1161 participants were assigned to tranexamic acid and 1164 participants to placebo. 1909 participants (82.1%) were recruited from the United Kingdom and eligible for day 365 follow up. 81 patients (4.2%) were lost to follow up. Of the 1800 patients with available outcome to date, 609 (33.8%) died while 1003 (55.6%) had poor functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale 4 to 6).

Conclusion:
This is a place-holding abstract for the results of the ongoing day 365 follow-up of TICH-2. To our knowledge this will be the largest long term follow-up of patients with intracerebral haemorrhage.
Abstract 165: CT Perfusion Collateral Score Predicts Which Patients Will Maintain a Penumbral Profile on MRI for Greater than 24 Hours
Authors: Christensen Soren , Mlynash Michael , Kemp Stephanie , Yennu Amarnath , Heit Jeremy J , Marks Michael P , Lansberg Maarten G , Albers Gregory ,   DEFUSE 3 investigators
Published: January 2019

Introduction:
The DAWN and DEFUSE 3 trials demonstrated efficacy of endovascular treatment in patients selected using perfusion imaging or MR Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI) and treated up to 24h after stroke onset.

Hypothesis:
We hypothesized that a persistent favorable perfusion profile (target mismatch, which indicates the presence of penumbral tissue) exists in some patients beyond 24h from onset and can be predicted by lower baseline hypoperfusion intensity ratio (HIR, proportion of Tmax >6s lesion having >10s delay), which indicates favorable collaterals.

Methods:
We identified control arm patients from the DEFUSE 3 trial with a DWI and perfusion MRI performed 24h following randomization and defined 3 subgroups: Group 1) patients with spontaneous reperfusion; Group 2) persistent hypoperfusion lesion, but loss of the target mismatch perfusion profile; Group 3) persistent target mismatch profile. We compared group 2 with group 3 in terms of baseline, 24h and clinical outcome variables.

Results:
55/90 patients in the medical arm had DWI and perfusion MRI follow-up imaging 24 hours after randomization and were included. 18% had spontaneous reperfusion, 64% had a persisting Tmax lesion with an unfavorable profile, and 18% had a persistent target mismatch profile. Patients with a persistent target mismatch profile had a significantly lower HIR on baseline imaging (0.2 vs 0.4, p<0.01) and significantly less infarct growth (15mL vs 59mL, p<0.001) than patients with loss of the target mismatch profile. The persistent target mismatch was documented a median of 38 hours after last known well time. There was no association between baseline clinical characteristics or clinical outcomes and a persistent favorable profile.

Conclusions:
Approximately 20% of medical arm patients in DEFUSE 3 had a persistent mismatch at a median of 38 hours after stroke onset. These patients have very slowly expanding infarcts but eventually suffer very poor clinical outcomes. Clinical trials are needed to determine if late patients presenting with penumbral tissue benefit from thrombectomy more than 24 hours from symptom onset.
Abstract 174: Public Health Potential of Improved Reperfusion in Thrombectomy for Stroke Based on HERMES Collaboration Data
Authors: Kunz Wolfgang G , Hunink Myriam G , Almekhlafi Mohammed A , Menon Bijoy K , Saver Jeffrey L , Dippel Diederik W , Majoie Charles B , Liebeskind David S , Jovin Tudor G , Davalos Antoni , Bracard Serge , Guillemin Francis , Campbell Bruce C , Mitchell Peter J , White Philipp , Muir Keith W , Brown Scott , Demchuk Andrew M , Hill Michael D , Goyal Mayank ,   HERMES Collaborators
Published: January 2019

Introduction:
The benefit that endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) offers to stroke patients with large vessel occlusions depends strongly on reperfusion grade as defined by the mTICI (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction) scale. Our aim was to estimate the public health potential of improved reperfusion.

Methods:
A Markov model estimated lifetime quality-adjusted life years (QALY) of EVT-treated patients and associated costs based on mTICI grades. The analysis was performed from a United States healthcare perspective. Input parameters were based on best available evidence, including patient data from the HERMES collaboration. The lead analysis was conducted for stroke onset at 65 years. Overall lifetime costs and the net monetary benefit (NMB), which combines weighted QALYs and costs into one composite outcome, were analyzed. A willingness-to-pay threshold of $100,000 per QALY was used for NMB calculations.

Results:
Lifetime QALYs and the NMB per patient increased for every grade of improved mTICI reperfusion (Fig 1). The final mTICI 2C/3 rate across all trials in the HERMES collaboration was 31%, yielding on average 5.09 QALYs at lifetime costs of $230,799, resulting in a positive NMB of $278,336. Every 10% increase in the final mTICI 2C/3 rate would yield 0.16 incremental QALYs and $16,878 incremental NMB for the average patient. For a national 10% improvement of the mTICI 2C/3 rate of all EVT-treated patients in the United States, we estimated 3,645 additional QALYs and an incremental NMB of $385 million per year.

Conclusions:
The public health and economic impact of the grade of reperfusion is significant, warranting further improvement of devices and procedural techniques.
Abstract 6: Results From the DEFUSE 3 Trial: Good Leptomeningeal Collaterals Are Associated With Reduced Core Infarct Size but Not Improved Neurologic Outcome
Authors: de Havenon Adam , Mlynash Michael , Kim-Tenser May A , Lansberg Maarten , Leslie-Mazwi Thalabe , Christensen Soren , McTaggart Ryan , Alexander Matthew , Albers Greg , Broderick Joseph , Marks Michael P , Heit Jeremy J ,   on behalf of the DEFUSE 3 Investigators
Published: January 2019

Introduction:
The role of collaterals for acute ischemic stroke patients who qualify for endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in the late therapeutic window (>6 hours from last known normal) remains unknown. We hypothesize that good collaterals on CT angiography (CTA) will moderate neurologic outcome and the effect of EVT.

Methods:
This is a prespecified analysis of DEFUSE 3. The primary outcome is functional independence (modified Rankin scale ≤2). Additional outcomes include baseline infarct volume, change from baseline in the infarct volume at 24 hours, and death at 90 days.

Results:
Of 130 patients, 33 (25%) had poor and 97 (75%) had good collaterals. There was no difference in the rate of functional independence with good versus poor collaterals (30% vs. 39%, p=0.3), but good collaterals were associated with significantly smaller infarct volume and less infarct growth. The difference in the treatment effect of EVT between good versus poor collaterals was not significant (p=0.8). Collateral status did not affect the rate of death [19% vs. 24%, p=0.5].

Conclusion:
In DEFUSE 3 patients, good leptomeningeal collaterals on CTA were not predictive of functional independence or death. These findings introduce the possibility that CTA collaterals may not have a causal relationship with neurologic outcome for anterior circulation large vessel occlusion patients with Target Mismatch in the late window.