bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Casein kinase 2 inhibition impairs spontaneous and oxytocin‐induced contractions in late pregnant mouse uterus
Authors: Suhas K. S. , Parida Subhashree , Gokul Chandrasekaran , Srivastava Vivek , Prakash E. , Chauhan Sakshi , Singh Thakur Uttam , Panigrahi Manjit , Telang Avinash G. , Mishra Santosh K.
Published: April 2018

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Does the inhibition of the protein kinase casein kinase 2 (CK2) alter the uterine contractility?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Inhibition of CK2 impaired the spontaneous and oxytocin‐induced contractility in late pregnant mouse uterus. This finding suggests that CK2 is a novel pathway mediating oxytocin‐induced contractility in the uterus and thus opens up the possibility for this class of drugs to be developed as a new class of tocolytics.

The protein kinase casein kinase 2 (CK2) is a ubiquitously expressed serine or threonine kinase known to phosphorylate a number of substrates. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of CK2 inhibition on spontaneous and oxytocin‐induced uterine contractions in 19 day pregnant mice. The CK2 inhibitor CX‐4945 elicited a concentration‐dependent relaxation in late pregnant mouse uterus. CX‐4945 and another selective CK2 inhibitor, apigenin, also inhibited the oxytocin‐induced contractile response in late pregnant uterine tissue. Apigenin also blunted the prostaglandin F2α response, but CX‐4945 did not. Casein kinase 2 was located in the lipid raft fractions of the cell membrane, and disruption of lipid rafts was found to reverse its effect. The results of the present study suggest that CK2, located in lipid rafts of the cell membrane, is an active regulator of spontaneous and oxytocin‐induced uterine contractions in the late pregnant mouse.
Impaired modulation of postjunctional α1‐ but not α2‐adrenergic vasoconstriction in contracting forearm muscle of postmenopausal women
Authors: Kruse Nicholas T. , Hughes William E. , Ueda Kenichi , Hanada Satoshi , Feider Andrew J. , Iwamoto Erika , Bock Joshua M. , Casey Darren P.
Published: April 2018

Key points

Contraction‐mediated blunting of postjunctional α‐adrenergic vasoconstriction (functional sympatholysis) is attenuated in skeletal muscle of ageing males, brought on by altered postjunctional α1‐ and α2‐adrenergic receptor sensitivity. The extent to which postjunctional α‐adrenergic vasoconstriction occurs in the forearms at rest and during exercise in postmenopausal women remains unknown.

The novel findings indicate that contraction‐mediated blunting of α1‐ (via intra‐arterial infusion of phenylephrine) but not α2‐adrenergic (via intra‐arterial infusion of dexmedetomidine) vasoconstriction was attenuated in postmenopausal women compared to young women.

Additional important findings revealed that postjunctional α‐adrenergic vasoconstrictor responsiveness at rest does not appear to be affected by age in women.

Collectively, these results contribute to our understanding of local neurovascular control at rest and during exercise with age in women.

Contraction‐mediated blunting of postjunctional α‐adrenergic vasoconstriction (functional sympatholysis) is attenuated in older males; however, direct confirmation of this effect remains unknown in postmenopausal women (PMW). The present study examined whether PMW exhibit augmented postjunctional α‐adrenergic receptor vasoconstriction at rest and during forearm exercise compared to young women (YW). Eight YW (24 ± 1 years) and eight PMW (65 ± 1 years) completed a series of randomized experimental trials: (1) at rest, (2) under high flow (adenosine infusion) conditions and (3) during 6 min of forearm exercise at relative (20% of maximum) and absolute (7 kg) intensities. Phenylephrine (α1‐agonist) or dexmedetomidine (α2‐agonist) was administered during the last 3 min of each trial to elicit α‐adrenergic vasoconstriction. Forearm vascular conductance (FVC) was calculated from blood flow and blood pressure. Vasoconstrictor responsiveness was identified as the change in FVC (%) during α‐adrenergic agonist infusions from baseline (resting trial) or from steady‐state conditions (high flow and exercise trials). During resting and high flow trials, the %FVC during α1‐ and α2‐agonist stimulation was similar between YW and PMW. During exercise, α1‐mediated vasoconstriction was blunted in YW vs. PMW at relative (−6 ± 2% vs. −15 ± 3%) and absolute (−4 ± 2% vs. −14 ± 5%) workloads, such that blood flow and FVC were lower in PMW (P < 0.05 for all). Conversely, α2‐mediated vasoconstriction was similar between YW and PMW at relative (−22 ± 3% vs. −22 ± 4%; P > 0.05) and absolute (−19 ± 3% vs. ‐18 ± 4%; P > 0.05) workloads. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that despite similar α‐adrenergic vasoconstrictor responsiveness at rest, PMW have a decreased ability to attenuate α1‐adrenergic vasoconstriction in contracting skeletal muscle.
The discrimination of voice cues in simulations of bimodal electro-acoustic cochlear-implant hearing
Authors: Başkent Deniz , Luckmann Annika , Ceha Jessy , Gaudrain Etienne , Tamati Terrin N.
Published: April 2018

In discriminating speakers' voices, normal-hearing individuals effectively use two vocal characteristics, vocal pitch (related to fundamental frequency, F0) and vocal-tract length (VTL, related to speaker size). Typical cochlear-implant users show poor perception of these cues. However, in implant users with low-frequency residual acoustic hearing, this bimodal electro-acoustic stimulation may provide additional voice-related cues, such as low-numbered harmonics and formants, which could improve F0/VTL perception. In acoustic noise-vocoder simulations, where added low-pass filtered speech simulated residual hearing, a strong bimodal benefit was observed for F0 perception. No bimodal benefit was observed for VTL, which seems to mainly rely on vocoder spectral resolution.
Carbapenem-Resistant Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae of Sequence Type 36
Authors: Feng Yu , Lu Yang , Yao Zhihong , Zong Zhiyong
Published: April 2018

Sequence type 36 (ST36)
Klebsiella pneumoniae
is distributed worldwide. We found an ST36
K. pneumoniae
clinical isolate that was carbapenem resistant, carried
bla
KPC-2
, had mucoid regulator gene
rmpA
, and exhibited high virulence. The finding suggests the emergence of carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent
K. pneumoniae
of ST36, and surveillance of carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent
K. pneumoniae
is required.
Ulcerative fibroadenomatous hyperplasia in pregnant queens: two medically managed cases
Authors: Furthner Etienne , Pasquet Isabelle , Niewiadomska Zuzanna , Fontbonne Alain , Maenhoudt Cindy
Published: April 2018

Case history: A one‐year‐old primiparous domestic shorthair cat and a two‐year‐old primiparous Maine Coon developed an abnormal bilateral mammary swelling at mid‐pregnancy, typical of fibroadenomatous hyperplasia (FAH). In both cases, ulcerations appeared at the end of pregnancy. Clinical findings: Ulcerative FAHs in these two pregnant queens were medically managed with aglepristone, without having to stop the pregnancy, or perform spaying and mammary surgeries. Kittens were allowed to suckle. Queens did not suffer from any relapse at their subsequent pregnancy. Clinical relevance: To the authors’ best knowledge, these two cases are the first described cases of ulcerative FAH during pregnancy, medically managed without having to stop the pregnancy with aglepristone, or perform invasive surgeries, which led to a positive health and fertility outcome.
PREDICTION AND INVESTIGATION OF SURFACE ROUGHNESS WHILE TURNING SG IRON WITH CUBIC BORON NITRIDE (CBN) AND TUNGSTEN CARBIDE INSERTS
Authors: Kumar K.M. , Hariharan P.
Published: April 2018

This work compares the effect of cubic boron nitride (CBN) and multilayer (TiCN+Al2O3+TiN) coated tungsten carbide (WC) tools during the turning of spheroidal graphite (SG) nodular iron. Nodular irons have more ductility which is required in mechanical components that demand high fatigue resistance like crankshafts, cam shafts, bearing caps and clutch housings. The impact of various process parameters like the depth of cut, cutting speed and feed on the surface roughness (Ra) of SG iron is studied and optimized using the response surface model. The chip morphology is also discussed for evaluation of the quality of the turned surface. The experimental outcomes reveal that the WC tool offers a high surface finish at the optimal combination of the cutting speed at 102 meter/minute, feed at 0.051 millimeter/revolution and depth of cut at 0.5 millimeter and that, for the CBN insert, at 245 meter/minute of cutting speed, 0.051 millimeter/revolution of feed and 0.75 millimeter of depth of cut.
THE INFLUENCE OF MEDIAL-LATERAL CONTACT PAIR CONFORMITY ON CONTACT STRESSES IN TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT
Authors: Usman  , Huang Shyh-Chour
Published: April 2018

Eleven finite element models representing the medial-lateral conformity level and shape have been analyzed. From the result, we concluded that the flat-on-flat contact model of knee joint replacement was the most vulnerable to damage. Moreover, in the flat-on-flat model, the highest von Mises stress occurred at two points in a model, namely at the medial and lateral edge of the contact area. With respect to the sensitivity of the contact stresses to the conformity (frontal clearance) in the curved-on-curved model, the larger radius of the femoral indenter showed more contact stress sensitivity to the change in conformity. The von Mises stress dropped to almost half of its previous value when the frontal clearance decreased from 10 to 2 mm.
DESIGN OPTIMIZATION OF VERTICAL NEEDLE GEOMETRY FOR BUMP WAFER-LEVEL PROBING
Authors: Hsiao Te-Ching , Huang Shyh-Chour , Chang Hao-Yuan
Published: April 2018

The purpose of this paper is mainly to develop a method to use the Taguchi method with the L18 (21 × 37) orthogonal array to obtain an optimal geometrical design of the vertical probing needle and base on various criteria to minimize the stress on the probing needle during wafer-level probing test. Furthermore, importance of the factors on the probing mark area ratio was also ranked. The results shows that as probe length, offset, and lower die gap increase, stress on the probing decrease. On the contrary, vertical probe bends decrease, stress on the probe increase. Furthermore, the body of vertical probe with rectangle cross-section is better than square and circular sharp.
OPTIMIZATION OF HIGH SPEED CNC END MILLING PROCESS OF BSL 168 ALUMINIUM COMPOSITE FOR AERONAUTICAL APPLICATIONS
Authors: Kumar R. Suresh , Alexis John , Thangarasu V.S.
Published: April 2018

This research paper carries out analyses to suggest a scientific model for machining of BSL 168-Aluminium composites by optimization of input parameters of CNC high-speed milling using Box Behnken based response surface method. A design of experiment (DOE) based Box Behnken array of experiments for 4 factors with 3 variations of 34 variations is developed and tested to find the responses. The received responses are developed into a mathematical model. The significance of the individual parameter is ascertained using desirability functions and confirmatory runs. The derived optimized set minimizes the surface roughness to a value of less than 2 microns and with 37% extra material removal rate and best in class geometrical quality.
CONSUMPTION INEQUALITY IN INDIA AFTER LIBERALIZATION: A CASTE BASED ASSESSMENT
Authors: KUMAR ANOOP S. , YAZIR P. , GOPIKA G. G.
Published: April 2018

We analyze the consumption inequality in India among different caste groups namely SC, ST, OBC and Others using three rounds of Household Level Consumption Expenditure Survey Data from 1993–94 to 2009–10. Regression analysis shows disparity in consumption expenditure across various caste groups. Values of Gini coefficient, Theil’s Index and overlapping index display an increasing trend in both within- and between-group inequality over time. The possibility of stratification among “Others” is identified. It is found that SCs and STs in particular bear the burden of increasing inequality, indicating possible inefficient implementation of the welfare schemes aimed at these communities.
Supersymmetric tools in Yang–Mills theories at strong coupling: The beginning of a long journey
Authors: Shifman Mikhail
Published: April 2018

Development of holomorphy-based methods in super-Yang–Mills theories started in the early 1980s and lead to a number of breakthrough results. I review some results in which I participated. The discovery of Seiberg’s duality and the Seiberg–Witten solution of [Formula: see text] Yang–Mills were the milestones in the long journey of which, I assume, much will be said in other talks. I will focus on the discovery (2003) of non-Abelian vortex strings with various degrees of supersymmetry, supported in some four-dimensional Yang–Mills theories and some intriguing implications of this discovery. One of the recent results is the observation of a soliton string in the bulk [Formula: see text] theory with the [Formula: see text] gauge group and four flavors, which can become critical in a certain limit. This is the case of a “reverse holography,” with a very transparent physical meaning.
Performance and Analysis of Transmultiplexers Using Decimator and Interpolator
Authors: Arunkumar S. , Ganesh Kumar P.
Published: April 2018

This paper deals with the smart applications of multirate digital signal processing. The two major operations are accomplished in consumer electronics and communication engineering. The process of reducing the sampling frequency of a sampled signal is called decimation. In the usage of decimating filters, only a portion of the out-of-pass band frequencies aliases into the pass band, in systems wherein different parts operate at different sample rates. A filter design, tuned to the aliasing frequencies all of which can otherwise stealth into the pass band, not only provides multiple stop bands but also exhibits computational efficiency and performance superiority over the single stop band design. The proposed method of transmultiplexer using decimation and interpolation filters analysis procedure is not only efficient but also opens up a new vista of being simple and elegant to compute for the desired over and above transmultiplexer.
Stochastic geometry model of rock mass fracture network in tunnels
Authors: Azarafza Mohammad , Akgün Haluk , Asghari-Kaljahi Ebrahim
Published: April 2018

Geometric distributions of fractures or discontinuities control the behaviour, and limit the strength and the stability of rock masses where the best stabilization and improvement method for that rock mass could be achieved based on favourable discontinuity geometry. This study introduces an algorithm named ‘Stochastic Geometry Model of Fractures Network in Tunnels (SGMFNT)’, which was developed with the MATHEMATICA software. The SGMFNT method provides a fractures geometric distribution database to aid discontinuous rock mass stability analysis by block modelling codes. This algorithm increased the accuracy of the discontinuity model based on the Heliot and Baecher models in a 2D space. The SGMFNT that was used in two of the sectors of the Kani-Sib water conveyance tunnel in the west Azerbaijan province, Iran has successfully provided the rock mass geometrical discontinuity model for this case study.
Failure and post-failure analysis of submarine mass movements using geomorphology and geomechanical concepts
Authors: Locat Jacques
Published: April 2018

Access to submarine slopes is usually limited and it is often difficult to rely on deep cores or
in situ
measurements to determine the geotechnical characteristics of the sediments involved in a slide when carrying out back-analyses of submarine mass movements and their consequences. The approach presented here uses geomorphology and basic geomechanical concepts to reduce uncertainties in slope stability and mobility analyses. It shows how geomorphology can be used to select the geomechanical input parameters required in failure and post-failure analyses. Typical parameters derived from such analyses are related to the strength of the material, the pore water pressure at the time of failure, and the rheological properties of post-failure debris or mud flows.
Open Connect Everywhere
Authors: Böttger Timm , Cuadrado Felix , Tyson Gareth , Castro Ignacio , Uhlig Steve
Published: April 2018

The importance of IXPs to interconnect different networks and exchange traffic locally has been well studied over the last few years. However, far less is known about the role IXPs play as a platform to enable large-scale content delivery and to reach a world-wide customer base. In this paper, we study the infrastructure deployment of a content hypergiant, Netflix, and show that the combined worldwide IXP substrate is the major corner stone of its Content Delivery Network. This highlights the additional role that IXPs play in the Internet ecosystem, not just in terms of interconnection, but also allowing players such as Netflix to deliver significant amounts of traffic.
Charting the Algorithmic Complexity of Waypoint Routing
Authors: Amiri Saeed Akhoondian , Foerster Klaus-Tycho , Jacob Riko , Schmid Stefan
Published: April 2018

Modern computer networks support interesting new routing models in which traffic flows from a source sto a destination t can be flexibly steered through a sequence of waypoints, such as (hardware) middleboxes or (virtualized) network functions (VNFs), to create innovative network services like service chains or segment routing. While the benefits and technological challenges of providing such routing models have been articulated and studied intensively over the last years, less is known about the underlying algorithmic traffic routing problems.

The goal of this paper is to provide the network community with an overview of algorithmic techniques for waypoint routing and also inform about limitations due to computational hardness. In particular, we put the waypoint routing problem into perspective with respect to classic graph theoretical problems. For example, we find that while computing a shortest path from a source s to a destination t is simple (e.g., using Dijkstra's algorithm), the problem of finding a shortest route from s to t via a single waypoint already features a deep combinatorial structure.
Thoughts and Recommendations from the ACM SIGCOMM 2017 Reproducibility Workshop
Authors: Saucez Damien , Iannone Luigi
Published: April 2018

Ensuring the reproducibility of results is an essential part of experimental sciences, including computer networking. Unfortunately, as highlighted recently, a large portion of research results are hardly, if not at all, reproducible, raising reasonable lack of conviction on the research carried out around the world.

Recent years have shown an increasing awareness about reproducibility of results as an essential part of research carried out by members of the ACM SIGCOMM community. To address this important issue, ACM has introduced a new policy on results and artifacts review and badging. The policy defines the terminology to be used to assess results and artifacts but does not specify the review process or how to make research reproducible.

During SIGCOMM'17 a side workshop has been organized with the specific purpose to tackle this issue. The objective being to trigger discussion and activity in order to craft recommendations on how to introduce incentives for authors to share their artifacts, and the details on how to use them, as well as defining the process to be used.

This editorial overviews the workshop activity and summarizes the main discussions and outcomes.
A Survey on Artifacts from CoNEXT, ICN, IMC, and SIGCOMM Conferences in 2017
Authors: Flittner Matthias , Mahfoudi Mohamed Naoufal , Saucez Damien , Wählisch Matthias , Iannone Luigi , Bajpai Vaibhav , Afanasyev Alex
Published: April 2018

Reproducibility of artifacts is a cornerstone of most scientific publications. To improve the current state and strengthen ongoing community efforts towards reproducibility by design, we conducted a survey among the papers published at leading ACM computer networking conferences in 2017: CoNEXT, ICN, IMC, and SIGCOMM.

The objective of this paper is to assess the current state of artifact availability and reproducibility based on a survey. We hope that it will serve as a starting point for further discussions to encourage researchers to ease the reproduction of scientific work published within the SIGCOMM community. Furthermore, we hope this work will inspire program chairs of future conferences to emphasize reproducibility within the ACM SIGCOMM community as well as will strengthen awareness of researchers.
Aortic Valve Predilatation with a Small Balloon, without Rapid Pacing, prior to Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
Authors: Shivaraju Anupama , Thilo Christian , Sawlani Neal , Ott Ilka , Schunkert Heribert , von Scheidt Wolfgang , Kastrati Adnan , Kasel Albert Markus
Published: April 2018

Objectives. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility and clinical outcome of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) using aortic valve predilatation (AVPD) with a small, nonocclusive balloon. Background. Balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) under rapid pacing is generally performed in TAVR to ensure the passage and sufficient deployment of the prosthesis in the stenotic AV. BAV may cause serious complications, such as left ventricular stunning or cerebrovascular embolism. Methods. A cohort of 50 consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis underwent transfemoral TAVR with the Edwards Sapien 3-heart valve. All patients underwent AVPD with a small, nonocclusive balloon (12 × 60 or 14 × 60 mm) without rapid pacing. Procedural data and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Results. The mean age of the cohort was 81±6 years and the mean logistic EuroSCORE (European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation) was 13±9. Crossing the AV and prosthesis implantation was successful in all cases. The postprocedural mean AV gradient was 12±5 mmHg. There were no cases of aortic regurgitation ≥ grade 2. No periprocedural stroke occurred. One patient (2%) with chronic atrial fibrillation displayed a transient Wernicke aphasia occurring more than 24 hours after TAVR. Mortality was 0% at 30 days after procedure. Conclusion. In TAVR, AVPD with a small, nonocclusive balloon can be safely performed. By avoiding rapid pacing, this technique may be a valid alternative to traditional BAV. Whether or not the use of APVD without rapid pacing translates into less periprocedural complications needs to be assessed in future studies.
The Rare Benign Lesion That Mimics a Malignant Tumor in Breast Parenchyma: Nodular Fasciitis of the Breast
Authors: Erinanc Hilal , Türk Emin
Published: April 2018

We herein report the clinical and pathological findings of a rare case of nodular fasciitis in the breast parenchyma of a 48-year-old female. Because of potentially malignant findings on ultrasonography and during clinical examination, the patient underwent an excisional biopsy. Histologically, the lesion was composed of spindle to round shaped cells arranged in short bundles in a storiform pattern. Immunohistochemically, the cells were positive for vimentin and SMA and negative for desmin, S100, and CD34. Based on these morphological and immunohistochemical features, a diagnosis of nodular fasciitis was made. We emphasize that nodular fasciitis of the breast may show clinical features and imaging findings similar to those of breast cancer. The histopathologic diagnosis of nodular fasciitis can also be challenging. The purpose of this case report is to highlight the characteristics and the differential diagnosis of this rare neoplasm.
Can Clinical and Surgical Parameters Be Combined to Predict How Long It Will Take a Tibia Fracture to Heal? A Prospective Multicentre Observational Study: The FRACTING Study
Authors: Massari Leo , Benazzo Francesco , Falez Francesco , Cadossi Ruggero , Perugia Dario , Pietrogrande Luca , Aloj Domenico Costantino , Capone Antonio , D’Arienzo Michele , Cadossi Matteo , Lorusso Vincenzo , Caruso Gaetano , Ghiara Matteo , Ciolli Luigi , La Cava Filippo , Guidi Marco , Castoldi Filippo , Marongiu Giuseppe , La Gattuta Alessandra , Dell’Omo Dario , Scaglione Michelangelo , Giannini Sandro , Fortina Mattia , Riva Alberto , De Palma Pier Luigi , Gigante Antonio Pompilio , Moretti Biagio , Solarino Giuseppe , Lijoi Francesco , Giordano Giovanni , Londini Pier Giorgio , Castellano Danilo , Sessa Giuseppe , Costarella Luciano , Barile Antonio , Borrelli Mariano , Rota Attilio , Fontana Raffaele , Momoli Alberto , Micaglio Andrea , Bassi Guido , Cornacchia Rossano Stefano , Castelli Claudio , Giudici Michele , Monesi Mauro , Branca Vergano Luigi , Maniscalco Pietro , Bulabula M’Putu , Zottola Vincenzo , Caraffa Auro , Antinolfi Pierluigi , Catani Fabio , Severino Claudio , Castaman Enrico , Scialabba Carmelo , Tovaglia Venceslao , Corsi Pietro , Friemel Paolo , Ranellucci Marco , Caiaffa Vincenzo , Maraglino Giovanni , Rossi Roberto , Pastrone Antonio , Caldora Patrizio , Cusumano Claudio , Squarzina Pier Bruno , Baschieri Ugo , Demattè Ettore , Gherardi Stefano , De Roberto Carlo , Belluati Alberto , Giannini Antonio , Villani Ciro , Persiani Pietro , Demitri Silvio , Di Maggio Bruno , Abate Guglielmo , De Terlizzi Francesca , Setti Stefania
Published: April 2018

Background. Healing of tibia fractures occurs over a wide time range of months, with a number of risk factors contributing to prolonged healing. In this prospective, multicentre, observational study, we investigated the capability of FRACTING (tibia FRACTure prediction healING days) score, calculated soon after tibia fracture treatment, to predict healing time.Methods. The study included 363 patients. Information on patient health, fracture morphology, and surgical treatment adopted were combined to calculate the FRACTING score. Fractures were considered healed when the patient was able to fully weight-bear without pain.Results. 319 fractures (88%) healed within 12 months from treatment. Forty-four fractures healed after 12 months or underwent a second surgery. FRACTING score positively correlated with days to healing:r=0.63(p<0.0001). Average score value was 7.3 ± 2.5; ROC analysis showed strong reliability of the score in separating patients healing before versus after 6 months: AUC = 0.823.Conclusions. This study shows that the FRACTING score can be employed both to predict months needed for fracture healing and to identify immediately after treatment patients at risk of prolonged healing. In patients with high score values, new pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments to enhance osteogenesis could be tested selectively, which may finally result in reduced disability time and health cost savings.
Effect of Dietary Grape Pomace and Seed on Ewe Milk and Meat Quality of Their Suckling Lambs
Authors: Resconi V. C. , Pascual-Alonso M. , Aguayo-Ulloa L. , Miranda-de la Lama G. C. , Alierta S. , Campo M. M. , Olleta J. L. , Villarroel M. , María G. A.
Published: April 2018

The effect of wine by-products in the feeding of ewes on fatty acid composition of milk and meat of their suckling lambs and the sensory quality of the meat was investigated. Forty-two ewes were fed during the second half of gestation and lactation one out of three treatments: a control diet based on a commercial concentrate and two concentrates supplemented with either 10% grape pomace or 5% grape seed. In addition, all animals had ad libitum access of Lucerne chaff. The control group showed lower concentration of saturated fatty acids (mainly in short and medium chain) and higher monounsaturated fatty acids (mainly oleic acid) in the milk fat, being the total polyunsaturated fatty acids unchanged. However, this variation was not reflected in the meat of the suckling lambs, where only few differences in individual fatty acids were found, such as linoleic acid being highest in the pomace treatment. Spicy and metallic flavours were increased in the wine by-products groups, but overall liking was not affected. The by-products added to the diets may be a good way to reduce costs on feeding and waste, but they were not able to provide a healthier fatty acid profile, neither in milk nor in the meat of the suckling lambs.
Ocular Manifestations of a Novel Proximal 19p13.3 Microdeletion
Authors: Swan L. , Coman D.
Published: April 2018

Microdeletions at 19p13.3 are rarely reported in the medical literature with significant phenotypic variability. Among the reported cases, common clinical manifestations have included developmental delay, facial dysmorphism, and hypotonia. Herein we described a child with a de novo 19p13.3 microdeletion, proximal to the reported cases of 19p13.3 microdeletion/duplication, with ocular manifestations of bilateral ocular colobomata complicated with microphthalmos and cataract, associated with short stature. This case highlights the phenotypic heterogeneity of deletions in the 19p13.3 region.
Astragaloside Inhibits Hepatic Fibrosis by Modulation of TGF‐β1/Smad Signaling Pathway
Authors: Yuan Xingxing , Gong Zhiqiang , Wang Bingyu , Guo Xueying , Yang Lei , Li Dandan , Zhang Yali
Published: April 2018

Activation of HSC is a pivotal step in hepatic fibrosis. In the activation of HSC, the TGF‐β1 plays a key role that can promote the occurrence of hepatic fibrosis by combining with Smad proteins. Astragaloside is the main active component extracted from Radix Astragali that has the effect of antioxidation and hepatoprotection. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism of astragalosides inhibiting hepatic fibrosis in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, astragalosides inhibited the activation of HSC and regulated the expression of MMP‐2 and TIMP‐2 and reduced the formation of collagen fibers. In vivo, administration of astragalosides decreased the serum ALT, AST, and TBiL in rats by reducing oxidative stress. Astragalosides also attenuated hepatic fibrosis by reducing the concentration of hydroxyproline and inhibiting the formation of collagen fibers. The expressions of TGF‐β1, TβR‐I, p‐Smad 2, and p‐Smad 3 were downregulated after astragalosides treatments, while Smad 7 was upregulated compared to the control group. The results indicated that the effect of astragaloside on hepatic fibrosis was related to the inhibition of HSC activation and the modulation of the TGF‐β1/Smad signaling pathway.
Investigation into Mechanism of Floor Dynamic Rupture by Evolution Characteristics of Stress and Mine Tremors: A Case Study in Guojiahe Coal Mine, China
Authors: Liu Guangjian , Mu Zonglong , Javed Atif , Gong Shaokun , Yang Jing , Cao Jinglong
Published: April 2018

In order to explore the mechanism of floor dynamic rupture, the current study adopts a thin plate model to further investigate the condition of floor failure. One of the possible explanations could be floor buckling due to high horizontal stress and dynamic disturbance ultimately leading to rapid and massive release of elastic energy thus inducing dynamic rupture. Seismic computed tomography and 3D location were employed to explore the evolution characteristics of floor stress distribution and positions of mine tremors. In the regions of floor dynamic rupture, higher P‐wave velocity was recorded prior to the dynamic rupture. On the contrary, relatively lower reading was observed after the dynamic rupture thus depicting a high stress concentration condition. Meanwhile, evolution of mine tremors revealed the accumulation and subsequent release of energy during the dynamic rupture process. It was further revealed that dynamic rupture was induced due to the superposition of static and dynamic stresses: (i) the high static stress concentration due to frontal and lateral abutment stress from coal pillar and (ii) dynamic stress from the fracture and caving of coal pillar, hard roof, and key stratum. In the later part of this study, the floor dynamic rupture occurrence process would be reproduced through numerical simulations within a 0.6 sec time frame. The above‐mentioned findings would be used to propose a feasible mechanism for prewarning and prevention of floor dynamic rupture using seismic computed tomography and mine tremors 3D location.
A Result on the Existence and Uniqueness of Stationary Solutions for a Bioconvective Flow Model
Authors: Coronel Aníbal , Friz Luis , Hess Ian , Tello Alex
Published: April 2018

In this note, we prove the existence and uniqueness of weak solutions for the boundary value problem modelling the stationary case of the bioconvective flow problem. The bioconvective model is a boundary value problem for a system of four equations: the nonlinear Stokes equation, the incompressibility equation, and two transport equations. The unknowns of the model are the velocity of the fluid, the pressure of the fluid, the local concentration of microorganisms, and the oxygen concentration. We derive some appropriate a priori estimates for the weak solution, which implies the existence, by application of Gossez theorem, and the uniqueness by standard methodology of comparison of two arbitrary solutions.
New Design for an Adjustable Cise Space Maintainer
Authors: Ozkalayci Nurhat , Yetmez Mehmet
Published: April 2018

Objective. The aim of this study is to present a new adjustable Cise space maintainer for preventive orthodontic applications.Methods. Stainless steel based new design consists of six main components. In order to understand the major displacement and stress fields, structural analysis for the design is considered by using finite element method.Results. Similar to major displacement aty-axis, critical stressesσxandτxypossess a linear distribution with constant increasing. Additionally, strain energy density (SED) plays an important role to determine critical biting load capacity.Conclusion. Structural analysis shows that the space maintainer is stable and is used for maintaining and/or regaining the space which arouses early loss of molar tooth.
Extremely Preterm (23 Weeks) Vaginal Cephalic Delivery En Caul and Subsequent Postpartum Intraventricular Hemorrhage and Respiratory Distress: A Teaching Case
Authors: Malik Rohail , Sarfraz Adil , Faroqui Raihan , Onyebeke William , Wanerman Jeffrey
Published: April 2018

En caul deliveries are defined as a fetus that is delivered completely contained within an amniotic sac and are considered to be less common than 1 in 80,000 live births. Vaginal en caul births compared to abdominal or cesarean are the rarest subtype. Most en caul births are associated with prematurity and low gravida. The combination of prematurity, high gravida, vaginal en caul birth, and severe postpartum complications has not previously been described. We report a woman with gravida of 12 delivering vaginally a neonate female en caul at the extremely preterm gestational age of 23 weeks. The neonate subsequently decompensated, underwent respiratory distress, and was diagnosed with a bilateral intraventricular hemorrhage. Owing to deteriorating status, supportive care was removed and the infant was pronounced dead 5 days after delivery.
Antibacterial Activity of Two Flavans from the Stem Bark of Embelia schimperi
Authors: Guyasa Babe , Melaku Yadessa , Endale Milkyas
Published: April 2018

Embelia schemperi Vatke is one of the medicinal plants used traditionally for treatment of intestinal tape worm, dysmenorrheal, bacterial, and fungal infections. Phytochemical screening test of the dichloromethane/methanol (1 : 1) and methanol extracts revealed the presence of phenols, alkaloids, tannins, and flavonoids whereas terpenoids, glycoside, and phytosterols were absent. Silica gel column chromatographic separation of the methanol extract afforded 3,5,7,3′,4′-pentahydroxyflavan, named epicatechin (1), along with a close flavan derivative (2). Structures of the compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques (1D and 2D NMR, FTIR, and UV-Vis). The crude extracts and isolated compounds were screened for in vitro antibacterial activity against strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Cryptococcus neoformans, Shigella dysentriae, and Staphylococcus aureus. Epicatechin (1) exhibited comparable antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli (15 and 12 mm zone of inhibition, resp.) to that of the control antibiotic gentamicin, with zone of inhibition of 15 and 12 mm, respectively, at a concentration of 20 µg/mL.
Intrusion Detection System Based on Evolving Rules for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Lu Nannan , Sun Yanjing , Liu Hui , Li Song
Published: April 2018

Human care services, as one of the classical Internet of things applications, enable various kinds of things to connect with each other through wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Owing to the lack of physical defense devices, data exchanged through WSNs such as personal information is exposed to malicious attacks. Therefore, intrusion detection is urgently needed to actively defend against such attacks. Intrusion detection as a data mining procedure cannot control the size of rule sets and distinguish the similarity between normal and intrusion network behaviors. Therefore, in this paper, an evolving mechanism is introduced to extract the rules for intrusion detection. To extract diversified rules as well as control the quantity of rulesets, the extracted rules are examined according to the distance between the rules in the rule set of the same class and the rules in the rule set of different classes. Thereby, it alleviates the problem that the quantity of rules expands unexpectedly with the evolving genetic network programming. The simulations are conducted on a benchmark intrusion dataset, and the results show that the proposed method provides an effective solution to evolve the class association rules and improves the intrusion detection performance.
Relationship between Subtalar Joint Stiffness and Relaxed Calcaneal Stance Position in Cerebral Palsy Children with Valgus Deformities
Authors: Chen Wei , Yao Jie , Yang Yang , Liu Xiaoyu , Wang Lizhen , Pu Fang , Fan Yubo
Published: April 2018

Relaxed calcaneal stance position (RCSP) is an important index in the correctional treatment of foot valgus deformities for cerebral palsy (CP) children. However, patients with similar RCSP showed diverse outcomes when accepting similar treatment, as the corrective resistance of subtalar joint (STJ) could be quite different. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between STJ stiffness and RCSP in different loading conditions. 38 valgus feet of 19 CP subjects were included in the study. A reposition force was applied beneath the STJ and pushed the foot from pronated position to neutral position. The STJ stiffness was calculated as the slope of the line fitting the force-displacement data. Correlations between the STJ stiffness, RCSP, and composite spasticity index (CSI) were analyzed. The spearman correlation coefficient indicated that STJ stiffness had no correlation with RCSPs, yet it had negative correlation with the change of RCSP under difference loading conditions (ΔRCSP1w-0wandΔRCSP0.5w-0w). STJ stiffness was also correlated with the composite spasticity index (CSI), implying that this index had an advantage in reflecting the mechanism of valgus deformity and should be considered as a necessary measurement of foot valgus in CP children. The present method for quantification of STJ stiffness could improve the accuracy in the diagnosis and classification of foot deformity and may help increase the understanding of the biomechanical factors in foot deformity rehabilitation.
Error Correction of Meteorological Data Obtained with Mini-AWSs Based on Machine Learning
Authors: Ha Ji-Hun , Kim Yong-Hyuk , Im Hyo-Hyuc , Kim Na-Young , Sim Sangjin , Yoon Yourim
Published: April 2018

Severe weather events occur more frequently due to climate change; therefore, accurate weather forecasts are necessary, in addition to the development of numerical weather prediction (NWP) of the past several decades. A method to improve the accuracy of weather forecasts based on NWP is the collection of more meteorological data by reducing the observation interval. However, in many areas, it is economically and locally difficult to collect observation data by installing automatic weather stations (AWSs). We developed a Mini-AWS, much smaller than AWSs, to complement the shortcomings of AWSs. The installation and maintenance costs of Mini-AWSs are lower than those of AWSs; Mini-AWSs have fewer spatial constraints with respect to the installation than AWSs. However, it is necessary to correct the data collected with Mini-AWSs because they might be affected by the external environment depending on the installation area. In this paper, we propose a novel error correction of atmospheric pressure data observed with a Mini-AWS based on machine learning. Using the proposed method, we obtained corrected atmospheric pressure data, reaching the standard of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO; ±0.1 hPa), and confirmed the potential of corrected atmospheric pressure data as an auxiliary resource for AWSs.
Cafestol Inhibits Cyclic‐Strain‐Induced Interleukin‐8, Intercellular Adhesion Molecule‐1, and Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein‐1 Production in Vascular Endothelial Cells
Authors: Hao Wen-Rui , Sung Li-Chin , Chen Chun-Chao , Chen Po-Yuan , Cheng Tzu-Hurng , Chao Hung-Hsing , Liu Ju-Chi , Chen Jin-Jer
Published: April 2018

Moderate coffee consumption is inversely associated with cardiovascular disease mortality; however, mechanisms underlying this causal effect remain unclear. Cafestol, a diterpene found in coffee, has various properties, including an anti‐inflammatory property. This study investigated the effect of cafestol on cyclic‐strain‐induced inflammatory molecule secretion in vascular endothelial cells. Cells were cultured under static or cyclic strain conditions, and the secretion of inflammatory molecules was determined using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The effects of cafestol on mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPK), heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1), and sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) signaling pathways were examined using Western blotting and specific inhibitors. Cafestol attenuated cyclic‐strain‐stimulated intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1), monocyte chemoattractant protein‐ (MCP‐) 1, and interleukin‐ (IL‐) 8 secretion. Cafestol inhibited the cyclic‐strain‐induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase and p38 MAPK. By contrast, cafestol upregulated cyclic‐strain‐induced HO‐1 and Sirt1 expression. The addition of zinc protoporphyrin IX, sirtinol, or Sirt1 silencing (transfected with Sirt1 siRNA) significantly attenuated cafestol‐mediated modulatory effects on cyclic‐strain‐stimulated ICAM‐1, MCP‐1, and IL‐8 secretion. This is the first study to report that cafestol inhibited cyclic‐strain‐induced inflammatory molecule secretion, possibly through the activation of HO‐1 and Sirt1 in endothelial cells. The results provide valuable insights into molecular pathways that may contribute to the effects of cafestol.
Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer in Elderly Patients: Patient Features and Therapeutic Management
Authors: Takayuki Nakano , Keiko Tanimura , Junji Uchino , Yoshiko Kaneko , Nobuyo Tamiya , Tadaaki Yamada , Koichi Takayama
Published: April 2018

Lung cancer has the highest mortality rate among all cancers in most developed countries. The number of elderly patients with lung cancer has been increasing, reflecting the global increase in aging population. Therefore, standard chemotherapeutic regimens for elderly patients with lung cancer need to be established. However, the effectiveness of chemotherapy in elderly patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer remains controversial because they are often excluded from clinical trials. Some clinical trials have shown that the therapeutic benefit of a third-generation anticancer drug alone was superior to best supportive care. In contrast, platinum-doublet was superior only in terms of overall survival and progression-free survival, and other trials reported an increased rate of treatment-related death in the elderly patients. In recent years, some novel treatment modalities for lung cancer have been developed and shown to significantly improve the therapeutic outcomes, including targeted therapy for lung cancer harboring driver mutation, combination therapy of angiogenesis inhibitor and cytotoxic agents, and immune checkpoint inhibitor. Although several clinical trials with these agents have shown favorable outcome regardless of age, their safety in the elderly patients has not been established. Herein, we discuss the current clinical status and future prospects in elderly patients with lung cancer.
Nrf2 Deficiency Unmasks the Significance of Nitric Oxide Synthase Activity for Cardioprotection
Authors: Erkens Ralf , Suvorava Tatsiana , Sutton Thomas R. , Fernandez Bernadette O. , Mikus-Lelinska Monika , Barbarino Frederik , Flögel Ulrich , Kelm Malte , Feelisch Martin , Cortese-Krott Miriam M.
Published: April 2018

The transcription factor nuclear factor (erythroid‐derived 2)‐like 2 (Nrf2) is a key master switch that controls the expression of antioxidant and cytoprotective enzymes, including enzymes catalyzing glutathione de novo synthesis. In this study, we aimed to analyze whether Nrf2 deficiency influences antioxidative capacity, redox state, NO metabolites, and outcome of myocardial ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury. In Nrf2 knockout (Nrf2 KO) mice, we found elevated eNOS expression and preserved NO metabolite concentrations in the aorta and heart as compared to wild types (WT). Unexpectedly, Nrf2 KO mice have a smaller infarct size following myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury than WT mice and show fully preserved left ventricular systolic function. Inhibition of NO synthesis at onset of ischemia and during early reperfusion increased myocardial damage and systolic dysfunction in Nrf2 KO mice, but not in WT mice. Consistent with this, infarct size and diastolic function were unaffected in eNOS knockout (eNOS KO) mice after ischemia/reperfusion. Taken together, these data suggest that eNOS upregulation under conditions of decreased antioxidant capacity might play an important role in cardioprotection against I/R. Due to the redundancy in cytoprotective mechanisms, this fundamental antioxidant property of eNOS is not evident upon acute NOS inhibition in WT mice or in eNOS KO mice until Nrf2‐related signaling is abrogated.
Osteopontin Expression Is Associated with the Poor Prognosis in Patients with Locally Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Receiving Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Chiu Tai-Jan , Lu Hung-I , Chen Chang-Han , Huang Wan-Ting , Wang Yu-Ming , Lin Wei-Che , Li Shau-Hsuan
Published: April 2018

Background. The osteopontin has been involved in therapeutic resistance in a variety of cancers. But, the significance of osteopontin expression on the prognosis of patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) receiving chemoradiotherapy is unclear.Methods.In 80 patients with locally advanced ESCC receiving preoperative chemoradiotherapy between 1999 and 2012, osteopontin expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and correlated with treatment outcome. The functional role of osteopontin in ESCC cell lines was determined by osteopontin-mediated siRNA.Results. Osteopontin expression and clinical T4 classification were significantly associated with poor pathological complete response. Univariate analyses demonstrated that osteopontin overexpression and clinical T classification, T4, were significantly associated with worse overall survival and disease-free survival. In multivariate comparison, osteopontin overexpression and clinical T classification, T4, represented the independent adverse prognosticator. In ESCC cell lines, endogenous osteopontin depletion by osteopontin-mediated siRNA increased sensitivity to cisplatin. Osteopontin expression is independently correlated with the response of chemoradiotherapy and prognosis of patients with locally advanced ESCC receiving preoperative chemoradiotherapy.Conclusions. Our results suggest that osteopontin may be a potential therapeutic target for patients with ESCC treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy.