bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Helicobacter pylori: Novel Therapies
Authors: Drouin Eric
Published: March 2016

The ideal therapy forHelicobacter pyloriwould cure the infection without resulting in the development of antibiotic resistance. Current therapies have variable cure rates; the reasons for treatment failure include bacterial resistance and poor compliance. Some antibiotics, such as furazolidone, may be affordable agents to treat this infection worldwide. New proton pump inhibitors, such as rabeprazole, can potentiate antibiotics. Nutriceuticals and probiotics demonstrate interesting in vitro activity againstH pylori. Children rarely have symptoms to this infection and, therefore, are a suitable group in which to assess different nonaggressive therapies.
Malpractice and Avascular Necrosis: Legal Outcomes
Authors: Carter Rose M
Published: March 2016

Every physician, but particularly specialists, have reason to be concerned about medical legal issues. Avascular necrosis has been established as a possible serious complication of steroid treatment in inflammatory bowel disease. Two specific Canadian cases illustrating the sequence of medical history, time, expert testimony and legal outcomes are presented. Awards plus costs in the order of $1 million or more were the result of these legal proceedings. The courts stated the major factors in finding liability against doctors were the failure to show the patient had been fully informed of treatment options. There was considerable weight given to expert testimony and the patient recollection of events to support their contentions. Adequate contemporaneous record keeping was absent to contradict evidence of the patients. The judges in both illustrative examples leaned heavily on Supreme Court of Canada guidelines whereby the patient must be informed at all stages of the medical process.
Peptic Ulcer at the End of the 20th Century: Biological and Psychological Risk Factors
Authors: Levenstein Susan
Published: March 2016

The prevailing concept of peptic ulcer etiology has swung over entirely in just a few years from the psychological to the infectious, yet the rich literature documenting an association between psychosocial factors and ulcer is not invalidated by the discovery of Helicobacter pylori. Physical and psychological stressors interact to induce ulcers in animal models, concrete life difficulties and subjective distress predict the development of ulcers in prospective cohorts, shared catastrophes such as war and earthquakes lead to surges in hospitalizations for complicated ulcers, and stress or anxiety can worsen ulcer course. Many known ulcer risk factors, including smoking, nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug use, heavy drinking, loss of sleep and skipping breakfast, can increase under stress; the association of low socioeconomic status with ulcer is also accounted for in part by psychosocial factors. Among possible physiological mechanisms, stress may induce gastric hypersecretion, reduce acid buffering in the stomach and the duodenum, impair gastroduodenal blood flow, and affect healing or inflammation through psychoneuroimmunological mechanisms. Psychosocial factors seem to be particularly prominent among idiopathic or complicated ulcers, but they are probably operative in run of the mill H pylori disease as well, either through additive effects or by facilitating the spread of the organism across the pylorus, while gastrointestinal damage by nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs can also be potentiated by stress. Although the clinical importance of peptic ulcer is fading along with the millenium, due to secular trends and new therapies, it remains worthy of study as a splendid example of the biopsychosocial model.
Pancreatic Stones: Treat or Ignore?
Authors: Howell DA
Published: March 2016

Painful, chronic pancreatitis is of complex etiology, but increasing clinical experience suggests that removal of pancreatic duct stones in many cases significantly improves patients’ symptoms. The development and refinement of therapeutic endoscopic retrograde choledochopancreatography have permitted improved access to the pancreatic duct, which makes the development of new techniques of stone fragmentation and fragment removal a much more successful nonsurgical intervention. A major step forward has been the understanding of the safety and efficacy of pancreatic sphincterotomy, which is necessary for the removal of these difficult stones. The recognition that extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy can be delivered safely with good efficacy has revolutionized the nonsurgical management of pancreatic duct stones. Nevertheless, advanced and sophisticated therapeutic endoscopy is necessary to achieve clearance of the duct, which can generally be accomplished in the majority of selected patients. State-of-the-art treatments are described, and some new approaches using pancreatoscopy and electrohydrolic lithotripsy are discussed. Newly recognized long term complications are reviewed. Finally, it must be recognized that chronic pancreatitis is an ongoing disease that does not have a simple treatment or cure, and frequently represents a process of remissions and relapses requiring interventions and problem solving.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use by Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: An Internet Survey
Authors: Hilsden Robert J , Meddings Jon B , Verhoef Marja J
Published: March 2016

OBJECTIVES: To determine the degree and determinants of the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with the use of the Internet and to compare the results with those found by using a similar survey in patients attending gastroenterology clinics in Calgary, Alberta.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross‐sectional survey of 263 patients with IBD with the use of a World Wide Web‐based, structured questionnaire was conducted.

RESULTS: Complementary therapies had been used by 46% of patients in the previous two years. Current use was reported by 34%. Vitamins, herbal products and natural health practices were the most commonly reported therapies. Side effects and lack of effectiveness of standard therapies were the most commonly cited reasons for seeking complementary medicine. However, despite this, respondents who had previously received surgery, or intravenous or oral steroids were less likely to be current CAM users. Important differences between the determinants of and reasons for CAM use in the present study and those of a similar study of IBD patients in a local tertiary care setting were noted.

CONCLUSIONS: Complementary medicine use is common in patients with IBD. Differences in the determinants of and reasons for CAM use noted between the present Internet sample and a gastroenterology clinic sample suggest that conclusions from the present study and from previous studies based only on clinic samples provide a limited view of CAM use by people with IBD. More comprehensive assessments are needed.
Pathobiology ofHelicobacter pyloriInfection in Children
Authors: Riddell Robert H
Published: March 2016

In the paediatric population, the associations ofHelicobacter pyloriwith gastritis, gastric ulcer, duodenitis and duodenal ulcer, and with duodenal gastric surface metaplasia and disorders of the D cell-G cell axis resulting in hypergastrinemia, are well established and in many ways resemble their counterparts in adults. Eradication ofH pyloriinvariably results in the reversal of these diseases with time. There are also suggestions that gastric surface metaplasia is more extensive in children withH pylori, and may be the site of duodenalH pyloriinfection and associated duodenal erosions or ulcers. There is no consensus as to whetherH pyloriin children is more or less severe than in adults. In one paediatric cohort,H pyloriwas associated with increased intensity of inflammation, while other studies suggest that acute inflammation may be less intense in children overall but that chronic inflammation may be increased in intensity, including lymphoid hyperplasia, which in turn may correlate with endoscopic nodularity. Lymphoid hyperplasia and nodular gastritis appear to be more frequent in children than in adults and usually regress followingH pylorieradication. However, in children, other diseases or morphological abnormalities, including some loss of glands (atrophy), occasionally intestinal metaplasia, lymphoproliferative diseases including low grade mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, lymphocytic gastritis and hypertrophic gastritis/Menetrier’s disease, are much less frequently associated withH pylorithan in adults. Other associations are rarely seen in children, primarily because the time required for these to develop takes the individual to adulthood; for example, while intestinal metaplasia occurs in the pediatric population, the complications of adenoma/dysplasia and carcinoma are rare. In adults, inflammatory and hyperplastic polyps, atrophic gastritis and pernicious anemia, and in some patients granulomas (granulomatous gastritis), may also be associated withH pyloriinfection. Greater awareness of the spectrum of diseases associated withH pylorimay well lead to their increased recognition in the paediatric population. Some diseases, particularly Crohn’s disease, but also human immunodeficiency virus infection, have a negative association withH pylorithat appears not to be simply a result of the excess antibiotic therapy that these patients receive. These variations in association and reactions toH pylori, some of which are age-related, may allow the different host responses toH pylorithat occur in humans to be examined.
Barrett’s Esophagus: Is It All That Bad?
Authors: Tytgat GNJ
Published: March 2016

An alarmingly rapid rise in the number of adenocarcinomas at the level of the gastroesophageal junction and distal esophagus has been noted over the past two decades. Intestinal metaplasia is considered to be the main precursor lesion for such adenocarcinomas. Given the low five‐year survival rate in patients with advanced esophageal cancer, strategies for early detection have been developed. Because superficial cancers only rarely cause symptoms, detection of cancer at such an early curable state can only be achieved through surveillance of patients at risk. Therefore, implementation of an endoscopic surveillance program for patients in whom intestinal metaplasia has been detected in the distal esophagus or at the esophagogastric junction seems to be a reasonable option.
Prevalence of Hepatitis G Virus in Liver Disease
Authors: Takagi Hitoshi , Kakizaki Satoru , Satoh Ken , Toyoda Mitsuo , Horiguchi Norio , Takayama Hisashi , Kanda Daisuke , Nakajima Hiroaki , Ichikawa Takeshi , Kojima Akira , Matsuzaki Yutaka , Shimoda Ryuya , Matsumoto Tatsuhiko , Kaneko Mieko , Hashimoto Yoshiaki , Abe Takehiko , Nagamine Takeaki , Mori Masatomo
Published: March 2016

The prevalence of hepatitis G virus (HGV) in liver disease of non-A, -B, -C viral hepatitis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C was determined. Two of 44 patients (4.5%) with liver injury without any hepatitis A, B or C marker were positive for HGV. One of five cases of hepatocellular carcinoma was positive for HGV. One of three cases with fulminant hepatitis was positive for HGV. This case was negative at the onset of fulminant hepatitis and became positive after plasmapheresis. No patient with acute (n=8) or chronic (n=5) hepatitis or liver cirrhosis (n=8) was positive for HGV in non-A, -B, -C liver disease. One of 30 patients with various HBV-positive liver diseases and nine (17.3) of 52 patients with type C liver disease were positive for HGV. In patients with hepatitis C, four (28.6%) of 14 HGV-co-infected patients were complicated with diabetes mellitus compared with four (10.5%) of 38 single hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients (not significant). In 12 HGV-positive patients, eight of 10 (80%) had a history of blood transfusion. In HCV-positive patients, co-infection with HGV was not a risk factor in patients with diabetes mellitus as a complication. HGV appeared to cause non-A, -B, -C hepatitis rarely, and its main route of infection was blood transfusion.
Current Therapy forHelicobacter pyloriInfection in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Gold Benjamin D
Published: March 2016

Helicobacter pyloriinfects approximately 50% of the world’s population and is a definitive cause of gastroduodenal disease (ie, gastritis, duodenal and gastric ulcers) in children and adults. Four consensus conferences held around the globe have brought together clinicians, scientists, epidemiologists and health care economists to discuss the role of the gastric pathogenH pyloriin human gastroduodenal disease. At each of these conferences, the overriding objective was to reach a consensus on the development of practical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment ofH pylori-infected individuals. However, it was not until the CanadianH pyloriConsensus Conference, held in November 1997, that the issues ofH pyloriinfection in children were addressed. Therapies forH pyloriinfection in children, presented in part at the First Canadian PaediatricH pyloriConsensus Conference, held in Victoria, British Columbia, November 1998, are reviewed in this paper.
Undernourishment and Yersinia enterocolitica Enterocolitis Alter Intestinal Contractility in the Rabbit: Role of Smooth Muscle Contractile Protein Content
Authors: Chin Beth C , Tan Daimen TM , Scott R Brent
Published: March 2016

Previous studies have demonstrated that the longitudinal smooth muscle of rabbits infected with Yersinia enterocolitica and undernourished because of reduced food intake exhibit a significantly reduced ability to develop tension in response to carbachol compared with pair‐fed animals, which are uninfected but equivalently undernourished. To determine whether the alteration in smooth muscle contractility results from changes in cell number (hypo‐ or hyperplasia), or in contractile protein content or isoform distribution, New Zealand White rabbits (600 to 1000 g) were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: infected, pair‐fed or control. Tissue contractility was measured, morphometric studies were performed and immunoassays were developed for the measurement of total actin, gamma‐enteric and alpha‐vascular isoactins, and myosin heavy chain. Consistent with what was found in previous reports, the contractility of longitudinal smooth muscle in response to carbachol was found to increase in pair‐fed animals and to decrease in Y enterocolitica‐infected animals. There was no significant change in the proportional thickness of the ileal longitudinal smooth muscle coat, and the number of cross‐sectioned longitudinal smooth muscle cells/mm2 was not significantly different in infected, pair‐fed or control tissues. Immunoassay indicated that the proportion of each specific contractile protein, relative to total protein content in the muscularis propria, was unaffected by Y enterocolitica infection or by pair‐feeding. Thus, the alterations in intestinal longitudinal smooth muscle function observed after Y enterocolitica infection were concluded not to be associated with tissue hypo‐ or hyperplasia, or changes in the total content or isoform distribution of contractile proteins in the muscularis propria.
Intestinal Inflammation and the Gut Microflora
Authors: McKay Derek M
Published: March 2016

The idea that the enteric microflora play a role in the pathogenesis or pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is not new. Indeed, identification of an infective cause for chronic IBD, and particularly for Crohn’s disease, has been the focus of extensive research efforts. During the 1990s, there has been a noticeable re-emergence of interest in the link between bacteria and functional bowel disorders, and the value of antibiotic therapy to treat gut inflammatory disorders. A variety of experimental evidence from both laboratory model systems and clinical investigations is reviewed with respect to a pivotal role for enteric bacteria in gut inflammation. The voluminous scientific literature on this subject precludes any comprehensive synopsis of the area; instead, pertinent studies are cited to illustrate the ability of bacteria and their products to evoke or exacerbate gut inflammation.
Results of Photodynamic Therapy in Barrett’s Esophagus: A Review
Authors: Overholt Bergein F
Published: March 2016

Barrett’s esophagus is associated with an increased occurrence of mucosal dysplasia and adenocarcinoma in the specialized glandular mucosa, with a 30‐ to 52‐fold increase in the occurrence of esophageal cancer compared with the normal population. An alternative to esophagectomy as a treatment modality is needed because of the high morbidity and mortality associated with it. Photodynamic therapy offers an alternative nonsurgical therapy that eliminates dysplasia and superficial cancer, and reduces Barrett’s mucosa while reducing the risks and costs compared with those of esophagectomy. The use of photodynamic therapy in the ablation of Barrett’s mucosa is reviewed.
The ‘True’ Splenic Wanderer
Authors: Kanthan R , Radhi JM
Published: March 2016

Wandering spleen is an unusual entity and remains an elusive clinical diagnosis. Among the modern imaging modalities including computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear scans and ultrasonography, the latter appears to be the least invasive and the most effective in reaching a definitive diagnosis. A patient with ‘true’ wandering spleen who presented with chronic, intermittent abdominal pain, weight loss and a right lower quadrant mass that was interpreted as a pelvic lymphoma or a primary pelvic malignancy on computed abdominal tomography (CAT) scan is presented. Abdominal ultrasonography conducted a few weeks before the CAT scan showed a normal splenic shadow in the left upper abdomen.
CanadianHelicobacterStudy Group Consensus Conference on the Approach toHelicobacter PyloriInfection in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Sherman P , Hassall E , Hunt RH , Fallone CA , Veldhuyzen van Zanten S , Thomson ABR , Canadian Helicobacter Study Group
Published: March 2016

Gastric infection withHelicobacter pyloriis common in both children and adults, but children are considerably less susceptible to peptic ulcers and other pathological sequelae. As a result, the risk to benefit ratio of diagnostic studies and therapeutic regimens forH pyloriin adults are likely different from those in paediatric populations. These guidelines for the management of paediatricH pyloriinfection, developed by the CanadianHelicobacterStudy Group, are designed to identify when the diagnosis and treatment ofH pylorimay improve patient care. Given the low prevalence of this infection in Canada, it is important to recognize that indiscriminate testing and treatment programs in children are not recommended, and indeed may threaten the optimal care of children. Diagnostic tests should be employed judiciously and be reserved for children who are most likely to derive measurable benefit, such as those likely to have peptic ulcer disease. At this time a test and treat strategy in children cannot be considered prudent, evidence based or cost effective. It is appropriate to limit diagnosis and treatment to children and adolescents in whomH pylorihas been identified during endoscopic investigation.
Understanding Disease Outcome Following Acquisition ofHelicobacter pyloriInfection during Childhood
Authors: Day Andrew S , Sherman Philip M
Published: March 2016

Helicobacter pyloricauses chronic active (type B) gastritis in the overwhelming majority of infected individuals. The relative contribution of virulence factors in the bacterium and host responses to the microbial infection in determining which subjects will go on to develop complications–such as peptic ulceration, gastric cancers and gastric lymphomas—is the subject of current investigative activities.
Biliary Sphincter Balloon Dilation: Who, When and How?
Authors: Huibregtse K
Published: March 2016

Biliary sphincter balloon dilation for biliary stone removal was introduced in 1983. In the early 1990s, several groups studied this technique further. The success rate of stone removal is comparable with that of endoscopic sphincterotomy in patients with fewer than three stones that are less then 1 cm in diameter. Fewer complications after balloon dilation than after endoscopic sphincterotomy have been noted in most studies. One study, however, showed a higher incidence of pancreatitis and, in particular, severe pancreatitis. Therefore, there is still some reluctance among endoscopists to promote balloon dilation as a routine first choice treatment. The technique, however, is accepted as the treatment of choice in patients with a bleeding tendency and those in whom the local anatomy is associated with an increased risk of complications with endoscopic sphincterotomy, such as patients with periampullary diverticula or Billroth II gastrectomy.
Reduction EMI of BLDC Motor Drive Based on Software Analysis
Authors: Mousavi Navid , Rahimi Tohid , Kelk Homayoun Meshgin
Published: March 2016

In the BLDC motor-drive system, the leakage current from a motor to a ground network and existence of high-frequency components of the DC link current are the most important factors that cause conducting interference. The leakage currents of the motors, flow through common ground, will interfere with other equipment because of the high density of electrical and electronic systems in the spacecraft and aircrafts. Moreover, generally there are common DC buses in the mentioned systems, which aggravate the problem. Function of the electric motor causes appearance of the high-frequency components in the DC link current, which can interfere with other subsystems. In this paper, the analysis of electromagnetic noise and presentation of the proposed method based on the frequency spectrum of the DC link current and the leakage current from the motor to the ground network are done. The proposed method presents a new process based on the filtering method to overcome EMI. To cover the requirement analysis, the Maxwell software is used.
Tualang Honey Attenuates Noise Stress‐Induced Memory Deficits in Aged Rats
Authors: Azman Khairunnuur Fairuz , Zakaria Rahimah , Abdul Aziz Che Badariah , Othman Zahiruddin
Published: March 2016

Ageing and stress exposure may lead to memory impairment while oxidative stress is thought to be one of the underlying mechanisms involved. This study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of Tualang honey supplementation on memory performance in aged rats exposed to noise stress. Tualang honey supplementation was given orally, 200 mg/kg body weight for 28 days. Rats in the stress group were subjected to loud noise, 100 dB(A), 4 hours daily for 14 days. All rats were subjected to novel object recognition test for evaluation of memory performance. It was observed that the rats subjected to noise stress exhibited significantly lower memory performance and higher oxidative stress as evident by elevated malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl levels and reduction of antioxidant enzymes activities compared to the nonstressed rats. Tualang honey supplementation was able to improve memory performance, decrease oxidative stress levels, increase brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentration, decrease acetylcholinesterase activity, and enhance neuronal proliferation in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus. In conclusion, Tualang honey protects against memory decline due to stress exposure and/or ageing via enhancement of mPFC and hippocampal morphology possibly secondary to reduction in brain oxidative stress and/or upregulation of BDNF concentration and cholinergic system.
Reducing Time to First on Scene: An Ambulance-Community First Responder Scheme
Authors: Campbell Alan , Ellington Matt
Published: March 2016

The importance of early access to prehospital care has been demonstrated in many medical emergencies. This work aims to describe the potential time benefit of implementing a student Community First Responder scheme to support ambulance services in an inner-city setting in the United Kingdom. Twenty final and penultimate year medical students in the UK were trained in the “First Person on Scene” Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) qualification. Over 12 months, they attended 89 emergency calls in an inner-city setting as Community First Responders (CFRs), alongside the West Midlands Ambulance Service, UK. At the end of this period, a qualitative survey investigated the perceived educational value of the scheme. The mean CFR response time across all calls was an average of 3 minutes and 8 seconds less than ambulance crew response times. The largest difference was to calls relating to falls (12 min). The difference varied throughout the day, peaking between 16:00 and 18:00. All questionnaire respondents stated that they felt more prepared in assessing and treating acutely unwell patients. In this paper, the authors present a symbiotic solution which has both reduced time to first on scene and provided training and experience in medical emergencies for senior medical students.
Investigation and Management of Adnexal Masses in Pregnancy
Authors: Cavaco-Gomes João , Jorge Moreira Cátia , Rocha Anabela , Mota Raquel , Paiva Vera , Costa Antónia
Published: March 2016

Adnexal masses can be found in 0.19 to 8.8% of all pregnancies. Most masses are functional and asymptomatic and up to 70% resolve spontaneously in the second trimester. The main predictors of persistence are the size (>5 cm) and the imagiological morphocomplexity. Those that persist carry a low risk of malignancy (0 to 10%). Most malignant masses are diagnosed at early stages and more than 50% are borderline epithelial neoplasms. Ultrasound is the preferred method to stratify the risk of complications and malignancy, allowing medical approach planning. Pregnancy and some gestational disorders may modify the levels of tumor markers, whereby their interpretation during pregnancy should be cautious. Large masses are at increased risk of torsion, rupture, and dystocia. When surgery is indicated, laparoscopy is a safe technique and should ideally be carried out in the second trimester of pregnancy.
Fever, Myositis, and Paralysis: Is This Inflammatory Myopathy or Neuroinvasive Disease?
Authors: Kiran Aneeta R. , Lau Richard A. , Wu Kim M. , Wong Andrew L. , Clements Philip J. , Heinze Emil R.
Published: March 2016

West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne RNAFlaviviruswhich emerged in North America in 1999. Most patients present with a febrile illness but a few develop WNV neuroinvasive disease. Myopathy is an uncommon manifestation. We describe a case of a 42-year-old male from Los Angeles who presented with 8 days of fever and muscle pain. Initial physical exam was normal except for 4/5 muscle strength testing in his extremity proximal muscles. Laboratory revealed a creatine kinase of 45,000 and a urinalysis with large blood but no red blood cells, suggesting rhabdomyolysis. The patient’s condition declined despite aggressive supportive care and hydration, and on hospital day #6 he developed severe altered mental status and progressed to complete right arm paralysis and 2/5 muscle strength in bilateral legs. EMG/NCS showed sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy and the cerebrospinal fluid was positive for IgM and IgG WNV antibodies. The patient was diagnosed with WNV neuroinvasive disease, poliomyelitis (and encephalitis) type with myopathy/muscle involvement. He was treated supportively and his muscle and neurologic disease gradually improved. At 12-month follow-up his muscle enzymes had normalized and his weakness had improved to 5/5 strength in bilateral legs and 3/5 strength in the right arm.
Reduced Pelvic Floor Muscle Tone Predisposes to Persistence of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms after Puerperium
Authors: Bhat Chandana , Khan Mahjabeen , Ballala Kirthinath , Kamath Asha , Pandey Deeksha
Published: March 2016

Pregnant primiparous women at term were enrolled in the study. ICIQ-FLUTS questionnaire was used to find out prevalence of LUTS. MOS was used to assess pelvic floor muscle strength. Women were followed up after 8–10 weeks of delivery to find out remission or persistence of these symptoms. We found that increased frequency of micturition was the most common (82%) LUTS seen in primiparous women at term. More than half (51%) of these women who complained of LUTS had a poor pelvic floor muscle tone (MOS grade 3). Out of those who had symptoms during pregnancy 11% remained symptomatic even after puerperium. Interestingly 61% of those with persistence of symptoms demonstrated a very poor pelvic floor muscle tone at term (MOS grade 2), while the remaining 39% also had a tone of only MOS grade 3. Thus women with LUTS during pregnancy should be screened for their pelvic floor muscle tone with simple MOS system which will help to predict the persistence of these symptoms later on. Women with a low score (three or less) should be triaged for regular pelvic floor muscle exercises.
Subtractive Cell-SELEX Selection of DNA Aptamers Binding Specifically and Selectively to Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells with High Metastatic Potential
Authors: Chen Hao , Yuan Chun-Hui , Yang Yi-Fei , Yin Chang-Qing , Guan Qing , Wang Fu-Bing , Tu Jian-Cheng
Published: March 2016

Relapse and metastasis are two key risk factors of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prognosis; thus, it is emergent to develop an early and accurate detection method for prognostic evaluation of HCC after surgery. In this study, we sought to acquire oligonucleotide DNA aptamers that specifically bind to HCC cells with high metastatic potential. Two HCC cell lines derived from the same genetic background but with different metastatic potential were employed: MHCC97L (low metastatic properties) as subtractive targets and HCCLM9 (high metastatic properties) as screening targets. To mimic a fluid combining environment, initial DNA aptamers library was firstly labelled with magnetic nanoparticles using biotin-streptavidin system and then applied for aptamers selection. Through 10-round selection with subtractive Cell-SELEX, six aptamers, LY-1, LY-13, LY-46, LY-32, LY-27/45, and LY-7/43, display high affinity to HCCLM9 cells and do not bind to MHCC97L cells, as well as other tumor cell lines, including breast cancer, lung cancer, colon adenocarcinoma, gastric cancer, and cervical cancer, suggesting high specificity for HCCLM9 cells. Thus, the aptamers generated here will provide solid basis for identifying new diagnostic targets to detect HCC metastasis and also may provide valuable clues for developing new targeted therapeutics.
Metforminium Decavanadate as a Potential Metallopharmaceutical Drug for the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Treviño Samuel , Velázquez-Vázquez Denisse , Sánchez-Lara Eduardo , Diaz-Fonseca Alfonso , Flores-Hernandez José Ángel , Pérez-Benítez Aarón , Brambila-Colombres Eduardo , González-Vergara Enrique
Published: March 2016

New potential drugs based on vanadium are being developed as possible treatments for diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications. In this regard, our working group developed metforminium decavanadate (MetfDeca), a compound with hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties. MetfDeca was evaluated in models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus, on male Wistar rats. Alloxan‐induction was employed to produce DM1 model, while a hypercaloric‐diet was employed to generate DM2 model. Two‐month treatments with 3.7 μg (2.5 μM)/300 g/twice a week for DM2 and 7.18 μg (4.8 μM)/300 g/twice a week for DM1 of MetfDeca, respectively, were administered. The resulting pharmacological data showed nontoxicological effects on liver and kidney. At the same time, MetfDeca showed an improvement of carbohydrates and lipids in tissues and serum. MetfDeca treatment was better than the monotherapies with metformin for DM2 and insulin for DM1. Additionally, MetfDeca showed a protective effect on pancreatic beta cells of DM1 rats, suggesting a possible regeneration of these cells, since they recovered their insulin levels. Therefore, MetfDeca could be considered not only as an insulin‐mimetic agent, but also as an insulin‐enhancing agent. Efforts to elucidate the mechanism of action of this compound are now in progress.
DNA Methylation and Chromatin Remodeling: The Blueprint of Cancer Epigenetics
Authors: Bhattacharjee Dipanjan , Shenoy Smita , Bairy Kurady Laxminarayana
Published: March 2016

Epigenetics deals with the interactions between genes and the immediate cellular environment. These interactions go a long way in shaping up each and every person’s individuality. Further, reversibility of epigenetic interactions may offer a dynamic control over the expression of various critical genes. Thus, tweaking the epigenetic machinery may help cause or cure diseases, especially cancer. Therefore, cancer epigenetics, especially at a molecular level, needs to be scrutinised closely, as it could potentially serve as the future pharmaceutical goldmine against neoplastic diseases. However, in view of its rapidly enlarging scope of application, it has become difficult to keep abreast of scientific information coming out of various epigenetic studies directed against cancer. Using this review, we have attempted to shed light on two of the most important mechanisms implicated in cancer, that is, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) methylation and histone modifications, and their place in cancer pathogenesis. Further, we have attempted to take stock of the new epigenetic drugs that have emerged onto the market as well as those in the pipeline that offer hope in mankind’s fight against cancer.
Mathematical Modeling and Analysis of Drill String Longitudinal Vibration with Lateral Inertia Effect
Authors: Tian Jialin , Wu Chunming , Yang Lin , Yang Zhi , Liu Gang , Yuan Changfu
Published: March 2016

Comparative analysis whether considering the lateral inertia or not, aiming at the longitudinal vibration of the drill string in drilling progress, is proposed. In the light of the actual condition, the mechanical model of the drill string about vibration is established on the basis of the theoretical analysis. Longitudinal vibration equation of the drill string is derived from the Rayleigh-Love model and one-dimensional viscoelastic model. According to the Laplace transform method and the relationships among parameters of the model, the solutions to complex impedance at the bottom of the drill string are obtained, and then the comparison results are analyzed, which is the lateral inertia effect on longitudinal vibration characteristics. The researches show that the smaller the length of the drill string, the greater the cross-sectional area of the drill string, the greater the damping coefficient of bottom hole on the bottom of the drill string, and the more evident the effect on the dynamic stiffness of the drill string with lateral inertia effect. The Poisson ratio of the drill string only has some effects on it taking account of the lateral inertia effect, and the influence is relatively small compared with the former three conditions.
Polyphenols from Chilean Propolis and Pinocembrin Reduce MMP-9 Gene Expression and Activity in Activated Macrophages
Authors: Saavedra Nicolás , Cuevas Alejandro , Cavalcante Marcela F. , Dörr Felipe A. , Saavedra Kathleen , Zambrano Tomás , Abdalla Dulcineia S. P. , Salazar Luis A.
Published: March 2016

Polyphenols from diverse sources have shown anti-inflammatory activity. In the context of atherosclerosis, macrophages play important roles including matrix metalloproteinases synthesis involved in degradation of matrix extracellular components affecting the atherosclerotic plaque stability. We prepared a propolis extract and pinocembrin in ethanol solution. Propolis extract was chemically characterized using LC-MS. The effect of treatments on gene expression and proteolytic activity was measuredin vitrousing murine macrophages activated with LPS. Cellular toxicity associated with both treatments and the vehicle was determined using MTT and apoptosis/necrosis detection assays. MMP-9 gene expression and proteolytic activity were measured using qPCR and zymography, respectively. Thirty-two compounds were identified in the propolis extract, including pinocembrin among its major components. Treatment with either ethanolic extract of propolis or pinocembrin inhibits MMP-9 gene expression in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, an inhibitory effect was observed in proteolytic activity. However, the effect showed by ethanolic extract of propolis was higher than the effect of pinocembrin, suggesting that MMP-9 inhibition results from a joint contribution between the components of the extract. These data suggest a potential role of polyphenols from Chilean propolis in the control of extracellular matrix degradation in atherosclerotic plaques.
Pain Predicts Function One Year Later: A Comparison across Pain Measures in a Rheumatoid Arthritis Sample
Authors: Santiago Vivian , Raphael Karen , Chewning Betty
Published: March 2016

Background. Guidance is limited on best measures and time periods to reference when measuring pain in order to predict future function. Objective. To examine how different measures of pain predict functional limitations a year later in a sample of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Methods. Logistic regression analyses were conducted using baseline and one-year data (n=262). Pain intensity in the last 24 hours was measured on a 0–10 numerical rating scale and in the last month using an item from the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale 2 (AIMS2). AIMS2 also provided frequency of severe pain, pain composite scores, and patient-reported limitations. Physician-rated function was also examined. Results. Composite AIMS2 pain scale performed best, predicting every functional outcome with the greatest magnitude, a one-point increase in pain score predicting 21% increased odds of limitations (combined patient and physician report). However, its constituent item—frequency of severe pain in the last month—performed nearly as well (19% increased odds). Pain intensity measures in last month and last 24 hours yielded inconsistent findings. Conclusion. Although all measures of pain predicted some functional limitations, predictive consistency varied by measure. Frequency of severe pain in the last month provided a good balance of brevity and predictive power.
Computer-Assisted Technique for Surgical Tooth Extraction
Authors: Hamza Hosamuddin
Published: March 2016

Introduction. Surgical tooth extraction is a common procedure in dentistry. However, numerous extraction cases show a high level of difficulty in practice. This difficulty is usually related to inadequate visualization, improper instrumentation, or other factors related to the targeted tooth (e.g., ankyloses or presence of bony undercut).Methods. In this work, the author presents a new technique for surgical tooth extraction based on 3D imaging, computer planning, and a new concept of computer-assisted manufacturing.Results. The outcome of this work is a surgical guide made by 3D printing of plastics and CNC of metals (hybrid outcome). In addition, the conventional surgical cutting tools (surgical burs) are modified with a number of stoppers adjusted to avoid any excessive drilling that could harm bone or other vital structures.Conclusion. The present outcome could provide a minimally invasive technique to overcome the routine complications facing dental surgeons in surgical extraction procedures.
Improved Feature Weight Algorithm and Its Application to Text Classification
Authors: Shang Songtao , Shi Minyong , Shang Wenqian , Hong Zhiguo
Published: March 2016

Text preprocessing is one of the key problems in pattern recognition and plays an important role in the process of text classification. Text preprocessing has two pivotal steps: feature selection and feature weighting. The preprocessing results can directly affect the classifiers’ accuracy and performance. Therefore, choosing the appropriate algorithm for feature selection and feature weighting to preprocess the document can greatly improve the performance of classifiers. According to the Gini Index theory, this paper proposes an Improved Gini Index algorithm. This algorithm constructs a new feature selection and feature weighting function. The experimental results show that this algorithm can improve the classifiers’ performance effectively. At the same time, this algorithm is applied to a sensitive information identification system and has achieved a good result. The algorithm’s precision and recall are higher than those of traditional ones. It can identify sensitive information on the Internet effectively.
Erosive Esophagitis in the Obese: The Effect of Ethnicity and Gender on Its Association
Authors: Abraham Albin , Lipka Seth , Hajar Rabab , Krishnamachari Bhuma , Virdi Ravi , Jacob Bobby , Viswanathan Prakash , Mustacchia Paul
Published: March 2016

Background.Data examining the association between obesity and erosive esophagitis (ErE) have been inconsistent, with very little known about interracial variation.Goals.To examine the association between obesity and ErE among patients of different ethnic/racial backgrounds.Methods.The study sample included 2251 patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). The effects of body mass index (BMI) on ErE were assessed by gender and in different ethnic groups. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results.The prevalence of ErE was 29.4% (661/2251). Overweight and obese subjects were significantly more likely to have ErE than individuals with a normal BMI, with the highest risk seen in the morbidly obese (OR 6.26; 95% CI 3.82–10.28;p<0.0001). Normal weight Black patients were less likely to have ErE as compared to Caucasians (OR 0.46; 95% CI 0.27–0.79;p=0.005), while the odds ratio comparing normal weight Hispanics to normal weight Whites was not statistically significant. No effect modification was seen between BMI and race/ethnicity or BMI and gender. Significant trends were seen in each gender and ethnicity.Conclusions.The effect of BMI on ErE does not appear to vary by race/ethnicity or gender.
Continuous Time Dynamic Contraflow Models and Algorithms
Authors: Pyakurel Urmila , Dhamala Tanka Nath
Published: March 2016

The research on evacuation planning problem is promoted by the very challenging emergency issues due to large scale natural or man-created disasters. It is the process of shifting the maximum number of evacuees from the disastrous areas to the safe destinations as quickly and efficiently as possible. Contraflow is a widely accepted model for good solution of evacuation planning problem. It increases the outbound road capacity by reversing the direction of roads towards the safe destination. The continuous dynamic contraflow problem sends the maximum number of flow as a flow rate from the source to the sink in every moment of time unit. We propose the mathematical model for the continuous dynamic contraflow problem. We present efficient algorithms to solve the maximum continuous dynamic contraflow and quickest continuous contraflow problems on single source single sink arbitrary networks and continuous earliest arrival contraflow problem on single source single sink series-parallel networks with undefined supply and demand. We also introduce an approximation solution for continuous earliest arrival contraflow problem on two-terminal arbitrary networks.
Next Generation Sequencing Identifies Five Major Classes of Potentially Therapeutic Enzymes Secreted byLucilia sericataMedical Maggots
Authors: Franta Zdeněk , Vogel Heiko , Lehmann Rüdiger , Rupp Oliver , Goesmann Alexander , Vilcinskas Andreas
Published: March 2016

Lucilia sericatalarvae are used as an alternative treatment for recalcitrant and chronic wounds. Their excretions/secretions contain molecules that facilitate tissue debridement, disinfect, or accelerate wound healing and have therefore been recognized as a potential source of novel therapeutic compounds. Among the substances present in excretions/secretions various peptidase activities promoting the wound healing processes have been detected but the peptidases responsible for these activities remain mostly unidentified. To explore these enzymes we applied next generation sequencing to analyze the transcriptomes of different maggot tissues (salivary glands, gut, and crop) associated with the production of excretions/secretions and/or with digestion as well as the rest of the larval body. As a result we obtained more than 123.8 million paired-end reads, which were assembledde novousing Trinity and Oases assemblers, yielding 41,421 contigs with an N50 contig length of 2.22 kb and a total length of 67.79 Mb. BLASTp analysis against the MEROPS database identified 1729 contigs in 577 clusters encoding five peptidase classes (serine, cysteine, aspartic, threonine, and metallopeptidases), which were assigned to 26 clans, 48 families, and 185 peptidase species. The individual enzymes were differentially expressed among maggot tissues and included peptidase activities related to the therapeutic effects of maggot excretions/secretions.
Phenolic Compounds, Antioxidant Activity, and Other Characteristics of Extra Virgin Olive Oils from Italian Autochthonous VarietiesTonda di Villacidro,Tonda di Cagliari,Semidana, andBosana
Authors: Tuberoso Carlo I. G. , Jerković Igor , Maldini Marialuce , Serreli Gabriele
Published: March 2016

Extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs) from the fruits of Italian autochthonous varietiesTonda di Villacidro,Tonda di Cagliari,Semidana, andBosanawere investigated to promote their quality aspects. All the analyzed EVOOs showed low values of acidity (≤0.45%) and of peroxide value (≤6.22 mEq O2/kg). There were no relevant differences in fatty acids and triacylglycerols composition among the four EVOOs. Tocopherols determined by HPLC-FL revealed thatBosanaoil was characterized by the highestα-tocopherol level (213.3 ± 55.4 mg/kg). Chlorophylls, carotenoids, and total phenol (TP) contents as well as antioxidant activity (FRAP, DPPH∙, and ABTS∙+assays) of the oils hydrophilic fractions (HFs) were assessed by spectrophotometric methods. Some differences concerning the antioxidant activity and the TP content were observed:Bosanaoil HF activity was the most pronounced (1.17 ± 0.37 mmol TEAC/kg) and it contained the highest TPs amount (335.20 ± 121.34 mg/kg). HFs phenolic composition was determined by HPLC-DAD. The main identified phenols were secoiridoids, dominating inBosanaoil, such as decarboxymethyl ligstroside aglycone (p-HPEA-EDA, 35.8 ± 19.9 mg/kg) and oleuropein aglycone (3,4-HPEA-EA up to 84.7 mg/kg). In summary, all the four varieties showed good characteristics for the use as quality EVOO.
Case Study: LCA Methodology Applied to Materials Management in a Brazilian Residential Construction Site
Authors: de Lassio João , França Josué , Espirito Santo Kárida , Haddad Assed
Published: March 2016

The construction industry is increasingly concerned with improving the social, economic, and environmental indicators of sustainability. More than ever, the growing demand for construction materials reflects increased consumption of raw materials and energy, particularly during the phases of extraction, processing, and transportation of materials. This work aims to help decision-makers and to promote life cycle thinking in the construction industry. For this purpose, the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology was chosen to analyze the environmental impacts of building materials used in the construction of a residence project in São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The LCA methodology, based on ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 guidelines, is applied with available databases and the SimaPro program. As a result, this work shows that there is a substantial waste of nonrenewable energy, increasing global warming and harm to human health in this type of construction. This study also points out that, for this type of Brazilian construction, ceramic materials account for a high percentage of the mass of a total building and are thus responsible for the majority of environmental impacts.