bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Teenage pregnancy and mental health beyond the postpartum period: a systematic review
Authors: Xavier Chloé , Benoit Anita , Brown Hilary K
Published: February 2018

Background

Teenage mothers are at increased risk for adverse social outcomes and short-term health problems, but long-term impacts on mental health are poorly understood. The aims of our systematic review were to determine the association between teenage pregnancy and mental health beyond the postpartum period, critically appraise the literature’s quality and guide future research.

Methods

We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science from inception to June 2017 for peer-reviewed articles written in English or French. Data were collected using a modified Cochrane Data Extraction Form. Study quality was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project critical appraisal tool. Heterogeneity of studies permitted only a qualitative synthesis.

Results

Nine quantitative studies comprising the results from analyses of 11 cohorts met our criteria and were rated as strong (n=5), moderate (n=2) or weak (n=2). Three cohorts found a statistically significant association between teenage pregnancy and poor long-term mental health after adjustment, three found a statistically significant association before but not after adjustment and five did not find a statistically significant association. Studies observed varying degrees of attenuation after considering social context. Studies with statistically significant findings tended to comprise earlier cohorts, with outcomes measured at older ages.

Conclusions

The association between teenage pregnancy and mental health beyond the postpartum period remains unclear. Future studies should employ age–period–cohort frameworks to disentangle effects of normative patterns and stress accumulation. Social factors are important in determining long-term mental health of teenage mothers and should be prioritised in prevention and intervention strategies.
Cervical ICA pseudo-occlusion on single phase CTA in patients with acute terminal ICA occlusion: what is the mechanism and can delayed CTA aid diagnosis?
Authors: Wareham James , Crossley Robert , Barr Sarah , Mortimer Alex
Published: February 2018

Background

Single-phase CT angiography (CTA) forms the basis of hyperacute stroke imaging but many patients with terminal internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion exhibit a pseudo-occlusion of the cervical ICA whereby a column of unopacified blood mimics a tandem cervical ICA lesion. We aimed to investigate the utility of a delayed phase acquisition to aid identification of a pseudo-occlusion and investigated the mechanism for this imaging artefact.

Methods

Thirteen patients with a pseudo-occlusion were compared with 13 patients without. CT, CTA, and digital subtraction angiographic images were reviewed by two interventional neuroradiologists for extension of thrombus into the ophthalmic segment, filling of the posterior communicating artery and ophthalmic artery, and for extension of contrast beyond the cervical segment and outline of the proximal clot surface by contrast on delayed imaging performed at 40 or 80 s.

Results

Those with a pseudo-occlusion demonstrated more frequent thrombus extension into the ophthalmic segment (100% vs 23%, P=0.0001), less frequent filling of the posterior communicating artery (15% vs 85%, P=0.0012), and less frequent filling of the ophthalmic artery (15% vs 92%, P=0.0002) compared with those without a pseudo-occlusion. Delayed CTA imaging showed contrast beyond the cervical segment and meeting the proximal clot face in 2/11 patients. Each of these two patients showed patency of the posterior communicating artery origin.

Conclusion

Thrombus extension into the ophthalmic segment and patency of the posterior communicating artery and ophthalmic artery seem to govern whether a patient with a terminal ICA occlusion exhibits a pseudo-occlusion. Delayed imaging was of limited value in identification of a pseudo-occlusion.
Design and rationale of the Study of Etanercept and Methotrexate in Combination or as Monotherapy in Subjects with Psoriatic Arthritis (SEAM-PsA)
Authors: Mease Philip J , Gladman Dafna D , Samad Ahmed S , Coates Laura C , Liu Lyrica X H , Aras Girish A , Collier David H , Chung James B
Published: February 2018

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of etanercept and methotrexate as monotherapies and as combination therapy in subjects with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods

The Study of Etanercept and Methotrexate in Combination or as Monotherapy in Subjects with Psoriatic Arthritis (SEAM-PsA) is an ongoing, global, double-blind, 48-week, randomised, controlled study. Subjects are randomised (1:1:1) to etanercept monotherapy, methotrexate monotherapy or etanercept-methotrexate combination therapy. Endpoints include rates of ACR20 response and Minimal Disease Activity, measures to characterise extra-articular manifestations (dactylitis, enthesitis, nail disease) and safety.

Conclusion

SEAM-PsA will characterise the effects of etanercept with and without background methotrexate and methotrexate alone on PsA manifestations, and provide information of practical importance to clinicians on the optimal treatment of PsA.
Revisiting holographic dark energy in cyclic cosmology
Authors: Sheykhi A. , Tavayef M. , Moradpour H.
Published: February 2018

Considering the holographic dark energy (HDE) with two different infrared (IR) cutoffs, we study the evolution of a cyclic universe, which avoids the Big-Rip singularity. Our results show that, even in the absence of a mutual interaction between the cosmos sectors, the HDE model with the Hubble radius as IR cutoff can mimic a cosmological constant in the framework of a cyclic cosmology. In addition, we find that both the interacting and non-interacting universes may enter into a cycle of sequential contraction and expansion, if the Granda–Oliveros cutoff is chosen as the IR cutoff in the energy density of the HDE. We also investigate the instability of the model against perturbations and find the ranges of the parameters in which the model is stable.
Study on the 4-ethoxy-2-methyl-5-(4-morpholinyl)-3(2H)-pyridazinone using FT-IR, 1H and 13C NMR, UV-vis spectroscopy, and DFT/HSEH1PBE method
Authors: Dede Bülent , Avcı Davut , Bahçeli Semiha
Published: February 2018

In this work, the 4-ethoxy-2-methyl-5-(4-morpholinyl)-3(2H)-pyridazinone (or emarfazone, C11H17N3O3) compound, which has many biological functions, has been investigated using FT-IR, 1H and 13C NMR (in CDCl3 solvent), and UV-vis (in ethanol solvent) spectroscopic techniques. Furthermore, the optimized molecular structure, conformational analysis, vibrational frequencies and their assignments, 1H and 13C NMR chemical shift values (in gas phase and CHCl3 solvent), HOMO–LUMO, MEP (molecular electrostatic potential), NBO (natural bond orbital) analyses, and nonlinear optical (NLO) parameters of the title compound in the ground state have been explored by using DFT/HSEH1PBE method with the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. The electronic absorption maximum wavelengths and oscillator strengths (in gas phase and ethanol solvent) were also obtained at TD-DFT/HSEH1PBE level. A comparison among the experimental and calculated results at the mentioned level indicates that the vibrational frequencies and maximum electronic absorption wavelengths are in good agreement with each other.
One-Round Attribute-Based Key Exchange in the Multi-Party Setting
Authors: Tian Yangguang , Yang Guomin , Mu Yi , Zhang Shiwei , Liang Kaitai , Yu Yong
Published: February 2018

Attribute-based authenticated key exchange (AB-AKE) is a useful primitive that allows a group of users to establish a shared secret key and at the same time enables fine-grained access control. A straightforward approach to design an AB-AKE protocol is to extend a key exchange protocol using an attribute-based authentication technique. However, insider security is a challenge security issue for AB-AKE in the multi-party setting and cannot be solved using the straightforward approach. In addtion, many existing key exchange protocols for the multi-party setting (e.g., the well-known Burmester-Desmedt protocol) require multiple broadcast rounds to complete the protocol. In this paper, we propose a novel one-round attribute-based key exchange (OAKE) protocol in the multi-party setting. We define the formal security models, including session key security, insider security and user privacy, for OAKE, and prove the security of the proposed protocol under some standard assumptions in the random oracle model.
Securing Information Exchange in VANETs by Using Pairing-Based Cryptography
Authors: Chen Chin-Ling , Shin Jungpil , Tsai Yu-Ting , Castiglione Aniello , Palmieri Francesco
Published: February 2018

Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks are mainly implemented to enable the interchange of huge amount of information among vehicles and between vehicles and control entities such as road side units or base stations, providing support for a comfortable and safe driving experience. However, due to the recent proliferation of cybersecurity threats, securing such a critical exchange of information becomes a fundamental prerequisite. In this paper, we propose a novel security scheme based on bilinear pairing-based cryptography to improve the security of the information exchanged in VANETs. Such scheme relies on the Elliptic Curve Discrete Logarithm Problem to provide anonymity and robust security features, and on Message Authentication Codes for verifying the vehicles’ identities. The proposed solution is able to achieve mutual authentication between involved entities and prevent impersonation, replay and insider attacks, at the expense of minimum overhead so that also big-data scale communications can be safely supported in the VANET environment.
A NOVEL APPROACH FOR THE PATTERN RECOGNITION OF HAND MOVEMENTS BASED ON EMG AND VPMCD
Authors: WANG LU , GE KE-DUO , WU JI-YAO , YE YE , WEI WEI
Published: February 2018

Essentially, the classification of human hand movements is a process of pattern recognition. However, existing computationally intense and complex pattern recognition methods have failed thus far to be optimally successful in constructing associations between extracted signal features. Due to such limitations, a new pattern recognition method using variable predictive model-based class discrimination (VPMCD) is proposed. This approach considers that the feature values can exhibit inter-relations in nature and such associations will show different forms in different classes. In practice, this is always true for different hand movements. The signals produced by electromyography (EMG) and received from human arm muscles, are characteristically non-linear and non-stationary. A novel hand gesture recognition technique, based on wavelet feature extraction and VPMCD is proposed. First, the maximum values of the wavelet coefficient are extracted as the feature vectors from the surface EMG signals after de-noising. Then, the feature values are regarded as the inputs of the VPMCD classifier. Finally, four movement patterns (hand clenching, hand extension, wrist flexion, and wrist extension) are identified by the outputs of the VPMCD classifier. Our analysis results show that the proposed pattern recognition approach can distinguish different gestures successfully and effectively. Simultaneously, compared with the artificial neural network and the support vector machine classifier, more accurate recognition can be achieved using our proposed technique.
DOES STRONGER R&D CAPABILITY ALWAYS PROMOTE BETTER INNOVATION? THE MODERATING ROLE OF KNOWLEDGE BOUNDARY SPANNING OF R&D NETWORK
Authors: JIANG YANHUI , WEI CHONGYANG , YANG ZHI , SUBRAMANIAN ULAGANATHAN
Published: February 2018

Setting the research background in China, this study draws on absorptive capacity, knowledge inertia and prospect theory to show the relationship between R&D capability and innovation performance which comprises exploitation and exploration. We propose that stronger R&D capability promotes exploitation performance but inhibits exploration performance. As exploitation represents immediate interest and exploration represents long-term interest, we introduce the notion of knowledge boundary spanning of R&D network to balance short-term and long-term benefits. The empirical results show that R&D capability and knowledge boundary spanning of R&D network complement each other for explorative innovation while they present trade-offs for exploitative innovation. This study contributes to existing literature on R&D capability–innovation performance, and it further extends our understanding by investigating the impact of knowledge boundary spanning of R&D network on the R&D capacity–innovation performance relationships. In addition, this study provides references on resources configuration to achieve different innovation strategies.
Gullies and debris-flows in Ladakh Himalaya, India: a potential Martian analogue
Authors: Sinha Rishitosh K. , Vijayan S. , Shukla Anil D. , Das Priyabrata , Bhattacharya Falguni
Published: February 2018

We conducted comparative morphological analysis of gullies within two high-latitude Martian craters (Domoni and Maricourt) in the northern hemisphere of Mars with (1) the debris-flow gully systems in the Ladakh Himalaya and (2) Istok Crater in the southern mid-latitudes of Mars where water-bearing debris-flow deposits have been previously reported. Our findings suggest that the debris-flow landforms preserved on gully and alluvial fans in the Ladakh Himalaya are potential analogues for the deposits preserved over the equator-facing slopes of Domoni and Maricourt Craters. Further, we found that the morphological attributes of channels and deposits (including overlapping terminal lobes, levées, tongue-shaped/lobate deposits and broad/small depositional deposits) within both the study craters and Istok Crater are similar. As a result, the studied craters emerge as additional sites in which possible evidence of water-bearing debris-flows are preserved on Mars. By comparison to our Earth analogue, we further propose that episodic melting of snow accumulated within the sheltered alcoves is the most likely source of water for the formation of such gullies. Taken together, our findings suggest that debris-flow may not be a rare process in gully formation on Mars and evidence may be preserved in other unexplored areas.
Cratonic basins with reference to the Michigan basin
Authors: Sleep Norman H.
Published: February 2018

Seafloor and passive margins gradually subside as a result of thermal contraction of the underlying lithosphere. Thermal subsidence is also an attractive mechanism for the Michigan basin. For subsidence to occur within this previously stable continental region, some mechanism is needed to heat the lithosphere and to reduce the buoyancy of the continental crust. Mechanical stretching of the lithosphere along with its crust does both at the same time. The ponding of plume material beneath the crust supplies heat, but does not directly thin the crust. The British Isles and the Congo basin provide analogies to the Michigan basin. Continental stretching before subsidence is evident within the British Isles and the Congo basin. Stretching is not obvious in Michigan, but undetected rifts extending from the Iapetus break-up margin may exist. A closed region of thin lithosphere beneath the Irish Sea may have trapped hot buoyant material from the Iceland plume; the Michigan basin may have trapped material from an Iapetus age plume near Montreal. Cratonic basins provide information on the tail of the subsidence curve, unlike more ephemeral oceanic crust and passive margins. The poorly resolved tails in the Michigan and the Congo basins are consistent with the time subsidence constant,
c.
280 myr predicted by stagnant lid convection formalism.
Risk Stratification for Sudden Cardiac Death After Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Waks Jonathan W. , Buxton Alfred E.
Published: February 2018

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) accounts for ∼50% of mortality after myocardial infarction (MI). Most SCDs result from ventricular tachyarrhythmias, and the tachycardias that precipitate cardiac arrest result from multiple mechanisms. As a result, it is highly unlikely that any single test will identify all patients at risk for SCD. Current guidelines for use of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) to prevent SCD are based primarily on measurement of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Although reduced LVEF is associated with increased total cardiac mortality after MI, the focus of current guidelines on LVEF omits ∼50% of patients who die suddenly. In addition, there is no evidence of a mechanistic link between reduced LVEF and arrhythmias. Thus, LVEF is neither sensitive nor specific as a tool for post-MI risk stratification. Newer tests to screen for predisposition to ventricular arrhythmias and SCD examine abnormalities of ventricular repolarization, autonomic nervous system function, and electrical heterogeneity. These tests, as well as older methods such as programmed stimulation, the signal-averaged electrocardiogram, and spontaneous ventricular ectopy, do not perform well in patients with LVEF ≤30%. Recent observational studies suggest, however, that these tests may have greater utility in patients with LVEF >30%. Because SCD results from multiple mechanisms, it is likely that combinations of risk factors will prove more precise for risk stratification. Prospective trials that evaluate the performance of risk stratification schema to determine ICD use are necessary for cost-effective reduction of the incidence of SCD after MI.
Perspectives from a Pathologist: My Journey on the Path to Women's Health Research, Sex and Gender Policy, and Practice Implications
Authors: Pinn Vivian W.
Published: February 2018

These words reflect my recollections of major transition points in my life and career: as I first became dedicated to becoming a physician, being introduced to the field of pathology and research, and then transitioning to a somewhat different career focus by becoming the first director of the National Institutes of Health Office of Research on Women's Health. Many of the experiences that I gained during my years in pathology served me well as I made efforts to establish women's health research and sex and gender based studies as scientific endeavors. Participating in research and teaching as an academic pathologist, setting funding priorities, and supporting and encouraging research careers through governmental office programs have been the essence of my more than 50 years as a pathologist and physician.
Organic solute transporter OSTα/β is overexpressed in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and modulated by drugs associated with liver injury
Authors: Malinen Melina M. , Ali Izna , Bezençon Jacqueline , Beaudoin James J. , Brouwer Kim L. R.
Published: February 2018

The heteromeric steroid transporter organic solute transporter α/β (OSTα/β, SLC51A/B) was discovered over a decade ago, but its physiological significance in the liver remains uncertain. A major challenge has been the lack of suitable models expressing OSTα/β. Based on observations first reported here that hepatic OSTα/β is upregulated in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, the aim of this research was to develop an in vitro model to evaluate OSTα/β function and interaction with drugs and bile acids. OSTα/β expression in human liver tissue was analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence. Radiolabeled compounds were used to determine OSTα/β-mediated transport in the established in vitro model. The effect of bile acids and drugs, including those associated with cholestatic drug-induced liver injury, on OSTα/β-mediated transport was evaluated. Expression of OSTα/β was elevated in the liver of patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and primary biliary cholangitis, whereas hepatocyte expression of OSTα/β was low in control liver tissue. Studies in the novel cell-based system showed rapid and linear OSTα/β-mediated transport for all tested compounds: dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, digoxin, estrone sulfate, and taurocholate. The interaction study with 26 compounds revealed novel OSTα/β inhibitors: a biomarker for cholestasis, glycochenodeoxycholic acid; the major metabolite of troglitazone, troglitazone sulfate; and a macrocyclic antibiotic, fidaxomicin. Additionally, some drugs (e.g., digoxin) consistently stimulated taurocholate uptake in OSTα/β-overexpressing cells. Our findings demonstrate that OSTα/β is an important transporter in liver disease and imply a role for this transporter in bile acid-bile acid and drug-bile acid interactions, as well as cholestatic drug-induced liver injury.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The organic solute transporter OSTα/β is highly expressed in hepatocytes of liver tissue obtained from patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and primary biliary cholangitis. OSTα/β substrates exhibit rapid, linear, and concentration-driven transport in an OSTα/β-overexpressing cell line. Drugs associated with hepatotoxicity modulate OSTα/β-mediated taurocholate transport. These data suggest that hepatic OSTα/β plays an essential role in patients with cholestasis and may have important clinical implications for bile acid and drug disposition.
Exercise intolerance in Type 2 diabetes: is there a cardiovascular contribution?
Authors: Poitras Veronica J. , Hudson Robert W. , Tschakovsky Michael E.
Published: February 2018

Physical activity is critically important for Type 2 diabetes management, yet adherence levels are poor. This might be partly due to disproportionate exercise intolerance. Submaximal exercise tolerance is highly sensitive to muscle oxygenation; impairments in exercising muscle oxygen delivery may contribute to exercise intolerance in Type 2 diabetes since there is considerable evidence for the existence of both cardiac and peripheral vascular dysfunction. While uncompromised cardiac output during submaximal exercise is consistently observed in Type 2 diabetes, it remains to be determined whether an elevated cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex could sympathetically restrain exercising muscle blood flow. Furthermore, while deficits in endothelial function are common in Type 2 diabetes and are often cited as impairing exercising muscle oxygen delivery, no direct evidence in exercise exists, and there are several other vasoregulatory mechanisms whose dysfunction could contribute. Finally, while there are findings of impaired oxygen delivery, conflicting evidence also exists. A definitive conclusion that Type 2 diabetes compromises exercising muscle oxygen delivery remains premature. We review these potentially dysfunctional mechanisms in terms of how they could impair oxygen delivery in exercise, evaluate the current literature on whether an oxygen delivery deficit is actually manifest, and correspondingly identify key directions for future research.
Muscle glycogen depletion does not alter segmental extracellular and intracellular water distribution measured using bioimpedance spectroscopy
Authors: Shiose Keisuke , Yamada Yosuke , Motonaga Keiko , Takahashi Hideyuki
Published: February 2018

Although each gram of glycogen is well known to bind 2.7–4.0 g of water, no studies have been conducted on the effect of muscle glycogen depletion on body water distribution. We investigated changes in extracellular and intracellular water (ECW and ICW) distribution in each body segment in muscle glycogen-depletion and glycogen-recovery condition using segmental bioimpedance spectroscopy technique (BIS). Twelve male subjects consumed 7.0 g/kg body mass of indigestible (glycogen-depleted group) or digestible (glycogen-recovered group) carbohydrate for 24 h after a glycogen-depletion cycling exercise. Muscle glycogen content using13C-magnetic resonance spectroscopy, blood hydration status, body composition, and ECW and ICW content of the arm, trunk, and leg using BIS were measured. Muscle glycogen content at the thigh muscles decreased immediately after exercise (glycogen-depleted group, 71.6 ± 12.1 to 25.5 ± 10.1 mmol/kg wet wt; glycogen-recovered group, 76.2 ± 16.4 to 28.1 ± 16.8 mmol/kg wet wt) and recovered in the glycogen-recovered group (72.7 ± 21.2 mmol/kg wet wt) but not in the glycogen-depleted group (33.2 ± 12.6 mmol/kg wet wt) 24 h postexercise. Fat-free mass decreased in the glycogen-depleted group ( P < 0.05) but not in the glycogen-recovered group 24 h postexercise. However, no changes were observed in ECW and ICW content at the leg in both groups. Our results suggested that glycogen depletion per se does not alter body water distribution as estimated via BIS. This information is valuable in assessing body composition using BIS in athletes who show variable glycogen status during training and recovery.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Segmental bioimpedance spectroscopy analysis reveals the effect of muscle glycogen depletion on body segmental water distribution in controlled conditions. Despite the significant difference in the muscle glycogen levels at the leg, no difference was observed in body resistance and the corresponding water content of the extracellular and intracellular compartments.
Dynamic cerebral autoregulation during cognitive task: effect of hypoxia
Authors: Ogoh Shigehiko , Nakata Hiroki , Miyamoto Tadayoshi , Bailey Damian Miles , Shibasaki Manabu
Published: February 2018

Changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) subsequent to alterations in the partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide can modify dynamic cerebral autoregulation (CA). While cognitive activity increases CBF, the extent to which it impacts CA remains to be established. In the present study we determined whether dynamic CA would decrease during a cognitive task and whether hypoxia would further compound impairment. Fourteen young healthy subjects performed a simple Go/No-go task during normoxia and hypoxia (inspired O2 fraction = 12%), and the corresponding relationship between mean arterial pressure (MAP) and mean middle cerebral artery blood velocity (MCA Vmean) was examined. Dynamic CA and steady-state changes in MCA V in relation to changes in arterial pressure were evaluated with transfer function analysis. While MCA Vmean increased during the cognitive activity ( P < 0.001), hypoxia did not cause any additional changes ( P = 0.804 vs. normoxia). Cognitive performance was also unaffected by hypoxia (reaction time, P = 0.712; error, P = 0.653). A decrease in the very low- and low-frequency phase shift (VLF and LF; P = 0.021 and P = 0.01) and an increase in LF gain were observed ( P = 0.037) during cognitive activity, implying impaired dynamic CA. While hypoxia also increased VLF gain ( P < 0.001), it failed to cause any additional modifications in dynamic CA. Collectively, our findings suggest that dynamic CA is impaired during cognitive activity independent of altered systemic O2 availability, although we acknowledge the interpretive complications associated with additional competing, albeit undefined, inputs that could potentially distort the MAP-MCA Vmean relationship.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY During normoxia, cognitive activity while increasing cerebral perfusion was shown to attenuate dynamic cerebral autoregulation (CA) yet failed to alter reaction time, thereby questioning its functional significance. No further changes were observed during hypoxia, suggesting that impaired dynamic CA occurs independently of altered systemic O2 availability. However, impaired dynamic CA may reflect a technical artifact, given the confounding influence of additional inputs that could potentially distort the mean arterial pressure-mean middle cerebral artery blood velocity relationship.
Methylene blue counteracts cyanide cardiotoxicity: cellular mechanisms
Authors: Cheung Joseph Y. , Wang JuFang , Zhang Xue-Qian , Song Jianliang , Tomar Dhanendra , Madesh Muniswamy , Judenherc-Haouzi Annick , Haouzi Philippe
Published: February 2018

In adult left ventricular mouse myocytes, exposure to sodium cyanide (NaCN) in the presence of glucose dose-dependently reduced contraction amplitude, with ~80% of maximal inhibitory effect attained at 100 µM. NaCN (100 µM) exposure for 10 min significantly decreased contraction and intracellular Ca2+concentration ([Ca2+]i) transient amplitudes, systolic but not diastolic [Ca2+]i, and maximal L-type Ca2+current ( ICa) amplitude, indicating acute alteration of [Ca2+]ihomeostasis largely accounted for the observed excitation-contraction abnormalities. In addition, NaCN depolarized resting membrane potential ( Em), reduced action potential (AP) amplitude, prolonged AP duration at 50% (APD50) and 90% repolarization (APD90), and suppressed depolarization-activated K+currents but had no effect on Na+-Ca2+exchange current ( INaCa). NaCN did not affect cellular adenosine triphosphate levels but depolarized mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and increased superoxide (O2·−) levels. Methylene blue (MB; 20 µg/ml) added 3 min after NaCN restored contraction and [Ca2+]itransient amplitudes, systolic [Ca2+]i, Em, AP amplitude, APD50, APD90, ICa, depolarization-activated K+currents, ΔΨm, and O2·−levels toward normal. We conclude that MB reversed NaCN-induced cardiotoxicity by preserving intracellular Ca2+homeostasis and excitation-contraction coupling ( ICa), minimizing risks of arrhythmias ( Em, AP configuration, and depolarization-activated K+currents), and reducing O2·−levels.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Cyanide poisoning due to industrial exposure, smoke inhalation, and bioterrorism manifests as cardiogenic shock and requires rapidly effective antidote. In the early stage of cyanide exposure, adenosine triphosphate levels are normal but myocyte contractility is reduced, largely due to alterations in Ca2+homeostasis because of changes in oxidation-reduction environment of ion channels. Methylene blue, a drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, ameliorates cyanide toxicity by normalizing oxidation-reduction state and Ca2+channel function.
Mito-Tempo prevents nicotine-induced exacerbation of ischemic brain damage
Authors: Li Chun , Sun Hong , Xu Guodong , McCarter Kimberly D. , Li Jiyu , Mayhan William G.
Published: February 2018

Nicotine may contribute to the pathogenesis of cerebrovascular disease via the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Overproduction of ROS leads to brain damage by intensifying postischemic inflammation. Our goal was to determine the effect of Mito-Tempo, a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant, on ischemic brain damage and postischemic inflammation during chronic exposure to nicotine. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: control, nicotine, Mito-Tempo-treated control, and Mito-Tempo-treated nicotine. Nicotine (2 mg·kg−1·day−1) was administered via an osmotic minipump for 4 wk. Mito-Tempo (0.7 mg·kg−1·day−1ip) was given for 7 days before cerebral ischemia. Transient focal cerebral ischemia was induced by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery for 2 h. Brain damage and inflammation were evaluated after 24 h of reperfusion by measuring infarct volume, expression of adhesion molecules, activity of matrix metalloproteinase, brain edema, microglial activation, and neutrophil infiltration. Nicotine exacerbated infarct volume and worsened neurological deficits. Nicotine did not alter baseline ICAM-1 expression, matrix metallopeptidase-2 activity, microglia activation, or neutrophil infiltration but increased these parameters after cerebral ischemia. Mito-Tempo did not have an effect in control rats but prevented the chronic nicotine-induced augmentation of ischemic brain damage and postischemic inflammation. We suggest that nicotine increases brain damage following cerebral ischemia via an increase in mitochondrial oxidative stress, which, in turn, contributes to postischemic inflammation.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our findings have important implications for the understanding of mechanisms contributing to increased susceptibility of the brain to damage in smokers and users of nicotine-containing tobacco products.
Use of NSAIDs via the Rectal Route for the Prevention of Pancreatitis after ERCP in All-Risk Patients: An Updated Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yu Lei-Min , Zhao Ke-Jia , Lu Bin
Published: February 2018

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of the rectal administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in preventing post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). We searched database for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing periprocedural rectal administration of NSAIDs with placebo for the prevention of PEP. The rectal administration of NSAIDs significantly decreased the incidence of PEP in the whole patient population (odds ratio (OR): 0.44, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.30–0.64, P<0.0001), high-risk patients (OR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.19–0.58, P=0.0001), and all-risk patients (OR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.31–0.84, P=0.008). The incidence of PEP was reduced by indomethacin (OR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.36–0.82, P=0.004) and diclofenac (OR: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.15–0.46, P<0.00001). The administration of NSAIDs before (OR: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.25–0.73, P=0.002) or after (OR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.27–0.56, P<0.00001) ERCP reduced PEP. The NSAIDs were associated with a reduction in mild PEP (OR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.36–0.83, P=0.004) and moderate-to-severe PEP (OR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.28–0.79, P=0.004). The rectal administration of NSAIDs reduced the incidence of PEP in high-risk and all-risk patients.
Hospitalization Trends in Adult Patients with COPD and Other Respiratory Diseases in Northeast China from 2005 to 2015
Authors: Liu Honglei , Wang Ni , Chen Wei , Liu Wenyan , Wang Shiping , Lei Jianbo , Chen Hui
Published: February 2018

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, asthma, and lung cancer are four common respiratory diseases that impose a substantial economic burden on both patients and government in China. The objective of our study is to analyze the temporal trends of several clinical tracking metrics for hospitalization regarding these diseases. Hospital discharge data of 54 hospitals for the period 2005–2015 were derived from the Health and Family Planning Commission in Northeast China. The age-adjusted rate of discharge for the four respiratory diseases increased significantly (COPD, pneumonia, asthma: P trend <  .001; lung cancer: P trend =  .046). The mean LOS for the four diseases all showed a significant decline (P trend <  .001), whereas the mean charge per stay and aggregate charge followed an upward trend over time (P trend <  .001). There was a clear upward trend for the readmission rate for asthma patients (P trend =  .001), while the trend for COPD patients was unclear (P trend =  .224). Age-adjusted discharge rates, LOS, and charges for hospitalization regarding several common respiratory diseases in China showed different patterns of change over the past decade. Our results should aid government and administrators in making informed decisions about the management and treatment of respiratory diseases.
A Systematic Review about the Efficacy and Safety of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.f. Preparations Used for the Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Wang Jing , Chen Na , Fang Liang , Feng Zhe , Li Guochun , Mucelli Attilio , Zhang Xu , Zhou Xueping
Published: February 2018

Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.f. (TWHF) is a traditional Chinese herb long used for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment, in modern times, often in the form of various Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.f. preparations (TWPs). This systematic review and meta‐analysis focuses on analyzing the clinical efficacy and safety of TWPs in the treatment of RA. Databases were searched to collect the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on TWPs treating RA published on or before April 10, 2017. Data from 11 studies were included in this meta‐analysis. Compared with the control group, TWPs can increase effectiveness, while decreasing erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), rheumatoid factor (RF), C‐reactive protein (CRP), and risk of adverse events. TWPs treatment was also more effective than treatment by conventional western medicine (CWM) and Chinese patent medicine or placebo (COP). TWPs significantly decreased the risk of adverse events compared with the CWM group, but not compared with the COP group. Current evidence shows that TWPs are more effective than other western or Chinese medicines we included in this meta‐analysis for RA treatment with relatively lower toxicity.
Bisdemethoxycurcumin and Its Cyclized Pyrazole Analogue Differentially Disrupt Lipopolysaccharide Signalling in Human Monocyte-Derived Macrophages
Authors: Tedesco Serena , Zusso Morena , Facci Laura , Trenti Annalisa , Boscaro Carlotta , Belluti Federica , Fadini Gian Paolo , Skaper Stephen D. , Giusti Pietro , Bolego Chiara , Cignarella Andrea
Published: February 2018

Several studies suggest that curcumin and related compounds possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties including modulation of lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) mediated signalling in macrophage cell models. We here investigated the effects of curcumin and the two structurally unrelated analogues GG6 and GG9 in primary human blood-derived macrophages as well as the signalling pathways involved. Macrophages differentiated from peripheral blood monocytes for 7 days were activated with LPS or selective Toll-like receptor agonists for 24 h. The effects of test compounds on cytokine production and immunophenotypes evaluated as CD80+/CCR2+and CD206+/CD163+subsets were examined by ELISA and flow cytometry. Signalling pathways were probed by Western blot. Curcumin (2.5–10 μM) failed to suppress LPS-induced inflammatory responses. While GG6 reduced LPS-induced IκB-αdegradation and showed a trend towards reduced interleukin-1βrelease, GG9 prevented the increase in proinflammatory CD80+macrophage subset, downregulation of the anti-inflammatory CD206+/CD163+subset, increase in p38 phosphorylation, and increase in cell-bound and secreted interleukin-1βstimulated by LPS, at least in part through signalling pathways not involving Toll-like receptor 4 and nuclear factor-κB. Thus, the curcumin analogue GG9 attenuated the LPS-induced inflammatory response in human blood-derived macrophages and may therefore represent an attractive chemical template for macrophage pharmacological targeting.
Precision Security: Integrating Video Surveillance with Surrounding Environment Changes
Authors: Wang Wenfeng , Chen Xi , Zhang Guiwei , Qian Jing , Wei Peng , Wu Boqian , Zheng Hongwei
Published: February 2018

Video surveillance plays a vital role in maintaining the social security although, until now, large uncertainty still exists in danger understanding and recognition, which can be partly attributed to intractable environment changes in the backgrounds. This article presents a brain‐inspired computing of attention value of surrounding environment changes (EC) with a processes‐based cognition model by introducing a ratio value λ of EC‐implications within considered periods. Theoretical models for computation of warning level of EC‐implications to the universal video recognition efficiency (quantified as time cost of implication‐ratio variations from λk to λk+1, k = 1,2, …) are further established. Imbedding proposed models into the online algorithms is suggested as a future research priority towards precision security for critical applications and, furthermore, schemes for a practical implementation of such integration are also preliminarily discussed.
Study of the Influence of Age in 18F-FDG PET Images Using a Data-Driven Approach and Its Evaluation in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Jiang Jiehui , Sun Yiwu , Zhou Hucheng , Li Shaoping , Huang Zhemin , Wu Ping , Shi Kuangyu , Zuo Chuantao , Neuroimaging Initiative Alzheimer’s Disease
Published: February 2018

Objectives. 18F-FDG PET scan is one of the most frequently used neural imaging scans. However, the influence of age has proven to be the greatest interfering factor for many clinical dementia diagnoses when analyzing 18F-FDG PET images, since radiologists encounter difficulties when deciding whether the abnormalities in specific regions correlate with normal aging, disease, or both. In the present paper, the authors aimed to define specific brain regions and determine an age-correction mathematical model. Methods. A data-driven approach was used based on 255 healthy subjects. Results. The inferior frontal gyrus, the left medial part and the left medial orbital part of superior frontal gyrus, the right insula, the left anterior cingulate, the left median cingulate, and paracingulate gyri, and bilateral superior temporal gyri were found to have a strong negative correlation with age. For evaluation, an age-correction model was applied to 262 healthy subjects and 50 AD subjects selected from the ADNI database, and partial correlations between SUVR mean and three clinical results were carried out before and after age correction. Conclusion. All correlation coefficients were significantly improved after the age correction. The proposed model was effective in the age correction of both healthy and AD subjects.
Parametric Study on Dynamic Response of FRP Masonry Structures under the Impacts of Debris Flow
Authors: Li Peizhen , Li Tangzhenhao , Lu Zheng , Li Jin
Published: February 2018

The aim of this study was to investigate the influences of different parameters on the performance of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) masonry structures under debris flow using finite element models that were established using the software LS‐DYNA. The overall structural responses under the impacts of viscous debris flows were analyzed based on an in‐depth parametric study of some key factors (fiber types, relative impact positions, etc.). The results show that the diagonal and intersecting parallel types of FRP arrangements elicit better performances than horizontal types. Use of wider fiber cloths leads to the minimization of the structural response after its impact by debris flow. In addition, glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) yields the best results among all studied materials in reducing local damage, while carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) yields a better overall structural response. Impact positions at the center of the wall are more unfavorable than those at the corners.
Simulation-Based Hardware Verification with a Graph-Based Specification
Authors: Lv Zhao , Chen Shuming , Wang Yaohua
Published: February 2018

Simulation-based verification continues to be the primary technique for hardware verification due to its scalability and ease of use; however, it lacks exhaustiveness. Although formal verification techniques can exhaustively prove functional correctness, they are limited in terms of the scale of their design due to the state-explosion problem. Alternatively, semiformal approaches can involve a compromise between scalability, exhaustiveness, and resource costs. Therefore, we propose an event-driven flow graph-based specification, which can describe the cycle-accurate functional behaviors without the exploration of whole state space. To efficiently generate input sequences according to the proposed specification, we introduce a functional automatic test pattern generation (ATPG) approach, which involves the proposed intelligent redundancy-reduction strategy to solve problems of random test vectors. We also proposed functional coverage criterion based on the formal specification to support a more reliable measure of verification. We implement a verification platform based on the proposed semiformal approach and compare the proposed semiformal approach with the constrained randomized test (CRT) approach. The experiment results show that the proposed semiformal verification method ensures a more exhaustive and effective exploration of the functional correctness of designs under verification (DUVs).
TGF-α Overexpression in Breast Cancer Bone Metastasis and Primary Lesions and TGF-α Enhancement of Expression of Procancer Metastasis Cytokines in Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Sun Jingbo , Cui Haiyan , Gao Yanxin , Pan Yangjian , Zhou Kun , Huang Jingzhan , Lan Jin , Wei Qingzhu , Liu Xiaolong , Liu Lixin , Xian Cory J.
Published: February 2018

Bone metastasis (BM) is the advanced complication of breast cancer, while bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in the microenvironment unclearly contribute to cancer metastasis. This study investigated potential roles of transforming growth factor- (TGF-) α in the interaction between breast cancer and BMSCs in BM. Clinical cases of breast cancer with bone metastasis (BMBC), breast cancer without bone metastasis (Non-BM-BC), and benign fibroadenoma (Benign) were enlisted in a retrospective study. TGF-α was found obviously overexpressed in BM lesion of BMBC compared to primary lesion of both BMBC and Non-BM-BC (P<0.01), and TGF-α was higher in primary lesion of both BMBC and Non-BM-BC (P<0.01) than Benign group. Interestingly, TGF-α in nontumor tissues of both BMBC and Non-BM-BC was at a higher level than Benign group (P<0.01), and numbers of macrophages in nontumor tissues of both BMBC and Non-BM-BC (P<0.01) were higher than Benign group. Furthermore, in cultured human BMSCs, TGF-α stimulated production of procancer cytokines including IL-6, VEGF, FGF10, FGF17, and TGF-β1 in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, TGF-α in BC could potentially be an important signal of carcinogenesis and metastasis. Macrophages in the nontumor tissue of BC may not be protective but could promote cancer metastasis.
Identification of Wheat Inflorescence Development-Related Genes Using a Comparative Transcriptomics Approach
Authors: Ma Lingjie , Ma Sheng-Wei , Deng Qingyan , Yuan Yang , Wei Zhaoyan , Jia Haiyan , Ma Zhengqiang
Published: February 2018

Inflorescence represents the highly specialized plant tissue producing the grains. Although key genes regulating flower initiation and development are conserved, the mechanism regulating fertility is still not well explained. To identify genes and gene network underlying inflorescence morphology and fertility of bread wheat, expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from different tissues were analyzed using a comparative transcriptomics approach. Based on statistical comparison of EST frequencies of individual genes in EST pools representing different tissues and verification with RT-PCR and RNA-seq data, 170 genes of 59 gene sets predominantly expressed in the inflorescence were obtained. Nearly one-third of the gene sets displayed differentiated expression profiles in terms of their subgenome orthologs. The identified genes, most of which were predominantly expressed in anthers, encode proteins involved in wheat floral identity determination, anther and pollen development, pollen-pistil interaction, and others. Particularly, 25 annotated gene sets are associated with pollen wall formation, of which 18 encode enzymes or proteins participating in lipid metabolic pathway, including fatty acid ω-hydroxylation, alkane and fatty alcohol biosynthesis, and glycerophospholipid metabolism. We showed that the comparative transcriptomics approach was effective in identifying genes for reproductive development and found that lipid metabolism was particularly active in wheat anthers.
Associating Polymer Networks Based on Cyclodextrin Inclusion Compounds for Heavy Oil Recovery
Authors: Li Xi , Shu Zheng , Luo Pingya , Ye Zhongbin
Published: February 2018

This work evaluates an approach to improve the enhanced heavy oil recovery performance of hydrophobic associating polymer. A polymeric system based on water-soluble hydrophobic associating polymer (WSHAP) and cyclodextrin (CD) polymer was proposed in this work. Addition of CD polymer to WSHAP forms interpolymer bridges by inclusion of CD groups with hydrophobic tails, and thereby the network structure is strengthened. The proposed system offers good viscoelasticity, pronounced shear thinning, and interesting viscosity-temperature relations. Sand pack tests indicated that the proposed system can build high resistance factor during the propagation in porous media, and its moderate adsorption phenomenon was represented by the thickness of the adsorbed layer. The relationship between effective viscosity and oil recovery increment indicated that the proposed system can significantly reduce the residual oil saturation due to the “piston-like” propagation. The overall oil recovery was raised by 5.7 and 24.5% of the original oil in place compared with WSHAP and partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM), respectively.