bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Observation of the Improvement in Nocturnal Asthma Symptoms with Administration of Once Daily Sustained Released Theophylline
Authors: Ruble Mesbahul Karim , Bari AKM Rafiqul , Biswas Amar , Anam Md Khairul , Khuda Mahbub E , Hossain Md Amjad , Kamal Mostofa
Published: July 2018

Objective: The aims and objective of this study to observe the improvement in Nocturnal Asthma symptoms and Quality of Life (QoL) with administration of once daily sustained release theophylline preparation.Background: Nocturnal symptoms are a common part of the asthma. Nocturnal asthma is defined by a drop in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) of at least 15% between bedtime and awakening in patients with clinical and physiologic evidence of asthma, which may include improvement in QoL.Methodology: The patient with Chronic Persistent Asthma, both sex, age >18 to 50 years of age and preferably patients with nocturnal exacerbations were included in the study. All patients were diagnosed on the basis of clinical history, physical examination, chest X-ray and pulmonary function tests, in accordance with the clinical criteria for the diagnosis by the GINA. The recruitment period was between March 2017 and August 2017 Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, Dhaka.Results: It was observed that 65(92.85%) was found exacerbation free night and 5(7.15%) patients were found exacerbation with sustained release Theophylline. There are significantly improved qualities of life between 1st follow up to 2nd follow up, 3rd follow up and 4th follow up p<0.001 which was statistically significant. Spirometry test was gradually improved between 1st visit of FEV1 to 2nd, 3rd and 4th visit of FEV1, (p<0.001) that was statistically significant.Conclusion: Most of the patients were found exacerbation free night. There are significantly improved quality of life between 1st follow up to 2nd follow up, 3rd follow up and 4th follow up in Spirometry test. The value of FEV1 was gradually improve in the lst visit, 2nd, 3rd and 4th visit with sustained release Theophylline.J Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll, December 2017, Vol.9(2); 74-77
Complications of Stapled Haemorrhoidectomy for Primary Haemorrhoid – Our Experience in ShSMCH
Authors: Saha Krishna Pada , Hasan Md Ibnul , Chowdhury Fayem , Ayub Ansary Abdullah Md Abu , Imdad Sadia , Ahmad Sami , Talukdar Md Monwarul Islam , Matin Abul Bashar Md Abdul
Published: July 2018

Objective: The aim of the study was to cheek the rate of significant complications amongst the patients undergoing Stapled haemorrhoidectomy. This study reflects our experience with Stapled haemorrhoidectomy in our Population.Methods: Two hundred and ninety patients with primary hemorrhoid of different degree underwent staple Hemorrhoidectomy in ShSMCH since January 2011 to December 2016. All patients were evaluated by history, clinical examination and proctosigmoidoscopy. They were followed up post operatively at 1, 3, 6, 12, 15, 18 Month.Result : Regarding presenting symptoms (pain less) per rectal bleeding was the main symptom (89%). Bulk of the pt were 3rd degree(50.16%). Regarding post operative complication – Urgency of defecation was most frequent (19%). Others were Urinary retention (4.5%), anal pain (4.01%), reactionary hemorrhage (4.01%). Regarding late post operative complication most frequent was mild pain (3.34%); others were – flatus incontinence, stenosis, recurrent haemorrhoid, fissure.Conclusion : Stapled haemorrhaidectomy is widely used, quick, safe and effective method of treating all degree of primary hemorrhoid with some complications. Therefore surgeon should be well aware of the type and post operative complicationsJ Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll, December 2017, Vol.9(2); 78-82
Agronomic Comparisons of Conventional and Organic Maize during the Transition to an Organic Cropping System
Authors: Cox William J. , Cherney Jerome H.
Published: July 2018

Maize producers transitioning to an organic cropping system must grow crops organically without price premiums for 36 months before certification. We evaluated conventional and organic maize with recommended and high seeding and N rates in New York to identify the best organic management practices during the transition. Conventional versus organic maize management differences included a treated (fungicide/insecticide) Genetically Modified (GM) hybrid versus a non-treated non-GM isoline; side-dressed synthetic N versus pre-plow composted manure; and Glyphosate versus mechanical weed control, respectively. Organic versus conventional maize yielded 32% lower as the entry crop (no previous green manure crop). Grain N% and weed densities explained 72% of yield variability. Organic and conventional maize, following wheat/red clover in the second year, yielded similarly. Organic maize with high inputs following wheat/red clover and conventional maize with high inputs following soybean in the third year yielded the highest. Grain N% and maize densities explained 54% of yield variability. Grain crop producers in the Northeast USA who do not have on-farm manure and forage equipment should plant maize after wheat/red clover with additional N (~56 kg N/ha) at higher seeding rates (~7%) during the transition to insure adequate N status and to offset maize density reductions from mechanical weed control.
Dog Ecology and Rabies Knowledge of Owners and Non-Owners in Sanur, A Sub-District of the Indonesian Island Province of Bali
Authors: Hiby Elly , Agustina Kadek Karang , Nattras Atema Kate , Bagus Gusti Ngurah , Girardi Janice , Harfoot Mike , Haryono Yacinta , Hiby Lex , Irawan Hendra , Kalalo Levin , Purnama Sang Gede , Subrata I. Made , Swacita Ida Bagus Ngurah , Utami Ni Wayan Arya , Januraga Pande Putu , Wirawan Dewa Nyoman
Published: July 2018

This study gained an understanding of dog demographics, owner behaviour, and knowledge, attitudes and practices relating to rabies in three villages in Sanur, Bali, providing insights for an intervention to improve responsible dog ownership. A combination of a census of all dogs, street surveys of roaming dogs, and a Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) survey was used to study both dogs and people. A total of 6009 dogs were recorded, of which only 3.3% appeared to be unowned; unowned dogs had poorer welfare and were more likely to be wary of attempted approaches by people. The source of dogs, method of confinement used by owners, and whether dogs were sterilised differed between three breed types; purebred dogs, mixed breed, and Bali dogs (native breed). Three variables were found to have significant effects on the chances of not being vaccinated: age, dog type, and confinement. A mean of 3.81 roaming dogs per km of street surveyed was recorded along 28 sub-village routes. Responses to attitude statements showed that most people had a positive attitude towards dogs and vaccination and did not agree with culling. Knowledge of appropriate bite treatment and symptoms of rabies in dogs was good.
Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species Regulate Key Metabolic, Anabolic, and Catabolic Pathways in Skeletal Muscle
Authors: Nemes Roland , Koltai Erika , Taylor Albert W. , Suzuki Katsuhiko , Gyori Ferenc , Radak Zsolt
Published: July 2018

Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) are important cellular regulators of key physiological processes in skeletal muscle. In this review, we explain how RONS regulate muscle contraction and signaling, and why they are important for membrane remodeling, protein turnover, gene expression, and epigenetic adaptation. We discuss how RONS regulate carbohydrate uptake and metabolism of skeletal muscle, and how they indirectly regulate fat metabolism through silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 3 (SIRT3). RONS are causative/associative signaling molecules, which cause sarcopenia or muscle hypertrophy. Regular exercise influences redox biology, metabolism, and anabolic/catabolic pathways in skeletal muscle in an intensity dependent manner.
Special Issue on Printed Electronics 2017
Authors: Oh Je Hoon
Published: July 2018

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Effect of Silica Nanoparticles on Fluid/Rock Interactions during Low Salinity Water Flooding of Chalk Reservoirs
Authors: Abhishek Rockey , Hamouda Aly A. , Ayoub Amr
Published: July 2018

The main objective of this work is to address the adsorption of Silica nanoparticles (NPs) dispersed in different brines on chalk surfaces and their effect on fluid/rock interaction. Isothermal static and dynamic adsorption on chalk are addressed here. Isothermal static adsorption showed increased adsorption of NPs at higher salinity. The tests were performed to cover wide range of injection scenarios with synthetic seawater (SSW) and low salinity water (LSW). The selected LSW composition here is based on 1:10 diluted SSW, which has shown to have superior performance compared to other ion compositions. The dynamic adsorption tests of NPs showed reduction of calcite dissolution of about 30% compared to LSW alone. That is, silica nanofluid hinders calcite dissolution i.e., has less effect on chalk matrix integrity which is a major concern in chalk reservoir, if low salinity is employed for enhanced oil recovery. Both scanning electron microscope images and pressure drop across the core during nanofluid injection indicated no throat blockage. Based on ion tracking and the monitored pH, the mechanism(s) for NP adsorption/desorption are suggested. The results from this study suggests a synergy wherein adding relatively small amount of silica NPs can improve the performance of low salinity floods.
Modeling Properties with Artificial Neural Networks and Multilinear Least-Squares Regression: Advantages and Drawbacks of the Two Methods
Authors: De Julián-Ortiz Jesus Vicente , Pogliani Lionello , Besalú Emili
Published: July 2018

The mean molecular connectivity indices (MMCI) proposed in previous studies are used in conjunction with well-known molecular connectivity indices (MCI) to model eleven properties of organic solvents. The MMCI and MCI descriptors selected by the stepwise multilinear least-squares (MLS) procedure were used to perform artificial neural network (ANN) computations, with the aim of detecting the advantages and limits of the ANN approach. The MLS procedure can replicate the obtained results for as long as is needed, a characteristic not shared by the ANN methodology, which, on the one hand increases the quality of a description, and on the other hand also results in overfitting. The present study also reveals how ANN methods prefer MCI relatively to MMCI descriptors. Four types of ANN computations show that: (i) MMCI descriptors are preferred with properties with a small number of points, (ii) MLS is preferred over ANN when the number of ANN weights is similar to the number of regression coefficients and, (iii) in some cases, the MLS modeling quality is similar to the modeling quality of ANN computations. Both the common training set and an external randomly chosen validation set were used throughout the paper.
Reconstruction of Atmospheric Lead Pollution During the Roman Period Recorded in Belgian Ombrotrophic Peatlands Cores
Authors: Allan Mohammed , Pinti Daniele L. , Ghaleb Bassam , Verheyden Sophie , Mattielli Nadine , Fagel Nathalie
Published: July 2018

Two peat cores from two bogs were used to record changes in the atmospheric Pb accumulation rate (Pb AR) in Belgium during the Roman period. The two records were compared to assess the reliability of peat cores as archives of atmospheric Pb deposition and to establish histories of atmospheric emissions from anthropogenic sources. To address these issues we analyzed Pb concentration and its isotopes, using ICP-MS, LA-ICP-MS and MC-ICP-MS in two peat sections, spanning 1000 years each. Lead concentrations in the two cores range from 0.1 to 60 μg g−1, with the maxima between 15 and 60 μg g−1. The average natural background of Pb AR varies between 0.003 and 0.07 mg m−2 yr−1 and the maximum ranges from 0.7 to 1.2 mg m−2 yr−1 between 50 BC and AD 215. The highest Pb AR exceed the pre-Roman period values by a factor of 17–80. Pb isotopic composition indicates that mining and metallurgical activities were the predominant sources of pollution during the Roman period. The Pb AR and chronologies in the Belgian peat cores are consistent with those reported for other continental archives such as lake sediments, peat and ice cores.
CO2 Adsorption Property of Amine-Modified Amorphous TiO2 Nanoparticles with a High Surface Area
Authors: Ota Misaki , Hirota Yuichiro , Uchida Yoshiaki , Nishiyama Norikazu
Published: July 2018

Carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) technologies have attracted a great deal of attention as effective measures to prevent global warming. Adsorption methods using porous materials seem to have several advantages over the liquid absorption methods. In this study, we have developed a synthesis method of new amorphous titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles with a diameter of 3 nm, a high surface area of 617 m2/g and a large amount of OH groups. Next, the surface of the amorphous TiO2 nanoparticles was modified using ethylenediamine to examine whether CO2 adsorption increases. Amorphous TiO2 nanoparticles were successfully modified with ethylenediamine, which was used in excess due to the presence of a large amount of hydroxyl groups. The amorphous TiO2 nanoparticles modified with ethylenediamine show a higher CO2 adsorption capacity (65 cm3/g at 0 °C, 100 kPa) than conventional TiO2 and mesoporous SiO2. We discuss the origin of the higher CO2 adsorption capacity in terms of the high specific surface area of the amorphous TiO2 nanoparticles and the modification with ethylenediamine on the surface of the amorphous TiO2 nanoparticles. The optimization of the amount of ethylenediamine bound on the particles increased the CO2 adsorption capacity without pore blocking.
Assessing the Use of Artificial Hibernacula by the Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus) and Smooth Newt (Lissotriton vulgaris) in Cold Climate in Southeast Norway
Authors: Dervo Børre K. , Museth Jon , Skurdal Jostein
Published: July 2018

Construction of artificial overwintering habitats, hibernacula, or newt hotels, is an important mitigation measure for newt populations in urban and agricultural areas. We have monitored the use of four artificial hotels built in September 2011 close to a 6000 m2 breeding pond in Norway. The four hotels ranged from 1.6 to 12.4 m3 and were located from 5 to 40 m from the breeding pond. In 2013–2015, 57 Great Crested Newts (Triturus cristatus) and 413 Smooth Newts (Lissotriton vulgaris) spent the winter in the hotels. The proportions of juveniles were 75% and 62%, respectively, and the hotels may be important to secure recruitment. Knowledge on emigration routes and habitat quality for summer use and winter hibernation is important to find good locations for newt hotels. The study documented that newts may survive a minimum temperature of −6.7 °C. We recommend that newt hotels in areas with harsh climate are dug into the ground in slopes to reduce low-temperature exposure during winter.
Novel Food Processing and Extraction Technologies of High-Added Value Compounds from Plant Materials
Authors: Putnik Predrag , Lorenzo Jose , Barba Francisco , Roohinejad Shahin , Režek Jambrak Anet , Granato Daniel , Montesano Domenico , Bursać Kovačević Danijela
Published: July 2018

Some functional foods contain biologically active compounds (BAC) that can be derived from various biological sources (fruits, vegetables, medicinal plants, wastes, and by-products). Global food markets demand foods from plant materials that are “safe”, “fresh”, “natural”, and with “nutritional value” while processed in sustainable ways. Functional foods commonly incorporate some plant extract(s) rich with BACs produced by conventional extraction. This approach implies negative thermal influences on extraction yield and quality with a large expenditure of organic solvents and energy. On the other hand, sustainable extractions, such as microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), high-pressure assisted extraction (HPAE), high voltage electric discharges assisted extraction (HVED), pulsed electric fields assisted extraction (PEF), supercritical fluids extraction (SFE), and others are aligned with the “green” concepts and able to provide raw materials on industrial scale with optimal expenditure of energy and chemicals. This review provides an overview of relevant innovative food processing and extraction technologies applied to various plant matrices as raw materials for functional foods production.
Effects of Low Energy Availability on Reproductive Functions and Their Underlying Neuroendocrine Mechanisms
Authors: Iwasa Takeshi , Matsuzaki Toshiya , Yano Kiyohito , Mayila Yiliyasi , Yanagihara Rie , Yamamoto Yuri , Kuwahara Akira , Irahara Minoru
Published: July 2018

It is known that metabolic disturbances suppress reproductive functions in females. The mechanisms underlying metabolic and nutritional effects on reproductive functions have been established based on a large body of clinical and experimental data. From the 1980s to 1990s, it was revealed that disrupted gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion is the main cause of reproductive impairments in metabolic and nutritional disorders. From the late 1990s to early 2000s, it was demonstrated that, in addition to their primary functions, some appetite- or metabolism-regulating factors affect GnRH secretion. Furthermore, in the early 2000s, kisspeptin, which is a potent positive regulator of GnRH secretion, was newly discovered, and it has been revealed that kisspeptin integrates the effects of metabolic status on GnRH neurons. Recent studies have shown that kisspeptin mediates at least some of the effects of appetite- and metabolism-regulating factors on GnRH neurons. Thus, kisspeptin might be a useful clinical target for treatments aimed at restoring reproductive functions in individuals with metabolic or nutritional disturbances, such as those who exercise excessively, experience marked weight loss, or suffer from eating disorders. This paper presents a review of what is currently known about the effects of metabolic status on reproductive functions and their underlying mechanisms by summarizing the available evidence.
A Collaborative European Approach to Accelerating Translational Marine Science
Authors: Brennecke Philip , Ferrante Maria I. , Johnston Ian A. , Smith David
Published: July 2018

Marine environments account for over 90% of the biosphere and hold tremendous potential for biotechnological applications and drug discovery. To fully exploit this potential and develop interesting discoveries into useful molecular tools and successful products, a multidisciplinary approach is indispensable. Here, we introduce the European Marine Biological Research Infrastructure Cluster (EMBRIC), a novel collaborative initiative that aims to facilitate translational marine science and remove existing bottlenecks that are currently impeding blue innovation. In the context of this initiative, pilot projects have been designed to test the functionality of the cluster focusing on two specific sectors of marine biotechnology: (i) the discovery and exploitation of marine natural products and (ii) the marker-assisted selection of desirable traits in aquaculture. EMBRIC brings together the expertise of six European Research Infrastructures on accessing the potential of marine organisms, specifically on the 99% of bacteria yet to be grown in culture, the microalgae, finfish, and shellfish. It improves the throughput and efficiency of workflows for discovery of novel marine products and facilitates projects that require an interdisciplinary approach. The objective is to develop coherent chains of high quality services for access to biological, analytical, and data resources by deploying common underpinning technologies and practices. The connection of academic science with industry is being strengthened by engaging companies, as well as geographically separated public and private-sector communities in the domain of marine biotechnology, and by federating technology transfer services amongst the players involved.
3,3′-(Diazene-1,2-diyl)bis[4-(nitroamino)-1,2,5-oxadiazole 2-oxide]
Authors: Larin Alexander , Ovchinnikov Igor , Fershtat Leonid , Makhova Nina
Published: July 2018

The nitramino derivatives of furoxans are of specific interest as precursors for the preparation of high energy salts with nitrogen-rich cations. In this communication, the 3,3′-(diazene-1,2-diyl)bis[4-(nitroamino)-1,2,5-oxadiazole 2-oxide] was prepared via nitration of available 4,4′-diamino-3,3′-diazenofuroxan; the best yield of the target compound was achieved under the action of nitrating system HNO3/(CF3CO)2O in molar ratio 15:3 in CCl4 at −5 °C. The structure of 3,3′-(diazene-1,2-diyl)bis[4-(nitroamino)-1,2,5-oxadiazole 2-oxide] was confirmed by means of 1H, 13C,14N-NMR, IR spectroscopy and high resolution mass spectra (HRMS).
Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Mesoporous Silica Derived from Rice Husk Ash as a Potential Drug Carrier
Authors: Suttiruengwong Supakij , Pivsa-Art Sommai , Chareonpanich Metta
Published: July 2018

This work describes the preparation of mesoporous silica by the green reaction of rice husk ash (RHA) with glycerol, followed by the modification and the potential use as a drug carrier. The reaction was carried out at 215 °C for 2 h. The solution was further hydrolyzed with deionized water and aged for various times (24, 48, 120, 360, 528 and 672 h) before calcinations at 500 °C for 24 h. Further treatment of prepared mesoporous silica was performed using trimethylmethoxysilane (TMMS) to obtain hydrophobic Mesoporous silica. For all synthesized silicas, silica contents were as high as 95 wt %, whereas organic residues were less than 3 wt %. RHA-glycerol showed the highest specific surface area with smallest pore diameter (205.70 m2/g, 7.46 nm) when aged for 48 h. The optimal hydrolysis-ageing period of 120 h resulted in 500.7 m2/g specific surface area, 0.655 cm3/g pore volume and 5.23 nm pore diameter. The surface modification of RHA-glycerol occurred through the reaction with TMMS as confirmed by FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy). Ibuprofen was selected as a model drug for the adsorption experiments. The adsorption under supercritical CO2 was carried out at isothermal temperature of 40 °C and 100 bar; % ibuprofen loading of TMMS modified mesoporous silica (TMMS-g-MS) was 6 times less than that of mesoporous silica aged for 24 h (MS-24h) due to the hydrophobic nature of modified mesoporous silica, not surface and pore characteristics. The release kinetics of ibuprofen-loaded mesoporous silicas were also investigated in vitro. The release rate of ibuprofen-loaded MS-24h was much faster than that of ibuprofen-loaded TMMS-g-MS, but comparable to the crystalline ibuprofen. The slower release rate was attributed to the diffusion control and the stability of hydrophobic nature of modified silica. This would allow the design of a controlled release drug delivery system.
Relationship of arterial wall parameters to cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular risk assessed by SCORE system
Authors: Kovaitė Milda , Petrulionienė Žaneta , Ryliškytė Ligita , Badarienė Jolita , Čypienė Alma , Dženkevičiūtė Vilma , Laucevičius Aleksandras
Published: July 2018

Objective. To investigate the relationship of arterial wall parameters (flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery, augmentation index, pulse wave velocity, stiffness index, carotid intima-media thickness) to conventional cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular risk assessed by SCORE system. Material and methods. A total of 209 subjects aged 40–65 years without clinically overt cardiovascular disease were examined. Parameters of arterial stiffness were obtained by two methods: augmentation index and carotid-radial pulse wave velocity by applanation tonometry and stiffness index by the means of finger photoplethysmography. Flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery, reflecting endothelial function, and carotid intima-media thickness was determined using a high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography. Results. Age and the presence of diabetes strongly influenced all parameters of the arterial wall (diabetes was not independent predictor when evaluating augmentation index). Mean arterial pressure and gender were independent predictors for arterial stiffness parameters – carotid-radial pulse wave velocity and augmentation index. Flow-mediated dilatation was strongly dependent on the diameter of the brachial artery, age, and body mass index. Using logistic regression, it was found that pulse wave velocity (P=0.014), intima-media thickness (P=0.004), and flow-mediated dilatation (P=0.020) were important parameters dividing subjects to the groups of increased (³5%) and low (<5%) cardiovascular risk assessed by SCORE system. The cutoff values for intima-media thickness and pulse wave velocity were 0.078 cm and 8.95 m/s, respectively. Conclusions. Arterial wall parameters are closely associated with conventional risk factors; they are influenced by age and the presence of diabetes. Arterial stiffness parameters are also influenced by mean arterial pressure; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol has influence on carotid intima-media thickness. Cutoff values for carotid intima-media thickness and carotid-radial pulse wave velocity could help to discriminate patients with increased cardiovascular risk.
The importance of T-lymphocyte subsets on overall survival of colorectal and gastric cancer patients
Authors: Milašienė Vida , Stratilatovas Eugenijus , Norkienė Violeta
Published: July 2018

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of cellular immunity parameters on overall survival of colorectal and gastric cancer patients after surgery. The parameters of cellular immunity (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD20+, and CD16+) were determined by immunofluorescence method. Cox regression analysis showed no impact of the estimated preoperative and postoperative parameters of cellular immunity on overall survival of colorectal cancer patients and similarly of gastric cancer patients in stage II. However, the analysis showed that the survival of colorectal and gastric cancer patients in stage III depended on immunological parameters determined before surgery: CD3+ (P=0.007 and P=0.007, respectively), CD4+ (P=0.021 and P=0.011, respectively), and CD8+ (P=0.047 and P=0.007) counts. Only the survival of colorectal cancer patients depended on natural killer cell number (P=0.009). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with stage III colorectal and gastric cancer had better survival rates when absolute number of CD3+ lymphocytes, determined before surgery, was greater than 0.8×109/L, CD4+ – greater than 0.25×109/L, CD8+ – greater than 0.3×109/L. Colorectal cancer patient survived longer when the number of natural killer cells CD16+ was more than 0.25×109/L. This study suggests that higher levels of the absolute number of lymphocyte subsets before surgery have a beneficial effect on overall survival of gastric and colorectal cancer patients in stage III.
Coma: Etiology, diagnosis, and treatment
Authors: Adukauskienė Dalia , Budrytė Brigita , Karpec Diana
Published: July 2018

Coma is the disorder of consciousness because of the damage to diffused bilateral cerebral hemisphere cortex or reticular activating system. Coma can be caused by neurogenic (head brain injury), metabolic (endogenic), and toxic (exogenic) factors. To determine the cause of metabolic and toxic coma, laboratory tests are performed; in case of neurogenic coma, the neurologic examination is essential, when five systems are evaluated: the level of consciousness (according to Glasgow Coma Scale or Full Outline of Unresponsiveness Scale), photoreaction of pupils and ophthalmoscopic examination, oculomotoric, motoric, and cardiopulmonary systems. For the treatment of coma, adequate oxygenation and correction of blood circulation disorders are important. The treatment of metabolic coma is guided by special schemes; antidotes often are needed in the treatment of toxic coma, and surgery helps if traumatic brain injury is present. The prognosis and outcomes of the comatose patient depend on the age and comorbid diseases of the patient, the underlying cause of coma, timely medical help and its quality, and intensive treatment and care of the patient in coma.
Cardiomyocyte remodeling in ischemic heart disease
Authors: Pangonytė Dalia , Stalioraitytė Elena , Žiuraitienė Reda , Kazlauskaitė Danutė , Palubinskienė Jolita , Balnytė Ingrida
Published: July 2018

Objective. The aim of the study was to detect changes in left ventricular cardiomyocyte size and shape in response to chronic ischemia and loss of cardiac tissue (myocardial infarction) during the course of ischemic heart disease (IHD). Material and methods. Left ventricular cardiomyocyte dimensions (diameter and length) were estimated histomorphometrically, and their cross-sectional area and volume were assessed in 85 males who died suddenly out of hospital (within 6 hours of the onset of the terminal event) due to the acute first (preinfarction IHD group, n=53, aged 48.6±2.9 years) or repeated (postinfarction IHD group, n=32, aged 51.7±2.9 years) IHD attack, and had no other causes for the increased heart load. Twenty-nine males of similar age (mean age, 46.0±3.1 years) who succumbed to external causes served as controls. Results. We have found cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in the preinfarction IHD group already. The cardiomyocyte volume was increased by 32.0% in comparison with the same index in the control group, and cross-sectional area and length – by 17.2 and 12.5%, respectively. In postinfarction IHD group, all studied cardiomyocyte parameters did not differ significantly from the analogous indices in the preinfarction IHD group (P>0.05). Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was related to the increase in left ventricular cardiomyocyte parameters. Conclusions. Left ventricular cardiomyocyte hypertrophy occurs before the first myocardial infarction. In postinfarction myocardium, cardiomyocyte dimensions do not differ significantly at least prior to the appearance of congestive heart failure syndrome.
Socialization of athletes with disabilities in adapted physical activity
Authors: Samsonienė Laimutė , Adomaitienė Rūta , Krivičiūtė Jurga , Jankauskienė Konstancija , Jurkštienė Vilma , Kėvelaitis Egidijus
Published: July 2018

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the impairment of the body functions on the participation of people with disabilities in sports activities. Material and methods. The study was carried out in the institutions mostly attended by people with severe physical disabilities. The participants took a modified Kenny test and answered the questions of a questionnaire. The study sample consisted of 35 persons with severe physical disabilities. Results. The findings of this study showed that people with disabilities who were not engaged in sports were of much worse opinion about their health condition (P=0.02) and they needed more help from family or friends (P=0.035) compared to the disabled who were not engaged in sports, but in the group of people with disabilities who were engaged in sports, the correlations of those indicators were statistically significant (r=0.59 and r=0.68, respectively). The main motivation of sports participation of people with disabilities (about 80%) was the need for communication and gaining independence. Health improvement was mentioned by less than half of people with disabilities (about 41%) engaged in sports. Conclusions. The syndrome of movement function impairment, duration of impairment, marital status, the age of persons with disabilities, and objectively determined impairment of biosocial self-service functions did not impact sports participation of people with disabilities. However, subjective sensation of pain and the need of medical aid, which did not match the objective functional impairments, could be the obstacle for people with disabilities to participate in sports.
In Vitro Anti-Cholinesterase and Antioxidant Activity of Extracts of Moringa oleifera Plants from Rivers State, Niger Delta, Nigeria
Authors: Nwidu Lucky Legbosi , Elmorsy Ekramy , Aprioku Jonah Sydney , Siminialayi Iyeopu , Carter Wayne Grant
Published: July 2018

This study evaluated Moringa oleifera extracts from two locations in Niger Delta for in vitro anti-cholinesterase and antioxidant activities. Methanolic, aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Moringa oleifera were evaluated for inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, antioxidant properties, and total phenolic and flavonoid contents using standard procedures. M. oleifera extracts possessed significant and concentration dependent AChE inhibitory activity for methanolic, aqueous, and ethanolic extracts. For the most potent extracts, the percentage AChE inhibition/IC50 (µg/mL) values were Moringa oleifera root methanolic extracts (MORME): ~80%/0.00845; Moringa oleifera root ethanolic extract 1 (MOREE1): ~90%/0.0563; Moringa oleifera root ethanolic extract 2 (MOREE2): ~70%/0.00175; and Moringa oleifera bark ethanolic extract (MOBEE): ~70%/0.0173. The descending order of AChE inhibitory potency of plant parts were: root > bark > leaf > flowers > seed. All M. oleifera methanolic extracts at a concentration of 1000 µg/mL displayed significant (p < 0.05–0.001) DPPH radical scavenging activity, with values of ~20–50% of that of ascorbic acid. The total phenolic content and total flavonoid content (TPC/TFC) of MORME, Moringa Oju bark methanolic extract (MOBME), MOREE1, MOREE2 and Moringa leaf ethanolic leaf extract (MLEE) were (287/254), (212/113), (223/185), (203/343) and (201/102) mg gallic acid equivalents/g and quercetin equivalents/g, respectively. There was an inverse correlation between plant extract AChE inhibition and total phenolic (p < 0.0001) and total flavonoid contents (p < 0.0012). In summary, this study revealed 5 of 19 extracts of M. oleifera that have potent in vitro anti-cholinesterase and antioxidant activities.
Relationship between Atherogenic Indices and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Prediabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study from Central India
Authors: Mahat Roshan Kumar , Singh Neelima , Rathore Vedika , Gupta Akshara , Shah Rakesh Kumar
Published: July 2018

Prediabetes is the precursor stage of diabetes mellitus and is also considered to be a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. Atherogenic indices have been used for assessment of risk for cardiovascular disease development. To date, there is no data on evaluating the relationship between atherogenic indices (cardiac risk ratio (CRR), atherogenic coefficient (AC), and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP)) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in prediabetes. Hence, we aimed to determine atherogenic indices (CRR, AC, and AIP) and CIMT in prediabetic subjects and then sought to evaluate the relationship between them. A total of 400 human subjects were included in the present study, out of which 200 were prediabetic subjects and 200 were normal healthy control subjects. For each subject, CRR, AC, and AIP were calculated from routine lipid parameters and carotid intima-media thickness was measured as well. Atherogenic indices, that is, CRR, AC, and AIP, were significantly increased in prediabetic subjects as compared to the controls (5.87 ± 0.87 vs. 4.23 ± 0.50, p < 0.001; 4.87 ± 0.87 vs. 3.23 ± 0.50, p < 0.001; and 0.29 ± 0.07 vs. 0.09 ± 0.09, p < 0.001, respectively). Moreover, a significant and positive correlation was observed between CIMT and AIP (r = 0.529, p < 0.01), CRR (r = 0.495, p < 0.01), and AC (r = 0.495, p < 0.01). Prediabetic subjects present abnormalities in atherogenic indices and CIMT, which indicate a greater propensity of prediabetes for the development of cardiovascular disease. Hence, atherogenic indices can be used in addition to routine lipid parameters for the better assessment of subclinical atherosclerosis in prediabetic subjects.
1,10-Secoguaianolides from Artemisia austro-yunnanensis and Their Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Authors: Liu Lan , Dai Weifeng , Xiang Cheng , Chi Jun , Zhang Mi
Published: July 2018

Seven 1,10-secoguaianolides 1–7, including a new one (compound 1), were isolated from Artemisia austro-yunnanensis and identified by HRESIMS and other spectroscopic methods. Their anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated by the model of LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells in vitro. Bioassay results showed that six of them (1–4, 6 and 7), with the exception of 5, produce some cytotoxicity on RAW264.7 cells at its high dosage, can significantly decrease the release of NO, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and PGE2 in a dose dependent manner, and down-regulate the expression of proteins iNOS and COX-2. The mechanism study indicated they regulated the NF-κB dependent transcriptional activity through decreasing the phosphorylation of NF-κB. Further, the relationship between their structures and cytokines to anti-inflammatory were studied by PCA and discussed.
Targeting Dynamical Binding Processes in the Design of Non-Antibiotic Anti-Adhesives by Molecular Simulation—The Example of FimH
Authors: Krammer Eva-Maria , De Ruyck Jerome , Roos Goedele , Bouckaert Julie , Lensink Marc F.
Published: July 2018

Located at the tip of type I fimbria of Escherichia coli, the bacterial adhesin FimH is responsible for the attachment of the bacteria to the (human) host by specifically binding to highly-mannosylated glycoproteins located on the exterior of the host cell wall. Adhesion represents a necessary early step in bacterial infection and specific inhibition of this process represents a valuable alternative pathway to antibiotic treatments, as such anti-adhesive drugs are non-intrusive and are therefore unlikely to induce bacterial resistance. The currently available anti-adhesives with the highest affinities for FimH still feature affinities in the nanomolar range. A prerequisite to develop higher-affinity FimH inhibitors is a molecular understanding of the FimH-inhibitor complex formation. The latest insights in the formation process are achieved by combining several molecular simulation and traditional experimental techniques. This review summarizes how molecular simulation contributed to the current knowledge of the molecular function of FimH and the importance of dynamics in the inhibitor binding process, and highlights the importance of the incorporation of dynamical aspects in (future) drug-design studies.
Preparation and Characterization of Softwood Kraft Lignin Copolymers as a Paper Strength Additive
Authors: Liu Zhongming , Xu Dingding , Xu Lei , Kong Fangong , Wang Shoujuan , Yang Guihua
Published: July 2018

Softwood kraft lignin is a renewable type of woody material that can be converted to value-added products, for example, as a paper strength additive in the paper industry. In this study, the monomers of methacryloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (DMC), acrylic acid (AA), and acrylamide (AM) were grafted on softwood kraft lignin (SKL) to prepare three different SKL copolymers. Fourier-transform infrared, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, charge density, elemental, and molecular weight analyses confirmed that the monomers were successfully grafted onto SKL. The grafting rates of SKL-DMC, SKL-AA, and SKL-AM copolymers were 80.35%, 82.70%, and 79.48%, respectively. The application of SKL copolymers as a paper additive for enhancing paper physical properties was studied. The results indicated that at a 2 wt % dosage of SKL copolymers, the increase in the physical properties of paper is maximum.
Development of an EMG-Controlled Mobile Robot
Authors: Bisi Stefano , De Luca Luca , Shrestha Bikash , Yang Zhijun , Gandhi Vaibhav
Published: July 2018

This paper presents the development of a Robot Operating System (ROS)-based mobile robot control using electromyography (EMG) signals. The proposed robot’s structure is specifically designed to provide modularity and is controlled by a Raspberry Pi 3 running on top of an ROS application and a Teensy microcontroller. The EMG muscle commands are sent to the robot with hand gestures that are captured using a Thalmic Myo Armband and recognized using a k-Nearest Neighbour (k-NN) classifier. The robot’s performance is evaluated by navigating it through specific paths while solely controlling it through the EMG signals and using the collision avoidance approach. Thus, this paper aims to expand the research on the topic, introducing a more accurate classification system with a wider set of gestures, hoping to come closer to a usable real-life application.
Deriving High Spatiotemporal Remote Sensing Images Using Deep Convolutional Network
Authors: Tan Zhenyu , Yue Peng , Di Liping , Tang Junmei
Published: July 2018

Due to technical and budget limitations, there are inevitably some trade-offs in the design of remote sensing instruments, making it difficult to acquire high spatiotemporal resolution remote sensing images simultaneously. To address this problem, this paper proposes a new data fusion model named the deep convolutional spatiotemporal fusion network (DCSTFN), which makes full use of a convolutional neural network (CNN) to derive high spatiotemporal resolution images from remotely sensed images with high temporal but low spatial resolution (HTLS) and low temporal but high spatial resolution (LTHS). The DCSTFN model is composed of three major parts: the expansion of the HTLS images, the extraction of high frequency components from LTHS images, and the fusion of extracted features. The inputs of the proposed network include a pair of HTLS and LTHS reference images from a single day and another HTLS image on the prediction date. Convolution is used to extract key features from inputs, and deconvolution is employed to expand the size of HTLS images. The features extracted from HTLS and LTHS images are then fused with the aid of an equation that accounts for temporal ground coverage changes. The output image on the prediction day has the spatial resolution of LTHS and temporal resolution of HTLS. Overall, the DCSTFN model establishes a complex but direct non-linear mapping between the inputs and the output. Experiments with MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Landsat Operational Land Imager (OLI) images show that the proposed CNN-based approach not only achieves state-of-the-art accuracy, but is also more robust than conventional spatiotemporal fusion algorithms. In addition, DCSTFN is a faster and less time-consuming method to perform the data fusion with the trained network, and can potentially be applied to the bulk processing of archived data.
In Situ Observations Reveal How Spectral Reflectance Responds to Growing Season Phenology of an Open Evergreen Forest in Alaska
Authors: Kobayashi Hideki , Nagai Shin , Kim Yongwon , Yang Wei , Ikeda Kyoko , Ikawa Hiroki , Nagano Hirohiko , Suzuki Rikie
Published: July 2018

Plant phenology timings, such as spring green-up and autumn senescence, are essential state information characterizing biological responses and terrestrial carbon cycles. Current efforts for the in situ reflectance measurements are not enough to obtain the exact interpretation of how seasonal spectral signature responds to phenological stages in boreal evergreen needleleaf forests. This study shows the first in situ continuous measurements of canopy scale (overstory + understory) and understory spectral reflectance and vegetation index in an open boreal forest in interior Alaska. Two visible and near infrared spectroradiometer systems were installed at the top of the observation tower and the forest understory, and spectral reflectance measurements were performed in 10 min intervals from early spring to late autumn. We found that canopy scale normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) varied with the solar zenith angle. On the other hand, NDVI of understory plants was less sensitive to the solar zenith angle. Due to the influence of the solar geometry, the annual maximum canopy NDVI observed in the morning satellite overpass time (10–11 am) shifted to the spring direction compared with the standardized NDVI by the fixed solar zenith angle range (60−70°). We also found that the in situ NDVI time-series had a month-long high NDVI plateau in autumn, which was completely out of photosynthetically active periods when compared with eddy covariance net ecosystem exchange measurements. The result suggests that the onset of an autumn high NDVI plateau is likely to be the end of the growing season. In this way, our spectral measurements can serve as baseline information for the development and validation of satellite-based phenology algorithms in the northern high latitudes.
Bayesian Bias Correction of Satellite Rainfall Estimates for Climate Studies
Authors: Kimani Margaret Wambui , Hoedjes Joost C. B. , Su Zhongbo
Published: July 2018

Advances in remote sensing have led to the use of satellite-derived rainfall products to complement the sparse rain gauge data. Although these products are globally and some regional bias corrected, they often show substantial differences relative to ground measurements attributed to local and external factors that require systematic consideration. A decreasing rain gauge network inhibits the continuous validation of these products. Our proposal to deal with this problem was to use a Bayesian approach to merge the existing historical rain gauge information to create consistent satellite rainfall data for long-term applications. Monthly bias correction was applied to Climate Hazards Group Infrared Precipitation with Stations (CHIRPS v2) using a corresponding gridded (0.05°) rain gauge data over East Africa for 33 years (1981–2013). The first 22 years were utilized to derive error fields which were then applied to independent CHIRPS data for 11 years for validation. Assessments of the approach’s influence on the rainfall estimates spatially and temporally were explored. Results showed a significant spatial reduction of the underestimation and overestimation of systematic errors at both monthly and yearly scales. The reduced errors increased with increased rainfall amounts, hence was less so in the relatively drier months. The overall monthly reduction of Root Mean Square Difference (RMSD) was between 4% and 60%, and the Mean Absolute Error (MAE) was between 1% and 63%, while the correlations improved by up to 21%. Yearly, the RMSD was reduced between 17% and 49%, and the MAE between 13% and 48%, while the increase in correlations was between 9% and 17%. Decreased yearly bias correction corresponded with years of high rainfall associated with El Niño. Results for the assessments of the effectiveness of the Bayesian approach showed that it was more effective in reducing systematic errors related to rainfall magnitudes, but its performance decreased in areas of sparse rain gauge network that insufficiently represented rainfall variabilities. This affected areas of deep convection, leading to minimal overestimation reductions associated with the cirrus effect. Conversely, significant corrections were during years of low rainfall from shallow convections. The approach is suitable for long-term applications where consistencies of mean errors can be assumed.
SoEasy: A Software Framework for Easy Hardware Control Programming for Diverse IoT Platforms
Authors: Lee Junyoung , Park Gwang-il , Shin Jong-ha , Lee Jin-hae , Sreenan Cormac , Yoo Seong-eun
Published: July 2018

Many Internet of Things (IoT) applications are emerging and evolving rapidly thanks to widespread open-source hardware platforms. Most of the high-end open-source IoT platforms include built-in peripherals, such as the universal asynchronous receiver and transmitter (UART), pulse width modulation (PWM), general purpose input output (GPIO) ports and timers, and have enough computation power to run embedded operating systems such as Linux. However, each IoT platform has its own way of configuring peripherals, and it is difficult for programmers or users to configure the same peripheral on a different platform. Although diverse open-source IoT platforms are widespread, the difficulty in programming those platforms hinders the growth of IoT applications. Therefore, we propose an easy and convenient way to program and configure the operation of each peripheral using a user-friendly Web-based software framework. Through the implementation of the software framework and the real mobile robot application development along with it, we show the feasibility of the proposed software framework, named SoEasy.