bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pavlovian‐to‐instrumental transfer in Anorexia Nervosa: A pilot study on conditioned learning and instrumental responding to low‐ and high‐calorie food stimuli
Authors: Vogel Verena , Dittrich Marie , Horndasch Stefanie , Kratz Oliver , Moll Gunther H. , Erim Yesim , Paslakis Georgios , Rauh Elisabeth , Steins‐Loeber Sabine
Published: October 2019

Anorexia Nervosa is characterized by persistent restraint eating despite severe negative consequences and often a chronic course of the disease. Recent theoretical models suggest that abnormalities in reward processing and incentive salience of disorder‐compatible stimuli as observed in addictive behaviours contribute to the development and maintenance of Anorexia Nervosa. The aim of the present study was to investigate the process of the acquisition of food‐related conditioned responses and the influence of conditioned low‐calorie and high‐calorie food stimuli on instrumental responding for different foods. A Pavlovian‐to‐instrumental transfer paradigm and questionnaires on eating disorder psychopathology (EDE‐Q, EDI‐2) were administered to patients with Anorexia Nervosa (n = 39) and healthy controls (n = 41). Results indicated that patients with Anorexia Nervosa showed deficits of the acquisition of knowledge of the experimental contingencies. Nevertheless, in patients with Anorexia Nervosa and healthy controls instrumental responding for low‐ and high‐calorie food rewards was affected by stimuli conditioned to these rewards; no group differences were observed. Importantly, in Anorexia Nervosa, instrumental responding for low‐calorie food increased with increasing severity of eating disorder psychopathology suggesting weight‐loss directed behaviour. Future studies are warranted to enhance our understanding of deficits of reward‐associated learning and to replicate and extend findings with regard to the impact of conditioned stimuli on instrumental responding. At present, our findings suggest that cognitive treatment interventions might be warranted that challenge dysfunctional beliefs about weight loss.
Soil fungal community assembly processes under long‐term fertilization
Authors: Shi Yu , Dang Keke , Dong Yuanhua , Feng Maomao , Wang Boren , Li Jiangang , Chu Haiyan
Published: October 2019

Understanding the processes that regulate communities of microorganisms is a key issue and focus in microbial ecology. Although fungi play a critical role in soil biogeochemical cycling, their community assembly processes remain largely unknown, especially in agricultural soils. In this study, we investigated the relative importance of five community assembly processes (variable selection, homogeneous selection, homogeneous dispersal, dispersal limitation and an undominated process) in soil fungal communities under long‐term (28 years, 1990–2018) fertilization management consisting of 12 different treatments in triplicate field plots. Using Illumina MiSeq sequencing of the 18S rRNA eukaryotic gene, we observed that fungal communities in manure treatments were all structured primarily by homogeneous dispersal, whereas the communities in chemical fertilizer treatments were structured primarily by homogeneous dispersal and an undominated process. Soil calcium played an important role in shaping the soil fungal community, whereas soil organic matter concentrations had a considerable impact on the soil fungal phylogenetic community composition. Overall, our results suggest that fertilization management should be considered as a key factor driving microbial community assembly processes in farmed soils.

Highlights

Soil Ca played a key role in shaping eukaryotic microbial community

Chemical fertilization resulted in homogenous selection and undominated processes.

A combination of chemical and manure fostered homogenous selection processes.
The immunosuppressive functions of two novel tick serpins, HlSerpin‐a and HlSerpin‐b, from Haemaphysalis longicornis
Authors: Wang Fanqi , Song Zhenyu , Chen Jing , Wu Qihan , Zhou Xia , Ni Xiaohua , Dai Jianfeng
Published: October 2019

Serpins are evolutionarily conserved serine protease inhibitors that are widely distributed in animals, plants and microbes. In this study, we reported the cloning and functional characterizations of two novel serpin genes, HlSerpin‐a and HlSerpin‐b, from the hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis of China. Recombinant HlSerpin‐a and HlSerpin‐b displayed protease inhibitory activities against multiple mammalian proteases. Similar to other tick serpins, HlSerpin‐a and HlSerpin‐b suppressed the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF‐α, interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐1β from lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated mouse bone‐marrow‐derived macrophages (BMDMs) or mouse bone‐marrow‐derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). The minimum active region (reaction centre loop) of HlSerpin‐a, named SA‐RCL, showed similar biological activities as HlSerpin‐a in the protease inhibition and immune suppression assays. The immunosuppressive activities of full‐length HlSerpin‐a and SA‐RCL are impaired in Cathepsin G or Cathepsin B knockout mouse macrophages, suggesting that the immunomodulation functions of SA and SA‐RCL are dependent on their protease inhibitory activity. Finally, we showed that both full‐length HlSerpins and SA‐RCL can relieve the joint swelling and inflammatory response in collagen‐induced mouse arthritis models. These results suggested that HlSerpin‐a and HlSerpin‐b are two functional arthropod serpins, and the minimal reactive peptide SA‐RCL is a potential candidate for drug development against inflammatory diseases.
The relationship between pressure injury complication and mortality risk of older patients in follow‐up: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Song Yi‐Ping , Shen Hong‐Wu , Cai Ji‐Yu , Zha Man‐Li , Chen Hong‐Lin
Published: October 2019

Pressure injuries (PIs) have now become a common complication of the elderly patients. Some studies have observed that pressure injuries may increase mortality, but this area of evidence has not been evaluated and summarised. The aim of this study was to compare the mortality of patients with pressure injuries and those without pressure injuries. A meta‐analysis of observational studies was performed. PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science were searched up to April 2019. Studies about mortality among the elderly patients with and without pressure injuries were included. Methodological quality was assessed by the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale (NOS). The fixed effect or random effect model was determined by the test of heterogeneity. The subgroup analysis was performed based on the pressure injuries stages, the region, and the type of study design. The meta‐regression analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between the mortality and patients' enrolled year, average age, the incidence of pressure injuries, and gender ratio. The sensitivity analysis was used to explore the impact of an individual study by excluding one at a time. The hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) in terms of the comparison of two groups were extracted for meta‐analysis. A survival curve between two groups by individual patient‐level was drew. Eight studies with 5523 elderly patients were included in the analysis. Follow‐up periods for the included studies ranged from about 0.5 to 3 years. The elderly patients who complicated with pressure injuries had a higher risk of death. The pooled HR was 1.78 (95% CI 1.46‐2.16). A funnel plot showed no publication bias. Further subgroup analysis showed that HR values for the patient stage 3 to 4 pressure injuries (HR:2.41; 95% CI:1.08‐5.37) were higher than stage 1‐4 and 2‐4 pressure injuries (HR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.35‐2.05; HR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.16‐2.60). The meta‐regression analysis found that patients' enrolled year, average age, the incidence of pressure injuries, and gender ratio were not the sources of heterogeneity. Sensitivity analyses showed that the outcomes of the study did not change after removing the Onder's article. The survival curve at the individual patient‐level also indicated that patients complicated with pressure injuries significantly increased the risk of death (HR: 1.958; 95% CI: 1.79‐2.14) in elderly patients. Our meta‐analysis indicated that patients complicated with pressure injuries are estimated to have a two times higher risk on mortality compared with patients without pressure injuries during the 3 years follow‐up period. Particular attention should be given to the elderly patients who are at higher risk for mortality.
Humanitarian Protection as a European Public Good: The Strategic Role of States and Refugees
Authors: Lutz Philipp , Kaufmann David , Stünzi Anna
Published: October 2019

The surge of refugees arriving in Europe has accentuated the malfunctioning of the common European asylum system: the lack of coordination between nation states and failure in the common protection of refugees were the main outcomes of the so‐called refugee crisis. This article builds on the literature on public goods and policy compliance in order to explain the failure of European countries to provide humanitarian protection to refugees. A sequential game‐theoretical model serves to demonstrate the strategic interaction between states and refugees in European asylum policy. The analysis demonstrates that although both groups of actors benefit from a functioning European asylum system, they also have few incentives to contribute to the public good. States aim to reduce their individual refugee burden and refugees seek protection in their preferred destination country. The findings suggest that an effective provision of refugee protection requires both member states and refugees to contribute mutually to the public good.
Anadromy and heterogenous population of a tropical shad Tenualosa ilisha in Malaysia, as revealed by otolith microchemistry and molecular evidence
Authors: Arai Takaomi , Taha Hussein , Amalina Razikin , Iizuka Yoshiyuki , Chang Chih‐Wei
Published: October 2019

Tenualosa ilisha was found recently in the Perak River in western Peninsular Malaysia. Molecular phylogenetic and haplotype network analyses suggest that T. ilisha has two genetically distinct populations/groups: (i) Peninsular Malaysia (Malaysia population), and (ii) Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, India and Bangladesh (Indian Ocean population). The results also suggest that the T ilisha population in Peninsular Malaysia is genetically heterogeneous with a typical anadromous migration pattern.
Microtomographic characterization of calcifications in canine mammary tumours
Authors: Reis Joana , Oliveira Teresa , Pereira Alfredo , Infante Paulo , Leal Nuno , Faísca Pedro
Published: October 2019

The present work describes the microtomographic characterization of macro‐ and microcalcifications present in excised canine mammary glands. In human breast cancer, microcalcifications are highly relevant for diagnosis and prognosis, often being the sole element determining biopsy. Canine mammary tumours are considered a model for human breast cancer, but the morphological features of calcifications had still to be studied in this species. The objective of this research is to contribute to the characterization of the mineralization features of the canine mammary gland. In the present study, the excised mammary glands of 33 bitches underwent fluoroscopic examination. In 30 of the samples, the presence of calcification was suspected, and multiple biopsies were taken of these areas. Biopsy fragments underwent microtomographic scanning. Microcalcifications were found in non‐neoplastic glandular tissue, benign and malign lesions, as it is known to happen in humans. Qualitative evaluation regarding morphology of the imaged calcifications showed similarities to breast cancer findings, based on the BI‐RADS 2013 classification, such as pleomorphism and shape. No differences in the quantitative morphological parameters of volume, surface, surface/volume, SMI and structure thickness were found when macrocalcifications were considered. However, although significant differences existed in these parameters between microcalcifications from malignant canine mammary tumours and the two other groups, none were found between non‐neoplastic and benign tumours. Findings further support the use of this spontaneous animal model for the study of human breast cancer, considering how clinically relevant microcalcifications are in humans.
The effect of tadalafil on reepithelialization and scarring of partial thickness porcine burns
Authors: Goldsmith Katherine , Goradia Eshani , McClain Steve A , Sandoval Steve , Singer Adam J.
Published: October 2019

Burn conversion from second to third degree is common leading to delayed healing and scarring. We hypothesized that tadalafil, a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor (PDE5I) that results in vasodilation, would reduce burn conversion leading to faster reepithelialization and less scarring of partial thickness porcine burns. We conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled, animal experiment using six female pigs (25–30 kg). We created 20 standardized partial thickness burns on each of the animals with an aluminum bar preheated to 80 °C and applied for 20 seconds to the pigs' dorsum. Three animals each were randomized to oral tadalafil 2.5 mg or control vehicle once daily for 1 week. Main outcomes were time to reepithelialization and depth of scarring at 28 days. A sample of 60 burns in each treatment group had 80% power to detect a 2‐day difference in time to reepithelialization. Mean (95% CI) time to reepithelialization in burns treated with tadalafil and control were 14.9 (14.1–15.7) vs. 19.7 (18.2–21.3) days, respectively; mean difference 4.8 (3.1–6.6) days. After controlling for pig and within pig differences, mean time to reepithelialization was 6.5 (3.7–9.3) days shorter in burns treated with tadalafil compared with controls. Mean (95% CI) scar depth in burns treated with tadalafil and control were 2.7 (2.3–3.1) vs. 3.7 (3.1–4.2) mm. respectively, mean difference 1 (0.3–1.7) mm. After controlling for pig and within pig differences, scar depth in tadalafil‐treated burns was 1.5 (0.7–2.3) mm lower compared with controls. We conclude that once daily oral tadalafil shortened time to reepithelialization and reduced scarring in a partial thickness porcine burns model.
Equivalence of Milnor and Milnor-Lê fibrations for real analytic maps
Authors: Cisneros-Molina José Luis , Menegon Aurélio
Published: October 2019

In [J. Milnor, Singular points of complex hypersurfaces, Annals of Mathematics Studies, No. 61 (Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, 1968).] Milnor proved that a real analytic map [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text], with an isolated critical point at the origin has a fibration on the tube [Formula: see text]. Constructing a vector field such that (1) it is transverse to the spheres, and (2) it is transverse to the tubes, he “inflates” the tube to the sphere, to get a fibration [Formula: see text], but the projection is not necessarily given by [Formula: see text] as in the complex case.

In the case [Formula: see text] has isolated critical value, in [J. L. Cisneros-Molina, J. Seade and J. Snoussi, Milnor fibrations and [Formula: see text]-regularity for real analytic singularities, Internat. J. Math. 21(4) (2010) 419–434.] it was proved that if the fibers inside a small tube are transverse to the sphere [Formula: see text], then it has a fibration on the tube. Also in [J. L. Cisneros-Molina, J. Seade and J. Snoussi, Milnor fibrations and [Formula: see text]-regularity for real analytic singularities, Internat. J. Math. 21(4) (2010) 419–434.], the concept of [Formula: see text]-regularity was defined, it turns out that [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text]-regular if and only if the map [Formula: see text] is a fiber bundle equivalent to the one on the tube. In a more general setting, the corresponding facts are proved in [J. L. Cisneros-Molina, A. Menegon, J. Seade and J. Snoussi, Fibration theorems and [Formula: see text]-regularity for differentiable maps-germs with non-isolated critical value, Preprint (2017).], showing that if a locally surjective map [Formula: see text] has a linear discriminant [Formula: see text] with isolated singularity and a fibration on the tube [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text]-regular if and only if the map [Formula: see text] (with [Formula: see text] the radial projection of [Formula: see text] on [Formula: see text]) is a fiber bundle equivalent to the one on the tube.

In this paper, we generalize this result for an arbitrary linear discriminant by constructing a vector field [Formula: see text] which inflates the tube to the sphere in a controlled way, it satisfies properties analogous to the vector field constructed by Milnor in the complex setting: besides satisfying (1) and (2) above, it also satisfies that [Formula: see text] is constant on the integral curves of [Formula: see text].
WinBEST-KIT: Biochemical reaction simulator that can define and customize algebraic equations and events as GUI components
Authors: Sekiguchi Tatsuya , Hamada Hiroyuki , Okamoto Masahiro
Published: October 2019

We previously developed Windows-based Biochemical Engineering System analyzing Tool-KIT (WinBEST-KIT), a biochemical reaction simulator for analyzing large-scale and complicated biochemical reaction networks. One particularly notable feature is the ability for users to define original mathematical equations for representing unknown kinetic mechanisms and customize them as GUI components for representing reaction steps. Many simulators support System Biology Markup Language SBML; however, since the definition of the algebraic equations (AssignmentRule) and the events are made through an interface that is distinct from the definition of the reaction steps, there are tough works to define them. Accordingly, we have developed a new version of WinBEST-KIT that allows users to define the algebraic equations and the events through the same interface as those used in the definition of the reaction steps and customize them as GUI components appearing in the symbol selection area. The customized algebraic equations and events can thus be visually arranged at any time and any place. It also allows users to easily understand the roles of the algebraic equations and the events. We have also implemented other useful features, including importing/exporting of SBML format files, exporting to MATLAB, and merging the existing models into the model currently being created. The current version of WinBEST-KIT is freely available at http://winbest-kit.org/ .
Ricci curvature decay and upper bound of total mass
Authors: Paeng Seong-Hun
Published: October 2019

We obtain a positive upper bound of total mass from a relative volume comparison by a weighted integral norm of Ricci curvature.
On Improving the Cycling Stability of P2-Type Na0.67Ni0.33Mn0.67O2 Cathode Material By Ti-Substitution for Na-Ion Batteries
Authors: Pahari Debanjana , Puravankara Sreeraj
Published: October 2019

A novel cathode material with Ti-substitution on Ni site, P2-type Na0.67Ni0.25Ti0.08Mn0.67O2 has been synthesized via solid-state synthesis method and characterized electrochemically. Na0.67Ni0.25Ti0.08Mn0.67O2 electrodes have been observed tobe highly reversible at higher voltage ranges. The electrodes have an initial discharge capacity of 125 mAhg-1and can retain around 84% of this capacity (105 mAhg-1) even after 50 cycles at 0.1C when cycled at an uppercut-off voltage of 4.3 V. Na0.67Ni0.25Ti0.08Mn0.67O2 electrodes are believed to suppress the irreversible P2-O2 transformation by diverting the charging reaction through a more reversible P2-OP4transition.
A Rare Complication of Thymoma: Pure White Cell Aplasia in Good’s Syndrome
Authors: Uy Kim , Levin Elizabeth , Mroz Pawel , Li Faqian , Shah Surbhi
Published: October 2019

Pure white cell aplasia (PWCA) is a rare manifestation of thymoma. It is characterized by agranulocytosis with absent myeloid precursors in the bone marrow and normal hematopoiesis for other cell lines. Here we describe a 65-year-old female patient who presented with three days of fever and night sweat. Chest CT revealed an anterior mediastinal mass. A biopsy of the mass confirmed a diagnosis of thymoma mixed type A and B2. The patient developed a severe neutropenia, and her bone marrow revealed significantly decreased neutrophil-lineage cells, rare to absent B cells, and defective T cells, consistent with PWCA. Following thymectomy, a complete resolution of PWCA was achieved via multimodality therapy of intravenous immunoglobulins, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and immunosuppressant. This report highlights the care complexity regarding treatment choices and decision to perform thymectomy in patients presenting with PWCA.
Multiresponse Optimization of Pomegranate Peel Extraction by Statistical versus Artificial Intelligence: Predictive Approach for Foodborne Bacterial Pathogen Inactivation
Authors: Fourati Mariam , Smaoui Slim , Ennouri Karim , Ben Hlima Hajer , Elhadef Khaoula , Chakchouk-Mtibaa Ahlem , Sellem Imen , Mellouli Lotfi
Published: October 2019

Pomegranate (Punica granatumL.) peel is a potential source of polyphenols known for their activity against foodborne pathogen bacteria. In this study, the effects of pomegranate peel extraction time (10–60 min), agitation speed (120–180 rpm), and solvent/solid ratio (10–30) on phytochemical content and antibacterial activity were determined. Response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) methods were used, respectively, for multiresponse optimization and predictive modelling. Compared with the original conditions, the total phenolic content (TPC), the total flavonoid content (TFC), and the total anthocyanin content (TAC) increased by 56.22, 63.47, and 64.6%, respectively. Defined by minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), the maximum of antibacterial activity was higher than that from preoptimized conditions. With an extraction time of 11 min, an agitation speed 125 rpm, and a solvent/solid ratio of 12, anti-S.aureusactivity remarkably decreased from 1.56 to 0.171 mg/mL. Model comparisons through the coefficient of determination (R2) and mean square error (MSE) showed that ANN models were better than the RSM model in predicting the photochemical content and antibacterial activity. To explore the mode of action of the pomegranate peel extract (PPE) at optimal conditions againstS. aureusandS. enterica, Chapman and Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate broth media were artificially contaminated at 104 CFU/mL. By using statistical approach, linear (ANOVA), and general (ANCOVA) models, PPE was demonstrated to control the two dominant foodborne pathogens by suppressing bacterial growth.
Fusobacterium nucleatumFacilitates Apoptosis, ROS Generation, and Inflammatory Cytokine Production by Activating AKT/MAPK and NF-κB Signaling Pathways in Human Gingival Fibroblasts
Authors: Kang Wenyan , Jia Zhilong , Tang Di , Zhang Zhanwei , Gao Hui , He Kunlun , Feng Qiang
Published: October 2019

Fusobacterium nucleatum(F. nucleatum) plays key roles in the initiation and progression of periodontitis. However, the pathogenic effect ofF. nucleatumon human oral tissues and cells has not been fully evaluated. In this study, we aimed to analyze the pathogenic effects ofF. nucleatumon human gingival fibroblasts (GFs) and clarify the potential mechanisms. RNA-sequencing analysis confirmed thatF. nucleatumsignificantly altered the gene expression of GF as the stimulation time increased. Cell counting and EdU-labeling assays indicated thatF. nucleatuminhibited GF proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In addition, cell apoptosis, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and proinflammatory cytokine production were dramatically elevated afterF. nucleatumstimulation. Furthermore, we found that the AKT/MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways were significantly activated byF. nucleatuminfection and that a large number of genes related to cellular proliferation, apoptosis, ROS, and inflammatory cytokine production downstream of AKT/MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways were significantly altered inF. nucleatum-stimulated GFs. These findings suggest thatF. nucleatuminhibits GF proliferation and promotes cell apoptosis, ROS generation, and inflammatory cytokine production partly by activating the AKT/MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways. Our study opens a new window for understanding the pathogenic effects of periodontal pathogens on the host oral system.
Electroacupuncture Regulates Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction by Decreasing Corticotropin-Releasing Factor in a Rat Model of IBS
Authors: Chen Ying , Zhao Yan , Luo Dan-ni , Zheng Hui , Li Ying , Zhou Si-yuan
Published: October 2019

Objective. Acupuncture is effective for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); however, the mechanisms of action are not fully understood. We aim to explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) in the dual regulation of disorders of gut-brain interaction. Methods. A rat model of IBS was generated by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Eight of 32 rats were assigned to the blank control group. The remaining 24 rats received CUMS for 14 days. Then, the rats surviving and successfully modelled were randomly divided into the CUMS group, the CUMS+EA group, and the CUMS+PB (pinaverium bromide) group. In the next 14 days of treatment, rats in the CUMS+EA group were acupunctured at ST25 (Tianshu), ST36 (Zusanli), SP6 (Sanyinjiao), and LR3 (Taichong) for 15 min every day. Rats in the CUMS+PB group were treated by the administration of gavage with 2.7 mg/mL pinaverium every day. Visceral pain threshold, the percentage of time spent in open arms (OT%) in the elevated plus maze test (EPMT), and the sucrose preference (SP%) in the sucrose preference test (SPT) were measured at baseline, day 15, and day 30. The expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), the morphology of the connective structure of intestinal epithelium, the CRF and CRF-R1 mRNA expression in the hypothalamus, and the double staining of intestinal mucosal mast cells (IMMC) and CRF-R1 were measured at the end of the experiment. Results. Compared with the blank control group, visceral pain threshold pressure, the expression of ZO-1, OT%, SP%, CRF, and CRF-R1 mRNA expression in the hypothalamus, and double staining of IMMC and CRF-R1 were decreased significantly in the CUMS group. Meanwhile, the morphology of the connective structure in the CUMS group was indistinct. Compared with the CUMS group, SP% was significantly increased in the CUMS+EA group, but there was no significant difference for it in the CUMS+PB group. The morphology of the connective structure in the two treatment groups was clear and seeable. And the expression of other parameters mentioned above was apparently increased in the two treatment groups. Compared with the CUMS+PB group, the expression of ZO-1 in the CUMS+EA group was significantly enhanced. And no obvious difference for other parameters was found between the two treatment groups. Conclusions. EA treatment can decrease the expression of hypothalamic CRF and CRF-R1, relieve anxiety and depression, meanwhile reduce the expression of CRF-R1 in the gastrointestinal mucosa, increase ZO-1 expression, and adjust tight junctions (TJs) to repair the intestinal mucosal barrier. The above roles suggest that EA may play a dual role in alleviating the gastrointestinal and psychological symptoms of IBS, suggesting a potentially dual therapeutic role for EA in regulating disorders of gut-brain interaction in IBS rats.
Niacin Protects against Butyrate-Induced Apoptosis in Rumen Epithelial Cells
Authors: Luo Dan , Peng Zhipeng , Yang Le , Qu Mingren , Xiong Xiaowen , Xu Lanjiao , Zhao Xianghui , Pan Ke , Ouyang Kehui
Published: October 2019

The effects and underlying mechanisms of butyrate and butyrate+niacin on apoptosis in sheep rumen epithelial cells were investigated. Cells were exposed to butyrate (0–140 mM) for 6 h. A low concentration (20 mM) of butyrate increased cell viability and promoted growth whereas high concentrations (40–140 mM) inhibited proliferation. Cells were then cocultured with 120 mM butyrate and niacin (0–100 mM) for 6 h. Niacin addition attenuated butyrate-induced cellular damage and promoted proliferation at 20–80 mM; 40 mM presented the optimal effect. Higher concentrations (100 mM) of niacin resulted in low cell viability. Subsequent experiments confirmed that 120 mM butyrate increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and reduced the intracellular total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) versus the untreated control. Compared with 120 mM butyrate, cotreatment with 40 mM niacin significantly reduced the intracellular ROS content and increased the intracellular T-AOC. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that 120 mM butyrate increased the proportion of apoptotic cells by 17.8% versus the untreated control, and 120 mM butyrate+40 mM niacin treatment reduced the proportion of apoptotic cells by 28.6% and 39.4% versus the untreated control and butyrate treatment, respectively. Treatment with 120 mM butyrate increased caspase-9 and p53 mRNA levels and decreased the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax, and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio versus the untreated control. Treatment with 120 mM butyrate+40 mM niacin downregulated the expression of caspase-3 and p53 and increased the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax versus butyrate treatment alone but had no effect on the Bcl-2/Bax ratio. Thus, high concentrations of butyrate may induce rumen epithelial cell apoptosis by increasing oxidative stress and inducing caspase-9 and p53 expression. Cotreatment with niacin regulates apoptosis-related gene expression by reducing intracellular ROS production and DNA damage and downregulating caspase-3 and p53 expressions to protect rumen epithelial cells against butyrate-induced apoptosis.
Preliminary Study on the Efficient Electrohysterogram Segments for Recognizing Uterine Contractions with Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Peng Jin , Hao Dongmei , Liu Haipeng , Liu Juntao , Zhou Xiya , Zheng Dingchang
Published: October 2019

Background. Uterine contraction (UC) is the tightening and shortening of the uterine muscles which can indicate the progress of pregnancy towards delivery. Electrohysterogram (EHG), which reflects uterine electrical activities, has recently been studied for UC monitoring. In this paper, we aimed to evaluate different EHG segments for recognizing UCs using the convolutional neural network (CNN). Materials and Methods. In the open-access Icelandic 16-electrode EHG database (122 recordings from 45 pregnant women), 7136 UC and 7136 non-UC EHG segments with the duration of 60 s were manually extracted from 107 recordings of 40 pregnant women to develop a CNN model. A fivefold cross-validation was applied to evaluate the CNN based on sensitivity (SE), specificity (SP), and accuracy (ACC). Then, 1056 UC and 1056 non-UC EHG segments were extracted from the other 15 recordings of 5 pregnant women. Furthermore, the developed CNN model was applied to identify UCs using different EHG segments with the durations of 10 s, 20 s, and 30 s. Results. The CNN achieved the average SE, SP, and ACC of 0.82, 0.93, and 0.88 for a 60 s EHG segment. The EHG segments of 10 s, 20 s, and 30 s around the TOCO peak achieved higher SE and ACC than the other segments with the same duration. The values of SE from 20 s EHG segments around the TOCO peak were higher than those from 10 s to 30 s EHG segments on the same side of the TOCO peak. Conclusion. The proposed method could be used to determine the efficient EHG segments for recognizing UC with the CNN.
Prescribed Performance Tracking Control for Hypersonic Flight Vehicles with Model Uncertainties
Authors: Zhao Siyuan , Li Xiaobing , Bu Xiangwei , Zhang Dongyang
Published: October 2019

This paper proposes a novel prescribed performance tracking control for a hypersonic flight vehicle (HFV) with model uncertainties. Firstly, a HFV longitudinal motion model is decomposed into a velocity subsystem and an altitude subsystem. Meanwhile, considering the uncertainties of the model, the velocity subsystem and altitude subsystem are directly expressed as the forms with unknown nonaffine functions. Secondly, a novel performance function without initial error is proposed for limiting the tracking error into a prescribed range. Then, for the altitude subsystem, the control objective is changed by model transformation and the prescribed performance backstepping controller is designed. For the velocity subsystem, a prescribed performance proportional-integral controller is proposed which has better engineering practicability. The designed controller is not only simple in form but also has few calculating parameters. Finally, the simulation results show that the proposed controller has good practicability.
Wideband Omnidirectional Slotted-Waveguide Antenna Array Based on Trapezoidal Slots
Authors: Filgueiras Hugo Rodrigues Dias , Kelly James R. , Xiao Pei , da Costa I. F. , Cerqueira Sodré Arismar
Published: October 2019

This manuscript presents a novel approach for designing wideband omnidirectional slotted-waveguide antenna arrays, which is based on trapezoidal-shaped slots with two different electrical lengths, as well as a twisted distribution of slot groups along the array longitudinal axis. The trapezoidal section is formed by gradually increasing the slot length between the waveguide interior and exterior surfaces. In this way, a smoother impedance transition between waveguide and air is provided in order to enhance the array operating bandwidth. In addition, we propose a twisting technique, responsible to improve the omnidirectional pattern, by means of reducing the gain ripple in the azimuth plane. Experimental results demonstrate 1.09 GHz bandwidth centered at 24 GHz (4.54% fractional bandwidth), gain up to 14.71 dBi over the operating bandwidth, and only 2.7 dB gain variation in the azimuth plane. The proposed antenna array and its enabling techniques present themselves as promising solutions for mm-wave application, including 5G enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) communications.
Sarcocystis spp. in Romanian Slaughtered Cattle: Molecular Characterization and Epidemiological Significance of the Findings
Authors: Imre Kálmán , Dărăbuș Gheorghe , Tîrziu Emil , Morariu Sorin , Imre Mirela , Plutzer Judit , Boldea Marius V. , Morar Adriana
Published: October 2019

Species of the genus Sarcocystis are recognized as protozoan parasites infecting a wide range of animals, including humans. This study aimed to provide data on the occurrence, genetic characterization, and epidemiological significance of Sarcocystis spp. in cattle destined for human consumption in Romania. A total of 117 heart samples from slaughtered cattle in three southwestern Romanian counties (Dolj, Timiș, and Gorj) were analyzed in order to detect sarcocysts, using fresh examination microscopic techniques. Subsequently, the isolated sarcocysts and/or cyst fragments (5–15 per sample) from each infected animal were molecularly characterized. Overall, 17.9% (21/117) of the tested animals were found to be Sarcocystis spp. positive by microscopy. Genetic characterization of Sarcocystis spp. isolates, based on sequence analysis of the 18S rRNA gene, showed the presence of a single species, namely S. cruzi. No correlation was found (p>0.05) between S. cruzi infection and the origin, age, breed, and gender of cattle, but the grazing farming system was positively associated (p=0.031) with the pathogen prevalence and can be considered a risk factor (OR = 3.6) in acquiring infection. To evaluate the possible public health risk, further investigation focused on the processing of other Sarcocystis-specific tissue matrices and evidence of human infections is recommended. This is the first study of bovine Sarcocystis infection in Romania.
Integration of Fetal Middle Cerebral Arterial (MCA) Ultrasonography in Acute Fetal-Maternal Hemorrhage
Authors: Munoz Jessian L. , Schleicher Maria , Bowersox Natalie
Published: October 2019

Here we present a case of maternal-fetal hemorrhage characterized by intermittently reassuring fetal testing. Additional testing performed with ultrasound, including middle cerebral artery (MCA) doppler waveforms, confirmed fetal hemorrhage followed by emergent cesarean section. This report highlights the acute usage of MCA dopplers in obstetric decision making. The Newborn required transfusion but otherwise recovered well. MCA may be a useful tool for fetal assessment in Labor and Delivery units.
Prediction of MicroRNA and Gene Target in Synovium-Associated Pain of Knee Osteoarthritis Based on Canonical Correlation Analysis
Authors: Wang Haiming , Hu Yue , Xie Yujie , Wang Li , Wang Jianxiong , Lei Lei , Huang Maomao , Zhang Chi
Published: October 2019

Inflammation plays a central role in knee osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis (C. R. Scanzello, 2017). The synovial membrane inflammation is associated with disease progression and represents a primary source of agony in knee OA (L. A. Stoppiello et al., 2014). Many inflammatory mediators may have biomarker utility. To identify synovium related to knee OA pain biomarkers, we used canonical correlation analysis to analyze the miRNA-mRNA dual expression profiling data and extracted the miRNAs and mRNAs. After identifying miRNAs and mRNAs, we built an interaction network by integrating miRWalk2.0. Then, we extended the network by increasing miRNA-mRNA pairs and identified five miRNAs and four genes (TGFBR2, DST, TBXAS1, and FHLI) through the Spearman rank correlation test. For miRNAs involved in the network, we further performed the Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) functional enrichment analyses, whereafter only those mRNAs overlapped with the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) genetic database were analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and support vector machine (SVM) classification were taken into the analysis. The results demonstrated that all the recognized miRNAs and their gene targets in the network might be potential biomarkers for synovial-associated pain in knee OA. This study predicts the underlying risk biomarkers of synovium pain in knee OA.
A Slate Tunnel Stability Analysis considering the Influence of Anisotropic Bedding Properties
Authors: Cai Jun , Du Guangyin , Ye Haiwang , Lei Tao , Xia Han , Pan Huangsong
Published: October 2019

Bedding planes are the fundamental causes of anisotropic deformation and mechanical behaviors in slate, which will have great influence on tunnel stability. In order to analyse tunnel stability surrounded by slate, well-foliated slate in eastern Guizhou was taken as the specimen in tests. Microscopic analysis and test results show that slate can be regarded as a special continuous material. During the test, shear strength parameters and progressive failure varied when the direction of the bedding plane was changed, and two sets of reasonable shear strength were achieved by fitting. Numerical model verification is conducted before applying, and results indicate that the model can represent the anisotropic failure properties. So the model considering anisotropic shear strength simultaneously is utilized to analyse the tunnel stability in slate. When it is medium dip angle, the tunnel is significantly unstable especially for face and side walls, and at 45° (dip angle), the plastic zone depth ahead of the tunnel face can be the largest, being 1.7 times the tunnel height. The maximum deviator stress (σ1 − σ3) is centralized on the middle of the side wall, and also, the stress (σ1 − σ3) is the highest at 45° (dip angle), which will lead to shear failure.
Combined Immunohistochemistry for the “Three 7” Markers (CK7, CD117, and Claudin-7) Is Useful in the Diagnosis of Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma and for the Exclusion of Mimics: Diagnostic Experience from a Single Institution
Authors: Zhou Jun , Yang Xiaoqun , Zhou Luting , Zhang Peipei , Wang Chaofu
Published: October 2019

Background. There is a morphological overlap among renal epithelial tumors, particularly chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (CHRCC), clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC), renal oncocytoma (RO), and papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC). Discriminating between these tumors is important but sometimes challenging. This study is aimed at evaluating the clinical usefulness of the combined immunochemistry for the “three 7” markers (CK7, CD117, and Claudin-7) to distinguish chromophobe renal cell carcinoma from these mimics.Methods. Immunochemical staining for CK7, CD117, and Claudin-7 was performed in 68 CHRCCs, 199 CCRCCs, 32 ROs, and 30 PRCCs. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed in some cases to exclude CCRCC and PRCC. The sensitivity (SE) and specificity (SP) for CHRCC as well as the immunoreactivity of each marker and their combinations were statistically evaluated.Results. High positive rates for CK7 (94%), CD117 (87%), Claudin-7 (94%), and their combinations (CK7+CD117, 79%; CK7+Claudin-7, 88%; CD117+Claudin-7, 82%; CK7+CD117+Claudin-7, 76%) were observed in CHRCC compared to those in CCRCC, RO, and PRCC, with increasingly higher SP when combinations of the “three 7” markers were applied (CK7, 0.80; CD117, 0.82; Claudin-7, 0.78; CK7+CD117, 0.95; CK7+Claudin-7, 0.97; CD117+Claudin-7, 0.97; CK7+CD117+Claudin-7, 1).Conclusion. CK7, CD117, and Claudin-7 are frequently expressed in CHRCC with high specificity. We recommend the routine use of these 3 markers as a routine panel when making a differential diagnosis of CHRCC and excluding other mimics.
H2/H∞ Antivertical Controller Based on Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) Using Active T‐Foils and Trim Tabs for a Fast Catamaran
Authors: Zhu Qidan , Ma Yu
Published: October 2019

A wave‐piercing catamaran (WPC) is a high‐performance ship that has been developed in recent years. Compared to other common ships, the WPC has higher lateral stability, larger deck area, lower oil consumption, and higher speed. However, under rough seas and at high speeds, the coupled heave/pitch motions of the WPC can easily produce coupled oscillations that seriously affect its seaworthiness. To solve these problems, a ride control system was designed for the WPC in this study. This system comprises two T‐foils, two trim tabs, and a catamaran motion controller. The H2/H∞ controller was designed based on memory‐based particle swarm optimization to alleviate the coupled oscillation resulting from heave/pitch motions. Numerical simulations were conducted to validate the proposed method, and the results showed that the proposed motion controller could obviously improve the sea‐keeping performance of a WPC.
Revisiting the Role of Radiation Therapy in Chondrosarcoma: A National Cancer Database Study
Authors: Catanzano Anthony A. , Kerr David L. , Lazarides Alexander L. , Dial Brian L. , Lane Whitney O. , Blazer Dan G. , Larrier Nicole A. , Kirsch David G. , Brigman Brian E. , Eward William C.
Published: October 2019

Background. Although chondrosarcomas (CS) are mostly considered radioresistant, advancements in radiotherapy have brought attention to its use in these patients. Using the largest registry of primary bone tumors, the National Cancer Database (NCDB), we sought to better characterize the current use of radiotherapy in CS patients and identify any potential survival benefit with higher radiation doses and advanced radiation therapies. Methods. We retrospectively analyzed CS patients in the NCDB from 2004 to 2015 who underwent radiotherapy. The Kaplan–Meier method with statistical comparisons was used to identify which individual variables related to dosage and delivery modality were associated with improved 5-year survival rates. Multivariate proportional hazards analyses were performed to determine independent predictors of survival. Results. Of 5,427 patients with a histologic diagnosis of chondrosarcoma, 680 received a form of radiation therapy (13%). The multivariate proportional hazards analysis controlling for various patient, tumor, and treatment variables, including RT dose and modality, demonstrated that while overall radiation therapy (RT) was not associated with improved survival (HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.76–1.20), when examining just the patient cohort with positive surgical margins, RT trended towards improved survival (HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.58–1.13). When comparing advanced and conventional RT modalities, advanced RT was associated with significantly decreased mortality (HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.38–0.80). However, advanced modality and high-dose RT both trended only toward improved survival compared to patients who did not receive any RT (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.52–1.06 and HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.71–1.21, respectively). Conclusions. Despite the suggested radioresistance of CS, modern radiotherapies may present a treatment option for certain patients. Our results support a role for high-dose, advanced radiation therapies in selected high-risk CS patients with tumors in surgically challenging locations or unplanned positive margins. While there is an associated survival rate benefit, further, prospective studies are needed for validation.
Analysis on Influence of the Dispersion Degree of PVA Fibers on Pavement Performance of Cement‐Stabilized Macadam
Authors: Yuan Lingqing , Liang Naixing , Zhao Chunhua
Published: October 2019

In order to study the effect of PVA fiber dispersion on the performance of cement‐stabilized macadam as pavement base material, the dispersion factor Fvc is introduced (Fvc = 1 − Cvc, Cvc refers to dispersion coefficient of relative mass fraction proportion coefficient) as a factor to judge the dispersion degrees. Besides, the connections among Fvc and the compressive strength of the splitting strength of cement‐stabilized macadam in various curing periods are analyzed. The research conclusions reveal that (1) when the mass ratio of PVA fibers to coal ash is higher than 1 : 50, resulting Fvc > 0.95, it means the PVA fibers can disperse evenly in the cement‐stabilized macadam; (2) both the compressive strength and the cleavage strength of cement‐stabilized macadam with PVA fibers are proportional to Fvc; moreover, both the compressive strength and the splitting strength of cement‐stabilized macadam with PVA fibers are obviously stronger than those in the common macadam; and (3) under the same curing period and with the same Fvc value, both the compressive strength and the splitting strength in the first type of cement‐stabilized macadam (volume content: 0.9 kg/m3 of PVA fibers) are stronger than those in the second type of cement‐stabilized macadam (volume content: 0.6 kg/m3 of PVA fibers).
Design and Assessment of a Lightweight Polymer Concrete Utility Manhole
Authors: Leonardi Luciano , Pique Teresa M. , Leizerow Tomas , Balzamo Humberto , Bernal Celina , Vazquez Analía , Agaliotis Eliana
Published: October 2019

Polymer concrete is a composite using polymer instead of portland cement as a binder. It allows optimizing the tensile and cracking strength and the chemical resistance of a concrete structure. In this study, different formulations were assessed in order to optimize a polymer concrete underground utility manhole with minimum weight. Formulations were based on an epoxy-amine system mixed with fine regular-weight aggregates and ultralightweight aggregates. The objective was to design and assess an underground utility structure with the epoxy chemical resistance, strength, and lightweight and to study whether the replacement of regular-weight aggregates by ultralightweight aggregates would contribute to improve the strength and reduce the structure weight. Two polymer concrete systems were designed from its formulation, and their mechanical performance was evaluated experimentally. A numerical model was developed for a polymer concrete underground utility structure made from the different formulations. It was simplified as a box subjected to typical soil loads. The size of the box is a standard one. Its minimum wall thickness is specified for sustaining the in-use service pressures obtained from numerical simulation. The model predicted that the epoxy/regular-weight aggregate formulation could be used with a wall thickness significantly smaller than the formulation with ultralightweight aggregates. In addition, the underground utility structure made with this formulation would weigh six times less than the same box made with a traditional portland cement concrete.