bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intestinal Schistosomiasis among Primary Schoolchildren in Two On-Shore Communities in Rorya District, Northwestern Tanzania: Prevalence, Intensity of Infection and Associated Risk Factors
Authors: Munisi David Z. , Buza Joram , Mpolya Emmanuel A. , Kinung’hi Safari M.
Published: October 2016

In Tanzania,Schistosoma mansoniis of great public health importance. Understanding the prevalence and infection intensity is important for targeted, evidence-based control strategies. This study aimed at studying the prevalence, intensity, and risk factors ofS. mansoniamong schoolchildren in the study area. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Busanga and Kibuyi villages. Sampled 513 schoolchildren provided stool specimens which were examined using kato-katz method. Pretested questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data and associated risk factors. The prevalence ofS. mansoniinfection was 84.01%, with geometric mean egg intensity of 167.13 (95% CI: 147.19–189.79) eggs per gram of stool (epg). Other parasites detected wereAscaris lumbricoides(1.4%) and hookworms (1.4%). The geometric mean infection intensity in Busanga and Kibuyi were 203.70 (95% CI: 169.67–244.56) and 135.98 (95% CI: 114.33–161.73) epg, respectively. Light, moderate, and heavy infection intensities were 34.11%, 39.91%, and 25.99%, respectively. Village of residence, parent’s level of education, toilet use, and treatment history were predictors of infection. The high prevalence and infection intensity in this study were associated with village, parent’s level of education, inconsistent toilet use, and treatment history. To control the disease among at-risk groups, these factors need to be considered in designing integrated schistosomiasis control interventions.
Experimental Research on Quick Structural Health Monitoring Technique for Bridges Using Smartphone
Authors: Zhao Xuefeng , Ri Kwang , Han Ruicong , Yu Yan , Li Mingchu , Ou Jinping
Published: October 2016

In the recent years, with the development and popularization of smartphone, the utilization of smartphone in the Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) has attracted increasing attention owing to its unique feature. Since bridges are of great importance to society and economy, bridge health monitoring has very practical significance during its service life. Furthermore, rapid damage assessment of bridge after an extreme event such as earthquake is very important in the recovery work. Smartphone-based bridge health monitoring and postevent damage evaluation have advantages over the conventional monitoring techniques, such as low cost, ease of installation, and convenience. Therefore, this study investigates the implementation feasibility of the quick bridge health monitoring technique using smartphone. A novel vision-based cable force measurement method using smartphone camera is proposed, and, then, its feasibility and practicality is initially validated through cable model test. An experiment regarding multiple parameters monitoring of one bridge scale model is carried out. Parameters, such as acceleration, displacement, and angle, are monitored using smartphone. The experiment results show that there is a good agreement between the reference sensor and smartphone measurements in both time and frequency domains.
Solution of Singularly Perturbed Differential-Difference Equations with Mixed Shifts Using Galerkin Method with Exponential Fitting
Authors: Kumara Swamy D. , Phaneendra K. , Reddy Y. N.
Published: October 2016

Galerkin method is presented to solve singularly perturbed differential-difference equations with delay and advanced shifts using fitting factor. In the numerical treatment of such type of problems, Taylor’s approximation is used to tackle the terms containing small shifts. A fitting factor in the Galerkin scheme is introduced which takes care of the rapid changes that occur in the boundary layer. This fitting factor is obtained from the asymptotic solution of singular perturbations. Thomas algorithm is used to solve the tridiagonal system of the fitted Galerkin method. The method is analysed for convergence. Several numerical examples are solved and compared to demonstrate the applicability of the method. Graphs are plotted for the solutions of these problems to illustrate the effect of small shifts on the boundary layer solution.
Public Debt and External Reserve: The Nigerian Experience (1981–2013)
Authors: Senibi Victoria , Oduntan Emmanuel , Uzoma Obinna , Senibi Esther , Oluwaseun Akinde
Published: October 2016

Nigeria is confronted with the issue of limited capital and has to resort to foreign debt in order to augment domestic savings, balance of payment deficits, and shortfall in revenue which induce continuous raise in the debt stock at an alarming rate. In the light of this, this study assesses the impact of public debt on external reserve in Nigeria. The objectives of this study include the assessment of the trends and relationship between public debt and external reserve in Nigeria, using the Johansen cointegration and FMOLS technique on the secondary data from 1981 to 2013. The result revealed that public debt has a positive and significant effect on external reserve stock in the long run suggesting that the nation’s debt crisis can be attributed to both exogenous and endogenous factors such as the nature of the economy, economic policies, high dependence on oil, and swindling foreign exchange receipt. This study recommends that the federal government should employ more superior method to negotiate for fixed interest payment and varying amortization schemes, as well as seek multiyear rescheduling rather than year by year basis.
Retention Strength after Compressive Cyclic Loading of Five Luting Agents Used in Implant-Supported Prostheses
Authors: Alvarez-Arenal Angel , Gonzalez-Gonzalez Ignacio , deLlanos-Lanchares Hector , Brizuela-Velasco Aritza , Pinés-Hueso Javier , Ellakuria-Echebarria Joseba
Published: October 2016

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the retention strength of five cement types commonly used in implant-retained fixed partial dentures, before and after compressive cyclic loading. In five solid abutments screwed to 5 implant analogs, 50 metal Cr-Ni alloy copings were cemented with five luting agents: resin-modified glass ionomer (RmGI), resin composite (RC), glass ionomer (GI), resin urethane-based (RUB), and compomer cement (CC). Two tensile tests were conducted with a universal testing machine, one after the first luting of the copings and the other after 100,000 cycles of 100 N loading at 0.72 Hz. The one way ANOVA test was applied for the statistical analysis using the post hoc Tukey test when required. Before and after applying the compressive load, RmGI and RC cement types showed the greatest retention strength. After compressive loading, RUB cement showed the highest percentage loss of retention (64.45%). GI cement recorded the lowest retention strength (50.35 N) and the resin composite cement recorded the highest (352.02 N). The type of cement influences the retention loss. The clinician should give preference to lower retention strength cement (RUB, CC, and GI) if he envisages any complications and a high retention strength one (RmGI, RC) for a specific clinical situation.
Prosthetic Management of a Child with Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia: 6-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Pinto Antonione Santos Bezerra , Conceição Pinto Moara e Silva , Melo do Val Cinthya , Costa Oliveira Leonam , Costa de Aquino Cristhyane , Vasconcelos Daniel Fernando Pereira
Published: October 2016

Ectodermal dysplasia (ED) is a genetically heterogeneous condition resulting from clinical anomalies of structures derived from the ectoderm, such as the hair, nails, sweat glands, and teeth. This clinical report presents the case of a child diagnosed with hypohidrotic ED at 2 years of age; clinical and imaging evaluation was performed with 6-year follow-up, and we present details of the prosthetic dental care, with a 12-month follow-up. The patient’s masticatory capacity had improved, leading to the child gaining 4 kg. In conclusion, prosthetic management was noninvasive and appeared to lead to developmental benefits for the patient.
Positive Solutions of a Diffusive Predator-Prey System including Disease for Prey and Equipped with Dirichlet Boundary Condition
Authors: Wen Xiaoqing , Chen Yue , Yin Hongwei
Published: October 2016

We study a three-dimensional system of a diffusive predator-prey model including disease spread for prey and with Dirichlet boundary condition and Michaelis-Menten functional response. By semigroup method, we are able to achieve existence of a global solution of this system. Extinction of this system is established by spectral method. By using bifurcation theory and fixed point index theory, we obtain existence and nonexistence of inhomogeneous positive solutions of this system in steady state.
Beyond DNA: An Integrated and Functional Approach for Classifying Germline Variants in Breast Cancer Genes
Authors: Pesaran T. , Karam R. , Huether R. , Li S. , Farber-Katz S. , Chamberlin A. , Chong H. , LaDuca H. , Elliott A.
Published: October 2016

Genetic testing for hereditary breast cancer is an integral part of individualized care in the new era of precision medicine. The accuracy of an assay is reliant on not only the technology and bioinformatics analysis utilized but also the experience and infrastructure required to correctly classify genetic variants as disease-causing. Interpreting the clinical significance of germline variants identified by hereditary cancer testing is complex and has a significant impact on the management of patients who are at increased cancer risk. In this review we give an overview of our clinical laboratory’s integrated approach to variant assessment. We discuss some of the nuances that should be considered in the assessment of genomic variants. In addition, we highlight lines of evidence such as functional assays and structural analysis that can be useful in the assessment of rare and complex variants.
PTENInhibits Cell Proliferation, Promotes Cell Apoptosis, and Induces Cell Cycle Arrest via Downregulating the PI3K/AKT/hTERTPathway in Lung Adenocarcinoma A549 Cells
Authors: Lu Xiao-Xiao , Cao Lan-Yu , Chen Xi , Xiao Jian , Zou Yong , Chen Qiong
Published: October 2016

PTENplays an essential role in tumorigenesis and both its mutation and inactivation can influence proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle progression in tumor cells. However, the precise role ofPTENin lung cancer cells has not been well studied. To address this, we have generated lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells overexpressing wild-type or mutantPTENas well as A549 cells expressing a siRNA directed toward endogenousPTEN. Overexpression of wild-typePTENprofoundly inhibited cell proliferation, promoted cell apoptosis, caused cell cycle arrest at G1, downregulated p-AKT, and decreased expression of the telomerase proteinhTERT. In contrast, in cells expressing aPTENdirected siRNA, the opposite effects on cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, p-AKT levels, andhTERTprotein expression were observed. A549 cells transfected with aPTENmutant lacking phosphatase activity (PTEN-C124A) or an empty vector (null) did not show any effect. Furthermore, using the PI3K/AKT pathway blocker LY294002, we confirmed that the PI3K/AKT pathway was involved in mediating these effects ofPTEN. Taken together, we have demonstrated thatPTENdownregulates the PI3K/AKT/hTERTpathway, thereby suppressing the growth of lung adenocarcinoma cells. Our study may provide evidence for a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma.
Metallurgical and Mechanical Research on Dissimilar Electron Beam Welding of AISI 316L and AISI 4340
Authors: Sufizadeh A. R. , Mousavi S. A. A. Akbari
Published: October 2016

Dissimilar electron beam welding of 316L austenitic stainless steel and AISI 4340 low alloy high strength steel has been studied. Studies are focused on effect of beam current on weld geometry, optical and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction of the weld microstructures, and heat affected zone. The results showed that the increase of beam current led to increasing depths and widths of the welds. The optimum beam current was 2.8 mA which shows full penetration with minimum width. The cooling rates were calculated for optimum sample by measuring secondary dendrite arm space and the results show that high cooling rates lead to austenitic microstructure. Moreover, the metallography result shows the columnar and equiaxed austenitic microstructures in weld zone. A comparison of HAZ widths depicts the wider HAZ in the 316L side. The tensile tests results showed that the optimum sample fractured from base metal in AISI 316L side with the UTS values is much greater than the other samples. Moreover, the fractography study presents the weld cross sections with dimples resembling ductile fracture. The hardness results showed that the increase of the beam current led to the formation of a wide softening zone as HAZ in AISI 4340 side.
Hemorrhagic Pericardial Effusion with Tamponade: A Rare Adverse Effect of Infliximab—Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Lather Henry D. , Kahlenberg J. Michelle
Published: October 2016

Introduction. Antitumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha agents are commonly used biologic therapies for a wide variety of rheumatic and inflammatory diseases. Here, we present a case of hemorrhagic pericarditis as a consequence of infliximab and review the literature on pericardial complications stemming from this drug class.Methods. For the literature review, search terms using versions of antitumor necrosis factor alpha AND pericardial effusion OR pericarditis OR pleuropericarditis OR cardiac tamponade were used.Results. Pericarditis is a rare but serious complication of anti-TNF based therapy, and hemorrhagic fluid is even more rare, with only one additional case reported. It is likely that this complication was secondary to a robust immune response to very high titer anti-infliximab antibodies. Providers should be aware that this complication can occur and that abnormal elevations in procalcitonin may accompany this unusual finding.
Fractal Model for Acoustic Absorbing of Porous Fibrous Metal Materials
Authors: Chen Weihua , Chen Tianning , Wang Xiaopeng , Wu Jiuhui , Li Suobin
Published: October 2016

To investigate the changing rules between sound absorbing performance and geometrical parameters of porous fibrous metal materials (PFMMs), this paper presents a fractal acoustic model by incorporating the static flow resistivity based on Biot-Allard model. Static flow resistivity is essential for an accurate assessment of the acoustic performance of the PFMM. However, it is quite difficult to evaluate the static flow resistivity from the microstructure of the PFMM because of a large number of disordered pores. In order to overcome this difficulty, we firstly established a static flow resistivity formula for the PFMM based on fractal theory. Secondly, a fractal acoustic model was derived on the basis of the static flow resistivity formula. The sound absorption coefficients calculated by the presented acoustic model were validated by the values of Biot-Allard model and experimental data. Finally, the variation of the surface acoustic impedance, the complex wave number, and the sound absorption coefficient with the fractal dimensions were discussed. The research results can reveal the relationship between sound absorption and geometrical parameters and provide a basis for improving the sound absorption capability of the PFMMs.
Molecular Evidence of High Proportion ofPlasmodium vivaxMalaria Infection in White Nile Area in Sudan
Authors: Suliman Makarim M. Adam , Hamad Bushra M. , Albasheer Musab M. Ali , Elhadi Maytha , Amin Mustafa Mutaz , Elobied Maha , Hamid Muzamil Mahdi Abdel
Published: October 2016

Plasmodium falciparumis a predominant malaria species that infects humans in the African continent. A recent WHO report estimated 95% and 5% ofP. falciparumandP. vivaxmalaria cases, respectively, in Sudan. However many laboratory reports from different areas in Sudan indicated otherwise. In order to verify, we selected four hundred suspected malaria cases from Aljabalain area located in the White Nile state, central Sudan, and diagnosed them with quality insured microscopy and species-specific nested PCR. Our results indicated that the proportion ofP. vivaxinfections among suspected malaria cases was high. We found that on average 20% and 36.5% of malaria infections in both study areas were caused byP. vivaxusing both microscopy and PCR, respectively. This change in pattern is likely due to the recent demographic changes and high rate of immigration from neighbouring countries in the recent years. This is the first extensive clinical study of its kind that shows rising trend inP. vivaxmalaria cases in White Nile area, Sudan.
Nonsurgical Management of Oral Mucocele by Intralesional Corticosteroid Therapy
Authors: Sinha Rupam , Sarkar Soumyabrata , Khaitan Tanya , Kabiraj Arpita , Maji Anirban
Published: October 2016

Background. Oral mucocele is a common lesion resulting from an alteration of minor salivary glands due to mucus accumulation. Rapid appearance, specific location, history of trauma, bluish colour, and consistency help in the diagnosis. Conventional surgical removal is the treatment of choice but has several disadvantages like damage to adjacent ducts with further development of satellite lesions. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of intralesional corticosteroid injection (betamethasone) as a nonsurgical treatment procedure in oral mucoceles.Material and Method. A total of 20 cases (males and females, 10–30 years of age) with clinically diagnosed oral mucoceles were given 1 mL of betamethasone intralesionally. All the patients were examined after a period of 7, 14, and 21 days to evaluate the response of the lesion towards treatment and consequently given the 2nd, 3rd, 4th injections. If the lesion resolved after one or two injections, the treatment was discontinued.Results. Out of the 20 cases, 18 of them showed complete regression of the lesion whereas the remaining 2 cases showed decrease in size. All the patients received maximum of 4 consecutive shots in weekly interval.Conclusion. Intralesional corticosteroid therapy can be considered as the first choice in the treatment of oral mucoceles.
Neurobehavioral and Antioxidant Effects of Ethanolic Extract of Yellow Propolis
Authors: da Silveira Cinthia Cristina Sousa de Menezes , Fernandes Luanna Melo Pereira , Silva Mallone Lopes , Luz Diandra Araújo , Gomes Antônio Rafael Quadros , Monteiro Marta Chagas , Machado Christiane Schineider , Torres Yohandra Reyes , Lira Tatiana Onofre de , Ferreira Antonio Gilberto , Fontes-Júnior Enéas Andrade , Maia Cristiane Socorro Ferraz
Published: October 2016

Propolis is a resin produced by bees from raw material collected from plants, salivary secretions, and beeswax. New therapeutic properties for the Central Nervous System have emerged. We explored the neurobehavioral and antioxidant effects of an ethanolic extract of yellow propolis (EEYP) rich in triterpenoids, primarily lupeol and β‐amyrin. Male Wistar rats, 3 months old, were intraperitoneally treated with Tween 5% (control), EEYP (1, 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg), or diazepam, fluoxetine, and caffeine (positive controls) 30 min before the assays. Animals were submitted to open field, elevated plus maze, forced swimming, and inhibitory avoidance tests. After behavioral tasks, blood samples were collected through intracardiac pathway, to evaluate the oxidative balance. The results obtained in the open field and in the elevated plus maze assay showed spontaneous locomotion preserved and anxiolytic‐like activity. In the forced swimming test, EEYP demonstrated antidepressant‐like activity. In the inhibitory avoidance test, EEYP showed mnemonic activity at 30 mg/kg. In the evaluation of oxidative biochemistry, the extract reduced the production of nitric oxide and malondialdehyde without changing level of total antioxidant, catalase, and superoxide dismutase, induced by behavioral stress. Our results highlight that EEYP emerges as a promising anxiolytic, antidepressant, mnemonic, and antioxidant natural product.
Electrochemical and Mechanical Failure of Graphite-Based Anode Materials in Li-Ion Batteries for Electric Vehicles
Authors: Lin Cheng , Tang Aihua , Wu Ningning , Xing Jilei
Published: October 2016

Graphite-based anode materials undergo electrochemical reactions, coupling with mechanical degradation during battery operation, can affect or deteriorate the performance of Li-ion batteries dramatically, and even lead to the battery failure in electric vehicle. First, a single particle model (SPM) based on kinetics of electrochemical reactions was built in this paper. Then the Li-ion concentration and evolution of diffusion induced stresses (DISs) within the SPM under galvanostatic operating conditions were analyzed by utilizing a mathematical method. Next, evolution of stresses or strains in the SPM, together with mechanical degradation of anode materials, was elaborated in detail. Finally, in order to verify the hypothesis aforementioned surface and morphology of the graphite-based anode dismantled from fresh and degraded cells after galvanostatic charge/discharge cycling were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that large volume changes of anode materials caused DISs during Li-ion insertion and extraction within the active particles. The continuous accumulations of DISs brought about mechanical failure of the anode eventually.
Research on Cooperative Innovation Behavior of Industrial Cluster Based on Subject Adaptability
Authors: Jia Xiaohui , Jiang Minghui , Shi Lei
Published: October 2016

From the perspective of the interactive cooperation among subjects, this paper portrays the process of cooperative innovation in industrial cluster, in order to capture the correlated equilibrium relationship among them. Through the utilization of two key tools, evolutionary stable strategy and replicator dynamics equations, this paper considers the cost and gains of cooperative innovation and the amount of government support as well as other factors to build and analyze a classic evolutionary game model. On this basis, the subject’s own adaptability is introduced, which is regarded as the system noise in the stochastic evolutionary game model so as to analyze the impact of adaptability on the game strategy selection. The results show that, in the first place, without considering subjects’ adaptability, their cooperation in industrial clusters depends on the cost and gains of innovative cooperation, the amount of government support, and some conditions that can promote cooperation, namely, game steady state. In the second place after the introduction of subjects’ adaptability, it will affect both game theory selection process and time, which means that the process becomes more complex, presents the nonlinear characteristics, and helps them to make faster decisions in their favor, but the final steady state remains unchanged.
Endoscopic Ultrasound Guided Rendezvous Drainage of Biliary Obstruction Using a New Flexible 19-Gauge Fine Needle Aspiration Needle
Authors: Tang Zhouwen , Igbinomwanhia Efehi , Elhanafi Sherif , Othman Mohamed O.
Published: October 2016

Background and Aim. A successful endoscopic ultrasound guided rendezvous (EUS-RV) biliary drainage is dependent on accurate puncture of the bile duct and precise guide wire manipulation across the ampulla of Vater. We aim to study the feasibility of using a flexible 19-gauge fine aspiration needle in the performance of EUS-RV biliary drainage. Method. This is a retrospective case series of EUS-RV biliary drainage procedures at a single center. Patients who failed ERCP during the same session for benign or malignant biliary obstruction underwent EUS-RV using a flexible, nitinol covered, 19-gauge needle for biliary access and guide wire manipulation. Result. 24 patients underwent EUS-RV biliary drainage via extrahepatic access while 1 attempt was via intrahepatic access. The technical success rate was 80%, including 83.3% of cases via extrahepatic access. There was no significant difference in success rate of inpatient and outpatient procedures, benign or malignant indications, or type of guide wire used. Adverse events included mild pancreatitis (3 patients) and cholangitis (1 patient). Conclusion. A flexible 19-gauge needle for biliary access can be safe and effective when used to perform EUS-RV biliary drainage. Direct comparison between the nitinol needle and conventional metal needles in the performance of EUS guided biliary drainage is needed.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Use among Patients with Psoriasis in Taiwan: A Nationwide Population‐Based Study
Authors: Weng Shu-Wen , Chen Bor-Chyuan , Wang Yu-Chiao , Liu Chun-Kai , Sun Mao-Feng , Chang Ching-Mao , Lin Jaung-Geng , Yen Hung-Rong
Published: October 2016

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has long been used for patients with psoriasis. This study aimed to investigate TCM usage in patients with psoriasis. We analyzed a cohort of one million individuals representing the 23 million enrollees randomly selected from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. We identified 28,510 patients newly diagnosed with psoriasis between 2000 and 2010. Among them, 20,084 (70.4%) patients were TCM users. Patients who were female, younger, white‐collar workers and lived in urbanized area tended to be TCM users. The median interval between the initial diagnosis of psoriasis to the first TCM consultation was 12 months. More than half (N = 11,609; 57.8%) of the TCM users received only Chinese herbal medicine. Win‐qing‐yin and Bai‐xian‐pi were the most commonly prescribed Chinese herbal formula and single herb, respectively. The core prescription pattern comprised Mu‐dan‐pi, Wen‐qing‐yin, Zi‐cao, Bai‐xian‐pi, and Di‐fu‐zi. Patients preferred TCM than Western medicine consultations when they had metabolic syndrome, hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, alopecia areata, Crohn’s disease, cancer, depression, fatty liver, chronic airway obstruction, sleep disorder, and allergic rhinitis. In conclusion, TCM use is popular among patients with psoriasis in Taiwan. Future clinical trials to investigate its efficacy are warranted.
Transcriptional Regulation of lncRNA Genes by Histone Modification in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Wan Guoqiang , Zhou Wenyang , Hu Yang , Ma Rui , Jin Shuilin , Liu Guiyou , Jiang Qinghua
Published: October 2016

Increasing studies have revealed that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are not transcriptional noise but play important roles in the regulation of a wide range of biological processes, and the dysregulation of lncRNA genes is associated with disease development. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that usually starts slowly and gets worse over time. However, little is known about the roles of lncRNA genes in AD and how the lncRNA genes are transcriptionally regulated. Herein, we analyzed RNA-seq data and ChIP-seq histone modification data from CK-p25 AD model and control mice and identified 72 differentially expressed lncRNA genes, 4,917 differential peaks of H3K4me3, and 1,624 differential peaks of H3K27me3 between AD and control samples, respectively. Furthermore, we found 92 differential peaks of histone modification H3K4me3 are located in the promoter of 39 differentially expressed lncRNA genes and 8 differential peaks of histone modification H3K27me3 are located upstream of 7 differentially expressed lncRNA genes, which suggest that the majority of lncRNA genes may be transcriptionally regulated by histone modification in AD.
Isolation and Physicochemical Characterization of Laccase fromGanoderma lucidum-CDBT1 Isolated from Its Native Habitat in Nepal
Authors: Shrestha Prabin , Joshi Bishnu , Joshi Jarina , Malla Rajani , Sreerama Lakshmaiah
Published: October 2016

At present, few organisms are known to and capable of naturally producing laccases and white rot fungi are one such group. In the present study, three fungal species, namely,Ganoderma lucidum-CDBT1, Ganoderma japonicum,andLentinula edodes, isolated from their native habitat in Nepal were screened for laccase production, andG. lucidum-CDBT1 was found to express highest levels of enzyme (day 10 culture media showed 0.92 IU/mg total protein or 92 IU/mL laccase activity with ABTS as substrate). Lignin extracted from rice straw was used in Olga medium for laccase production and isolation fromG. lucidum-CDBT1. Presence of lignin (5 g/L) and copper sulfate (30 μM) in the media increased the extracellular laccase content by 111% and 114%, respectively. The laccase enzyme produced byG. lucidum-CDBT1 was fractionated by ammonium sulfate and purified by DEAE Sepharose anion exchange chromatography. The purified enzyme was found to have a molecular mass of 43 kDa and exhibits optimal activity at pH 5.0 and 30°C. The isolated laccase was thermally stable for up to 70°C for 1 h and exhibited broad pH stability. The kinetic constants,Km,Vmax, andKcat, determined using 2,2′-azinobis-(-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) as substrate were found to be 110 μM, 36 μmol/min/mg, and 246 min−1, respectively. The isolated thermostable laccase will be used in future experiments for delignification process.
On the Anticataractogenic Effects of L‐Carnosine: Is It Best Described as an Antioxidant, Metal‐Chelating Agent or Glycation Inhibitor?
Authors: Abdelkader Hamdy , Longman Michael , Alany Raid G. , Pierscionek Barbara
Published: October 2016

Purpose. L‐Carnosine is a naturally occurring dipeptide which recently gained popularity as an anticataractogenic agent due to its purported antioxidant activities. There is a paucity of research and conclusive evidence to support such claims. This work offers compelling data that help clarify the mechanism(s) behind the anticataract properties of L‐carnosine. Methods. Direct in vitro antioxidant free radical scavenging properties were assayed using three different antioxidant (TEAC, CUPRAC, and DPPH) assays. Indirect in vitro and ex vivo antioxidant assays were studied by measuring glutathione bleaching capacity and total sulfhydryl (SH) capacity of bovine lens homogenates as well as hydrogen‐peroxide‐stress assay using human lens epithelial cells. Whole porcine lenses were incubated in high galactose media to study the anticataract effects of L‐carnosine. MTT cytotoxicity assays were conducted on human lens epithelial cells. Results. The results showed that L‐carnosine is a highly potent antiglycating agent but with weak metal chelating and antioxidant properties. There were no significant decreases in lens epithelial cell viability compared to negative controls. Whole porcine lenses incubated in high galactose media and treated with 20 mM L‐carnosine showed a dramatic inhibition of advanced glycation end product formation as evidenced by NBT and boronate affinity chromatography assays. Conclusion. L‐Carnosine offers prospects for investigating new methods of treatment for diabetic cataract and any diseases that are caused by glycation.
Equilibrium Time-Consistent Strategy for Corporate International Investment Problem with Mean-Variance Criterion
Authors: Long Jun , Zeng Sanyun
Published: October 2016

We analyze a continuous-time model for corporate international investment problem (CIIP) with mean-variance criterion. Based on Nash subgame perfect equilibrium theory, we define an infinitesimal operator and directly derive an extended Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation. Besides, we also obtain the equilibrium time-consistent strategy for CIIP. In addition, we discuss two cases of risk aversion coefficient; one is constant and the other is state dependent. Finally, the simulation results are given to illustrate our conclusions and the influence of some parameters on the optimal solution.
Impact of Personnel Flexibility on Job Shop Scheduling
Authors: Lin Ren , Zhou Guohua , Liu Aijun , Lu Hui , Li Tonglei
Published: October 2016

Considering the lack of the research on the relationship between HR flexibility and scheduling effect, a resource-competency matrix-based method was proposed in order to reveal the quantitative relationship between them. Meanwhile, a job shop scheduling model with HR flexibility was established and the improved genetic algorithm was used to solve the model. A case analysis demonstrated significant impact of HR flexibility on the scheduling effect, which provided valuable guidance for building flexible manufacturing systems.
Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice and Its Associated Factors among Mothers of Infants Less Than Six Months of Age in Debre Tabor Town, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Arage Getachew , Gedamu Haileyesus
Published: October 2016

Background. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life is recommended by the World Health Organization and United Nations Children’s Fund. However, the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding is very low in many developing countries including Ethiopia.Objectives. The study was aimed at assessing the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding practice and its associated factors among infants aged six months in Debre Tabor town.Methods. Community based cross-sectional study was conducted. Simple random sampling technique was employed in the selection of participants. Data were collected using pretested and structured questionnaire through face-to-face interview. Odds ratios with their 95% CI were computed and variables havingpvalue less than 0.05 in the multivariable logistic regression were considered as significantly associated with the dependent variable.Result. Of 470 mother-infant pair’s samples, 453 were included in the final analysis. The overall age appropriate rate of EBF practice was found to be 70.8%. Having an infant aged 2-3 months [AOR = 2.3 (95% CI: 1.12, 6.42)], giving birth in the health facility [AOR = 3.8 (95% CI: 2.18, 7.32)], being a house wife in occupation [AOR = 2.4 (95% CI (1.22, 6.92)], receiving counseling/advice on infant feeding [AOR = 2.1 (95% CI: 1.61, 5.41)], and colostrums feeding [AOR = 1.5 (95% CI: 1.28, 7.98)] were found to be significantly associated with EBF practice.Conclusion and Recommendations. A small proportion of infants are exclusively breastfed during the first 6 months. Promoting institutional delivery, revising the leave after birth, advice and counseling pregnant mothers about EBF, and enabling every mother to encourage colostrum feeding were recommended in order to increase the proportion of women practicing exclusive breastfeeding.
Axitinib Has Antiangiogenic and Antitumorigenic Activity in Myxoid Liposarcoma
Authors: Kerr Lauren T. , Donoghue Jacqueline F. , Wilding Alexander L. , Johns Terrance G.
Published: October 2016

Myxoid liposarcoma is a rare form of soft-tissue sarcoma. Although most patients initially respond well to treatment, approximately 21% relapse, highlighting the need for alternative treatments. To identify novel treatment regimens and gain a better understanding of myxoid liposarcoma tumor biology, we screened various candidate and approved targeted therapeutics and chemotherapeutics against myxoid liposarcoma cell lines. Therapeutics that target angiogenesis showed antitumor activity. The small molecule inhibitor axitinib, which targets angiogenesis by inhibiting the VEGFR and PDGFR families and c-Kit, inhibited cell cycle progression and induced apoptosisin vitro, as well as having significant antitumor activity against MLS 1765 myxoid liposarcoma xenografts in mice. Axitinib also displayed synergistic antitumor activityin vitrowhen combined with the potassium channel ionophore salinomycin or the BH3 mimetic ABT-737. Another angiogenesis-targeting therapeutic, 4EGI-1, which targets the oncoprotein eIF4E, significantly decreased angiogenic ligand expression by myxoid liposarcoma cells and reduced tumor cell growth. To verify this oncogenic addiction to angiogenic pathways, we utilized VEGFR-derived ligand traps and found that autocrine VEGFR signaling was crucial to myxoid liposarcoma cell survival. Overall, these findings suggest that autocrine angiogenic signaling through the VEGFR family is critical to myxoid liposarcoma cell survival and that further study of axitinib as a potential anticancer therapy is warranted.
Intraperitoneal Fat through GRP78: A Risk Factor for Endometrial Cancer
Authors: Ciortea Răzvan , Berceanu Costin , Măluţan Andrei Mihai , Mocan Radu , Iuhas Cristian , Bucuri Carmen Elena , Rada Maria Patricia , Mihu Dan
Published: October 2016

Introduction.The identification of biological markers that indicate an increased risk for the development or recurrence of endometrial cancer (EC) in obese women might be useful for decreasing EC mortality and morbidity. Glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) is a major protein of the endoplasmic reticulum expressed in all normal cells. Overexpression of GRP78 has been reported to be a tumoral biomarker. Increased detection of GRP78 is positively correlated with the tumoral stage and prognosis. This study aimed to identify a correlation between intraperitoneal fat, plasma GRP78 levels, and EC.Materials and Methods.Two groups of patients were included in the study: group I, 44 patients diagnosed with EC, and group II, 44 patients without gynecological pathology or inflammatory disorders. Visceral fat was determined by ultrasound and plasma GRP78 levels were measured.Results. Plasma GRP78 levels were significantly higher in patients with EC compared to the control group. Intraperitoneal fat was in a positive linear correlation with the plasma GRP78 level (p<0.0001).Conclusion.The measurement of the GRP78 level associated with the determination of intraperitoneal fat can be a useful predictor for EC.
Management of Stable Angina with Ivabradine as Safe Alternative to Patients with Myasthenia Gravis
Authors: Ohde Dalledone Giuliano , Lenci Marques Gustavo , Dal-Prá Ducci Renata , Laffitte Stier Junior Arnaldo , Kay Cláudia Suemi Kamoi , Cesar Werneck Lineu , José Lorenzoni Paulo , Herminia Scola Rosana
Published: October 2016

Management of cardiac symptoms in myasthenia gravis (MG) patients can be challenging. The aim of this report is to describe the safe use of ivabradine for stable angina in MG patients. A 48 y.o. woman, with MG diagnosis, presented stable angina. Therapies choices were reduced considering concomitant disease as well as previous and unsuccessful cardiologic managements. Ivabradine showed unexpected results. The patient presented an improvement of neurological and cardiac symptoms, bringing ivabradine as one more therapeutic option to similar patients. In this report we recommend ivabradine as an effective and safe drug for treatment of stable angina in MG patients.
Semisupervised Learning Based Disease-Symptom and Symptom-Therapeutic Substance Relation Extraction from Biomedical Literature
Authors: Feng Qinlin , Gui Yingyi , Yang Zhihao , Wang Lei , Li Yuxia
Published: October 2016

With the rapid growth of biomedical literature, a large amount of knowledge about diseases, symptoms, and therapeutic substances hidden in the literature can be used for drug discovery and disease therapy. In this paper, we present a method of constructing two models for extracting the relations between the disease and symptom and symptom and therapeutic substance from biomedical texts, respectively. The former judges whether a disease causes a certain physiological phenomenon while the latter determines whether a substance relieves or eliminates a certain physiological phenomenon. These two kinds of relations can be further utilized to extract the relations between disease and therapeutic substance. In our method, first two training sets for extracting the relations between the disease-symptom and symptom-therapeutic substance are manually annotated and then two semisupervised learning algorithms, that is, Co-Training and Tri-Training, are applied to utilize the unlabeled data to boost the relation extraction performance. Experimental results show that exploiting the unlabeled data with both Co-Training and Tri-Training algorithms can enhance the performance effectively.
Time-Compact Scheme for the One-Dimensional Dirac Equation
Authors: Cao Jun-Jie , Li Xiang-Gui , Qiu Jing-Liang , Zhang Jing-Jing
Published: October 2016

Based on the Lie-algebra, a new time-compact scheme is proposed to solve the one-dimensional Dirac equation. This time-compact scheme is proved to satisfy the conservation of discrete charge and is unconditionally stable. The time-compact scheme is of fourth-order accuracy in time and spectral order accuracy in space. Numerical examples are given to test our results.
Preconditioning of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Enhance Their Regulation of the Immune Response
Authors: Saparov Arman , Ogay Vyacheslav , Nurgozhin Talgat , Jumabay Medet , Chen William C. W.
Published: October 2016

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have attracted the attention of researchers and clinicians for their ability to differentiate into a number of cell types, participate in tissue regeneration, and repair the damaged tissues by producing various growth factors and cytokines, as well as their unique immunoprivilege in alloreactive hosts. The immunomodulatory functions of exogenous MSCs have been widely investigated in immune‐mediated inflammatory diseases and transplantation research. However, a harsh environment at the site of tissue injury/inflammation with insufficient oxygen supply, abundance of reactive oxygen species, and presence of other harmful molecules that damage the adoptively transferred cells collectively lead to low survival and engraftment of the transferred cells. Preconditioning of MSCs ex vivo by hypoxia, inflammatory stimulus, or other factors/conditions prior to their use in therapy is an adaptive strategy that prepares MSCs to survive in the harsh environment and to enhance their regulatory function of the local immune responses. This review focuses on a number of approaches in preconditioning human MSCs with the goal of augmenting their capacity to regulate both innate and adaptive immune responses.
Tetrastigma diepenhorstii (Miq.) Latiff (Vitaceae), a New Host of Rafflesia tuan-mudae Becc. (Rafflesiaceae) in Borneo
Authors: Wan Zakaria Wan Nuur Fatiha , Ahmad Puad Aida Shafreena , Geri Connie , Zainudin Ramlah , Latiff Abdul
Published: October 2016

Rafflesia tuan-mudae Becc. (Rafflesiaceae) is endemic to Borneo and was recorded from Sarawak and probably Kalimantan. Previous records showed that Tetrastigma rafflesiae (Miq.) Planch. (Vitaceae) is the only host plant for R. tuan-mudae. In this study the host plants were collected each time R. tuan-mudae was observed or collected. Out of 20 Tetrastigma specimens collected infected by R. tuan-mudae, 14 were identified as T. diepenhorstii (Miq.) Latiff while 6 belonged to T. rafflesiae. Therefore, a new host for R. tuan-mudae is recorded and descriptions for each host are presented.
Successful Fitting of a Complete Maxillary Denture in a Patient with Severe Alzheimer’s Disease Complicated by Oral Dyskinesia
Authors: Morita Hiromitsu , Hashimoto Akie , Inoue Ryosuke , Yoshimoto Shohei , Yoneda Masahiro , Hirofuji Takao
Published: October 2016

There is an increasing population of elderly patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common form of dementia. In dentistry, a critical problem associated with these patients is the use of a new denture, as AD patients often refuse dental management and are disturbed by minor changes in their oral environment. Some AD patients have further complications associated with oral dyskinesia, a movement disorder that can make dental management difficult, including the stability of a complete denture. In this case, we successfully fitted a complete maxillary denture using modified bilateral balanced occlusion after multiple tooth extractions under intravenous sedation in a 66-year-old woman with severe AD complicated by oral dyskinesia. Following treatment, her appetite and food intake greatly improved. Providing a well-fitting complete denture applied by modified bilateral balanced occlusion, which removes lateral interference using zero-degree artificial teeth for movement disorder of the jaw in patients with severe AD complicated by oral dyskinesia, helps improve oral function.
Rational Suicide, Euthanasia, and the Very Old: Two Case Reports
Authors: Wand Anne Pamela Frances , Peisah Carmelle , Draper Brian , Jones Carolyn , Brodaty Henry
Published: October 2016

Suicide amongst the very old is an important public health issue. Little is known about why older people may express a wish to die or request euthanasia and how such thoughts may intersect with suicide attempts. Palliative care models promote best care as holistic and relieving suffering without hastening death in severely ill patients; but what of those old people who are tired of living and may have chronic symptoms, disability, and reduced quality of life? Two cases of older people who attempted suicide but expressed a preference for euthanasia were it legal are presented in order to illustrate the complexity underlying such requests. The absence of a mood or anxiety disorder underpinning their wishes to die further emphasises the importance of understanding the individual’s narrative and the role of a formulation in guiding broad biopsychosocial approaches to management.
An Extended VIKOR Method for Multiple Attribute Decision Analysis with Bidimensional Dual Hesitant Fuzzy Information
Authors: Xue Min , Tang Xiaoan , Feng Nanping
Published: October 2016

Bidimensional dual hesitant fuzzy (BDHF) set is developed to present preferences of a decision maker or an expert, which is more objective than existing fuzzy sets such as Atanassov’s intuitionistic fuzzy set, hesitant fuzzy set, and dual hesitant fuzzy set. Then, after investigating some distance measures, we define a new generalized distance measure between two BDHF elements with parameterλfor the sake of overcoming some drawbacks in existing distance measures. Covering all possible values of parameterλ, a new approach is designed to calculate the generalized distance measure between two BDHF elements. In order to address complex multiple attribute decision analysis (MADA) problems, an extension of fuzzy VIKOR method in BDHF context is proposed in this paper. In VIKOR method for MADA problems, weight of each attribute indicates its relative importance. To obtain weights of attributes objectively, a new entropy measure with BDHF information is developed to create weight of each attribute. Finally, an evaluation problem of performance of people’s livelihood project in several regions is analyzed by the proposed VIKOR method to demonstrate its applicability and validity.
Pedicled Instep Flap and Tibial Nerve Reconstruction in a Cynomolgus Monkey[Macaca fascicularis]
Authors: Weiss Ruth , Wettstein Reto , Kappos Elisabeth Artemis , Jacobsen Björn , Kalbermatten Daniel , Bergadano Alessandra
Published: October 2016

A male cynomolgus monkey experienced extensive soft tissue trauma to the right caudal calf area. Some weeks after complete healing of the original wounds, the monkey developed a chronic pressure sore on plantar surface of the heel of its right foot. A loss of sensitivity in the sole of the foot was hypothesized. The skin defect was closed by a medial sensate pedicled instep flap followed by counter transplantation of a full thickness graft from the interdigital webspace. The integrity of the tibial nerve was revised and reconstructed by means of the turnover flap technique. Both procedures were successful. This is an uncommon case in an exotic veterinary patient as it demonstrates a reconstructive skin flap procedure for the treatment of a chronic, denervated wound in combination with the successful reconstruction of 2.5 cm gap in the tibial nerve.