bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
q2-longitudinal: Longitudinal and Paired-Sample Analyses of Microbiome Data
Authors: Bokulich Nicholas A. , Dillon Matthew R. , Zhang Yilong , Rideout Jai Ram , Bolyen Evan , Li Huilin , Albert Paul S. , Caporaso J. Gregory
Published: November 2018

Longitudinal sampling provides valuable information about temporal trends and subject/population heterogeneity. We describe q2-longitudinal, a software plugin for longitudinal analysis of microbiome data sets in QIIME 2. The availability of longitudinal statistics and visualizations in the QIIME 2 framework will make the analysis of longitudinal data more accessible to microbiome researchers.
Metatranscriptomic and Thermodynamic Insights into Medium-Chain Fatty Acid Production Using an Anaerobic Microbiome
Authors: Scarborough Matthew J. , Lawson Christopher E. , Hamilton Joshua J. , Donohue Timothy J. , Noguera Daniel R.
Published: November 2018

Mixed communities of microbes play important roles in health, the environment, agriculture, and biotechnology. While tapping the combined activities of organisms within microbiomes may allow the utilization of a wider range of substrates in preference to the use of pure cultures for biomanufacturing, harnessing the metabolism of these mixed cultures remains a major challenge. Here, we predicted metabolic functions of bacteria in a microbiome that produces medium-chain fatty acids from a renewable feedstock. Our findings lay the foundation for efforts to begin addressing how to engineer and control microbiomes for improved biomanufacturing, how to build synthetic mixtures of microbes that produce valuable chemicals from renewable resources, and how to better understand the microbial communities that contribute to health, agriculture, and the environment.
Genome-Wide Analysis of Transcriptional Changes and Genes That Contribute to Fitness during Degradation of the Anthropogenic Pollutant Pentachlorophenol by Sphingobium chlorophenolicum
Authors: Flood Jake J. , Copley Shelley D.
Published: November 2018

Phenolic compounds such as pentachlorophenol (PCP), triclosan, and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) represent a common class of anthropogenic biocides. Despite the novelty of these compounds, many can be degraded by microbes isolated from contaminated sites. However, degradation of this class of chemicals often generates toxic intermediates, which may contribute to their recalcitrance to biodegradation. We have addressed the stresses associated with degradation of PCP by
Sphingobium chlorophenolicum
by examining the transcriptional response after PCP exposure and identifying genes necessary for growth during both exposure to and degradation of PCP. This work identifies some of the mechanisms that protect cells from this toxic compound and facilitate its degradation. This information could be used to engineer strains capable of improved biodegradation of PCP or similar phenolic pollutants.
Barriers to and discourses about breast cancer prevention among immigrant women in Spain: a qualitative study
Authors: March Sebastià , Villalonga Barbara , Sanchez-Contador Carmen , Vidal Clara , Mascaro Aina , Bennasar Maria de Lluc , Esteva Magdalena
Published: November 2018

Objectives

To identify knowledge, barriers and discourses about breast cancer screening in Spain among female immigrants from low-income countries and native Spanish women from a low socioeconomic class.

Design

Qualitative interview study with thematic analysis interpreted using cultural mediators.

Setting

Mallorca, Spain.

Participants

Thirty-six in-depth interviews, using cultural mediators, of immigrant women living in Mallorca who were 50–69 years old and were from Maghreb, Sub-Saharan Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America, China or were native to Spain and from a low socioeconomic class.

Results

We analysed the interviews to assess breast cancer perceptions and beliefs, discourses about breast cancer prevention and barriers to accessing breast cancer prevention programmes. Although the women reported an association of breast cancer with death, they acknowledged the effectiveness of early detection. They also exhibited reluctance to talk about cancer. Discourses about cancer prevention tended to be proactive or fatalistic, depending on the woman’s country of origin. For all women, fear of results and lack of time were barriers that limited participation in breast cancer prevention programmes. Language barriers, frequent changes of residence and fear due to status as an irregular (undocumented) immigrant were barriers specific to immigrant women.

Conclusions

The culture of origin affects whether an immigrant has a fatalistic or proactive approach toward breast cancer screening. Immigrants from low-income countries and Spanish natives from a low socioeconomic class experience barriers in access to breast cancer screening. Frequently changing homes is also a barrier for immigrant women.
Military physicians’ ethical experience and professional identity: a Canadian perspective
Authors: Rochon Christiane
Published: November 2018

Military physicians can experience ethical tensions and encounter important dilemmas when acting at the same time as healers, soldiers and humanitarians. In the literature, these are often presented as the result of pressures, real or perceived, from the military institution or role and obligation conflicts that can divert physicians from their primary duty towards their patients. In this article, I present the ethical experiences of 14 Canadian military physicians who participated in operational missions, particularly in Afghanistan. Interestingly, although some dilemmas discussed in the academic literature were raised by Canadian physicians, ethical tensions were less frequent and numerous than what might have been expected. Instead, what emerged were distinctions between the ethical experiences of physicians: generalists experienced more frequent and different ethical challenges than specialists, and these also varied by context, that is, garrison versus on deployment. The main dilemmas during deployment were similar to those encountered by humanitarian physicians and concerned inequalities in the provision of care between coalition soldiers and Afghans (soldiers and civilians), as well as the lack of resources. Surprisingly, participants were evenly divided with regards to how they perceived their professional identity: one group clearly prioritised the medical profession (ie, doctor first and foremost), while the other group identified themselves as military physicians, but without prioritising one profession over the other.
Improving CHA2DS2-VASc stratification of non-fatal stroke and mortality risk using the Intermountain Mortality Risk Score among patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Graves Kevin G , May Heidi T , Knowlton Kirk U , Muhlestein Joseph B , Jacobs Victoria , Lappé Donald L , Anderson Jeffrey L , Horne Benjamin D , Bunch Thomas Jared
Published: November 2018

Background

Oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy guidelines recommend using CHA2DS2-VASc to determine OAC need in atrial fibrillation (AF). A usable tool, CHA2DS2-VASc is challenged by its predictive ability. Applying components of the complete blood count and basic metabolic profile, the Intermountain Mortality Risk Score (IMRS) has been extensively validated. This study evaluated whether use of IMRS with CHA2DS2-VASc in patients with AF improves prediction.

Methods

Patients with AF undergoing cardiac catheterisation (N=10 077) were followed for non-fatal stroke and mortality (mean 5.8±4.1 years, maximum 19 years). CHA2DS2-VASc and IMRS were calculated at baseline. IMRS categories were defined based on previously defined criteria. Cox regression was adjusted for demographic, clinical and treatment variables not included in IMRS or CHA2DS2-VASc.

Results

In women (n=4122, mean age 71±12 years), the composite of non-fatal stroke/mortality was stratified (all p-trend <0.001) by CHA2DS2-VASc (1: 12.6%, 2: 22.8%, >2: 48.1%) and IMRS (low: 17.8%, moderate: 40.9%, high risk: 64.5%), as it was for men (n=5955, mean age 68±12 years) by CHA2DS2-VASc (<2: 15.7%, 2: 30.3%, >2: 51.8%) and IMRS (low: 19.0%, moderate: 42.0%, high risk: 65.9%). IMRS stratified stroke/mortality (all p-trend <0.001) in each CHA2DS2-VASc category.

Conclusions

Using IMRS jointly with CHA2DS2-VASc in patients with AF improved the prediction of stroke and mortality. For example, in patients at the OAC treatment threshold (CHA2DS2-VASc = 2), IMRS provided ≈4-fold separation between low and high risk. IMRS provides an enhancing marker for risk in patients with AF that reflects the underlying systemic nature of this disease that may be considered in combination with the CHA2DS2-VASc score.
Colic in the British military working horse population: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Tannahill Victoria J , Cardwell Jacqueline M , Witte Tom H
Published: November 2018

Colic is a common and potentially life‐threatening condition of horses. Multiple risk factors have been previously identified and it is known that a careful management routine can help reduce colic rates. The British military working horse population represents a unique cohort of horses that are intensively managed with a strict regimen. This retrospective study examined the incidence and mortality rate of colic within this population, as well as the signalment of affected horses, and compared these with the general population. Data for 717 horses over a five‐year period (2008–2012) were analysed. Of these, 163 horses (22.7 per cent) experienced 267 colic episodes and 13 horses (1.8 per cent) died because of colic. Recurrent colic was experienced by 35 per cent (57/163) of horses. The incidence of colic was 11.1 episodes per 100 horse‐years and of colic‐related death was 0.5 deaths per 100 horse‐years. Horses purchased from mainland Europe were more likely to suffer from colic (OR 4.6; P<0.001) and from recurrent colic (OR 6.0; P=0.005) than horses purchased from Ireland. Only 3 per cent (8/267) of colic episodes were treated surgically. It was concluded that the incidences of colic and colic‐related deaths within the British military working horse population are similar to those of the general horse population.
Evaluation of a gait scoring system for cattle by using cluster analysis and Krippendorff's α reliability
Authors: Volkmann Nina , Stracke Jenny , Kemper Nicole
Published: November 2018

The aim of the presented study was to validate a three‐point locomotion score (LS) classifying lameness in dairy cows. Therefore, locomotion of 144 cows was scored and data on claw lesions were collected during hoof trimming. Based on latter data a cluster analysis was performed to objectively classify cows into three groups (Cluster 1–3). Finally, the congruence between scoring system and clustering was tested using Krippendorff's α reliability. In total, 63 cows (43.7 per cent) were classified as non‐lame (LS1), 38 (26.4 per cent) were rated as LS2 with an uneven gait and 43 (29.9 per cent) cows were ranked as clearly lame (LS3). In comparison, hoof‐trimming data revealed 64 cows (44.4 per cent) to show no diagnosis, 37 (25.7 per cent) one diagnosis, 33 animals (22.9 per cent) two diagnoses and 10 (7.0 per cent) more than two. Comparing the respective categorisation received by either the cluster analysis or LS in between groups, a high correspondence (79.4 per cent and 83.7 per cent) could be found for LS1 and cluster 1 as well as for LS3 and cluster 3. Only LS2 had partial agreement (21.1 per cent) to cluster 2. However, Krippendorff's α was 0.75 (95 per cent CI 0.68 to 0.81), indicating a good degree of reliability. Therefore, the results of this study suggested that the presented LS is suitable for classifying the cows’ state of lameness representing their claw diseases.
Structure and morphology of copper oxide composite materials synthesized by the arc discharge method
Authors: Fang F. , Rogers J. , Murmu P. P. , Kennedy J.
Published: November 2018

Copper oxide is a semiconducting compound with a narrow band gap and is used for photoconductive and photothermal applications. Most of the synthesis methods for the preparation of copper oxide composite materials either are unsuitable for mass fabrication or inevitably introduce unwanted impurities. In this work, we report on the synthesis of copper oxide composite materials by the arc discharge method with a pure copper rod as the anode and graphite as the cathode. Ion beam analysis techniques, particle-induced X-ray emission and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry were used to probe the impurities in the copper oxide composites. Ion beam analysis results revealed copper and oxygen as constituent elements with no impurities. X-ray diffraction results discovered the presence of CuO, Cu2O and Cu phases in the composite materials. The morphology of the as-synthesized copper oxide was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Results clearly demonstrated that spherical particles were obtained with an average diameter of 14 [Formula: see text]m (range 2–85 [Formula: see text]m), 35 [Formula: see text]m (range 20–100 [Formula: see text]m) and 50 [Formula: see text]m (range 30–120 [Formula: see text]m) for the arc current of 60 A, 80 A and 95 A, respectively. It was found that the morphology can be controlled by the arc discharge parameters, e.g. a lower arc discharge current contributed to a smaller particle size. This is because the electric arc current influences the nucleation and the growth of the spherical structures. Due to its simplicity of synthesis, the proposed arc discharge is a promising technique for the fabrication of copper oxide composite materials for optical and electrical applications.
FRW cosmology in f(R,T) gravity
Authors: Godani Nisha
Published: November 2018

In the present paper, the work of Moreas et al. [P. H. R. S. Moraes, G. Ribeiro and R. A. C. Correa, A transition from a decelerated to an accelerated phase of the universe expansion from the simplest non-trivial polynomial function of T in the [Formula: see text] formalism, Astrophys. Space Sci. 361 (2016) 227–231] is extended to study the FRW model in [Formula: see text] gravity. The expressions for deceleration and Hubble parameters are determined in terms of redshift. The age of the universe is established using [Formula: see text] high-redshift type Ia supernovae data from the Supernova cosmology project and 15 low-redshift type Ia supernovae data from the Calán/Tolono Supernova survey [S. Permutter et al., Measurements of Omega and Lambda from 42 High-Redshift Supernovae, Astrophys. J. 517 (1999) 565–585]. For these redshifts, the data of observed apparent magnitude and luminosity distance are used for the comparison with the obtained theoretical values.
The No-Win Resuscitation: Ventricular Septal Rupture and Associated Acute Aortic Occlusion
Authors: Sieweke Jan-Thorben , Vogel-Claussen Jens , Martens Andreas , Tongers Jörn , Schäfer Andreas , Bauersachs Johann , Napp L. Christian
Published: November 2018

A 66-year-old patient was admitted under continuous resuscitation for pulseless electrical activity. After return of spontaneous circulation ECG showed signs of acute inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarction, and echocardiography showed acute right ventricular failure with a dilated right ventricle. Carotid pulses were present in the absence of femoral pulses. Subsequent computed tomography demonstrated inferior myocardial infarction with ventricular septal rupture and thrombotic occlusion of the thoracic aorta, resulting in a heart-brain-circulation with loss of perfusion downstream of the aortic arch. Teaching Points. The present case prototypically demonstrates the fatal consequence of acute ventricular septal rupture and the eminent value of computed tomography and palpation of carotid in addition to femoral pulses in resuscitated patients. It is, to the best of our knowledge, the first description of an acute aortic occlusion in a patient with acute ventricular septal rupture.
Automatic Analysis of Lateral Cephalograms Based on Multiresolution Decision Tree Regression Voting
Authors: Wang Shumeng , Li Huiqi , Li Jiazhi , Zhang Yanjun , Zou Bingshuang
Published: November 2018

Cephalometric analysis is a standard tool for assessment and prediction of craniofacial growth, orthodontic diagnosis, and oral-maxillofacial treatment planning. The aim of this study is to develop a fully automatic system of cephalometric analysis, including cephalometric landmark detection and cephalometric measurement in lateral cephalograms for malformation classification and assessment of dental growth and soft tissue profile. First, a novel method of multiscale decision tree regression voting using SIFT-based patch features is proposed for automatic landmark detection in lateral cephalometric radiographs. Then, some clinical measurements are calculated by using the detected landmark positions. Finally, two databases are tested in this study: one is the benchmark database of 300 lateral cephalograms from 2015 ISBI Challenge, and the other is our own database of 165 lateral cephalograms. Experimental results show that the performance of our proposed method is satisfactory for landmark detection and measurement analysis in lateral cephalograms.
Topology-Aware Strategy for MPI-IO Operations in Clusters
Authors: Liu Weifeng , Zhou Jie , Guo Meng
Published: November 2018

This paper presents the topology-aware two-phase I/O (TATP), which optimizes the most popular collective MPI-IO implementation of ROMIO. In order to improve the hop-bytes metric during the file access, topology-aware two-phase I/O employs the Linear Assignment Problem (LAP) for finding an optimal assignment of file domain to aggregators, an aspect which is not considered in most two-phase I/O implementations. The distribution is based on the local data stored by each process, and its main purpose is to reduce the total hop-bytes of the I/O collective operation. Therefore, the global execution time can be improved. In most of the considered scenarios, topology-aware two-phase I/O obtains important improvements when compared with the original two-phase I/O implementations.
Practical Suitability and Experimental Assessment of Tree ORAMs
Authors: Al-Saleh Kholoud , Belghith Abdelfettah
Published: November 2018

Oblivious Random-Access Memory (ORAM) is becoming a fundamental component for modern outsourced storages as a cryptographic primitive to prevent information leakage from a user access pattern. The major obstacle to its proliferation has been its significant bandwidth overhead. Recently, several works proposed acceptable low-overhead constructions, but unfortunately they are only evaluated using algorithmic complexities which hide valuable constants that severely impact their practicality. Four of the most promising constructions are Path ORAM, Ring ORAM, XOR Ring ORAM, and Onion ORAM. However, they have never been thoroughly compared against each other and tested on the same experimental platform. To address this issue, we provide a thorough study and assessment of these recent ORAM constructions and implement them under the same testbed. We perform extensive experiments to provide insights into their performance characteristics, simplicity, and practicality in terms of processing time, server storage, client storage, and communication cost. Our extensive experiments show that despite the claimed algorithmic efficiency of Ring and Onion ORAMs and their judicious limited bandwidth requirements, Path ORAM stands out to be the simplest and most efficient ORAM construction.
Biosynthesis and Potential Applications of Silver and Gold Nanoparticles and Their Chitosan-Based Nanocomposites in Nanomedicine
Authors: Katas Haliza , Moden Noor Zianah , Lim Chei Sin , Celesistinus Terence , Chan Jie Yee , Ganasan Pavitra , Suleman Ismail Abdalla Sundos
Published: November 2018

Biosynthesized or biogenic metallic nanoparticles, particularly silver and gold nanoparticles (AgNPs and AuNPs, respectively), have been increasingly used because of their advantages, including high stability and loading capacity; moreover, these nanoparticles are synthesized using a green and cost-effective method. Previous studies have investigated reducing and/or stabilizing agents from various biological sources, including plants, microorganisms, and marine-derived products, using either a one-pot or a multistep process at different conditions. In addition, extensive studies have been performed to determine the biological or pharmacological effects of these nanoparticles, such as antimicrobial, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. In the recent years, chitosan, a natural cationic polysaccharide, has been increasingly investigated as a reducing and/or stabilizing agent in the synthesis of biogenic metallic nanoparticles with potential applications in nanomedicine. Here, we have reviewed the mechanism of biosynthesis and potential applications of AgNPs and AuNPs and their chitosan-mediated nanocomposites in nanomedicine.
The Effects of Thoracic Epidural Analgesia during Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Choi Eun-Ji , Choi Yun-Mi , Kim Hye-Jin , Ok Hwoe-Gyeong , Chang Eun-Jung , Kim Hee-Young , Yoon Ji-Uk , Kim Kyung-Hoon , Byeon Gyeong-Jo
Published: November 2018

Background. Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (PRFA) is a useful and safe treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Pain management, during and after PRFA, is a critical component of patient care. Objectives. This study reviewed the efficacy of thoracic epidural analgesia, during and after PRFA, for patients with HCC. Study Design. A retrospective, observational chart review. Setting. Tertiary medical center/teaching hospital. Methods. Patients who had undergone PRFA for HCC in the past 5 years were divided into two groups, based on the type of anesthesia administered: thoracic epidural anesthesia group (Group E) and local anesthesia with monitored anesthesia care group (Group C). We retrospectively reviewed changes in the numeric rating scale (NRS) score during and after PRFA, opioid consumption, length of the procedure, length of hospital stay, changes in blood pressure during PRFA, and the incidence of adverse events. Results. The NRS score in Group E was significantly lower than that in Group C (P<0.05). The opioid consumption in Group E was lower than that in Group C after PRFA (P<0.05). The procedure time was shorter in Group E (P<0.05). Neither of the groups showed significant difference with respect to the length of hospital stay and the incidence of respiratory depression, fever, and blood pressure elevation. The incidence of nausea, vomiting, and voiding difficulty was higher in Group E. Limitations. This study is limited by its retrospective design. Conclusions. Thoracic epidural analgesia was associated with shorter procedure times, lower postprocedural pain, and lower opioid consumption during and after PRFA for HCC.
Factor Analysis of Utterances in Japanese Fiction-Writing Based on BCCWJ Speaker Information Corpus
Authors: Murai Hajime
Published: November 2018

To analyse the characteristics of utterances in Japanese novels, several attributes (e.g., the speaker, listener, relationship between the speaker and listener, and gender of the speaker) were added to a randomly extracted Japanese novel corpus. A total of 887 data sets, with 5632 annotated utterances, were prepared. Based on the attribute annotated utterance corpus, the characteristics of utterance styles were extracted quantitatively. A chi-square test was used for particles and auxiliary verbs to extract utterance characteristics which reflected the genders of and relationships between the speakers and listeners. Results revealed that the use of imperative words was higher among male characters than their female counterparts, who used more particle verbs, and that auxiliaries of politeness were used more frequently for ‘coworkers’ and ‘superior authorities’. In addition, utterances varied between close and intimate relationships between the speaker and listener. Moreover, repeated factor analyses for 7576 data sets in BCCWJ speaker information corpus revealed ten typical utterance styles (neutral, frank, dialect, polite, feminine, crude, aged, interrogative, approval, and dandy). The factor scores indicated relationships between various utterance styles and fundamental attributes of speakers. Thus, results of this study would be utilisable in speaker identification tasks, automatic speech generation tasks, and scientific interpretation of stories and characters.
Mycosis Fungoides Involving the Dorsal Tongue
Authors: Brown Ashley E. , Schmidtberger Lindsey , Kroger Kathleeen , Jahan-Tigh Richard R. , Pinney Sarah S.
Published: November 2018

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is a rare cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) which can cause significant morbidity. ​During​ ​the​ ​disease course, ​​ ​it​ ​classically​​ ​will​ ​progress​ ​through​ ​three​ ​clinical​ ​stages​ ​in​ ​the​ ​skin​: ​ ​patch-,​ ​plaque-,​ ​and tumor-stage.​ The early stages exhibit​ ​various​ ​histopathological​ ​mimics​ ​that​ ​often​ ​lead​ ​to misdiagnosis.​ It rarely affects the oral cavity. Oral MF is historically associated with poor prognosis. We present a rare case of MF afflicting the dorsal tongue and extremities of a 72-year-old male.
Comparison of Bioabsorbable Magnesium versus Titanium Screw Fixation for Modified Distal Chevron Osteotomy in Hallux Valgus
Authors: Acar Baver , Kose Ozkan , Turan Adil , Unal Melih , Kati Yusuf Alper , Guler Ferhat
Published: November 2018

Objective. The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the clinical and radiological results of magnesium versus titanium screw fixation for modified distal chevron osteotomy in hallux valgus (HV).Materials and Methods.A total of 31 patients who underwent modified distal chevron osteotomy for HV deformity between 2014 and 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. Headless magnesium (Mg) compression screw fixation was applied in 16 patients (17 feet) and headless titanium (Ti) compression screw in 15 patients (17 feet). Patients were followed up for at least 12 months with a mean of 19.0 ± 6.8 months in the Mg screw group and 16.2 ± 6.19 in the Ti screw group, respectively (p: 0.234). Clinical results were evaluated using the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Hallux metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal (AOFAS-MTP-IP) scale and a visual analogue scale (VAS). The hallux valgus angle (HVA) and intermetatarsal angle (IMA) were measured before and after surgery. Time to osteotomy union and any complications were recorded and compared between the groups.Results. An improvement in the AOFAS-MTP-IP scale and VAS points were recorded in both groups with no statistically significant difference between the groups (p: 0.764 and 0.535, resp.). At the final follow-up examination, HVA and IMA were similar (p: 0.226 and 0.712, resp.). There was no significant loss of correction between the early and final radiographs in respect of HVA and IMA in both groups (p: 0.321 and p: 0.067). Full union of the osteotomy was obtained in all patients. Prolonged (1.5 months) swelling and mild hyperemia around the surgical incision were observed in 1 patient in the Mg group but there was a good response to physical and medical therapy, and the complaints were completely resolved. There were no other significant complications in either group.Conclusion. The results of this study showed that bioabsorbable Mg compression screw fixation has similar therapeutic efficacy to Ti screw fixation in respect of functional and radiological outcomes. Bioabsorbable Mg screw is an alternative fixation material that can be safely used for modified distal chevron osteotomy in HV surgery.
A Novel Multiserver Authentication Protocol with Multifactors for Cloud Service
Authors: Song Jian , Li Guang-song , Xu Bo-ru , Ma Chuan-gui
Published: November 2018

Secure and efficient authentication protocols are necessary for cloud service. Multifactor authentication protocols taking advantage of smart card, user’s password, and biometric, are more secure than password-based single-factor authentication protocols which are widely used in practice. However, most of the multiserver authentication protocols may have weak points, such as smart card loss attack, man-in-the-middle attack, anonymity, and high computation cost of authentication center. In order to overcome the above weaknesses, we propose a novel multiserver multifactor authentication protocol based on the Kerberos protocol using the extended Chebyshev chaotic mapping as a cryptographic algorithm. The proposed protocol achieves anonymity without sharing secret keys in advance and needs the user to register with the authentication center only once. Finally, we prove the security of the new protocol with BAN logic and compare it with other multifactor authentication protocols for multiserver environment. The results show that our proposed protocol is more secure and efficient and better for practical application.
Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Technical Note and Preliminary Clinical Experience with 2-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Wu Junlong , Liu Huan , Ao Shengxiang , Zheng Wenjie , Li Changqing , Li Haiyin , Pan Yong , Zhang Chao , Zhou Yue
Published: November 2018

Objective. Endoscopic surgeries have been attempted in the field of lumbar decompression and fusion surgery in the past decade. Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion (PELIF) is a new-emerging technique taking advantages of an anatomical (Kambin’s triangle) to achieve simultaneous decompression and fusion under endoscopic visualization. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and safety of PELIF technique with general anesthesia and neuromonitoring.Methods. The authors present the details of PELIF technique with general anesthesia and neuromonitoring. The first 7 consecutive patients treated with minimum of 2 year’s follow-up were included. Clinical outcomes were assessed by visual analog scale (VAS) for back and leg pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores, and the Short Form-36 health survey questionnaire (SF-36) in the immediate preoperative period and during the follow-up period.Results. All patients underwent single-level PELIF surgery successfully and without conversion to open surgery. The average age was 56.0±13.0 years. All patients had Grade I degenerative/isthmic spondylolisthesis and 4 patients coexisted with disc herniation. The mean operative time was 167.5±30.9 minutes, and intraoperative blood loss was 70.0±24.5 ml. Postoperative drainage volume was 24.5±18.3 ml. The differences in the VAS scores for low back pain and leg pain between preoperative and follow-up were significant (P<0.05). The SF-36 Physical Component Summary (PCS) improved from 38.83±4.17 to 55.67±2.58 (P<0.001). The SF-36 Mental Component Summary (MCS) improved from 43.83±3.13 to 57.50±5.36 (P=0.001). The ODI score improvement rate was 33.7±3.7 %. All cases demonstrated radiopaque graft in the intervertebral disc space consistent with solid arthrodesis.Conclusions. PELIF technique seems to be a promising surgical technique for selected appropriate patients, with the minimal invasive advantages in decreased blood, shortage of ambulation time, and hospital stay, compared with MIS-TLIF. Because of limited Kambin’s triangle space and the exiting nerve root nearby, PELIF is still a challenging technique. Future advancement and development in instrument and cage design are vital for application and popularization of this technique. Prospective, randomized, controlled studies with large sample size on PELIF technique are still needed to prove its safety, efficacy, and minimal invasive advantages.
Distinct Nasopharyngeal and Oropharyngeal Microbiota of Children with Influenza A Virus Compared with Healthy Children
Authors: Wen Zhixin , Xie Gan , Zhou Qian , Qiu Chuangzhao , Li Jing , Hu Qian , Dai Wenkui , Li Dongfang , Zheng Yuejie , Wen Feiqiu
Published: November 2018

Background. Influenza A virus (IAV) has had the highest morbidity globally over the past decade. A growing number of studies indicate that the upper respiratory tract (URT) microbiota plays a key role for respiratory health and that a dysfunctional respiratory microbiota is associated with disease; but the impact of microbiota during influenza is understudied. Methods. We recruited 180 children, including 121 IAV patients and 59 age-matched healthy children. Nasopharyngeal (NP) and oropharyngeal (OP) swabs were collected to conduct 16S rDNA sequencing and compare microbiota structures in different individuals. Results. Both NP and OP microbiota in IAV patients differed from those in healthy individuals. The NP dominated genera in IVA patients, such as Moraxella, Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium, and Dolosigranulum, showed lower abundance than in healthy children. The Streptococcus significantly enriched in patients’ NP and Phyllobacterium could be generally detected in patients’ NP microbiota. The most abundant genera in OP microbiota showed a decline tendency in patients, including Streptococcus, Neisseria, and Haemophilus. The URT’s bacterial concurrence network changed dramatically in patients. NP and OP samples were clustered into subgroups by different dominant genera; and NP and OP microbiota provided the precise indicators to distinguish IAV patients from healthy children. Conclusion. This is the first respiratory microbiome analysis on pediatric IAV infection which reveals distinct NP and OP microbiota in influenza patients. It provides a new insight into IAV research from the microecology aspect and promotes the understanding of IAV pathogenesis.
A Real-Life Based Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Antibacterial Fabrics in Treating Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Höfer Dirk
Published: November 2018

Background. Antibacterial clothes are classified as a complementary treatment in line with antisepsis, although meta-studies are unable to find significant improvements of eczemas. Methods. The antibacterial effectiveness of conventional AD clothes was compared across each other by (i) standard suspension tests for the appraisal of antibacterial products and (ii) a real-life setup of affected AD skin using S. aureus colonised artificial skin, to assess if functional clothes are effective under practical wear conditions. Additionally, the interaction of the fibre types with a moisturising cream was evaluated during a real wearing situation and after domestic laundry. Results. In the real-life setup simulating dry skin microenvironment, all samples failed to reduce S. aureus. Silver and zinc-fabrics showed a slight activity only under unrealistic moist conditions. When using standard suspension tests, samples differed considerably in their antibacterial effectiveness, where silver and zinc endowed fibres outperformed AEGIS endowed silk fabrics. Garments absorbed the cream dependent on the particular fibre types. Furthermore, domestic laundry was unable to completely remove the cream. Conclusion. Considerable differences in the antibacterial effectiveness of conventional AD clothes were revealed. Under practical (dry) wear conditions, garments were unable to modify skin colonization with S. aureus, although effectiveness can be triggered by wetting the garments. Remnants of moisturising cream remain on the fibres after laundry.
Step Estimator Based on a Wearable ECG Monitor
Authors: Prawiro Eka Adi Prasetyo Joko , Lin Yuan-Hsiang
Published: November 2018

ECG signal acquisition may be contaminated with various unwanted signals from the environment, but the contaminating signals are not always be categorized as noise. In this paper, we use the signal processing method to extract the step signal from an ECG signal. The proposed algorithm has been designed, tested, and evaluated using ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) algorithm as ECG data extraction and accelerometer data as the step counter reference. The main idea is to choose the correct intrinsic mode function (IMF) that represents gait signal delineation of ECG, and then calculating the detection accuracy of gait signal based on the step counter from accelerometer data. We use different belt tightness configurations based on chest circumference for each subject during the treadmill test, and then perform the detection accuracy for each configuration. Five healthy subjects were participated in the treadmill test as training subjects. Each participant was asked to walk in four levels of speeds and continue to run in five different speeds: 1.8, 2.7, 3.6, 4.5, 5.4, 6.3, 7.2, 8.1, and 9.0 km/h. Later on, other five healthy subjects were used to evaluate the accuracy of the proposed algorithm using identical configuration as training subjects. The proposed algorithm is able to achieve the detection accuracy of 91.93% and 94.72% for training and testing subjects using the belt tightness scenario of 100% length of chest circumference.
Baseline Serum Cystatin C Is a Potential Predictor for Acute Kidney Injury in Patients with Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Chai Xue , Huang Hou-Bao , Feng Gang , Cao Yu-Han , Cheng Qing-Shui , Li Sheng-Hui , He Chi-Yi , Lu Wei-Hua , Qin Ming-Ming
Published: November 2018

Aims. The study is aimed at studying the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) and exploring the potential predictor for AKI in patients with acute pancreatitis. Methods. A retrospective study adopting a stratified cohort sampling design was performed in a cohort of patients (n=237) diagnosed with acute pancreatitis without any renal injury. The following information including age, gender, serum creatinine, serum urea nitrogen, serum uric acid, serum cystatin C, fasting serum glucose, serum amylase, serum lipase, serum choline esterase, total protein, albumin, globulin, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, total bile acids, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, and alkaline phosphatase were collected from each patient when they were diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. Student t-test was conducted to figure out the difference between patients with and without AKI. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used for investigating the predictors for AKI in patients with acute pancreatitis. Results. 18 (7.6%) patients in total had developed AKI among the study group. Compared with patients without AKI (1.01 ± 0.26 mg/L), the level of baseline serum cystatin C (CYS-C) was significantly higher in patients with AKI (3.64 ± 2.17 mg/L, P<0.001). Baseline serum CYS-C (OR=203.594, P<0.001) was the independent and significant predictor for AKI in patients with acute pancreatitis. AKI in patients with acute pancreatitis could be identified with a sensitivity of 88.9% at specificity of 100% (AUC=0.948, 95% CI 0.879–1.000) by baseline serum CYS-C (cut-off value = 1.865 mg/L). Conclusions. Baseline serum CYS-C shall be adopted to predict the potential risk of AKI in patients with acute pancreatitis.
Potential Role of Antipsychotic-Galantamine-Memantine Combination in the Treatment of Positive, Cognitive, and Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Authors: Koola Maju Mathew
Published: November 2018

Schizophrenia is, in part, a cognitive illness. There are no approved medications for cognitive impairments associated with schizophrenia (CIAS) and primary negative symptoms. Cholinergic and glutamatergic systems, alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine (α-7nACh) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, kynurenic acid (KYNA), and mismatch negativity have been implicated in the pathophysiology of CIAS and negative symptoms. Galantamine is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor that is also a positive allosteric modulator at the α4β2 and α7nACh receptors. Memantine is a noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist. Galantamine and memantine alone and in combination were effective for cognition in animals and people with Alzheimer’s disease. The objective of this article is to critically dissect the published randomized controlled trials with galantamine and memantine for CIAS to highlight the efficacy signal. These studies may have failed to detect a clinically meaningful efficacy signal due to limitations, methodological issues, and possible medication nonadherence. There is evidence from a small open-label study that the galantamine-memantine combination may be effective for CIAS with kynurenine pathway metabolites as biomarkers to detect the severity of cognitive impairments. Given that there are no available treatments for cognitive impairments and primary negative symptoms in schizophrenia, testing of this “five-pronged strategy” (quintuple hypotheses: dopamine, nicotinic-cholinergic, glutamatergic/NMDA, GABA, and KYNA) is a “low-risk high-gain” approach that could be a major breakthrough in the field. The galantamine-memantine combination has the potential to treat positive, cognitive, and negative symptoms, and targeting the quintuple hypotheses concurrently may lead to a major scientific advancement – from antipsychotic treatment to antischizophrenia treatment.
Effects of IRW and IQW on Oxidative Stress and Gut Microbiota in Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Colitis
Authors: Liu Gang , Yan Wenxin , Ding Sujuan  , Jiang Hongmei , Ma Yong , Wang Hua , Fang Jun
Published: November 2018

Background/Aims: There are known links between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and changes in the microbiota of the gut and inflammation and oxidative stress. In this study, a colitis model induced by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) in mice is used to evaluate whether the presence of bioactive peptides IRW (Ile-Arg-Trp) and IQW (Ile-Gln-Trp) peptides is advantageous. Methods: The mice were arbitrarily assigned to the following four groups: (i) control (untreated), (ii) dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) treated, (iii) IRW-DSS treated, and (iv) IQW-DSS treated. For 7 days, the control group subjects had unrestricted access to untreated drinking water, whereas the drinking water supplied to the subjects in the DSS, IRW-DSS, and IQW-DSS groups during this period consisted of 5% DSS solution. The colonic lesions were scored after hematoxylin and eosin staining. Serum antioxidant capacity was analyzed by 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenz-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical cation decolorization test and the microbiota in the colonic contents were sequenced by HiSeq2500 PE250. Results: The presence of DSS reduced daily weight gain, enhanced histopathology scores, and inhibited antioxidant enzyme expression. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities in the DSS-induced colitis model were significantly enhanced (P < 0.05) in the presence of dietary IRW and IQW. Furthermore, the Simpson index was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the presence of dietary IRW and IQW compared to the control group. IRW and IQW increased the abundance of Coprococcus_1, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014, and Desulfovibrio compared to the control group and DSS group. Furthermore, IQW decreased the abundance of Bacteroides in relation to the control group, but increased Parabacteroides. In addition, IRW increased the level of Anaerotruncus, Oscillibacter, and Ruminiclostridium_9 compared to the control group. Conclusion: This study concludes that the presence of IRW or IQW can mitigate DSS-induced oxidative stress by improving the activities of antioxidant enzymes, increasing intestinal microbial diversity and enhancing the abundance of gut microbiota, which may help maintain the homeostasis of host health and microenvironment in a DSS-induced mouse model, thus providing a potential further treatment for IBD patients.
MicroRNA-197 Promotes Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Activating Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling
Authors: Hu Zhaoxia , Wang Peipei , Lin Jiaxin , Zheng Xingrong , Yang Fangji , Zhang Genglin , Chen Dabiao , Xie Junqiang , Gao Zhiliang , Peng Liang , Xie Chan
Published: November 2018

Background/Aims: MicroRNA-197 (miR-197) has been shown to play roles in epithelialmesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway is associated with EMT, but whether miR-197 regulatesWnt/β-catenin remains unclear. This study was to demonstrate the role of miR-197 on the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of miR-197 in 105 HCC specimens and 15 HCC cell lines. We tested the predicted target gene of miR-197 using a genetic report system. The role of miR-197 in HCC cell invasion and migration (wound healingand cell invasion and migrationby Transwell assays) and in an HCC xenograft modelwas analyzed. Results: Using a miRNA microarray analysis of HCC specimens and compared with non-metastatic HCC, miR-197 was identified as one of the most upregulated miRNAs in metastatic HCC. miR-197 expression was positively associated with the invasiveness of HCC cell lines. Metastatic HCC cells with high miR-197 expression had Wnt/β-catenin signaling activation. High levels of miR-197 expression also promoted EMT and invasionHCC cells in vitro and in vivo. miR-197 directly targeted Axin-2, Naked cuticle 1 (NKD1), and Dickkopf-related protein 2 (DKK2), leading to inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. High miR-197 expression was found in HCC specimens from patients with portal vein metastasis;high miR-197 expression correlated to the expression of Axin2, NKD1, and DKK2. Conclusion: miR-197 promotes HCC invasion and metastasis by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling. miR-197 could possibly be used as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target for HCC.
A invenção da infância
Authors: Santos Patrícia Oliveira S. dos , Pires Flávia Ferreira
Published: November 2018

Na comunidade de Feira Nova, um pequeno povoado rural, pertencente à cidade de Orobó, no Agreste pernambucano, Nordeste do Brasil, há um ideal de infância que se encontra relacionado ao não trabalho, à escolarização e à ludicidade. Contudo, essa compreensão de infância não foi vivenciada pelas gerações de avós e mães das crianças da geração contemporânea. Essa negação está, sobretudo, assentada na necessidade que lhes foi imposta pelo trabalho precoce e pela ausência total ou parcial de escolarização. Diferente das predecessoras, a geração atual de crianças encontra-se determinantemente marcada pela escolarização e largamente ausente do trabalho infantil, o que vem configurando uma importante mudança na forma em que a infância é vivenciada nesse contexto. O presente texto refletirá sobre essas mudanças que reverberam em uma maior atenção para as crianças no meio rural e surgem a partir de um processo de institucionalização da infância. Esse processo ganha força a partir da implementação e efetivação de programas sociais de transferência condicionada de renda, a exemplo do Programa Bolsa Família, que nesse contexto vem mudando, entre outras coisas, o lugar de socialização das crianças rurais e as marcas geracionais da infância.
“Questão política”
Authors: Aguiar Monique Florencio de
Published: November 2018

O comando de programas públicos por mediadores políticos os dota de recursos que podem proporcionar proeminência política – como foi apontado na literatura. No entanto, busquei demonstrar, neste artigo, como seu controle também pode gerar desqualificações por possibilitar o lançamento de acusações como forma de regular os poderes políticos e solapar lideranças em evidência. Assim, procurei acompanhar como o embate político funcionava na execução de um programa público, retratando o cotidiano da atividade mediadora durante sua execução. Manter-se na posição de maior prestígio como mediador requeria o poder de controlar as opiniões que circulam, lançando dúvidas nem sempre passíveis de comprovação. Honra e desonra correspondiam a sucessos e insucessos no controle da dúvida circulada sobre comportamentos públicos.