bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) and Quince (Cydonia oblonga L.) Juices and Their By-Products as Ingredients Showing Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties for Chewing Candy: Nutraceutical Formulations
Authors: Lele Vita , Monstaviciute Ema , Varinauskaite Ieva , Peckaityte Gabriele , Paskeviciute Laura , Plytnikaite Monika , Tamosiunaite Vitalija , Pikunaite Meda , Ruzauskas Modestas , Stankevicius Rolandas , Bartkiene Elena
Published: July 2018

Sustainable and environmentally friendly approaches to the production of health foods have become very popular. The concept of this study was to develop chewing candy (CC)—nutraceutical formulations based on sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) and quince (Cydonia oblonga L.) juice and juice by-products (BuJ, QuJ, BuBP, and QuBP, resp.), as ingredients showing antimicrobial properties against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella enterica, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Proteus mirabilis, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Enterococcus faecalis, E. faecium, and Bacillus cereus. Two texture-forming agents (agar and gelatin) were tested for CC formulation. BuJ, QuJ, BuBP, and QuBP showed antimicrobial activity against all the pathogens tested, and the largest inhibition zones against Bacillus and Proteus mirabilis were observed for BuJ and QuJ, respectively. Agar and/or gelatin selection has a significant influence on CC texture (p=0.0001), and interactions of agar and/or gelatin selection × juice or juice by-products and sea buckthorn or quince × juice or juice by-products were also significant (p=0.0001). The best acceptability was shown for CC prepared with agar and BuBP (131.7) and with gelatin and QuJ (132.0). The addition of BuJ, QuJ, BuBP, and QuBP increases the antioxidant activity of CC by five times. Finally, not just juice, but also juice by-products, have great potential as desirable antimicrobial ingredients for the food industry.
ATM Induces Cell Death with Autophagy in Response to H2O2 Specifically in Caenorhabditis elegans Nondividing Cells
Authors: Moriwaki Takahito , Yamasaki Akira , Zhang-Akiyama Qiu-Mei
Published: July 2018

Introduction. Ataxia‐telangiectasia‐mutated (ATM) kinase is a master regulator of the DNA damage response and is directly activated by reactive oxygen species (ROSs) in addition to DNA double‐stranded breaks. However, the physiological function of the response to ROSs is not understood. Purpose. In the present study, we investigated how ATM responds to ROSs in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). Materials and Methods. First, we measured sensitivities of larvae to DNA‐damaging agents and ROSs. Next, we analyzed the drug sensitivities of fully matured adult worms, which consist of nondividing somatic cells. Dead cell staining with acridine orange was performed to visualize the dead cells. In addition, we performed GFP reporter assays of lgg-1, an autophagy‐related gene, to determine the types of cell death. Results. atm-1(tm5027) larvae showed a wide range of sensitivities to both DNA‐damaging agents and ROSs. In contrast, fully matured adult worms, which consist of nondividing somatic cells, showed sensitivity to DNA‐damaging agent, NaHSO3, but they showed resistance to H2O2. Dead cell staining and GFP reporter assays of lgg-1 suggest that C. elegans ATM‐1 induces the cell death with autophagy in intestinal cells in response to H2O2. Conclusion. We revealed that ATM induces cell death in response to H2O2.
Codesigned Wideband High-Efficiency Filtering SIW Slot Antenna with High Selectivity and Flat Gain Response
Authors: Li Peng Kai , You Chang Jiang , Yu Hong Fang , Cheng Yu Jian , Yang Yuan Wang , Deng Jian Hua
Published: July 2018

A substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) slot antenna with wideband bandpass filtering performance is proposed in this journal. It consists of a SIW cavity, a transverse slot, three metal posts, and a SMA connector. Three metal posts split the SIW cavity into two TE110-mode resonators. A long nonresonant transverse slot is utilized to realize a half TE110-mode resonator and generate radiation simultaneously so as to reduce the size and release the use of extra radiator. Three in-band resonance poles and a radiation null at both out-of-bands are obtained. A prototype is fabricated and measured. Measured results demonstrate the proposed antenna is with a center frequency of 4.26 GHz, a fractional bandwidth of 9.1%, a high efficiency of 93%, and flat gain response and good skirt selectivity of 270 dB/GHz and 330 dB/GHz for the lower and upper out-of-band, respectively.
Chlorophyll‐Mediated Changes in the Redox Status of Pancreatic Cancer Cells Are Associated with Its Anticancer Effects
Authors: Vaňková Kateřina , Marková Ivana , Jašprová Jana , Dvořák Aleš , Subhanová Iva , Zelenka Jaroslav , Novosádová Iva , Rasl Jan , Vomastek Tomáš , Sobotka Roman , Muchová Lucie , Vítek Libor
Published: July 2018

Nutritional factors which exhibit antioxidant properties, such as those contained in green plants, may be protective against cancer. Chlorophyll and other tetrapyrrolic compounds which are structurally related to heme and bilirubin (a bile pigment with antioxidant activity) are among those molecules which are purportedly responsible for these effects. Therefore, the aim of our study was to assess both the antiproliferative and antioxidative effects of chlorophylls (chlorophyll a/b, chlorophyllin, and pheophytin a) in experimental pancreatic cancer. Chlorophylls have been shown to produce antiproliferative effects in pancreatic cancer cell lines (PaTu‐8902, MiaPaCa‐2, and BxPC‐3) in a dose‐dependent manner (10–125 μmol/L). Chlorophylls also have been observed to inhibit heme oxygenase (HMOX) mRNA expression and HMOX enzymatic activity, substantially affecting the redox environment of pancreatic cancer cells, including the production of mitochondrial/whole‐cell reactive oxygen species, and alter the ratio of reduced‐to‐oxidized glutathione. Importantly, chlorophyll‐mediated suppression of pancreatic cancer cell viability has been replicated in in vivo experiments, where the administration of chlorophyll a resulted in the significant reduction of pancreatic tumor size in xenotransplanted nude mice. In conclusion, this data suggests that chlorophyll‐mediated changes on the redox status of pancreatic cancer cells might be responsible for their antiproliferative and anticancer effects and thus contribute to the decreased incidence of cancer among individuals who consume green vegetables.
Plasma Protein Carbonylation in Haemodialysed Patients: Focus on Diabetes and Gender
Authors: Colombo Graziano , Reggiani Francesco , Cucchiari David , Astori Emanuela , Garavaglia Maria L. , Portinaro Nicola M. , Saino Nicola , Finazzi Silvia , Milzani Aldo , Badalamenti Salvatore , Dalle-Donne Isabella
Published: July 2018

Patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing haemodialysis (HD) experience oxidative/carbonyl stress, which is postulated to increase after the HD session. The influence of diabetes mellitus and sex on oxidation of plasma proteins in ESRD has not yet been clarified despite that diabetic nephropathy is the most common cause of ESRD in developed and developing countries and despite the increasingly emerging differences between males and females in epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and outcomes for several diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the possible effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus, gender, and dialysis filter on plasma level of protein carbonyls (PCO) in ESRD patients at the beginning and at the end of a single HD session. Results show that mean post‐HD plasma PCO levels are significantly higher than mean pre‐HD plasma PCO levels and that the type of dialysis filter and dialysis technique are unrelated to plasma PCO levels. The mean level of plasma PCO after a HD session increases slightly but significantly in nondiabetic ESRD patients compared to diabetic ones, whereas it increases more markedly in women than in men. These novel findings suggest that women with ESRD are more susceptible than men to oxidative/carbonyl stress induced by HD.
Stem Cells in Dentistry: Types of Intra- and Extraoral Tissue-Derived Stem Cells and Clinical Applications
Authors: Paz Ana Gomes , Maghaireh Hassan , Mangano Francesco Guido
Published: July 2018

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells, capable of renewing themselves, with the capacity to produce different cell types to regenerate missing tissues and treat diseases. Oral facial tissues have been identified as a source and therapeutic target for stem cells with clinical interest in dentistry. This narrative review report targets on the several extraoral- and intraoral-derived stem cells that can be applied in dentistry. In addition, stem cell origins are suggested in what concerns their ability to differentiate as well as their particular distinguishing quality of convenience and immunomodulatory for regenerative dentistry. The development of bioengineered teeth to replace the patient’s missing teeth was also possible because of stem cell technologies. This review will also focus our attention on the clinical application of stem cells in dentistry. In recent years, a variety of articles reported the advantages of stem cell-based procedures in regenerative treatments. The regeneration of lost oral tissue is the target of stem cell research. Owing to the fact that bone imperfections that ensue after tooth loss can result in further bone loss which limit the success of dental implants and prosthodontic therapies, the rehabilitation of alveolar ridge height is prosthodontists’ principal interest. The development of bioengineered teeth to replace the patient’s missing teeth was also possible because of stem cell technologies. In addition, a “dental stem cell banking” is available for regenerative treatments in the future. The main features of stem cells in the future of dentistry should be understood by clinicians.
Modeling and Dynamic Control of a Class of Semibiomimetic Robotic Fish
Authors: Zhang Shouxu , Jiang Bo , Chen Xiaoxuan , Liang Jian , Cui Peng , Guo Xinxin
Published: July 2018

This paper proposes a new robotic fish which avoids the complex mechanical structure and reduces the model complexity comparing to the existing bioinspired robotic fish, giving rise to a semibiomimetic robotic fish. The generalized Lagrange equation is adopted to establish the dynamic model of the robotic fish. The controllability of the system is analyzed, upon which a trajectory tracking control algorithm is designed by using the feedback linearization technique. The simulation results show that the dynamic model adopted in this paper can achieve better control performance.
The Bacteriology and Its Virulence Factors in Neonatal Infections: Threats to Child Survival Strategies
Authors: Ejiofor Obiora Shedrach , Ajunwa Onyinye Mercy , Ezeudu Chijioke Elias , Emechebe George Ogonna , Okeke Kenneth Nchekwube , Ifezulike Christian Chukwuemeka , Ekejindu Ifeoma Mercy , Okoyeh Jude Nnaemeka , Osuala Eunice Ogonna , Oli Angus Nnamdi
Published: July 2018

Background. Neonatal infection refers to the infection of the newborn during the first twenty-eight days of life. It is one of the causes of infant morbidity and mortality worldwide. The aim of the study is to determine the relative contribution of the different pathogens to the overall disease burden. It will also determine the mechanisms of virulence of these pathogens that cause neonatal infections at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Awka.Methods. Biological samples were collected from 30 neonates admitted at the special care baby unit (SCBU) of COOUTH and cultured using selective media and nutrient agar. The isolates were identified using microbiological and biochemical tests. The antibiogram study was determined using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method on Mueller Hinton Agar. Several methods previously reported in literature were used for the characterization of the virulence factors.Results. From the 30 blood samples collected,Pseudomonasspp. (19.7%),Escherichia coli(23%),Salmonellaspp. (24.6%), andStaphylococcus aureus(32.8%) were isolated. Male to female ratio of study population was 1.5: 1. The isolates were 100 % resistant to ticarcillin, cephalothin, ceftazidime, and cefuroxime but appreciably susceptible to only levofloxacin (88.85%). They were moderately susceptible to ceftriaxone/sulbactam (39.05%) and azithromycin (26.46%). Common virulence factors identified among the isolates (up to 90 %) were hemolysin, biofilm formation, and acid resistance. Less common virulence factors were proteases (50 %), deoxyribonucleases (50 %), enterotoxins (63%), and lipopolysaccharide (70%). The virulence factors were found mostly among theS. aureusisolates.Conclusions.Pseudomonasspp.,Escherichia coli,Salmonellaspp., andStaphylococcus aureuswere implicated in neonatal infections in the center and most of them were resistant to conventional antibiotics. The organisms showed marked virulence and multidrug resistance properties. Levofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone, had superior activity on the isolates compared to other antibiotics used in the study.
Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Renin and Aldosterone Concentrations in Patients with Advanced Heart Failure: The EVITA Trial
Authors: Zittermann Armin , Ernst Jana B. , Prokop Sylvana , Fuchs Uwe , Dreier Jens , Kuhn Joachim , Knabbe Cornelius , Börgermann Jochen , Berthold Heiner K. , Pilz Stefan , Gouni-Berthold Ioanna , Gummert Jan F.
Published: July 2018

Objective. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25([OH]2D) is considered to be a negative endogenous regulator of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), but the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the RAAS is inconclusive. Design. In this prespecified secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial, we assessed in 165 patients with heart failure (vitamin D group: n=83; placebo group: n=82) the effect of three years of vitamin D supplementation with 4000 IU daily on parameters of the RAAS (renin and aldosterone) and on circulating 1,25(OH)2D, plasma phosphate, and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-23. We assessed age- and baseline-adjusted between-group differences at study termination. Results. Almost all patients were under treatment with beta-blockers, inhibitors of the RAAS, and diuretics. Initially, the frequency of concentrations above the laboratory-specific reference range (renin: >23.9 mIU/L; aldosterone: >232 ng/L) in the vitamin D and placebo group was 87.7% and 92.7%, respectively (renin), and 24.1% and 32.5%, respectively (aldosterone). Vitamin D increased adjusted 1,25(OH)2D concentrations significantly (mean treatment effect and 95% CI: 18.3 pmol/L,7.3 to 29.3 pmol/L; P<0.001) but had no significant effects on phosphate (0.18 mmol/L, −0.00 to 0.35 mmol/L; P=0.051), FGF-23 (685 RU/mL, −213 to 1585 RU/mL; P=0.134), renin (312 mIU/L, −279 to 902 ng/L; P=0.298), or aldosterone (−0.19 ng/L, −5.09 to 4.70 ng/L; P=0.938). Vitamin D supplementation was, however, associated with an increase in renin concentrations in the subgroup with baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D below 30 nmol/L (n=67; 1365 mIU/, 343 to 2386 mIU/L; P=0.010). Conclusions. In patients with advanced heart failure treated according to evidence-based guidelines, vitamin D supplementation did not significantly influence parameters of the RAAS in the entire study cohort but was associated with an increase in plasma renin concentrations in the subgroup with low baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations.
Experimental Investigation of Zadoff-Chu Matrix Precoding for Visible Light Communication System with OFDM Modulation
Authors: Guo Xinyue , Guo Yang , Li Shuangshuang
Published: July 2018

Light-emitting diode- (LED-) based visible light communication (VLC) has become a potential candidate for next generation high-speed indoor wireless communication. Due to the limited modulation bandwidth of the LED, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation is particularly preferred in the VLC system to overcome the ISI, which suffers from the high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) and leads to severe performance loss. In this paper, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a novel Zadoff-Chu matrix (ZCM) precoding scheme, which can not only reduce the PAPR, but also provide uniform signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) profile. The theoretical analysis and simulation show that the proposed scheme achieves better PAPR performance compared with the traditional precoding schemes. The experimental demonstration further validates the bit error rate (BER) performance improvement, where the measured BERs are all below the 7% pre-forward error correction (pre-FEC) limit of 3.8 × 10−3 when the transmitted data rate is 50 Mb/s.
Surrogate‐Based Multisource Sensitivity Analysis of TBM Driving System
Authors: Sun Wei , Shi Maolin , Li Jieling , Ding Xin , Wang Lintao , Song Xueguan
Published: July 2018

TBM cutterhead driving system is generally an extraordinarily large and complex machine containing lots of parameters; understanding and assessment of its dynamic characteristics are a great challenge as each of these parameters has uncertainty. In this work, a hierarchical modeling method for the dynamic model of the complex gear transmission system is proposed based on the generalized finite element modeling idea. On this basis, the whole machine dynamic model of cutterhead driving system is established; both the characteristics of vibration responses and the meshing force are revealed. Vibration responses under the action of simulated load are estimated and verified by comparing with the data measured on the tunneling field, where the error is about 18%~50%. With the vibration response of the key nodes and the dynamic meshing force for the system dynamic characteristic evaluation index, considering the change of input parameters such as external loads, material parameters, meshing parameters, and coupling parameters, the global parameter sensitivity of system dynamic characteristics is analyzed based on the technology of surrogate model. Finally, variation of dynamic characteristics considering the interaction of polytypic parameters is obtained.
Curcumin Modulates DNA Methyltransferase Functions in a Cellular Model of Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Maugeri Andrea , Mazzone Maria Grazia , Giuliano Francesco , Vinciguerra Manlio , Basile Guido , Barchitta Martina , Agodi Antonella
Published: July 2018

Hyperglycaemia‐induced oxidative stress appears to be involved in the aetiology of diabetic retinopathy (DR), a major public health issue, via altering DNA methylation process. We investigated the effect of hyperglycaemia on retinal DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) expression in diabetic mice, using Gene Expression Omnibus datasets. We also evaluated the effect of curcumin both on high glucose‐induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and altered DNMT functions, in a cellular model of DR. We observed that three months of hyperglycaemia, in insulin‐deficient Ins2Akita mice, decrease DNMT1 and DNMT3a expression levels. In retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, we also demonstrated that high glucose‐induced ROS production precedes upregulation of DNMT expression and activity, suggesting that changes in DNMT function could be mediated by oxidative stress via a potential dual effect. The early effect results in decreased DNMT activity, accompanied by the highest ROS production, while long‐term oxidative stress increases DNMT activity and DNMT1 expression. Interestingly, treatment with 25 μM curcumin for 6 hours restores ROS production, as well as DNMT functions, altered by the exposure of RPE to acute and chronic high glucose concentration. Our study suggests that curcumin may represent an effective antioxidant compound against DR, via restoring oxidative stress and DNMT functions, though further studies are recommended.
Common Sequences of Emergency Readmissions among High-Impact Users following AAA Repair
Authors: Rao Ahsan , Bottle Alex , Bicknell Colin , Darzi Ara , Aylin Paul
Published: July 2018

Introduction. The aim of the study was to examine common sequences of causes of readmissions among those patients with multiple hospital admissions, high-impact users, after abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair and to focus on strategies to reduce long-term readmission rate. Methods. The patient cohort (2006–2009) included patients from Hospital Episodes Statistics, the national administrative data of all NHS English hospitals, and followed up for 5 years. Group-based trajectory modelling and sequence analysis were performed on the data. Results. From a total of 16,973 elective AAA repair patients, 18% (n=3055) were high-impact users. The high-impact users among ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) repair constituted 17.3% of the patient population (n=4144). There were 2 subtypes of high-impact users, short-term (7.2%) with initial high readmission rate following by rapid decline and chronic high-impact (10.1%) with persistently high readmission rate. Common causes of readmissions following elective AAA repair were respiratory tract infection (7.3%), aortic graft complications (6.0%), unspecified chest pain (5.8%), and gastrointestinal haemorrhage (4.8%). However, high-impact users included significantly increased number of patients with multiple readmissions and distinct sequences of readmissions mainly consisting of COPD (4.7%), respiratory tract infection (4.7%), and ischaemic heart disease (3.3%). Conclusion. A significant number of patients were high-impact users after AAA repair. They had a common and distinct sequence of causes of readmissions following AAA repair, mainly consisting of cardiopulmonary conditions and aortic graft complications. The common causes of long-term mortality were not related to AAA repair. The quality of care can be improved by identifying these patients early and focusing on prevention of cardiopulmonary diseases in the community.
Robust Heading Estimation for Indoor Pedestrian Navigation Using Unconstrained Smartphones
Authors: Deng Zhian , Liu Xin , Qu Zhiyu , Hou Changbo , Si Weijian
Published: July 2018

Heading estimation using inertial sensors built‐in smartphones has been considered as a central problem for indoor pedestrian navigation. For practical daily lives, it is necessary for heading estimation to allow an unconstrained use of smartphones, which means the varying device carrying positions and orientations. As a result, three special human body motion states, namely, random hand movements, carrying position transitions, and user turns, are introduced. However, most existing heading estimation approaches neglect the three motion states, which may render large estimation errors. We propose a robust heading estimation system adapting to the unconstrained use of smartphones. A novel detection and classification method is developed to detect the three motion states timely and discriminate them accurately. For normal working, the user heading is estimated by a PCA‐based approach. If a user turn occurs, it is estimated by adding horizontal heading change to previous user heading directly. If one of the other two motion states occurs, it is obtained by averaging estimation results of the adjacent normal walking steps. Finally, an outlier filtering algorithm is developed to smooth the estimation results. Experimental results show that our approach is capable of handling the unconstrained situation of smartphones and outperforms previous approaches in terms of accuracy and applicability.
An Investigation of Stretched Exponential Function in Quantifying Long‐Term Memory of Extreme Events Based on Artificial Data following Lévy Stable Distribution
Authors: Sun HongGuang , Yuan Lin , Zhang Yong , Privitera Nicholas
Published: July 2018

Extreme events, which are usually characterized by generalized extreme value (GEV) models, can exhibit long‐term memory, whose impact needs to be quantified. It was known that extreme recurrence intervals can better characterize the significant influence of long‐term memory than using the GEV model. Our statistical analyses based on time series datasets following the Lévy stable distribution confirm that the stretched exponential distribution can describe a wide spectrum of memory behavior transition from exponentially distributed intervals (without memory) to power‐law distributed ones (with strong memory or fractal scaling property), extending the previous evaluation of the stretched exponential function using Gaussian/exponential distributed random data. Further deviation and discussion of a historical paradox (i.e., the residual waiting time tends to increase with an increasing elapsed time under long‐term memory) are also provided, based on the theoretical analysis of the Bayesian law and the stretched exponential distribution.
Reference Data on Neonatal Serum N-Acetyl-β-hexosaminidase Activity
Authors: Chojnowska Sylwia , Kamianowska Monika , Baran Piotr , Zwierz Krzysztof , Szczepański Marek
Published: July 2018

Background. Determination of neonate serum’s N-acetyl-β-hexosaminidase (HEX) activity and correlation results with Apgar scale and factors routinely determined in newborn serum.Aims. Providing reference values of neonates serum HEX activities, and indicate their diagnostic significance.Study design. The study was performed using random serum samples of 111 infants (53 ♂/58 ♀), aged 1–30 days. The activity of HEX was determined colorimetrically and expressed in nKat/L.Results. Serum HEX activity of 111 newborns was 360.5 ± 114.0 nKat/L and significantly positively correlated with gestation week at the day of delivery, birth weight, weight on day of blood collection, sex, and serum CRP.Conclusions. Reference values presented for neonatal serum activities of HEX may be used in neonatal diagnostics, for example, to detect inflammation and other diseases or for early assessment of the risk of Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff diseases.
An Anonymous Handover Authentication Scheme Based on LTE‐A for Vehicular Networks
Authors: Xu Cheng , Huang Xiaohong , Ma Maode , Bao Hong
Published: July 2018

Vehicular networks play an important role in the intelligent transportation systems which have gained technical supports from car industry. Due to the mobility and the broadcast nature of wireless communication, security of the vehicular networks is a critical issue for the academia and industry. Many solutions have been proposed to target the security provisioning. However, most of them have various shortcomings. Based on the elliptic curve public key cryptography algorithm, in this paper, we propose a new anonymous roaming authentication protocol for the Long Term Evolution‐Advanced (LTE‐A) supported vehicular networks. For a vehicular LTE‐A network, an authentication protocol should be able to fulfill a variety of security requirements, which can be met by our proposal and proved by using Burrows–Abadi–Needham (BAN) logic. Compared with some existing solutions, our scheme has lower communication costs with stronger security functionality. The analyses on the security functions and the performance of the proposed solution show that our scheme is secure and efficient with ability against various types of malicious attacks.
The Perturbed Riemann Problem for the Aw-Rascle Model with Modified Chaplygin Gas Pressure
Authors: Liu Yujin , Sun Wenhua
Published: July 2018

This paper is concerned with the perturbed Riemann problem for the Aw-Rascle model with the modified Chaplygin gas pressure. We obtain constructively the solutions when the initial values are three piecewise constant states. The global structure and the large-time asymptotic behaviors of the solutions are discussed case by case. Further, we obtain the stability of the corresponding Riemann solutions as the initial perturbed parameter tends to zero.
Role of Regulatory T Cells in Tumor-Bearing Mice Treated with Allo-Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Plus Thymus Transplantation
Authors: Hosaka Naoki
Published: July 2018

We recently developed a new allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation method (allo-HSCT) combined with thymus transplantation (TT) from the same donor (allo-HSCT + TT). This method induces elevated T cell function with mild graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in comparison to conventional HSCT alone and HSCT + donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI). This new method is effective against several intractable diseases, including malignant tumors, for which conventional treatments are ineffective. Regulatory T (Treg) cells play an important role in the enhanced graft-versus-tumor (GVT) effect and reduction of GVHD, thus leading to longer survival. Replacement and reduction of elevated Tregcells by donor-derived allo-Tregcells from the transplanted thymus may play one of crucial roles in the effect. This review discusses the role of Tregcells in a tumor-bearing mouse model treated with allo-HSCT + TT.
Fractional-Order Deep Backpropagation Neural Network
Authors: Bao Chunhui , Pu Yifei , Zhang Yi
Published: July 2018

In recent years, the research of artificial neural networks based on fractional calculus has attracted much attention. In this paper, we proposed a fractional-order deep backpropagation (BP) neural network model with L2 regularization. The proposed network was optimized by the fractional gradient descent method with Caputo derivative. We also illustrated the necessary conditions for the convergence of the proposed network. The influence of L2 regularization on the convergence was analyzed with the fractional-order variational method. The experiments have been performed on the MNIST dataset to demonstrate that the proposed network was deterministically convergent and can effectively avoid overfitting.
Mesoscopic Finite Element Modeling of Concrete Considering Geometric Boundaries of Actual Aggregates
Authors: Jin Hao , Zhou Yuliang , Wang Binglong , Zhou Shunhua
Published: July 2018

Concrete is nonhomogeneous and comprises aggregate, mortar, and interfacial transition zones at the mesoscopic scale. The aggregate shapes significantly affect the development of microcracks. To deal with the problem of imprecise description of actual aggregate, an innovative method of modeling concrete is proposed in this study considering geometric boundaries of actual aggregate. First, the geometric feature points of the actual gravel aggregates, that is, the shape of the actual aggregate, are obtained by laser scanning. The geometric feature points are then moved randomly in the plane. Using this method, an aggregate library is established based on the actual aggregates. Finally, the front polygons‐rear circumcircle conflict and overlap criteria are proposed, which can achieve a rapid placing process of the multicontrol point aggregate. Using this method, numerical uniaxial tensile and three‐point bending beam tests are conducted and the results are compared with the round aggregate model. The results indicate that the geometric properties of aggregates have both blocking and guiding effects on crack development. Therefore, the proposed modeling method is better suited for analyzing crack development.
Mitochondrial Antioxidants and the Maintenance of Cellular Hydrogen Peroxide Levels
Authors: Mailloux Ryan J.
Published: July 2018

For over 40 years, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and balance has been studied in the context of oxidative distress and tissue damage. However, research over the past decade has demonstrated that the mitochondria have a more complicated relationship with ROS. Superoxide (O2•−) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) are the proximal ROS formed by the mitochondria, and the latter molecule is used as a secondary messenger to coordinate oxidative metabolism with changes in cell physiology. Like any other secondary messenger, H2O2 levels need to be regulated through its production and degradation and the mitochondria are enriched with the antioxidant defenses required to degrade ROS formed by nutrient oxidation and respiration. Recent work has also demonstrated that these antioxidant systems also carry the capacity to clear H2O2 formed outside of mitochondria. These observations led to the development of the postulate that the mitochondria serve as “ROS stabilizing devices” that buffer cellular H2O2 levels. Here, I provide an updated view on mitochondrial ROS homeostasis and discuss the “ROS stabilizing” function of the mitochondria in mammalian cells. This will be followed by a hypothetical discussion on the potential function of the mitochondria and proton motive force in degrading cellular H2O2 signals emanating from cytosolic enzymes.
Oxidative Stress and Effect of Treatment on the Oxidation Product Decomposition Processes in IBD
Authors: Dudzińska Ewa , Gryzinska Magdalena , Ognik Katarzyna , Gil-Kulik Paulina , Kocki Janusz
Published: July 2018

Oxidative stress plays an important role in IBD because chronic intestinal inflammation is associated with the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading to oxidative stress, which has been implicated in IBD. Many lines of evidence suggest that IBD is associated with an imbalance between ROS and antioxidant activity which generates oxidative stress as the result of either ROS overproduction or a decrease in antioxidant activity. Our study was to evaluate the influence of oxidative stress and antioxidants on the course of the disease and treatment of IBD patients. Our results show that an increase of LOOH levels positively correlates with an increase in MDA levels; therefore, MDA may be a marker indicating lipid peroxidation. Also, being the decomposition product of oxidation processes, MDA may be applied as a useful biomarker for identifying the effect of endogenous oxidative stress in Crohn’s disease patients. The anti‐inflammatory efficacy of AZA drugs may be the result of a reduction of the amount of lipid peroxides in the intestinal mucosa cells in CD patients and facilitate mucosal healing.
Flutamide Induces Hepatic Cell Death and Mitochondrial Dysfunction via Inhibition of Nrf2‐Mediated Heme Oxygenase‐1
Authors: Zhang Li , Guo Jiabin , Zhang Qiang , Zhou Wei , Li Jin , Yin Jian , Cui Lan , Zhang Tingfen , Zhao Jun , Carmichael Paul L. , Middleton Alistair , Peng Shuangqing
Published: July 2018

Flutamide is a widely used nonsteroidal antiandrogen for prostate cancer therapy, but its clinical application is restricted by the concurrent liver injury. Increasing evidence suggests that flutamide‐induced liver injury is associated with oxidative stress, though the precise mechanism is poorly understood. Nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a master transcription factor regulating endogenous antioxidants including heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1). This study was designed to delineate the role of Nrf2/HO‐1 in flutamide‐induced hepatic cell injury. Our results showed that flutamide concentration dependently induced cytotoxicity, hydrogen peroxide accumulation, and mitochondrial dysfunction as indicated by mitochondrial membrane potential loss and ATP depletion. The protein expression of Nrf2 and HO‐1 was induced by flutamide at 12.5 μM but was downregulated by higher concentrations of flutamide. Silencing either Nrf2 or HO‐1 was found to aggravate flutamide‐induced hydrogen peroxide accumulation and mitochondrial dysfunction as well as inhibition of the Nrf2 pathway. Moreover, preinduction of HO‐1 by Copp significantly attenuated flutamide‐induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, while inhibition of HO‐1 by Snpp aggravated these deleterious effects. These findings suggest that flutamide‐induced hepatic cell death and mitochondrial dysfunction is assoicated with inhibition of Nrf2‐mediated HO‐1. Pharmacologic intervention of Nrf2/HO‐1 may provide a promising therapeutic approach in flutamide‐induced liver injury.
Chromogranin A: From Laboratory to Clinical Aspects of Patients with Neuroendocrine Tumors
Authors: Di Giacinto Paola , Rota Francesca , Rizza Laura , Campana Davide , Isidori Andrea , Lania Andrea , Lenzi Andrea , Zuppi Paolo , Baldelli Roberto
Published: July 2018

Background. Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are characterized by having behavior and prognosis that depend upon tumor histology, primary site, staging, and proliferative index. The symptoms associated with carcinoid syndrome and vasoactive intestinal peptide tumors are treated with octreotide acetate. The PROMID trial assesses the effect of octreotide LAR on the tumor growth in patients with well-differentiated metastatic midgut NETs. The CLARINET trial evaluates the effects of lanreotide in patients with nonfunctional, well-, or moderately differentiated metastatic enteropancreatic NETs. Everolimus has been approved for the treatment of advanced pancreatic NETs (pNETs) based on positive PFS effects, obtained in the treated group. Sunitinib is approved for the treatment of patients with progressive gastrointestinal stromal tumor or intolerance to imatinib, because a randomized study demonstrated that it improves PFS and overall survival in patients with advanced well-differentiated pNETs. In a phase II trial, pasireotide shows efficacy and tolerability in the treatment of patients with advanced NETs, whose symptoms of carcinoid syndrome were resistant to octreotide LAR. An open-label, phase II trial assesses the clinical activity of long-acting repeatable pasireotide in treatment-naive patients with metastatic grade 1 or 2 NETs. Even if the growth of the neoplasm was significantly inhibited, it is still unclear whether its antiproliferative action is greater than that of octreotide and lanreotide. Because new therapeutic options are needed to counter the natural behavior of neuroendocrine tumors, it would also be useful to have a biochemical marker that can be addressed better in the management of these patients. Chromogranin A is currently the most useful biomarker to establish diagnosis and has some utility in predicting disease recurrence, outcome, and efficacy of therapy.
Evaluation of Therapeutic Efficacy and Safety of Tranexamic Acid Local Infiltration in Combination with Topical 4% Hydroquinone Cream Compared to Topical 4% Hydroquinone Cream Alone in Patients with Melasma: A Split-Face Study
Authors: Tehranchinia Zohreh , Saghi Bita , Rahimi Hoda
Published: July 2018

Introduction. Melasma is an acquired pigmentary disorder characterized by hyperpigmented macules and/or patches affecting sun-exposed skin. Tranexamic acid (TA) can reduce melanin content of epidermis. Thus, we conducted this study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid local infiltration in combination with topical 4% hydroquinone cream compared to topical 4% hydroquinone cream alone in patients with melasma.Material and Methods. This study was a prospective assessor- and analyst-blind, randomized split-face clinical trial which was performed on patients with bilateral malar epidermal melasma. A total of 55 patients were enrolled, and each side of their face was randomly allocated to either TA+HQ or HQ alone treatment. The MASI score was applied as an objective measurement to compare two treatment groups. The patient's satisfaction of melasma treatment was evaluated using a four-scale grading, as well.Results. The mean of MASI score in week 16 decreased in both groups significantly (p < 0.01). The therapeutic outcomes were significantly better in TA+HQ group than HQ group (p=0.001). Patients satisfaction with treatment was significantly higher in the TA + HQ group. The difference between the two groups regarding side effect occurrence was not statistically significant.Conclusion. Addition of tranexamic acid injections to conventional hydroquinone therapy can increase the efficacy of topical treatment.This trial is registered withIRCT2015110324865N1.
Ridge Preservation Procedures after Tooth Extractions: A Systematic Review
Authors: Balli Gabriella , Ioannou Andreas , Powell Charles A. , Angelov Nikola , Romanos Georgios E. , Soldatos Nikolaos
Published: July 2018

Background. The purpose of this systematic review was to accurately assess the procedural success of ridge preservation technique through the application of strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data Sources. A methodical search of PubMed of the US National Library of Medicine and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was conducted for applicable articles. Only randomized controlled trials comparing ridge preservation treatment with a nongrafting control, ten-subject minimum sample size, and three or more months of follow-up were included in our study. Types of Studies Reviewed. In a screening between January 1980 and September 2017, articles meeting predetermined criteria were further examined in a qualitative data analysis. A thorough search of the databases provided 1876 articles. Of these records, 174 were assessed for eligibility through the systematic employment of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results. Two records were appropriate for further data analysis. One study used a mixture of a deproteinized cancellous bovine bone and porcine collagen fibers in a block form (DBB/CF), while the other study used leukocyte-platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF). The use of DBB/CF reduced the magnitude of vertical bone resorption, yet the study showed high risk of bias. The use of L-PRF reduced the magnitude of both the horizontal and vertical crestal bone resorption; however, the low sample size created wide standard deviations between the test and control groups. Inherent weaknesses were present in both studies. Through methodical analysis of both records, the dissimilarities prevented the conduction of a meta-analysis. Implications of Key Findings. Within the limitations of this systematic review, L-PRF reduced the magnitude of vertical and horizontal bone resorption, which places L-PRF as a potential material of choice for ridge preservation procedures. Conclusions. Within the limitations and weaknesses of both studies, the use of DBB/CF prevented the vertical crestal bone resorption while the L-PRF prevented both the horizontal and vertical crestal bone resorption. More randomized controlled clinical trials are needed to eliminate all the confounding factors, which bias the outcome of ridge preservation techniques.
Experimental Characterization of NURSE, a Device for Arm Motion Guidance
Authors: Chaparro-Rico Betsy Dayana Marcela , Cafolla Daniele , Ceccarelli Marco , Castillo-Castaneda Eduardo
Published: July 2018

This paper presents an experimental characterization of NURSE, a device for arm motion guidance. The laboratory setup and testing modes are presented to explain the experimental procedure. Two exercises for the upper limb exercise are used to test the NURSE behaviour, and successful results are presented. Trajectories and linear accelerations are tested when the device performs the two exercises without and with load. In addition, torque and power consumption are considered to check the NURSE behaviour.
Experimental and Theoretical Studies on the Corrosion Inhibition of Brass in Hydrochloric Acid by N-(4-((4-Benzhydryl Piperazin-1-yl) Methyl Carbamoyl) Phenyl) Furan-2-Carboxamide
Authors: Zulfareen N. , Venugopal T. , Kannan K.
Published: July 2018

The corrosion inhibition effect of N-(4-((4-Benzhydryl piperazin-1-yl) methyl Carbamoyl) Phenyl) Furan-2-Carboxamide (BFC) on brass in 1M HCl has been investigated using weight loss method, potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The result reveals that BFC acts as a mixed type corrosion inhibitor with more pronounced effect on anodic domain and the inhibition efficiency of BFC increases with increase in temperature ranges from 30°C to 60°C. AC impedance implies thatRctvalue of BFC increases with increase in concentration. CV indicates that the addition of inhibitor controls the oxidation of the copper on the brass metal. The structural confirmation of BFC was carried out by the spectral studies like FT-IR,1H NMR,13C NMR, and the molecular weight was confirmed by LC-MS. Surface characterization of brass with BFC was analysed using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Quantum chemical parameter was used to calculate the electronic properties of BFC in order to confirm the correlation between the inhibitor effect and molecular structure of BFC. BFC has more negative charge on nitrogen and oxygen atom, which facilitates the adsorption of BFC on the surface of brass.
Existence of Equilibria for Discontinuous Games in General Topological Spaces with Binary Relations
Authors: Hou Ji-Cheng
Published: July 2018

We provide several results on the existence of equilibria for discontinuous games in general topological spaces without any convexity structure. All of the theorems yielding existence of equilibria here are stated in terms of the player’s preference relations over joint strategies.
Früherkennung des Lungenkarzinoms durch CT-Screening - Herausforderungen für die europäische Gesundheitspolitik
Authors: Schütte Wolfgang , Möller Miriam
Published: July 2018

Background: Lung cancer kills more Europeans than any other cancer. In 2013, 269,000 citizens of the EU-28 died from this disease. Lung cancer CT screening has the potential to detect lung cancer at an early stage and improve mortality. All of the randomised controlled trials and cohort low-dose CT (LDCT) screening trials across the world have identified very early stage disease (~70%); the majority of these LDCT trial patients were suitable for surgical interventions and had a good clinical outcome. The 10-year survival in CT screen-detected cancer was shown to be even higher than the 5-year survival for early stage disease in clinical practice at 88%. Methods: Setting up of an EU Commission expert group can be done under Article 168(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to develop policy and recommendation for Lung cancer CT screening. The Expert Group would undertake: (a) assist the Commission in the drawing up policy documents, including guidelines and recommendations; (b) advise the Commission in the implementation of Union actions on screening and suggest improvements to the measures taken; (c) advise the Commission in the monitoring, evaluation and dissemination of the results of measures taken at Union and national level. Results: This EU Expert Group on lung cancer screening should be set up by the EU Commission to support the implementation and suggest recommendations for the lung cancer screening policy by 2019/2020. Conclusion: Reduce lung cancer in Europe by undertaking a well-organised lung cancer CT screening programme.
Predictors of High-Risk Adenoma Occurrence at Surveillance Colonoscopy in Patients Who Undergo Colorectal Adenoma Removal
Authors: Lee Jin , Seo Joo Wan , Sim Ho Chan , Choi Joon Hyuk , Heo Nae-Yun , Park Jongha , Park Seung Ha , Moon Young Soo , Kim Tae Oh
Published: July 2018

Objectives: Surveillance colonoscopy is recommended after polypectomy because adenoma recurrence is common. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictors of high-risk adenoma occurrence at surveillance colonoscopy in patients who undergo colorectal adenoma removal and to clarify the association between age and recurrent colorectal adenoma. Methods: This retrospective study included 563 patients who had colorectal adenomas at baseline colonoscopy and who underwent surveillance colonoscopy. The risk factors for recurrent adenoma were evaluated and the 5-year cumulative incidence rates of overall and high-risk adenoma were compared according to age group. Results: During a mean follow-up period of 3.1 years, 305 (54.2%) patients had overall adenoma recurrence, and 80 (14.2%) patients had high-risk adenoma at surveillance colonoscopy. In a multivariate analysis, old age (≥60 years) and presence of multiple adenomas (3 or more) were significantly associated with high-risk adenoma (p = 0.002 and p = 0.006 respectively). The 5-year cumulative incidence rates of high-risk adenoma were 7.4, 16.7, and 24.1% in the < 50, 50–59, and ≥60 years group respectively (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Old age (≥60 years) and presence of multiple adenomas (3 or more) were strongly associated with the occurrence of high-risk adenoma at surveillance colonoscopy. The 5-year cumulative incidence of high-grade adenoma was significantly high in the old age group.