bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Grado de predicción de la motivación hacia las actividades físicodeportivas a través de la orientación de metas, la percepción del éxito y el grado de satisfacción. Un análisis transcultural
Authors: Berlanga Luis A. , Palomino Devia Constanza , Ruiz-Juan Francisco , Gonzalez-Jurado Jose Antonio
Published: September 2018

El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer en qué medida se puede predecir el tipo de motivación hacia la práctica de Actividad Físico-deportiva en función de la orientación de metas, la percepción del éxito y el grado de satisfacción en un análisis transcultural a lo largo de tres países latinos: España, México y Costa Rica. 2168 escolares (Edad 11-16 años) fueron evaluados con 4 instrumentos: Sport Motivation Scale (SMS), Task and Ego Orientation Sport Questionnaire (TEOSQ), Satisfaction Instrument (SSI) y Beliefs About the Causes of Sport Success Questionnaire (BACS). Los resultados mostraron que valores altos de orientación a la tarea, diversión y esfuerzo pueden predecir significativamente la manifestación de motivación intrínseca en los sujetos de los tres países.
Afrontamiento y regulación emocional en estudiantes de fisioterapia
Authors: Cabanach Ramón G. , Souto-Gestal Antonio , González Doniz Luz , Corrás Vázquez Tania
Published: September 2018

Esta investigación tuvo un doble objetivo: la identificación de distintos perfiles de regulación emocional y la comprobación de si estos perfiles se diferencian en el uso de estrategias de afrontamiento ante el estrés académico. Participaron 487 estudiantes de fisioterapia (74% mujeres) de distintas universidades, con edades comprendidas entre 18 y 40 años. Se aplicó la Escala de Dificultades en la Regulación Emocional (Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale [DERS]) y la escala de Estrategias de Afrontamiento del Cuestionario de Estrés Académico (CEA). Se obtuvo un total de tres perfiles de regulación emocional en el análisis de conglomerados. El primero está compuesto por estudiantes con una baja regulación emocional, un segundo grupo con resultados mixtos y un tercer conglomerado que muestra una alta regulación emocional. Se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el uso del total de estrategias de afrontamiento entre los perfiles de baja y alta regulación emocional.
Prevalencia de burnout a través de dos medidas y su relación con variables sociodeportivas
Authors: Olivares Tenza Eva María , Garcés de los Fayos Ruiz Enrique Javier , Ortín Montero Francisco , De Francisco Palacios Cristina María
Published: September 2018

Se estudia la prevalencia del síndrome de burnout en deportistas y su relación con variables sociodeportivas. Se aplicaron los dos instrumentos de medida disponibles en España que miden el constructo: IBD-R y versión española del ABQ, en una muestra de 646 deportistas. Los resultados obtenidos muestran una prevalencia del 4.2 % para el IBD-R y 3.3 % para el ABQ, así como diferencias estadísticamente significativas para sexo, presentando los varones una realización personal más reducida que las mujeres, y niveles competitivos más altos de prevalencia general y de la subescala agotamiento físico/emocional en el nivel nacional que en el local. Estos datos son similares a los hallados en investigaciones anteriores, tanto en prevalencia como en diferencias según variables sociodeportivas.
Targeting nucleotide exchange to inhibit constitutively active G protein α subunits in cancer cells
Authors: Onken Michael D. , Makepeace Carol M. , Kaltenbronn Kevin M. , Kanai Stanley M. , Todd Tyson D. , Wang Shiqi , Broekelmann Thomas J. , Rao Prabakar Kumar , Cooper John A. , Blumer Kendall J.
Published: September 2018

A plant-derived compound may treat patients with diseases caused by Gα mutations.
Evaluation of in-office tooth whitening treatment with violet LED: protocol for a randomised controlled clinical trial
Authors: Santos Ana Eliza Castanho Garrini dos , Bussadori Sandra Kalil , Pinto Marcelo Mendes , Pantano Junior Dácio Antonio , Brugnera Jr Aldo , Zanin Fátima Antonia Aparecida , Rodrigues Maria Fernanda Setúbal Destro , Motta Lara Jansiski , Horliana Anna Carolina Ratto Tempestini
Published: September 2018

Introduction

In-office tooth whitening treatment using violet light emited diode (LED) (405 nm) is a novel bleaching method that causes less sensitivity while offering the same effectiveness as the gold standard (35% hydrogen peroxide, H2O2). This study describes a protocol for the first randomised controlled clinical trial to compare the effects of the two methods.

Methods and analysis

Eighty patients will be divided into four groups: G1 violet LED; G2 violet LED +35% carbamide peroxide; G3 35% H2O2and G4 violet LED +gingivoplasty. Colour will be measured at baseline, immediately after the first session and at the 15 and 180 days follow-up using the Vita Classical and the digital Easyshade V spectrophotometer (Vita, Zahnfabrik, Germany). Sensitivity after whitening will be measured using the Visual Analogue Scale at baseline and at each session in all groups and in all follow-ups. The tissue removed during gingivoplasty (G4) will be submitted to immunohistochemical analysis for the determination of inflammatory changes caused by violet LED. The Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ) will be evaluated before, as well as at established time point controls. The results will be expressed as mean and SD values. After determining the normality of the data, a one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance will be used for the comparison of data with normal distribution and the Kruskal-Wallis test will be used for data with non-normal distribution. A p<0.05 will be considered indicative of statistical significance. After determining the normality of the data, the Kruskal-Wallis test will be used for non-parametric data. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and the Wilcoxon test will be used for comparing data from the PIDAQ.

Ethics and dissemination

This protocol has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of UniversidadeNove de Julho (certificate: 2.034.518). The findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration number

NCT03192852; Pre-results.
‘CPR for Feet’ care bundle to improve foot assessment in inpatient diabetes
Authors: O’Regan Rhea , MacDonald Ross , Boyle James G , Hughes Katherine A , McKenzie Joyce
Published: September 2018

Aims

The Scottish Inpatient Diabetes Foot Audit conducted in 2013 revealed that 57% of inpatients had not had their feet checked on admission, 60% of those at risk did not have pressure relief in place and 2.4% developed a new foot lesion. In response, the Scottish Diabetes Foot Action Group launched the ‘CPR for Feet’ campaign. The aim of this project was to raise awareness of the ‘Check, Protect and Refer’ (CPR) campaign as well as improve the assessment and management of inpatients with diabetes.

Methods

A quality improvement project underpinned by Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) methodology was undertaken. The first and second cycles focused on staff education and the implementation of a ‘CPR for Feet’ assessment checklist using campaign guidelines, training manuals and modules. The third and fourth cycles focused on staff feedback and the implementation of a ‘CPR for Feet’ care bundle.

Results

Baseline measurements revealed 28% of patients had evidence of foot assessment. Medical and nursing staff reported to be largely unaware of the ‘CPR for Feet’ campaign (13%). Fifty-two per cent of inpatients with diabetes had their feet assessed and managed correctly following the second PDSA cycle. After completion of the third and fourth PDSA this number improved further to 72% and all staff reported to be aware of the campaign.

Conclusions

The introduction of a ‘CPR for Feet’ care bundle improved the assessment of inpatients with diabetes.
Pirfenidone in patients with unclassifiable progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease: design of a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled phase II trial
Authors: Maher Toby M , Corte Tamera J , Fischer Aryeh , Kreuter Michael , Lederer David J , Molina-Molina Maria , Axmann Judit , Kirchgaessler Klaus-Uwe , Cottin Vincent
Published: September 2018

Introduction

Despite extensive multidisciplinary team (MDT) assessment, some patients have interstitial lung disease (ILD) that is considered unclassifiable (uILD), for which there are currently no approved treatments. This study will assess the efficacy and safety of the antifibrotic pirfenidone in treating uILD.

Methods and analysis

This double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled phase II trial is enrolling adults with fibrosing ILD, including uILD that fulfils proposed research criteria for interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF), that cannot be classified with moderate or high confidence to any category of ILD following MDT discussion. Study participants must have >10% fibrosis on high-resolution CT scan within the previous 12 months, forced vital capacity (FVC) ≥45% and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide ≥30% of predicted values. Study participants will be randomised to receive 801 mg pirfenidone or placebo three times daily for 24 weeks. The efficacy of pirfenidone vs placebo will be assessed by daily measurement of FVC using a handheld spirometer over the treatment period. Other functional parameters, patient-reported outcomes, samples for biomarker analysis and safety endpoints will be collected. Additionally, the study will assess the efficacy and safety of pirfenidone with and without concomitant mycophenolate mofetil treatment and in study participants with or without IPAF.

Ethics and dissemination

This trial is being conducted in accordance with the International Conference on Harmonisation E6 guideline for Good Clinical Practice, Declaration of Helsinki and local laws for countries in which the research is conducted.

Trial registration number

NCT03099187.
Effectiveness of tobacco cessation pharmacotherapy in the Veterans Health Administration
Authors: Duffy Sonia A , Ignacio Rosalinda V , Kim Hyungjin Myra , Geraci Mark C , Essenmacher Carol A , Hall Stephanie V , Chow Adam , Pfeiffer Paul N , Sherman Scott E , Bohnert Kipling M , Zivin Kara , Barnett Paul George
Published: September 2018

Introduction

In 2003, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) implemented a directive that cessation pharmacotherapy be made available to all who use tobacco and are interested in quitting. Despite the efficacy of cessation pharmacotherapy shown in clinical trials, the generalisability of the results in real-world settings has been challenged. Hence, the specific aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of cessation pharmacotherapies in the VHA.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study used VHA’s electronic medical record data to compare quit rates among those who use tobacco and who did vs. did not receive any type of cessation pharmacotherapy. Included were 589 862 Veterans identified as current tobacco users during fiscal year 2011 who had not received cessation pharmacotherapy in the prior 12 months. Following a 6-month period to assess treatment, quit rates among those who were treated versus untreated were compared during the 7–18 months (12 months) post-treatment follow-up period. The estimated treatment effect was calculated from a logistic regression model adjusting for inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTWs) and covariates. Marginal probabilities of quitting were also obtained among those treated versus untreated.

Results

Adjusting for IPTWs and covariates, the odds of quitting were 24% higher among those treated versus untreated (OR=1.24, 95% CI 1.23 to 1.25, p<0.001). The marginal probabilities of quitting were 16.7% for the untreated versus 19.8% for the treated based on the weighted model.

Conclusion

The increased quit rates among Veterans treated support the effectiveness and continuation of the VHA tobacco cessation pharmacotherapy policy.
‘Care about my animal, know your stuff and take me seriously’: United Kingdom and Australian clients’ views on the capabilities most important in their veterinarians
Authors: Hughes Kirsty , Rhind Susan M , Mossop Liz , Cobb Kate , Morley Emma , Kerrin Máire , Morton Carolyn , Cake Martin
Published: September 2018

Success in veterinary practice requires careful balancing of stakeholder needs. The aim of this study was to investigate the current expectations and needs of veterinary clients across a range of practice types. Interviews and focus groups were undertaken with veterinary clients to identify the capabilities of veterinarians that result in the best client experience, generating a ‘Veterinary Capability Framework’. This comprised six main capabilities each containing 4–10 behavioural indicators: client relationships; professionalism; communication skills; decision‐making and problem solving; commitment to animal welfare; and commitment to quality and the profession. An online survey was then conducted to validate the importance of these capabilities, which was completed by 1446 mostly UK and Australian clients. The data have allowed us to develop a ‘Client Hierarchy of Needs’ which emphasises the fundamental importance of commitment to animal welfare and veterinary capabilities to the client experience. This study is part of the VetSet2Go project, a collaborative international project to define the capabilities most important for employability and success in the veterinary profession today.
Quantitative Stability of Two-Stage Linear Second-Order Conic Stochastic Programs with Full Random Recourse
Authors: Duan Qingsong , Xu Mengwei , Guo Shaoyan , Zhang Liwei
Published: September 2018

In this paper, we consider quantitative stability for full random two-stage linear stochastic program with second-order conic constraints when the underlying probability distribution is subjected to perturbation. We first investigate locally Lipschitz continuity of feasible set mappings of the primal and dual problems in the sense of Hausdorff distance which derives the Lipschitz continuity of the objective function, and then establish the quantitative stability results of the optimal value function and the optimal solution mapping for the perturbation problem. Finally, the obtained results are applied to the convergence analysis of optimal values and solution sets for empirical approximations of the stochastic problems.
Game-Theoretic Semantics for Alternating-Time Temporal Logic
Authors: Goranko Valentin , Kuusisto Antti , Rönnholm Raine
Published: September 2018

We introduce several versions of game-theoretic semantics (GTS) for Alternating-Time Temporal Logic (ATL). In GTS, truth is defined in terms of existence of a winning strategy in a semantic evaluation game. Thus, the game-theoretic perspective appears in the framework of ATL on two semantic levels: on the object level in the standard semantics of the strategic operators and on the meta-level, where game-theoretic logical semantics is applied to ATL. We unify these two perspectives into semantic evaluation games specially designed for ATL. The game-theoretic perspective enables us to identify new variants of the semantics of ATL based on limiting the time resources available to the verifier and falsifier in the semantic evaluation game. We introduce and analyze an
unbounded
and
(ordinal) bounded
GTS and prove these to be equivalent to the standard (Tarski-style) compositional semantics. We show that, in bounded GTS, truth of ATL formulae can always be determined in finite time, that is, without constructing infinite paths. We also introduce a nonequivalent
finitely bounded
semantics and argue that it is natural from both logical and game-theoretic perspectives.
Global Dead-Block Management for Task-Parallel Programs
Authors: Manivannan Madhavan , Pericás Miquel , Papaefstathiou Vassilis , Stenström Per
Published: September 2018

Task-parallel programs inefficiently utilize the cache hierarchy due to the presence of dead blocks in caches. Dead blocks may occupy cache space in multiple cache levels for a long time without providing any utility until they are finally evicted. Existing dead-block prediction schemes take decisions
locally
for each cache level and do not efficiently manage the entire cache hierarchy. This article introduces
runtime-orchestrated global dead-block management
, in which static and dynamic information about tasks available to the runtime system is used to effectively detect and manage dead blocks across the cache hierarchy. In the proposed global management schemes, static information (e.g., when tasks start/finish, and what data regions tasks produce/consume) is combined with dynamic information to detect when/where blocks become dead. When memory regions are deemed dead at some cache level(s), all the associated cache blocks are evicted from the corresponding level(s). We extend the cache controllers at both private and shared cache levels to use the aforementioned information to evict dead blocks. The article does an extensive evaluation of both inclusive and non-inclusive cache hierarchies and shows that the proposed global schemes outperform existing local dead-block management schemes.
Report on EVIA 2017
Authors: Ferro Nicola , Soboroff Ian
Published: September 2018

This is a report on the eighth edition of the International Workshop on Evaluating Information Access (EVIA 2017), co-located with the 13th NTCIR Conference on the Evaluation of Information Access Technologies (NTCIR13) held in Tokyo, Japan, on December 5, 2017.
Treatment of Landfill Leachate Using Activated Sludge Technology: A Review
Authors: Wang Kai , Li Lusheng , Tan Fengxun , Wu Daoji
Published: September 2018

Landfill leachate contains a large amount of organic matter and ammoniacal nitrogen. As such, it has become a complex and difficult issue within the water treatment industry. The activated sludge process has been found to be a good solution with low processing costs and is now therefore the core process for leachate treatment, especially for nitrogen removal. This paper describes the characteristics and treatment of leachate. Treatment of leachate using the activated sludge process includes the removal of organic matter, ammoniacal nitrogen, and total nitrogen (TN). The core method for the removal of organic matter involves anaerobic treatment supplemented with an aerobic process. Ammoniacal nitrogen is commonly removed using a conventional aerobic treatment, and advanced TN removal is achieved using endogenous denitrification or an anaerobic ammonium oxidation (ANAMMOX) process. Since biological processes are the most economical method for TN removal, a key issue is how to tap the full potential of the activated sludge process and improve TN removal from leachate. This complex issue has been identified as the focus of current scholars, as well as an important future direction for leachate research and development.
Hemophilia A Complicated by Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Olivier Maxim , Madruga Mario , Carlan S. J. , Ge Li
Published: September 2018

Background. Hemophilia A is an X-linked recessive disorder characterized by defective synthesis of Factor VIII protein. Depending on the level of FVIII activity, patients may present with easy bruising, inadequate clotting of traumatic or mild injury, or in severe hemophilia, spontaneous hemorrhage. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that is reported to have a decreased frequency of occurrence in subjects with coagulation disorders. Case. A 26-year-old white male with Hemophilia A was admitted for one month of rectal bleeding. The bleeding continued despite Factor VIII replacement and colonoscopy and biopsy were performed confirming the presence of active UC. Conclusion. Ulcerative colitis with underlying F VIII deficiency can result in serious, prolonged, and possibly fatal bleeding if left unrecognized and untreated. Treatment of both conditions concurrently utilizing tertiary facilities and consultations appears to be the safest strategy for management.
Cardiac Dedifferentiated Liposarcoma Requiring a Mitral Valve Replacement Complicated by Severe Paravalvular Leak: A Rare Case Report with Literature Review
Authors: Adhikari Anju , Hafeez Adam , Halalau Alexandra
Published: September 2018

Cardiac sarcomas have a high infiltrative and metastatic potential and are often associated with poor prognosis. These tumors are often identified incidentally by thoracic and cardiac imaging. However, when symptomatic, their presentation can differ based on the localized structural effects on the endocardium, myocardium, pericardium, and valves as well as on dynamic effects on the cardiac function. We report a case of a 61-year-old female who presented to the emergency room with recurrent chest pain, fatigue, and chronic anemia. A transthoracic echocardiogram demonstrated a left atrial mass attached to the septal wall and anterior leaflet of the mitral valve. The mass was further characterized by a transesophageal echocardiogram and cardiac MRI. The patient underwent a resection of the left atrial mass with mitral valve replacement (MVR) and atrial septal defect repair. MVR was later complicated by paravalvular leak leading to acute congestive heart failure. Tissue immune histology was consistent with dedifferentiated liposarcoma. Cardiac dedifferentiated liposarcoma is extremely rare with only few cases reported in literature. We attempt to review the clinical features, diagnosis, and management of cardiac sarcoma with great emphasis.
Lepidiumuridine A: A New Natural Uridine Derivative as a Phytoestrogen Isolated from the Seeds of Lepidium apetalum Willd.
Authors: Li Meng , Zeng Mengnan , Zhang Zhi-guang , Zhang Beibei , Zhang Jingke , Zheng Xiaoke , Feng Weisheng
Published: September 2018

There has been great interest in phytoestrogens, which are polyhydric compounds that are derived from plants and have a structure similar to that of the mammalian steroid hormone 17β‐estradiol. The present study examined the estrogenic effects of a new natural uridine derivative, lepidiumuridine A (LA), that was isolated from the seeds of Lepidium apetalum. The structure was clarified and determined via analysis of extensive spectroscopic data interpretation. The activity of LA was investigated by measuring the levels of estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and the uterus growth in mice. The proliferation experiment of MCF‐7 breast cancer cells was also conducted. Western blot, in‐cell western, and antagonist assays with methyl piperidino‐pyrazole (MPP) were used for exploring the mechanism of the effects of LA. The results showed that LA elevated the uterine coefficient, the levels of E2, and FSH significantly. In addition, LA significantly elevated ERα expression in the uterus and MCF‐7 cells. MPP inhibited the proliferation of LA‐stimulated MCF‐7 cell and ERα expression in MCF‐7 cells. Taken together, LA had an estrogen‐like effect, which was mainly mediated by the estrogen receptor ERα.
Energy and Area Costs of Lightweight Cryptographic Algorithms for Authenticated Encryption in WSN
Authors: Lara-Nino Carlos Andres , Diaz-Perez Arturo , Morales-Sandoval Miguel
Published: September 2018

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) aim at linking the cyber and physical worlds. Their security has taken relevance due to the sensitive data these networks might process under unprotected physical and cybernetic environments. The operational constraints in the sensor nodes demand security primitives with small implementation size and low power consumption. Authenticated encryption is a mechanism to provide these systems with confidentiality, integrity, and authentication of sensitive data. In this paper we explore hardware implementation alternatives of authenticated encryption through generic compositions, to assess the costs of this security approach in WSN. Two symmetric ciphers, AES and PRESENT, and two hash functions, SHA andSPONGENT, are used as the underlying primitives for the generic compositions. All the architectures studied in this work are implemented and evaluated in an FPGA-based WSN mote. The life time of the sensor node is used as the main evaluation metric but FPGA resources are also reported. From the experimental results obtained, it is shown how lightweight ciphers significantly contribute to reduce implementation area and energy consumption overheads, extending the lifetime of the sensor node.
Ensemble Learning‐Based Person Re‐identification with Multiple Feature Representations
Authors: Yang Yun , Liu Xiaofang , Ye Qiongwei , Tao Dapeng
Published: September 2018

As an important application in video surveillance, person reidentification enables automatic tracking of a pedestrian through different disjointed camera views. It essentially focuses on extracting or learning feature representations followed by a matching model using a distance metric. In fact, person reidentification is a difficult task because, first, no universal feature representation can perfectly identify the amount of pedestrians in the gallery obtained by a multicamera system. Although different features can be fused into a composite representation, the fusion still does not fully explore the difference, complementarity, and importance between different features. Second, a matching model always has a limited amount of training samples to learn a distance metric for matching probe images against a gallery, which certainly results in an unstable learning process and poor matching result. In this paper, we address the issues of person reidentification by the ensemble theory, which explores the importance of different feature representations, and reconcile several matching models on different feature representations to an optimal one via our proposed weighting scheme. We have carried out the simulation on two well‐recognized person reidentification benchmark datasets: VIPeR and ETHZ. The experimental results demonstrate that our approach achieves state‐of‐the‐art performance.
Acinetobacter Prevertebral Abscess: Presenting as Dysphagia in a Diabetic Patient
Authors: Manmathan R. , Kumanan T. , Pradeepan J. A.
Published: September 2018

Acinetobacter species frequently causes nosocomial infection, particularly in patients receiving invasive ventilation at intensive care units for a prolonged period. Odynophagia is a rare, initial clinical manifestation of prevertebral abscess which subsequently develops when the abscess extends into the retropharyngeal space causing a midline bulge of the posterior pharyngeal wall. Here, we present and discuss a patient with uncontrolled diabetic mellitus who presented with severe odynophagia and dysphagia. He was diagnosed to have prevertebral abscess caused by a rarely reported bacteria, Acinetobacter baumannii.
EEG-Based Automatic Sleep Staging Using Ontology and Weighting Feature Analysis
Authors: Zhang Bingtao , Lei Tao , Liu Hong , Cai Hanshu
Published: September 2018

Sleep staging is considered as an effective indicator for auxiliary diagnosis of sleep diseases and related psychiatric diseases, so it attracts a lot of attention from sleep researchers. Nevertheless, sleep staging based on visual inspection of tradition is subjective, time-consuming, and error-prone due to the large bulk of data which have to be processed. Therefore, automatic sleep staging is essential in order to solve these problems. In this article, an electroencephalogram- (EEG-) based scheme that is able to automatically classify sleep stages is proposed. Firstly, EEG data are preprocessed to remove artifacts, extract features, and normalization. Secondly, the normalized features and other context information are stored using an ontology-based model (OBM). Thirdly, an improved method of self-adaptive correlation analysis is designed to select the most effective EEG features. Based on these EEG features and weighting features analysis, the improved random forest (RF) is considered as the classifier to achieve the classification of sleep stages. To investigate the classification ability of the proposed method, several sets of experiments are designed and conducted to classify the sleep stages into two, three, four, and five states. The accuracy of five-state classification is 89.37%, which is improved compared to the accuracy using unimproved RF (84.37%) or previously reported classifiers. In addition, a set of controlled experiments is executed to verify the effect of the number of sleep segments (epochs) on the classification, and the results demonstrate that the proposed scheme is less affected by the sleep segments.
The Comparison of Grey System and the Verhulst Model for Rainfall and Water in Dam Prediction
Authors: Puripat Chalermchai , Sarikavanij Sukuman
Published: September 2018

A time series of data of rainfall in Thailand between the years 2005 and 2015 was employed to predict possible future rainfall based on Julong Deng’s grey systems theory and the grey Verhulst model to see which model can predict more accurately with uncertain and limited data. Firstly, the rainfall data were arranged to display the overall patterns of rainfall volume along with its frequency as well as the temperature during Thailand’s rainy seasons. This makes it possible to see the cycle of rainfall, which is too long for people to intuitively understand the nature of precipitation. One puzzling phenomenon that has made rainfall forecast elusive is the unpredictability of the haphazard nature of rainfall in Thailand. A more precise prediction would certainly result in a better control of water volume in rivers and dams for fruitful agricultural business and adequate human consumption. This can also prevent the flooding that can devastate the economy and transportation of the whole country and also tremendously improve the future water management policy in many ways. This effective prediction could also be employed elsewhere around the globe for similar benefits. Hence, the grey systems theory and the grey Verhulst model are juxtaposed to determine a better prediction possible.
Optimal Intervention in Semi‐Markov‐Based Asynchronous Probabilistic Boolean Networks
Authors: Liu Qiuli , Zeng Qingguo , Huang Jinghao , Li Deliang
Published: September 2018

Synchronous probabilistic Boolean networks (PBNs) and generalized asynchronous PBNs have received significant attention over the past decade as a tool for modeling complex genetic regulatory networks. From a biological perspective, the occurrence of interactions among genes, such as transcription, translation, and degradation, may require a few milliseconds or even up to a few seconds. Such a time delay can be best characterized by generalized asynchronous PBNs. This paper attempts to study an optimal control problem in a generalized asynchronous PBN by employing the theory of average value‐at‐risk (AVaR) for finite horizon semi‐Markov decision processes. Specifically, we first formulate a control model for a generalized asynchronous PBN as an AVaR model for finite horizon semi‐Markov decision processes and then solve an optimal control problem for minimizing average value‐at‐risk criterion over a finite horizon. In order to illustrate the validity of our approach, a numerical example is also displayed.
Treg Destabilization and Reprogramming: Implications for Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Munn David H. , Sharma Madhav D. , Johnson Theodore S.
Published: September 2018

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are an important contributor to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. To date, however, they have been difficult to target for therapy. One emerging new aspect of Treg biology is their apparent functional instability in the face of certain acute proinflammatory signals such as IL6 and IFNγ. Under the right conditions, these signals can cause a rapid loss of suppressor activity and reprogramming of the Tregs into a proinflammatory phenotype. In this review, we propose the hypothesis that this phenotypic modulation does not reflect infidelity to the Treg lineage, but rather represents a natural, physiologic response of Tregs during beneficial inflammation. In tumors, however, this inflammation-induced Treg destabilization is actively opposed by dominant stabilizing factors such as indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase and the PTEN phosphatase pathway in Tregs. Under such conditions, tumor-associated Tregs remain highly suppressive and inhibit cross-presentation of tumor antigens released by dying tumor cells. Interrupting these Treg stabilizing pathways can render tumor-associated Tregs sensitive to rapid destabilization during immunotherapy, or during the wave of cell death following chemotherapy or radiation, thus enhancing antitumor immune responses. Understanding the emerging pathways of Treg stabilization and destabilization may reveal new molecular targets for therapy. Cancer Res; 78(18); 5191–9. ©2018 AACR.
p63-Dependent Dickkopf3 Expression Promotes Esophageal Cancer Cell Proliferation via CKAP4
Authors: Kajiwara Chihiro , Fumoto Katsumi , Kimura Hirokazu , Nojima Satoshi , Asano Keita , Odagiri Kazuki , Yamasaki Makoto , Hikita Hayato , Takehara Tetsuo , Doki Yuichiro , Morii Eiichi , Kikuchi Akira
Published: September 2018

Dickkopf3 (DKK3) is a secretory protein that belongs to the DKK family, but exhibits structural divergence from other family members, and its corresponding receptors remain to be identified. Although DKK3 has been shown to have oncogenic functions in certain cancer types, the underlying mechanism by which DKK3 promotes tumorigenesis remains to be clarified. We show here that DKK3 stimulates esophageal cancer cell proliferation via cytoskeleton-associated protein 4 (CKAP4), which acts as a receptor for DKK3. DKK3 was expressed in approximately 50% of tumor lesions of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cases; simultaneous expression of DKK3 and CKAP4 was associated with poor prognosis. Anti-CKAP4 antibody inhibited both binding of DKK3 to CKAP4 and xenograft tumor formation induced by ESCC cells. p63, a p53-related transcriptional factor frequently amplified in ESCC, bound to the upstream region of the DKK3 gene. Knockdown of p63 decreased DKK3 expression in ESCC cells, and reexpression of DKK3 partially rescued cell proliferation in p63-depleted ESCC cells. Expression of ΔNp63α and DKK3 increased the size of tumor-like esophageal organoids, and anti-CKAP4 antibody inhibited growth of esophageal organoids. Taken together, these results suggest that the DKK3-CKAP4 axis might serve as a novel molecular target for ESCC.

Significance: In esophageal cancer, findings identify DKK3 as a poor prognostic indicator and demonstrate CKAP4 inhibition as an effective therapeutic strategy. Cancer Res; 78(21); 6107–20. ©2018 AACR.
Cyclin E Overexpression Sensitizes Triple-Negative Breast Cancer to Wee1 Kinase Inhibition
Authors: Chen Xian , Low Kwang-Huei , Alexander Angela , Jiang Yufeng , Karakas Cansu , Hess Kenneth R. , Carey Jason P.W. , Bui Tuyen N. , Vijayaraghavan Smruthi , Evans Kurt W. , Yi Min , Ellis D. Christian , Cheung Kwok-Leung , Ellis Ian O. , Fu Siqing , Meric-Bernstam Funda , Hunt Kelly K. , Keyomarsi Khandan
Published: September 2018

Purpose:

Poor prognosis in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is due to an aggressive phenotype and lack of biomarker-driven targeted therapies. Overexpression of cyclin E and phosphorylated-CDK2 are correlated with poor survival in patients with TNBC, and the absence of CDK2 desensitizes cells to inhibition of Wee1 kinase, a key cell-cycle regulator. We hypothesize that cyclin E expression can predict response to therapies, which include the Wee1 kinase inhibitor, AZD1775.

Experimental Design:

Mono- and combination therapies with AZD1775 were evaluated in TNBC cell lines and multiple patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models with different cyclin E expression profiles. The mechanism(s) of cyclin E–mediated replicative stress were investigated following cyclin E induction or CRISPR/Cas9 knockout by a number of assays in multiple cell lines.

Results:

Cyclin E overexpression (i) is enriched in TNBCs with high recurrence rates, (ii) sensitizes TNBC cell lines and PDX models to AZD1775, (iii) leads to CDK2-dependent activation of DNA replication stress pathways, and (iv) increases Wee1 kinase activity. Moreover, treatment of cells with either CDK2 inhibitors or carboplatin leads to transient transcriptional induction of cyclin E (in cyclin E–low tumors) and result in DNA replicative stress. Such drug-mediated cyclin E induction in TNBC cells and PDX models sensitizes them to AZD1775 in a sequential treatment combination strategy.

Conclusions:Cyclin E is a potential biomarker of response (i) for AZD1775 as monotherapy in cyclin E–high TNBC tumors and (ii) for sequential combination therapy with CDK2 inhibitor or carboplatin followed by AZD1775 in cyclin E–low TNBC tumors.
Human Umbilical Cord Blood Therapy Protects Cerebral White Matter from Systemic LPS Exposure in Preterm Fetal Sheep
Authors: Paton Madison C.B. , Allison Beth J. , Li Jingang , Fahey Michael C. , Sutherland Amy E. , Nitsos Ilias , Bischof Robert J. , Dean Justin M. , Moss Timothy J.M. , Polglase Graeme R. , Jenkin Graham , McDonald Courtney A. , Miller Suzanne L.
Published: September 2018

Background: Infants born preterm following exposure to in utero inflammation/chorioamnionitis are at high risk of brain injury and life-long neurological deficits. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of early intervention umbilical cord blood (UCB) cell therapy in a large animal model of preterm brain inflammation and injury. We hypothesised that UCB treatment would be neuroprotective for the preterm brain following subclinical fetal inflammation. Methods: Chronically instrumented fetal sheep at 0.65 gestation were administered lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 150 ng, 055:B5) intravenously over 3 consecutive days, followed by 100 million human UCB mononuclear cells 6 h after the final LPS dose. Controls were administered saline instead of LPS and cells. Ten days after the first LPS dose, the fetal brain and cerebrospinal fluid were collected for analysis of subcortical and periventricular white matter injury and inflammation. Results: LPS administration increased microglial aggregate size, neutrophil recruitment, astrogliosis and cell death compared with controls. LPS also reduced total oligodendrocyte count and decreased mature myelinating oligodendrocytes. UCB cell therapy attenuated cell death and inflammation, and recovered total and mature oligodendrocytes, compared with LPS. Conclusions: UCB cell treatment following inflammation reduces preterm white matter brain injury, likely mediated via anti-inflammatory actions.
Effects of a DPP4 Inhibitor on Progression of NASH-related HCC and the p62/ Keap1/Nrf2-Pentose Phosphate Pathway in a Mouse Model
Authors: Kawaguchi Takumi , Nakano Dan , Koga Hironori , Torimura Takuji
Published: September 2018

Background and Aims: Diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP4i), an antidiabetic agent, is reported to affect cell proliferation. We aimed to investigate the effects of DPP4i on the progression of NASH-related HCC and its metabolic pathway in a mouse model. Methods: A mouse model of NASH-related HCC was used in this study. Eight-week-old mice were administered either DPP4i (sitagliptin 30 mg/kg/day; DPP4i group; n = 8) or distilled water (control group; n = 8) for 10 weeks. Then, HCC progression was evaluated by computed tomography. Changes in metabolites of HCC tissue were analyzed by metabolomic analysis. The localization and expression of p62, Keap1, Nrf2, and MCM7 were evaluated by immunostaining and immunoblotting, respectively. Results: The number and volume of HCC were significantly lower in the DPP4i group than in the control group (1.8 ± 1.2 vs. 4.5 ± 1.7/liver, p < 0.01; 11.2 ± 20.8 vs. 37.5 ± 72.5 mm3/tumor, p < 0.05). Metabolome analysis revealed that DPP4i significantly increased 6-phosphogluconic acid and ribose 5-phosphate levels and decreased the AMP-to-adenine and GMP-to-guanine ratios (AMP-to-adenine ratio 0.7 ± 0.2 vs. 2.0 ± 1.2, p < 0.01; GMP-to-guanine ratio 0.6 ± 0.3 vs. 1.5 ± 0.7, p < 0.01). Immunostaining showed that p62 was localized in the cytoplasm of HCC in the DPP4i group, while p62 was localized in the nucleus of HCC in the control group. Keap1, Nrf2, and MCM7 expression decreased significantly in the DPP4i group compared to that in the control group. Conclusions: We demonstrated that DDP4i prevented the progression of NASH-related HCC in a mouse model. Furthermore, metabolome analysis revealed that DDP4i downregulated the pentose phosphate pathway with suppression of the p62/Keap1/Nrf2 pathway. Thus, DDP4i may prevent tumor progression through inhibition of metabolic reprogramming in NASH-related HCC.
Meiotic Synapsis and Gene Expression Altered by a Balanced Y-Autosome Reciprocal Translocation in an Azoospermic Pig
Authors: Mary Nicolas , Villagómez Daniel A.F. , Revay Tamas , Rezaei Samira , Donaldson Brendan , Pinton Alain , King W. Allan
Published: September 2018

Meiotic sex chromosome silencing (MSCS) has been argued as a prerequisite for normal meiotic cell division progression during the synaptic prophase I stage. Furthermore, irregular asynapsis of autosomal axes at meiosis may be encompassing the lack of transcriptional activity normally observed for the X and Y sex chromosomes. Therefore, any chromosomal rearrangement compromising the normal mechanism of MSCS and/or the contrary, the normal meiotic transcriptional activity of autosomal chromosomes, may be observed as a meiotic and concomitant spermatogenesis arrest. Previously, we have described a Y-autosome translocation t(Y;13)(p1.3;q3.3) in an azoospermic boar. Its chromosome synapsis behavior by synaptonemal complex immunostaining and FISH analyses is documented here. Histone γH2AX protein foci appeared to be located at unsynapsed chromosomal segments (e.g., X chromosome univalents or unpaired multivalent segments), although interestingly a high proportion of primary spermatocytes showed full paired synaptonemal complex-multivalent configurations which were devoid of a γH2AX focus signal, indicating meiotic chromosome silencing. RT-qPCR analysis of testicular expression showed downregulation of 3 SSC13 genes (MLH1, SOX2, UBE2B) and upregulation of SSCY genes (ZFY, SRY). The irregularity of the normal transcription pattern in case of these genes with proven roles in the testis is in agreement with the cytological observations and could contribute to the observed phenotype.
Perfusion Tissue Culture Initiates Differential Remodeling of Internal Thoracic Arteries, Radial Arteries, and Saphenous Veins
Authors: Prim David A. , Menon Vinal , Hasanian Shahd , Carter Laurel , Shazly Tarek , Potts Jay D. , Eberth John F.
Published: September 2018

Adaptive remodeling processes are essential to the maintenance and viability of coronary artery bypass grafts where clinical outcomes depend strongly on the tissue source. In this investigation, we utilized an ex vivo perfusion bioreactor to culture porcine analogs of common human bypass grafts: the internal thoracic artery (ITA), the radial artery (RA), and the great saphenous vein (GSV), and then evaluated samples acutely (6 h) and chronically (7 days) under in situ or coronary-like perfusion conditions. Although morphologically similar, primary cells harvested from the ITA illustrated lower intimal and medial, but not adventitial, cell proliferation rates than those from the RA or GSV. Basal gene expression levels were similar in all vessels, with only COL3A1, SERPINE1, FN1, and TGFB1 being differentially expressed prior to culture; however, over half of all genes were affected nominally by the culturing process. When exposed to coronary-like conditions, RAs and GSVs experienced pathological remodeling not present in ITAs or when vessels were studied in situ. Many of the remodeling genes perturbed at 6 h were restored after 7 days (COL3A1, FN1, MMP2, and TIMP1) while others (SERPINE1, TGFB1, and VCAM1) were not. The findings elucidate the potential mechanisms of graft failure and highlight strategies to encourage healthy ex vivo pregraft conditioning.
СТАН ПРООКСИДАНТНО-АНТИОКСИДАНТНОЇ СИСТЕМИ В ТКАНИНАХ ПАРОДОНТА ЗА УМОВ РОЗВИТКУ ЕКСПЕРИМЕНТАЛЬНОЇ БРОНХІАЛЬНОЇ АСТМИ
Authors: Shchepanskii B. F.
Published: September 2018

Причиною запальних хвороб тканин пародонта можуть бути різноманітні чинники. Будь-які системні захворювання та їх ускладнення, в свою чергу, можуть негативно впливати на патологічні процеси в тканинах пародонта. Гіпоксичні стани, які виникають при бронхіальній астмі (БА), призводять до порушення киснево-відновлювальних процесів і трофіки тканин пародонта.Мета дослідження – визначення окремих показників перекисного окиснення ліпідів (ПОЛ) та антиоксидантної системи (АОС) у слизовій оболонці пародонта мурчаків при модельному процесі експериментальної БА на 4, 18, 25 доби експерименту.Матеріал і методи. Досліди були проведені на 40 морських свинках (самцях) масою тіла 0,25–0,27 кг. Тварин поділили на чотири групи, по десять тварин у кожній. Інтактні тварини складали першу групу; тварини з експериментальною БА – другу, третю, четверту групи відповідно на 4, 18, 25 доби експерименту. Експериментальну БА відтворювали за методом В. І. Бабича. В слизовій оболонці пародонта інтактних морських свинок та тварин з експериментальною БА з продуктів ПОЛ визначали вміст малонового діальдегіду (МДА) за методом Е. Н. Коробейнікова, вміст дієнових кон’югатів (ДК) – за методом В. Б. Гаврилова та М. І. Мишкорудної. З показників АОС визначали активність супероксиддисмутази (СОД) за методом R. Fried, активність каталази (КТ) – за методом B. Holmes, C. Masters, вміст церулоплазміну (ЦП) – за методом В. Г. Колб та В. С. Камишнікова. Результати дослідження обробляли за методом варіаційної статистики з використанням критерію Стьюдента.Результати. Результати досліджень показали зміни окремих показників прооксидантно-антиоксидантної системи залежно від періодів формування БА: збільшення вмісту МДА та ДК, збільшення, з подальшим зниженням, активності СОД, КТ, ЦП у всі терміни експерименту.Висновки. Отримані результати свідчать про значні зміни показників прооксидантно-антиоксидантної системи в слизовій оболонці пародонта експериментальних тварин з БА та є важливими для розуміння патогенезу БА. Дані дослідження дають можливість для пошуку досконаліших та ефективніших методів діагностики БА.
АНАЛІЗ ЕФЕКТИВНОСТІ КОМПЛЕКСНОЇ РЕАБІЛІТАЦІЇ ІЗ ЗАСТОСУВАННЯМ ГОЛКОРЕФЛЕКСОТЕРАПІЇ НА ОСНОВІ ОЦІНКИ КЛІНІЧНИХ ПАРАМЕТРІВ І ЛАБОРАТОРНИХ ПОКАЗНИКІВ ХВОРИХ НА ЦУКРОВИЙ ДІАБЕТ
Authors: Babinets L. S. , Redkva O. V. , Lazarchuk T. B. , Kryskiv O. I.
Published: September 2018

Метою дослідження було оцінити ефективність запропонованої методики реабілітації хворих на цукровий діабет (ЦД) 2 типу на основі аналізу клінічних параметрів і лабораторних показників. Сумарна кількість виявлених ознак у пацієнтів 1 групи знизилась на 14,13 % (р<0,005), 2 групи – на 43,51 % (р<0,005). У 2 групі рівень глюкози знизився на 11,33 % (р<0,01) порівняно із 7,69 % (р<0,005) у пацієнтів 1 групи, HbA1c на 4,46 % (р<0,005) проти 1,71 % (р>0,05) відповідно. Використання курсу голкорефлексотерапії за методом Пекінської школи Конг Лін із 11 сеансів у комплексній реабілітації пацієнтів із ЦД 2 типу з супутньою ангіопатією нижніх кінцівок підвищує ефективність лікування.