bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
mTOR Dysregulation by Vaccinia Virus F17 Controls Multiple Processes with Varying Roles in Infection
Authors: Meade Nathan , King Melvin , Munger Joshua , Walsh Derek
Published: May 2019

Poxviruses are large, double-stranded DNA viruses that replicate entirely in the cytoplasm, an unusual act that activates pathogen sensors and innate antiviral responses. In order to replicate, poxviruses therefore encode a wide range of innate immune antagonists that include F17, a protein that dysregulates the kinase mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) to suppress interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) responses. However, the host sensor(s) that detects infection in the absence of F17 and its precise contribution to infection remains unknown. Here, we show that the cytosolic DNA sensor cGAS is primarily responsible for activating ISG responses in biologically relevant cell types infected with a poxvirus that does not express F17. However, in line with their expression of ∼100 proteins that act as immune response and ISG antagonists, while F17 helps suppress cGAS-mediated responses, we find that a critical function of its mTOR dysregulation activity is to enhance poxvirus protein production.
Robust Stoichiometry of FliW-CsrA Governs Flagellin Homeostasis and Cytoplasmic Organization in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Oshiro R. T. , Rajendren S. , Hundley H. A. , Kearns D. B.
Published: May 2019

The intracellular concentration of flagellar filament protein Hag is restricted by the Hag-FliW-CsrA system in
B. subtilis
. Here we show that the Hag-FliW-CsrA
dimer
system functions at nearly 1:1:1 stoichiometry and that the system is both robust with respect to perturbation and hypersensitive to the Hag intracellular concentration. Moreover, restriction of cytoplasmic Hag levels is important for maintaining proper intracellular architecture, as artificial Hag hyperaccumulation led to generalized spatial defects and a high frequency of minicell production. The Hag-FliW-CsrA system is conserved in the deeper branches of bacterial phylogeny, and we note that the Hag-FliW-CsrA “homeostasis module” resembles a toxin-antitoxin system where, by analogy, CsrA is the “toxin,” FliW is the “antitoxin,” and Hag is the target.
Barcoded Consortium Infections Resolve Cell Type-Dependent Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Entry Mechanisms
Authors: Di Martino Maria Letizia , Ek Viktor , Hardt Wolf-Dietrich , Eriksson Jens , Sellin Mikael E.
Published: May 2019

Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium (
S
.Tm) is a widespread and broad-host-spectrum enteropathogen with the capacity to invade diverse cell types. Still, the molecular basis for the host cell invasion process has largely been inferred from studies of a few selected cell lines. Our work resolves the mechanisms that
Salmonellae
employ to invade prototypical host cell types, i.e., human epithelial, monocyte, and macrophage cells, at a previously unattainable level of temporal and quantitative precision. This highlights efficient bacterium-driven entry into innate immune cells and uncovers a type III secretion system effector module that dominates active bacterial invasion of not only epithelial cells but also monocytes and macrophages. The results are derived from a generalizable method, where we combine barcoding of the bacterial chromosome with mixed consortium infections of cultured host cells. The application of this methodology across bacterial species and infection models will provide a scalable means to address host-pathogen interactions in diverse contexts.
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Tegument Protein UL46 Inhibits TANK-Binding Kinase 1-Mediated Signaling
Authors: You Hongjuan , Zheng Sisilia , Huang Zhiming , Lin Yingying , Shen Qingtang , Zheng Chunfu
Published: May 2019

HSV-1 has evolved multiple strategies to evade host antiviral responses and establish a lifelong latent infection, but the molecular mechanisms by which HSV-1 interrupts antiviral innate immunity are not completely understood. As TBK1 is very critical for antiviral innate immunity, it is of great interest to reveal the immune evasion mechanism of HSV-1 by targeting TBK1. In the present study, HSV-1 UL46 was found to inhibit the activation of IFN-I by targeting TBK1, suggesting that the evasion of TBK1 mediated antiviral innate immunity by HSV-1 UL46. Findings in this study will provide new insights into the host-virus interaction and help develop new approaches against HSV-1 infection.
Использование структурных мутаций в объектно-ориентированных математических моделях манипуляционных систем роботов
Authors: Крахмалев Олег Николаевич , Krakhmalev Oleg Nikolaevich
Published: May 2019

Рассмотрено использование метода целенаправленных структурных мутаций математических моделей. Метод позволяет создавать приближeнные модели манипуляционных систем роботов путeм модификации их объектно-ориентированных математических моделей. Манипуляционные системы рассматриваются как непрерывно-детерминированные системы, описываемые системами алгебраических и обыкновенных дифференциальных уравнений. Реализация данного метода основывается на возможностях предоставляемых методом визуального конструирования объектных схем математических моделей. Модификации объектных схем проводятся путeм замены выбранных в них частей на альтернативные этим частям объекты. Применение метода структурных мутаций позволяет компенсировать влияние случайных факторов, не учитываемых исходной математической моделью, полученной аналитическим способом.
Appendiceal fat stranding on CT: a red herring in a post-caesarean section woman with Ogilvie’s syndrome (OS)
Authors: Choy Kay Tai , Chiam Heng-Chin
Published: May 2019

A 30-year-old woman was referred for a surgical review with abdominal pain and distension 2 days post-caesearean section. Abdominal X-ray showed dilated bowel loops. CT of her abdomen however showed fat stranding around a thickened appendix, suggesting a differential diagnosis of acute appendicitis on top of a postoperative ileus. Failure to respond to intravenous antibiotics led to an emergent surgical exploratory laparotomy, by which time the progressive caecal dilatation had led to patchy necrosis and perforation of the right hemicolon intra-operatively. The patient required a right hemicolectomy and histological examination of the excised bowel supported the diagnosis of Ogilvie’s syndrome. This case highlights the red herrings that one can encounter when faced with a woman with post-caesarean section abdominal pain and aims to raise awareness among clinicians of this condition—where timely diagnosis and management is key.
A case of remitting hemicrania continua with seasonal variation and clustering: a diagnostic confusion with cluster headache
Authors: Prakash Sanjay , Rawat Kalu Singh
Published: May 2019

Hemicrania continua (HC) is an indomethacin responsive primary headache that is characterised by a continuous strictly unilateral headache with periodic exacerbations. About 15% may have a remitting subtype of HC. Herein, we are reporting a 36-year-old man who had a 5-year history of episodic right-sided headaches. The headaches used to occur in a discrete series lasting 4–6 weeks, separated by pain-free remissions of 10–11 months. In each relapse, he had continuous background pain with superimposed exacerbations. The superimposed exacerbations were 1–2 attacks per day, lasting for 2–5 hours, and were associated with ipsilateral cranial autonomic symptoms. However, the patient did not respond to usual therapies of custer headache (CH). He had a complete response to indomethacin. We suggest that remitting subtype of HC may mimic CH. A therapeutic trial of indomethacin should be done in all strictly unilateral headaches who are not responding to other drugs.
Effectiveness of surgical fixation for lateral compression type one (LC-1) fragility fractures of the pelvis: a systematic review
Authors: Booth Alison , Ingoe Helen Margaret Ann , Northgraves Matthew , Coleman Elizabeth , Harden Melissa , Kassam Jamila , Kwok Iris , Hilton Catherine , Bates Peter , McDaid Catriona
Published: May 2019

Objectives

To undertake a systematic review of the evidence base for the effectiveness of surgical fixation of lateral compression (LC-1) fragility fractures of the pelvis compared with non-surgical approaches.

Searches

MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and two international trials registers were searched up to January 2017 (MEDLINE to February 2019) for studies of internal or external fixation of fragility fractures of the pelvis.

Participants

Patients with lateral compression pelvic fractures, sustained as the result of a low-energy mechanism, defined as a fall from standing height or less.

Interventions

Surgery using either external or internal fixation devices. Conservative non-surgical treatment was the defined comparator.

Outcome measures

Outcomes of interest were patient mobility and function, pain, quality of life, fracture union, mortality, hospital length of stay and complications (additional operative procedures, number and type of adverse events and serious adverse events).

Quality assessment and synthesis

The Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist for Case Series was used to assess the included studies. Results were presented in a narrative synthesis.

Results

Of 3421 records identified, four retrospective case series met the inclusion criteria. Fixation types were not consistent between studies or within studies and most patients had more than one type of pelvic fixation. Where reported, mobility and function improved post-surgery, and a reduction in pain was recorded. Length of hospital stay ranged from 4 days to 54 days for surgical fixation of any type. Reported complications and adverse outcomes included: infections, implant loosening, pneumonia and thrombosis. Use of analgesia was not reported.

Conclusions

There is insufficient evidence to support guidance on the most effective treatment for patients who fail to mobilise after sustaining an LC-1 fragility fracture.

Trial registration number

CRD42017055872.
Acute Cuff Tear Repair Trial (ACCURATE): protocol for a multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled trial on the efficacy of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair
Authors: Ryösä Anssi , Kukkonen Juha , Björnsson Hallgren Hanna Cecilia , Moosmayer Stefan , Holmgren Teresa , Ranebo Mats , Bøe Berte , Äärimaa Ville
Published: May 2019

Introduction

Rotator cuff tear is a very common and disabling condition that can be related to acute trauma. Rotator cuff tear surgery is a well-established form of treatment in acute rotator cuff tears. Despite its widespread use and almost a gold standard position, the efficacy of an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is still unknown. The objective of this trial is to investigate the difference in outcome between arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and inspection of the shoulder joint defined as placebo surgery in patients 45–70 years of age with an acute rotator tear related to trauma.

Methods and analysis

Acute Cuff Tear Repair Trial (ACCURATE) is a randomised, placebo-controlled, multicentre efficacy trial with sample size of 180 patients. Concealed allocation is done in 1:1 ratio. The randomisation is stratified according to participating hospital, gender and baseline Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC). Both groups receive the same standardised postoperative treatment and physiotherapy. The primary outcome measure is the change in WORC score from baseline to 2-year follow-up. Secondary outcome measures include Constant-Murley Score, the Numerical Rating Scale for pain, subjective patient satisfaction and the health-related quality of life instrument 15 dimensions (15D). Patients and outcome assessors are blinded from the allocated intervention. The primary analysis of results will be conducted according to intention-to-treat analysis.

Ethics and dissemination

The study protocol for this clinical trial has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Hospital District of Southwest Finland and Regional Ethics Committee in Linköping Sweden and Regional Committees for Medical and Health Research Ethics South East in Norway. Every recruiting centre will apply local research approvals. The results of this study will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NCT02885714; Pre-results.
Sociodemographic factors in relation to hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment and control in a multi-ethnic Asian population: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Liew Seaw Jia , Lee John Tayu , Tan Chuen Seng , Koh Choon Huat Gerald , Van Dam Rob , Müller-Riemenschneider Falk
Published: May 2019

Objectives

Literature suggested that multi-ethnic Western populations experienced differential hypertension outcomes, but evidence is limited in Asia. This study was aimed to determine sociodemographic correlates of hypertension and its awareness, treatment and control among a multi-ethnic Asian population living in Singapore.

Setting

We used cross-sectional data of participants from the Multi-Ethnic Cohort (MEC) (n=14 530) recruited in Singapore between 2004 and 2010.

Participants

Participants who completed questionnaire and attended health examination, without cardiovascular diseases, cancer, stroke, renal failure, asthma and mental illnesses were included in the study. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine sociodemographics factors associated with hypertension, unawareness of having hypertension, untreated and uncontrolled hypertension.

Results

Among 10 215 participants (47.2% Chinese, 26.0% Malay and 26.8% Indian), hypertension prevalence was estimated to be 31.1%. Older age, Malay ethnicity, male, lower educational level and being homemaker or retired/unemployed were factors significantly associated with hypertension. Stratified analysis suggested that age and education were consistently associated with hypertension across all ethnic groups. The proportions of being unaware, untreated and uncontrolled were 49.0%, 25.2% and 62.4%, respectively. Ethnicity and younger age were associated with unawareness; younger age, male and lower educational level were associated with untreated hypertension and older age was associated with uncontrolled hypertension.

Conclusions

In this study, ethnic differences in relation to hypertension were associated with sociodemographic variability in ethnic groups. Age and educational level were consistent correlates of hypertension in all ethnic groups. Unawareness and uncontrolled hypertension were common in this Asian population and associated with sociodemographic factors. More targeted strategies may be required to overcome the observed disparities.
Sarcome-13/OS2016 trial protocol: a multicentre, randomised, open-label, phase II trial of mifamurtide combined with postoperative chemotherapy for patients with newly diagnosed high-risk osteosarcoma
Authors: Brard Caroline , Piperno-Neumann Sophie , Delaye Jessy , Brugières Laurence , Hampson Lisa V , Le Teuff Gwénaël , Le Deley Marie-Cécile , Gaspar Nathalie
Published: May 2019

Introduction

The controversial results on the mifamurtide efficacy associated with chemotherapy, issued from the American INT-0133-study, in localised osteosarcomas, and the underpowered analysis performed separately in metastatic patients, should be clarified to homogenise international use of this promising drug. The European Commission has granted a marketing authorisation to mifamurtide combined with postoperative chemotherapy in localised osteosarcomas but not in metastatic patients, while the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has denied this authorisation.

Methods and analysis

Sarcome-13/OS2016 trial is a multicentre randomised open-label phase II trial evaluating the survival benefit of mifamurtide administered during 36 weeks in combination with postoperative chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone, in patients >2 and ≤50 years with newly diagnosed high-risk localised or metastatic osteosarcoma. The main objective is to evaluate the impact on event-free survival (EFS) of mifamurtide on intention-to-treat population. The secondary objectives are to evaluate the impact of mifamurtide on overall survival, to evaluate the feasibility and toxicity of the planned treatment, to correlate biology/immunology with the mifamurtide efficacy/toxicity. With a total of 126 enrolled patients and 51 events, the power is 80% if mifamurtide is associated with an 18% improvement of the 3-year EFS (52%vs70%, equivalent to an HR=0.55), with a one-sided logrank test alpha=10%. As relevant historical data are available (aggregate treatment effect from the INT-0133 trial and individual data from the control group of the Sarcome-09/OS2006 trial), a Bayesian analysis is also planned.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by the ‘Comité de Protection des Personnes Ile de France I’ (12/06/2018), complies with the Declaration of Helsinki and French laws and regulations, and follows the International Conference on Harmonisation E6 Guideline for Good Clinical Practice. The trial results, even if they are inconclusive, as well as biological ancillary studies will be presented at appropriate international congresses and published in international peer-review journals.

Trial registration number

EudraCT 2017-001165-24,NCT03643133
Adverse events following immunisation with four-component meningococcal serogroup B vaccine (4CMenB): interaction with co-administration of routine infant vaccines and risk of recurrence in European randomised controlled trials
Authors: Zafack Joseline Guetsop , Bureau Alexandre , Skowronski Danuta M , De Serres Gaston
Published: May 2019

Objectives

(1) To assess if co-administration of four-component meningococcal serogroup B vaccine (4CMenB) and other routine vaccines caused an interaction increasing the risk and/or severity of adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) compared with administration at separate visits and (2) to estimate the risk of AEFI recurrence.

Design

Risk-interval design

Setting

Three randomised controlled trials conducted in Europe.

Participants

A total of 5026 healthy 2-month-old to 15-month-old infants.

Interventions

4CMenB and routine vaccines (hexavalent combined diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis-inactivated polio-Haemophilus influenzae type b-hepatitis B vaccine+seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine) administered concomitantly or separately 1 month apart, in regular (2, 4, 6 and 12 months), accelerated (2, 3, 4 and 12 months) or delayed (two doses of 4CMenB at ≥12 months of age) schedules.

Outcome measures

Primary: Fever (≥38°C) during the first 48 hours post immunisation. Secondary: crying, change in eating habits, diarrhoea, irritability and tenderness at the 4CMenB injection site.

Results

Compared with separate administration, concomitant administration decreased the overall incidence of fever (≥38°C), 86% versus 75%, and other systemic AEFIs but increased the incidence of 4CMenB injection site tenderness, 55% versus 66%, moderate/severe fevers (≥39°C), 13% versus 18%, and long-lasting (>1 day) fevers, 23% versus 33%. Co-administration reduced AEFI risk by 4%–49% with the greatest impact among infants with prior AEFI(s). Fever recurrence risk was proportional to the number of prior fever events: 79% at dose 2 with one prior episode; 44% and 74% at dose 3 with one and two prior episodes, respectively; and 29%, 45% and 60% at dose 4 with one, two and three prior episodes, respectively. Severity was not increased at recurrence and a similar pattern of recurrence risk proportional to the number of prior events was observed for other AEFIs.

Conclusions

The cumulative risk of AEFI is reduced with concomitant versus separate administration of 4CMenB and routine infant vaccines. Infants with a prior AEFI are at higher risk of the same AEFI at subsequent immunisations, but severity with recurrence is usually not increased.

Trials registration number

NCT00657709,NCT00847145,NCT00721396andNCT02712177; Pre-results.
What publicly available quality metrics do hip and knee arthroplasty patients care about most when selecting a hospital in Maryland: a discrete choice experiment
Authors: O’Hara Lyndsay M , Caturegli Ilaria , O’Hara Nathan N , O’Toole Robert V , Dalury David F , Harris Anthony D , Manson Theodore T
Published: May 2019

Objective

To quantify which publicly reported hospital quality metrics have the greatest impact on a patient’s simulated hospital selection for hip or knee arthroplasty.

Design

Discrete choice experiment.

Setting

Two university-affiliated orthopaedic clinics in the greater Baltimore area, Maryland, USA.

Participants

One hundred and twenty-eight patients who were candidates for total hip or knee arthroplasty.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The effect and magnitude of acceptable trade-offs between publicly reported hospital quality parameters on patients’ decision-making strategies using a Hierarchical Bayes model.

Results

Publicly reported information on patient perceptions of attention to alleviation of postoperative pain had the most influence on simulated hospital choice (20.7%), followed by methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) rates (18.8%). The understandability of the discharge instructions was deemed the least important attribute with a relative importance of 6.9%. Stratification of these results by insurance status and duration of pain prior to surgery revealed that patient demographics and clinical presentation affect the decision-making paradigm.

Conclusions

Publicly available information regarding hospital performance is of interest to hip and knee arthroplasty patients. Patients are willing to accept suboptimal understanding of discharge instructions, lower hospital ratings and suboptimal cleanliness in exchange for better postoperative pain management, lower MRSA rates, and lower complication rates.
Prevalence, clustering and sociodemographic distributions of non-communicable disease risk factors in Nepalese adolescents: secondary analysis of a nationwide school survey
Authors: Dhungana Raja Ram , Bista Bihungum , Pandey Achyut Raj , de Courten Maximilian
Published: May 2019

Objectives

To assess the prevalence, clustering and sociodemographic distribution of non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors in adolescents in Nepal.

Design

Data originated from Global School Based Student Health Survey, Nepal conducted in 2015–2016.

Setting

The study sites were the secondary schools in Nepal; 74 schools were selected based on the probability proportional to school enrolment size throughout Nepal.

Participants

5795 school-going children aged 13–17 years were included in the study.

Primary outcomes

NCD risk factors: smoking, alcohol consumption, insufficient fruit and vegetable intake, insufficient physical activity and overweight/obesity were the primary outcomes. Sociodemographic distributions of the combined and individual NCD risk factors were determined by Poisson regression analysis.

Results

Findings revealed the prevalence of smoking (6.04%; CI 4.62 to 7.88), alcohol consumption (5.29%; CI 4.03 to 6.92), insufficient fruit and vegetable intake (95.33%; CI 93.89 to 96.45), insufficiently physical activity (84.77%; CI 81.04 to 87.88) and overweight/obesity (6.66%; CI 4.65 to 9.45). One or more risk factors were present in 99.6%, ≥2 were in 83% and ≥3 were in 11.2%. Risk factors were more likely to cluster in male, 17 years of age and grade 7. Prevalence of smoking (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR)=2.38; CI 1.6 to 3.51) and alcohol consumption (aPR=1.81; CI 1.29 to 2.53) was significantly high in male, and in 16 and 17 years of age. Prevalence of insufficient physical activity and overweight/obesity was significantly lower in higher grades.

Conclusion

Insufficient fruit and vegetable intake and insufficient physical activity were highly prevalent in the populations studied. Risk factors were disproportionately distributed and clustered in particular gender, age and grade. The study population requires an age and gender specific preventive public health intervention.
Quality of care in large Chinese hospitals: an observational study
Authors: Jian Weiyan , Figueroa Jose , Woskie Liana , Yao Xi , Zhou Yuqi , Li Zhengxiang , Li Changan , Yao Li , Yip Winnie C
Published: May 2019

Objective

To empirically assess the quality of hospital care in China and trends over a 5-year period during which the government significantly increased its investment in healthcare.

Design

Retrospective, observational study comparing hospital quality between two periods: October 2012–March 2013 and October 2017–March 2018.

Setting

1–2 of the most reputable large tertiary hospitals in each of the 25 provinces in Mainland China (total of 33).

Participants

Adults 18 years or older admitted with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (n = 7031), cerebral ischaemic stroke (n = 12 008), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (n = 11 836) and bacterial pneumonia (n = 4263).

Main outcome measures

Process-based quality measures, including seven AMI measures, three stroke measures, four COPD measures and six pneumonia measures.

Results

In 2012/2013, Chinese hospitals had variable performance on AMI measures, including prescribing aspirin on arrival (80.7%), and discharging patients on aspirin (79.2%), β-blockers (60.8%) or statins (75.8%). This was similar for stroke cases and pneumonia cases. Smoking cessation advice was given at high rates across conditions though rates of influenza/pneumococcal vaccines were performed <1%. In 2017/2018, Chinese hospitals experienced no differences across most quality measures. Performance declined for two measures: aspirin on arrival for AMI cases and blood cultures before antibiotics for pneumonia cases. Performance increased for two measures: percutaneous coronary intervention within 90 min in ST segment elevation myocardial infarction cases (66.6% vs 80.1%, p<0.001) and statins at discharge for stroke cases (64.7% vs 78.7%, p<0.001). Compared with US hospitals, Chinese hospitals underperformed across most measures.

Conclusions

Chinese hospitals had low and variable performances across most quality measures for common medical conditions. Quality of care generally does not appear to be improving post national health reform. The Chinese government should include quality of care improvement in its health reform priorities to ensure patients receive appropriate and effective care.
Characteristics of opioid prescriptions for discharged pediatric emergency department patients with acute injuries
Authors: Kahl Lauren Krystine , Stevens Martha W , Gielen Andrea C , McDonald Eileen M , Ryan Leticia
Published: May 2019

This study describes the characteristics of opioid prescriptions for pediatric patients discharged from the emergency department (ED) with acute injuries, including type, formulation, quantity dispensed, and associations with patient age group and prescriber level of training. This retrospective cohort study enrolled all acutely injured patients receiving opioid prescriptions at discharge from an urban academic pediatric ED in a 1-year period. Electronic medical records were reviewed to abstract clinical and prescription data and prescriber level of training. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. We identified 254 patients with injuries who received opioid prescriptions at ED discharge during the study period (mean age 9.5 years, 65% male). The most common injury was fracture (71%). Oxycodone was the opioid most frequently prescribed (96.1%). Liquid formulations were prescribed in 51.6% of cases. The median number of doses prescribed per prescription was 12 (SD±9.1), with a range of 1–50. Residents wrote 72.9% of prescriptions and prescribed more doses than non-residents (15.5 vs 12.2, p=0.01). Post-graduate year 2 (PGY2) residents prescribed more doses than PGY1 or PGY3+ residents. Our data show wide variation in the number of opioid doses prescribed to acutely injured pediatric patients at ED discharge and frequent use of liquid formulation; both factors may place this population at risk for accidental ingestion. These findings also support the development of pediatric clinical guidelines to define appropriate quantities of opioids to prescribe, promote poisoning prevention strategies, and design post-graduate education for medical trainees about safe prescribing practices.
Social well-being of Iranian retired men of the armed forces and their wives
Authors: Farokhnezhad Afshar Pouya , Foroughan M , Pirooz F , Ajri M
Published: May 2019

Background

Social well-being is a major component of health, which was somehow neglected until the last few decades. The aim of this study was to determine the state of social well-being of Iranian retired men of the armed forces and their wives in the metropolis of Tehran.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study which was conducted in Tehran, capital of Iran, in 2016. Three hundred retired men of the armed forces and their wives were selected by random sampling. We used the Social Well-Being Scale to collect data. We assessed its internal consistency and validity with Cronbach’s alpha and exploratory factor analysis before using it. We used SPSS V.24 software to analyse the data via χ2, Pearson’s correlation, t-test and analysis of variance.

Results

The mean age was 66.39±6.98 years; 60% were male. The findings revealed that retired men of the armed forces and their wives report a relatively modest degree of well-being. Social well-being of the participants was significantly related to their marital status (p=0.03), education (p=0.03), employment status (p<0.01), housing status (p<0.01), financial status (p<0.01) and health status (p<0.01).

Conclusion

The social well-being of retired men of the armed forces and their wives was moderate and was not different from each other, and it was related to housing ownership, employment, self-rated socioeconomic condition, education, good health and married status.
Association between ICAM-1 level and diabetic retinopathy: a review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yao Yang , Du Junhui , Li Rong , Zhao Lei , Luo Na , Zhai Jing Ya , Long Lihui
Published: May 2019

Elevated levels of proinflammatory markers are evident in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and are associated with disease progression and prognosis. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is involved in inflammation and acts as a local intensifying signal in the pathological processes associated with chronic eye inflammation. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the relationship between ICAM-1 level and DR. Online electronic databases were searched to retrieve all relevant articles published before December 2017. The standard mean difference (SMD) and their 95% CI were included and then pooled with a random effects model. Subgroup analysis and metaregression analysis were applied to explore the sources of heterogeneity, and publication bias was calculated to assess the quality of pooled studies. A total of 11 articles, containing 428 patients with DR and 789 healthy controls, were included in this meta-analysis. The results indicated a significant increase in ICAM-1 level in the DR group compared with the control group (SMD: 1.20, 95%CI 0.83 to 1.57, p<0.001). Subgroup analyses and metaregression analysis indicated that publication year, region, study method, diabetes mellitus type, Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and sample size were not the potential sources of heterogeneity. The results of this current meta-analysis indicated that the increased level of ICAM-1 generally exists in the patients with DR and it may associated with the severity of DR. However, large-scale and high-quality studies are required to confirm this finding in the future.
Altered airway ciliary orientation in patients with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa
Authors: McCray Gabrielle , Griffin Paul , Martinello Paul , de Iongh Robb , Ruddle Jonathan , Robinson Phil
Published: May 2019

Previous reports suggested links between respiratory ciliary dysfunction and primary ciliopathies such as X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP). To investigate if patients with XLRP have abnormal airway ciliary structure or function, we assessed respiratory ciliary beat pattern and ultrastructure, including ciliary orientation, in 12 patients with XLRP without respiratory disease and 10 control subjects. Patients with XLRP had normal ciliary ultrastructure but significantly (p=0.004) increased mean ciliary deviation (33.8°±9.4°) compared with normal subjects (14.8°±5.4°). Altered orientation was associated with impaired ciliary beat pattern in six patients with XLRP. These findings indicate that XLRP mutations, affecting non-motile cilia of the photoreceptors in the retina, can have effects on motile cilia in the respiratory tract. The observation of disrupted ciliary orientation in patients with XLRP is suggestive of a defect in planar cell polarity.
Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Ireland as hosts for parasites of potential zoonotic and veterinary significance
Authors: Wolfe A. , Hogan S. , Maguire D. , Fitzpatrick C. , Mulcahy G. , Vaughan L. , Wall D. , Hayden T.J.
Published: May 2019

Intestinal washes, faecal flotations and serological examinations for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondiiand Neospora caninumwere used to assess the prevalence of parasites in carcases of foxes killed on roads or shot in the Dublin area and surrounding counties. The ascarids Uncinaria stenocephalaand Toxocara caniswere prevalent, as was the trematode Alaria alata. Taeniaspecies, eggs of Capillariaspecies and sporocysts of Sarcocystisspecies were also found. Only one fox out of 70 examined was seropositive for N caninum, whereas 24 of 51 were seropositive for Tgondii.
Use of sterile maggots to treat panniculitis in an aged donkey
Authors: Bell N. J. , Thomas S.
Published: May 2019

An aged female donkey developed a severe, localised, suppurative panniculitis secondary to a skin wound. Bacterial culture of swabs taken from the wound gave a profuse growth of multi‐drug‐resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a profuse growth of Escherichia coliand a moderate growth of beta‐haemolytic Streptococcusspecies. The lesion did not respond to conventional medical and surgical treatment and continued to progress. Six applications of sterile larvae (maggots) of the common greenbottle, Lucilia sericata, were used to debride the wound successfully.
Carbonate factory turnovers influenced by the monsoon (Xisha Islands, South China Sea)
Authors: Wu Feng , Xie Xinong , Li Xushen , Betzler Christian , Shang Zhilei , Cui Yuchi
Published: May 2019

Carbonate factory turnovers are the integrated result of climatic, oceanographic and biological controls. Sedimentological, geochemical and palaeontological data from core XK-1 drilled in the Xisha Islands, South China Sea, reveal that photozoan to heterozoan carbonate factory turnovers during the Early and Middle Miocene in isolated carbonate platforms were mainly caused by changes in the upwelling regime. A heterozoan open bank association thrived in tropical shallow water under conditions of nutrient excess, indicated by high ln(Cu/Ti) and ln(Ba/Ti), and by the increased abundances of rhodoliths and some foraminifer genera. During the Early and Middle Miocene, episodes characterized by a heterozoan carbonate production correlate with times of East Asian Summer Monsoon strengthening, especially from 21.2 to 17.3 Ma and from 15.6 to 11.6 Ma. This study thus provides new insights into the variability of shallow water carbonate deposition in monsoon-influenced areas and also shows that carbonate factory turnovers can contribute to a better understanding of the monsoon's evolution.

Supplementary material:
Biostratigraphic and magnetostratigraphic data, coral content, geochemical data and mineral compositions related to this study are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4507070
Power-Positive Networking
Authors: Chang Sang-Yoon , Kumar Sristi Lakshmi Sravana , Hu Yih-Chun , Park Younghee
Published: May 2019

Energy is required for networking and computation and is a valuable resource for unplugged systems such as mobile, sensor, and embedded systems. Energy denial-of-service (DoS) attack where a remote attacker exhausts the victim’s battery via networking remains a critical challenge for the device availability. While prior literature proposes mitigation- and detection-based solutions, we propose to eliminate the vulnerability entirely by offloading the power requirements to the entity who makes the networking requests. To do so, we build communication channels using wireless charging signals (as opposed to the traditional radio-frequency signals), so that the communication and the power transfer are simultaneous and inseparable, and use the channels to build power-positive networking (PPN). PPN also offloads the computation-based costs to the requester, enabling authentication and other tasks considered too power-hungry for battery-operated devices. In this article, we study the energy DoS attack impacts on off-the-shelf embedded system platforms (Raspberry Pi and the ESP 8266 system-on-chip (SoC) module), present PPN, implement and build a Qi-charging-technology-compatible prototype, and use the prototype for evaluations and analyses. Our prototype, built on the hardware already available for wireless charging, effectively defends against energy DoS and supports simultaneous power and data transfer.
Collaborative Mobile Crowdsensing in Opportunistic D2D Networks
Authors: Wang Liang , Yu Zhiwen , Yang Dingqi , Ku Tao , Guo Bin , Ma Huadong
Published: May 2019

With the remarkable proliferation of smart mobile devices, mobile crowdsensing has emerged as a compelling paradigm to collect and share sensor data from surrounding environment. In many application scenarios, due to unavailable wireless network or expensive data transfer cost, it is desirable to offload crowdsensing data traffic on opportunistic device-to-device (D2D) networks. However, coupling between mobile crowdsensing and D2D networks, it raises new technical challenges caused by intermittent routing and indeterminate settings. Considering the operations of data sensing, relaying, aggregating, and uploading simultaneously, in this article, we study collaborative mobile crowdsensing in opportunistic D2D networks. Toward the concerns of sensing data quality, network performance and incentive budget, Minimum-Delay-Maximum-Coverage (MDMC) problem and Minimum-Overhead-Maximum-Coverage (MOMC) problem are formalized to optimally search a complete set of crowdsensing task execution schemes over user, temporal, and spatial three dimensions. By exploiting mobility traces of users, we propose an unified graph-based problem representation framework and transform MDMC and MOMC problems to a connection routing searching problem on weighted directed graphs. Greedy-based recursive optimization approaches are proposed to address the two problems with a divide-and-conquer mode. Empirical evaluation on both real-world and synthetic datasets validates the effectiveness and efficiency of our proposed approaches.
SIGMOD 2018 Program Committee Chair's Report
Authors: Bernstein Philip A.
Published: May 2019

This paper reports on the program committee process for SIGMOD 2018, including statistics, trends, and changes from previous years. Some highlights are: Submissions to SIGMOD 2018 were down 6% from 2017. The acceptance rate of research papers was 20%, which is in line with recent years. Reviewers showed a strong bias to reject borderline papers rather than giving authors the opportunity to revise. By being biased in the second round in favor of offering authors the opportunity to submit a revision, we increased the acceptance rate significantly from the first to second round. We strongly recommend that future PC chairs adopt this bias. To help ensure high quality reviews, we gave PC members a light reviewing load and ensured that 95% of review assignments went to PC members who bid Eager or Willing to review the paper. Nevertheless, approximately 20-25% of reviews are unacceptably shallow. We need to do better. The main changes in 2018 were (i) to reduce the number of parallel sessions, (ii) include tutorials during the main conference (Tuesday-Thursday), and (iii) return to clustering industry presentations into separate industry sessions rather than grouping them with research papers on the same topic. To enable (i) and (ii), we shortened the standard presentation time to 20 minutes and offered only 10 minutes to 40% of the papers. Anecdotal evidence is that attendees were happy with these changes. The paper closes with comments about my previous experiences as PC chair for SIGMOD 1979 and VLDB 2002 and with the evolution of PC processes.
Report on the First International Workshop on Incremental Re-computation
Authors: Missier Paolo , Malik Tanu , Cala Jacek
Published: May 2019

In the last decade, advances in computing have deeply transformed data processing. Increasingly systems aim to process massive amounts of data efficiently, often with fast response times that are typically characterised by the 4V's, i.e., Volume, Variety, Velocity, and Veracity. While fast data processing is desirable, it is also often the case that the outcomes of computationally expensive processes become obsolete over time, due to changes in inputs, reference datasets, tools, libraries, and deployment environment. Given massive data processing, such changes must be carefully accounted for, and their impact on original computation assessed, to determine how much re-computation is needed in response to changes.
A Commercial Potential Blue Pea (Clitoria ternateaL.) Flower Extract Incorporated Beverage Having Functional Properties
Authors: Lakshan Suraweera Arachchilage Tharindu , Jayanath Nileththi Yasendra , Mendis Abeysekera Walimuni Prabhashini Kaushalya , Abeysekera Walimuni Kanchana Subhashini Mendis
Published: May 2019

Clitoria ternateaL. commonly known as ‘blue pea’ is an underutilized plant in Sri Lanka. The blue coloured flower of this plant is used in medicine in Sri Lankan traditional medical system and also reported to have several health benefits in recent findings at the international level. However, to date scientifically validated value added products from blue pea flower (BPF) is very limited worldwide. In this connection, this study was carried out to develop a commercial potential blue pea flower extract (BFE) incorporated beverage having functional properties. Dried BPFs were extracted into water with varying flower: water ratio, temperature, and time using response surface methodology (RSM) along with Box–Behnken design. A range of BFE incorporated beverages was developed comprising a natural sweetener (Stevia extract) and a flavour (lime). The most acceptable formulation was selected via ranking and hedonic sensory tests. Further, it was evaluated for functional properties in terms of antioxidant activity via total polyphenolic and flavonoid contents, ferric reducing antioxidant power and radical scavenging activities via ORAC; DPPH and ABTS.Glycaemic regulatory properties (GCP) were evaluated in terms of antiamylase and antiglucosidase activities. Quality parameters of the developed beverage were evaluated for a period of 28 days at different time intervals and a colour chart was also developed. The optimum conditions for extraction of BPF via RSM were 3 g of powdered BPF/L of water at 59.6 °C for 37 min. The most acceptable formulation consists of BFE, Stevia extract, and lime at a ratio of 983.25:1.75:15. Further, it had significantly higher (p<0.05) consumer preference for sensory attributes. Further, it possesses an antioxidant activity through multiple mechanisms while GCP were not detected. Moreover, it was shelf stable for a period of 28 days without preservatives. The colour chart can be used to monitor the quality of the beverage.
The Role of O-Antigen in LPS-Induced Activation of Human NK Cells
Authors: Kanevskiy Leonid M. , Erokhina Sofya A. , Streltsova Maria A. , Ziganshin Rustam H. , Telford William G. , Sapozhnikov Alexander M. , Kovalenko Elena I.
Published: May 2019

NK cells can be stimulated by bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Unlike macrophages, human NK cells do not express or express very low level of surface TLR4 receptor normally required for the LPS stimulation. This has led to the assumption that the mechanisms of stimulating action of LPS on macrophages and NK cells differs. In this work, we investigated the effects of different forms of E. coli LPS, including mutants lacking O-antigen structures, and deacylated LPS on IFNγ production by purified human NK cells. The main findings were the following: (1) NK cells were more sensitive to the S-forms of LPS than the R-forms (LPS lacking O-antigen); (2) LPS triggered a significant increase in IFNγ production by NK cells in concentrations about 1000 times higher than those that can induce cytokine production by macrophages; (3) the composition and structure of saccharide part of LPS have a strong influence on its observed effects on NK cells; and (4) LPS fully retained the ability to trigger cytokine production in NK cells in serum-free media. The acquired data demonstrated that the presence and structure of O-antigen affects the LPS-induced activation of human NK cells.
The Extremal Permanental Sum for a Quasi‐Tree Graph
Authors: Wu Tingzeng , Lü Huazhong
Published: May 2019

Let G be a graph and A(G) the adjacency matrix of G. The permanent of matrix (xI − A(G)) is called the permanental polynomial of G. The permanental sum of G is the sum of the absolute values of the coefficients of permanental polynomial of G. Computing the permanental sum is #p‐complete. In this note, we prove the maximum value and the minimum value of permanental sum of quasi‐tree graphs. And the corresponding extremal graphs are also determined. Furthermore,we also determine the graphs with the minimum permanental sum among quasi‐tree graphs of order n and size m, where n − 1 ≤ m ≤ 2n − 3.
Model Predictive Control Strategies Performance Evaluation over a Pipeline Transportation System
Authors: Cardenas-Cabrera Jorge , Diaz-Charris Luis , Torres-Carvajal Andrés , Castro-Charris Narciso , Romero-Fandiño Elena , Ruiz Ariza José David , Jiménez-Cabas Javier
Published: May 2019

In several industries using pipelines to transport different products from one point to another is a common and indispensable process, especially at oil/hydrocarbon industries. Thus, optimizing the way this process is carried out must be an issue that cannot be stopped. Therefore, the performance of the control strategy implemented is one way of reaching such optimal operating zones. This study proposes using Model Predictive Control strategies for solving some issues related to the proper operation of pipelines. It is proposed a model based on physics and thermodynamic laws, using MATLAB® as the development environment. This model involves four pumping stations separated by three pipeline sections. Three MPC strategies are developed and implemented. Accordingly, the results indicate that a centralized controller with an antiwindup back-calculation method has the best results among the three configurations used.
Behavior Evaluation of Ultrahigh‐Performance Concrete Beam Containing Para‐Aramid Fibers
Authors: Kim Seung-Ki , Kim Woosuk , Han Sang-Mook
Published: May 2019

This experimental research was performed to evaluate the shear and flexural behavior for two cases of reinforced concrete beams: ultrahigh‐performance concrete (UHPC) and normal‐strength concrete jacketed with UHPC. The experiment was performed to examine the optimum para‐aramid fiber to reinforce the ductile UHPC, with the test variables fiber diameter and length. Beam tests were then performed to evaluate the performance of the UHPC and jacketed beams. The UHPC beam tests with and without stirrups were conducted to evaluate flexural and shear behavior, respectively. The beam tests with and without jacketing were conducted to evaluate the reinforcement performance of UHPC.