bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid Development of Bleeding Esophageal Varices after Placement of Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device
Authors: Majmudar Kaushal , Northcutt Michael , Gordon Robert , Fimmel Claus J.
Published: November 2019

We describe a patient with compensated cirrhosis and portal hypertension who underwent continuous flow LVAD implantation. Shortly after LVAD implantation, the patient developed new onset bleeding esophageal varices and ultimately had a fatal outcome. Our experience suggests that even well-compensated cirrhotic patients with significant portal hypertension are at risk of variceal bleeding after LVAD placement.
Boehmite and Akaganeite 1D and 2D Mesostructures: Synthesis, Growth Mechanism, Ageing Characteristics and Surface Nanoscale Roughness Effect on Water Purification
Authors: Kaledin Leonid A. , Tepper Fred , Vesga Yuly , Kaledin Tatiana G.
Published: November 2019

The role of surface nanoscale roughness on the charging behavior of nanostructuredγ-AlOOH (Boehmite) andβ-FeOOH (Akaganeite)/γ-AlOOH (Boehmite) mesostructures deposited onto siliceous substrates has been investigated. Two-dimensional (2D) quantum-sized and one-dimensional (1D) nanometer sizeγ-AlOOH (Boehmite) structures and 2D atomically-thinβ-FeOOH (Akaganeite) nanobelts with a mean width of approximately 10 nm were deposited onto siliceous substrates in aqueous processes at moderate temperatures. Low cost and large scale manufacturing of siliceous substrates coated with 2D and 1Dγ-AlOOH (Boehmite) crystallites of 2.7 ± 0.5 nm in diameter, with an average length of 2.9 ± 0.9 nm and 250 ± 50 nm, respectively, that were further functionalized with atomically thin 2Dβ-FeOOH (Akaganeite) nanobelts was demonstrated. Zeta potentials of surfaces have been characterized by direct measurement of streaming potentials in NaCl aqueous electrolyte. A model explaining the pH dependent behavior of the zeta potential was proposed. The isoelectric point values of rough nanostructured surfaces are three pH units higher as compare to the flat crystallineγ-AlOOH (Boehmite) andβ-FeOOH (Akaganeite) surfaces, resulting in a high removal efficacy of submicron particles from aqueous suspension by the surfaces with combined microscale and nanoscale structures. This suggests the existence of a coupling electrokinetic effect of the local electrical double layer (EDL) fields with the local flow fields.
Epigenetic SMAD3 Repression in Tumor-Associated Fibroblasts Impairs Fibrosis and Response to the Antifibrotic Drug Nintedanib in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Ikemori Rafael , Gabasa Marta , Duch Paula , Vizoso Miguel , Bragado Paloma , Arshakyan Marselina , Luis Iuliana-Cristiana , Marín Albert , Morán Sebastian , Castro Manuel , Fuster Gemma , Gea-Sorli Sabrina , Jauset Toni , Soucek Laura , Montuenga Luis M. , Esteller Manel , Monsó Eduard , Peinado Victor Ivo , Gascon Pere , Fillat Cristina , Hilberg Frank , Reguart Noemí , Alcaraz Jordi
Published: November 2019

The tumor-promoting fibrotic stroma rich in tumor-associated fibroblasts (TAF) is drawing increased therapeutic attention. Intriguingly, a trial with the antifibrotic drug nintedanib in non–small cell lung cancer reported clinical benefits in adenocarcinoma (ADC) but not squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), even though the stroma is fibrotic in both histotypes. Likewise, we reported that nintedanib inhibited the tumor-promoting fibrotic phenotype of TAFs selectively in ADC. Here we show that tumor fibrosis is actually higher in ADC-TAFs than SCC-TAFs in vitro and patient samples. Mechanistically, the reduced fibrosis and nintedanib response of SCC-TAFs was associated with increased promoter methylation of the profibrotic TGFβ transcription factor SMAD3 compared with ADC-TAFs, which elicited a compensatory increase in TGFβ1/SMAD2 activation. Consistently, forcing global DNA demethylation of SCC-TAFs with 5-AZA rescued TGFβ1/SMAD3 activation, whereas genetic downregulation of SMAD3 in ADC-TAFs and control fibroblasts increased TGFβ1/SMAD2 activation, and reduced their fibrotic phenotype and antitumor responses to nintedanib in vitro and in vivo. Our results also support that smoking and/or the anatomic location of SCC in the proximal airways, which are more exposed to cigarette smoke particles, may prime SCC-TAFs to stronger SMAD3 epigenetic repression, because cigarette smoke condensate selectively increased SMAD3 promoter methylation. Our results unveil that the histotype-specific regulation of tumor fibrosis in lung cancer is mediated through differential SMAD3 promoter methylation in TAFs and provide new mechanistic insights on the selective poor response of SCC-TAFs to nintedanib. Moreover, our findings support that patients with ADC may be more responsive to antifibrotic drugs targeting their stromal TGFβ1/SMAD3 activation.

Significance:

This study implicates the selective epigenetic repression of SMAD3 in SCC-TAFs in the clinical failure of nintedanib in SCC and supports that patients with ADC may benefit from antifibrotic drugs targeting stromal TGFβ1/SMAD3.
Serum- and Glucocorticoid-inducible Kinase 1 is Essential for Osteoclastogenesis and Promotes Breast Cancer Bone Metastasis
Authors: Zhang Zheng , Xu Qian , Song Chao , Mi Baoguo , Zhang Honghua , Kang Honglei , Liu Huiyong , Sun Yunlong , Wang Jia , Lei Zhuowei , Guan Hanfeng , Li Feng
Published: November 2019

Bone metastasis is a severe complication associated with various carcinomas. It causes debilitating pain and pathologic fractures and dramatically impairs patients' quality of life. Drugs aimed at osteoclast formation significantly reduce the incidence of skeletal complications and are currently the standard treatment for patients with bone metastases. Here, we reported that serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 (SGK1) plays a pivotal role in the formation and function of osteoclasts by regulating the Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ channel Orai1. We showed that SGK1 inhibition represses osteoclastogenesis in vitro and prevents bone loss in vivo. Furthermore, we validated the effect of SGK1 on bone metastasis by using an intracardiac injection model in mice. Inhibition of SGK1 resulted in a significant reduction in bone metastasis. Subsequently, the Oncomine and the OncoLnc database were employed to verify the differential expression and the association with clinical outcome of SGK1 gene in patients with breast cancer. Our data mechanistically demonstrated the regulation of the SGK1 in the process of osteoclastogenesis and revealed SGK1 as a valuable target for curing bone metastasis diseases.
Hyaluronidase-ExpressingSalmonellaEffectively Targets Tumor-Associated Hyaluronic Acid in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ebelt Nancy D. , Zuniga Edith , Passi Kevin B. , Sobocinski Lukas J. , Manuel Edwin R.
Published: November 2019

In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the extracellular matrix (ECM) surrounding cancer cells forms a barrier that often limits the ability of chemotherapeutic drugs and cytotoxic immune subsets to penetrate and eliminate tumors. The dense stromal matrix protecting cancer cells, also known as desmoplasia, results from the overproduction of major ECM components such as collagens and hyaluronic acid (HA). Although candidate drugs targeting ECM components have shown promise in increasing penetration of chemotherapeutic agents, severe adverse effects associated with systemic depletion of ECM in peripheral healthy tissues limits their use at higher, more effective doses. Currently, few strategies exist that preferentially degrade ECM in tumor tissue over healthy tissues. In light of this, we have developed an attenuated, tumor-targeting Salmonella typhimurium (ST) expressing functional bacterial hyaluronidase (bHs-ST), capable of degrading human HA deposited within PDAC tumors. Our data show that bHs-ST (i) targets and colonizes orthotopic human PDAC tumors following systemic administration and (ii) is efficiently induced in vivo to deplete tumor-derived HA, which in turn (iii) significantly increases diffusion of Salmonella typhimurium within desmoplastic tumors. BHs-ST represents a promising new tumor ECM–targeting strategy that may be instrumental in minimizing off-tumor toxicity while maximizing drug delivery into highly desmoplastic tumors.
NME2 Is a Master Suppressor of Apoptosis in Gastric Cancer Cells via Transcriptional Regulation of miR-100 and Other Survival Factors
Authors: Gong Yi , Yang Geng , Wang Qizhi , Wang Yumeng , Zhang Xiaobo
Published: November 2019

Tumorigenesis is a result of uncontrollable cell proliferation which is regulated by a variety of complex factors including miRNAs. The initiation and progression of cancer are always accompanied by the dysregulation of miRNAs. However, the underlying mechanism of miRNA dysregulation in cancers is still largely unknown. Herein we found that miR-100 was inordinately upregulated in the sera of patients with gastric cancer, indicating that miR-100 might emerge as a biomarker for the clinical diagnosis of cancer. The abnormal expression of miR-100 in gastric cancer cells was mediated by a novel transcription factor NME2 (NME/NM23 nucleoside diphosphate kinase 2). Further data revealed that the transcription factor NME2 could promote the transcriptions of antiapoptotic genes including miRNA (i.e., miR-100) and protein-encoding genes (RIPK1, STARD5, and LIMS1) through interacting with RNA polymerase II and RNA polymerase II–associated protein 2 to mediate the phosphorylation of RNA polymerase II C-terminal domain at the 5th serine, leading to the suppression of apoptosis of gastric cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. In this context, our study revealed that the transcription factor NME2 is a master suppressor for apoptosis of gastric cancer cells.

Implications:

Our study contributed novel insights into the mechanism involved in the expression regulation of apoptosis-associated genes and provided a potential biomarker of gastric cancer.
The Metastasis of Renal Cell Carcinoma to the Urethra and Local Tumor Recurrence
Authors: Gawlik-Jakubczak Teresa , Matuszewski Marcin , Biernat Wojciech
Published: November 2019

We present the case of metastasis of renal cell carcinoma to the urethra in a 77-year-old woman who underwent ­nephrectomy 6 years ago due to renal cell carcinoma. After 3 years, she returned to the ward due to a small, palpable nodule in the area of the urethra that turned out to be a cancer of the clear cell carcinoma. Despite the resection of the ­lesion with negative margins in the pathology examination, a local regrowth in the same area was diagnosed in the MRI 8 months after the first episode of metastasis and was successfully removed. The patient keeps urine properly.
Effect of Andrographolide and Its Analogs on Bacterial Infection: A Review
Authors: Zhang Lulu , Bao Mei , Liu Bin , Zhao Heru , Zhang Yin , Ji XinYu , Zhao Ning , Zhang Chi , He Xiaojuan , Yi Jianfeng , Tan Yong , Li Li , Lu Cheng
Published: November 2019

Bacterial infections remain the leading cause of death in children, the elderly, and immunocompromised patients. Andrographolide (AG), the main active component of the herb Andrographis paniculata, has been used for many years for anti-inflammatory and antibacterial infections. AG has an antibacterial effect on a wide variety of bacteria, which is reflected in the inhibition of bacterial pathogenic factors and the regulation of immunity to downregulate infectious inflammation caused by bacteria. In the current climate of frequently occurring antibiotic resistance, AG might be considered a promising lead for new antibacterial drug development. This review outlines the therapeutic potential of AG and its analogs in combating various bacterial infections, focusing on the mechanisms of action.
Chinese Expert Consensus on Multidisciplinary Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus (2018 Edition)
Authors: Cheng Shuqun , Chen Minshan , Cai Jianqiang , Sun Juxian , Guo Rongping , Bi Xinyu , Lau Wan Yee  , Wu Mengchao ,   on behalf of Chinese Association of Liver Cancer and Chinese Medical Doctor Association
Published: November 2019

Portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) is very common, and it plays a major role in the prognosis and clinical staging of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We have published the first version of the Consensus in 2016. Over the past several years, many new evidences for the treatment of PVTT become available especially for the advent of new targeted drugs which have further improved the prognosis of PVTT. So, the Chinese Association of Liver Cancer revised the 2016 version of consensus to adapt to the development of PVTT treatment. Future treatment strategies for HCC with PVTT in China would depend on new evidences from more future clinical trials.
Latin American Consensus Statement for the Use of Contrast-Enhanced Transcranial Ultrasound as a Diagnostic Test for Detection of Right-to-Left Shunt
Authors: Zetola Viviane Flumignan , Lange Marcos Christiano , Scavasine Valeria Cristina , Bazan Rodrigo , Braga Gabriel Pereira , Leite Ana Claudia C.B. , Fabio Soraia R. Cabette , Pontes Neto Octavio Marques , Moro Carla Heloisa Cabral , Sampaio Gisele , Bor-Seng Shu Edson , de Lima Oliveira Marcelo , A. de Miranda Alves Maramelia , Gomes Daniela Laranja , Pereira de Jesus Pedro Antonio , Oliveira-Filho Jamary , Avelar Wagner Mauad , de Freitas Gabriel R. , Borsoi Rafael , Puppo Corina , Cocorullo Silvia Viviana , Brunser Alejandro , Massaro Ayrton , Bornstein Natan M. , Razumovsky Alexander , Del Sette Massimo
Published: November 2019

Background: The role of patent foramen ovale is a field of debate and current publications have increasing controversies about the patients’ management in young undetermined stroke. Work up with echocardiography and transcranial Doppler (TCD) can aid the decision with better anatomical and functional characterization of right-to-left shunt (RLS). Medical and interventional strategy may benefit from this information. Summary: a group of experts from the Latin American participants of the Neurosonology Research Group (NSRG) of World Federation of Neurology created a task force to review literature and describe the better methodology of contrast TCD (c-TCD). All signatories of the present consensus statement have published at least one study on TCD as an author or co-author in an indexed journal. Two meetings were held while the consensus statement was being drafted, during which controversial issues were discussed and voted on by the statement signatories. The statement paper was reviewed and approved by the Executive Committee of the NSRG of the World Federation of Neurology. The main objective of this consensus statement is to establish a standardization of the c-TCD technique and its interpretation, in order to improve the informative quality of the method, resulting in expanding the application of TCD in the clinical setting. These recommendations optimize the comparison of different diagnostic methods and encourage the use of c-TCD for RLS screening and complementary diagnosis in multicenter studies.
Safety of Intravenous Thrombolysis for Acute Ischemic Stroke in Patients with Thrombocytopenia
Authors: Yang Yifeng , Liu Baoqiong , Wu Lingling , Guan Xuan , Luo Yiming , Jiang Changchuan , Gupta Sonali , Huang Zhihua , Everett George
Published: November 2019

Background: Intravenous thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) is an effective treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The safety of intravenous rtPA in patients with thrombocytopenia is unclear. This study sought to evaluate the impact of thrombocytopenia on in-hospital outcomes in patients with AIS who received intravenous thrombolysis. Methods: This was a retrospective study using the 2012–2014 National Inpatient Sample (20% stratified sample of US hospitals). The study identified adult patients admitted with AIS who received intravenous rtPA during hospitalization. The identified admissions were stratified into 2 cohorts based on the presence or absence of thrombocytopenia. Multilevel, multivariate regression analysis and propensity matching were performed to evaluate in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and in-hospital complications. Results: Of 101,527 patients admitted for AIS and received intravenous rtPA from 2012 to 2014, 3,520 (3.47%) had thrombocytopenia. In-hospital mortality was 10.8 vs. 6.9% in patients with and without thrombocytopenia in original data, p < 0.001. In-hospital length of stay was significantly higher in the thrombocytopenia group (5.9 vs. 8.2 days, p < 0.001). The differences were significant in both the multivariate regression model and the propensity score matching model. Patients with thrombocytopenia also had a statistically higher incidence of intracranial hemorrhage, postprocedural bleeding, blood transfusion, tracheotomy, and mechanical ventilation. Conclusion: Thrombocytopenia is associated with higher in-hospital mortality, longer length of stay, a higher incidence of intracranial hemorrhage, postprocedural bleeding, and mechanical ventilation in stroke patients who received intravenous rtPA.
Вплив гіалуронової кислоти на морфологічні особливості грануляційної тканини лапаротомної рани при використанні безперервного обвивного шва
Authors: Morar I. K. , Vlasov V. V. , Bodyaka V. Yu. , Pokhodun K. A. , Chuprovskaya Y. U.
Published: November 2019

Мета роботи: вивчити в експерименті вплив місцевого застосування гіалуронової кислоти на морфологічні особливості грануляційної тканини лапаротомної рани при зашиванні останньої безперервним обвивним швом.

Матеріали і методи. Проведено експеримент на 108 лабораторних щурах, яким виконано серединну лапаротомію та зведено краї м’язово-апоневротичного шару передньої черевної стінки безперервним обвивним швом. Тваринам основної групи на лінію шва м’язово-апоневротичного шару наносили безбарвний прозорий в’язкий гель гіалуронової кислоти. Забір біологічного матеріалу проводили на 1-шу, 7-му та 14-ту доби після виконання оперативного втручання.

Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. Встановлено, що місцеве застосування гіалуронової кислоти при зашиванні країв м’язово-апоневротичного шару передньої черевної стінки за допомогою безперервного обвивного шва призводить до пригнічення дозрівання грануляційної тканини, оскільки спостерігається вірогідне зниження відсотка фібробластів, плазматичних клітин та зростання лімфоїдних клітин і нейтрофілів, а також питомого об’єму кровоносних судин на 14-ту добу спостереження.
Сравнительная оценка результатов хирургического лечения варикоцеле
Authors: Shamsiev A. M. , Yusupov Sh. A. , Kodirov N. D.
Published: November 2019

Цель работы: улучшение результатов хирургического лечения варикоцеле путём совершенствования хирургической тактики.

Материалы и методы. В основу исследования включены результаты лечения 376 больных с левосторонней варикоцеле, поступивших в урологическое отделение 2-й клиники Самаркандского государственного медицинского института. В зависимости от способа оперативного вмешательства были выделены 2 группы больных. В 2005–2010 гг. 181 больному произведены общепринятые оперативные вмешательства (операции Иваниссевича или Паломо), которые составили группу сравнения. С 2011 по 2018 г. 195 больным произведены субингвинальные селективные операции (антеградная эндоваскулярная склеротерапия левосторонней тестикулярной вены (ЛТВ) и операция Мармара), которые вошли в основную группу.

Результаты исследований и их обсуждение. По сравнению с 2005–2010 гг. частота послеоперационных осложнений снизилась с 12,7 до 2,6 %, т. е. почти в 5 раз в основной группе. Антеграднаю ангиосклеротерапию ЛТВ больные легче переносят по сравнению с традиционными выполняемыми операциями, и данное оперативное вмешательство является экономически выгодным, поскольку сокращает продолжительность пребывания больных в стационаре по сравнению с другими оперативными вмешательствами.
Rooting of cuttings of Passiflora suberosa, a medicinal passion fruit species: characterization and modulation by external biochemical factors
Authors: Vilasboa Johnatan , da Costa Cibele Tesser , Matsuura Hélio Nitta , Fett-Neto Arthur Germano
Published: November 2019

Passiflora suberosa L. (Passifloraceae) can be found throughout the Americas, and has several medicinal properties, including antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-hemolytic, hypolipidemic, and hypoglycemic activities. Germination rates of P. suberosa are low, even with dormancy breaking treatments, posing an obstacle for its multiplication. Vegetative propagation is a valuable approach to produce clones of elite individuals with important pharmacological characteristics, affording fast genetic improvement of biomass source for both phytomedicine manufacturing and bioactive compound isolation. Understanding the rooting process of this species is an important step to exploit its full potential in a sustainable way. We investigated adventitious rooting (AR) in absence or presence of exogenous auxin in P. suberosa cuttings, using a non-aerated hydroponic system. Changes in concentration of flavonoids, phenolics, hexoses, starch, and auxin, as well as peroxidase activity, were monitored along AR. Cuttings showed spontaneous rooting, although the application of exogenous indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) yielded higher number of shorter roots. Biochemical parameters, mainly concentration of carbohydrates and total phenolics, as well as peroxidase activity, varied along the course of the experiments. Based on these results, attempts were made to up- or down-modulate rooting responses by applying putative regulators to the growth solution at different time points. It was possible to block the positive effect of auxin on root development, with only minor positive impacts on the modulated control devoid of auxin. Overall analyses suggested that the rooting system proved effective and specific peroxidase activity showed partial correlation with AR, being able to suffer modulation by culture solution factors.
Re-Situating Utopia
Authors: Nicholson Matthew
Published: November 2019

This article considers utopian international legal thought. It makes three inter-connected arguments. First, it argues that international law and international legal theory are dominated by a ‘blueprint’ utopianism that presents international law as the means of achieving a better global future. Second, it argues that such blueprintism makes international law into what philosopher Louis Marin describes as a “degenerate utopia” – a fantastical means of trapping thought and practice within contemporary social and political conditions, blocking any possibility that those conditions might be transcended. Third, it argues for an iconoclastic international legal utopianism – Utopia not as a ‘blueprint’ for a better future, operating within the confines of existing social and political reality, but as a means of seeking to negate and exit from that reality – as the only way to maintain the idea that international law offers a path towards a truly better future.
Perspiria boucheri sp. nov. (Nematoda, Desmodorida) from the East China Sea
Authors: SUN JING , ZHAI HONGXIU , HUANG YONG
Published: November 2019

A new free-living marine nematode species from marine sediments in the East China Sea, is described here as Perspiria boucheri sp. nov. The new species is characterized by amphideal fovea surrounded partially by body annulations; four cephalic setae stout; conical buccal cavity with a minute dorsal tooth and two ventrosublateral teeth; pharynx with a pyriform terminal bulb; tail elongated, conical with 3/4 posterior cylindrical portion which having distinct coarse annulations; spicules strongly curved with narrow ventral velum, handle-shaped proximally; gubernaculum canoe-shaped, without apophysis. The new species differs from the most similar species Perspiria striaticaudata (Timm, 1962) by strongly curved spicules with handle-shaped proximal end, gubernaculum without dorsal apophysis and relatively shorter tail. Updated key to all species of Perspiria is provided.
Patterns of head shape and scutellation in Drymarchon couperi (Squamata: Colubridae) reveal a single species
Authors: GUYER CRAIG , FOLT BRIAN , HOFFMAN MICHELLE , STEVENSON DIRK , GOETZ SCOTT M. , MILLER MELISSA A. , GODWIN JAMES C.
Published: November 2019

Krysko et al. (2016a) used analyses of DNA sequence data to reveal two genetic lineages of Drymarchon couperi. The Atlantic lineage contained specimens from southeastern Georgia and eastern peninsular Florida, and the Gulf Coast lineage contained specimens from western and southern peninsular Florida as well as western Florida, southern Alabama, and southern Mississippi. In a second paper Krysko et al. (2016b) analyzed morphological variation of the two lineages, which allowed them to restrict D. couperi to the Atlantic lineage and to describe the Gulf Coast lineage as a new species, Drymarchon kolpobasileus. This taxonomic discovery was remarkable for such a large, wide-ranging species and was notable for its impact on conservation. Because of population declines, particularly in western Florida, southern Alabama, and southern Mississippi, D. couperi (sensu lato) was listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act (United States Fish and Wildlife Service 1978, 2008) and repatriation of the species to areas where it had been extirpated was listed as a priority conservation goal (United States Fish and Wildlife Service 1982, 2008). Such repatriation efforts were attempted in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, starting in 1977 (Speake et al. 1987), but failed to create viable populations, likely because too few snakes were released at too many sites (Guyer et al. 2019; Folt et al. 2019a). A second attempt at repatriation was started in 2010 and concentrated on release of snakes at a single site in Alabama (Stiles et al. 2013). However, Krysko et al. (2016a) criticized this repatriation effort because it appeared to involve release of D. couperi (sensu stricto) into the geographic region occupied by D. kolpobasileus (as diagnosed in Krysko et al. 2016b).
Nobiletin Inhibits Proliferation, Invasion, Migration and Angiogenesis in Colorectal Cancer Cells
Authors: Li Jing , Li Zaijun , Zheng Fei
Published: November 2019

Aim/Background: The nobiletin is a polymethoxyflavonoid isolated from citrus, which is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. The nobiletin could inhibit the development of human cancer. However, the role of nobiletin in human colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unknown. The present
study aimed to explore the nobiletin function in CRC cell proliferation, migration, invasion and angiogenesis as well as the occurrence mechanisms. Methods: The cell counting kit-8 assay (CCK-8 assay) and Brdu (5-brom-2-odeoxyuridine) staining assay were used to determine the effect
of nobiletin on cell proliferation. The transwell assay and wound healing assay were used to assess cell invasion and migration. The western blot analysis was performed to determine the expression of VEGFA, Ang2, p65, p-p65, STAT3, p-STAT3 in CRC cell. Result: Compared with the control
group (0 mg/L), the cell proliferation was increased in a dose-dependent manner with 10, 50, 100, 150 mg/L nobiletin for 48 h. The nobiletin inhibited cell invasion and migration and suppressed the expression of VEGFA and Ang2 to block angiogenesis in the colorectal cancer. In addition, we
found that nobiletin inhibited cell proliferation, invasion, migration and angiogenesis by suppression of NF-κB/STAT3 pathway. Conclusion: The study provided evidence that nobiletin inhibited cell proliferation, invasion, migration and angiogenesis in the colorectal cancer.
E-Voting in India Using Blockchain and It’s Modus Operandi
Authors: Kumar Kailash , Sharma Avinash
Published: November 2019

Creating an environment to fulfill the basic requirement of E-Voting is indeed a challenge for long time. Blockchain, distributed peer to peer technology has wide range of applications from financial to non-financial sectors. It can be utilized in E-Voting system as well. Electronic
casting a ballot or e-casting a ballot has been in existence since seventies. The E-Voting system and its requirements are identified in this paper along with some limitations of the Blockchain in E-Voting system. The blockchain has obvious advantages of increased efficiency, increased productivity
and less prone to error over paper based voting system. This paper presents the potential benefits of using the blockchain which can effectively be used in e-casting the votes. The proposed model is based on the fundamental requirements of e-casting to the verification of voters. The limitations
of the blockchain with regards to E-Voting is also presented in this paper.
Internet of Medical Things: Services, Applications and Technologies
Authors: Anand Sakshi , Sharma Avinash
Published: November 2019

With constant evolution of technology, Internet of Things (IoT) is drawing much attention in recent years in various application domains from Wearables and Agriculture to Smart Cities, with Healthcare being one of the arenas. With Internet of Things in action, a new generation of healthcare
is being introduced with assuring outlooks. This paper reviews the progress that has been made with the successful amalgamation of internet and healthcare department. Further this paper discusses various types of IoT based healthcare services and applications that have been introduced so far
along with different prospects and scope of future research.
A Cross Validation Architecture for the Clustering Using Feed Forward Neural Network
Authors: Garg Atul
Published: November 2019

Data Clustering is a serious issue and wrong placement of data files leads to a major flaw in the searching document files. The clustering between the documents are always based on some similarity in between the data files. This research paper utilizes cosine similarity as the co relation
calculator and then a threshold based grouping is implemented. The proposed work utilizes Feed Forward Neural Network for the cross validation of the clustered elements. The proposed work is evaluated using Mean Square Error and False Placed Elements in the cluster mechanism. An improvement
of 25% is noticed for the proposed work.
Internet of Things Driven Perceived Value Co-Creation in Smart Cities of the Future: A PLS-SEM Based Predictive Model
Authors: Aggarwal Arun , Mittal Ruchi , Gupta Sahil , Mittal Amit
Published: November 2019

With the swift developments and improvement in the information and communications technology, everyone is viewing the emergence of another age of the Internet of Things. A smart city is an urban development vision to assimilate numerous technologies with Internet of Things solutions.
Therefore, this study explores the antecedents and consequence of Internet of Things in value cocreation of smart cities in an emerging economy like India. Quantitative research approach was used in the current study. Prior research work was analysed to develop a comprehensive research model
in context of smart cities in India. Responses were collected from the residents of proposed and selected smart cities by Indian Union Government. Total 1136 questionnaires were circulated using Google Docs and for final analysis 436 were used. The results of the current study render additional
considerate in terms of technology adoption regarding Smart Cities in India. Therefore, in this ecosystem of technology the participants like developers, users, lawmakers, and solution providers promotes the solutions in form of Internet of Things among the prospects. The suggestions for policymakers
are to deliver a superior experience for the general public and engaging them continuously with the advancement in technology. The study has adopted qualitative research in order the study the antecedents and consequence of Internet of Things while future researcher can use qualitative research
approach in order to expand the proposed model.
A Discrete Exterior Calculus Approach to Quantum Transport and Quantum Chaos on Surface
Authors: da Silva L. D. , Batista C. A. , González I. R. R. , Macêdo A. M. S. , de Oliveira W. R. , Melo S. B.
Published: November 2019

We address the problem of computing transport observables and spectral characteristics of quantum dynamics on arbitrary surfaces. Our approach is based on discrete exterior calculus (DEC) and applies to both open and closed quantum systems. We present an efficient algorithm for the
calculation of the recursive Green’s functions (for open systems) and the full set of eigenfunctions and eigenvalues (for closed systems) using numerical tools available for DEC. Our approach is applied to the calculation of the conductance of a non-flat quantum device coupled to electron
reservoirs and to obtain the spectra of ballistic cavities defined on curved surfaces. In both cases we found numerical evidences of a curvature induced integrable-chaotic crossover.
Improving Information Quality Requirements for Online Health Information Systems: A Review on the Previous Frameworks
Authors: Ighe Mohamed Aden , Mohammed Siti Asma , Nordin Azlin , Mohamadali Noor Azizah
Published: November 2019

Access to online health information has increased tremendously as it gives patients competency to find answers related to their health. The value of online health information is strongly depends on the quality of the information provided to the users. However, there are evidences that
some online health information portals provide poor quality of information, due to the exclusion of information quality requirements in the early stages of the system development process. The objective of this research is to review existing frameworks that capture information quality requirements
and to select a framework that is appropriate for the research. A total of six frameworks were searched and analyzed from various sources. The findings show that most frameworks focus more on technical aspect when capturing information quality requirements rather than the human aspect, which
is the actual use of the information by the users. This research provide some insights to the health practitioners and system developers about the importance of capturing information quality at the early stage of system development based on actual information use.
Improved Light Extraction Efficiency of GaN Based Blue Light Emitting Diode Using Nano-Scaled Patterned Sapphire Substrate
Authors: Sung Young Hoon , Park Jaemin , Choi Eun-Seo , Lee Hee Chul , Lee Heon
Published: November 2019

In this study, two different conical-shape nano-patterns were fabricated on the 2-inch diameter sapphire wafer in order to improve the efficiency of light-emitting diodes. The conical-shape nano-patterns were fabricated on the sapphire wafer using a nanoimprint technique and dry etching
method. A blue LED structure was grown on the nanoscale-patterned sapphire substrates. The photoluminescence and electroluminescence were measured to confirm the effectiveness of the nano-scale patterns. An improvement in the luminescence efficiency was observed in case that nano-patterned
sapphire substrate was used; a 1.44 times-higher photoluminescence intensity and a 1.5 times-higher electroluminescence intensity were observed, compared to those of the light-emitting diodes structure grown on a conventional flat sapphire wafer.
Self-Ordering of Cell Configurations and Photoluminescence Properties of Anodic Alumina Membranes with Large Pore Diameters
Authors: Zheng Haibin , Bu Hongxia
Published: November 2019

Porous anodic alumina membranes (AAMs) with the 200 nm pores were successfully prepared electrochemically from Al sheets embedded H3PO4 solution. We found that the fitted voltage for the anodization is 160 V, and the concentration of the electrolyte is 0.1 M. Photoluminescence
(PL) measurements of AAMs showed an ultraviolet emission at 320 nm, which originated from ionized oxygen vacancies (F+ centers).
Different Alignment Between Skeletal and Smooth Muscle Cells on Reduced Graphene Oxide-Patterned Arrays
Authors: Shin Yong Cheol , Song Su-Jin , Lee Jong Ho , Park Rowoon , Kang Moon Sung , Lee Yu Bin , Hong Suck Won , Han Dong-Wook
Published: November 2019

Cells respond directly to the chemical and topographical cues of the engineered substrate. To date, recent extensive studies have been witnessed on the wide development of biomimetic substrates that can regulate the cellular behaviors by establishing the specific cues of the substrate.
It is well known that the topographical features with nanoscale and microscale strongly modulate the behaviors of cells, including adhesion, migration, proliferation, and differentiation. Herein, we present a simple and robust strategy to generate the patterned arrays of reduced graphene oxide
(rGO) on a substrate to be used for the cellular interfaces. The rGO patterned arrays were prepared by an evaporative self-assembly process, which is a highly efficient technique for the controlled deposition of rGO sheets on a flat substrate. Such periodic patterned arrays of rGO could be
utilized as a micron topographic substratum for living cell culture to observe the growth and alignment behaviors of C2C12 skeletal and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The exquisite evaluations showed that both cells were regularly grown along the rGO patterned arrays leading to the
well-defined contact guidance, but the only C2C12 myoblasts exhibited slightly higher level in the morphological alignment features to the rGO patterned arrays, compared to the VSMCs. Our findings suggest that the nanotextured thin films and patterned arrays of rGO can serve as promising biomimetic
substrates for skeletal muscle cells and provide subtle effects on cellular morphology discriminating in their responses.
Hydrogen Motion of CsH2PO4 Electrolyte Using 1H and 31P High-Resolution Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy
Authors: Kim Se-Hun
Published: November 2019

This study investigated hydrogen-bonded CsH2PO4 (CDP) solid acid using 1H and 31P high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Below the superprotonic phase transition temperature, the temperature dependence of the 1H NMR spectra
was observed with two different hydrogen-bonded networks in the CDP structure. The systematic evolution of the lineshape with temperature dependence indicates hydrogen hopping in the chemical structure of hydrogen-bonded networks in a solid acid lattice. The proton conduction under two types
of hydrogen-bonds—interchain and intrachain—in CsH2PO4 in the chemical environments of PO4 tetrahedra is discussed.
Medicaid: What Does It Do, and Can We Do It Better?
Authors: Currie Janet , Duque Valentina
Published: November 2019

This article provides an overview of the Medicaid program and summarizes the evidence about its effectiveness in terms of providing insurance and promoting health. The evidence shows that Medicaid has improved the lives of low-income people since its creation in 1965. Expansions in Medicaid have led to increases in coverage and access to medical care, reductions in medical debt, and improvements in health outcomes with little evidence of significant reductions in beneficiaries’ labor supply. Yet there are concerns around the program’s high and increasing costs, the quality of care provided, and difficulty accessing Medicaid-funded care. We discuss some of the proposed Medicaid reforms meant to address these problems in light of previous evidence.
Functional Impairment Predicts Outcome of Youth With Headache in the Emergency Department
Authors: Hemberg Jennifer L. , Pomeranz Elaine S. , Rogers Alexander J. , Lo Sharon L. , Harrison Lauren E. , Donohue, BS Laura E. , Kullgren Kristin A.
Published: November 2019

Headache is a common presenting complaint in emergency departments (EDs), with the goal of improving acute pain. However, youth with chronic headaches may demonstrate broad functional impairment in their lives due to headaches. Our objective was to determine if degree of functional impairment predicts ED course for patients with headache as part of a clinical protocol. One hundred and thirty-seven pediatric patients presenting to an ED with headache were included. Patients and parents were administered the Functional Disability Index (FDI) and ED charts were reviewed to evaluate outcomes. Higher child-reported FDI scores were associated with more medications, longer ED stay, and admission. High parent-proxy FDI score was associated with longer ED stay. Both pain score and parent-proxy FDI score were associated with imaging. The FDI was a more useful predictor of visit resources than pain score. FDI scores could be used to help anticipate patients who may require greater time and resources.
When Speaking English Is Not Enough: The Consequences of Language-Based Stigma for Nonnative Speakers
Authors: Birney Megan E. , Rabinovich Anna , Morton Thomas A. , Heath Hannah , Ashcroft Sam
Published: November 2019

We explored the effects of language-based stigma on the relationship between native and nonnative speakers. In two studies, we found that stigmatized nonnative speakers experienced more negative interpersonal interactions, higher levels of intergroup threat, and reduced performance on an English test compared with nonnative speakers who did not experience stigma. These effects were mediated by anxiety and moderated by prevention-related goals. Furthermore, native speakers perceived stigmatized (vs. not-stigmatized) speakers’ accents as stronger and their commitment to living in the host country as weaker. Our findings suggest that experiencing language-based stigma can (a) incite a stereotype threat response from nonnative speakers, and (b) damage their relationship with native speakers on an interpersonal and intergroup level.
Relationship between metabolic syndrome and acylated/desacylated ghrelin ratio in patients with schizophrenia under olanzapine medication
Authors: Wu Tzu-Hua , Chiu Chih-Chiang , Goh Kah Kheng , Chen Po-Yu , Huang Ming-Chyi , Chen Chun-Hsin , Lu Mong-Liang
Published: November 2019

Background:

Ghrelin is a peptide hormone that mediates glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism. Acylated ghrelin (AG) and desacylated ghrelin (DAG) are the two main forms of ghrelin, which have opposing roles in energy homeostasis. The AG/DAG ratio has been proposed to be associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the general population. This study compared the relationships between MetS and ghrelin parameters in patients with schizophrenia.

Methods:

Patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and under olanzapine monotherapy were recruited. Fasting blood samples were collected for the analyses of metabolic and ghrelin parameters. The serum levels of total ghrelin and AG were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. DAG level was calculated by subtracting the AG level from the total ghrelin level.

Results:

We recruited 151 subjects with schizophrenia, and classified them into those with MetS ( n = 41) and those without MetS ( n = 110). Subjects with MetS had a significantly higher AG/DAG ratio, as well as lower total ghrelin and DAG levels. There were no sex differences in ghrelin parameters. The AG/DAG ratio was significantly and positively correlated with weight, body mass index, waist circumference, insulin level, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and number of MetS components. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the number of MetS components remained significantly associated with the AG/DAG ratio.

Conclusions:

Our results revealed that lower AG/DAG ratios were associated with better metabolic profiles in olanzapine-treated patients with schizophrenia. These observations suggest that the balance between AG and DAG plays a crucial role in the metabolic homeostasis among patients with schizophrenia.
What Color Was It? A Psychophysical Paradigm for Tracking Subjective Progress in Continuous Tasks
Authors: Kosovicheva Anna , Bex Peter J.
Published: November 2019

When making a sequence of fixations, how does the timing of visual experience compare with the timing of fixation onsets? Previous studies have tracked shifts of attention or perceived gaze direction using self-report methods. We used a similar method, a dynamic color technique, to measure subjective timing in continuous tasks involving fixation sequences. Does the time that observers report reading a word coincide with their fixation on it, or is there an asynchrony, and does this relationship depend on the observer’s task? Observers read sentences that continuously changed in hue and identified the color of a word at the time that they read it using a color palette. We compared responses with a nonreading condition, where observers reproduced their fixations, but viewed nonword stimuli. Results showed a delay between the color of stimuli at fixation onset and the reported color during perception. For nonword tasks, the delay was constant. However, in the reading task, the delay was larger for earlier compared with later words in the sentence. Our results offer a new method for measuring awareness or subjective progress within fixation sequences, which can be extended to other continuous tasks.
The relation between emotion regulation and migraine: A cross-cultural study on the moderating effect of culture
Authors: Wolf Johanna , Danno Daisuke , Takeshima Takao , Vancleef Linda MG , Yoshikawa Hiroo , Gaul Charly
Published: November 2019

Background

Effects of emotion suppression on physical health might be contingent on culture. Existing research on emotion regulation has mainly included western participants. Herewith the question arises, whether this gained expertise is transferable to an Asian culture.

Objectives

This cross-sectional study evaluated to what extent the regulation of emotions is related to migraine and if the relation between emotion regulation and migraine complaints differs between a Western and an Asian population. Therefore, the main characteristics and symptoms of patients with migraine from both Germany and Japan are compared.

Methods

261 Japanese and 347 German headache patients participated in this online study and completed self-report measures of emotion regulation (suppression and reappraisal) and headache complaints.

Results

Cultural groups did not differ regarding their demographic data, intake of medication and number of days with headache. German participants showed significantly higher levels of anxiety and lower levels of emotion suppression compared to Japanese patients. Emotion regulation is not correlated with headache complaints either in the Japanese or in the German patient group.

Conclusion

Although group differences were found with respect to anxiety and emotion suppression, subsequent regression analysis revealed these differences were unrelated to headache complaints. As our baseline analysis focused on group means, approaches that examine individual reaction patterns to stress and accompanying sensory stimulus processing may prove to be more fruitful and illuminating.
The CAREGIVERSPRO-MMD Platform as an Online Informational and Social Support Tool for People Living With Memory Problems and Their Carers: An Evaluation of User Engagement, Usability and Usefulness
Authors: Howe David , Thorpe Jonathan , Dunn Rosie , White Caroline , Cunnah Kate , Platt Rebecca , Paulson Kevin , Wolverson Emma
Published: November 2019

People living with dementia or cognitive impairment (PwD) and their carers often have unmet needs for informational and social support postdiagnosis. Web-based platforms have the potential to address these needs, although few have been developed for use by both PwD and carers. The CAREGIVERSPRO-MMD platform was developed to provide both user groups with informational and peer-to-peer social support. Platform logging data were analyzed to assess the extent to which PwD ( n = 37) and carers ( n = 37) engaged with the platform and its social/informational features in their daily lives. Participants also provided feedback on the usefulness and usability of the platform. The majority of PwD and carers found the platform and its social/informational features useful and usable, and significant subsets of both groups utilized the platform regularly. However, carers engaged with the informational and social features to a greater extent than PwD, and users highlighted that PwD typically required regular support to use the platform.