bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optical coherence tomography and neurodegeneration in epilepsy
Authors: Bayraktar Bilen Neslihan , Titiz Ayse Pinar , Bilen Sule , Polat Gultekin Burcu , Sahin Hamurcu Mualla , Kalayci Defne 
Published: October 2019

Purpose: To compare optical coherence tomography measurements; central macular thickness, ganglion cell complex, and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in patients with epilepsy versus healthy controls. Methods: We evaluated 28 eyes of 28 patients with epilepsy and 34 eyes of 34 healthy subjects. Central macular thickness, ganglion cell complex, and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measurements were performed by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Results: Superior and superotemporal quadrant ganglion cell complex, average, and superior quadrant retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measurements were significantly lower in epilepsy group compared to healthy control subjects. Central macular thickness was significantly lower in polytherapy group compared to monotherapy group. Ganglion cell complex and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measurements were not significantly different between polytherapy and monotherapy groups. Conclusion: The present study shows that epileptic patients taking antiepileptic drugs have reduced ganglion cell complex and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness compared to healthy controls. This can be related to the epileptic process in the brain. Optical coherence tomography may be a useful tool for showing the neurodegeneration in patients with epilepsy.
Postoperative radiographic evaluation and simulation study for optimal cup placement in high-hip centre total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Takasago Tomoya , Goto Tomohiro , Wada Keizo , Hamada Daisuke , Sairyo Koichi 
Published: October 2019

Background: Achieving favourable outcomes in high-hip centre reconstruction in hip dysplasia requires the optimal cup height and size, which can provide sufficient bone coverage for stable cup fixation that fits the anteroposterior acetabular rim without increasing the cup height more than necessary. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 214 patients who underwent primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) and identified 30 hips with Crowe II ( n = 15) or III ( n = 15) developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). We measured the cup-centre-edge angle (cup-CE) and the vertical and horizontal distances from the teardrop. In a simulation study, we examined the cup-CE and optimal cup size by changing the cup height in 5-mm increments over a distance of 15–40 mm above the inter-teardrop line using a 3-dimensional template system. Results: Postoperative radiographic evaluation revealed a mean cup-CE of 19.9° in Crowe II hips and 15.2° in Crowe III hips; the respective mean vertical distances were 26.6 mm and 27.6 mm ( p = 0.511). There was no evidence of cup loosening or lateralisation at a minimum of 7 years (7–11 years) follow-up. Simulation showed that the hip centre needed to be elevated to 20 mm to acquire a cup-CE of more than 0°. More than 10° of cup-CE could be expected by elevating the hip centre to 25 mm in both Crowe II and III. Conclusions: Even in severe DDH, a high-hip centre positioned approximately 25 mm superior to the inter-teardrop line was sufficient to achieve optimal bone coverage, which could lead to more secure cup fixation.
T-614 inhibits human aortic adventitial fibroblast proliferation and promotes interleukin-8 production in vitro
Authors: Ci Weiping , Wang Tian , Li Taotao , Wan Jin 
Published: October 2019

Objectives The effect and underlying mechanism of T-614 (iguratimod) on Takayasu’s arteritis (TA) are unknown. Here, we report the effects of T-614 on cell proliferation and interleukin-8 (IL-8) production in human aortic adventitial fibroblasts (HAAFs) in vitro and explore its initial benefit in terms of vascular wall inflammation and remodeling for patients with TA. Methods HAAFs were cultured with 0, 5, 50, 100, or 250 μg/ml T-614 in the absence or presence of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in vitro. Cell viability was determined by a modified MTT assay. Supernatant IL-8 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results In the presence of TNF-α, compared to that in the control group, cell viability of HAAFs significantly decreased in the 50, 100, and 250 μg/ml T-614 treatment groups (OD value: P <  0.01, P <  0.001, P <  0.001, respectively; survival fraction (SF): P <  0.05, P <  0.001, P <  0.001, respectively). However, there was no significant difference in cell viability between TNF-α-stimulated and unstimulated groups at the same concentration of T-614. In the absence or presence of TNF-α, T-614 suppressed HAAF cell viability dose-dependently (OD value: r = −0.915, P =  0.000; r = −0.926, P =  0.000, respectively; SF: r = −0.897, P =  0.000; r = −0.885, P =  0.000, respectively). Compared to that in the control group, in the absence of TNF-α, IL-8 levels in the 5 and 100 μg/ml T-614-treated groups were significantly higher ( P <  0.05); in the presence of TNF-α, IL-8 levels in the 5, 50, and 100 μg/ml T-614-treated groups were significantly higher ( P <  0.001, P <  0.001, P <  0.01, respectively). Further, there was a negative correlation between supernatant IL-8 levels and T-614 concentration in groups stimulated with TNF-α ( r = −0.670, P =  0.000), but there was no significant correlation between these parameters in groups that were not stimulated with TNF-α. Conclusions In the absence or presence of TNF-α, T-614 can inhibit HAAF proliferation and promote IL-8 production in vitro; therefore, it could be used to prevent adventitial thickening of the aorta and improve vascular remodeling in inflammatory environments in vitro and might provide a new immunotherapeutic intervention for TA.
Uncovering the mechanisms of exertional dyspnoea in combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema
Authors: Costa Camila M. , Neder J. Alberto , Verrastro Carlos G. , Paula-Ribeiro Marcelle , Ramos Roberta , Ferreira Eloara M. , Nery Luiz E. , O'Donnell Denis E. , Pereira Carlos A.C. , Ota-Arakaki Jaquelina 
Published: October 2019

The prevailing view is that exertional dyspnoea in patients with combined idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and emphysema (CPFE) can be largely explained by severe hypoxaemia. However, there is little evidence to support these assumptions.We prospectively contrasted the sensory and physiological responses to exercise in 42 CPFE and 16 IPF patients matched by the severity of exertional hypoxaemia. Emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis were quantified using computed tomography. Inspiratory constraints were assessed in a constant work rate test: capillary blood gases were obtained in a subset of patients.CPFE patients had lower exercise capacity despite less extensive fibrosis compared to IPF (p=0.004 and 0.02, respectively). Exertional dyspnoea was the key limiting symptom in 24 CPFE patients who showed significantly lower transfer factor, arterial carbon dioxide tension and ventilatory efficiency (higher minute ventilation (V′E)/carbon dioxide output (V′CO2) ratio) compared to those with less dyspnoea. However, there were no between-group differences in the likelihood of pulmonary hypertension by echocardiography (p=0.44). High dead space/tidal volume ratio, low capillary carbon dioxide tension emphysema severity (including admixed emphysema) and traction bronchiectasis were related to a highV′E/V′CO2ratio in the more dyspnoeic group.V′E/V′CO2nadir >50 (OR 9.43, 95% CI 5.28–13.6; p=0.0001) and total emphysema extent >15% (2.25, 1.28–3.54; p=0.01) predicted a high dyspnoea burden associated with severely reduced exercise capacity in CPFEContrary to current understanding, hypoxaemiaper seis not the main determinant of exertional dyspnoea in CPFE. Poor ventilatory efficiency due to increased “wasted” ventilation in emphysematous areas and hyperventilation holds a key mechanistic role that deserves therapeutic attention.
Socioeconomic status and stroke incidence, prevalence, mortality, and worldwide burden: an ecological analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017
Authors: Avan Abolfazl , Digaleh Hadi , Di Napoli Mario , Stranges Saverio , Behrouz Reza , Shojaeianbabaei Golnaz , Amiri Amin , Tabrizi Reza , Mokhber Naghmeh , Spence J. David , Azarpazhooh Mahmoud Reza 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
Socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with stroke incidence and mortality. Distribution of stroke risk factors is changing worldwide; evidence on these trends is crucial to the allocation of resources for prevention strategies to tackle major modifiable risk factors with the highest impact on stroke burden.

Methods
We extracted data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2017. We analysed trends in global and SES-specific age-standardised stroke incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost from 1990 to 2017. We also estimated the age-standardised attributable risk of stroke mortality associated with common risk factors in low-, low-middle-, upper-middle-, and high-income countries. Further, we explored the effect of age and sex on associations of risk factors with stroke mortality from 1990 to 2017.

Results
Despite a growth in crude number of stroke events from 1990 to 2017, there has been an 11.3% decrease in age-standardised stroke incidence rate worldwide (150.5, 95% uncertainty interval [UI] 140.3–161.8 per 100,000 in 2017). This has been accompanied by an overall 3.1% increase in age-standardised stroke prevalence rate (1300.6, UI 1229.0–1374.7 per 100,000 in 2017) and a 33.4% decrease in age-standardised stroke mortality rate (80.5, UI 78.9–82.6 per 100,000 in 2017) over the same time period. The rising trends in age-standardised stroke prevalence have been observed only in middle-income countries, despite declining trends in age-standardised stroke incidence and mortality in all income categories since 2005. Further, there has been almost a 34% reduction in stroke death rate (67.8, UI 64.1–71.1 per 100,000 in 2017) attributable to modifiable risk factors, more prominently in wealthier countries.

Conclusions
Almost half of stroke-related deaths are attributable to poor management of modifiable risk factors, and thus potentially preventable. We should appreciate societal barriers in lower-SES groups to design tailored preventive strategies. Despite improvements in general health knowledge, access to healthcare, and preventative strategies, SES is still strongly associated with modifiable risk factors and stroke burden; thus, screening of people from low SES at higher stroke risk is crucial.
Patterns of Care and Costs for Older Patients With Colorectal Cancer at the End of Life: Descriptive Study of the United States and Canada
Authors: Bremner Karen E. , Yabroff K. Robin , Coughlan Diarmuid , Liu Ning , Zeruto Christopher , Warren Joan L. , de Oliveira Claire , Mariotto Angela B. , Lam Clara , Barrett Michael J. , Chan Kelvin K.-W. , Hoch Jeffrey S. , Krahn Murray D. 
Published: October 2019

PURPOSE: End-of-life (EOL) cancer care is costly, with challenges regarding intensity and place of care. We described EOL care and costs for patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) in the United States and the province of Ontario, Canada, to inform better care delivery. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with CRC from 2007 to 2013, who died of any cancer from 2007 to 2013 at age ≥ 66 years, were selected from the US SEER cancer registries linked to Medicare claims (n = 16,565) and the Ontario Cancer Registry linked to administrative health data (n = 6,587). We estimated total and resource-specific costs (2015 US dollars) from public payer perspectives over the last 360 days of life by 30-day periods, by stage at diagnosis (0-II, III, IV). RESULTS: In all months, especially 30 days before death, higher percentages of SEER-Medicare than Ontario patients received chemotherapy (15.7% v 8.0%), and imaging tests (39.4% v 31.1%). A higher percentage of Ontario patients were hospitalized (62.5% v 51.0%), but 43.2% of hospitalized SEER-Medicare patients had intensive care unit (ICU) admissions versus 17.9% of hospitalized Ontario patients. Cost differences between cohorts were greater for patients with stage IV disease. In the last 30 days, mean total costs for patients with stage IV disease were $15,881 (SEER-Medicare) and $12,034 (Ontario) versus $19,354 and $17,312 for stage 0-II. Hospitalization costs were higher for SEER-Medicare patients ($11,180 v $9,434), with lower daily hospital costs in Ontario ($1,067 v $2,004). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest opportunities for reducing chemotherapy and ICU use in the United States and hospitalizations in Ontario.
MiR145-5p inhibits proliferation of PMVECs via PAI-1 in experimental hepatopulmonary syndrome rat pulmonary microvascular hyperplasia
Authors: Chen Yang , Yang Congwen , Li Yujie , Chen Lin , Yang Yong , Belguise Karine , Wang Xiaobo , Lu Kaizhi , Yi Bin 
Published: October 2019

Background/aim: Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a triad of advanced liver disease, intrapulmonary vasodilatation (IPVD), and arterial hypoxemia. Increasing evidence show HPS is associated with pulmonary microvascular hyperplasia. The aim of this work was to investigate the underlying mechanism of miR-145 in regulating the proliferation of pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs) and angiogenesis in HPS via PAI-1.
Methods: Morphology score and number of pulmonary microvascular were assessed in lung tissues from rats with HPS by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Expression levels of PAI-1 were assessed in lung tissues from HPS rats, as well as in PMVECs treated with HPS rat serum. We also selected the putative microRNA binding site on PAI-1 by bioinformatics analysis. Then, miR145-3p and miR145-5p expression levels in the lung and PMVECs of rats were detected by qRT-PCR because miR145-5p is a microRNA binding site on PAI-1. In addition, the effects of miR-145-5p regulation on PAI-1 were examined by upregulation and downregulation of miR-145-5p. And specific lentivirus transfection was used to overexpression and knockdown PAI-1 to assess PAI-1 function on PMVECs proliferation.
Results: Our data showed that levels of PAI-1 expression in lung tissue of rats increased significantly when rats were treated with common bile duct ligation (CBDL). We found that levels of miR-145-5p were frequently downregulated in HPS tissues and cell lines, and overexpression of miR-145-5p dramatically inhibited PMVECs proliferation. We further verified PAI-1 as a novel and direct target of miR-145-5p in HPS. MiR-145-5p inhibits PAI-1 synthesis. And the expression changes of PAI-1 directly affect the proliferation of PMVECs.
Conclusion: MiR-145-5p negatively regulates PMVECs proliferation through PAI-1 expression. In addition, overexpression of miR-145-5p may prove beneficial as a therapeutic strategy for HPS treatment.
Translational medicine in neuromuscular disorders: from academia to industry
Authors: Cowling Belinda S. , Thielemans Leen 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACT
Although around half of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs originate from discoveries made in academic research laboratories, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that nearly 90% of therapies developed in preclinical stages never reach clinical trials. From those in clinical trials, only 10% obtain marketing approval. Despite the recent advances in our understanding and diagnosis of neuromuscular disease, and the development of rational therapies in clinical trials, these numbers have not changed dramatically over the past two decades. This article discusses the advantages and challenges for translational research initiated from academia, and the trend towards bridging the gap between discovery and translation to the clinic. A focus is made on recent advances in therapeutic development for neuromuscular disorders.
DOS NUEVAS ESPECIES DE FABACEAE EXÓTICAS PARA LA FLORA DE SANTA FE
Authors: Bedetti Fernando , Rimoldi Pablo , Sanabria Cristián 
Published: October 2019

En el presente trabajo se reportan dos nuevas especies de Fabaceae para la flora de la provincia de Santa Fe: Spartium junceum y Robinia pseudoacacia. Además, se presentan datos sobre su localización, hábitos, descripción y categorización de status ecológico.
Pengaruh Prosentase Serat Kelapa Sawit Terhadap Umur Fatik Beban Aksial Komposit Matriks Resin
Authors: Fitri Muhamad 
Published: October 2019

Palm Oil Industries, not only provide so many benefits, but also has a negative impact in the form of organic waste as by products of palm oil industries. Therefore, the utilization of oil palm fiber waste needs to be developed, including for structural components that retain load, through various studies in order to reduce the volume of waste caused by oil palm. One of the simplest types of load is axial load. The purpose of this study is to make polymer matrix composite materials reinforced with oil palm fiber, and then test the life cycle of fatigue failure axial load, of polymer matrix composite materials with several different percentages of fiber content. The material used as a matrix is Yukalac® 157 BTQN-EX unsaturated polyester resin (UPRs), and the catalyst uses methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKPO) and Oil palm fibers as reinforcement. The content of palm oil fiber is divided into three level i.e: 3%, 5%, and 7%. The effect of the percentage content of the volume of palm oil fiber on the cycle of fatigue failure of the polymer matrix composite material were analyzed. So that later this palm matrix resin fiber composite material can really be utilized for structural components that retain load. By utilizing palm oil fiber in the production of composite materials, it is hoped that this will reduce the volume of organic waste from palm oil processing. Fatigue testing results on the percentage of palm oil fiber content of 3% obtained the shortest failure cycle life is 7.67 cycles. As for the percentage of palm oil content of 7%, the longest failure cycle was obtained to 18.33 cycles.
Making Pedagogic Sense of Design Thinking in the Higher Education Context
Authors: Beligatamulla Gnanaharsha , Rieger Janice , Franz Jill , Strickfaden Megan 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThis paper explores the educator experience and sense-making of design thinking pedagogy in the higher education context. Design thinking has become a pedagogical phenomenon in higher education due to its widespread relevance across many disciplines. Some studies discuss design thinking asa pedagogyin the educational context; however, there is a lack of empirical research to understand the educator perspective on design thinking pedagogy. Three design thinking educators who have had more than fifteen years of teaching experience were interviewed to explore their experiences. The data from these individual in-depth, semi-structured interviews were analysed employing Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). One super-ordinate theme;capability building for everyone, and four subordinate themes;developing a participatory approach towards world issues;developing an open, explorative attitude;developing creative ability; anddeveloping an ethical mindsetwere identified. From these findings, the paper argues that design thinking educators have the basis for a pedagogical rationale that transcends disciplinary boundaries and provides common ground for collaboration and on-going development of design thinking pedagogy as an emerging field in education.
Key agreement based on automaton groups
Authors: Grigorchuk Rostislav , Grigoriev Dima 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
We suggest several automaton groups as platforms for Anshel–Anshel–Goldfeld key agreement metascheme.
They include Grigorchuk and universal Grigorchuk groups, Hanoi 3-towers group, the Basilica group and a subgroup of the affine group

Aff
4

⁢

(
ℤ
)

{\mathrm{Aff}_{4}(\mathbb{Z})}

.
Rheological Investigation of GO Doped p(APTMACl) Composite Hydrogel
Authors: Rehman Tanzil Ur , Shah Luqman Ali 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
The aim of the present work is an approach towards the exploration of comprehension of rheological work on polymer composites synthesized by ex-situ dispersion of graphene oxide (GO) in poly(3-acrylamidopropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (APTMACl) cationic hydrogel template. FTIR was carried out for confirmation of polymer synthesis and existence of GO in hydrogel network. The rheological investigation via frequency sweep curve (shear measurement) and oscillatory sweep (dynamic mechanical analysis) at different temperature 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 °C was performed. The storage (G′) and loss (G′′) moduli as a function of angular frequency, yield stress, tangent loss, damping factor and retention property were also studied to confirm the visco-elastomeric nature of the GO@p(APTMACl) composite and their semi solid response at different range of temperature. Various rheological models like Bingham model, modified Bingham model and Ostwald’s power law were applied. The temperature dependency was further tested via Arrhenius-Frenkel-Eyring equation. The sample showed best fitting in the modified Bingham model, which justified the pseudo plastic semi solid behavior of GO@p(APTMACl) composite within the linear visco-elastic region (LVER). All the properties from rheological study show best mechanical property and make the composite hydrogel good for drug delivery and for other environmental applications.
Evaluating the Performance of the Asphalt Mixes Containing Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement by Considering the Effect of Silo Storage Time
Authors: Kadhim Hawraa , Baaj Hassan 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
The use of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) in hot mix asphalt (HMA) has been increasing in the last few decades because of its cost benefits and because of a compelling need to preserve the environment and natural resources. It is commonly assumed that HMA containing RAP (HMA-RAP) has an improved resistance to permanent deformation (rutting) and decreased resistance to the fatigue cracking. This is due to the fact that asphalt binder contained in the RAP has been oxidized over the years and is typically stiffer than virgin asphalt binder. However, during the production stage of the HMA-RAP, the blending between aged and virgin asphalt binders would be incomplete or partial, which would lead to heterogeneous distribution of the aged and virgin asphalt binders within the asphalt mix with RAP. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to evaluate the effect of silo storage on the blending mechanism between virgin and RAP asphalt binders and the impact that this would have on performance of the mix. Two plant-produced asphalt mixes (HL-3 and HL-8), typically used in the province of Ontario for surface and base courses in flexible pavements, were considered in this study. The mixes were designed with 15 and 30 % RAP, respectively, and the samples were collected immediately after the production (0 h) or at different silo storage times (1, 4, 8, and 12 h). The temperatures of the collected materials were closely monitored and recorded. The findings of this research indicated that silo-stored samples exhibited some improvement in their rutting and fatigue resistance. The examination of the dynamic modulus master curves indicated that the rheology of the mixes evolved with silo storage and that blending between the aged and the virgin binders has been improved.