bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimal control of a delayed hepatitis B viral infection model with HBV DNA‐containing capsids and CTL immune response
Authors: Danane Jaouad , Meskaf Adil , Allali Karam 
Published: January 2018

SummaryThis paper deals with an optimal control problem of a time‐delayed differential equation model that describes the interactions between hepatitis B virus (HBV) with HBV DNA‐containing capsids, liver cells (hepatocytes), and cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte immune response. Both the treatment and the intracellular delay are incorporated into the model. Furthermore, the existence of the optimal control pair is studied, and Pontryagin's minimum principle is used to characterize these 2 optimal controls. The first of them represents the efficiency of drug treatment in preventing new infections, whereas the second stands for the efficiency of drug treatment in inhibiting viral production. The optimality system is derived and solved numerically using the forward and backward difference approximation. Finally, numerical simulations are established to show the role of optimal therapy in controlling viral replication.
Ultrasound findings provide clues to investigate founder mutations expressed as runs of homozygosity in chromosomal microarray studies
Authors: Daum Hagit , Lerer Israela , Frumkin Ayala , Rosenak Daniel , Yanai Nili , Porat Shay , Yagel Simcha , Meiner Vardiella 
Published: January 2018

What's already known about this topic?

ROH mapping is a diagnostic tool in the investigation of genetic disease within consanguineous families; however, in isolated populations, no consanguinity is required as a result of long‐term ancestral isolation.
What does this study add?

Known founder mutations within isolated populations together with SNP array in the prenatal testing, and with corresponding ultrasound abnormalities assist in achieving an accurate prenatal diagnosis in a tight schedule.
Effect of matrix−nanoparticle supramolecular interactions on the morphology and mechanical properties of polymer foams
Authors: Jamalpour Seifollah , Ghaffarian Seyed Reza , Jangizehi Amir 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn this study, we report the fabrication of supramolecular polymer nanocomposite foams with a uniform cell structure, high cell density and high expansion ratio using a soft matrix of poly(methyl acrylate‐co‐2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and silica nanoparticle fillers, both functionalized with ureido‐pyrimidinone (UPy) supramolecular groups. Microcellular structures were formed using a batch foaming process at 90 °C under a 9 MPa nitrogen atmosphere. Nanocomposites were characterized and compared before and after the foaming process to investigate the effect of supramolecular interactions on the thermomechanical properties and morphology of the foams. TEM images revealed that while strong inter‐filler supramolecular interactions do not have a positive effect on their dispersion state, matrix−filler interactions derived from hydrogen bonding UPy motifs result in a rather uniform distribution of nanoparticles. Competing filler−filler and matrix−filler supramolecular interactions can be balanced and optimized by adjusting UPy populations along the chains and on the surface of nanoparticles. At a given chain functionality, increasing the nanoparticle loading up to an optimum concentration improves the mechanical properties and formability of the system. Above such concentration strong interactions between fillers, which are not compensated by the matrix, result in large aggregates and consequently undermine the material performance. Supramolecular polymer foams illustrate a similar thermal and viscoelastic behavior to that of neat samples but after foaming, due to the formation of a cellular structure and rearrangement or dissociation of UPy dimers under the foaming conditions, the elastic modulus is reduced. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
The Saliva Proteome of Dogs: Variations Within and Between Breeds and Between Species
Authors: Pasha Sabah , Inui Taichi , Chapple Iain , Harris Stephen , Holcombe Lucy , Grant Melissa M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractSaliva is a complex multifunctional fluid that bathes the oral cavity to assist in soft and hard tissue maintenance, lubrication, buffering, defense against microbes, and initiating digestion of foods. It has been extensively characterized in humans but its protein composition in dogs remains poorly characterized, yet saliva composition could explain (patho) physiological differences between individuals, breeds and with humans. This pilot discovery study aimed to characterize canine saliva from two breeds, Labrador retrievers and Beagles, and to compare this with human saliva using quantitative mass spectrometry. The analysis demonstrated considerable inter‐individual variation and difference between breeds; however these were small in comparison to the differences between species. Functional mapping suggested roles of detected proteins similar to those found in human saliva with the exception of the initiation of digestion as salivary amylase was lacking or at very low abundance in canine saliva samples. Many potential anti‐microbial proteins were detected agreeing with the notion that the oral cavity is under continuous microbial challenge.
Hinokitiol ablates myofibroblast activation in precancerous oral submucous fibrosis by targeting Snail
Authors: Yang Hui‐Wen , Lu Ming‐Yi , Chiu Yu‐Wei , Liao Yi‐Wen , Huang Yu‐Feng , Ju Chueh Pin , Hsieh Pei‐Ling , Yu Cheng‐Chia 
Published: January 2018

AbstractOral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a precancerous condition with symptoms of limited mouth opening and areca nut chewing habit has been implicated in its pathogenesis. Hinokitiol, a natural tropolone derived from Chamacyparis taiwanensis, has been reported to improve oral lichen planus and inhibit various cancer cells. Here, we showed that hinokitiol reduced the myofibroblast activities in fBMFs and prevented the arecoline‐induced transdifferentiation. Treatment of hinokitiol dose‐dependently downregulated the myofibroblast markers as well as various EMT transcriptional factors. In particular, we identified that Snail was able to bind to the E‐box in the α‐SMA promoter. Our data suggested that exposure of fBMFs to hinokitiol mitigated the hallmarks of myofibroblasts, while overexpression of Snail eliminated the effect of hinokitiol. These findings revealed that the inhibitory effect of hinokitiol on myofibroblasts was mediated by repression of α‐SMA via regulation of Snail and showed the anti‐fibrotic potential of hinokitiol in the treatment of OSF.
Resetting the TSCA Inventory: Why This Is Important
Authors: Bergeson Lynn L. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractOn August 11, 2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the third Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) framework final rule in the Federal Register, the TSCA Inventory Notification (Active‐Inactive) Requirements (EPA, 2017). This final rule is now in effect. This Washington Watch column explains why the rule is important, and what stakeholders should be doing to protect their interests.
Noncoding RNAs in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Idda M. Laura , Munk Rachel , Abdelmohsen Kotb , Gorospe Myriam 
Published: January 2018

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the main cause of dementia among the elderly worldwide. Despite intense efforts to develop drugs for preventing and treating AD, no effective therapies are available as yet, posing a growing burden at the personal, medical, and socioeconomic levels. AD is characterized by the production and aggregation of amyloid β (Aβ) peptides derived from amyloid precursor protein (APP), the presence of hyperphosphorylated microtubule‐associated protein Tau (MAPT), and chronic inflammation leading to neuronal loss. Aβ accumulation and hyperphosphorylated Tau are responsible for the main histopathological features of AD, Aβ plaques, and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), respectively. However, the full spectrum of molecular factors that contribute to AD pathogenesis is not known. Noncoding (nc)RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), regulate gene expression at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels in various diseases, serving as biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets. There is rising recognition that ncRNAs have been implicated in both the onset and pathogenesis of AD. Here, we review the ncRNAs implicated posttranscriptionally in the main AD pathways and discuss the growing interest in targeting regulatory ncRNAs therapeutically to combat AD pathology. WIREs RNA 2018, 9:e1463. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1463This article is categorized under:

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease
On degenerate coupled transport processes in porous media with memory phenomena
Authors: Beneš Michal , Pažanin Igor 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn this paper we prove the global existence of weak solutions to degenerate parabolic systems coupled with an integral condition arising from the fully coupled moisture movement, transport of dissolved chemical species and heat transfer through porous materials. The problem under consideration covers a large range of problems including hygro‐thermo‐chemical modelling of concrete at early ages taking into account hydration (memory) phenomena. In the model, all changes of material properties are expressed as functions of state variables and the memory function (the so called hydration degree). Physically relevant mixed Dirichlet‐Neumann boundary conditions and initial conditions are considered. Existence of global weak solutions of the problem is proved by means of semidiscretization in time, proving necessary uniform estimates and by passing to the limit from discrete approximations. Degeneration occurs in the nonlinear transport coefficients which are not assumed to be bounded below and above by positive constants. Degeneracies in transport coefficients are overcome by proving suitable a‐priori ‐estimates based on De Giorgi and Moser iteration technique.
Coffee with a high content of chlorogenic acids and low content of hydroxyhydroquinone improves postprandial endothelial dysfunction in patients with borderline and stage 1 hypertension
Authors: Kajikawa Masato , Maruhashi Tatsuya , Hidaka Takayuki , Nakano Yukiko , Kurisu Satoshi , Matsumoto Takeshi , Iwamoto Yumiko , Kishimoto Shinji , Matsui Shogo , Aibara Yoshiki , Yusoff Farina Mohamad , Kihara Yasuki , Chayama Kazuaki , Goto Chikara , Noma Kensuke , Nakashima Ayumu , Watanabe Takuya , Tone Hiroshi , Hibi Masanobu , Osaki Noriko , Katsuragi Yoshihisa , Higashi Yukihito 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to evaluate acute effects of coffee with a high content of chlorogenic acids and different hydroxyhydroquinone contents on postprandial endothelial dysfunction.

Methods
This was a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover-within-subject clinical trial. A total of 37 patients with borderline or stage 1 hypertension were randomized to two study groups. The participants consumed a test meal with a single intake of the test coffee. Subjects in the Study 1 group were randomized to single intake of coffee with a high content of chlorogenic acids and low content of hydroxyhydroquinone or coffee with a high content of chlorogenic acids and a high content of hydroxyhydroquinone with crossover. Subjects in the Study 2 group were randomized to single intake of coffee with a high content of chlorogenic acids and low content of hydroxyhydroquinone or placebo coffee with crossover. Endothelial function assessed by flow-mediated vasodilation and plasma concentration of 8-isoprostanes were measured at baseline and at 1 and 2 h after coffee intake.

Results
Compared with baseline values, single intake of coffee with a high content of chlorogenic acids and low content of hydroxyhydroquinone, but not coffee with a high content of chlorogenic acids and high content of hydroxyhydroquinone or placebo coffee, significantly improved postprandial flow-mediated vasodilation and decreased circulating 8-isoprostane levels.

Conclusions
These findings suggest that a single intake of coffee with a high content of chlorogenic acids and low content of hydroxyhydroquinone is effective for improving postprandial endothelial dysfunction.

Clinical Trial Registration
URL for Clinical Trial: https://upload.umin.ac.jp; Registration Number for Clinical Trial: UMIN000013283.
Prehospital Emergencies in Illegal Gold Mining Sites in French Guiana
Authors: Egmann Gérald , Tattevin Pierre , Palancade Renaud , Nacher Matthieu 
Published: January 2018

Introduction Illegal gold mining is flourishing in French Guiana, existing outside the law due to both the high cost of gold mining permits and the challenges of law enforcement within the Amazon forest. We report the characteristics of, and the medical responses to, medical emergencies in illegal gold mining sites. Methods We performed a retrospective study of all medical emergencies reported from illegal gold mining sites to the centralized call office of SAMU 973 from 1998 through 2000 and from 2008 through 2010. According to the national health care system, any medical emergency within the territory is handled by the prehospital emergency medical service (SAMU 973), irrespective of the patients’ legal status. Data were extracted from the SAMU 973 notebook registry (1998–2000) or the SAMU 973 computerized database (2008–2010) and werre collected using a standardized questionnaire. Results Of 71,932 calls for medical emergencies in French Guiana during the study periods, 340 (0.5%) originated from illegal gold mining sites. Of these, 196 (58%) led to medical evacuation by helicopter, whereas the overall rate of evacuation by helicopter after placing a call to SAMU 973 was only 4% (3020/71,932; P<0.0001 for comparison with illegal gold mining sites). Medical emergencies were classified as illness (48%, mostly infectious), trauma (44%, mostly weapon wounds), and miscellaneous (8%). Conclusions Medical emergencies at illegal gold mining sites in the Amazon forest mostly include infectious diseases, followed by trauma, and often require medical evacuation by helicopter. Our study suggests that implementation of preventive medicine within gold mining sites, irrespective of their legal status, could be cost-effective and reduce morbidity.
Update on the Epidemiology of Scorpion Envenomation in the South of Tunisia
Authors: Chakroun-Walha Olfa , Karray Rim , Jerbi Mouna , Nasri Abdennour , Issaoui Fadhila , Amine Ben Rebeh , Bahloul Mabrouk , Bouaziz Mounir , Ksibi Hichem , Rekik Noureddine 
Published: January 2018

Introduction Scorpion envenomation is still a frequent occurance in tropical and subtropical regions. In Tunisia, multiple studies on scorpion envenoming have contributed to an improved understanding of cardiac dysfunction and factors predictive of poor prognosis. These previous studies have contributed to the current standardized management of envenomed patients. However, the epidemiology of scorpion envenoming in Tunisia has not been updated for more than 10 years. The aim of this study was to report an update of the epidemiological features of scorpion envenomation in the southern region of Tunisia. Methods This is a retrospective monocentric study including all patients admitted in the emergency room for scorpion envenomation. Cases were collected from emergency medical files during a 3-year period (2013–2015). The diagnosis of scorpion envenomation was made by history of a scorpion sting. All files in which scorpion envenomation was not certain were excluded. Data are presented as mean±SD with range or percentages, as appropriate. Results We enrolled 282 patients aged 27.4±22.8 years with a 1:1 sex ratio. During surveillance in the emergency room, 39 patients developed cardiac dysfunction. Overall, 42 patients (14.9%) were at stage 3 of severity, and 240 patients (85.1%) had moderate scorpion envenomation (stage 2). Only 1 patient died a few hours after admission. In the remaining cases, the outcome was good. Our results show the improvement in mortality rates even in severe presentations. Conclusion This study found that the outcome of scorpion-stung patients has clearly improved. This enhancement can be explained by early medical consultation and standardized management of patients with predictive factors for cardiac dysfunction.
Amygdala reactivity in ethnic minorities and its relationship to the social environment: an fMRI study
Authors: McCutcheon Robert , Bloomfield Michael A. P. , Dahoun Tarik , Quinlan Marina , Terbeck Sylvia , Mehta Mitul , Howes Oliver 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundEthnic minority individuals have an increased risk of developing a psychotic disorder, particularly if they live in areas of ethnic segregation, or low own group ethnic density. The neurobiological mechanisms underlying this ethnic minority associated risk are unknown. We used functional MRI to investigate neural responses to faces of different ethnicity, in individuals of black ethnicity, and a control group of white British ethnicity individuals.MethodsIn total 20 individuals of black ethnicity, and 22 individuals of white British ethnicity underwent a 3T MRI scan while viewing faces of black and white ethnicity. Own group ethnic density was calculated from the 2011 census. Neighbourhood segregation was quantified using the Index of Dissimilarity method.ResultsAt the within-group level, both groups showed greater right amygdala activation to outgroup faces. Between groups, the black ethnicity group showed greater right amygdala activation to white faces, compared to the white ethnicity group. Within the black ethnicity group, individuals living in areas of lower own group ethnic density showed greater right amygdala reactivity to white faces (r = −0.61, p = 0.01).ConclusionsThis is the first time an increased amygdala response to white faces has been demonstrated in individuals of black ethnicity. In the black ethnicity group, correlations were observed between amygdala response and neighbourhood variables associated with increased psychosis risk. These results may have relevance for our understanding of the increased rates of paranoia and psychotic disorders in ethnic minority individuals.
OP42 Cost-Benefit Of Computed Tomography In Secondary Hospitals In China
Authors: Sun Hui , Chen Yingyao , Ming Jian , Wei Yan , He Luyang 
Published: January 2018

INTRODUCTION:With the promotion of a tiered medical service system, secondary hospitals will play a more important role in the future. This study aims to explore the cost-benefit of computed tomography (CT) in secondary hospitals in China, with a view to providing information for overall economic management in hospitals as well as for regional planning of medical equipment in different areas.METHODS:Fifty-eight secondary hospitals from six provinces located in the eastern, central, and western regions of China were selected as the study sample. Questionnaires were used to collect information on the cost structure, efficiency, and benefits of CT in the secondary hospitals in the past 5 years. Cost analysis was conducted from the perspective of the hospitals, which mainly referred to direct fixed costs and variable costs. We analyzed the investment recovery years a, cost recovery rate b, and benefit-cost ratio to evaluate the economic benefits of CT. We also analyzed the technological benefits of CT based on its effective utilization rate c and positive detection rate.
a:Investment recovery years = total original investment / (annual net income + annual depreciation expense)b:Cost recovery rate = average income per check / average cost per checkc:Effective utilization rate = single equipment utilization rate * positive detection rate(Single equipment utilization rate = actual working time / rated working time)RESULTS:Depreciation costs (36.3 percent) were the largest proportion of all costs over the 5-year period, followed by material costs (22.2 percent), maintenance costs (18.2 percent), labor costs (17.1 percent), and electricity consumption (1.2 percent). The investment recovery periods of CT in the eastern, central, and western regions were 2.5, 2.8, and 3.1 years, respectively; the cost recovery rates were 186.5 percent, 172.0 percent, and 174.1 percent, respectively; the benefit-cost ratios were 1.9, 1.7, and 1.7, respectively; the effective utilization rates were 46.1 percent, 58.3 percent, and 71.2 percent, respectively; and the positive detection rates were 52.3 percent, 60.5 percent, and 73.3 percent, respectively.CONCLUSIONS:The current study indicates that the cost-benefit of CT is good in secondary hospitals, especially in terms of economic benefits. But to achieve greater technological benefits in all three regions, more appropriate utilization of CT is needed.
OP60 Ramucirumab In Gastric Cancer Treatment: An Economic Evaluation
Authors: Guglielmo Annamaria , Ciani Oriana , Staropoli Nicoletta , Ciliberto Domenico , Tarricone Rosanna , Giancotti Monica , Mauro Marianna 
Published: January 2018

INTRODUCTION:Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancy and the third leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Currently, platinum-based and fluoropyrimidine-based combinations represent the milestone of front-line drug regimens. Unfortunately, there are few treatment options after failure of first-line therapy. Ramucirumab, a human IgG1 monoclonal antibody to VEGFR-2, has been recently approved in the European Union (EU) for use as monotherapy or in combination with paclitaxel as second-line treatment in patients with advanced GC with progressed disease. We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis of the Ramucirumab plus paclitaxel doublet versus paclitaxel alone in patients with previously treated advanced GC, based on results of the RAINBOW trial (1).METHODS:A Markov model has been developed in order to estimate the Life Years Gained (LYGs) and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for both treatments. The model adopted the Italian healthcare system perspective and the time horizon is that of the lifetime of a patient with an advanced GC. The model considered three distinct health states: stable, progression or death. Transition probabilities were extracted from the Kaplan-Meier curves provided in the trial and cubic/spline function was used to approximate the extrapolation of survival curves for each treatment cycle. An internal model validation was performed to validate the Overall Survival (OS) curves generated by our model simulation. We based our economic analysis on clinical data and resource consumption (drugs, drug administration, supportive care medications, disease monitoring and graded 3 or 4 adverse events) on the Italian setting (2,3). All costs were expressed in euros. Sensitivity analysis also have been performed.RESULTS:This cost-effectiveness study demonstrated that, in 2nd-line therapy, the combination of ramucirumab with paclitaxel provides an incremental benefit (+1.54) at high incremental cost (EUR41,616) per LYGs.CONCLUSIONS:At a threshold of EUR5,000 for LYGs, based on Italian perspective, ramucirumab plus paclitaxel had less probability of being cost-effective. To our knowledge, our study is the first modeling study from an Italian payer perspective and the first worldwide to examine ramucirumab as a 2nd-line treatment.