Τετάρτη 1 Απριλίου 2020


Levels of Soluble CD30 and CD26 and Their Clinical Significance in Patients with Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia
Background. sCD30 and sCD26 are correlated with autoimmune diseases. However, little research has been done on the relationship between them and primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Methods. This study enrolled 47 patients diagnosed with ITP in the Institute of Hematology and Blood Disease Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (Tianjin, China), from January 2015 to August 2015. The peripheral blood of all subjects was collected. The mRNA expression of CD30 was quantified by RT-PCR, and...
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Analytical and Numerical Solutions of Pollution Concentration with Uniformly and Exponentially Increasing Forms of Sources
The study of pollution movement is an important basis for solving water quality problems, which is of vital importance in almost every country. This research proposes the motion of flowing pollution by using a mathematical model in one-dimensional advection-dispersion equation which includes terms of decay and enlargement process. We are assuming an added pollutant sources along the river in two cases: uniformly and exponentially increasing terms. The unsteady state analytical solutions are obtained...
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Lung Transplantation in a Patient with COPA Syndrome
COPA syndrome is a newly discovered, rare genetic autoimmune disorder, which can affect the lungs, joints, and kidneys. It is difficult to recognize, and the survival benefit of lung transplantation for these patients is not yet known. We present a case of a 24-year-old woman who received bilateral lung transplant for COPA syndrome. At 15 months posttransplant, her pulmonary function is stable with no episodes of acute cellular- or antibody-mediated rejection and no evidence of disease recurrence.
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Surface Laser Quenching as an Alternative Method for Conventional Quenching and Tempering Treatment of 1538 MV Steel
This paper aims at encouraging the use of laser treatment as an environmentally friendly technique to improve the mechanical properties of metallic materials over conventional quenching and tempering techniques through the study of the tribological behavior of AISI 1538 MV steel subjected to surface laser quenching treatment. Sliding wear tests were carried out by the pin-on-disk method. In order to identify the wear mechanisms, the worn surfaces on the disks were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy...
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Protective Effect of Iridoid Glycosides of the Leaves of Syringa oblata Lindl. on Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis by Inhibition of the TLR2/4/MyD88/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Iridoid glycoside (IG) is the major active fraction extracted from the leaves of Syringa oblata Lindl. In view of its antimicrobial and antidiarrheal potential, it could be beneficial for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). In the present study, IG (20, 40, and 80 mg/kg) was administered orally for 14 days to dextran sulfate sodium- (DSS-) induced colitis rats. The anti-inflammatory effects of IG on DSS-induced UC were evaluated by comparing observations in DSS-induced colitis and drug-treated...
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Molecular Signatures of Humic Acids from Different Sources as Revealed by Ultrahigh Resolution Mass Spectrometry
Humic acid (HA) is extremely important for understanding the geochemical cycle of pollutants in different environments. Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) has performed molecular-level analysis of two standard HAs from the Suwannee River (SRHA) and leonardite (LEHA) and HA from Jiufeng forest in Beijing (JFHA), which is impossible for other conventional instruments. Regardless of the source of HA, compounds containing more heteroatoms (such as nitrogen and sulfur)...
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Experimental Study on Influencing Factors of Characteristic Index of Local Horizontal Frozen Body of Double-Row Pipe under Seepage
In order to deeply understand the influence of different factors on the characteristic indicators of the double-row-pipe partial horizontal frozen body in the sand-gravel stratum under the effect of seepage flow, several sets of sand-gravel stratum frozen model tests were carried out based on the similarity theory. The research showed that (1) under the effect of seepage flow, the backwater surface of the horizontal frozen body is in the shape of a quadratic parabolic and the development velocity...
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Identification of Potential Biomarkers for Thyroid Cancer Using Bioinformatics Strategy: A Study Based on GEO Datasets
Background. The molecular mechanisms and genetic markers of thyroid cancer are unclear. In this study, we used bioinformatics to screen for key genes and pathways associated with thyroid cancer development and to reveal its potential molecular mechanisms. Methods. The GSE3467, GSE3678, GSE33630, and GSE53157 expression profiles downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database (GEO) contained a total of 164 tissue samples (64 normal thyroid tissue samples and 100 thyroid cancer samples). The four...
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Gender-Specific Body Composition Relationships between Adipose Tissue Distribution and Peak Bone Mineral Density in Young Chinese Adults
Background. The relationships between adipose tissue distribution and peak bone mineral density (BMD) in young adults are still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the body composition associations between fat mass (FM), lean mass (LM), regional adipose tissue distribution, and peak BMD across a cohort of young Chinese adults. Methods. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans were performed on 786 men and 825 women aged from 20 to 40 years old to measure the markers for whole-body...
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
A Quasi-Steady State Model of a Singularly Perturbed Wind Turbine with an Induction Generator and Nonlinear Frictions: A Bond Graph Approach
The modelling in bond graph of a class of nonlinear systems with singular perturbations is presented. The class of nonlinear systems modelled by bond graphs is defined by the product of state variables and nonlinear dissipation elements. In order to obtain the mathematical model of the singularly perturbed nonlinear systems, a lemma based on the junction structure of the bond graph with a preferred integral causality assignment is proposed. The quasi-steady state model of the system is obtained by...
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Polymers Decorated with Functional Motifs for Mitigation of Steel Corrosion: An Overview
Corrosion is a hazardous phenomenon having a devastating impact on technological and industrial applications, particularly in the oil and gas industries. Therefore, controlling the corrosion of metals is an important activity of technical, economical, environmental, and aesthetical importance in order to save huge expenses in materials, equipment, and structure. The use of corrosion inhibitors is one of the best options for controlling the metallic corrosion in various corrosive media. Numerous problems...
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Realization of the Radiance Scale Using Transfer Function of the Laser-Based Optical System
This work aims to determine the radiance responsivity to be used in the calibration of polychromatic radiation sources with low uncertainty. To realize the radiance, Ar-ion, He-Ne, and Nd-YAG lasers as well as an integrating sphere with a 0.15 m diameter are used to obtain radiation sources having Lambertian distributions. Then, a silicon photodiode-based reflection-type trap detector with calibrated precision aperture, which is traceable to a liquid helium cooled laser-based cryogenic radiometer,...
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
An Improved Collocation Approach of Euler Polynomials Connected with Bernoulli Ones for Solving Predator-Prey Models with Time Lag
This paper deals with an approach to obtaining the numerical solution of the Lotka–Volterra predator-prey models with discrete delay using Euler polynomials connected with Bernoulli ones. By using the Euler polynomials connected with Bernoulli ones and collocation points, this method transforms the predator-prey model into a matrix equation. The main characteristic of this approach is that it reduces the predator-prey model to a system of algebraic equations, which greatly simplifies the problem....
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Empirical Likelihood for Generalized Functional-Coefficient Regression Models with Multiple Smoothing Variables under Right Censoring Data
Empirical likelihood as a nonparametric approach has been demonstrated to have many desirable merits for constructing a confidence region. The purpose of this article is to apply the empirical likelihood method to study the generalized functional-coefficient regression models with multiple smoothing variables when the response is subject to random right censoring. The coefficient functions with multiple smoothing variables can accommodate various nonlinear interaction effects between covariates....
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Inexact Version of Bregman Proximal Gradient Algorithm
The Bregman Proximal Gradient (BPG) algorithm is an algorithm for minimizing the sum of two convex functions, with one being nonsmooth. The supercoercivity of the objective function is necessary for the convergence of this algorithm precluding its use in many applications. In this paper, we give an inexact version of the BPG algorithm while circumventing the condition of supercoercivity by replacing it with a simple condition on the parameters of the problem. Our study covers the existing results,...
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Classification of Continuous Sky Brightness Data Using Random Forest
Sky brightness measuring and monitoring are required to mitigate the negative effect of light pollution as a byproduct of modern civilization. Good handling of a pile of sky brightness data includes evaluation and classification of the data according to its quality and characteristics such that further analysis and inference can be conducted properly. This study aims to develop a classification model based on Random Forest algorithm and to evaluate its performance. Using sky brightness data from...
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Incidence and Risk Factors of Postcontrast Acute Kidney Injury in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke
Background. Multimodal computed tomography (CT) guides decision-making regarding use of thrombolytic agents in acute ischemic stroke patients. However, postcontrast acute kidney injury (PC-AKI) is a potential adverse effect of the contrast media used, which may require hemodialysis and cause a longer hospital stay. The incidence and risk factors of PC-AKI in acute ischemic stroke patients, particularly in Thailand, remain unclear. Goal. We aimed at determining the incidence and risk factors of PC-AKI...
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Knowledge of Essential Newborn Care and Associated Factors among Nurses and Midwives: A Cross-Sectional Study at Public Health Facilities in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia, 2019
Background. Knowledge of essential newborn care and proper practice is important for the survival, growth, and development of a newborn. In spite of its essentiality, most health-care professionals do not know and follow the World Health Organization recommendation. Therefore, this study is aimed at assessing knowledge of essential newborn care and associated factors among nurses and midwives working in maternal health case team at public health facilities of Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia, 2019. Methods....
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Stability and Global Sensitivity Analysis for an Agree-Disagree Model: Partial Rank Correlation Coefficient and Latin Hypercube Sampling Methods
In this paper, we present a new mathematical model that describes agree-disagree opinions during polls. We first present the model and its different compartments. Then, we use the next-generation matrix method to compute thresholds of equilibrium stability. We perform the stability analysis of equilibria to determine under which conditions these equilibrium points are stable or unstable. We show that the existence and stability of these equilibria are controlled by the calculated thresholds. Finally,...
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Clinicopathological and Prognostic Characteristics of Malaysian Triple Negative Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing TAC Chemotherapy Regimen
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is associated with aggressive tumour phenotype and early tumour relapse following diagnosis. Generally, clinicopathological features such as tumour size, patient’s age at diagnosis, tumour histology subtypes, grade and stage, involvement of lymph nodes, and menopausal status are commonly used for predicting disease progression, prospects of recurrence, and treatment response. Prognostic value of clinicopathological features on Malaysian TNBC patients is limited....
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Comparison of the Antioxidant Activities and Phenolic Content of Five Lonicera Flowers by HPLC-DAD/MS-DPPH and Chemometrics
The Lonicera plants (family Caprifoliaceae) with strong antioxidant activity are used as potential health-supporting phytochemicals. Studying the detailed relationships between bioactive compounds and their antioxidant activity is important for further comprehensive development and application of them. In this paper, the antioxidant capacities and compositions of five species of Lonicera flowers were investigated by using the online HPLC-DAD/MS-DPPH method. Results indicated that the samples contained...
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Magnitude and Predictors of Antenatal Depression among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care in Sodo Town, Southern Ethiopia: Facility-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Background. Depression affects approximately 10 to 20% of pregnant women globally, and one in ten and two in five women in developed and developing countries develop depression during pregnancy, respectively. However, evidence regarding its magnitude and predictors in Southern Ethiopia is limited. The present study is aimed at assessing the magnitude and predictors of antenatal depression among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Sodo town. Methods. A facility-based cross-sectional study was...
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
The Class III PI3K/Beclin-1 Autophagic Pathway Participates in the mmLDL-Induced Upregulation of ETA Receptor in Mouse Mesenteric Arteries
Minimally modified low-density lipoprotein (mmLDL) is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The current study explored the effect of mmLDL on the endothelin type A (ETA) receptor in mouse mesenteric arteries in vivo, as well as the role of autophagy in this process. mmLDL was injected via the caudal vein, and the Class III PI3K autophagic pathway inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) was injected intraperitoneally. The animals were divided into physiological saline (NS), mmLDL, and mmLDL + 3-MA groups....
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Temporal Description of Annual Temperature and Rainfall in the Bawku Area of Ghana
With varied implications, Ghana’s temperature and rainfall are projected to rise and decline, respectively. A study exposing specific areas of concern for appropriate responses in this regard is a welcome one. This study sought to describe the temporal variations in temperature and rainfall in the Bawku Area of Ghana. A forty-year (1976–2015) daily climate data was collected on three meteorological stations from the Ghana Meteorological Agency. Normality test, homogeneity test, Standardised Precipitation...
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Phytochemical Analysis and Antimicrobial/Antioxidant Activity of Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. Rhizome Methanolic Extract
A proper use of medicinal plants requires accurate scientific information and understanding of their chemical constituents. The therapeutic effects in the plants are due to the chemical compounds therein. Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. of the family Poaceae is a perennial, pan-tropical species of grass which is a well-known traditional medicine and has a renowned position for treatment of many symptoms and diseases. The chemical composition, free radical scavenging activity, and antimicrobial properties...
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
The Development and Psychometric Properties of the Visuospatial Working Memory Assessment (VWMA) for Children
The visuospatial working memory plays a crucial role in the occupational performance of children including daily living and academic achievement. Unfortunately, relevant visuospatial working memory tests in the occupational therapy setting are lacking. Therefore, it is of clinical interest to develop new assessment tools in this area. The present study is aimed at summarizing the development of the visuospatial working memory assessment (VWMA) and assessing its psychometric properties. The results...
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
To Probe Full and Partial Activation of Human Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors by Pan-Agonist Chiglitazar Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Chiglitazar is a promising new-generation insulin sensitizer with low reverse effects for the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and has shown activity as a nonselective pan-agonist to the human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) (i.e., full activation of PPARγ and a partial activation of PPARα and PPARβ/δ). Yet, it has no high-resolution complex structure with PPARs and its detailed interactions and activation mechanism remain unclear. In this study, we docked chiglitazar...
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Comparative Study of PPARγ Targets in Human Extravillous and Villous Cytotrophoblasts
Trophoblasts, as the cells that make up the main part of the placenta, undergo cell differentiation processes such as invasion, migration, and fusion. Abnormalities in these processes can lead to a series of gestational diseases whose underlying mechanisms are still unclear. One protein that has proven to be essential in placentation is the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), which is expressed in the nuclei of extravillous cytotrophoblasts (EVCTs) in the first trimester and villous...
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Effects of Rubber Hand Illusion and Excitatory Theta Burst Stimulation on Tactile Sensation: A Pilot Study
Synchronous visuotactile stimulation on the own hidden hand and a visible fake limb can alter bodily self-perception and influence spontaneous neuroplasticity. The rubber hand illusion (RHI) paradigm experimentally produces an illusion of rubber hand ownership and arm shift by simultaneously stroking a rubber hand in view and a participant’s visually occluded hand. The aim of this cross-over, placebo-controlled, single-blind study was to assess whether RHI, in combination with high-frequency repetitive...
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Physical Activity and Insulin Resistance in 6,500 NHANES Adults: The Role of Abdominal Obesity
This cross-sectional investigation studied differences in insulin resistance across levels of physical activity in 6,500 US adults who were randomly selected as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Another important objective was to determine the influence of abdominal obesity on the physical activity and insulin resistance relationship. MET-minutes were utilized to quantify total activity based on participation in 48 different physical activities. Two strategies...
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Risk Factors Associated with Cardiac Autonomic Modulation in Obese Individuals
Obesity leads to an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system, especially in increased sympathetic modulation and decreased vagal tone, and some anthropometric, metabolic, and lifestyle variables may increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Objective. To analyze the association between cardiovascular autonomic modulation and biochemical and anthropometric markers, food intake, and physical activity level in severely obese individuals. Methodology. The present study is a cutout of a...
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Controller for UAV to Oppose Different Kinds of Wind in the Environment
Small UAVs are susceptible to the external disturbance, especially the wind field disturbance in the atmosphere environment. As a result, UAV’s states including attitude, speed, and position are usually unable to track the desired control commands. In this paper, different types of wind fields which easily affect the UAV are summarized; furthermore, the mechanism of their wind fields affecting the UAV is first strictly analyzed. Next, a novel “reject external disturbance” flight mode for UAV is put...
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Age- and Organ-Specific Differences in Mitochondrial Bioenergetics in Brown Norway Rats
Mitochondria play a central role in energy homeostasis and act as regulatory checkpoints for downstream metabolic responses and cell senescence processes during an entire life span. Acute or chronic environmental toxicant exposures have shown deleterious organ-specific human health issues at various life stages. Since mitochondria are a prime target for ensuing cellular bioenergetics responses and senescence, it is essential to understand mitochondrial bioenergetic responses in different organs over...
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Changes in Urinary Microalbumin Levels after Correction of Hyperuricemia in Patients with Gout: An Observational Cohort Study
Background. Gout is commonly associated with metabolic syndrome. Strong association between the serum uric acid level and microalbuminuria has also been observed in various studies. Aim. To observe the change in urinary microalbumin after urate-lowering treatment in patients with gout and microalbuminuria. Methodology. A prospective, observational study was conducted at a tertiary-level rheumatic center (NCRD) in Kathmandu, Nepal. Adults diagnosed with gout using the 2015 ACR/EULAR criteria and microalbuminuria...
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Comparison of Low-Pass Filters for SPECT Imaging
In single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging, the choice of a suitable filter and its parameters for noise reduction purposes is a big challenge. Adverse effects on image quality arise if an improper filter is selected. Filtered back projection (FBP) is the most popular technique for image reconstruction in SPECT. With this technique, different types of reconstruction filters are used, such as the Butterworth and the Hamming. In this study, the effects on the quality of reconstructed...
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Clinical Trials in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Hurdle in the Path of Remedy
Human clinical trials seek to ameliorate the disease states and symptomatic progression of illnesses that, as of yet, are largely untreatable according to clinical standards. Ideally, clinical trials test “disease-modifying drugs,” i.e., therapeutic agents that specifically modify pathological features or molecular bases of the disease and would presumably have a large impact on disease progression. In the case of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), however, this approach appears to have stalled progress in...
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Extraction-Free, Direct Determination of Caffeine in Microliter Volumes of Beverages by Thermal Desorption-Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry
An extraction-free method requiring microliter (μL) volumes has been developed for the determination of caffeine in beverages. Using a pyrolysis-gas chromatography mass spectrometry system, the conditions required for the direct thermal desorption-gas chromatography mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS) determination of caffeine were optimised. A 5 μL aliquot was introduced to the thermal desorption unit, dried, and thermally desorbed to the GC/MS. The response was linear over the range 10 to 500 μg/mL (R2 = 0.996)....
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Atmospheric Pollution and Hospitalization for Cardiovascular and Respiratory Diseases in the City of Manaus from 2008 to 2012
Introduction. Air pollution has been identified as a serious public health problem in the world’s major metropolises. Recent studies have shown that airborne particle concentrations are associated with a wide range of effects on human health, including increased hospital admissions for respiratory disease, enhanced asthma episodes, decreased lung function, and increased mortality. Objective. To relate the levels of air pollution and hospital admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases...
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h
Current Approaches for Personalized Therapy of Soft Tissue Sarcomas
Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a highly heterogeneous group of cancers of mesenchymal origin with diverse morphologies and clinical behaviors. While surgical resection is the standard treatment for primary STS, advanced and metastatic STS patients are not eligible for surgery. Systemic treatments, including standard chemotherapy and newer chemical agents, still play the most relevant role in the management of the disease. Discovery of specific genetic alterations in distinct STS subtypes allowed...
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
19h

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