A note on semiextensions of stable circuits

Garcí,a Moreno, E. Enrique,Jensen, Tommy R. Elsevier 2009 Discrete mathematics Vol.309 No.15

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>A semiextension of a circuit C in a graph G provides a possible means of finding a cycle double cover of G with C as a prescribed circuit. Recently we conjectured [E.E. García Moreno, T.R. Jensen, On semiextensions and circuit double covers, J. Combin. Theory Ser. B 97 (2007) 474–482] that if G is cubic and 2-edge-connected, then a semiextension of C in G exists. If true, this would imply several long-standing conjectures.</P><P>If there is a circuit <SUP>C′</SUP> in G with <SUP>C′</SUP>≠C and V(C)⊆V(<SUP>C′</SUP>), then <SUP>C′</SUP> is called an extension of C, a special case of a semiextension. If there is no such circuit, then C is said to be stable in G. Hence the existence question for semiextensions is easy except for stable circuits. Not many examples of graphs with stable circuits have been published. In this note we show that the members of a particular class of stable circuits described by M. Kochol have semiextensions.</P>

Effects of poly-gamma-glutamic acid and vitamin B6 supplements on sleep status: a randomized intervention study

García-García Carolina,백인경 한국영양학회 2021 Nutrition Research and Practice Vol.15 No.3

BACKGROUD/OBJECTIVES: Data regarding the effects of poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) on sleep status are limited. This study aimed to test whether γ-PGA and vitamin B6 (VitB6) supplements improve sleep duration and quality. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A factorial randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover study included 47 adults (25 men and 22 women) who were free of chronic disease. Stratified randomized allocation considered age and gender for three interventions, group A (supplementation with γ-PGA 600 mg; n = 16), group B (supplementation with VitB6 100 mg; n = 14), and group C (dual supplementation of both γ-PGA 600 mg and VitB6 100 mg; n = 17). Participants underwent a 1-mon intervention period, followed by a 1-mon washout period, and then a second 1-mon intervention period. Differences (mean ± SD) in nighttime sleep status before and after supplementation were compared between the placebo and intervention groups using nonparametric tests. RESULTS: Significant changes in sleep duration (0.27 ± 0.98 h, P < 0.05) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index global score (−0.52 ± 1.58, P < 0.05) indicating improved sleep status were observed in the intervention compared with the placebo of group C while no significant changes were observed in groups A and B. No statistical significance was detected between the intervention and the placebo; however, there was a greater increase in the group C intervention (4.59 ± 38.5 ng/mL) in serum serotonin concentrations than the groups A and B interventions. No side effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of these findings, the dual supplementation of γ-PGA and VitB6 may be effective as functional food components to improve nighttime sleep status. Trial Registration: Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0005083

Associations of dietary vitamin A and C intake with asthma, allergic rhinitis, and allergic respiratory diseases

García-García Carolina,Kim Minju,Baik Inkyung 한국영양학회 2023 Nutrition Research and Practice Vol.17 No.5

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR) are closely related and considered as allergic respirator y diseases (ARD), and their prevalence has recently increased. Data on the association of dietar y antioxidant vitamin intake with asthma and AR in adults are limited. The present study aimed to investigate the associations of vitamin A and C intake with asthma, AR, and all cases of both diseases in young adults who participated in a cross-sectional national sur vey, with the use of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level as an effect modifier. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study included 6,293 male and female adults aged 20–49 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Sur vey (KNHANES) conducted between 2016 and 2018. The questionnaire-based reports on asthma and AR diagnosis were used to determine outcome variables. Further, 24-h recall data on dietar y vitamin A and C, carotene, and retinol intake were acquired. Logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence inter val (CI). RESULTS: Dietar y vitamin C intake was inversely associated with asthma prevalence among participants with hs-CRP levels (≥ 1 mg/L); the OR of asthma prevalence was 0.27 (95% CI, 0.08–0.84) for participants with vitamin C consumption ≥ 75 mg/day compared with those consuming < 20 mg/day. Similar association analyses limiting to non-users of dietar y supplements were performed to rule out the potential effects of supplement intake on the outcomes; results showed a stronger association. However, the association between vitamin C and asthma was not significant in participants with hs-CRP levels < 1 mg/L; the OR of asthma was 1.44 (95% CI, 0.66–3.16) for participants with vitamin C consumption ≥ 75 mg/day compared with those consuming < 20 mg/day. Vitamin C intake was not associated with AR. Moreover, there was no association between vitamin A intake and neither asthma nor AR. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that higher vitamin C intake may play a potential role in reducing asthma prevalence. Nevertheless, further studies should be conducted to evaluate whether this association is causal.

A non-dimensional theoretical approach to model high-velocity impact on thick woven plates

L. Alonso,D. Garcia-Gonzalez,C. Navarro,S.K. García-Castillo 국제구조공학회 2021 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.38 No.6

A theoretical energy-based model to capture the mechanical response of thick woven composite laminates, which are used in such applications as maritime or aerospace, to high-velocity impact was developed. The dependences of the impact phenomenon on material and geometrical parameters were analysed making use of the Vaschy-Buckingham Theorem to provide a non-dimensional framework. The model was divided in three different stages splitting the physical interpretation of the perforation process: a first where different dissipative mechanisms such as compression or shear plugging were considered, a second where a transference of linear momentum was assumed and a third where only friction took place. The model was validated against experimental data along with a 3D finite element model. The numerical simulations were used to validate some of the new hypotheses assumed in the theoretical model to provide a more accurate explanation of the phenomena taking place during a high-velocity impact.

Towards automatic EEG cyclic alternating pattern analysis: a systematic review analysis: a systematic review

Fábio Mendonça,Sheikh Shanawaz Mostafa,Fernando Morgado-Dias,Antonio G. Ravelo-García,Ivana Rosenzweig 대한의용생체공학회 2023 Biomedical Engineering Letters (BMEL) Vol.13 No.3

This study conducted a systematic review to determine the feasibility of automatic Cyclic Alternating Pattern (CAP)analysis. Specifically, this review followed the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses(PRISMA) guidelines to address the formulated research question: is automatic CAP analysis viable for clinical application?From the identified 1,280 articles, the review included 35 studies that proposed various methods for examining CAP,including the classification of A phase, their subtypes, or the CAP cycles. Three main trends were observed over timeregarding A phase classification, starting with mathematical models or features classified with a tuned threshold, followedby using conventional machine learning models and, recently, deep learning models. Regarding the CAP cycle detection,it was observed that most studies employed a finite state machine to implement the CAP scoring rules, which depended onan initial A phase classifier, stressing the importance of developing suitable A phase detection models. The assessment ofA-phase subtypes has proven challenging due to various approaches used in the state-of-the-art for their detection, rangingfrom multiclass models to creating a model for each subtype. The review provided a positive answer to the main researchquestion, concluding that automatic CAP analysis can be reliably performed. The main recommended research agendainvolves validating the proposed methodologies on larger datasets, including more subjects with sleep-related disorders,and providing the source code for independent confirmation.

A pH/Temperature-Sensitive s-IPN Based on Poly(vinyl alcohol), Poly(vinyl methyl ether-alt-maleic acid) and Poly(vinyl methyl ether) Prepared by Autoclaving

Karla F. García-Verdugo,Andya J. Ramírez-Irigoyen,Mónica Castillo-Ortega,Dora E. Rodríguez-Félix,Jesús M. Quiroz-Castillo,Judith Tánori-Córdova,Francisco Rodríguez-Félix,Antonio Ledezma-Pérez,Teresa d 한국고분자학회 2022 Macromolecular Research Vol.30 No.6

A novel semi-interpenetrating polymer network (s-IPN) based on the entrapment of a thermosensitive polymer, the poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME), within a crosslinked 3D structure of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(vinyl methyl etheralt- maleic acid) (COP) was synthesized by an autoclaving process. The preparation method avoids the use of toxic crosslinkers and allows the simultaneous sterilization of material. The PVA/COP/PVME hydrogel were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal techniques, swelling kinetic measurements, scanning electron microscopy, and rheological analysis. The entrapment of PVME within the hydrated polymer framework significantly modified its transition temperature at pH 7.4 and pH 3 conditions. The swelling kinetics of the s-IPN were dependent on pH (7.4, 3 and 1), and temperature (25 and 37℃). The interpenetrated polymer chains reduced the internal pore sizes of crosslinked network without altering its elastic, solid-like behavior. The loading and in vitro release of 5-fluorouracil, a chemotherapeutic agent, from hydrogel systems were studied at different temperature and pH values. The hydrogels showed a sustained drug release up to 5 h at 37℃, in different pH media. The s-IPN exhibited a promising performance for a range of biomedical applications, in particular, for the controlled drug delivery in response to the pH and temperature conditions.

New role of the antidepressant imipramine as a Fascin1 inhibitor in colorectal cancer cells

Begoña Alburquerque-González,Manuel Bernabé-García,Silvia Montoro-García,Ángel Bernabé-García,Priscila Campioni Rodrigues,Javier Ruiz Sanz,Fernando F. López-Calderón,Irene Luque,Francisco José Nicolas 생화학분자생물학회 2020 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.52 No.-

Serrated adenocarcinoma (SAC) is more invasive, has worse outcomes than conventional colorectal carcinoma (CRC), and is characterized by frequent resistance to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and overexpression of fascin1, a key protein in actin bundling that plays a causative role in tumor invasion and is overexpressed in different cancer types with poor prognosis. In silico screening of 9591 compounds, including 2037 approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), was performed, and selected compounds were analyzed for their fascin1 binding affinity by differential scanning fluorescence. The results were compared with migrastatin as a typical fascin1 inhibitor. In silico screening and differential scanning fluorescence yielded the FDA-approved antidepressant imipramine as the most evident potential fascin1 blocker. Biophysical and different in vitro actin-bundling assays confirm this activity. Subsequent assays investigating lamellipodia formation and migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cells in vitro using 3D human tissue demonstrated anti-fascin1 and anti-invasive activities of imipramine. Furthermore, expression profiling suggests the activity of imipramine on the actin cytoskeleton. Moreover, in vivo studies using a zebrafish invasion model showed that imipramine is tolerated, its anti-invasive and antimetastatic activities are dose-dependent, and it is associated with both constitutive and induced fascin1 expression. This is the first study that demonstrates an antitumoral role of imipramine as a fascin1 inhibitor and constitutes a foundation for a molecular targeted therapy for SAC and other fascin1-overexpressing tumors.

Role of cytoreductive nephrectomy in the targeted therapy era: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Herney A. García-Perdomo,James A. Zapata-Copete,Diego F. Castillo-Cobaleda 대한비뇨의학회 2018 Investigative and Clinical Urology Vol.59 No.1

Purpose: To determine the effectiveness and harm of cytoreductive nephrectomy versus no intervention in patients with metastatic renal carcinoma who undergo targeted therapy to improve overall survival. Materials and Methods: A search strategy was conducted in the MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Embase, HTA, DARE, NHS, and LILACS databases. Searches were also conducted for unpublished literature through references from relevant articles identified through the search, conferences, thesis databases, OpenGrey, Google Scholar, and clinicaltrials.gov, among others. Studies were included without language restrictions. The risk of bias assessment was made by using a modified Cochrane Collaboration tool. A meta-analysis of fixed effects was conducted. The expected outcomes were overall survival, quality of life, adverse effects, mortality, and progression- free survival. The measure of the effect was the hazard ratio (HR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The planned comparison was cytoreductive nephrectomy versus no intervention. Results: A total of 22,507 patients were found among seven studies. Seven studies were included in the qualitative analysis (eight publications) and five in the quantitative analysis for overall survival. One study reported progression-free survival and one reported targeted therapy toxicities. A low risk of bias was shown for most of the study items. The HR for overall survival was 0.58 (95% CI, 0.50 to 0.65) favoring cytoreductive nephrectomy compared with no intervention. Conclusions: Cytoreductive nephrectomy is effective for improving overall survival in patients with metastatic renal carcinoma who undergo targeted therapy compared with no intervention.

Clinical, Psychopathological, Physical, and Sleep Evolution in Adolescents with Restrictive Anorexia Nervosa Participating in a Day Hospital Program

Sofí,a M Martí,nez-Sá,nchez,Tomá,s E Martí,nez-Garcí,a,Diego Munguí,a-Izquierdo 대한신경정신의학회 2020 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.17 No.4

Objective To analyze the clinical, psychopathological, physical, and sleep-related evolution of adolescents with restricting-type of anorexia nervosa (AN-R) after 10 weeks of a daytime hospital program. Methods Body composition, physical activity and sleep were measured objectively before and after 10 weeks of treatment. In addition, psychopathology and body image disturbances were measured with a self-report questionnaire. Results Fourteen female adolescents with AN-R (14.3±1.6 years old) participated in the study. A significant increase was found in eight of the ten variables for body composition (p<0.05). There were no significant changes in psychopathology, body image disturbances or physical activity. Concerning sleep, a significant, moderately standardized and substantial increase in night latency was found (p=0.002), and there was a significant, small standardized and substantial decrease in night efficiency (p=0.035). Conclusion After 10 weeks of follow-up with adolescent patients with AN-R who attended a day hospital program, there was a positive evolution of body composition. However, with regard to sleep patterns, there was a worsening of latency and night efficiency. Therefore, sleep care should be addressed in acute treatment programs for adolescents with AN-R.

Effect of stress during slaughter on carcass characteristics and meat quality in tropical beef cattle

Carrasco-García Apolo A.,Pardío-Sedas Violeta T.,León-Banda Gloria G.,Ahuja-Aguirre Concepción,Paredes-Ramos Pedro,Hernández-Cruz Bertha C.,Murillo Vicente Vega 아세아·태평양축산학회 2020 Animal Bioscience Vol.33 No.10

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effects of stress during slaughter of beef cattle on physiological parameters, carcass, and meat quality at a Federal Inspection Type slaughterhouse located in the southeast of Mexico. Methods: A total of 448 carcasses of male Zebu×European steers with an average age of 36 months were included. Carcass assessment of presence of bruises and bruise characteristics was carried out on each half-carcass. Blood variable indicators of stress (packed cell volume, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, glucose, cortisol concentration) and meat quality parameters (pH, color, shear force, drip loss) were evaluated. Results: Of the 448 carcasses evaluated, 81% of the carcasses showed at least one bruise; one bruise was detected in 36.6% and two bruises in 27.0% of animals. Of the 775 bruises found, 69.2% of the bruises were grade 1 in region 3. Of the 448 carcasses studied, 69.6% showed hyperglycemia (6.91 mmol/L); 44.3% and 22.7% showed high (74.7 ng/mL) and extremely high (108.8 ng/mL) cortisol levels, respectively, indicative of inadequate handling of animals during preslaughter and slaughter. Of the carcasses evaluated, 90.4% had a pH ≥5.8 with an average of pH 6.3. In both pH groups, meat samples showed L* values >37.0 (81.6%) and a shear force >54.3 N; meat pH≥5.8 group showed a drip loss of 2.5%. These findings were indicative of dark, firm, and dry (DFD) meat. According to principal component analysis, grades 1 and 2 bruises in region 3 and grade 1 bruises in region 5 were highly associated with cortisol, drip loss, and color parameters b* and h* and were negatively associated with L*, a*, and C*. Conclusion: The bruises probably caused by stress-inducing situations triggered DFD meat. Appropriate changes in handling routines in operating conditions should be made to minimize stress to animals during the slaughter process to improve animal welfare and meat quality.