bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Milrinone is associated with lower in hospital mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock: a retrospective analysis of the MIMIC-III database
Authors: Xue Yangjing , Wang Jinsheng , Peng Yangpei , Huang Kaiyu , Qian Lu , Qian Lala , Chu Maoping , Ji Kangting
Published: March 2020

BackgroundAlthough milrinone has been widely used in daily clinical practice, its effect on survival in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) is not known. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of milrinone on in hospital mortality in a large critical care cohort of patients with CS of various etiological causes.MethodsPatients with CS were identified from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III (MIMIC-III) database. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to account for the baseline differences in the probability to receive milrinone or not. Multivariate Cox regression model was employed to adjust for imbalance by including parameters and potential confounders.ResultsA total of 1068 critically ill patients with CS were enrolled for this analysis, including 161 in the milrinone group and 907 in the non-milrinone group. Multivariate Cox regression model results found milrinone was associated with a significantly decreased in hospital mortality in critically ill patients with CS (HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.45-0.83; P=0.001). The impact of milrinone on survival benefit in CS was remaining in patients with non-ACS, while it was not statistically significant in subgroup with ACS (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.40-1.07; P=0.093). Similar results were replicated after PSM.ConclusionsOur study observed that milrinone was related with improved survival in patients with CS, but it was not associated with improved outcome in patients complicated with ACS. The results need to be verified in randomized controlled trials.
A focused netnographic study exploring experiences associated with counterfeit and contaminated anabolic androgenic steroids
Authors: Frude Evelyn , McKay Fiona , Dunn Matthew
Published: March 2020

Background: A primary consequence of illicit drug markets and the absence of regulation is the variable quality or purity of the final product. Analysis of anabolic-androgenic steroid seizures shows that these products can contain adulterated products, product not included on the label, or product of unsatisfactory standard. While the potential negative effects of counterfeit AAS use is a recognised risk associated with use, no study has explored personal experiences associated with use. The aim of the present study was to use online discussion forums to investigate and explore the experiences associated with the purchase and consumption of counterfeit AAS among consumers.Methods: An online search was conducted to identify online forums that discussed counterfeit or contaminated AAS; three were deemed suitable for the study. The primary source of data for this study were the ‘threads’ from these online forums, identified using search terms including ‘counterfeit’, ‘tampered’, and ‘fake’. Threads were thematically analysed for overall content, leading to the identification of themes.Results: Data from 134 threads (2743 posts from 881 unique avatars) was included. Two main themes were identified from the analysis: 1) Experiences with counterfeit product; and 2) Harms and benefits associated with counterfeit product.Conclusions: The use of counterfeit or contaminated substances represents a public health concern. Those who report using PIEDs such as AAS for non-medical purposes report consuming these substances, and experiencing harm as a result. Consumers take steps to limit coming into contact with counterfeit or contaminated product, though recognise that many of these have limitations. The implementation of accessible drug safety checking services may provide an opportunity to provide consumers with information to assist them with making healthier choices.
Aloperine prevents hypoxia-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in bladder cancer cells through regulating the mTOR/p70S6K/4E-BP1 pathway
Authors: Lv Weiling , Liu Qian , An Jihong , Song Xiaoyong
Published: March 2020

Background: Aloperine (ALO), a novel active alkaloid extracted from S. alopecuroide, has been reported to possess anti-tumor effect. However, its potential effect on bladder cancer remains unknown. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of ALO bladder cancer cells under hypoxia condition.Methods: Human bladder cancer cell line T24 cells were treated with different concentrations of ALO and maintained in hypoxic condition for 12, 24, or 48 h. MTT assay was performed to detect cell viability. Transwell assay was performed to detect cell migration and invasion. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was evaluated by detecting the expression levels of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin using western blot. The mRNA and protein levels of HIF-1α, snail, slug, and twist1 were measured using qRT-PCR and western blot. The expression levels of mTOR/p70S6K/4E-BP1 pathway-related proteins were detected using western blot.Results: Our results showed that ALO inhibited the cell viability of T24 cells cultured in hypoxia condition. ALO also attenuated hypoxia-induced migration and invasion of T24 cells. We also found that ALO treatment caused a significant increase in E-cadherin expression and decreases in N-cadherin and vimentin expressions. Besides, ALO dose-dependently inhibited the expressions of EMT inducers including snail, slug, and twist1 both in mRNA and protein levels in T24 cells induced by hypoxia. Furthermore, ALO significantly inhibited HIF-1α protein synthesis and phosphorylation of mTOR, as well 4E-BP1 and p70S6K in hypoxia-induced T24 cells.Conclusion: These results indicated that ALO exerted anti-tumor effect on bladder cancer in vitro via inhibiting the activation of mTOR/p70S6K/4E-BP1 pathway.
LncRNA CTBP1-AS2 regulates miR-216a/ PTEN to suppress ovarian cancer cell proliferationLncRNA CTBP1-AS2 regulates miR-216a/ PTEN to suppress ovarian cancer cell proliferation
Authors: Cui Kaiying , Zhu Genhai
Published: March 2020

Background: We analyzed TCGA dataset and observed the downregulation of CTBP1-AS2 in ovarian cancer (OC), while the function of CTBP1-AS2 has only been investigated in diabetes and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, but not in cancer biology. We therefore analyzed the involvement of CTBP1-AS2 in OC. Result: We found that CTBP1-AS2 was downregulated in OC and predicted poor survival. CTBP1-AS2 in luciferase activity assay interacted with miR-216a, while overexpression of CTBP1-AS2 and miR-216a had no significant effects on the expression of each other. However, increased expression level of PTEN, a target of miR-216a, was observed after CTBP1-AS2 overexpression. Increased proliferation rate of OC cells was observed after the overexpression of miR-216a. CTBP1-AS2 and PTEN overexpression resulted in the reduced proliferation rate of OC cells and reduced effects of miR-216a overexpression. Conclusion: CTBP1-AS2 regulates miR-216a/PTEN to suppress OC cell proliferation.
CircPDK1 promotes RCC cell migration and invasion through the miR-377-3p/NOTCH1 axis
Authors: Huang Zhenlin , Ding Yinghui , Zhang Lu , He Siyuan , Jia Zhangkui , Gu Chaohui , Wang Tao , Li Hao , Li Xiang , Jin Zhibo , Ding Yafei , Yang Jinjian
Published: March 2020

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are novel clusters of endogenous noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) that are widely expressed in various tissue types. Recent studies have indicated that circRNAs involved in multiple tumorigenesis processes, and the potential significance of circRNAs remains to be explored. However, the roles roles and underlying mechanisms of circRNAs in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remain unclear. We found that CircPDK1 is highly expressed in RCC by circRNA-seq assay. Moreover, the functional enrichment experiments showed that CircPDK1 is significantly associated with RCC metastasis. Eighty pairs of clinical samples were analyzed, and the results showed a correlation between CircPDK1 and lymph node and distant organ metastases in RCC. RNA-sequencing following knockdown of CircPDK1 revealed significant changes in the expression of many molecules in the metastasis-associated pathway. After bioinformatics prediction, we verified the relationships between CircPDK1 and miR-377-3p and between miR-377-3p and NOTCH1 by a luciferase reporter assay. Furthermore, the effect of CircPDK1 on RCC metastasis can be functionally influenced by miR-377-3p and NOTCH1. Altogether, our study shows that the CircPDK1 - miR-377-3p - NOTCH1 axis plays an important role in RCC metastasis, suggests CircPDK1 might serve as a potential therapeutic target for RCC treatment.
Peritumoral ductular reaction can be a prognostic factor for intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma
Authors: Shen Zhenyang , Xiao Jingbo , Wang Junjun , Lu Lungen , Wan Xinjian , Cai Xiaobo
Published: March 2020

Background: Peritumoral ductular reaction (DR) was reported to be related to the prognosis of combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma. Non-mucin-producing intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma (ICC), may be derived from small bile duct cells or liver progenitor cells (LPCs). However, whether peritumoral DR is also related to non-mucin-producing ICCs needs to be investigated. Methods: Forty-seven patients with non-mucin-producing ICC were eventually included in the study. Clinicopathological variables were collected. Immunohistochemical analysis and immunofluorescence staining for cytokeratin 19, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and α-smooth muscle actin were performed in tumor and peritumor liver tissues.Results: Peritumoral DR is significantly correlated with local inflammation and fibrosis. Patients with significant peritumoral DR had high recurrence rate(81.8% vs 56.0%, P = 0.058) and poor overall and disease-free survival time ( P = 0.01 and P = 0.03, respectively). Significant peritumoral DR showed high proliferation activity of LPC/cholangiocytes and abundant background extracellular matrix. Conclusions: Patients with non-mucin-producing ICC having significant peritumoral DR had a poor prognosis. Peritumoral DR could be a prognostic factor for ICC; however, the mechanism should be further investigated. Keywords: Intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma, non-mucin producing, ductular reaction, prognostic factor
Association between Cough Severity and Quality of Life Depends on Sex among Patients with Postinfectious Cough
Authors: Wei Liu , Qinqin Wu , Bing Mao , Jiang Hongli
Published: March 2020

Background: Sex difference in quality of life (QoL) and association between cough severity and QoL for subacute cough remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate whether there was sex difference in quality of life, and whether association between cough severity and QoL was modified by sex. Methods: Secondary analyses were performed in 180 participants with postinfectious cough in a multisite randomized controlled trial. Baseline demographics, clinical characteristics and cough specific quality of life questionnaire (CQLQ) were collected. Linear regression analyses were conducted to examine sex difference in CQLQ. Associations between cough severity, cough treatment and CQLQ in different sex were also analyzed. Results: The differences between women and men were not significant in the total CQLQ in the unadjusted analysis (P = 0.077). Women had 2.20-point higher total CQLQ score than men (0.11 to 4.30, P = 0.039), after adjusting for age, cough duration, cough severity, and clinical center. An increase of 1-point in cough severity was associated with a 2.55-point (1.16 to 3.95) increase in total CQLQ in women versus a 1.26-point (0.20 to 2.31) increase in men (P = 0.020). Sex did not modify treatment benefit in total CQLQ in both unadjusted and adjusted analyses (P = 0.287 and P = 0.819, respectively). Conclusions: Women may be associated with worse quality of life than men, and women’s quality of life is more significantly impaired as cough severity increases. However, they may have similar treatment response in QoL improvement.Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTRTRC12002297. Registered 19 June 2012, http://www.chictr.org.cn/abouten.aspx
Systematic review of the tools of oral and dental health literacy: Assessment of conceptual dimensions and psychometric properties
Authors: Ghaffari Mohtasham , Rakhshanderou Sakineh , Ramezankhani Ali , Mehrabi Yadollah , Safari-Moradabadi Ali
Published: March 2020

Background This article aims to provide a description of conceptual dimensions and psychometric properties of the tools of oral and dental health literacy. Methods Two authors in this study conducted electronic searches in the Medline (via PubMed), and Embase databases to find relevant articles from 1990 to present day. Evaluation of the tools was carried out in two parts; general evaluation of the tools using skills introduced by Sørensen et al., and qualitative assessment of psychometric properties using COSMIN checklist. Results After reviewing 1839 articles on oral and dental health literacy and evaluating 33 full text articles for eligibility, 21 articles entered the study. The sample size varied from 20 to 1405 subjects and the items of each tool ranged from 11 to 99 items. Of the 21 tools examined, 16 tools were evaluated for word recognition. For the studies examined, the evaluation of COSMIN scores was often fair or good. Of the 21 tools examined, 9 tools at least in one dimension were in the category of "poor", 19 tools were in the category of "fair", 20 tools were in the category of "good", and 4 tools were in the category of "excellent" in at least one dimension. Conclusion The findings of this study showed that some aspects of oral and dental health literacy are being ignored in the existing tools. Therefore, the authors of present study emphasize on the necessity to design and develop a comprehensive tool and take into account two characteristics of simplicity and briefness for international use.
Biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, phenol and sodium sulfate by Nocardia species Isolated and characterized from Iranian ecosystem.
Authors: Azadi Davood , Shojaei Hasan
Published: March 2020

Background Industrial products are persistently hazardous pollutants to the environment and are of current concern to human health. Bioremediation, a process used to treat contaminated environment is an option that enhances the efficacy of the natural biodegradation process and degrade the target pollutants. Different species of bacteria have been reported for their ability to degrade pollutants to the environment. Nocardia live in diverse unfavorable environmental conditions and have a high catabolic capacity. This study aimed to screen and characterize Nocardia with bioremediation capability from Iranian diverse ecosystems. Result A total of 90 collected environmental samples were screened for Nocardia spp. The isolates were characterized based on conventional and molecular methods including sequence analysis of 16S rRNA. Growth rate in presence of pollutants, chromatography, Gibbs and turbidometric methods were used to determine bioremediation ability. The Nocardia isolates included 19 strains that belonged to 10 various species. The most prevalent Nocardia species were N. farcinica, 4 isolates (21%), followed by N. cyriacigeorgica and N. cashijiensis like, 3 isolates each (15.7%), and N. asteroids and N. kroppenstedtii 2 isolates each (10.5%). The isolates were classified in two categories based on their bioremediation ability: isolates with previously reported that have a bioremediation ability, and the isolates that showed bioremediation ability that first reported in the current study. Conclusions Our study showed that Nocardia spp. demonstrate high ability to degrade environmental chemical pollutants placing this bacteria among the best candidates for the detoxification of habitats contaminated with this chemical compounds.
Allowing more time to ILCOR Step A of neonatal resuscitation leads to better residents’ task completion in simulated scenarios. A problem of time pressure?
Authors: Boithias Claire , Jule Laure , Foulgoc Stephanie Le , Jourdain Gilles , Benhamou Dan
Published: March 2020

Background: Roughly 10% of newborns need help to complete the transition of birth. For these infants, international guidelines recommend supporting them using a 4-step procedure (A to D). Step A is an assessment time, which includes eight tasks and finishes by starting the positive pressure ventilation (PPV), if necessary (step B). The guidelines changed in 2015 and the allotted time was raised from 30 to 60 seconds for step A completion. This study aimed to assess if the reduced time constraint in step A could have an impact on 1st-year pediatric residents' performance to complete step A and if could lead to later initiation of step A. Methods: Using video recordings of standardized neonatal scenarios over 6 years (3 before the change and 3 after), we assessed the ability of 1st-year pediatric residents of the Paris region to complete step A and initiate PPV in the allotted time in each period. Results: Among 52 sessions including at least 5 scenarios, we included all the second and fourth scenarios executed for the first time by a couple of 1st-year pediatric residents (25 sessions and 50 scenarios before the change, and 27 sessions and 54 scenarios after). PPV started roughly at 1-minute resuscitation in both periods, but completion of the tasks before PPV-start was significantly better in the second period. The improvement remained significant whatever the role played by residents during resuscitation.Conclusions:These results could suggest that a reduced time constraint for step A imposed by the new Guidelines was associated with better performance.
Simultaneous Integrated Boost of intensity modulated radiation therapy to Stage II-III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with metastatic lymph nodes
Authors: li qingsong , Liang Na , Ouyang Wei-Wei , Su Sheng-Fa , Ma Zhu , Geng Yi-Chao , Yang Wen-Gang , Hu Yin-Xiang , Li Hui-Qin , Lu Bing
Published: March 2020

Background: Local tumor failure remains a major problem after radiation-based nonsurgical treatment for unresectable locally advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer （NSCLC）and inoperable stage II NSCLC .The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of Simultaneous Integrated Boos of intensity modulated radiation therapy (SIB-IMRT) to Stage II-III NSCLC with metastatic lymph nodes. Methods: Patients were diagnosed by pathology or PET-CT. PTV was divide into two parts as follow, the PTV of primary tumor (PTVp) and the PTV of metastatic lymph nodes (PTVn) .The radiation doses were simultaneously prescripted 78Gy (BED = 101.48Gy) for PTVp and 60-65Gy (BED = 73.6-81.25Gy) for PTVn, 26f/ 5.2 weeks .Response was scored according to WHO criteria. Radiotherapy toxicity was scored according to RTOG criteria .Hematology and gastrointestinal toxicity were scored according to CTCAE1.0 criteria. Results: A total of 20 patients were enrolled. 17 patients were diagnosed by pathology and 3 patients were diagnosed by PET-CT . All patients were treated with SIB-IMRT. The objective response rate (ORR) was 90%, with CR 25%, PR 65%, NC 10% and PD 0%. Although Radiation toxicitiy was common, there were no grade≥3，with Radiation pneumonitis (10 cases), esophagitis (17 cases) and dermatitis (12 cases). The local control rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 85%, 75% and 70%, respectively. The overall survival（OS）and local progression-free survival(LPFS) rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 90%, 42.6%, 35.5% and 84.4%, 35.5% , 28.4%, respectively. The MST was 24 months. Conclusions: SIB-IMRT can significantly improve ORR and suivival for stage II-III NSCLC with metastatic lymph nodes , with high safety and satisfactory efficacy . Keywords: cancer/non-small-cell lung cancer; radiation therapy /SIB-IMRT; efficacy; safety Retrospective Trial Registration： (ChiCTR 2000029304)
Breast cancer survival in rural sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Ssentongo Paddy , Oh John , Amponsah Forster , Wong William , Candela Xavier , Acharya Yubraj , Ssentongo Anna , Sani Abdul Basiti , Dodge Daleela
Published: March 2020

INTRODUCTION: Five-year overall survival rate of breast cancer in low-income countries (LICs) is significantly lower than in high-resource countries. In this study, we explored clinical and pathological factors influencing mortality in a rural community setting in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS: We performed a retrospective medical review of patients undergoing surgery and chemotherapy for breast cancer at a regional hospital in Ghana from January 2014 through January 2017. Descriptive and survival analysis was done. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-nine patients were included in the study. The median age at presentation was 51 years. 60.0% of patients presented with poorly differential histological grade III. The most common histological type was invasive ductal carcinoma (83%). Based on assessment of stage using only tumor size and lymph node status, 60% presented at stage 3. Only 25% were tested for hormone receptor proteins and HER2 status. Of these, 57% had triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The 3-year overall survival rate was only 52%. A significant proportion of the patients (46%) were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The cumulative 3-year survival was 52 %. Despite success in the reduction of cancer mortality in southern and northern Africa, survival in the rural communities of sub-Saharan Africa remains poor. A significantly higher percentage of GIII and TNBC is found in breast cancers seen in Ghana. Late-stage presentation, when combined with limited capacity for accurate diagnosis, cancer subtype analysis, adequate therapy and follow-up, leads to poor outcomes. Future studies should emphasize identification of barriers to care and opportunities for cost-effective and sustainable improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in LICs.
PLEK2 and SCN7A: novel biomarkers of non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Liu Yongchang , Li Xi , Chang Ruimin , Chen Yufan , Gao Yang
Published: March 2020

Objective Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death globally, and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer. However, the diagnosis and prognosis of NSCLC remain dim. Our team has focused on identifying differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between NSCLC tissues and adjacent tissues, which may be useful as effective diagnostic markers that can better explain the progression of NSCLC. Methods The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was used to screen the Gene Expression Omnibus series, which records the information of a large number of patients with primary NSCLC (n > 50). Then, the DEGs were validated using Student’s t -test. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed using DAVID. The prognosis information was analyzed separately using data obtained from three databases, Human Protein Atlas, Kaplan–Meier Plotter, and SurvExpress. Results A series of 180 DEGs (33 upregulated and 147 downregulated genes), mainly involving genes associated with extracellular exosomes, focal adhesion, and cell adhesion, were identified via GO analysis. Subsequently, KEGG analysis demonstrated that focal adhesion, cell adhesion molecules, and PPAR signaling pathway were the most enriched pathways. Then, we paid particular attention to pleckstrin 2 (PLEK2) and sodium voltage-gated channel alpha subunit 7 (SCN7A), as they have not been investigated as cancer-related genes previously. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis illustrated that PLEK2 and SCN7A levels were significantly correlated with the prognosis of NSCLC. Conclusions Our research found that, as potential biomarkers, both PLEK2 and SCN7A are related to the development and prognosis of NSCLC. They may be used in disease screening and prognosis. The clinical significance of these two genes deserves further investigation.
HIV/AIDS Policy-Making in Iran: A Stakeholder Analysis
Authors: Khodayari-Zarnaq Rahim , Mosadeghrad Ali Mohammad , Jalilian Habib , bazyar mohammad , Ravaghi Hamid
Published: March 2020

Introduction: HIV/AIDS phenomenon is one of the most serious public health challenges which includes wide range of epidemiological, social, economic and political dimensions. Therefore, its effective control requires involvement of different stakeholders. The present study aims to identify and analyze HIV/AIDS stakeholders in Iran.Methods: This qualitative stakeholder analysis was conducted in 2018 nationwide both retrospectively and prospectively. Identification and analysis of stakeholders was carried out by the review of related literature and policy documents and official websites, as well as holding semi-structured interviews with policy makers and other key informants. Purposive sampling was utilized and followed by snowball sampling until data saturation. Data were analyzed using framework analysis. Also, qualitative data analysis software MAXQDA (Version 11) and Policy Maker software (version 4) were applied.Findings: A total of 44 stakeholders were identified and categorized into 23 active and 21 inactive stakeholders. Despite the great importance of educating and informing pubic about HIV/AIDS, the Ministry of Education and Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting organization (IRIB), have moderate participation in this regard. Supreme Council of Health and Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have low participation. The Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MoHME), State Welfare Organization of Iran, Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization, the State Prisons and Security and Corrective Measures Organization are interested in HIV/AIDS policymaking. The MoHME, as main body responsible for stewardship of the HIV/AIDS in Iran, does not have enough authority in handling the issue due to the low funding, institutional and structural deficits and insufficient human resources.Conclusion: The process of HIV/AIDS policy making is fragmented in Iran and despite multiple active and passive stakeholders in this field, there is no integrated system to involve all stakeholders in the process of AIDS policy-making. Therefore, given the importance of the issue, an upstream entity is needed in order to coordinate and mobilize all stakeholders associated with managing and controlling HIV/AIDS.
Dezocine inhibits cell proliferation, migration and invasion by targeting CRABP2 in ovarian cancer
Authors: Zhang Chuanfeng , Pan Ruirui , Ma Shuangshuang , Xu Shoucai , Wang Baosheng
Published: March 2020

Background Previous studies have shown that some anesthesia drugs can inhibit tumor growth and metastasis. As a clinical anesthetic drug, dezocine has been reported to play an important role in immune function. However, the effects of dezocine on ovarian cancer cell growth and metastasis are not fully understood. Results In this study, we found that dezocine dose-dependently inhibited the viability of ES-2 and SKOV3 cells. Dezocine suppressed the migration and invasion abilities of ovarian cancer cells, and promoted apoptosis. Moreover, the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway was also inhibited by dezocine. Furthermore, mechanism study showed that dezocine could significantly inhibited the expression of CRABP2, and CRABP2 overexpression reversed the inhibitory effects of dezocine on ovarian cancer cell proliferation and migration. Conclusion In conclusion, dezocine has significant anti-tumor effects on the growth and metastatic potential of ovarian cancer cells, and CRABP2 functions as a downstream effector of dezocine.
Slanted bilateral lateral rectus recession for convergence insufficiency-type intermittent exotropia: a retrospective study
Authors: Ren Meiyu , Wang Qi , Wang Lihua
Published: March 2020

Background The present study sought to investigate the efficiency and safety of SBLR-rec for the treatment of CI-IXT.Methods This retrospective case series study included 34 patients who underwent SBLR-rec for CI-IXT in Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University between September 2013 and October 2015 with a minimum follow-up of 6 months. A successful surgical alignment was defined as +5 to -10 prism diopters (PD) of orthophoria in the primary position while viewing distant or near targets and a difference between the distance and near deviation angles of ≤8PD.Results The mean age of the patients at surgery was 7.09±3.80 years (range, 3 to 18 years). The mean distance deviations were -26.09±6.5 PD (range, -15 to -35 PD) and the mean near deviations, -37.21±6.3 PD (range, -25 to -45 PD) preoperatively. The mean recession amount of upper pole of the lateral rectus was 5.97 mm (range, 4.0 to 7.5mm) and that of lower pole of the lateral rectus, 7.49 mm (range, 6.0 to 8.5mm). At a mean follow-up of 15.0 months (range, 6 to 37 months), the surgical success rate was 70.6% (24/34), the under-correction rate was 17.6% (6/34), and the overcorrection rate was 11.8% (4/34). The mean difference between the distance and near deviation angles was significantly reduced from 11.12±2.06 PD (range, 10 to 15 PD) preoperatively to 2.47±3.04 PD (range, 0 to 10 PD) postoperatively (P<0.001). Each millimeter of difference between the upper and lower poles of the lateral rectus recession was associated with an improvement of 5.65 PD in the near-distance difference of deviation. At the final follow up, a distance-near difference of deviation of ≤8PD was found in 32 (94.1%) patients. none of the patients developed A-V pattern, torsional diplopia, or restricted abduction of the eyes.Conclusions SBLR-rec for CI-IXT may successfully reduce the distance and near exodeviations and the distance-near deviation difference, thus was proved to be an effective and safe procedure for the treatment of CI-IXT.
The Diagnostic Value of the Short Physical Performance Battery for Sarcopenia
Authors: Phu Steven , Kirk Ben , Hassan Ebrahim Bani , Vogrin Sara , Zanker Jesse , Bernardo Solange , Duque Gustavo
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is defined as the age-related loss of muscle mass, strength and physical performance. The original European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older Persons (EWGSOP1) definition, and its revision (EWGSOP2), provide new cut-points and alternate measures for sarcopenia diagnosis. However, sarcopenia is rarely diagnosed in clinical settings owing to its labour-intensive screening process. Given the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) is a quick, easily administrable and objective measure of muscle strength and physical performance, both of which are key components of sarcopenia, this study examined the diagnostic value of the SPPB for this muscle disease.METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of 294 community-dwelling older persons (≥65 years) was conducted. Appendicular lean body mass [(ALM) divided by height squared (ALM/h 2 )], muscle strength (handgrip/sit to stand), and physical performance [gait speed, timed up and go (TUG) and SPPB] were assessed using validated procedures, while participants were diagnosed with sarcopenia following the EWGSOP1 and EWGSOP2 criteria. Diagnostic ability of the SPPB independently and combined with ALM/h 2 for sarcopenia was determined using area under the curve (AUC). Potential cut-points were identified, and sensitivity and specificity calculated.RESULTS: Prevalence of sarcopenia ranged from 4 to 16% depending on the definition. The SPPB demonstrated moderate (AUC = 0.644-0.770) value in diagnosing sarcopenia, and a cut-point of ≤8points in SPPB performance resulted in high sensitivity (82-100%) but low specificity (36-41%) for diagnosing those with severe sarcopenia.CONCLUSIONS: The SPPB displayed acceptable value in diagnosing older adults with severe sarcopenia. Moreover, the high sensitivity of the SPPB when using the cut-point of ≤8 suggests it may be a favourable screening tool for sarcopenia in clinical settings where ALM measurements are not available.
Costs of illness in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): a cross-sectional survey in Germany
Authors: Schönfelder Erik , Osmanovic Alma , Müschen Lars Hendrik , Petri Susanne , Schreiber-Katz Olivia
Published: March 2020

Background Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder. Consequently, patients undergo a multidisciplinary treatment that often requires intensive use of medical resources. This study provides an estimate on the cost of illness depending on the clinical severity while also analysing the patients’ health-related quality of life.Methods Data from patients and caregivers was collected through a standardized questionnaire. Direct medical, direct non-medical and indirect costs were calculated using the latest German health economic guidelines. Patients were divided into five groups according to the King’s staging system. Health-related quality of life was assessed using EuroQoL Group EQ-5D-5LTM questionnaire. Influencing factors on both, total cost and quality of life, were examined.Results The mean annual total cost of illness was 78,256€ per patient while the lifetime cost per patient was estimated at 246,184€. The prevalence based total burden yearly therefore was 519,776,352€ in Germany. Nearly half of the costs were attributable to informal care. With increase of the clinical severity stage, costs rose and quality of life decreased. The score of the revised Amyotrophic Laterals Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale was identified as one major influencing factor on total costs, while subjective impairment in daily activities and classification into a care level influenced patients’ quality of life.Conclusion It is essential to understand the socioeconomic burden of a disease. These data can be used to improve patient care standards and quality of life while also serving as a basis for cost-benefit analyses during the approval process of new treatments.
Assessing the Dynamic Tourism Inter-Industry Linkages and Economic Structural Changes in Cambodia’s Economy
Authors: Hor Chantha -
Published: March 2020

This study employs the SAM-based model combining with Multiplier Production Matrix and Field of Influence Approach. Under three Input-Output Transaction Table Matrices of the year 2005, 2010, and 2015, these approaches use to assess the dynamic tourism inter-industry linkages and structural economic changes in Cambodia. We find that the overall inter-industry connection is relatively low. The textile, other manufacturing, and transportation and communication are key sectors. They have the largest coefficient field of influence of changes in the economic system. Tourism has shifted to be a key sector in 2010 and 2015. However, its backward and forward linkages are still small. It is a relatively promising sector in terms of generating a large coefficient field of influence of changes, showing less strength of overall connection with other industries. This study may suggest that there would be a need for promoting, encouraging, and investing in key economic sectors. Policies intervention should focus on developing domestic tourism linkages and strengthening inter-industry ties for the success of diversifying tourism benefits to the local economy.
High-performance computing in water resources hydrodynamics
Authors: Morales-Hernández M. , Sharif M. B. , Gangrade S. , Dullo T. T. , Kao S.-C. , Kalyanapu A. , Ghafoor S. K. , Evans K. J. , Madadi-Kandjani E. , Hodges B. R.
Published: March 2020

This work presents a vision of future water resources hydrodynamics codes that can fully utilize the strengths of modern high-performance computing (HPC). The advances to computing power, formerly driven by the improvement of central processing unit processors, now focus on parallel computing and, in particular, the use of graphics processing units (GPUs). However, this shift to a parallel framework requires refactoring the code to make efficient use of the data as well as changing even the nature of the algorithm that solves the system of equations. These concepts along with other features such as the precision for the computations, dry regions management, and input/output data are analyzed in this paper. A 2D multi-GPU flood code applied to a large-scale test case is used to corroborate our statements and ascertain the new challenges for the next-generation parallel water resources codes.
El miedo a escribir
Authors: Rubial Antonio
Published: March 2020

El miedo a escribir
También los jóvenes envejecen (Opus 94)
Authors: Felipe Liliana
Published: March 2020

También los jóvenes envejecen (Opus 94)
Ganar qué, ganar qué: nuestra cuestión con el poder
Authors: Bocchetti Alessandra , Muraro Luisa
Published: March 2020

Ganar qué, ganar qué: nuestra cuestión con el poder
¿Cuál es la diferencia?
Authors: Quesada Raúl
Published: March 2020

¿Cuál es la diferencia?
Reflexiones postelectorales: posibilidades, desafíos y límites del movimiento feminista
Authors: Bedregal Ximena
Published: March 2020

Reflexiones postelectorales: posibilidades, desafíos y límites del movimiento feminista
Después de la derrota
Authors: Mercado Patricia , Román Sara , Suárez Estela , Tapia Elena
Published: March 2020

Después de la derrota
De la política a la cultura: buscando la identidad de género en Chile
Authors: Tarrés María Luisa
Published: March 2020

De la política a la cultura: buscando la identidad de género en Chile
Reconocernos en la modernidad
Authors: Lara María Pía
Published: March 2020

Reconocernos en la modernidad
El doble patrón del envejecimiento
Authors: Person Ethel S. , Mansour Mónica
Published: March 2020

El doble patrón del envejecimiento
Las fianzas del alma
Authors: Pérez Gay Rafael
Published: March 2020

Las fianzas del alma
Lucero González
Authors: Mraz John
Published: March 2020

Lucero González
Rosario Castellanos: entre preguntas estúpidas y virtudes locas
Authors: Cano Gabriela
Published: March 2020

Rosario Castellanos: entre preguntas estúpidas y virtudes locas
La enseñanza del llanto
Authors: Monsiváis Carlos
Published: March 2020

La enseñanza del llanto
Madres deprimidas
Authors: Escandón Patricia
Published: March 2020

Madres deprimidas
Fernando Estrada
Authors: Feminista Debate
Published: March 2020

Fernando Estrada
Analysis Robust Stabilization For Markov Jump Linear Systems
Authors: Hussin S. M. , Sufiyanov V. G.
Published: March 2020

В статье рассматривается проблема анализа устойчивости и робастной стабилизации непрерывных линейных систем с марковскими скачками. Линейная система с марковскими скачками содержит неопределенные параметры как в переходных матрицах состояний, так и в матрицах системы. Достаточные условия, гарантирующие асимптотическую устойчивость рассматриваемой системы в среднеквадратическом смысле, представлены в виде линейных матричных неравенств. Вывод предложенного выше условия робастной устойчивости для непрерывных линейных систем с марковскими скачками представлен в виде теоремы. Достаточное условие позволяет проектировать контроллер с робастной обратной связью таким образом, что полученная замкнутая система является устойчивой в среднеквадратическом смысле. Проведен анализ проблемы робастной стабилизации для линейных систем с марковскими скачками и спроектирован контроллер с обратной связью таким образом, что полученная замкнутая система является устойчивой в среднеквадратичнеском смысле. В конце статьи, для иллюстрации эффективности предлагаемых теоретических результатов, представлен численный пример робастного стабилизирующего контроллера для линейных систем с марковскими скачками, полученный с помощью MATLAB LMI Toolbox.
The Oldest Russian Manuscripts as an Object of Statistical Analysis
Authors: Baranov V. A. , Zholobov O. F.
Published: March 2020

В работе описаны два статистических эксперимента, целью которых стало выявление корреляционной близости / удаленности 12 текстов, дошедших до нас в русских списках XI века, и сопоставление с ними произведений автора XII века Кирилла Туровского (РНБ, F.п.I. 39, XIII в.; лл. 1–48), приведены результаты сопоставительного анализа: а) различных способов извлечения лингвистических единиц из текстов и б) выборок разного объема, а также лингвистической интерпретации основных закономерностей группировки рукописей. Степень лингвостатистической тесноты рукописей вычисляется в два этапа: на первом сопоставляются перечни наиболее частотных слов каждой пары текстов (вычисляется коэффициент ранговой корреляции Спирмена), на втором тексты группируются на основе полученных значений корреляции, которые принимаются за расстояния между рукописями (используется кластерный анализ и строится дендрограмма). Извлечение наиболее частотных слов рукописей, построение ранжированных перечней, получение сведений о количестве (а соответственно, о ранге) каждой из форм в других кодексах выполнено с помощью модуля статистики исторического корпуса «Манускрипт». Вычисление коэффициентов корреляции текстов и кластеризация текстов осуществлены с помощью программного пакета «Статистика» (TIBCO Software Inc.). Проанализированы перечни разного объема (от 50 до 300 словоформ), состоящие из единиц разной степени унификации относительно текстовых форм.Результатом первого эксперимента стало выявление трех основных устойчивых кластеров подкорпуса – группы Евангелий, группы миней и группы сборников разного содержания. Второй эксперимент дал возможность увидеть зависимость близости проповедей Кирилла Туровского разным кластерам от степени унификации форм в выборках и объема последних.Лингвистический анализ результатов позволил выявить лексико-грамматические и лексико-семантические факторы, определяющие вхождение текстов Кирилла Туровского при различных исходных условиях выборки в разные кластеры – в группу Евангельских списков (при объеме выборки 50 или 100 слов), в подгруппу сборников (при выборке в 200 слов), в подгруппу Изборника 1073 г. и Пандектов Антиоха (выборка – 300 слов).
Are science festivals a good place to discuss heated topics?
Authors: Altay Sacha , Lakhlifi Camille
Published: March 2020

Public acceptance of vaccination and Genetically Modified (GM) food is low and opposition is stiff. During two science festivals in France, we discussed in small groups the scientific evidence and current consensus on the benefits of vaccination and GM food safety. Our interventions reinforced people's positive opinions on vaccination and produced a drastic positive shift of GM food opinions. Despite the controversial nature of the topics discussed, there were very few cases of backfire effects among the 175 participants who volunteered. These results should encourage scientists to engage more often with the public during science festivals, even on heated topics.
A Preliminary Study Aimed An Annotated Checklist of Chironomidae (Diptera: Culicomorpha: Chironomoidea) of Iran
Authors: Aydın Gazel Burcu , Samin Najmeh
Published: March 2020

This checklist deals with summarizing all the data on Iranian Chironomidae (Diptera). In total, 34 species from 5 subfamilies are listed as the fauna of Iran: Buchonomyiinae (single species), Chironominae (18 species from 24 genera with some unknown species), Diamesinae (unknown species within 4 genera), Orthocladiinae (8 species from 24 genera with some unknown species) and Tanypodinae (7 species from 10 genera with some unknown species). Three species, Chironomus anthracinus Zetterstedt, 1860, Cladotanytarsus (Cladotanytarsus) mancus (Walker, 1856) and Tanypus punctipennis Meigen, 1818 are new records for the fauna of Iran.
Corporate failure: Bankruptcy prediction for Italian SMEs based on a longitudinal case study from 2000 to 2011
Authors: di Donato Francesca , Nieddu Luciano
Published: March 2020

We investigate the case of Small-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Italy trying to understand if key performance indicators obtained from the financial statement are able to predict possible distress in a company with enough time to take some corrective actions. In order to test the hypotheses, a nonparametric supervised classification algorithm has been applied to a random sample of 100 non-listed SMEs, considering 50 companies that filed for bankruptcy during the period 2000-2011 and 50 companies still active on the market at the end of 2011. Results describe the Italian picture for SMEs during an economic crisis period. They show that, for the Italian case, it is possible to predict with enough time (4-5 years prior to failure) a distress situation in a firm through classification methods. Anyway, these methods are not predicting the health of a company but the possibility of the firm to access the credit system. The results are limited to the Italian SMEs context which is quite particular if compared with other countries in Europe. The dataset is limited in size but has been chosen to be representative of non-listed Italian companies.
Quasi 3D Finite Element Algorithm for Rotating Mixing Flows
Authors: Abro Hameer , Khoso Ahsanullah , Qazi Hameedullah , Nizamani Muhammad Ali
Published: March 2020

The present research article presents numerical simulations of rotating of Newtonian fluid mixing flows in a cylindrical container through single rotating stirrer with agitator, where stirrer is located on the lid of container in concentric position. For this purpose a Quasi 3D (Three-Dimensional) FEA (Finite Element Algorithm) has been developed. The numerical algorithm is based on fractional stages semiimplicit Taylor-Galerkin/Pressure-Correction scheme. The simulation has been carried out to analyze the effects of agitator on mixing behavior. The numerical results show that Quasi 3D FEA is an accurate mathematical tool and able to achieve good results for flow structure in laminar regime.
Effect of Education and Training, Career Development and Job Satisfaction of Employee Performance at the Department of Education Office of Gowa
Authors: Wahyuni Nur
Published: March 2020

The goal of this research is to analyze the influence of education and training, career development and job satisfaction on the performance of employees at the Department of Education Office of Gowa. The analytical method used in this research is the method of multiple regression analysis. The data used in this study was obtained from the Office of Education employees Gowa the study sample. This research approach is Associative approach. The results showed that: 1) employee performance is closely linked to education and training because it can improve the performance of an employee, both in the handling of existing jobs at the moment and jobs that exist in the future in accordance with tasks in the waistband of the organization, 2) employee performance is closely linked to the career development of an employee, the employee who has a high chance of improving his career will stimulate the motivation to work better in order organizational goals, and 3) employee performance is closely linked to employee satisfaction, an employee with the level high job satisfaction showed a positive attitude towards the work itself, whereas if a person who is not satisfied with his work showed a negative attitude towards work.
Determinants of Entrepreneurial Intention of Papuan Students (A Study in Universities in Jayapura)
Authors: Bharanti Bonifasia E
Published: March 2020

Independent entrepreneurs are urgently needed in developing countries such as Indonesia considering there are many educated unemployed people and limited employment, especially in formal sector, and increasing number of job seekers every year. The common phenomenon in Papua is business opportunities in the economic sector are often used by migrants who work in formal and informal sectors, while local working age Papuans, especially university graduates, are less interested to be economic agents in Papua. This study aimed to discover factors which drove and improved entrepreneurial intention of Papuan students based on their personality characteristics: self-efficacy and need for achievement; formal environmental factors such as Entrepreneurship education and socio-cultural factor which was culturally-formed gender stereotypes. The research design was explanatory research with samples collected by stratified random sampling technique and the samples were 197 students from 4 universities in Jayapura. The data collection technique used questionnaires and data was analyzed by difference test and path analysis. The research result showed (1) Female students have stronger entrepreneurial intention, motivation for achievement, and self-efficacy than male students. (2) Partially, everything had direct influence on the formation of entrepreneurial intention except for entrepreneurship education