bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Why onchocerciasis transmission persists after 15 annual ivermectin mass drug administrations in South-West Cameroon
Authors: Forrer Armelle , Wanji Samuel , Obie Elisabeth Dibando , Nji Theobald Mue , Hamill Louise , Ozano Kim , Piotrowski Helen , Dean Laura , Njouendou Abdel J , Ekanya Relindis , Ndongmo Winston Patrick Chounna , Fung Ebua Gallus , Nnamdi Dum-Buo , Abong Raphael A , Beng Amuam Andrew , Eyong Mathias Esum , Ndzeshang Bertrand L , Nkimbeng Desmond Akumtoh , Teghen Samuel , Suireng Anicetus , Ashu Ernerstine Ebot , Kah Emmanuel , Murdoch Michele M , Thomson Rachael , Theobald Sally , Enyong Peter , Turner Joseph D , Taylor Mark J
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Onchocerciasis is targeted for elimination mainly with annual community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI). High infection levels have been reported in South-West Cameroon, despite ≥15 years of CDTI. The aim of this study was to assess factors associated with continued onchocerciasis transmission and skin disease.

Methods

A large-scale cross-sectional study was conducted in 2017 in 20 communities in a loiasis-risk area in South-West Cameroon. A mixed-methods approach was used. Associations between infection levels, skin disease and adherence to CDTI were assessed using mixed regression modelling. Different community members’ perception and acceptability of the CDTI strategy was explored using semi-structured interviews.

Results

Onchocerciasis prevalence was 44.4% among 9456 participants. 17.5% of adults were systematic non-adherers and 5.9% participated in ≥75% of CDTI rounds. Skin disease affected 1/10 participants, including children. Increasing self-reported adherence to CDTI was associated with lower infection levels in participants aged ≥15 years but not in children. Adherence to CDTI was positively influenced by perceived health benefits, and negatively influenced by fear of adverse events linked with economic loss. Concern of lethal adverse events was a common reason for systematic non-adherence.

Conclusion

CDTI alone is unlikely to achieve elimination in those high transmission areas where low participation is commonly associated with the fear of adverse events, despite the current quasi absence of high-risk levels of loiasis. Such persisting historical memories and fear of ivermectin might impact adherence to CDTI also in areas with historical presence but current absence of loiasis. Because such issues are unlikely to be tackled by CDTI adaptive measures, alternative strategies are needed for onchocerciasis elimination where negative perception of ivermectin is an entrenched barrier to community participation in programmes.
Management of patients with severe aortic stenosis in the TAVI-era: how recent recommendations are translated into clinical practice
Authors: Lauten Alexander , Rudolph Tanja K , Messika-Zeitoun David , Thambyrajah Jeetendra , Serra Antonio , Schulz Eberhard , Frey Norbert , Maly Jiri , Aiello Marco , Lloyd Guy , Bortone Alessandro Santo , Clerici Alberto , Delle-Karth Georg , Rieber Johannes , Indolfi Ciro , Mancone Massimo , Belle Loic , Arnold Martin , Bouma Berto J , Lutz Matthias , Deutsch Cornelia , Kurucova Jana , Thoenes Martin , Bramlage Peter , Steeds Richard Paul
Published: January 2021

Objective

Approximately 3.4% of adults aged >75 years suffer from aortic stenosis (AS). Guideline indications for aortic valve replacement (AVR) distinguish between patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic severe AS. The present analysis aims to assess contemporary practice in the treatment of severe AS across Europe and identify characteristics associated with treatment decisions, namely denial of AVR in symptomatic patients and assignment of asymptomatic patients to AVR.

Methods

Participants of the prospective, multinational IMPULSE database of patients with severe AS were grouped according to AS symptoms, and stratified into subgroups based on assignment to/denial of AVR.

Results

Of 1608 symptomatic patients, 23.8% did not undergo AVR and underwent medical treatment. Denial was independently associated with multiple factors, including severe frailty (p=0.024); mitral (p=0.002) or tricuspid (p=0.004) regurgitation grade III/IV, and the presence of renal impairment (p=0.017). Of 392 asymptomatic patients, 86.5% had no prespecified indication for AVR. Regardless, 36.3% were assigned to valve replacement. Those with an indexed aortic valve area (AVA; p=0.045) or left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; p<0.001) below the study median; or with a left ventricular end systolic diameter above the study median (p=0.007) were more likely to be assigned to AVR.

Conclusions

There may be considerable discrepancies between guideline-based recommendations and clinical practice decision-making in the treatment of AS. It appears that guidelines may not fully capture the complete clinical spectrum of patients with AS. Thus, there is a need to find ways to increase their acceptance and the rate of adoption.
Stability, electronic structures, magnetic and optical properties of Fe and non-metal (NM=B, C, N) co-doped monolayer 2H-WSe2
Authors: Lai Wenlong , Yan Hui , An Yukai
Published: January 2021

The effects of Fe–NM (NM=B, C, N) co-doping on the stability, electronic structures, magnetic and optical properties of 2H-WSe2 monolayer are investigated in detail by spin-polarized density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The results show that the Fe-doped WSe2 monolayer exhibits magnetic half-metallicity (HM) with a 100% spin polarization due to the electrons partially occupied Fe [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] bonding states at the Femi level [Formula: see text], and eventually induces a magnetic moment of 2 [Formula: see text]. The Fe–B and Fe–N co-doped WSe2 monolayers show obvious spin-polarization and retain semiconductor character with an indirect bandgap of 0.034 eV and 0.220 eV, respectively, which can be attributed to the strong hybridization between the Fe [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] states and [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] orbitals at the [Formula: see text]. Interestingly, the Fe–C co-doped WSe2 monolayer exhibits a typical non-magnetic semiconductor due to the effective charge compensation between Fe and C atoms, leading to completely symmetrical spin-up and spin-down channel of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] states near [Formula: see text]. Moreover, the optical properties of WSe2 monolayer can be effectively tuned by Fe–NM co-doping, which can attribute to the introduction of impurity state. The excellent magnetic HM, tunable magnetic, optical properties of Fe–NM co-doped WSe2 monolayers are of great significance for further application in the fields of spintronics, opto-electronics and magneto-optics devices.
Generic properties of invariant measures of full-shift systems over perfect Polish metric spaces
Authors: Carvalho Silas L. , Condori Alexander
Published: January 2021

In this work, we are interested in characterizing typical (generic) dimensional properties of invariant measures associated with the full-shift system, [Formula: see text], in a product space whose alphabet is a perfect Polish metric space (thus, uncountable). More specifically, we show that the set of invariant measures with upper Hausdorff dimension equal to zero and lower packing dimension equal to infinity is a dense [Formula: see text] subset of [Formula: see text], the space of [Formula: see text]-invariant measures endowed with the weak topology. We also show that the set of invariant measures with upper rate of recurrence equal to infinity and lower rate of recurrence equal to zero is a [Formula: see text] subset of [Formula: see text]. Furthermore, we show that the set of invariant measures with upper quantitative waiting time indicator equal to infinity and lower quantitative waiting time indicator equal to zero is residual in [Formula: see text].
Selling planet Earth: re-purposing geoscience communications
Authors: Stewart Iain S. , Hurth Victoria
Published: January 2021

Earth scientists have a critical role to play in communicating to the public and policy makers what we know about present and future geo-environmental threats and challenges, such as climate change, extreme natural events, resource conflicts and the energy transition. However, whilst geoscientists are being encouraged – and, increasingly, trained – to ‘go public’ with our science, it is less clear to what extent our current geo-communications are effectively addressing the long-term planetary concerns that confront society. In this paper we argue that scientists are the interface between the research organizations that produce knowledge and the wider public who could use that knowledge, and in that regard are akin to marketers in the business world. Drawing from the dominant paradigms that shape business marketing, we re-consider the prevailing models of science communication and their consequent sense of purpose. We identify three dominant approaches of marketing-led science communication: ‘make-and-sell’; ‘sense-and-respond’; and ‘guide-and-co-create’. We judge the first two to be incompatible with delivering long-term sustainability, in contrast to the emergent guide-and-co-create mode – purpose-driven, interdisciplinary, participatory, and reflexive – which we contend is best placed to tackle long-term geo-environmental concerns through having a clear wellbeing-focused objective whilst co-creating the path to achieving it. We conclude with the contention that adopting a guide-and-co-create approach to science communications will require not only re-thinking of communication practice within universities but also radical institutional regime change towards universities becoming purpose-driven organizations.
A proposal for a White Paper on Geoethics in Forensic Geology
Authors: Dawson Lorna A. , Di Maggio Rosa Maria , McKinley Jennifer , Di Capua Giuseppe , Peppoloni Silvia , Pringle Jamie
Published: January 2021

This paper outlines the construction of a White Paper on Geoethics in Forensic Geology. It focuses on forensic geology, although it also relates to the wider sphere of the forensic geosciences. Forensic geology is rapidly evolving to provide assistance in police investigations and in criminal and civil courts with providing scientific advice and evidence, but there also should be associated clear guidelines to benefit both the practitioner and the justice system. Examples of where forensic geology delivers to society in a vital way are required and also where potential malpractice could happen. The paper discusses where forensic geology should pursue social justice in compliance with current legal systems. In order to achieve this goal, it outlines the main areas that we suggest should be developed within the discipline: the competence of the scientist in forensic geology; the creation of best practice guidelines; the establishing of clear duties of the expert in forensic geology; and consideration of ethical aspects in forensic geological activities and ethical aspects in communicating geoscience evidence. When developing geoethics within forensic geology, the following practices were identified as of prime importance: improved standardization of methods; the use of appropriate methods and/or combination of complementary methods; greater clarity of approach used for the location of areas of interest; collection and recovery of evidence; scene examination and sample collection evaluation of data; construction and appropriate use of databases, background information, documentation, cartography and communication of forensic data; and summary of evidence and acknowledgement and consideration of uncertainty and bias. Honesty, integrity, respect, transparency, competence and reliability are vital for the forensic geoscientist to adhere to. Raising the ethical profile of the forensic geoscience profession aims to pave the way for forensic geoscientists to be empowered now and into the future to serve society: acting responsibly and adopting effective ethical codes is vitally important for a safe society. This paper highlights the necessity to hold urgent discussions on the ethical and social implications of forensic geology and their potential repercussions on societal justice. Forensic geology is a very useful tool, but like any other tool in human hands, it presupposes responsibility in its application. Professionalism and honesty in forensic geology are fundamental to assure the public that geoscientists involved have the highest scientific respectability, social credibility and community respect for their role to help pursue judicial truth. The aim of this draft White Paper is to stimulate an open and informed debate on geoethics.
Non-pollen palynomorphs in deep time: unravelling the evolution of early eukaryotes
Authors: Agić Heda , Cohen Phoebe A.
Published: January 2021

Most of the Precambrian (>538 Ma) fossil record, which includes the time before the onset of macroscopic multicellular life, consists of minute organically preserved remains of soft-bodied micro-organisms, i.e. non-pollen palynomorphs (NPP). These microfossils include single-celled prokaryotic or eukaryotic organisms, filamentous sheets and bacterial cellular aggregates, and occur in marine and lacustrine sediments through most of the Earth's history. Ancient NPP have informed our understanding of one of the biggest evolutionary steps in the history of life: the origin of the eukaryotic cell and the subsequent diversification of eukaryotic life before the evolution of macroscopic forms. The oldest widely accepted eukaryotic microfossils are large cells with opening structures and ornamentation from upper Paleoproterozoic units in China and India. NPP diversify through Meso- and Neoproterozoic Eras, notably recording the oldest multicellular life around 1 billion years ago. In the latest Neoproterozoic, during the advent of animal life, the NPP record allows us to study the cryptic evolution of animals while they were exclusively small and poorly or non-mineralized before the appearance of organisms with hard parts. We review the current understanding of the early eukaryotic evolution and major advances in Precambrian palaeontology through the lens of the NPP record in deep time.
Hormesis Mediates Acquired Resilience: Using Plant-Derived Chemicals to Enhance Health
Authors: Calabrese Edward J.
Published: January 2021

This review provides an assessment of hormesis, a highly conserved evolutionary dose-response adaptive strategy that leads to the development of acquired resilience within well-defined temporal windows. The hormetic-based acquired resilience has a central role in affecting healthy aging, slowing the onset and progression of numerous neurodegenerative and other age-related diseases, and reducing risks and damage due to heart attacks, stroke, and other serious conditions of public health and medical importance. The review provides the historical foundations of hormesis, its dose-response features, its capacity for generalization across biological models and endpoints measured, and its mechanistic foundations. The review also provides a focus on the adaptive features of hormesis, i.e., its capacity to upregulate acquired resilience and how this can be mediated by numerous plant-derived extracts, such as curcumin, ginseng, Ginkgo biloba, resveratrol, and green tea, that induce a broad spectrum of chemopreventive effects via hormesis.
Cytokine Regulation and Function in T Cells
Authors: Dong Chen
Published: January 2021

T lymphocytes, the major effector cells in cellular immunity, produce cytokines in immune responses to mediate inflammation and regulate other types of immune cells. Work in the last three decades has revealed significant heterogeneity in CD4+ T cells, in terms of their cytokine expression, leading to the discoveries of T helper 1 (Th1), Th2, Th17, and T follicular helper (Tfh) cell subsets. These cells possess unique developmental and regulatory pathways and play distinct roles in immunity and immune-mediated pathologies. Other types of T cells, including regulatory T cells and γδ T cells, as well as innate lymphocytes, display similar features of subpopulations, which may play differential roles in immunity. Mechanisms exist to prevent cytokine production by T cells to maintain immune tolerance to self-antigens, some of which may also underscore immune exhaustion in the context of tumors. Understanding cytokine regulation and function has offered innovative treatment of many human diseases.
Extending the Polyol Reduction Process into the Second Dimension: Oxide Thin Film Reduction
Authors: Stühmeier Björn M. , Greiner Mark T. , Sureshwaran Vignesh , Schuster Lukas , Tiah Li Hui , Schwämmlein Jan N. , Gasteiger Hubert A. , El-Sayed Hany A.
Published: January 2021

The formation of extended metal thin films (<5 nm) or monolayers on oxide surfaces, for applications in (electro-)catalysis, has never been achieved due to the high interfacial energy of the metal/oxide interface that always results in a 3D growth of the deposited metal. To realize 2D growth, the outermost surface of the oxide must be reduced prior to metal deposition in the same system. Here, we demonstrate that the polyol method, typically used for metal nanoparticles synthesis, can be used for the reduction of oxide thin films. The reduction of the oxide layer upon heating in ethylene glycol was electrochemically monitored in situ by measuring the open circuit potential and confirmed by cyclic voltammetry and near ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The reduction of oxide thin films could be verified for nanoparticles of Sn, Ni and Sb-doped SnO2 in accordance with thermodynamic calculations. This method will enable the formation of metal thin films and monolayers on oxide substrates for applications in (electro-)catalysis.
Teaching the basic principles of electrocardiography experimentally
Authors: Derganc Jure , Gomišček Gregor
Published: January 2021

Electrocardiography (ECG) is one of the most widely used methods in clinical diagnosis. Here we describe an experimental approach that offers hands-on learning of its basic principles. An experimental model that consists of a rubber foil with a low electrical conductivity and a DC power unit is used to simulate the body and the electric dipole of the heart. It enables students to learn about the main features of the electric dipole and to visualize the induced electric potential in the body. The determination of the characteristic equipotential lines around the dipole and the measurement of simple electrocardiograms, comprising bipolar and unipolar leads, are made with a low-cost voltmeter. To make the exercise more relevant to clinical ECG, as well as making it more interesting, the students are additionally tasked to measure their own electrocardiogram with a simple, personal handheld ECG device.
Prematurity blunts the insulin- and amino acid-induced stimulation of translation initiation and protein synthesis in skeletal muscle of neonatal pigs
Authors: Rudar Marko , Naberhuis Jane K. , Suryawan Agus , Nguyen Hanh V. , Stoll Barbara , Style Candace C. , Verla Mariatu A. , Olutoye Oluyinka O. , Burrin Douglas G. , Fiorotto Marta L. , Davis Teresa A.
Published: January 2021

Extrauterine growth faltering is a major complication of premature birth, but the underlying cause is poorly understood. Our results demonstrate that preterm birth blunts both the insulin-and amino acid-induced activation of mTORC1-dependent translation initiation and protein synthesis in skeletal muscle, thereby limiting the anabolic response to feeding. This anabolic resistance likely contributes to the reduced accretion of lean mass and extrauterine growth restriction of premature infants.
Proximal tubule LPA1 and LPA2 receptors use divergent signaling pathways to additively increase profibrotic cytokine secretion
Authors: Geng Hui , Lan Rongpei , Liu Yaguang , Chen Wei , Wu Meng , Saikumar Pothana , Weinberg Joel M. , Venkatachalam Manjeri A.
Published: January 2021

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) increases platelet-derived growth factor-B (PDGFB) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) production and secretion by proximal tubule (PT) cells through LPA2 receptor-Gqα-αvβ6-integrin-mediated activation of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFB1). LPA2, β6-integrin, PDGFB, and CTGF increase in kidneys after ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), coinciding with fibrosis. The TGFB1 receptor antagonist SD-208 prevents increases of β6-integrin, TGFB1-SMAD signaling, and PDGFB/CTGF expression after IRI and ameliorates fibrosis (Geng H, Lan R, Singha PK, Gilchrist A, Weinreb PH, Violette SM, Weinberg JM, Saikumar P, Venkatachalam MA. Am J Pathol 181: 1236‐1249, 2012; Geng H, Lan R, Wang G, Siddiqi AR, Naski MC, Brooks AI, Barnes JL, Saikumar P, Weinberg JM, Venkatachalam MA. Am J Pathol 174: 1291‐1308, 2009). We report now that LPA1 receptor signaling through epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-ERK1/2-activator protein-1 cooperates with LPA2-dependent TGFB1 signaling to additively increase PDGFB/CTGF production and secretion by PT cells. Conversely, inhibition of both pathways results in greater suppression of PDGFB/CTGF production and secretion and promotes greater PT cellular differentiation than inhibiting one pathway alone. Antagonism of the LPA-generating enzyme autotaxin suppressed signaling through both pathways. After IRI, kidneys showed not only more LPA2, nuclear SMAD2/3, and PDGFB/CTGF but also increased LPA1 and autotaxin proteins, together with enhanced EGFR/ERK1/2 activation. Remarkably, the TGFB1 receptor antagonist SD-208 prevented all of these abnormalities excepting increased LPA2. SD-208 inhibits only one arm of LPA signaling: LPA2-Gqα-αvβ6-integrin-dependent production of active TGFB1 and its receptor-bound downstream effects. Consequently, far-reaching protection by SD-208 against IRI-induced signaling alterations and tubule-interstitial pathology is not fully explained by our data. TGFB1-dependent feedforward modulation of LPA1 signaling is one possibility. SD-208 effects may also involve mitigation of injury caused by IRI-induced TGFB1 signaling in endothelial cells and monocytes. Our results have translational implications for using TGFB1 receptor antagonists, LPA1 and LPA2 inhibitors concurrently, and autotaxin inhibitors in acute kidney injury to prevent the development of chronic kidney disease.
Data‐Driven Discovery of Molecular Targets for Antibody‐Drug Conjugates in Cancer Treatment
Authors: Razzaghdoust Abolfazl , Rahmatizadeh Shahabedin , Mofid Bahram , Muhammadnejad Samad , Parvin Mahmoud , Torbati Peyman Mohammadi , Basiri Abbas
Published: January 2021

Antibody‐drug conjugate therapy has attracted considerable attention in recent years. Since the selection of appropriate targets is a critical aspect of antibody‐drug conjugate research and development, a big data research for discovery of candidate targets per tumor type is outstanding and of high interest. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify and prioritize candidate antibody‐drug conjugate targets with translational potential across common types of cancer by mining the Human Protein Atlas, as a unique big data resource. To perform a multifaceted screening process, XML and TSV files including immunohistochemistry expression data for 45 normal tissues and 20 tumor types were downloaded from the Human Protein Atlas website. For genes without high protein expression across critical normal tissues, a quasi H‐score (range, 0‐300) was computed per tumor type. All genes with a quasi H − score ≥ 150 were extracted. Of these, genes with cell surface localization were selected and included in a multilevel validation process. Among 19670 genes that encode proteins, 5520 membrane protein‐coding genes were included in this study. During a multistep data mining procedure, 332 potential targets were identified based on the level of the protein expression across critical normal tissues and 20 tumor types. After validation, 23 cell surface proteins were identified and prioritized as candidate antibody‐drug conjugate targets of which two have interestingly been approved by the FDA for use in solid tumors, one has been approved for lymphoma, and four have currently been entered in clinical trials. In conclusion, we identified and prioritized several candidate targets with translational potential, which may yield new clinically effective and safe antibody‐drug conjugates. This large‐scale antibody‐based proteomic study allows us to go beyond the RNA‐seq studies, facilitates bench‐to‐clinic research of targeted anticancer therapeutics, and offers valuable insights into the development of new antibody‐drug conjugates.
C7ORF41 Regulates Inflammation by Inhibiting NF‐κB Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zhou Jinping , Zhou Quan , Zhang Tan , Fan Jingyi
Published: January 2021

Inflammation is an important biological process for eliciting immune responses against physiological and pathological stimuli. Inflammation must be efficiently regulated to ensure homeostasis in the body. Nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) signaling is crucial for inflammatory and immune responses. Aberrant activation of NF‐κB signaling leads to development of numerous human diseases. In this study, we investigated the function of chromosome 7 open reading frame 41 (C7ORF41) in NF‐κB signaling during inflammation. C7ORF41 was upregulated in cells stimulated with tumor necrosis factor‐alpha or lipopolysaccharide. Moreover, overexpression of C7ORF41 inhibited the activation of NF‐κB and decreased the expression of its downstream target genes. Notably, small hairpin RNA‐mediated depletion of C7ORF41 increased the levels of downstream genes and enabled the activation of NF‐κB. In conclusion, C7ORF41 negatively regulated inflammation via NF‐κB signaling and p65 phosphorylation in vitro. These findings may help to diagnose and prognosticate inflammatory conditions and may help develop new strategies for the management of inflammation‐related diseases.
Pathobiological Subtypes of Alzheimer Disease
Authors: Jellinger Kurt A.
Published: January 2021

Alzheimer disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is a heterogenous disorder with various pathobiological subtypes. In addition to the 4 major subtypes based on the distribution of tau pathology and brain atrophy (typical, limbic predominant, hippocampal sparing, and minimal atrophy [MA]), several other clinical variants showing distinct regional patterns of tau burden have been identified: nonamnestic, corticobasal syndromal, primary progressive aphasia, posterior cortical atrophy, behavioral/dysexecutive, and mild dementia variants. Among the subtypes, differences were found in age at onset, sex distribution, cognitive status, disease duration, APOE genotype, and biomarker levels. The patterns of key network destructions parallel the tau and atrophy patterns of the AD subgroups essentially. Interruption of key networks, in particular the default-mode network that is responsible for cognitive decline, is consistent in hetero­genous AD groups. AD pathology is often associated with co-pathologies: cerebrovascular lesions, Lewy pathology, and TDP-43 proteinopathies. These mixed pathologies essentially influence the clinical picture of AD and may accel­erate disease progression. Unraveling the heterogeneity among the AD spectrum entities is important for opening a window to pathogenic mechanisms affecting the brain and enabling precision medicine approaches as a basis for developing preventive and ultimately successful disease-modifying therapies for AD.
Combining Brachytherapy and Cryotherapy as Adjuvant Therapy for Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Conjunctiva: Literature Review and Case Reports
Authors: Fagerberg Peter S. , Ramberg Ingvild M.S. , Toft Peter B.
Published: January 2021

Background: Separately, cryotherapy and brachytherapy have shown promising results when adjuvating the excision of squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva (SCCC). The aim of this paper is to assess the combined effect in terms of complications and recurrence rate. Summary: We describe 2 patients suffering from SCCC, and we review the current literature on adjuvant cryotherapy and brachytherapy. Both patients, one of whom suffered from recurrent SCCC, underwent surgical excision followed by combined cryotherapy and brachytherapy. Cryotherapy was performed using a retinal cryoprobe, and 2 rounds each of 5 s with N2O as a cryogen were applied. Brachytherapy was performed using a ruthenium-106 plaque, delivering a dosage of 100 Gy at 2-mm depth. Key Messages: By reviewing the current literature and describing 2 case reports, this paper illustrates the use of combined cryotherapy and brachytherapy after surgical excision of SCCC. The current literature presents promising results of each treatment, and the 2 cases showed promising results by combining the 2 adjuvant therapies showing no signs of recurrence or complications during a follow-up period of 26 and 38 months.
Residence, Clinical Features, and Genetic Risk Factors Associated with Symptoms of COVID-19 in a Cohort of Older People in Madrid
Authors: del Ser Teodoro , Fernández-Blázquez Miguel A. , Valentí Meritxell , Zea-Sevilla María Ascensión , Frades Belén , Alfayate Eva , Saiz Laura , Calero Olga , García-López Fernando José , Rábano Alberto , Medina Miguel , Calero Miguel
Published: January 2021

Background: The older population has been especially affected by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic (COVID-19). Objective: The aim of the study was to explore the incidence, severity, mortality rate, clinical features, and risk factors of symptoms of COVID-19 in home-dwelling older people, and its association with type of residence, cognitive deterioration, and neurodegenerative diseases. Methods: Data about symptoms of COVID-19 were collected through a telephone survey in the cohort of 913 older volunteers of the Vallecas Project, aged 75–90 years, most of them (902) home-dwelling, in Madrid, Spain. The association of demographic and anthropometric measures, genetic polymorphisms, comorbidities, life habits, type of residence, and frailty surrogates were explored as potential risk factors for the incidence, severity, and mortality of COVID-19 in the older population. Findings: Sixty-two cases reported symptoms compatible with COVID-19; 6 of them had died, 4 in their home and 2 in the nursing home. Moderate/severe cases were significantly older and more frequently males. The APOE ε4 allele was associated with the presence of symptoms of COVID-19. Higher systolic blood pressure, more intense smoking habit, more alcohol intake, lower consumption of coffee and tea, and cognitive impairment were associated with disease severity. Conclusions: The estimated incidence of symptomatic COVID-19 in this older cohort of Madrid was 6.8%, with an overall mortality rate of 0.7% (18.2% in those living in a nursing home) and a fatality rate of 9.9%. Our exploratory study indicates that life habits, other clinical conditions and, the ε4 variant of the APOE gene are associated with the presence and clinical severity of coronavirus infection.
O martírio do padre e dos cavaleiros: perspectivas do "morrer pela fé" em Gil Vicente e em José de Anchieta
Authors: Domene Marina Gialluca
Published: January 2021

O tema da morte – e o que acontece depois dela – é recorrente na arte medieval europeia. O teatro português do período, tendo encontrado seu apogeu em Gil Vicente, encontra também no mestre uma discussão sobre diferentes tipos de almas, de mortes e de destinos. Poucas décadas depois, do outro lado do Oceano Atlântico, a colônia portuguesa na América viu o padre jesuíta José de Anchieta encenar, com a ajuda de outros padres e também de nativos, peças que também discutiam o tema. Este artigo lança o olhar sobre as consequências eternas do martírio religioso. Morrer pela fé católica parece garantir não só a entrada no Paraíso, como também um certo prestígio diante de representantes divinos. Pretendemos analisar de duas peças: o Auto da Barca do Inferno, de Gil Vicente, em que quatro Cavaleiros Templários são recebidos com honrarias pelo Anjo barqueiro, e o Diálogo de Pero Dias mártir, de José de Anchieta, em que um jesuíta martirizado em alto-mar conversa com o próprio Cristo. O que propomos é perceber as relações dialógicas entre os textos: a inserção em uma mesma tradição teatral e o estabelecimento de uma mesma moral cristã católica quinhentista.
O marinheiro: "Navegar é preciso, viver não é preciso"
Authors: Silveira Francisco Maciel
Published: January 2021

O Marinheiro (1913) antecipa motivos que Fernando Pessoa desenvolverá na obra ortônima e heterônima ─ o desdobramento do ser; a incapacidade de sentir sem estar a pensar-se sentir; o mistério do ser o médium de si mesmo, ser só o que tinha possibilidades. A peça corresponde ao primeiro grande passo no sentido da despersonalização máxima a que objetivava sua obra: a realização da heteronímia. Este artigo, portanto, examinará a dissociação aparência/essência que se desdobra em dois espaços, o do palco e o da palavra poética, para concluirmos que O Marinheiro acaba sendo o verdadeiro manifesto do Orpheu, na medida em que concretiza o encantamento órfico da palavra poética, impondo-a como realidade única e absoluta ─ espaço inteligível gerador do plano sensível, essa sombra enganosa da verdadeira realidade. Demiurgo platônico, o marinheiro pessoano sonha as sombras de nossa realidade. Enfim, veladoras da realidade, não passamos de meras sombras e reminiscências ─ simulacros da verdadeira realidade de que nos exilamos.
Durante muito tempo fomos dormir cedo: Proust, Barthes e Mário Cláudio contra Sainte-Beuve
Authors: Pereira Gustavo Listo
Published: January 2021

Neste artigo, partimos das reflexões que Barthes desenvolveu em “Durante muito tempo fui dormir cedo” para analisaralgumas peculiaridades das vozes narrativas presentes no romance Gémeos, de Mário Cláudio. Com isso, tentamos, por um lado, evidenciar possíveis aproximações entre o livro do romancista português e a obra de Proust e, por outro, demonstrar que Gémeos pode ser lido como um texto que efetua um desvio na lógica ilusória da biografia – lógica esta que não apenas faz parte de muitas biografias e romances biográficos mais tradicionais, mas que também é pressuposta pelo biografismo, o método crítico de Sainte-Beuve criticado por Proust. Em nossa análise, procuramos mostrar também a pertinência do conceito de terceira forma de Barthes para a compreensão de algumas especificidades da tessitura do romance de Mário Cláudio. Guiados por esse objetivo, aplicamos o conceito à leitura de Gémeos e, com isso, buscamos indicar mais claramente que o romance de Mário Cláudio é uma obra que, assim como Em Busca do Tempo Perdido, investe em uma escrita que promove uma fissura nos limites entre o narrar e o argumentar.
Álbum de fotografia
Authors: Pinto Francisco Neto Pereira
Published: January 2021

Trata-se de um conto.
Cabaré da Santa
Authors: Maia Reinaldo , Figueira Jorge Louraço , Pires Helderson Mariani
Published: January 2021

Escrito por dois dramaturgos separados pelo Atlântico, o Cabaré da Santa, que antes deveria se chamar Cabaré da Liberdade, traz na sua narrativa uma vontade comum que os reuniu – celebrar, nos idos de 2008, os duzentos anos da chegada da família real portuguesa em terras brasileiras, primeiramente na cidade de Salvador, para depois se instalar com sua corte no Rio de Janeiro. Assim, a partir desse mote inicial de uma celebração artística e crítica desse fato histórico, dois grupos teatrais criaram um projeto em parceria: o Folias, de São Paulo, que trouxe como dramaturgo um de seus fundadores, Reinaldo Maia; e o Teatrão, de Coimbra, que trouxe Jorge Louraço Figueira como seu dramaturgo. A parceria deu certo e, juntos ou separados, a escrita dessa dramaturgia fluiu e surgiu para ser oferecida aos atores dos dois grupos teatrais.
Indivíduo e narradores em "O Judeu" e "Português, escritor, quarenta e cinco anos de idade"
Authors: Santos Elsa Rita dos
Published: January 2021

Desde sempre presentes no teatro, os narradores reencontram uma funcionalidade dramatúrgica própria no âmbito da sintaxe teatral brechtiana, cuja influência prevalece na segunda fase do teatro de B. Santareno. Os narradores no teatro, estruturado nas tipologias propostas por B. Richardson (1988), permitem um jogo de perspetivas que concorre para a interpretação dinâmica dos acontecimentos apresentados em palco pretendida pelo teatro épico. Nas peças O Judeu (1966) e Português, escritor, quarenta e cinco anos de idade (1974), B. Santareno recorre a diversas tipologias de narrador cuja função iremos analisar. Em ambas as peças, nas quais é central a figura de um dramaturgo, emerge uma reflexão sobre a função social do teatro e a pertinência de o escrever numa sociedade marcada pela censura. Reflexão em que sobressaem da estrutura das duas peças alguns elementos de dualidade, ou ambivalência, que, embora não reduzam a matriz épica dos textos, questionam a prerrogativa cultural do teatro enquanto meio privilegiado de transformação da sociedade. Esperamos demonstrar que em O Judeu esses elementos são atinentes ao género trágico, enquanto que em Português, escritor, quarenta e cinco anos de idade estão ligadas ao caráter autobiográfico com que o texto e a representação são apresentados.
Cabaré da Santa: um projeto teatral luso-brasileiro, com Dagoberto Feliz e Jorge Louraço Figueira
Authors: Pires Helderson
Published: January 2021

Entrevistas com o encenador Dagoberto Feliz e o dramaturgo Jorge Louraço Figueira, sobre o projeto teatral Cabaré da Santa, ocorrido em 2008, com os grupos teatrais Folias, de São Paulo, Brasil, e o Teatrão, de Coimbra, Portugal. O projeto teve lugar na comemoração dos cem anos da chegada da família real portuguesa em terras brasileiras.
Um eixo de Bernardo Santareno à margem crítica: "Confissão" (1945) e memórias da encenação cubana d´´ "A traição do padre Martinho" (1969)
Authors: Moura Susana
Published: January 2021

Tem-se vindo a assumir que a obra dramática de Bernardo Santareno teve início com A promessa (1957). Porém, há um conjunto de obras anteriores que não tem vindo a ser considerado pela crítica e pelo meio académico. A Confissão (1945) é um desses casos que agora remeto para debate. A Traição do padre Martinho (1969), devido às vicissitudes da censura que se vivia em Portugal, foi encenada por Rogério Paulo em Cuba. Estávamos em 1970 e este encenador português apresenta esta peça com a companhia cubana Rita Montaner. Abaixo, apresento uma perspetiva deste caso através de três testemunhos na primeira pessoa: dois atores e um dramaturgo cubano que participaram nesse espetáculo. Todos eles foram por mim entrevistados na cidade de Havana, no ano de 2018.
Psicologia e Psquiatria em Bernardo Santareno: observar para narrar; narrar para tratar
Authors: Silva José Aparecido Da , Santos Rosemary Conceição dos
Published: January 2021

Segundo o dicionário Aurélio, a Psicologia é parte da Filosofia que trata da alma, das suas manifestações e dos fenômenos psíquicos. Já a Psiquiatria é por ele apresentada como a doutrina das doenças mentais e do respectivo tratamento. A Psicologia cuida do aspecto social e comportamental das pessoas. A Psiquiatria cuida da parte fisiológica e química envolvendo o cérebro humano. Em “Nos mares do fim do mundo” (1959) e “O Lugre” (1959), Bernardo Santareno, psicólogo, se preocupa em descobrir as causas dos problemas sofridos pelos homens do mar, usando como principal ferramenta o conhecimento social, filosófico e comportamental. Aqui, o indivíduo é analisado no contexto em que vive, com o autor se propondo a identificar e tratar as alterações psicológicas e comportamentais por meio de técnicas conversacionais, além de ajudar a preveni-las. Por sua vez, em relação a essas mesmas obras, Santareno, psiquiatra, avalia e trata problemas psicológicos focando na parte orgânica, por meio da avaliação fisiológica e química do cérebro. Na prática, sua preocupação psiquiátrica se ocupa primeiramente em reduzir os sintomas ocasionados pelo isolamento e distanciamento social do homem no mar. Em 1957 e em 1959, Bernardo Santareno, embarcando como médico de bordo na frota bacalhoeira portuguesa (David Melgueiro, Senhora do Mar e Gil Eannes) que se dirigia todos os anos para a Terra Nova e Groenlândia, traçou pequenos quadros narrativos que realçavam o elemento humano rodeado pela mais austera natureza. Entre a linguagem poética, a reflexão e a narrativa, usou observações para narrar e narrações para tratar a trajetória marítima e de vida nas quais suas personagens se descobriam real e interiormente. Por sua vez, levando-as para a encenação, descortinou a propaganda de cunho econômico do Estado Novo, reproduzida em sua ordem social
Reproducibility of Office and Out-of-Office Blood Pressure Measurements in Children
Authors: Stergiou George S. , Bountzona Ioanna , Alamara Christina , Vazeou Andriani , Kollias Anastasios , Ntineri Angeliki
Published: January 2021

This study aimed to evaluate the reproducibility of office (OBP), ambulatory (ABP), and home blood pressure (HBP) measurements in children and adolescents, and their implications in diagnosing hypertension in clinical practice and in pediatric hypertension research. Apparently healthy children and adolescents referred for suspected hypertension were included. Measurements of 2-visit OBP, 7-day HBP, and 24-hour ABP were performed twice, 1 to 6 months apart. Reproducibility was quantified using the SD of differences between repeated measurements. The sample size of clinical trials comparing the efficacy of antihypertensive drugs using each method was calculated. Fifty-eight individuals were analyzed (mean age, 13.0±2.9 years, 60.3% boys). The reproducibility of 24-hour ABP (SD of differences 5.7/4.5 systolic/diastolic) and HBP (5.9/5.0 mm Hg) were comparable and superior to that of visit-2 OBP (9.2/7.8) and awake (6.7/5.5) or asleep ABP (7.6/6.1). As a consequence, a parallel-group comparative trial aiming to detect a difference in the effect of 2 drugs of 10 mm Hg systolic BP, would require 36 participants when using OBP measurements, 14 using 24-hour ABP, and 15 using HBP (102/34/42 respectively for detecting a 5 mm Hg difference in diastolic BP). For a crossover design trial, the corresponding sample sizes are 9/3/4 for systolic BP and 26/9/11 for diastolic, respectively. These data suggest that in children and adolescents 24-hour ABP and 7-day HBP have similar reproducibility, superior to OBP and daytime or asleep ABP. These findings have major implications in diagnosing hypertension in children in clinical practice and in designing clinical research trials in pediatric hypertension.
Role of Klotho in the Development of Essential Hypertension
Authors: Kanbay Mehmet , Demiray Atalay , Afsar Baris , Covic Adrian , Tapoi Laura , Ureche Carina , Ortiz Alberto
Published: January 2021

Klotho has antiaging properties, and serum levels decrease with physiological aging and aging-related diseases, such as hypertension, cardiovascular, and chronic kidney disease. Klotho deficiency in mice results in accelerated aging and cardiovascular injury, whereas Klotho supplementation slows down the progression of aging-related diseases. The pleiotropic functions of Klotho include, but are not limited to, inhibition of insulin/IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1) and WNT (wingless-related integration site) signaling pathways, suppression of oxidative stress and aldosterone secretion, regulation of calcium-phosphate homeostasis, and modulation of autophagy with inhibition of apoptosis, fibrosis, and cell senescence. Accumulating evidence shows an interconnection between Klotho deficiency and hypertension, and Klotho gene polymorphisms are associated with hypertension in humans. In this review, we critically review the current understanding of the role of Klotho in the development of essential hypertension and the most important underlying pathways involved, such as the FGF23 (fibroblast growth factor 23)/Klotho axis, aldosterone, Wnt5a/RhoA, and SIRT1 (Sirtuin1). Based on this critical review, we suggest avenues for further research.
An analysis of the development of Chinese STM journals in the past 30
years
Authors: Xiaomin Liu
Published: January 2021

China publishes 5,052 academic journals in science, technology, and medicine. It ranks third in terms of the number of publications, behind the United States and the United Kingdom. In recent years, English-language journals have increased annually in China, but there are only just over 300 English journals published, accounting for about 6.5% of all published journals, whereas Chinese journals account for about 93.5%. Using 30 years’ data from the Chinese science citation database (CSCD), I compiled statistics on the average number of papers, the average number of references, the language of references, the distribution of author age, etc. I also analyzed the role of Chinese STM journals in terms of their academic significance. It is observed that the average number of journal papers and references per paper has been on the rise in the past 30 years. English literature accounts for a large proportion of the references, and the authors are young. The conclusion is that Chinese journals are important for young scholars to publish their papers, and Chinese scholars widely use international research results for reference in their research.
COVID-19: Belief in Conspiracy Theories and the Need for Quarantine
Authors: Egorova Marina S. , Parshikova Oksana V. , Chertkova Yulia D. , Staroverov Vladimir M. , Mitina Olga V.
Published: January 2021

Background. Situations that are characterized by unexpected scenarios, unpredictable developments, and risks to life and health facilitate beliefs in conspiracy theories. These beliefs — together with reliable information, intentional and unintentional misinformation and rumors — determine attitudes toward the situations and ways to overcome them. Objective. To examine the effect of belief in conspiracy theories on the recognition of the need for quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic; the effect of personality traits on belief in conspiracy theories and on the recognition of the need for quarantine; the relationship of belief in conspiracy theories with assessment of the dangers of COVID-19 and with feelings of hopelessness. Design. The study was conducted over a period when the number of coronavirus cases was growing, during the first three weeks of the lockdown in Russia. The sample included 667 undergraduate and graduate students aged 16–31 (M = 20.44, SD = 2.38); 74.2% of the participants were women. Respondents filled out two online questionnaires. The first related to perceptions about the COVID-19 pandemic; the second was a brief HEXACO inventory. Results. Belief in Conspiracy Theories accounts for 13% of variance in Recognition of the Need for Quarantine; together with Dangers of COVID-19 and Hopelessness, conspiracy beliefs account for more than a quarter of the variance. Personality traits defined in the context of the 6-factor personality model have a small effect on conspiracy beliefs about the coronavirus and on perception of the need for quarantine. Conclusion. Belief in conspiracy theories is associated not only with irrational views of reality, but also with the adoption of ineffective behaviors.