bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Triple Obstetric Challenge of Thoracopagus-Type Conjoined Twins, Eclampsia, and Obstructed Labor: A Case Report from Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Leigh Mariatu Binta , John-Cole Valerie , Kamara Mike , Koroma Alimamy Philip , Koroma Michael Momoh , Emuveyan Edward Ejiro , Bramlage Peter , Buschmann Ivo
Published: December 2017

Conjoined twins are very rarely seen. We present a case of thoracopagus that was undiagnosed prior to delivery and combined with eclampsia and obstructed labor in a low-resource setting in sub-Saharan Africa. A 27-year-old pregnant woman was presented to the maternity emergency unit of Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (PCMH) in Freetown at term in labor. Upon admission, the patient was awake and orientated and presented a blood pressure of 180/120 mmHg and a protein value of 3+ on urine dipstick test. Clinical examination—ultrasound was not available—led to the admission diagnosis: obstructed labor with intrauterine fetal death and preeclampsia. Application of Hydralazine 5 mg (i.v.) under close blood pressure monitoring was performed. Under spontaneous progression of labor, one head of the yet unknown conjoined twin was born. The patient developed eclamptic fits. Ceasing of seizures was achieved after implementing the loading dose of the MgSO4protocol. A vaginal examination led to the unexpected diagnosis of conjoined twins. An emergency cesarean section under general anesthesia via a longitudinal midline incision was performed immediately. The born head was repositioned vaginally. The stillborn conjoined twins presented a female thoracopagus type that seemed to involve the heart. After 8 weeks, the woman was clinically fully recovered.
Modeling of Complex Life Cycle Prediction Based on Cell Division
Authors: Zhang Fucheng , Wang Yahui , Zhang De
Published: December 2017

Effective fault diagnosis and reasonable life expectancy are of great significance and practical engineering value for the safety, reliability, and maintenance cost of equipment and working environment. At present, the life prediction methods of the equipment are equipment life prediction based on condition monitoring, combined forecasting model, and driven data. Most of them need to be based on a large amount of data to achieve the problem. For this issue, we propose learning from the mechanism of cell division in the organism. We have established a moderate complexity of life prediction model across studying the complex multifactor correlation life model. In this paper, we model the life prediction of cell division. Experiments show that our model can effectively simulate the state of cell division. Through the model of reference, we will use it for the equipment of the complex life prediction.
Integrating Occupational Therapy Specific Assessments in Practice: Exploring Practitioner Experiences
Authors: Asaba Eric , Nakamura Mio , Asaba Akie , Kottorp Anders
Published: December 2017

Background. Occupational therapists sometimes find it challenging to integrate client-centered and occupational therapy specific assessments in practice. The aim of this study was to explore the use of occupational therapy specific assessments such as the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) among occupational therapists in Sweden and Japan. Methods. Interviews and qualitative thematic analyses were utilized. Findings. Four themes are reported: (1) use it or lose it, (2) simply no space until after hours, (3) biggest barriers can be colleagues, and (4) being more specific: communication. Conclusion. In keeping with previous studies, occupational therapists often find it challenging to implement client-centered and occupation-based assessment tools into practice. However, more work is needed to understand how best practices can be incorporated into a changing occupational therapy daily practice.
A Vessel Positioning Algorithm Based on Satellite Automatic Identification System
Authors: Ma Shexiang , Wang Jie , Meng Xin , Wang Junfeng
Published: December 2017

Vessels can obtain high precision positioning by using the global navigation satellite system (GNSS), but when the ship borne GNSS receiver fails, the existence of an alternative positioning system is important for the navigation safety of vessel. In this paper, a localization method based on the signals transmitted by satellite-based automatic identification system (AIS) is proposed for vessel in GNSS-denied environments. In the proposed method, the positioning model is a modification on the basis of time difference and frequency difference of arrival measurements by introducing an additional measurement, and the measurement is obtained through the interactive multiple model algorithm. The performance of the proposed strategy is evaluated through simulations, and the results validate the feasibility and reliability of vessel localization based on satellite-based AIS.
F-18 FP-CIT PET in Multiple System Atrophy of the Cerebellar Type: Additional Role in Treatment
Authors: Jeong Young Jin , Cheon Sang-Myung , Kang Do-Young , Kim Jae Woo
Published: December 2017

We evaluated the difference in the status of dopamine transporters (DATs) depending on Parkinsonism, cerebellar, and autonomic features using F-18 FP-CIT positron emission tomography (PET) in multiple system atrophy with cerebellar ataxia (MSA-C). We also assessed whether the DAT PET could be useful in the management of MSA-C. Forty-nine patients who were clinically diagnosed as possible to probable MSA-C were included. Based on the F-18 FP-CIT PET results, patients were classified into normal (n=25) and abnormal (n=24) scan groups. There were statistically significant differences in rigidity, bradykinesia, postural instability, asymmetry, and specific uptake ratio (SUR) between the two groups but no significant differences in tremor and cerebellar/autonomic symptoms. Dopaminergic medications were administered to 22 patients. All seven patients with normal scans showed no change, while 10 of the 15 patients with abnormal scans showed clinical improvement. There was a trend of a negative correlation between levodopa equivalent dose and SUR, but it was not statistically significant. DAT imaging, such as F-18 FP-CIT PET, may be useful in predicting the response to dopaminergic medication regardless of cerebellar/autonomic symptoms in MSA-C. In addition to being used for the diagnosis of the disease, it may be used as a treatment decision index.
Assessment of Insulin Injection Practice among Diabetes Patients in a Tertiary Healthcare Centre in Nepal: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Poudel Ramesh Sharma , Shrestha Shakti , Piryani Rano Mal , Basyal Bijaya , Kaucha Kalpana , Adhikari Shital
Published: December 2017

Introduction. Proper insulin injection practice is essential for better diabetic control. This study aims to assess the insulin injection practice of patients with diabetes. Materials and Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Chitwan Medical College Teaching Hospital, Bharatpur, Nepal, from February 2017 to May 2017. Patients injecting insulin through insulin pens (n=43) for a minimum of 4 weeks were consecutively recruited. Patients’ baseline characteristics, current insulin injection technique, insulin transportation practice, complications of insulin injection, disposal practice of used needle, and acceptability of insulin were recorded. Descriptive statistics were performed using IBM-SPSS 20.0. Results. The insulin injection technique of patients and their relatives was inadequate. The majority of patients and their relatives (25, 58.1%) mentioned that they transport their insulin cartridge without maintaining cold chain. Thirteen patients (30.2%, n=43) reported complications of insulin injection and the most common complication among those patients was bruising (10, 76.9%, n=13). Almost all patients disposed the used needle improperly, and the common method was disposing the needle in a dustbin and then transferring to municipal waste disposal vehicle. Insulin was accepted by just 16 (37.2%) patients. Conclusion. There was a significant gap between the insulin delivery recommendation through insulin pen and current insulin injection practice.
Protective Effects of Garlic-Derived S-Allylmercaptocysteine on IL-1β-Stimulated Chondrocytes by Regulation of MMPs/TIMP-1 Ratio and Type II Collagen Expression via Suppression of NF-κB Pathway
Authors: Yang Guang , Li Siying , Li Bin , Cheng Lin , Jiang Peng , Tian Zhoubin , Sun Shui
Published: December 2017

Background. Garlic-derived S-allylmercaptocysteine (SAMC) has widely been used in many disease therapies. However, the potential effects and mechanism of SAMC on IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes are unclear. Methods. Chondrocytes were isolated, and 5 ng/mL of IL-1β was added to mimic the in vitro osteoarthritis (OA) model. SAMC (20 and 60 μM) was used for the treatment in OA model. Cell viability was assessed by MTT method. Western blotting, Quantitative RT-PCR, and ELISA were performed to evaluate the mechanisms in SAMC treated OA model. Results. Following 48 h of IL-1β exposure, SAMC exhibited protection effect on IL-1β-injured chondrocyte viability. Type II collagen was elevated with reduced degradation products, as a consequence of altered MMPs/TIMP-1 ratio after SAMC treatment in IL-1β-treated chondrocytes. The protein and mRNA level of TNF-α in cellular supernatant and cells were downregulated in a dose-dependent manner. Besides, IκBα in cytoplasmic fraction was increased, while p65 level in nuclear fraction was decreased after SAMC treatment in OA. Conclusions. This study showed that SAMC may play a protective role in IL-1β induced osteoarthritis (OA) model. This effect may be through inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway, therefore altering the MMPs/TIMP-1 ratio change which induced type II collagen destruction and decreasing inflammatory cytokine secretion such as TNF-α.
Response Characteristics of Looseness‐Rubbing Coupling Fault in Rotor‐Sliding Bearing System
Authors: Liu Yang , Xue Zengyuan , Jia Lei , Shi Tuo , Ma Hui
Published: December 2017

For the diagnosis of looseness‐rubbing coupling fault of rotor‐sliding bearing system caused by bolt looseness fault, the mechanical model and finite element model of dual‐disc rotor system with looseness‐rubbing coupling fault are established based on the nonlinear finite element method, nonlinear oil film force, looseness stiffness model, and Hertz contact theory. With the augmented Lagrange method, contact constraint conditions are dealt with to ensure that the rotary disk and casing contact with each other meeting boundary penetrating depth within the prescribed tolerance range. And then the dynamics characteristics of the health rotor system supported by sliding bearing are studied. Combined with experimental study and simulation analysis, it is found that the looseness‐rubbing coupling fault is often characterized by rubbing fault, the lower part of the time‐domain fluctuated shape is denser, while the upper part is relatively loose, and multiple nested half ellipse is shown in orbit diagram. Because of the loosing stiffness and rubbing force, the phenomenon of unstable oil film is depressed. The appearance of the first‐ and second‐order oil film oscillation phenomenon is delayed. It could be used as a theoretical basis for diagnosing looseness‐rubbing coupling fault of rotor‐sliding bearing system.
Structural Characterization of Lignin and Its Degradation Products with Spectroscopic Methods
Authors: Lu Yao , Lu Yong-Chao , Hu Hong-Qin , Xie Feng-Jin , Wei Xian-Yong , Fan Xing
Published: December 2017

Lignin is highly branched phenolic polymer and accounts 15–30% by weight of lignocellulosic biomass (LCBM). The acceptable molecular structure of lignin is composed with three main constituents linked by different linkages. However, the structure of lignin varies significantly according to the type of LCBM, and the composition of lignin strongly depends on the degradation process. Thus, the elucidation of structural features of lignin is important for the utilization of lignin in high efficient ways. Up to date, degradation of lignin with destructive methods is the main path for the analysis of molecular structure of lignin. Spectroscopic techniques can provide qualitative and quantitative information on functional groups and linkages of constituents in lignin as well as the degradation products. In this review, recent progresses on lignin degradation were presented and compared. Various spectroscopic methods, such as ultraviolet spectroscopy, Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, for the characterization of structural and compositional features of lignin were summarized. Various NMR techniques, such as 1H, 13C, 19F, and 31P, as well as 2D NMR, were highlighted for the comprehensive investigation of lignin structure. Quantitative 13C NMR and various 2D NMR techniques provide both qualitative and quantitative results on the detailed lignin structure and composition produced from various processes which proved to be ideal methods in practice.
Intravenous Magnesium Sulphate for Analgesia after Caesarean Section: A Systematic Review
Authors: McKeown Andrew , Seppi Vyacheslav , Hodgson Raymond
Published: December 2017

Objective. To summarise the evidence for use of intravenous magnesium for analgesic effect in caesarean section patients. Background. Postcaesarean pain requires effective analgesia. Magnesium, an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist and calcium-channel blocker, has previously been investigated for its analgesic properties. Methods. A systematic search was conducted of PubMed, Scopus, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases for randomised-control trials comparing intravenous magnesium to placebo with analgesic outcomes in caesarean patients. Results. Ten trials met inclusion criteria. Seven were qualitatively compared after exclusion of three for unclear bias risk. Four trials were conducted with general anaesthesia, while three utilised neuraxial anaesthesia. Five of seven trials resulted in decreased analgesic requirement postoperatively and four of seven resulted in lower serial visual analogue scale scores. Conclusions. Adjunct analgesic agents are utilised to improve analgesic outcomes and minimise opioid side effects. Preoperative intravenous magnesium may decrease total postcaesarean rescue analgesia consumption with few side effects; however, small sample size and heterogeneity of methodology in included trials restricts the ability to draw strong conclusions. Therefore, given the apparent safety and efficacy of magnesium, its role as an adjunct analgesic in caesarean section patients should be further investigated with the most current anaesthetic techniques.
Comparative Liquid Chromatographic Study for Concurrent Determination of Canagliflozin and Metformin in Combined Tablets
Authors: Zaghary Wafaa A. , Mowaka Shereen , Hendy Moataz S.
Published: December 2017

New HPLC-UV method (method A), for simultaneous determination of metformin (MET) and canagliflozin (CANA), was developed and compared to another novel UPLC-UV method (method B) in their tablet combination. Concerning method A, isocratic separation was done by C18 column (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 3 μm) using methanol and 0.03 M phosphate buffer (75:25, v/v) at pH 3.2 as a mobile phase. Meanwhile, chromatographic separation in method B was achieved via Hypersil® gold (50 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.9 μm). Mobile phase was methanol and 0.03 M phosphate buffer at ratio of 80:20  v/v. In both, detection was done at wavelength of 240 nm. Method A showed satisfactory linearity results over 1–50 μg·mL−1 and 0.5–100 μg·mL−1, while method B linearity was at 0.1–50 μg·mL−1 and 0.25–100 μg·mL−1 for CANA and MET, respectively. In terms of accuracy and precision, method A accuracy was 99.81±0.73 and 99.37±0.54, while method B gave accuracy of 99.47±1.03 and 99.73±0.89 for CANA and MET, respectively. For precision, the % RSD was found to be less than 2% for three concentrations analyzed three times. The two methods are convenient for quality laboratories, yet the UPLC method offered the advantage of shorter run times and higher sensitivity.
Involvement of the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB Signaling Pathway in the Attenuation of Severe Acute Pancreatitis-Associated Acute Lung Injury by Sedum sarmentosum Bunge Extract
Authors: Jin Yuepeng , Liu Lewei , Chen Bicheng , Bai Yongyu , Zhang Fan , Li Qiang , Lv Chongqing , Sun Hongwei , Li Junjian , Rubby Sadman , Yang Lihong , Andersson Roland , Zhou Mengtao
Published: December 2017

Sedum sarmentosum Bunge possesses excellent anti-inflammatory properties and was used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficiency of Sedum sarmentosum Bunge extract (SSBE) on severe acute pancreatitis-associated (SAP-associated) acute lung injury (ALI) in rats and to explore the underlying mechanisms. Here, we used a sodium taurocholate-induced SAP rat model to determine the role of SSBE in ALI. During the course of pancreatitis, the expressions of phosphorylated phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 in the lungs were upregulated. Meanwhile, a parallel increase in the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the lungs was observed after the induction of SAP. Treatment with SSBE significantly reduced the expression of p-Akt and p-p65 in the lungs and attenuated the severity of SAP-associated ALI compared to the SAP group at 12 h and 24 h. In summary, this study showed that SSBE has beneficial effects on SAP-associated ALI, probably through the PI3-K/Akt signaling pathways by suppressing the NF-κB activities.
CD271 Confers an Invasive and Metastatic Phenotype of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma through the Upregulation of Slug
Authors: Chung Man Ki , Jung Young Ho , Lee Joon Kyoo , Cho Soo Youn , Murillo-Sauca Oihana , Uppaluri Ravindra , Shin June Ho , Sunwoo John B.
Published: December 2017

Purpose: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is comprised of heterogeneous populations of cells, and CD271 (NGFR; p75NTR) has been associated with a tumor-initiating cell subpopulation. This study assessed the role of CD271 in modulating metastatic behavior in HNSCC.

Experimental Design: CD271 was overexpressed in murine and human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells to assess the impact of CD271 activation on the invasive and metastatic phenotype of these cells, using in vitro and orthotopic in vivo modeling. Treatment with human nerve growth factor (NGF) to activate CD271, as well as shRNA knockdown of the CD271-upregulated Snai2 expression, was used to assess the mechanism of the CD271-induced invasive phenotype. Relevance of CD271 expression in human HNSCC was evaluated in patient-derived xenografts (PDX) and primary human oral cancers, annotated with clinical behavior characteristics and survival data.

Results: Forced expression of CD271 resulted in a more invasive and metastatic phenotype. Slug, an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related transcription factor, encoded by Snai2, was highly expressed in MOC2-CD271 and HSC3-CD271, compared with respective parental cells. CD271 activation by NGF conferred enhanced invasiveness in CD271-overexpressing cells, which was abrogated by Snai2 knockdown. In PDXs and primary human HNSCC, CD271 expression correlated with higher Snai2 expression, greater nodal metastasis, and shorter disease-free survival.

Conclusions: Activation of CD271 results in upregulation of Snai2/Slug, which, in turn, results in a more invasive phenotype and an enhanced capacity for metastasis to regional lymph nodes. These findings point to CD271 as a promising, therapeutic target for oral cancer metastasis. Clin Cancer Res; 24(3); 674–83. ©2017 AACR.
Identifying and Targeting Sporadic Oncogenic Genetic Aberrations in Mouse Models of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Liu Hui , Murphy Charles J. , Karreth Florian A. , Emdal Kristina B. , White Forest M. , Elemento Olivier , Toker Alex , Wulf Gerburg M. , Cantley Lewis C.
Published: December 2017

Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) are genetically characterized by aberrations in TP53 and a low rate of activating point mutations in common oncogenes, rendering it challenging in applying targeted therapies. We performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to identify somatic genetic alterations in mouse models of TNBCs driven by loss of Trp53 alone or in combination with Brca1. Amplifications or translocations that resulted in elevated oncoprotein expression or oncoprotein-containing fusions, respectively, as well as frameshift mutations of tumor suppressors were identified in approximately 50% of the tumors evaluated. Although the spectrum of sporadic genetic alterations was diverse, the majority had in common the ability to activate the MAPK/PI3K pathways. Importantly, we demonstrated that approved or experimental drugs efficiently induce tumor regression specifically in tumors harboring somatic aberrations of the drug target. Our study suggests that the combination of WES and RNA-seq on human TNBC will lead to the identification of actionable therapeutic targets for precision medicine–guided TNBC treatment.

Significance: Using combined WES and RNA-seq analyses, we identified sporadic oncogenic events in TNBC mouse models that share the capacity to activate the MAPK and/or PI3K pathways. Our data support a treatment tailored to the genetics of individual tumors that parallels the approaches being investigated in the ongoing NCI-MATCH, My Pathway Trial, and ESMART clinical trials. Cancer Discov; 8(3); 354–69. ©2017 AACR.

See related commentary by Natrajan et al., p. 272.

See related article by Matissek et al., p. 336.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 253
SLC2A1 Tag SNPs in Greek Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy and Nephropathy
Authors: Siokas Vasileios , Fotiadou Anatoli , Dardiotis Efthimios , Kotoula Maria G. , Tachmitzi Sophia V. , Chatzoulis Dimitrios Z. , Zintzaras Elias , Stefanidis Ioannis , Tsironi Evangelia E.
Published: December 2017

Backround: Genetic variants are implicated in the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and nephropathy (DN). The role of solute carrier family 2-facilitated glucose transporter member 1 (SLC2A1), also known as glucose transporter (GLUT1), on DR and DN remain controversial. Objective: Examination of the influence of tag SLC2A1 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the development of DR and DN during the course of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: A total of 169 patients with DR or DN, 107 uncomplicated T2DM patients, and 315 controls were recruited and genotyped for 14 SLC2A1 tag SNPs. SNPs and haplotypes were tested for associations with microvascular diabetes' complications. Results: rs3768029 TT genotype was associated with a lower risk of DR + DN, compared to the CC wild-type (p = 0.0024). Moreover, CT and TT rs841847 genotypes were associated with a higher risk of DR + DN compared to the CC genotype (p = 0.0028). A common haplotype (GGCCCGCATCAAT) was associated with an increased risk of DR, DN, DR ± DN, and DR + DN phenotypes. Mutational loads of rs3768029, rs3729548, rs841853, and rs841847 were found to influence the development of microvascular complications during the T2DM course. Conclusions: This study provides evidence that SLC2A1 gene variants might be implicated in the development of T2DM microvascular complications.
Practical Recommendations of the Obesity Management Task Force of the European Association for the Study of Obesity for the Post-Bariatric Surgery Medical Management
Authors: Busetto Luca , Dicker Dror , Azran Carmil , Batterham Rachel L. , Farpour-Lambert Nathalie , Fried Martin , Hjelmesæth Jøran , Kinzl Johann , Leitner Deborah R. , Makaronidis Janine M. , Schindler Karin , Toplak Hermann , Yumuk Volkan
Published: December 2017

Bariatric surgery is today the most effective long-term therapy for the management of patients with severe obesity, and its use is recommended by the relevant guidelines of the management of obesity in adults. Bariatric surgery is in general safe and effective, but it can cause new clinical problems and is associated with specific diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic needs. For clinicians, the acquisition of special knowledge and skills is required in order to deliver appropriate and effective care to the post-bariatric patient. In the present recommendations, the basic notions needed to provide first-level adequate medical care to post-bariatric patients are summarised. Basic information about nutrition, management of co-morbidities, pregnancy, psychological issues as well as weight regain prevention and management is derived from current evidences and existing guidelines. A short list of clinical practical recommendations is included for each item. It remains clear that referral to a bariatric multidisciplinary centre, preferably the one performing the original procedure, should be considered in case of more complex clinical situations.
Mortality Associated with Hepatobiliary Disease in Portugal between 2006 and 2012
Authors: da Rocha Manuel Coelho , Marinho Rui T. , Rodrigues Teresa
Published: December 2017

Introduction: Hepatobiliary disease is becoming a major public health problem, and recent data suggest that the burden of liver disease is higher than previously thought. Our aim was to quantify the mortality from hepatobiliary disease in Portugal and to compare this with the mortality related to other causes over a 7-year period (2006-2012). Materials and Methods: A statistical analysis of mortality data according to cause, sex, age, and region from the National Statistics Institute in Portugal was carried out. The data related to 14 causes of death, the most frequent of which were alcoholic liver disease (ALD) (International Classification of Diseases code K70), unspecified cirrhosis of liver (UCL) (K74.6), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (C22.0), unspecified malignant neoplasm of liver (C22.9), and cholangiocarcinoma (C22.1). Results: Between 2006 and 2012, 18,279 deaths (24.5/100,000) from hepatobiliary disease were registered in Portugal, constituting the 8th leading cause of death. The main causes of death from hepatobiliary disease were ALD (7.1/100,000), UCL (5.5/100,000), and HCC (4.3/100,000), with a male predominance (72%). ALD was the main aetiology in younger age groups (40-65 years), while primary neoplasms of the liver and the intrahepatic bile ducts were predominant in the elderly (>80 years). The mortality related to HCC increased by 66% between 2006 and 2012. Conclusion: These data outline the burden of hepatobiliary disease in Portugal (8th cause of death) and highlight a potential impact on economic productivity.
Relationship of Serum Fetuin A with Metabolic and Clinical Parameters in German Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Reinauer Christina , Reinehr Thomas , Baechle Christina , Karges Beate , Seyfarth Julia , Foertsch Katharina , Schebek Martin , Woelfle Joachim , Roden Michael , Holl Reinhard W. , Rosenbauer Joachim , Meissner Thomas
Published: December 2017

Background and Aim: The hepatokine fetuin A is upregulated in the metabolic syndrome and in type 2 diabetes (T2D), while its role in adolescent type 1 diabetes (T1D) is unclear. We assessed the relationship between circulating fetuin A levels and metabolic control, comorbidities, and complications in adolescent T1D patients. Methods: We studied the relationship between serum fetuin A and clinical diabetes-related data from the DPV registry (Diabetes-Pa­tienten-Verlaufsdokumentation) in 172 adolescent T1D patients with early-onset (<5 years) long-standing (>10 years) T1D. Fetuin A levels were further compared between adolescent T1D and T2D patients. Results: Serum fetuin A levels in T1D patients (mean 0.267 ± 0.043 g/L) did not correlate with age, diabetes duration, gender, body mass index (BMI), glycated hemoglobin, serum lipid levels, blood pressure, celiac or thyroid disease, nephropathy, or retinopathy. An association of fetuin A levels with insulin requirements was only evident within the subgroup of overweight T1D patients (rs = 0.439, p = 0.028, n = 25, BMI >90th percentile), disappearing after adjustment for multiple testing. Adolescent T1D patients showed distinctly lower fetuin A levels than patients with T2D (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: Overall, we did not observe a clinically relevant association of fetuin A levels with surrogate parameters for insulin sensitivity in our juvenile T1D cohort. A correlation with insulin requirements was detectable in overweight patients only. We hypothesize that multiple factors, such as obesity, puberty, inadequate metabolic control, and hepatic steatosis, have to add up before a clinically relevant effect of fetuin A on insulin sensitivity becomes evident.
Incidental Septostomy after Laser Surgery for Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome: Perinatal Outcomes and Antenatal Management
Authors: Gordon Brian J. , Chon Andrew H. , Korst Lisa M. , Llanes Arlyn , Miller David A. , Chmait Ramen H.
Published: December 2017

Introduction: Incidental septostomy, or inadvertent perforation of the twins’ dividing membranes, can create a functional monoamniotic twin pregnancy. Our aim was to describe the perinatal outcomes and antenatal management of patients with incidental septostomy after laser surgery for twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). Materials and Methods: Monochorionic diamniotic multiple gestations with a gestational age (GA) between 16 and 26 weeks that underwent laser surgery from March 2006 to December 2015 were studied retrospectively. Perinatal outcomes were compared for patients with and without an incidental septostomy. A subgroup analysis was performed to evaluate antenatal management. Results: Of 532 TTTS patients who underwent laser surgery, incidental septostomy occurred in 34 (6.4%). Compared to all others, patients with a septostomy had an earlier median (range) GA at delivery (30.8 [18.6–37.9] vs. 34.0 [19.3–40.4] weeks, p < 0.0001) and lower 30-day survival of at least one twin (85.3 vs. 94.6%, p = 0.0452). We found no evidence that inpatient fetal surveillance was protective. Discussion: Incidental septostomy in TTTS patients treated via laser surgery appeared to be associated with lower GA at delivery and perinatal survival of at least one twin. Further study is required to determine the optimal antenatal surveillance strategy.
Mujeres indígenas Rarámuri universitarias: su resistencia a la opresión
Authors: Rodríguez Norma Luz González
Published: December 2017

En la última década, las mujeres indígenas han comenzado a accedera la universidad: un espacio antes negado. Ello representa la oportunidad deliberarse de la opresión social expresada en situaciones de exclusión, que sin embargose reflejan en este espacio académico, aunque en menor escala, ya que enél es posible poner en marcha estrategias que les permiten reconstruir o reafirmarsu identidad, y así resistir y avanzar sobre ella, como una forma de agencia social.Para abordar esta problemática realicé una etnografía con mujeres indígenas universitariaspertenecientes a la etnia Rarámuri, originaria de Chihuahua, México,y me pregunté ¿Qué significa para estas mujeres y para quienes las rodean ser unamujer Rarámuri? Interpreté los resultados a partir de conceptos como subjetividad,opresión, identidad, género, interseccionalidad y etnicidad; reflexionadosobre el uso de éstos, y partiendo desde el feminismo poscolonial.
Gênero e sexualidades indígenas: alguns aspectos das transformações nas relações a partir dos Kaiowa em Mato Grosso do Sul
Authors: Cariaga Diogenes Egidio
Published: December 2017

Neste artigo, busco trazer algumas considerações sobre as transformaçõespelas quais os Kaiowa e os Guarani têm passado no Mato Grosso doSul, a partir de um enfoque nas relações geracionais e de gênero. Deste modo,trazer algumas considerações a respeito do modo como as sexualidades – nestecaso, homossexualidade – são vivenciadas pelos jovens kaiowa pode contribuirpara reflexões sobre como estes tematizam questões acerca do modo de ser, dasmoralidades e das diferenças postas entre os pontos de vista geracionais. Assim,ao procurar trazer tais debates para a etnologia indígena, a expectativa é que essesaspectos da vida social possam contribuir para a descrição dos sentidos da inovaçãona socialidade ameríndia.
Cadmium, Carotid Atherosclerosis, and Incidence of Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Borné Yan , Fagerberg Björn , Persson Margaretha , Östling Gerd , Söderholm Martin , Hedblad Bo , Sallsten Gerd , Barregard Lars , Engström Gunnar
Published: December 2017

Background

Exposure to cadmium has been associated with carotid plaques, inflammation in carotid plaques, and increased risk of ischemic stroke. This study examined the separate and interacting effects of blood cadmium levels and carotid plaques on the risk of incident ischemic stroke.

Methods and Results

Cadmium levels were measured in 4156 subjects (39.2% men; mean±
SD
age 57.3±5.9 years) without history of stroke, from the Malmö Diet and Cancer cohort. The right carotid artery was examined using B‐mode ultrasound examination at baseline. Incidence of ischemic stroke was monitored over a mean follow‐up of 16.7 years. Carotid plaque was present in 34.5% of participants. Cadmium was significantly higher in subjects with plaque (mean±
SD
: 0.53±0.58 μg/L versus 0.42±0.49 μg/L;
P
<0.001). A total of 221 subjects had ischemic stroke during the follow‐up. Incidence of ischemic stroke was associated both with carotid plaque (hazard ratio 1.44, 95% confidence interval, 1.09–1.90,
P
=0.009) and cadmium (hazard ratio for quartile [Q] 4 versus Q1–3: 1.95, confidence interval, 1.33–2.85,
P
=0.001), after adjustment for risk factors. There was a significant interaction between cadmium and plaque with respect to risk of ischemic stroke (
P
=0.011). Adjusted for risk factors, subjects with plaque and cadmium in Q4 had a hazard ratio of 2.88 (confidence interval, 1.79–4.63) for ischemic stroke, compared with those without plaque and cadmium in Q1 to Q3.

Conclusions

Cadmium was associated with incidence of ischemic stroke, both independently and in synergistic interaction with carotid plaques. This supports the hypothesis that cadmium promotes vulnerability of carotid plaques, thereby increasing the risk of rupture and ischemic stroke.
“A scene of Villainy acted by a dirty Banditti, as must astonish the Public”: The Creation of the Boston Massacre
Authors: Messer Peter
Published: December 2017

In the years before the American Revolution, “A scene of Villainy acted by a dirty Banditti” argues, Boston's Sons of Liberty built their claim to govern their community, at the expense of both Loyalists and laboring Bostonians, by transforming a street fight between soldiers and civilians into the Boston Massacre.
Effect of Equine-Assisted Activities on Social and Sensory Functioning of Children with Autism
Authors: Coman Drew C. , Bass Margaret P. , Alessandri Michael , Ghilain Christine S. , Llabre Maria M.
Published: December 2017

This is a replication, randomized control trial, that investigated the therapeutic effects of a 12-week equine-assisted (EA) intervention on the social and sensory functioning of children with autism. Reliability and stability of parent and teacher reports of children’s social and sensory functioning across three assessment times were assessed, in support of the validity of observed outcomes. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that children in theEAgroup (n= 25) would significantly improve, relative to a wait-list control group (n= 25), in both domains of functioning. Results indicated that reports were reliable, and children in the experimental group improved in overall social and sensory functioning, as well as within specific subdomains, with “unblinded” assessment methods. Relative to the pre-assessment scores, children improved in functioning in specific areas at post-assessment and 8-weeks post-intervention. Therefore, results of the study suggestEAactivities may be a beneficial modality for delivering autism-specific treatment strategies.
Deer Who Are Distant
Authors: Dillon Denise , Pang Josephine
Published: December 2017

The study explores the influence of relative pronouns WHO or THAT on attributions of humanness across four categories of entities (unnamed nonhuman animals, named animals, machines, and people). Eighty-three university students performed an attribution task where they saw a priming phrase containing one category item with either WHO or THAT (e.g., deer who are …) and then two trait attribute items (Uniquely Human UH/Human Nature HN word pairs; e.g., distant-nervous), from which they selected the trait attribute most meaningfully suited to the phrase. Data were analyzed with a repeated measures 2 (humanness: HN traits, UH traits) × 2 (pronoun: WHO, THAT) × 4 (category: unnamed animals, named animals, machines, people) ANOVA. Participants responded relatively faster to HN trait attributes than to UH traits, and responded faster to named animals than to all other entities. Faster responses also ensued for people-WHO pairings than people-THAT pairings, and vice versa for named animals.
Morphological and molecular characterisation of Aphelenchoides primadentus n. sp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) from northern Iran
Authors: Mobasseri Mahyar , Pourjam Ebrahim , Pedram Majid
Published: December 2017

Aphelenchoides primadentusn. sp. is described and illustrated based on its morphological, morphometric and molecular characters. It was recovered from natural forests of northern Iran in association with mosses. The new species is characterised by its body length of 502-613μm in females and 461-564μm in males, presence of three lines in the lateral fields, a low lip region slightly offset by a shallow depression, 11.1-13.8μm long stylet in females, its conus being longer than the shaft (m = 53.0-68.5) and bearing well-developed, rounded basal knobs, the excretory pore located atcaone body diam. posterior to the metacorpus, a conical tail with a multipapillate terminus or with a single, warty, wide mucron-like structure at the tip, and males with 19-22μm long arcuate spicules that lack a well-developed condylus and rostrum. The new species was morphologically compared with species of the genus having three lines in the lateral field and a multipapillate tail tip or tail with warty mucron, namelyA. iranicusandA. heidelbergi. Compared toA. ensete,A. huntensisandA. gorganensis, three species with a multipapillate tail tip or warty mucron at the tail tip, the new species has a basic difference in the number of lines in the lateral field and, compared to two species,A. composticolaandA. petersi, which have three lines in the lateral field and a similar overall morphology, the new species has basic differences in tail tip morphology. The results of phylogenetic analyses using partial sequences of ribosomal small subunit RNA (SSU) and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COImtDNA) genes revealed there is currently no sequenced species of the genus phylogenetically close to the new species being sequenced for these two genomic and non-genomic regions. The new species forms a clade withA. ritzemabosiin SSU, and three other species,A. besseyi,A. ritzemabosiandA. fujianensis, in theCOItree.
A fast method to prepare microslides of wood in advanced stages of decay
Authors: Račko Vladimír , Mišíková Ol’ga , Štefková Jaroslava , Čunderlík Igor
Published: December 2017

Biologically degraded wood in advanced stages of decay has a very soft and brittle structure that causes many problems during sectioning. Embedding wood specimens in different kinds of media ensures preparation of good quality microsections, but the preparation time is very long. The proposed method does not only have a reduced preparation time but also minimizes costs and consumption of chemicals while improving stabilization of the specimen and enhancing the quality of sections. The crux of the method is application of a reinforcing layer of transparent nail polish gel on a dry specimen that has been only stabilized (not embedded) with PEG 1500 medium. The gel is applied on a specimen in two layers just before sectioning. The first layer infiltrates the specimen sufficiently deep to fill the lumens and cell walls and allows preparation of thin sections from decayed wood. The second layer reinforces the section and allows better handling. Subsequently, the reinforcing and embedding layers are removed using pure acetone. This innovative method has so far been successfully tested on specimens that were degraded by the fungus Pleurotus ostreatus (mass loss 55% and 83%) and the fungus Phaeolus schweinitzii (mass loss 45%), taken from Fagus sylvatica and Pinus sylvestris species, a hardwood and softwood respectively with contrasting wide vessels and narrow tracheids.
Species of Macrostomum (Macrostomorpha: Macrostomidae) from the coastal region of Lima, Peru, with comments on M. rostratum Papi, 1951
Authors: REYES JHOE , BRUSA FRANCISCO
Published: December 2017

Species of Macrostomum are present in almost all regions of the world. These flatworms occur in different kinds of environments, from freshwater to marine ecosystems. Although Peru is considered one of the megadiverse countries in South America, little is known about freshwater microturbellarians in this country. Here we report the presence of M. rostratum Papi, 1951 for the first time in Peru, in a coastal brackish water wetland, and that of M. quiritium Beklemischev, 1951 and M. tuba Graff, 1882 in an inland portion of a river near the city of Lima. All the species were studied alive. Comments on the habitat and associated fauna are given. Detailed information on the copulatory system is provided for M. rostratum; the male system has a bilobed seminal vesicle with thick walls and full of spindle-shaped sperm cells, and a stylet in the form of a solid curved inverted cone with a subterminal opening located on the concave side of the stylet. These findings led us to suggest that M. rostratum may exhibit a hypodermic mating syndrome. The three species of Macrostomum reported here are widespread and, although the diagnostic characters of the species are present, some morphological differences in the copulatory stylet suggest they are cryptic species.
Macrobiotus nebrodensis and Adropion vexatum, two new species of Eutardigrada (Tardigrada, Parachela) from Sicily
Authors: PILATO GIOVANNI , SABELLA GIORGIO , D’URSO VERA , LISI OSCAR
Published: December 2017

Two new species of Eutardigrada are described from Sicily: Macrobiotus nebrodensis sp. nov. and Adropion vexatum sp. nov. The former species, belongs to the Macrobiotus hufelandi group, and is characterised by having a small, faint, microplacoid, and variable egg processes (most processes are shaped in the form of an inverted goblet with jagged terminal disc, but others are long, or very long, with a very small terminal disc). Adropion vexatum sp. nov. is characterised by having smooth cuticle, steep, vertical front to the head, pharyngeal tube longer than the pharyngeal bulb, which has small apophyses and three rod-shaped macroplacoids (microplacoid and septulum absent); long placoid row, about half the length of the pharyngeal bulb; main branches of claws with accessory points; lunules and other cuticular thickenings absent on the legs (small dots excluded).
Ubristes rex sp. n., a new microdontine hoverfly from northern Brazil (Diptera: Syrphidae: Microdontinae)
Authors: REEMER MENNO
Published: December 2017

Ubristes rex sp. n., a hoverfly of the subfamily Microdontinae (Diptera: Syrphidae) is described from northern Brazil (Roraima). A diagnosis and a key are provided for distinguishing this species from the other three known species of Ubristes, which are all Neotropical. Information on distribution and habitat of all known Ubristes species is summarized. A brief comment is made on the decision to describe this species based on a single female specimen.
Urban Heat Island Mitigation Effectiveness under Extreme Heat Conditions in the Suzhou–Wuxi–Changzhou Metropolitan Area, China
Authors: Chen Yan , Zhang Ning
Published: December 2017

Cool roofs and green roofs are two important methods used to mitigate the urban heat island (UHI) effect. The Weather Research and Forecasting Model was used to investigate the UHI effect and the effectiveness of cool and green roof mitigation strategies in the Suzhou–Wuxi–Changzhou metropolitan area during an extreme heat wave episode in the summer of 2013. Both urban land-cover change and anthropogenic heat releases exacerbated high temperatures in the urban area. Notably, urban land-cover change and anthropogenic heat release were responsible for 64% and 36% of the UHI intensity, respectively. Both cool and green roofs decreased near-surface air temperatures. The most dramatic decrease in near-surface air temperature occurred in the late morning; nocturnal air temperature decreased slightly because of the decrease in urban heat storage associated with the cool roof strategy. In addition, the UHI mitigation strategies affected the entire urban boundary layer. The decrease in the potential temperature and static stability created a stable urban boundary layer in which turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) decreased simultaneously. Analysis of an urban belt near a large water body showed that the decrease in the surface skin temperature difference between land and the water body weakened the daytime lake breeze. This effect was observed in both the inflow in the boundary layer and the return flow above the boundary layer, and it decreased the heat and moisture exchange between the lake and land boundary layers.
Reimarus and the Religious Enlightenment: His Apologetic Project
Authors: Birch Jonathan C. P.
Published: December 2017

Intellectual history abounds with writers who were celebrated figures in their own time but who are scarcely remembered today; whereas others emerge from obscurity to become canonical figures in their disciplines. Hermann Samuel Reimarus (1694–1768) does not quite fit either model: he was a respected scholar in his own lifetime and, as other contributors to this issue demonstrate, he was certainly not forgotten. But his posthumous reputation, whether as innovator or infidel, has often been narrowly conceived, focused as it was on (literally) fragments of his work.1 In this article I shall attempt to do three things: (1) contextualise the renewed interest in Reimarus for eighteenth-century intellectual history; (2) foreground the robust natural theology he promoted in his lifetime; and (3) show the continuities between that positive programme, and some of Reimarus’s more famous writings attacking Christianity.
The Other Side of the Hidden Curriculum: Correspondence Theories and the Labor Process
Authors: Apple Michael W.
Published: December 2017

Many analyses of the hidden curriculum have been strongly influenced by correspondence theories, theories which posit a mirror image relationship between the norms and values taught in school and those “required” in the economy. Correspondence theories, however, often miss the elements of resistence, contradiction, and relative autonomy that occur in schools and in the workplace. Studies of the work culture document the past and continued existence of such elements, elements which mediate and can provide the potential for transforming the pressures for social reproduction. We must be very careful of romanticizing such resistance, however, for the terms are often set by owners, not workers. The existence of resistence and contradiction is important, though, since it provides for the possibility of educational action in the face of the power of the hidden curriculum.
Teaching Ethical Standards for Discourse
Authors: Johannesen Richard L.
Published: December 2017

Regardless of how we wish to resolve them, or regardless of what standards we use to resolve them, complex and difficult potential ethical problems lurk in human discourse. This essay explores the inherency of potential ethical issues in discourse. Methods of securing student interest in such issues are presented and perspectives for assessing ethicality in discourse are sketched. In addition, key ethical issues to be resolved in the composition process are explained and the use of examples to provoke discussion is described. The goal is increased student sensitivity to the ethical dimension of discourse and increased student competency in reaching ethical judgments about discourse.