bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-resolution regulatory maps connect cardiovascular risk variants to disease related pathways
Authors: Åkerborg Örjan , Spalinskas Rapolas , Pradhananga Sailendra , Anil Anandashankar , Höjer Pontus , Poujade Flore-Anne , Folkersen Lasse , Eriksson Per , Sahlén Pelin
Published: July 2018

Genetic variant landscape of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is dominated by non-coding variants among which many occur within putative enhancers regulating the expression levels of relevant genes. It is crucial to assign the genetic variants to their correct gene both to gain insights into perturbed functions and better assess the risk of disease. In this study, we generated high-resolution genomic interaction maps (~750 bases) in aortic endothelial, smooth muscle and THP-1 macrophages using Hi-C coupled with sequence capture targeting 25,429 features including variants associated with CVD. We detected interactions for 761 CVD risk variants obtained by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and identified novel as well as established functions associated with CVD. We were able to fine-map 331 GWAS variants using interaction networks, thereby identifying additional genes and functions. We also discovered a subset of risk variants interacting with multiple promoters and the expression levels of such genes were correlated. The presented resource enables functional studies of cardiovascular disease providing novel approaches for its diagnosis and treatment.
Homeostatic and Interferon-induced gene expression represent different states of promoter-associated transcription factor ISGF3
Authors: Platanitis Ekaterini , Demiroz Duygu , Capelle Christophe , Schneller Anja , Hartl Markus , Gossenreiter Thomas , Müller Mathias , Novatchkova Maria , Decker Thomas
Published: July 2018

Cells maintain the balance between homeostasis and inflammation by adapting and integrating the activity of intracellular signalling cascades, including the JAK-STAT pathway. Our understanding how a tailored switch from homeostasis to a strong receptor-dependent response is coordinated remains limited. We used an integrated transcriptomic and proteomic approach to analyze transcription-factor binding, gene expression and in vivo proximity-dependent labelling of proteins in living cells under homeostatic and interferon (IFN)-induced conditions. We show that interferons (IFN) switch murine macrophages from resting-state to induced gene expression by alternating subunits of transcription factor ISGF3. Whereas preformed STAT2-IRF9 complexes control basal expression of IFN-induced genes (ISG), both type I IFN and, unexpectedly, IFNγ cause promoter binding of a complete ISGF3 complex containing STAT1, STAT2 and IRF9. In contrast to the dogmatic view of ISGF3 formation in the cytoplasm, our results suggest a model wherein the assembly of the ISGF3 complex occurs on DNA.
Impact of corporate governance attributes and financial reporting lag on corporate financial performance
Authors: Agyei-Mensah Ben Kwame
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate selected corporate governance attributes and financial reporting lag and their impact on financial performance of listed firms in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses 90 firm-year data for the period 2012–2014 for firms listed on the GSE. Each annual report was individually examined and coded to obtain the financial reporting lag. Descriptive analysis was performed to provide the background statistics of the variables examined. This was followed by regression analysis, which forms the main data analysis.

Findings

The descriptive statistics indicate that over the three years, the mean value of timeliness of financial reporting (ARL) is 86 days (SD 21 days), minimum is 55 days and maximum is 173 days. The regression analysis results indicate that financial reporting lag has a negative statistically significant relationship with firm performance. This negative sign indicates that when financial performances of companies are high (good news), companies have the tendency to disclose this situation early to the public.

Practical implications

Firms that are not timely in the financial reporting practices will find it difficult to attract capital as the delay will affect their reputation.

Originality/value

This study is one of the few to measure financial reporting lag and its impact on firm financial performance in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Application of fuzzy preference relation for evaluating success factors of construction organisations
Authors: Tripathi Kamalendra Kumar , Jha Kumar Neeraj
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate and rank the success attributes and success factors of the construction organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

The viewpoints of the experts engaged in Indian construction industry were used to apply factor analysis and fuzzy preference relation with the help of a questionnaire survey.

Findings

The findings indicate that project factor is the most important factor, whereas favourable market and marketing team is the least important factor. Among the success attributes, the availability of qualified staff is the most important attribute, and health and safety management plan is the least important attribute.

Research limitations/implications

Findings of this study are based on the viewpoint of the experts of construction organisations engaged in building projects in India.

Practical implications

The study can be used as a yardstick for the top management of construction organisations to manage their resources efficiently and to develop a strategy to be successful in this business.

Social implications

Indian construction industry provides direct and indirect employment to the people of India. Hence, the success of construction organisation will contribute to the development of the society and ultimately the nation.

Originality/value

In the earlier studies, researchers have used various statistical tools to identify and evaluate the alternatives for the success factors of construction organisations, but very few of them have tried to assign weights to those alternatives. The simple ranking of alternatives using various statistical analyses, such as mean and standard deviation, relative importance index, etc., is not much useful unless their relative weights are known. With the help of the present study, the authors have tried to overcome the shortcomings of the previous research works.
Genomic study of a novel magnetotacticAlphaproteobacteriauncovers the multiple ancestry of magnetotaxis
Authors: Monteil Caroline L. , Perrière Guy , Menguy Nicolas , Ginet Nicolas , Alonso Béatrice , Waisbord Nicolas , Cruveiller Stéphane , Pignol David , Lefèvre Christopher T.
Published: July 2018

Ecological and evolutionary processes involved in magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) adaptation to their environment have been a matter of debate for many years. Ongoing efforts for their characterization are progressively contributing to understand these processes, including the genetic and molecular mechanisms responsible for biomineralization. Despite numerous culture‐independent MTB characterizations, essentially within theProteobacteriaphylum, only few species have been isolated in culture because of their complex growth conditions. Here, we report a newly cultivated magnetotactic, microaerophilic and chemoorganoheterotrophic bacterium isolated from the Mediterranean Sea in Marseille, France:CandidatusTerasakiella magnetica strain PR‐1 that belongs to anAlphaproteobacteriagenus with no magnetotactic relative. By comparing the morphology and the whole genome shotgun sequence of this MTB with those of closer relatives, we brought further evidence that the apparent vertical ancestry of magnetosome genes suggested by previous studies withinAlphaproteobacteriahides a more complex evolutionary history involving horizontal gene transfers and/or duplication events before and after the emergence ofMagnetospirillum,MagnetovibrioandMagnetospiragenera. A genome‐scale comparative genomics analysis identified several additional candidate functions and genes that could be specifically associated to MTB lifestyle in this class of bacteria.
Automation of the Differential Digestion Process of Sexual Assault Evidence,
Authors: Wong Helena , Mihalovich Jennifer
Published: July 2018

Sexual assault evidence samples require the use of a specific process known as a differential digestion to separate sperm from nonsperm cells prior to DNA extraction. An automated differential digestion process was developed using a selective degradation technique, which uses DNase I to digest the remaining nonsperm DNA in the sperm fraction. The use of DNase on pristine samples, as well as aged and degraded samples, was assessed to ensure that the quantity and quality of the sperm DNA were not compromised or adversely affected. Samples processed using the selective degradation technique yielded comparable DNA yield and DNA typing data to the conventional differential digestion process. The automated process utilized 96‐well plates for high throughput and incorporated microscope slide preparations for confirmation of sperm. It reduced processing time by about sixfold and was paramount in the elimination of the Oakland Police Department Criminalistics Laboratory's sexual assault kit backlog.
Against all odds – is a more differentiated view of personality development in emerging adulthood needed? The case of young apprentices
Authors: Deventer Jennifer , Lüdtke Oliver , Nagy Gabriel , Retelsdorf Jan , Wagner Jenny
Published: July 2018

Personality development in emerging adults who do not attend college after high school has been largely overlooked so far. In this study, we investigated personality development in emerging German adults (NT1 = 1,886, MageT1 = 18.01 years, 29% female) undergoing vocational education and training (VET). The trainees were assessed at the start of VET, 1.5 years later, and another 1.5 years after that, just before graduation. Longitudinal latent change score analyses were applied. Bivariate analyses investigated life satisfaction and job strain as social and work‐related aspects that are potentially reciprocally related to personality development. Mean‐level personality changes included increases in neuroticism and decreases in agreeableness and conscientiousness in the first interval. In the second interval, neuroticism decreased and conscientiousness increased. Simultaneously, trainees reported a gradual decrease in extraversion and openness across the 3‐year time span. Personality, especially agreeableness and conscientiousness, emerged as a stronger predictor of changes in job strain and life satisfaction than vice versa. For example, more agreeable and more conscientious trainees subsequently showed increases in life satisfaction. Trainees reporting higher job strain subsequently showed decreases in agreeableness. Trajectories of personality development partly support the maturity principle that has been established in many college student samples.
Leucine‐rich repeat‐containing G‐protein‐coupled receptor 5 expression and clinicopathological features of colorectal neuroendocrine neoplasms
Authors: Nakajima Tomoyuki , Uehara Takeshi , Kobayashi Yukihiro , Kinugawa Yasuhiro , Yamanoi Kazuhiro , Maruyama Yasuhiro , Suga Tomoaki , Ota Hiroyoshi
Published: July 2018

LGR5 is expressed in various tumors and has been identified as a putative intestinal stem cell marker. Here we investigated LGR5 expression in colorectal neuroendocrine neoplasms and analyzed the correlation with pathological characteristics. We evaluated the clinicopathological features of 8 neuroendocrine tumor (NET) grade 1 (NET G1), 4 NET Grade 2 (NET G2), and 8 NET Grade 3 (NET G3; also termed neuroendocrine carcinoma, or NEC) cases. We examined LGR5 expression using an RNAscope, a newly developed RNA in situ hybridization technique, with a tissue microarray of the neuroendocrine neoplasm samples. LGR5 staining in individual tumor cells was semi‐quantitatively scored using an H‐score scale. We also performed a combination of LGR5 RNA in situ hybridization and synaptophysin immunohistochemistry. All cases contained tumor cells with some LGR5‐positive dots. For all cases, H‐scores showed a positive correlation with nuclear beta‐catenin expression. In the NEC group, there was a strong positive correlation between H‐score and beta‐catenin expression. Our findings suggest that LGR5 may serve as a stem cell marker in NEC, as is the case in colon adenocarcinoma. The positive correlation between H‐score and beta‐catenin expression suggests that LGR5 expression might be affected by beta‐catenin expression in neuroendocrine neoplasms and especially in NEC.
Concurrent 5‐fluorouracil and carboplatin for the treatment of canine carcinomas
Authors: Menard Kim , Flesner Brian K. , Glahn Anastasia , Boudreaux Bonnie , Bryan Jeffrey N.
Published: July 2018

5‐Fluorouracil (5‐FU) is used in combination chemotherapy protocols for human head and neck cancer and other epithelial neoplasms. However, a paucity of literature describing use of this drug in veterinary oncology exists, likely due to previous reports of fatal neurotoxicity in both dogs and cats, mainly due to ingestion of human creams. The primary aim of this retrospective study was to report the safety of concurrent 5‐FU and carboplatin in canine carcinomas. Secondarily, we aimed to look at the efficacy of the combination using overall response rate in treated dogs. Medical records were searched from 2007 to 2017 for dogs treated with both agents; 24 dogs met inclusion criteria. Carboplatin dosages ranged from 180 to 250 mg/m2 (median 200 mg/m2); 5‐FU dosage was 150 mg/m2. Fourteen dogs had myelosuppression, ranging from Grade I to asymptomatic Grade IV; thrombocytopenia was more common than neutropenia. Gastrointestinal upset was uncommon, with only seven dogs having Grade I or II nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea. No cases were hospitalized for any of the above toxicities. One dog had an episode of ataxia, which could not be differentiated between otitis and 5‐FU neurotoxicity. This protocol is well tolerated. Response rate in the gross disease setting was 43% (three complete responses, three partial responses). Prospective analysis of this combination protocol, and potentially 5‐FU with other platinum agents, is warranted in the treatment of canine carcinomas.
Draft Genome Sequence of Halomonas urumqiensis BZ-SZ-XJ27
T
, an Aerobic Halophilic Bacterium Isolated from a Salt Lake
Authors: Liao Ziya , Qiu Dacheng , Wang Haisheng , Yan Yanchun , Li Jun , Zhao Baisuo
Published: July 2018

The aerobic halophilic bacterium
Halomonas urumqiensis
BZ-SZ-XJ27
T
, growing optimally at 1.42 M Na
+
, with a range of 0.22 to 4.32 M Na
+
, was isolated from a salt lake in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of strain BZ-SZ-XJ27
T
, which consists of approximately 3.97 Mb and contains 3,588 predicted genes.
Making the weekend work: a local quality improvement project to establish and improve the quality of weekend handover
Authors: Heller Rosalie Amanda , Hu Lisi
Published: July 2018

Handover is widely identified by the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death, the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) and Health Foundation as an area that can lead to shortcomings in patient care. We recognised that the current weekend handover process in the Trauma and Orthopaedics department at Frimley Park Hospital was dated, time-consuming and did not promote handover of sufficient patient details.

The Royal College of Surgeons, British Medical Association and RCP have guidelines on handover. Our aim was to use these to establish the quality of handovers and introduce methods to better the accuracy and effectiveness of weekend handover in the department, thus improving patient care and safety.

Initially, we measured the quality of the existing handover documentation for how comprehensively it was completed. We then implemented a two-step change, reauditing each step, resulting in a handover tool on the trust intranet. Finally, we repeated our audit to monitor sustainability.

The 10 categories measured were: ‘Patient name’, ‘Date of birth’, ‘Hospital number’, ‘Date of admission’, ‘Location’, ‘Consultant’, ‘Admission reason’, ‘Date of operation’, ‘Frequency of review’ and discharge paperwork (‘TTO’).

The original handover documentation had good compliance with ‘Patient name’ (99%), ‘Hospital number’ (94%) and ‘Admission reason’ (91%) but was poor in all other categories, ranging from 12% to 84%. The only category that met its standard was ‘Admission reason’.

Almost every category improved with the new intranet tool. Five areas met their standard (‘Patient name’, ‘Location’, ‘Consultant’, ‘Admission reason’ and ‘Frequency of review’). Specific prompts resulted in 100% compliance for ‘Frequency of review’. The poorest compliance was again seen for ‘TTO’ (18%).

In a short four months, we created an intranet handover tool that resulted in significant and sustainable improvements in the quality, detail and accuracy of handovers, making identification of sick patients safer and more efficient.
Induction of general anaesthesia by blowpipe darting in a fractious companion horse
Authors: Diez Bernal Sabina , Lanz Simone , Schmutz Isabelle , Leeb Tosso , Spadavecchia Claudia
Published: July 2018

A fractious nine-year-old, 520-kg, neutered Swiss Warmblood was presented with a history of anorexia, progressive weight loss and mild hindlimb lameness. Because of its temperament, standard physical examination was considered to be only feasible under general anaesthesia. For safety reasons, general anaesthesia was planned to be induced by blowpipe darting. Two attempts are described and discussed in the present report. The first attempt, using a combination of medetomidine and tiletamine-zolazepam, was unsuccessful. Conversely, detomidine combined with butorphanol, followed by a second dart of detomidine and tiletamine-zolazepam, proved to be adequate to induce anaesthesia. Factors that could have influenced the outcome, such as different therapeutic approach, drug protocol and dosages, stress level, or genetic mutations, are presented and discussed.
Bacterial subclinical mastitis and its effect on milk quality traits in low‐input dairy goat herds
Authors: Gelasakis Athanasios I , Angelidis Apostolos , Giannakou Rebecca , Arsenos Georgios
Published: July 2018

The objective of the study was to investigate and quantify the effects of subclinical mastitis (SCM) on the gross chemical composition of milk in low‐input dairy goat herds. Dairy goats (n=590) of two native Greek breeds from four representative low‐input farms were randomly selected and used in the study. Α prospective study was conducted, including monthly monitoring and milk sampling of the same individual goats during the course of two consecutive milking periods. Mixed linear regression models were built to assess how the chemical composition of milk was affected by (1) SCM and (2) the different pathogens isolated from SCM cases. Goats with SCM had lower milk‐fat content (MFC), daily milk‐fat yield (DMFY), milk‐lactose content (MLC) and daily milk‐lactose yield (DMLY), and slightly higher milk‐protein content (MPC) and daily milk‐protein yield (DMPY), compared with goats without SCM. Milk produced by goats with SCM due to coagulase‐positive staphylococci and Mycoplasma agalactiae had significantly lower MFC, DMFY, MLC and DMLY, and higher MPC and DMPY, compared with the milk produced by healthy goats. Finally, goats with SCM due to coagulase‐negative staphylococci had lower DMFY, MLC and DMLY and higher DMPY compared with the healthy ones.
A list of tri-state cellular automata which are potential pseudo-random number generators
Authors: Bhattacharjee Kamalika , Das Sukanta
Published: July 2018

This paper explores [Formula: see text]-neighborhood [Formula: see text]-state cellular automata (CAs) to find a list of potential pseudo-random number generators (PRNGs). As the rule-space is huge ([Formula: see text]), we have taken two greedy strategies to select the initial set of rules. These CAs are analyzed theoretically and empirically to find the CAs with consistently good randomness properties. Finally, we have listed [Formula: see text] good CAs which qualify as potential PRNGs.
Protracted Hypocalcemia following 3.5 Parathyroidectomy in a Kidney Pancreas Recipient with a History of Robotic-Assisted Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
Authors: Bonatti Hugo , Iqbal Naureen , Kling Catherine , Melvin Willie , Broome James
Published: July 2018

Background. Hypocalcemia is a frequent complication of parathyroidectomy for secondary/tertiary hyperparathyroidism. In patients with a history of prior Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP), changes in nutritional absorption make management of hypocalcemia after parathyroidectomy difficult.Case Report. A 41-old-year morbidly obese female with c-peptide negative diabetes mellitus and renal failure had RYGBP. Following significant weight loss she underwent simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation. She had excellent transplant graft function but developed tertiary hyperparathyroidism with calciphylaxis. She underwent resection of 3.5 glands leaving a small, physiologic remnant remaining in situ at the left inferior position. She was discharged on postoperative day one in good condition, asymptomatic with serum calcium of 7.6 mg/dL and intact PTH of 12 pg/mL. The patient had to be readmitted on postoperative day #14 for severe hypocalcemia of 5.0 mg/dl and ionized calcium 2.4 mg/dl. She required intravenous calcium infusion to achieve calcium levels of >6.5 mg/dl. Long-term treatment includes 5 g of elemental oral calcium TID, vitamin D, and hydrochlorothiazide. She remains in the long term on high-dose medical therapy with normal serum calcium levels and PTH levels around 100 pg/mL.Discussion. Our patient’s protracted hypocalcemia originates from a combination of 3.5 gland parathyroidectomy, altered intestinal anatomy post-RYGBP, and potentially her pancreas transplant causing additional metabolic derangement. Alternative bariatric procedures such as sleeve gastrectomy may be more suitable for patients with renal failure or organ transplants in whom adequate absorption of vitamins, minerals, and drugs such as immunosuppressants is essential.
Self-Medication Practices among Community of Harar City and Its Surroundings, Eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Mamo Sara , Ayele Yohanes , Dechasa Mesay
Published: July 2018

Purpose. Self-medication practice is often associated with irrational medication use. The aim of this study was to assess self-medication practices among community of Harar City and its surroundings, Eastern Ethiopia. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted through exit interview in selected drug outlets of Harar City among 370 clients from March to April, 2017. The data was coded and entered into epi-data and processed and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results. Many participants practiced self-medication to alleviate their headache (30.30%), to treat their respiratory disorders (29.50%), and to treat their gastrointestinal disorders (27%). More than half (57.8%) of study participants declared that they were practicing self-medication due to prior experience and seeking less expensive service (20.50%). Two-fifths of them (40.3%) reported pharmacy professionals as source of information while 18.9% of respondents were advised by neighbors, friends, or relatives. About one-third (31.9%) of them did not have any source of information for self-medication practice. The most common type of drug used for self-medication by the participants was analgesic (42.2%). Approximately one-third (31.1%) of the subjects were expecting to be counseled by the pharmacy professionals about the drug side effects and to be helped in selecting their self-medication drug (30.3%). Conclusion. Varieties of medications were used among study participants ranging from antipain to that of antibiotics for different complaints including headache, respiratory complaints, and gastrointestinal problems. Experience with drugs and diseases as well as affordability were frequently reported reasons for self-medication practice. Participants had different views toward the role of pharmacy professionals. Hence, it is very important to educate patients on responsible use of medications and create awareness on the role of pharmacist in self-selected medication use in community.
LAMA2 Congenital Muscle Dystrophy: A Novel Pathogenic Mutation in Bulgarian Patient
Authors: Dimova Ivanka , Kremensky Ivo
Published: July 2018

Congenital muscle dystrophies (CMD) are genetically and clinically heterogeneous hereditary myopathies mainly with autosomal recessive type of inheritance. The most common form worldwide is considered to be merosin-deficient muscle dystrophy type 1A, called MDC1A (due to laminin-α2 defects as a result of LAMA2 gene mutation), accounting for 30-40% of total cases of CMD. The exact molecular and clinical diagnoses, respectively, are a prerequisite for the most effective treatment; sometimes orphan drugs exist for some rare diseases. One of such drugs is Tarix, which was FDA approved and announced in 2016 for treatment of MDC1A. Here we present a patient diagnosed postmortem as having early-onset LAMA2-related muscular dystrophy as a result of mutations in LAMA2, identified by Sanger sequencing in his parents: a novel nonsense mutation c.4452T>A in exon 31, identified in the mother, and a known pathogenic nonsense mutation c.2901C>A in exon 21, detected in the father. The truncating nature of both nonsense mutations made the clinical presentation severe and the outcome fatal. Genetic analysis in such cases of muscle dystrophy is of utmost impact, because it makes the correct diagnosis with at least some specific options for treatment, makes the prognosis depending on the severity of mutation discovered, determines reproductive risk, and offers prophylaxis in the family by means of prenatal or preimplantation diagnostics.
Huge Pseudoaneurysm of the Femoral Artery after Internal Fixation of Femoral Trochanteric Fracture
Authors: Kinoshita Hideyuki , Hashimoto Masayuki , Hirayama Jiro , Fujita Kouji , Takeuchi Yoshio , Iwasaki Junichi , Yamasaki Hironori , Kitamura Mitsuhiro , Ohtori Seiji , Morikawa Tsuguo
Published: July 2018

Pseudoaneurysm is one of the most serious complications of femoral trochanteric fracture surgery. Since the rupture of pseudoaneurysm may lead to death, early detection is important. We report the case of an 80-year-old male who developed pain in the proximal thigh and severe swelling after internal fixation of a femoral trochanteric fracture with a hip nail. Angiography revealed a pseudoaneurysm of a branch of the deep femoral artery near the interlocking screw. The vascular lesion was immediately treated by transcatheter embolization, and the vascular leakage was completely resolved with catheter embolization. After embolization, the patient’s clinical state improved rapidly, and the laboratory values improved to normal after several weeks. The current case study reminds us that pseudoaneurysm can occur after intramedullary nail placement to treat a femoral trochanteric fracture.
Atmospheric Nitrogen Deposition Associated with the Eutrophication of Taihu Lake
Authors: Chen Xi , Wang Yan-hua , Ye Chun , Zhou Wei , Cai Zu-cong , Yang Hao , Han Xiao
Published: July 2018

Environmental effects of excessive amounts of atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition have raised a great deal of attention. In the present study, the characteristics of N deposition and its contribution to water eutrophication were investigated in the Taihu Basin. The results showed that the annual average total deposition (TN), total wet deposition (TNW), and total dry deposition (TND) rates were 6154, 1142, and 5012 kg·km−2, respectively. Moreover, seasonal fluctuations in TN, TNW, and TND deposition were observed, with a higher N deposition rate occurring in spring and summer. Spatially, the distribution of TN and TND deposition throughout the Taihu Basin was similar. However, the TN deposition rate declined gradually from the southeast to the northwest, while the TNW deposition rate increased. A significant positive correlation was also found between the TN deposition contents with rainfall R=0.803,P=0.01, rainfall frequency R=0.767,P<0.01, and rainfall intensity R=0.659,P<0.05. The TN deposition concentration was significantly negatively correlated with rainfall R=−0.999,P<0.01, rain frequency R=−0.805,P<0.01, and rainfall intensity R=−0.783,P<0.01. The riverine input of TN was estimated to be 112,500 t·N·a−1, and the main N pollutants originated from domestic sewage (accounting for 48.88%) and agriculture (accounting for 28.17%). Livestock and aquaculture contributed 90% of the agricultural pollutants. Additionally, TN deposition contributed 14,400 t N·a−1 to the lake, which accounted for 12.36% of the annual riverine TN inputs. The TN deposition load already exceeds the eutrophication critical load in theory. Furthermore, the contribution of N deposition to the lake has been increasing in recent years, which may accelerate eutrophication of Taihu Lake.
The Rayleigh Fading Channel Prediction via Deep Learning
Authors: Liao Run-Fa , Wen Hong , Wu Jinsong , Song Huanhuan , Pan Fei , Dong Lian
Published: July 2018

This paper presents a multi‐time channel prediction system based on backpropagation (BP) neural network with multi‐hidden layers, which can predict channel information effectively and benefit for massive MIMO performance, power control, and artificial noise physical layer security scheme design. Meanwhile, an early stopping strategy to avoid the overfitting of BP neural network is introduced. By comparing the predicted normalized mean square error (NMSE), the simulation results show that the performances of the proposed scheme are extremely improved. Moreover, a sparse channel sample construction method is proposed, which saves system resources effectively without weakening performances.
Biallelic Mismatch Repair Deficiency in an Adolescent Female
Authors: Hildreth Amber , Valasek Mark A. , Thung Irene , Savides Thomas , Sivagnanam Mamata , Ramamoorthy Sonia , Huang Sherry C.
Published: July 2018

Constitutional (Biallelic) Mismatch Repair Deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by numerous cancers presenting as early as the first decade of life. Biallelic germline variants in one of four mismatch repair genes (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, or PMS2) cause this devastating disease. Given the rarity of the syndrome, often-asymptomatic tumors, and overlap with neurofibromatosis-1, diagnosis is frequently unrecognized or delayed. We present a unique case of a 14-year-old female with minimal gastrointestinal symptoms diagnosed with invasive adenocarcinoma secondary to biallelic PMS2 variants.
Salvage of Hemodialysis Catheter in Staphylococcal Bacteremia: Case Series, Revisiting the Literature, and the Role of the Pharmacist
Authors: El Nekidy Wasim S. , Soong Derrick , Kadri Albert , Tabbara Osama , Ibrahim Amina , Ghazi Islam M.
Published: July 2018

Catheter-related blood stream infections comprise a major concern in hemodialysis patients, leading to increased mortality, morbidity, and cost of treatment. Prompt appropriate systemic antibiotics treatment, which includes administration of appropriate systemic antibiotics and, frequently, catheter removal and replacement, is warranted. However, in hemodialysis patients, repeated catheter insertions may cause central vein stenosis and thrombosis which limits the future availability of hemodialysis access. Lock solutions containing antibiotics and anticoagulants, instilled directly into the catheter lumen after each dialysis, have been successfully utilized for catheter salvage but higher rates of recurrence and complications were observed in infections resulting from staphylococcal species. We report several cases of catheter salvage using antibiotic lock solution in staphylococcal bacteremia with the purpose of stimulating the interest in randomized clinical trials. Evaluating the risk and benefits of catheter salvage in this patient subset in light of optimized systemic antibiotic dosing, improved lock solution use, and multidisciplinary involvement, balanced with the critical need to prevent unnecessary vascular trauma, is of great importance.
Retinopathy of Type 1 Diabetes in Arab Countries: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zayed Hatem , Abdel Motal Ussama M. , Gopalakrishnan Akila , Ponnuraja Chinnayan  , Doss C. George Priya , Rizk Nasser , Shebl Fatma M.
Published: July 2018

Aims: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of retinopathy prevalence in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in 22 Arab countries. Methods: We systematically searched 4 different literature databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science and Embase), from the date of inception until December 2017, to collect all the information about patients with T1D who developed retinopathy complications; for statistical analysis, we used MetaXL to evaluate the pooled prevalence estimate and the subgroup prevalence estimates employing double arcsine transformation and inverse variance heterogeneity models. Results: Our search strategy returned 475 studies, of which 39 met our inclusion criteria; of those, 16 were eligible for meta-analysis that were captured only in 15 Arab countries, through 45 years (1969–2014). The number of retinopathy patients was 396 out of 1,931 patients with T1D. The prevalence of retinopathy was 19% (95% CI 10–28%). Substantial heterogeneity was observed (Q 240.78, p < 0.0001, I2 93.77%, 95% CI 91.35–95.52%); however, no single study considerably affected the overall pooled prevalence estimate. Conclusion: Almost one fifth of T1D patients in 15 Arab countries have diabetic retinopathy, therefore it is important to improve the care of patients with T1D and in Arab countries to avoid the development of such a devastating complication.
Network Meta-Analysis of Adjuvant Chemotherapy following Resection of Colorectal Liver Metastases
Authors: Gavriilidis Paschalis , Tobias Aurelio , Sutcliffe Robert P. , Azoulay Daniel , Roberts Keith J.
Published: July 2018

Objective: Six principal adjuvant chemotherapy treatments (ACTs) are currently available for patients with resected colorectal liver metastases. This meta-analysis was designed to determine the optimal ACT, as evaluated by 2-year disease-free survival (DFS) and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates as well as by hepatic recurrences and adverse events (AEs). Methods: A systematic literature search of the PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases was performed. The probability of the optimal therapeutic scheme and the mean ranking were estimated for each treatment using network meta-analysis. Results: Systemic chemotherapy (SCT) had the best 2-year DFS rate (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.48–1.27, 95% prediction interval [PI] = 0.17–3.56, surface under the cumulative ranking area [SUCRA] = 73) and the lowest AE rate (estimated SUCRA = 65 and predicted SUCRA = 62). Hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) plus SCT had the best 5-year OS rate (HR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.64–1.01, 95% PI = 0.50–1.29) and the lowest hepatic recurrence rate (odds ratio = 2.87, 95% CI = 1.56–5.30, 95% PI = 0.61–13.62). Conclusion: Both SCT and HAI plus SCT showed superior efficacy and safety. Clinical trials in homogeneous populations with strict selection criteria are needed to compare these two ACTs.
Hyponatremia in Acute Heart Failure in Relation to Hematocrit Levels: Clinical Relevance and Prognostic Implication
Authors: Ruocco Gaetano , Verbrugge Frederik Hendrik , Nuti Ranuccio , Palazzuoli Alberto
Published: July 2018

Background: Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte abnormality found in hospitalized patients with acute heart failure (AHF) and is related to poor prognosis. This study sought to evaluate: (1) the different prognostic impact of dilutional versus depletional hyponatremia, evaluating short- and long-term outcome; (2) the relationship between both types of hyponatremia and intravenous furosemide dose, renal function changes, and persistent congestion at discharge. Methods: This retrospective single-center study included 233 consecutive patients with a primary diagnosis of AHF. Hyponatremia was defined as serum sodium < 135 mEq/L, which could be either dilutional (hematocrit < 35%) or depletional (hematocrit ≥35%). Persistent congestion was defined as a congestion score ≥2 at discharge. Patients were followed 180 days for occurrence of death or rehospitalization for AHF. Results: Hyponatremia was present in 68/233 patients with 27 cases classified as dilutional hyponatremia versus 41 as depletional. The proportion of patients with persistent congestion was higher in the dilutional hyponatremia group, but similar in the depletional hyponatremia group (52 vs. 81 vs. 58%; p = 0.02). After adjustment for important baseline characteristics, dilutional hyponatremia was significantly associated with the risk of death or rehospitalization for AHF at 60 days (HR 2.17 [1.08–4.37]; p = 0.03) and 180 days (HR 1.88 [1.10–3.21]; p = 0.02). In contrast, depletional hyponatremia was only significantly associated with the same endpoint at 180 days (HR 1.64 [1.05–2.57]; p = 0.03). Conclusions: Low hematocrit levels in AHF patients with hyponatremia characterize a population that is more difficult to decongest and has poor clinical outcome. In contrast, patients with hyponatremia but normal hematocrit are better decongested and have better short-term outcome.
Ocriplasmin in the Treatment of Vitreomacular Traction in a Patient with Central Retinal Vein Occlusion: A Case Report
Authors: Rosati Alessandra , Esposito Raffaele Antonio , Mannino Giuseppe , Scuderi Gianluca
Published: July 2018

Aim: To investigate the efficacy of intravitreal injection of ocriplasmin (JETREA®) in the treatment of vitreomacular traction (VMT). Materials and Methods: An 81-year-old man with VMT associated with central retinal vein occlusion in his left eye, was treated with a single intravitreal injection of ocriplasmin (25 μg). Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), ocular fundus, and optical coherence tomography were examined before and after treatment. Results: Complete release of VMT produced a reduction of central macular thickness, ranging from 459 to 141 μm. BCVA remained stable. Discussion and Conclusions: The use of ocriplasmin was effective in the treatment of VMT. Ocriplasmin represents a valid alternative to conventional pars plana vitrectomy.
ОЦІНКА ХАРАКТЕРУ ПСИХОМОТОРНОЇ АКТИВНОСТІ ТА ФІЗИЧНОГО РОЗВИТКУ ОРГАНІЗМУ В ОСІБ ЮНАЦЬКОГО ВІКУ
Authors: Voloshyn V. D. , Gumenyuk G. B.
Published: July 2018

Характер психомоторної активності індивідуума визначається, насамперед, генетикою, моделюється умовами середовища є вагомим фактором успішності адаптації людини до умов життя. Особливо активно специфіка нейродинамікивпливає на формування адаптаційних реакцій у дитячому і підлітковому віці, зокрема в процесі навчання.Мета дослідження – вивчити ефективність психомоторних реакцій і загального рівня фізичного розвитку осіб юнацького віку, які займаються одним видом навчальної діяльності.Матеріали і методи. Проведено дослідження працездатності серцево-судинної і респіраторної систем, ряду антропометричних показників, процесів збудження і гальмування, сенсомоторних реакцій. Використані комплексні діагностичні комп’ютерні програми “Фізіолог”, “Вимірювання простої слухо-моторної реакції “Reaction-Test”. В ході роботи було обстежено 87 практично здорових осіб юнацького віку.Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. За результатами дослідження, 83,3 % обстежених мають середньосильну нервову систему і лише 16,7 % – середньослабку. За результатами тепінг-тесту, в 75 % обстежених лабільність нервової системи є високою, у 25 % – середній рівень лабільності. Дослідження працездатності серцево-судинної системи показало, що 54 % осіб мають середній рівень індексу Руф’є, 26 % – задовільний, а 11 і 9 % обстежених – відповідно високий і низький рівні фізичної працездатності. За результатами оцінки функції зовнішнього дихання встановлено, що в середньому по групі час затримки дихання при першій спробі становив (40,40±8,60) с – це нижня межа норми для нетренованих людей. Час виконання другої проби відповідає нормі – (18,20±2,17) с, але тривалість третьої фази на (5,00±1,80) с менша від норми – (30±4,50) с.Висновки. Встановлено, що у 83,3 % обстежених середньосильна нервова система, при цьому достатньо високий рівень її лабільності. Швидкий розвиток збудження і гальмування (в межах норми) сприяє успішності перебігу когнітивних процесів. Працездатність нервової і кардіореспіраторної систем в більшості обстежених відповідає середньому рівню. Показники фізичного розвитку й ефективність психомоторних реакцій знаходяться в межах вікової норми. Однак відновлення функціональних можливостей респіраторної системи та показники працездатності серцево-судинної системи в 9 % осіб групи знаходяться на нижній межі норми, що відповідним чином впливає на якість їх адаптаційних можливостей.
ВИЗНАЧЕННЯ ЕФЕКТИВНОСТІ ЗАСТОСУВАННЯ РЕАБІЛІТАЦІЙНИХ ПРОГРАМ ВІДНОВНОГО ЛІКУВАННЯ У ПАЦІЄНТІВ ПОХИ ЛОГО ВІКУ З ПЕРВИННИМ ГОНАРТРОЗОМ
Authors: Sirant H. O.
Published: July 2018

У багаточисленних дослідження для вирішення ефективності проведених відновних заходів використовують різну методологію оцінки результатів лікування. Також на сьогодні відсутні єдині протоколи обстеження хворих і комплексний підхід до вибору діагностичних критеріїв, що не завжди мають чіткі кількісні характеристики.Мета дослідження – застосувати індексну оцінку захворювання для визначення ефективності реабілітаційних комплексів на амбулаторному та санаторно-курортному етапах реабілітації у пацієнтів із первинним гонартрозом у похилому віці.Матеріали і методи. У дослідження включено 112 пацієнтів із первинним гонартрозом (ПГА), із них 32 (28,6 %) чоловіків та 80 (71,4 %) жінок у віці 61–75 років (середній вік – (65,2±3,1) року). 54 особи перебували на амбулаторному етапі реабілітації, 58 пацієнтів проходили санаторно-курортний етап реабілітації. Для визначення клінічної ефективності застосування комплексних програм медичної реабілітації у хворих із первинним гонартрозом використовували схему індексної оцінки.Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. Запропонована комплексна оцінка безпосередніх результатів реабілітації показала свою інформативність у реабілітаційній практиці. За індексною методикою оцінювання ефективності лікування “добрий” результат констатовано у (46,2±2,2) % пацієнтів після проходження амбулаторного етапу реабілітації та у (73,3±3,6) % – після завершення санаторно-курортного етапу реабілітації, “задовільний” – у (48,6±2,3) % пацієнтів після амбулаторного і в (24,6±1,1) % – після санаторно-курортного етапу реабілітації, “незадовільний” – у (5,2±0,2) % осіб після амбулаторного і (2,1±0,1) % пацієнтів після санаторно-курортного етару реабілітації. Отримані результати дослідження свідчать про позитивний вплив розроблених індивідуальних реабілітаційних комплексів як на амбулаторному, так і на санаторно-курортному етапах реабілітації.Висновки. Розрахунок індексної оцінки тяжкості патології на початку проведення амбулаторного та санаторно-курортному етапів реабілітації дозволяє оцінити стан пацієнта, враховуючи об’єктивні та суб’єктивні критерії, також за допомогою індексної оцінки патології можна визначити ефективність проведеної програми реабілітації.
КОМП’ЮТЕРНО-ТОМОГРАФІЧНА СЕМІОТИКА ХРОНІЧНОГО РЕЦИДИВНОГО ГЕМАТОГЕННОГО ОСТЕОМІЄЛІТУ
Authors: Shamsiev А. М. , Zayniev S. S.
Published: July 2018

Проблема хронічного гематогенного остеомієліту все ще залишається актуальною на сьогодні. Це стосується не лише діагностики захворювання, розпізнавання ускладнень, трактування клінічної картини, а й методів лікування.Мета дослідження – оцінка можливостей комп’ютерної томографії (КТ) при вказаній патології.Матеріали і методи. В роботі проаналізовано ефективність використання комп’ютерної томографії у комплексі обстежень 60 пацієнтів із хронічним рецидивним гематогенним остеомієлітом трубчастих кісток віком від 7 до 22 років, яких спостерігали у відділенні гнійної хірургії 2-клініки Самаркандського державного медичного інституту в період з 2006 до 2016 р.Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. КТ, на відміну від оглядової рентгенографії, дозволила більш точно визначити справжні розміри деструктивного процесу в ураженій кістці. У всіх випадках КТ перевершувала традиційну рентгенографію при виявленні дрібних секвестрів, що підтримували хронічний запальний процес та зумовлювали рецидивний перебіг захворювання.Висновки. Комп’ютерна томографія забезпечує найвищу достовірність виявлення гнійно-некротичних змін в уражених кістках та підвищує роль променевих методів діагностики у розробці комплексу ліквальних заходів, у тому числі об’єму та тактики операційного втручання при хронічному рецидивному гематогенному остеомієліті.
МОРФОЛОГІЧНІ ОСОБЛИВОСТІ ПІСЛЯОПЕРАЦІЙНИХ РУБЦІВ ШКІРИ ПРИ ЗАСТОСУВАННІ КОМБІНОВАНОЇ ПРОФІЛАКТИКИ (ЕКСПЕРИМЕНТАЛЬНЕ ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ)
Authors: Melnychuk Yu. M. , Grytsyna I. V.
Published: July 2018

Рубець – це продукт регенерації шкіри сполучнотканинними структурами після її ушкодження або запального процесу для підтримки цілості покривів організму. Проблема формування патологічних післяопераційних рубців шкіри залишається актуальною та недостатньо вивченою у сучасній медичній практиці.Мета дослідження – вивчити вплив екстракорпоральної ударно-хвильової терапії та силіконового гелю “Стратадерм” на морфологічні особливості відновної регенерації рубцевої тканини в експериментальних тварин.Матеріали і методи. Експериментальне дослідження проводили на 16 кроликах-самцях, яких поділили на 4 групи, і вивчали у них вплив комбінованої профілактики утворення патологічних післяопераційних рубців шкіри.Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. Застосування комбінованої профілактики виявило багаторядний роговіючий епідерміс у товщі післяопераційних рубців. У сосочковому шарі дерми еластичні волокна товсті, лежать паралельними рядами, місцями фрагментовані та мультипліковані. Колагенові волокна тонкі, впорядковані, перемішані з тонкими м’язовими волокнами, утворюють сітку навколо додатків шкіри. У сітчастому шарі дерми колагенові волокна розташовані впорядкованими паралельними рядами. Спостерігаються повністю відновлені додатки шкіри: сальні залози та волосяні фолікули, що регенерували та утворюють групи, розташовані в кілька рядів. Рубець утворений грубими впорядкованими колагеновими волокнами.Висновки. Результати дослідження показали ефективність застосування комбінованої профілактики утворення патологічних післяопераційних рубців. Застосування екстракорпоральної ударно-хвильової терапії (ЕУХТ) та силіконового гелю “Стратадерм” поєднує в собі позитивні якості обох методів і сприяє утворенню нормотрофічного рубця шкіри, в якому будуть урівноважені процеси утворення епідермісу та регенерації колагенових і еластичних волокон разом із додатками шкіри.
ОСОБЛИВОСТІ ПЕРЕБІГУ ВАГІТНОСТІ У ЖІНОК ГРУПИ ВИСОКОГО РИЗИКУ РОЗВИТКУ ПІЗНЬОГО ГЕСТОЗУ НА ТЛІ МЕТАБОЛІЧНОГО СИНДРОМУ (огляд літератури)
Authors: Khmil S. V. , Franchuk U. Ya.
Published: July 2018

Виникнення пізнього гестозу є однією із актуальних проблем сучасного акушерства. Незважаючи на значні досягнення в діагностиці, профілактиці та лікуванні прееклампсії, гестоз і надалі залишається грізним захворюванням другої половини вагітності. Водночас, кількість акушерських ускладнень у вагітних жінок пов’язана також із такою медикосоціальною проблемою як метаболічний синдром. Вивчення ролі метаболічного синдрому в патогенезі розвитку захворювань набуває все більшого значення у всіх галузях медицини. Основними факторами ризику в розвитку метаболічного синдрому є: дисліпідемія, ожиріння, артеріальна гіпертензія та гіперглікемія натще. Їх виникнення пов’язують із впливом наступних стресових чинників: тютюнокурінням, незбалансованим харчуванням, малорухомим способом життя та іншими. При цьому значна когорта вчених підтримує гіпотезу, що ризик розвитку метаболічного синдрому визначають вже на перинатальному етапі.