bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tranexamic Acid Protects Ovary and Testis Functions and Ameliorates Osteoporosis in Mice
Authors: Hiramoto Keiichi , Oikawa Hirotaka , Yamate Yurika , Sato Eisuke F.
Published: April 2020

Introduction: In a rapidly aging society, the number of people suffering from osteoporosis keeps increasing. However, effective prevention strategies for osteoporosis are not yet currently available. Objective: In this study, we examined the ameliorative effects of tranexamic acid on osteoporosis in 24-month-old mice. Methods: During the study period, mice were orally administered tranexamic acid 3 times per week. Results: Bone mineral density, which is a parameter of osteoporosis, was improved following tranexamic acid administration. In addition, female mice evidenced a stronger phenotypic improvement than male mice. In female mice treated with tranexamic acid, ovary abnormalities were reduced. Furthermore, the levels of transforming growth factor-β, hyaluronic acid, CD44, reactive oxygen species, and apoptosis, as well as the number of infiltrated neutrophils and macrophages in the ovary were lower than those in the control or solvent-administered mice. In addition, 17β-estradiol levels in blood increased when compared with the control or solvent-treated mice. In addition, administration of tranexamic acid to 24-month-old male mice decreased the level of apoptosis in the testis. However, the levels of 17β-estradiol and testosterone in blood increased compared with the control or solvent-administered mice. Conclusions: The use of tranexamic acid had an ameliorative effect on osteoporosis, possibly by protecting ovaries and testes.
New Criterion to Evaluate Acute-on-Chronic Kidney Injury Based on the Creatinine Reference Change
Authors: Xu Xin , Wang Long , Xiong Mengqi , Nie Sheng , Liu Zhangsuo , Feng Yunlin , Chen Chunbo , Zha Yan , Ou Jun , Ge Shuwang , Chen Jianghua , Wan  Qijun , Teng Siyuan , Hao Chuan-Ming , Liu Bi-Cheng , Xu Anping , Feng  Jian-Hua , Zhang Aihua , Mao Jianhua , Liu Hai-Peng , Liang Huiying , Shen Qian , Feng Shipin , Zhou Wei , Liu Xuemei , Yang Yonghong , Tao Yuhong , Wang Mo , Wang Li-Jun , Qi Jin-Lei , Li Yanqin , Su Licong , Hou Fan Fan
Published: April 2020

Background: The lack of consensus criteria of acute on chronic kidney injury (ACKI) affects the judgment for its clinical prognosis. Methods: In this study, we analyzed the data from 711,615 hospitalized adults who had at least 2 serum creatinine (SCr) tests within 30 days. We estimated the reference change value (RCV) of SCr given initial SCr level in adults without known risks of acute kidney injury other than chronic kidney disease (CKD). We proposed a criterion for ACKI based on the RCV of SCr (cROCK), which defined ACKI as a ≥25% increase in SCr in 7 days. We validated cROCK by its association with the risks of in-hospital mortality, death after discharge, and CKD progression in a large cohort of patients with CKD stage 3. Results: In 21,661 patients with CKD stage 3, a total of 3,145 (14.5%), 1,512 (7.0%), and 221 (1.0%) ACKI events were detected by both cROCK and Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO), cROCK only, and KDIGO only, respectively. cROCK detected 40% more ACKI events than KDIGO. Compared with patients without ACKI by both definitions, those with cROCK- but not KDIGO-defined ACKI had a significantly increased risk of in-hospital mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 5.53; 95% CI 3.75–8.16), death after discharge (HR 1.51; 95% CI 1.21–1.83), and CKD progression (OR 5.65; 95% CI 3.05–10.48). Conclusions: RCV-based criterion (cROCK) for ACKI is clinically valid in that it has a substantially improved sensitivity in identifying patients with high risk of adverse outcomes.
Left Ventricular Thrombi and Embolic Events in Takotsubo Syndrome despite Therapeutic Anticoagulation
Authors: Stöllberger Claudia , Finsterer Josef , Schneider Birke
Published: April 2020

Introduction: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) may be complicated by left-ventricular (LV) thrombus formation in 1.3–5.3% of patients. Risk factors for thrombi comprise apical TTS, elevated levels of C-reactive protein and troponine, thrombocytosis, persisting ST segment elevation and right-ventricular involvement. Embolic risk appears high, and anticoagulation is recommended. Case Presentation: We present 3 females, aged 60–82 years, with TTS-associated LV thrombi and cerebral embolism despite therapeutic anticoagulation. Two patients showed apical and 1 patient midventricular ballooning. In 2 patients LV thrombi had not been present at the first echocardiographic examination. LV thrombi were multiple and highly mobile in 2 patients; 1 patient had a single immobile thrombus associated with spontaneous echocardiographic contrast (SEC). In each case, 3 of the described risk factors for LV thrombus formation were identified. The embolic stroke occurred 41–120 h after TTS symptom onset and 21–93 h after the initiation of therapeutic anticoagulation. Two patients were discharged with a neurological deficit, and 1 of them eventually died as a consequence of the stroke. LV thrombectomy to prevent embolism, which has been reported in a small number of cases, had not been considered in our patients. Conclusion: At present, the management of patients with TTS-related thrombi is still unclear, and further studies are urgently needed to assess the best methods for imaging and anticoagulation and to determine the role of thrombolysis and cardiac surgery. Until these studies are available, we suggest the following approach: patients with a TTS-related thrombus should be monitored by echocardiography while receiving anticoagulation. In case of highly mobile LV thrombi, the heart team may consider cardiac surgery to prevent systemic embolism. The role of SEC in TTS remains to be determined.
Amoxicillin-Clavulanate-Induced Ischaemic Colitis
Authors: Alonge Marco , Benini Federica , Cannatelli Rosanna , Pozzi Alessandro , Missale Guido , Villanacci Vincenzo , Ricci Chiara
Published: April 2020

Ischaemic colitis (IC) is the most frequent form of ischaemia of the digestive tract. Due to the worldwide increasing use of medications, there is a growing interest in drug-induced IC. This study reports a rare case of IC directly due to amoxicillin-clavulanate intake. The objective of the study was to describe the evolution of this novel manifestation. An 18-year-old man, non-smoker, with an insignificant medical history, presented with diarrhoea and cramping abdominal pain that started the day following the end of a 10-day amoxicillin-clavulanate course for recent upper respiratory tract infection. Stool cultures including Clostridium difficile toxin testing were negative. Colonoscopy documented an erosive-ulcerative colitis of the sigmoid and the descending colon. Histological examination of the colon biopsies revealed an IC with focal pseudomembranous areas in the descending-sigmoid colon. Thrombophilia screening tests were negative. The patient was discharged from the hospital without symptoms, and another colonoscopy was performed 3 weeks after the previous one, which documented normal endoscopic and histological findings. Amoxicillin-clavulanate IC is a very rare condition and should be suspected once infectious diseases, vascular/haemodynamic causes and a prothrombotic/hypercoagulable state have been excluded. Immediate discontinuation of the antibiotic leads to rapid disease remission.
Nordeste
Authors: Aragão Éverton Alves
Published: April 2020

Este artigo identifica e localiza o Nordeste brasileiro no campo da História Ambiental em uma perspectiva temporal a partir do paradigma dos historiadores e de seus trabalhos publicados. Utilizamos, em nossa pesquisa, livros, teses, dissertações, monografias e artigos, para auxiliar este balanço e na identificação de possíveis temáticas para a História Ambiental no Nordeste. Essas produções, em sua maioria, foram resultadas das recentes mudanças sociais e das medidas governamentais, que promoveram entre os historiadores novos olhares epistemológicos para o verde (PONTING, 1995) e para a paisagem (SCHAMA, 1996). Nesse sentido, observamos que desde a publicação dos primeiros trabalhos de História Ambiental no Brasil – já na década de 1980, há estudos que se enquadram – suas temáticas e potenciais objetos de estudos estão concentrados no eixo Sul-Sudeste do país, devido ao apoio econômico às pesquisas e à solidez da questão ambiental nessas regiões. Todavia, o Nordeste possui características que o distinguem do restante do território nacional – a exemplo de seu clima, vegetação, fauna etc. Essa região, portanto, se mostra com novos desafios teóricos, necessidades e possibilidades de diálogo intelectual – que vagarosamente estão sendo abertos nos últimos anos.
Cardiomyocyte Expression of ZO-1 Is Essential for Normal Atrioventricular Conduction but Does Not Alter Ventricular Function
Authors: Zhang Jianlin , Vincent Kevin P. , Peter Angela K. , Klos Matthew , Cheng Hongqiang , Huang Selina M. , Towne Jordan K. , Ferng Debbie , Gu Yusu , Dalton Nancy D. , Chan Yunghang , Li Ruixia , Peterson Kirk L. , Chen Ju , McCulloch Andrew D. , Knowlton Kirk U. , Ross Robert S.
Published: April 2020

Rationale:

ZO-1 (Zonula occludens-1), a plasma membrane-associated scaffolding protein regulates signal transduction, transcription, and cellular communication. Global deletion of ZO-1 in the mouse is lethal by embryonic day 11.5. The function of ZO-1 in cardiac myocytes (CM) is largely unknown.

Objective:

To determine the function of CM ZO-1 in the intact heart, given its binding to other CM proteins that have been shown instrumental in normal cardiac conduction and function.

Methods and Results:

We generated ZO-1 CM-specific knockout (KO) mice using α-Myosin Heavy Chain-nuclear Cre (ZO-1cKO) and investigated physiological and electrophysiological function by echocardiography, surface ECG and conscious telemetry, intracardiac electrograms and pacing, and optical mapping studies. ZO-1cKO mice were viable, had normal Mendelian ratios, and had a normal lifespan. Ventricular morphometry and function were not significantly different between the ZO-1cKO versus control (CTL) mice, basally in young or aged mice, or even when hearts were subjected to hemodynamic loading. Atrial mass was increased in ZO-1cKO. Electrophysiological and optical mapping studies indicated high-grade atrioventricular (A-V) block in ZO-1cKO comparing to CTL hearts. While ZO-1-associated proteins such as vinculin, connexin 43, N-cadherin, and α-catenin showed no significant change with the loss of ZO-1, Connexin-45 and Coxsackie-adenovirus (CAR) proteins were reduced in atria of ZO-1cKO. Further, with loss of ZO-1, ZO-2 protein was increased significantly in ventricular CM in a presumed compensatory manner but was still not detected in the AV nodal myocytes. Importantly, the expression of the sodium channel protein NaV1.5 was altered in AV nodal cells of the ZO-1cKO versus CTL.

Conclusions:

ZO-1 protein has a unique physiological role in cardiac nodal tissue. This is in alignment with its known interaction with CAR and Cx45, and a new function in regulating the expression of NaV1.5 in AV node. Uniquely, ZO-1 is dispensable for function of the working myocardium.
Conventional and Complementary Healthcare Utilization Among US Adults With Cardiovascular Disease or Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Nationally Representative Survey
Authors: Kohl Wiebke Kathrin , Dobos Gustav , Cramer Holger
Published: April 2020

Background

Cardiovascular diseases (
CVDs
) and their risk factors need guideline‐oriented treatment to provide the best benefit for patients. These guidelines include recommendations for regular checkups, realized by general medical practitioners. In addition, individuals with
CVD
or
CVD
risk factors tend to use complementary methods for their condition. There is limited information on the association between complementary healthcare utilization and the adherence to recommended conventional health care.

Methods and Results

In this cross‐sectional analysis of the nationally representative 2017 National Health Interview Survey (n=26 742; response rate 80.7%) we examined the prevalence of conventional and complementary healthcare utilization within the past 12 months in individuals with
CVD
and/or
CVD
risk factors and the interactions between the two categories of health care. Of all participants, 38.1% reported risk factors for
CVD
and 11.4% a
CVD
diagnosis (groups show an overlap). Overall prevalence of visits to conventional and complementary medicine providers and the use of mind–body medicine was high within the population analyzed. Individuals with
CVD
and/or
CVD
risk factors using complementary health care were as likely or more likely to consult general practitioners (
CVD
: adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.17; 95% CI, 0.93–1.47;
CVD
risk: aOR, 1.21; 95%
CI
, 1.05–1.39) and medical specialists (
CVD
: aOR, 1.38; 95%
CI
, 1.17–1.64;
CVD
risk: aOR, 1.42; 95%
CI
, 1.28–1.58) than those not using complementary health care. Those using complementary health care were as likely to adhere to medical checkup as those not using complementary health care.

Conclusions

Complementary healthcare utilization use was not associated with a reduced adherence to conventional health care and recommended checkups. The potential positive association of complementary and conventional healthcare utilization needs to be confirmed in further studies.
An Empirical Investigation of the Use of Limitations to Freedom of Religion or Belief at the European Court of Human Rights
Authors: Alves Pinto Thiago
Published: April 2020

Most literature on freedom of religion or belief argues that there should be a high threshold for the imposition of limitations to the manifestation of the right. However, the practice of the European Court of Human Rights shows that the bar is much lower than academics suggest. This article explores this issue by analysing a plethora of cases and on the basis of interviews with lawyers connected to the Court. While the Court often considers the requirements of legality, legitimacy, and necessity, it does so briefly; focusing mostly on the analysis of proportionality and the margin of appreciation to the State in question. This approach makes the decisions exceedingly subjective and leads to little legal certainty in the area. Therefore, it is suggested that if the Court would analyse all criteria to impose limitations strictly, it could become more efficient while providing greater protection for persons to manifest their religion or belief.
Limitations Clauses, Evidence, and the Burden of Proof in the European Court of Human Rights
Authors: Gunn T. Jeremy
Published: April 2020

Courts and tribunals involved in evaluating whether states have applied limitations clauses appropriately should pay increased attention to the core underlying issues of the parties’ respective burdens of proof, the standards of proof, and identifying which parties are required to prove which assertions. The European Court of Human Rights has not articulated with sufficient clarity the rules of evidence that apply to its proceedings, thereby permitting ad hoc and inconsistent evaluations of issues pertaining to the freedom of religion or belief. The Court should take seriously its obligation to clarify its standards and thereafter apply them.
Phlebiopsis lacerata sp. nov. (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) from southern China

Authors: XU TAI-MIN , ZENG YUAN-FANG , CHENG YU-HUI , ZHAO CHANG-LIN
Published: April 2020

A new white-rot species, Phlebiopsis lacerata sp. nov., is proposed based on morphological and molecular characters. It is characterized by resupinate to effuse-reflexed basidiomata, a monomitic hyphal system with simple septate generative hyphae, conical cystidia that are thick-walled, heavily encrusted with large crystal in the apical part, and ellipsoid basidiospores (4–5.5 × 3–3.5 µm). Phylogenetic analyses of the ITS and LSU nrRNA gene regions showed that P. lacerata belongs to the Phanerochaetaceae and is nested in the phlebioid clade. Further investigation based on ITS+nLSU sequences with more representative taxa in Phlebiopsis demonstrated that P. lacerata forms a monophyletic lineage with a strong support (100% BS, 100% BP, 1.00 BPP) and then groups with P. crassa.
Anterior Tragal Crease Is Associated With SYNTAX Score in Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Kul Selim , Konus Ali Hakan , Dursun Ihsan , Turan Turhan , Cirakoglu Omer Faruk , Sahin Sinan , Karal Huseyin , Akyuz Ali Riza
Published: April 2020

The main aim of this study was to investigate the relation between anterior tragal crease (ATC) and coronary artery lesion complexity and severity assessed using the SYNTAX score (SXscore) in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). A total of 121 patients with a first-time diagnosis of NSTEMI were consecutively enrolled. ATC was defined as ≥1 crease that was close to the tragus and descended anteriorly. SXscore was calculated using the SXscore algorithm. The SXscore was higher in the ATC-positive group than in the ATC-negative group (11.85 ± 8.20 vs 7.52 ± 6.38, P = .003). In the univariate analysis, hemoglobin (male: 11.7-17.4 g/dL, female: 11.7-16.1 g/dL; P = .006), diabetes mellitus ( P = .031), current smoking ( P = .022), and presence of ATC ( P = .022) were significantly associated with increased SXscore. Multivariate analysis revealed ATC (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.313-7.800, P = .011), current smoking (95% CI: 2.034-13.893, P = .001), and hemoglobin (95% CI: 0.433-0.822, P = .002) as independent determinants of increased SXscore. Anterior tragal crease is easily detected by physical examination. Presence of ATC in patients with NSTEMI may be a warning signal of complexity and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD).
Design Thinking Inspired Crowdsourcing: Toward a Generative Model of Complex Problem Solving
Authors: Mount Matthew , Round Heather , Pitsis Tyrone S.
Published: April 2020

Design thinking has made huge inroads in organizations today and has been widely popularized as one of the most effective approaches to complex problem solving. However, the prescriptive models to design thinking that are now widely used by “nondesigners” in the business world are criticized for their detachment from users, poor execution, and tendency to converge on safe solutions. This article examines the efficacy of using crowdsourcing as an underpinning technology for executing design thinking by nondesigners to alleviate these issues. It advances a generative model of complex problem solving with theoretical as well as practical implications.
Risky business in Mohsin Hamid’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist and Joseph O’Neill’s Netherland
Authors: van Schalkwyk Simon
Published: April 2020

This article reads Mohsin Hamid’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist and Joseph O’Neill’s Netherland as novels similarly preoccupied with the surreptitious linkages between risk, financial speculation, and terror. In doing so, it argues that Hamid and O’Neill mark a shift away from the post-9/11 novel’s prevailing investment in traumatic domesticity in order to develop nuanced treatments of how, in the wake of 9/11, risk, speculation, and terror are intensified along racial lines, and unevenly distributed across geopolitical divides between the Global North and South. In this way, The Reluctant Fundamentalist and Netherland reveal the superficial nature of risk society’s ideal subject. Beyond this, however, these novels also demonstrate risk society’s continued production of speculative or dissembling narratives designed to shield precarious subjects against future risks, while also projecting risky affective and political reinvestments in national contexts presumably consigned to vestigial status in an otherwise global imaginary.
Functional Expression of Sodium-Dependent Glucose Transporter in Amelogenesis
Authors: Ida-Yonemochi H. , Otsu K. , Harada H. , Ohshima H.
Published: April 2020

Glucose is an essential source of energy for mammalian cells and is transported into the cells by glucose transporters. There are 2 types of glucose transporters: one is a passive glucose transporter, GLUT ( SLC2A), and the other is a sodium-dependent active glucose transporter, SGLT ( SLC5A). We previously reported that the expression of GLUTs during tooth development is precisely and spatiotemporally controlled and that the glucose uptake mediated by GLUT1 plays a crucial role in early tooth morphogenesis and tooth size determination. This study aimed to clarify the localization and roles of SGLT1 and SGLT2 in murine ameloblast differentiation by using immunohistochemistry, immunoelectron microscopy, an in vitro tooth organ culture experiment, and in vivo administration of an inhibitor of SGLT1/2, phloridzin. SGLT1, which has high affinity with glucose, was immunolocalized in the early secretory ameloblasts and the ruffle-ended ameloblasts in the maturation stage. However, SGLT2, which has high glucose transport capacity, was observed in the stratum intermedium, papillary layer, and ameloblasts at the maturation stage and colocalized with Na+-K+-ATPase. The inhibition of SGLT1/2 by phloridzin in the tooth germs induced the disturbance of ameloblast differentiation and enamel matrix formation both in vitro (organ culture) and in vivo (mouse model). The expression of SGLT1 and SGLT2 was significantly upregulated in hypoxic conditions in the ameloblast-lineage cells. These findings suggest that the active glucose uptake mediated by SGLT1 and SGLT2 is strictly regulated and dependent on the intra- and extracellular microenvironments during tooth morphogenesis and that the appropriate passive and active glucose transport is an essential event in amelogenesis.
Phenomenological modeling and simulation of a textile stenter
Authors: Wilmer Parra Llanos John , Mailde Santos Rossane , Bastos Quadri Marintho , Oliveira Martins Ianto
Published: April 2020

Mathematical modeling and simulation of cotton fabric drying in a stenter machine was performed using a finite element method. A standard κ-ɛ turbulence model was coupled with heat/mass transfer in porous media models. A novel approach to simulate all injectors enabled a new perspective of the process and the calculation of local convective coefficients. Three simulations were run: Simulation I reproduced real operational conditions; Simulations II and III estimated the effects of increasing drying air inlet velocity and decreasing translational velocity of the fabric, respectively. The highest drying air velocities occurred at the nozzles on the edges of the injectors, leading to high convective heat and mass transfer coefficients. Results indicated the drying process was not uniform along the fabric’s width. The models were acceptable in realistically predicting the drying of a cotton fabric in a stenter machine and could be useful in optimizing the stenter design considering the final product’s quality and energy consumption.
Open pleural decortication for the late stage empyema thoracis in children: a retrospective observational study from a tertiary hospital of eastern Nepal
Authors: Jaiswal Lokesh S , Pandit Narendra , Sah Bijay , Prasad Jagat N
Published: April 2020

The management of late-stage empyema thoracis requires surgical intervention. We performed a retrospective descriptive analysis of open pleural decortication for late stage empyema thoracis in 55 children (age ≤ 15 years; median age = 6 years; age range = 1–15 years; 40 [72.7%] boys) over 42 months. The median time to thoracotomy from the onset of symptoms was 24 days, and the median duration of hospital stay before and after surgery was 15 and 4 days, respectively. Three (5.5%) patients had necrotising pneumonia, requiring debridement; 4 (7.3%) patients had superficial surgical site infection; 12 (21.8%) patients had perioperative pus culture positive for bacteria; and 3 (5.5%) patients had tubercular aetiology. There was no operative mortality. At median follow-up of 18 months, all patients are in good general health. Open pleural decortication leads to rapid resolution of symptoms and reduces hospital stay in paediatric late-stage empyema thoracis.
The Effects of the COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic Outbreak on Otolaryngology Activity in Italy
Authors: Ralli Massimo , Greco Antonio , de Vincentiis Marco
Published: April 2020

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic during the first months of 2020 is causing profound changes in worldwide health care systems, resulting in a major reduction of surgical interventions and routine non-urgent outpatient diagnostic procedures. The lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, one of the most affected countries in Europe, is having severe effects on the otolaryngology medical and surgical activities. The main changes are represented by the postponement of outpatient visits and scheduled surgery, while the only guaranteed service is reserved to diagnostics and surgery for oncology and urgent patients. In these cases, given the sites of action typical of the otolaryngology practice, physicians and nurses are exposed to a high risk of contagion through virus aerosol transmission. Furthermore, as the current measures of lockdown continue, it will be difficult to perform scheduled and new diagnostic assessments, medical treatments and surgical procedures in a timely manner favoring the risk of diagnostic and therapeutic delays with severe impact on patients’ health.
Exploring teachers’ approaches to popular music: Attitudes, learning practice, and issues in South Korea
Authors: Kim You Jin , Kyoung Song Moo
Published: April 2020

In recent years, a strong focus on popular music has increased in South Korean music education. Although this shift in the curricular content has led to studies on the formation of popular music repertories in the curriculum, few studies have attended to teachers’ attitudes and learning practices to popular music as related factors. To understand popular music education in South Korea, we investigated music teachers’ attitudes, learning practices, and critical issues that have arisen in their teaching. We conducted an online survey with secondary music teachers ( N = 138) followed by a focus group interview ( n = 6). The findings suggest that teachers’ attitudes toward popular music (positive, neutral, or negative) were associated with their learning practices, including the time they spent on popular music, their selections of popular music genres, and musical activities. This provides a starting point for further investigation of the teachers’ attitudes related to their learning practices in shaping popular music curriculum. Regardless of the teachers’ attitudes to popular music, they agreed popular music a good place to start for their students. In addition, they had similar or divergent perceptions and concerns of teaching popular music depending on their attitudes, as they have found their own individual ways of incorporating popular music.
Relationships between lawyers and victims of crime: Forming a new context
Authors: Katz Naama , Pugach Dana , Ramon Shulamit
Published: April 2020

This qualitative study offers a comprehensive overview of lawyers and clients who have been victims of crimes as to their optimal relationship, based on interviews with both groups. The findings clarify the existence of two main dimensions. The first emphasizes the lawyers’ values and professional identities in response to the unique needs of victims of crimes. Lawyers who choose to work with the victims of crimes consider themselves to be practising a kind of law that is consistent with their personal values. The second dimension raises the need to create a new concept of professionalism, to bridge the gap between what the two groups single out as important in the relationship. The new concept indicates also the need for improved practice. The findings of this study imply the requirement to develop social justice professionalism balanced between legal and therapeutic skills, including the caring skills necessary for lawyers’ work with the victims of crimes. Such improved skills will enable the legal practitioner to better balance legal representation with emotional support based on the client’s needs rather than on the lawyer’s personal intuition.
Integrity of the pectineal ligament in MRI correlates with radiographic superior pubic ramus fracture displacement
Authors: Klengel Alexis , Steinke Hanno , Pieroh Philipp , Höch Andreas , Denecke Timm , Josten Christoph , Osterhoff Georg
Published: April 2020

Background

Estimating the stability of pelvic lateral compression fractures solely by static radiographs can be difficult. In this context, the role of anterior pelvic soft tissues as potential secondary stabilizer of the pelvic ring has hardly been investigated.

Purpose

To correlate the initial radiographic appearance of the pubic ramus fracture with the integrity of the pectineal ligament, a strong ligament along the pecten pubis.

Material and Methods

In total, 31 patients with a pelvic lateral compression fracture (AO/OTA 61- B1.1/B2.1) with 33 superior pubic ramus fractures and available post-traumatic radiographs (pelvis anteroposterior, inlet, outlet) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvis with fat-suppressed coronal images were reviewed retrospectively. Radiographic superior pubic ramus fracture displacement was measured and correlated to the degree of MR-morphologic alterations of the pectineal ligament (grade 0 = intact, grade 3 = rupture).

Results

In the majority of fractures (72.7%), associated MR-morphologic alterations of the pectineal ligament were present. Radiographic displacement and MRI grading showed a strong positive correlation (Spearman rho = 0.783, P < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity for a radiographic displacement of >3 mm on plain radiographs to detect a structural ligament lesion on MRI (grade 2 and higher) were 73% and 100%, respectively.

Conclusion

Radiographic displacement of superior pubic ramus fractures >3 mm is a strong indicator for a structural lesion of the pectineal ligament. Future studies should investigate the potential biomechanical importance of this ligament for pelvic ring stability.
Use of double-J ureteric stents post-laparoscopic pyeloplasty to treat ureteropelvic junction obstruction in hydronephrosis for pediatric patients: a single-center experience
Authors: Zhu Haobo , Wang Jun , Deng Yongji , Huang Liqu , Zhu Xiaojiang , Dong Jun , Sha Jintong , Gu Nannan , Ge Zheng , Ma Geng , Guo Yunfei , Zhang Aihua
Published: April 2020

Objectives

We aimed to investigate the safety concerns associated with placing double-J ureteric stents post-laparoscopic pyeloplasty surgery for congenital ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) and hydronephrosis.

Methods

A total of 1349 patients with postoperative double-J stent placement at our center were included. Clinical variables for enrolled patients were collected by two independent authors. We compared clinical variables and the efficacy of stenting post-laparoscopic pyeloplasty.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 4.23 ± 2.39 years. A total of 58.49% of patients were diagnosed with left UPJO with hydronephrosis and 33.95% were diagnosed with right UPJO. Furthermore, 7.56% of patients had bilateral UPJO. In all cases, 96.96% of indwelling double-J stents were successfully removed 4 weeks post-surgery. A total of 3.04% of the patients still required further management, including stent migration to the renal pelvis (0.37%), stent migration to the bladder (0.30%), prolapse of the stent through the ureter (0.15%), blockage of stents (1.85%), and fouling of stents (0.37%).

Conclusions

Double-J ureteric stents used after laparoscopic pyeloplasty for treating UPJO in hydronephrosis for pediatric patients is a safe, feasible, and beneficial method, which can be recommended for routine procedures. However, caution should be practiced for follow-up and removal using this method.
FOXL2 expression might be a novel prognostic biomarker in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Ge Jun , Jiang Li , Tian Yuke , Zheng Min , Huang Meiling , Li Juan
Published: April 2020

Objectives

This study aimed to explore the expression profile of the Forkhead box protein L2 gene ( FOXL2) and to determine its prognostic value and associated epigenetic and genetic alterations in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC).

Materials and methods

Data for a subset of patients with LSCC (N = 116) were extracted from the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma dataset of The Cancer Genome Atlas and analyzed in relation to FOXL2 expression and survival.

Results

Aberrant FOXL2 expression was an independent prognostic factor for progression-free survival (PFS) (hazard ratio (HR): 2.63, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.34–5.18) and overall survival (OS) (HR: 2.39, 95%CI: 1.28–4.46). Two gene-body CpG sites (cg10554436 and cg23637494) were moderately and positively correlated with FOXL2 expression. DNA amplification (+2/+1) was common (82/115, 71%) in LSCC, and FOXL2 expression was significantly upregulated in the high-amplification group (+2) compared with copy-neutral (0) cases.

Conclusion

Aberrant FOXL2 expression may be a novel prognostic biomarker for PFS and OS among patients with LSCC. FOXL2 upregulation may be related to gene-body hypermethylation and DNA amplification.
Persistent Corynebacterium bovis Infectious Hyperkeratotic Dermatitis in Immunocompetent Epidermal-Mutant dep/dep Mice
Authors: Miedel Emily L. , Ragland Natalie H. , Slate Andrea R. , Engelman Robert W.
Published: April 2020

During a previously reported program-wide Corynebacterium bovis outbreak, both immunocompetent depilated ( dep/dep) mutant mice and transgenic mice that express the papillomavirus E6 oncoprotein became persistently infected with C. bovis. An orthokeratotic, hyperkeratotic, acanthotic dermatitis developed in the C. bovis–infected dep/dep mice, which remained C. bovis PCR-positive for >45 days prior to euthanasia as part of the program-wide C. bovis eradication effort. Since both affected strains of mice have altered skin homeostasis, immune status or the presence of hair may not alone be sufficient to explain strain susceptibility to C. bovis–related cutaneous disease. In order to avoid invalidation of preclinical studies due to C. bovis infection, it may be necessary to isolate immunodeficient mouse strains, implement facililty-wide surveillance for C. bovis, and sterilize equipment with vaporized hydrogen peroxide.
Comparison of Occlusal Contact Changes During Retention Between Hawley-Type Retainers and Other Retention Appliances: A Systematic Review
Authors: B. Priya , Jain Ravindra Kumar , Chaturvedula Balavenkata Bharathi
Published: April 2020

Background: Achieving adequate and broad occlusal contacts following orthodontic treatment usually is performed during retention phase, and it ensures good intercuspation of posterior teeth and post-treatment stability.

Objective: To investigate the changes in occlusal contacts with the use of Hawley-type retainers (Hawley’s and wrap around retainers) and compare them with other retention appliances.

Methods: The search included articles that were published until December 2018 in three popular databases. Selection criteria comprised studies evaluating number and area of occlusal contact changes during or at the end of retention phase, following orthodontic treatment. After study retrieval and selection, data extraction and individual study risk of bias assessment was performed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool.

Results: A total sum of eight studies reporting on outcome comparison between Hawley-type retainers with other retention appliances and untreated controls were selected. In all the eight studies, the risk of bias was unclear since blinding and random sequence generation was not reported. In all the eight reported studies, it was concluded that the number of occlusal contacts improved during retention period with Hawley type retainers, but when comparisons were done in between retainers, only two studies reported that Hawley-type retainers were better.

Conclusion: This systematic review concludes that the number and area of occlusal contacts improved during retention with Hawley-type retainers. The overall quality of available literature is poor and unclear to support the conclusion that Hawley-type retainers are better than other existing retainers in improving occlusal contacts.
Low Intensity Laser Influence on Orthodontic Movement: A Randomized Clinical and Radiographic Trial
Authors: Pereira Suelen Cristina da Costa , Avila Fabiola E. Alvarez , Pinzan Arnaldo , Lima Ludmila M. , Storniolo-Souza Juliana Moura , Janson Guilherme
Published: April 2020

Introduction: Finding a method to decrease orthodontic treatment time has been a concern for several authors. This study evaluated, clinically and radiographically, the influence of low-level laser therapy on the rate of orthodontic movement and dental tissue integrity.

Methods: The sample included 11 individuals with class I malocclusion, requiring extraction of 4 first premolars. Gallium aluminum arsenide diode laser with a wavelength of 780 nm was used once a month during retraction mechanics, to irradiate the maxillary and mandibular canines on one side and compare them with the nonirradiated contralateral side, after spring activation, until canine retraction was completed. This was followed by movement measurement. Periapical radiographs were used to check for possible modifications in the supporting tissues and root surface of the displaced canines.

Results: No differences in the rate of tooth movement were found between the irradiated and nonirradiated side on both dental arches. There was no resorption of the root and/or alveolar bone crest, maintaining the integrity of these tissues.

Conclusions: Low-level laser therapy did not promote an increment on the rate of tooth movement and did not cause greater root and alveolar bone crest resorption than on the nonirradiated side with the used protocol.
Towards a national perioperative clinical quality registry: The diagnostic accuracy of administrative data in identifying major postoperative complications
Authors: Reilly Jennifer R , Shulman Mark A , Gilbert Annie M , Jomon Bismi , Thompson Robin J , Nicholson Jonathon J , Burke Justin A , Lehane Daragh N , Liaw Chen-Mai , Mahoney Adam J , Stark Peter A , Hales Lise , Myles Paul S
Published: April 2020

Accurately measuring the incidence of major postoperative complications is essential for funding and reimbursement of healthcare providers, for internal and external benchmarking of hospital performance and for valid and reliable public reporting of outcomes. Actual or surrogate outcomes data are typically obtained by one of three methods: clinical quality registries, clinical audit, or administrative data. In 2017 a perioperative registry was developed at the Alfred Hospital and mapped to administrative and clinical data. This study investigated the statistical agreement between administrative data (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (10th edition) Australian Modification codes) and clinical audit by anaesthetists in identifying major postoperative complications. The study population included 482 high-risk surgical patients referred to the Alfred Hospital anaesthesia postoperative service over two years. Clinical audit was conducted to determine the presence of major complications and these data were compared to administrative data. The main outcome was statistical agreement between the two methods, as defined by Cohen’s kappa statistic. Substantial agreement was observed for five major complications, moderate agreement for three, fair agreement for six and poor agreement for two. Sensitivity and positive predictive value ranged from 0 to 100%. Specificity was above 90% for all complications. There was important variation in inter-rater agreement. For four of the five complications with substantial agreement between administrative data and clinical audit, sensitivity was only moderate (61.5%–75%). Using International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (10th edition) Australian Modification codes to identify postoperative complications at our hospital has high specificity but is likely to underestimate the incidence compared to clinical audit. Further, retrospective clinical audit itself is not a highly reliable method of identifying complications. We believe a perioperative clinical quality registry is necessary to validly and reliably measure major postoperative complications in Australia for benchmarking of hospital performance and before public reporting of outcomes should be considered.
Online or offline? Coaching media as mediator of the relationship between coaching style and employee work-related outcomes
Authors: Hui Ray Tak-yin , Law Kuok Kei , Lau Sara Choi-Ping
Published: April 2020

This article examines how leaders make use of different coaching media, namely face-to-face coaching and e-coaching, to coach and regulate the behavior and performance of followers. Specifically, we examine coaching medium as the mediator of the relationship between two coaching styles and three work outcomes (adaptive performance, creativity, and emotional exhaustion), based on a two-wave longitudinal field study of 114 employees in Hong Kong. The results of structural equation modeling show that the two coaching styles (guidance and facilitation coaching) are indirectly related to adaptive performance, creativity, and emotional exhaustion, as mediated by choice of coaching medium. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.

JEL Classification: M54, O32
Tremolite–actinolite fiber coatings of sub-nanometer silica-rich particles in lungs from deceased Quebec miners
Authors: Germine Mark , Puffer John H
Published: April 2020

Tremolite–actinolite (TA) fibers from the lungs of deceased former Quebec mine workers were found to be coated with sub-nanometer particles. Qualitative chemical analyses were performed on the particles indicating that they were composed of silicon and oxygen. The crystal lattice structure of all amphibole minerals, including the TA series, is arranged as pairs of linear chains of SiO4 tetrahedra that are linked together to form double chains. Our observations of the TA fibers from miner’s lungs, made using a high-resolution transmission electron microscope, indicated that the tetrahedral silica chains were progressively split, forming dispersed sub-nanometer particles. The non-tetrahedral sites were removed at the surface of the TA fibers, presumably by the oxidation process involved in attempted phagocytosis, which also resulted in fragmentation of the tetrahedral chains. It was found that the silicon-rich particles (SRPs) were variable in diameter, consistent with fragments formed from the splitting of the tetrahedral chains. The TA fibers from lungs displayed coatings and linear interior zones of SRP parallel to the planes of longitudinal fiber splitting. The literature on very small nanoparticles is consistent with deep penetration of SRP into cell DNA interiors, oxidative stress, and carcinogenesis.
Child Sexual Abuse and the Complexities of Gender, Power, and Sexuality
Authors: Reddock Rhoda , Reid Sandra D. , Nickenig Tisha
Published: April 2020

This article contributes to the still limited analysis of gender and sexuality in the exploration of HIV infection in the Caribbean. In Trinidad and Tobago, child sexual abuse was identified as a prevalent behavior. This motivated a gendered exploration of the sociocultural factors underlying child sexual abuse and the link with HIV. Using a qualitative action research methodology, researchers sought to understand the patterns of behavior, sociocultural and gendered meanings, and significance of child sexual abuse; to sensitize stakeholders to these issues; and to develop multidisciplinary community-based interventions and policies. This article reports on the analysis of data collected from the interventions carried out as part of the action research methodology, as well as a range of national and community-specific action research activities including ethnographic case studies, national stakeholders meetings, and a study of service providers. It provides a nuanced understanding of the meanings, underlying assumptions, perceptions, and taboos associated with child sexual abuse in Trinidad and Tobago, as well as new ways of understanding child sexual abuse in the Caribbean. Findings showed that the social and gender context for child sexual abuse involves several interconnecting factors located within a framework of gender ideologies and expressions, sexual expectations and behaviors, and social norms based on patriarchal values. These findings would be of significance for the prevention of child sexual abuse and the associated HIV risk in Trinidad and Tobago, and the management of victims and perpetrators of child sexual abuse.
Perception, Prevalence, and Determinants of Intimate Partner Violence During Pregnancy in Urban Slums of Pune, Maharashtra, India
Authors: Jungari Suresh , Chinchore Sneha
Published: April 2020

There is limited evidence on the prevalence and determinants of violence against pregnant women in India. Previous studies were entirely restricted to the violence against women in the reproductive age group. There is lack of evidence about the factors affecting violence against women during pregnancy. Understanding such factors, women’s perception regarding violence during pregnancy and their justification of such violence could manifest an important aspect of violence. Women living in slum communities particularly are victims of violence. In this context, this study intended to examine women’s perception, prevalence of, and factors affecting the violence against women during pregnancy in the slum communities of Pune. A community-based cross-sectional study of 1-year duration was undertaken in urban slums of Pune city, Maharashtra, India. The study participants were women who have delivered 2 years preceding the survey. Using simple random sampling, 500 women were selected from 10 purposively selected slums. House-to-house visits were made and face-to-face interviews conducted using a pretested structured questionnaire. Univariate, bivariate, and logistic regression analyses were applied. The study results show that 15.3% of women have experienced violence during their recent pregnancy. Furthermore, 9.2% of women experienced physical violence, 1.8% sexual violence, and 11.2% psychological violence. Education level of women, husband’s education and alcohol consumption, history of violence in the family, and provision of spurious justification for violence have emerged as some of the leading factors associated with the violence inflicted during pregnancy. Effective interventions at both community and health care settings are needed urgently to reduce the violence inflicted during pregnancy.
Apparel Design Scholarship Practices: Analysis of ITAA Professionals’ Design Abstract Proceedings From 1999 to 2017
Authors: Lee Young-A , Min Seoha , Koo Sumin Helen
Published: April 2020

We explored the topical trends of the International Textile and Apparel Association professionals’ Design Abstract Proceedings (DAP) and how apparel design scholarship has been cited in the discipline for the past two decades. Using a content analysis, three research objectives were as follows: to examine (a) designer-identified keywords trends of the DAP, (b) to examine DAP directly cited in scholarly works, and (c) to examine DAP not directly cited but related to designers’ scholarship. Six overarching themes (inspirational references, apparel design, technology, sustainability practices, textiles, and nonapparel) were identified through the keywords analysis and used for further analyses. We found that design scholars were not used to cite other relevant scholarly works or their own works in their scholarly design work. The study findings provide an awareness for the strong need to establish citation practices for design scholars, which will add to the body of knowledge in clothing and textiles and increase the impact of design scholarship beyond the discipline.