bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The direct-medical costs associated with interferon-based treatment for Hepatitis C in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Huyen Anh , Cooke Graham S. , Day Jeremy N. , Flower Barnaby , Phuong Le Thanh , Hung Trinh Manh , Dung Nguyen Thanh , Khoa Dao Bach , Hung Le Manh , Kestelyn Evelyne , Thwaites Guy E. , Chau Nguyen Van Vinh ,   SEARCH Investigators, Turner Hugo C.
Published: September 2019

Background: Injectable interferon-based therapies have been used to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection since 1991. International guidelines have now moved away from interferon-based therapy towards direct-acting antiviral (DAA) tablet regimens, because of their superior efficacy, excellent side-effect profiles, and ease of administration. Initially DAA drugs were prohibitively expensive for most healthcare systems. Access is now improving through the procurement of low-cost, generic DAAs acquired through voluntary licenses. However, HCV treatment costs vary widely, and many countries are struggling with DAA treatment scale-up. This is not helped by the limited cost data and economic evaluations from low- and middle-income countries to support HCV policy decisions. We conducted a detailed analysis of the costs of treating chronic HCV infection with interferon-based therapy in Vietnam. Understanding these costs is important for performing necessary economic evaluations of novel treatment strategies.

Methods: We conducted an analysis of the direct medical costs of treating HCV infection with interferon alpha (IFN) and pegylated-interferon alpha (Peg-IFN), in combination with ribavirin, from the health sector perspective at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in 2017.

Results: The total cost of the IFN treatment regimen was estimated to range between US$1,120 and US$1,962. The total cost of the Peg-IFN treatment regimen was between US$2,156 and US$5,887. Drug expenses were the biggest contributor to the total treatment cost (54-89%) and were much higher for the Peg-IFN regimen.

Conclusions: We found that treating HCV with IFN or Peg-IFN resulted in significant direct medical costs. Of concern, we found that all patients incurred substantial out-of-pocket costs, including those receiving the maximum level of support from the national health insurance programme. This cost data highlights the potential savings and importance of increased access to generic DAAs in low- and middle-income countries and will be useful within future economic evaluations.
The conjunctival transcriptome in Ethiopians after trichiasis surgery: associations with the development of eyelid contour abnormalities and the effect of oral doxycycline treatment
Authors: Derrick Tamsyn , Habtamu Esmael , Tadesse Zerihun , Callahan E. Kelly , Worku Abebaw , Gashaw Bizuayehu , Macleod David , Mabey David C.W. , Holland Martin J. , Burton Matthew J.
Published: September 2019

Background: Surgery to correct trichiasis is a key component of the World Health Organisation trachoma control strategy, however unfavourable outcomes such as eyelid contour abnormalities (ECA) following surgery are relatively common. This study aimed to understand the transcriptional changes associated with the early development of ECA and the impact of doxycycline, which has anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties, upon these transcription patterns.

Methods: One thousand Ethiopians undergoing trichiasis surgery were enrolled in a randomised controlled trial following informed consent. Equal groups of randomly assigned individuals were orally administered with 100mg/day of doxycycline (n=499) or placebo (n=501) for 28 days. Conjunctival swabs were collected immediately prior to surgery and at one- and six-months post-surgery. 3’ mRNA sequencing was performed on paired baseline and one-month samples from 48 individuals; 12 in each treatment/ECA outcome group. qPCR validation was then performed for 46 genes of interest in 145 individuals who developed ECA at one month and 145 matched controls, using samples from baseline, one and six months.

Results: All treatment/outcome groups upregulated genes associated with wound healing pathways at one month relative to baseline, however no individual differences were detected between groups. The summed expression of a highly coexpressed cluster of pro-fibrotic genes was higher in patients that developed ECA in the placebo group relative to controls. qPCR validation revealed that all genes in this cluster and a number of other pro-inflammatory genes were strongly associated with ECA, however these associations were not modulated by trial arm.

Conclusions: The development of post-operative ECA is associated with overexpression of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic genes including growth factors, matrix metalloproteinases, collagens and extracellular matrix proteins. There was no evidence that doxycycline modulated the association between gene expression and ECA.
ENSINO DE LITERATURA BRASILEIRA PARA ESTRANGEIROS: POSSIBILIDADES E DIFICULDADES / Teaching of Brazilian literature to foreigners: possibilities and difficulties
Authors: Alvares Rosal Botler Lais Maria , Fernandes Joyce
Published: September 2019

Ensinar literatura brasileira para estrangeiros representa um desafio para professores e alunos. Ao refletir sobre o planejamento do curso e de cada aula, o professor precisa levar em consideração, entre outros aspectos, os níveis de distanciamento que podem existir entre o conhecimento prévio dos alunos sobre literatura em geral e sobre a que lhes está sendo ensinada. O idioma é também um obstáculo quando a maioria dos alunos não pode ler em português e precisa de traduções, às vezes não disponíveis, para acompanhar o curso. Tais limitações são mais presentes em contextos multiculturais e multilíngues, como no caso de Israel. Com base em nossa experiência de sala de aula, no contexto da Universidade Hebraica de Jerusalém e do Centro Cultural Brasileiro, em Tel Aviv, e em reflexões de estudiosos como Monteiro (2014), Librandi-Rocha (2014), entre outros, nosso principal objetivo é discutir até que ponto os professores conseguem desenvolver um trabalho capaz tanto de aproximar o aluno dessa produção literária que lhe é nova, como da língua, cultura e história que lhe dão suporte e sem as quais ela não existiria. Acreditamos ser necessário flexibilidade de ambos os lados: ao professor cabe ser um mediador atento ao contexto cultural dos alunos, e a estes, desvencilhar-se de ideias pré-concebidas em relação à outra cultura.
A FORMAÇÃO LITERÁRIA E A PERSPECTIVA DA EDUCAÇÃO NO SÉCULO XXI / Literary training and the perspective of education in the 21st century
Authors: Do Amparo Flavia Vieira da Silva , Miranda Esther Zanelli
Published: September 2019

Diversos são os estudos e textos que abordam as funções da literatura na formação do homem, tais como Antonio Candido (2004), Tzvetan Todorov (2009) e Harold Bloom (2001). O objetivo deste artigo é convergir algumas das conclusões propostas por esses estudos com propostas no campo da educação para próximo século como as feitas por Edgar Faure (no relatório Aprender a ser, 1973) e Jacques Delors (em seu prefácio ao relatório para a UNESCO, 1998); e a pesquisa desenvolvida por Daniel Santos et ali. (2017) sobre competências socioemocionais. Os estudos no campo educacional apontam para a importância de uma formação integral de cada pessoa: Faure no âmbito da integração entre os conteúdos próprios da escola com a vida, Delors na exposição das tensões que se apresentam aos estudantes de hoje e Santos ao trazer à educação o conceito das cinco dimensões da personalidade (Big five) estabelecidos por psicólogos. Ao tratar da capacidade humanizadora da literatura e dos aspectos apontados como necessários para a educação no século XXI, procura-se demonstrar que a formação literária durante o ciclo básico, período de formação essencial no desenvolvimento, pode ser um caminho possível para superar tensões educacionais atuais e auxiliar no processo de amadurecimento socioemocional de cada pessoa.
O SILENCIAMENTO DO SUJEITO TRAVESTI NA LEGISLAÇÃO
Authors: Denardin Jaqueline Angelo dos Santos
Published: September 2019

Neste trabalho, a partir da perspectiva teórica da Análise de Discurso (PÊCHEUX, 1969, 1975), temos como proposta analisar os efeitos de sentidos produzidos pela Lei nº 11.340/2006, Lei Maria da Penha, a qual traz em seu texto considerações que permitem a aplicabilidade desse instrumento social normativo aos sujeitos Trans (transexuais e transgêneros) e o Projeto de Lei nº 8.032/2014, de Jandira Feghali, que amplia a proteção para esses sujeitos. Objetivamos refletir acerca do modo como questões relativas aos gêneros e às sexualidades são colocadas em funcionamento no discurso jurídico e dizem não só a respeito da mulher cisgênera, como também da mulher trans, embora a travesti seja nessas legislações apagada/silenciada. Nossa finalidade, com esta proposta, é perceber como a Lei e o Projeto de Lei compreendem e definem “orientação sexual”, “gênero”, “mulher”, “transexual” e “transgênero”, analisando como o discurso jurídico pode, muitas vezes, impor silenciamentos – neste caso com os travestis - aos sujeitos, mais do que garantir seus direitos.
ACESSIBILIDADE EM MUSEUS: IDEIAS E PRÁTICAS EM CONSTRUÇÃO
Authors: Aidar Gabriela
Published: September 2019

O texto apresenta e problematiza diferentes pontos de vista a respeito da acessibilidade em museus. Usualmente entendido como sinônimo de ações voltadas a pessoas com deficiência, a acessibilidade possibilita outros olhares a coletivos com dificuldades de acesso. São discutidas ainda questões relativas à inclusão e desenvolvimento de públicos nas instituições museológicas e compartilhados exemplos de projetos de acessibilidade da Pinacoteca de São Paulo, do Museo Nacional de Colombia e do Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
EDUCAÇÃO MUSEAL EM REDE: SURGIMENTO E ATUAÇÃO DAS REDES DE EDUCADORES EM MUSEUS NO BRASIL
Authors: Nascimento Mona Ribeiro , Gonçalves Leane Cristina Ferreira
Published: September 2019

O presente artigo tem como objetivo traçar um breve panorama histórico do surgimento e atuação das Redes de Educadores em Museus no Brasil, bem como refletir sobre como este modelo de organização vem se consolidando num importante meio de fortalecimento da sociedade civil no campo da Educação Museal, haja vista sua relevante atuação no contexto da elaboração e aprovação da Política Nacional de Educação Museal (PNEM). Para tanto, inicialmente apresentaremos algumas possibilidades do conceito de rede e em que momento este passou a figurar no contexto das organizações sociais. A seguir nos debruçaremos sobre o contexto de criação da primeira Rede de Educadores em Museus do Brasil, nomeadamente a Rede de Educadores em Museus do Rio de Janeiro, em 2003, e das demais que a seguiram nos anos seguintes, dando uma atenção especial à Rede de Educadores em Museus da Bahia, à qual compomos. Por fim, ressaltamos a importância das organizações em rede, sobretudo as Redes de Educadores em Museus, no exercício de elaboração e implementação de políticas públicas, a partir da experiência de atuação da Rede de Educadores em Museus da Bahia na construção e aprovação da PNEM.
WATSON, USO DE INTELIGÊNCIA ARTIFICIAL (AI) E PROCESSOS EDUCATIVOS EM MUSEUS
Authors: Chiovatto Milene
Published: September 2019

O presente artigo reflete sobre o uso de tecnologia de inteligência artificial junto ao público como recurso de mediação em museus. A primeira experiência desse recurso, foi acompanhada por método de observação e avaliação espontânea dos usuários e a partir deste estudo de caso serão apresentados alguns resultados e reflexões desde o ponto de vista da educação museal. A Pinacoteca de São Paulo, Brasil, foi o primeiro museu do mundo a utilizar a tecnologia Watson, da IBM, para propiciar um recurso interativo com persursos modelados a partir das perguntas do público. A proposta partiu da IBM e envolveu as áreas de educação, curadoria, comunicação e marketing do museu. Selecionamos 7 obras emblemáticas de nosso acervo, em exposição de longa duração e recolhemos digitalmente potenciais perguntas que tais obras despertariam. Após isso, auxiliamos a construção de respostas potenciais. Em uso desde abril 2017, o recurso atraiu visitantes frequentes, mas também aqueles que nunca tinham visitado o museu. Será esse o futuro?
DIAGNÓSTICOS BENEVOLENTES NA INFÂNCIA: CRIANÇAS TRANS E A SUPOSTA NECESSIDADE DE UM TRATAMENTO PRECOCE
Authors: Favero Sofia Ricardo , Machado Paula Sandrine
Published: September 2019

O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar a repercussão que o diagnóstico de Incongruência de Gênero tem na infância, situando os manuais de transtornos mentais como eixos centrais da discussão. Para tanto, reconhece-se o uso estratégico da patologização das identidades trans e travestis na adolescência e vida adulta, mas ressalta os desafios quando essa mesma patologização destina-se a crianças. Diferente de quando ocorre com pessoas adultas, compreende-se que o diagnóstico de gênero na infância se justifica a partir de uma concepção de cuidado e benevolência. Em conclusão, propõe-se abandonar o pensamento em saúde que se baseia na preocupação e tutela para pensar em um compromisso ético e político com a diferença.
A CONCESSÃO DE REFÚGIO À PESSOAS LGBT
Authors: Vieira Santos Allan
Published: September 2019

Além do banimento social, vivenciado em várias sociedades ao longo do globo, cidadãos LGBT enfrentam problemas que incluem a legislação e a prisão em vários países, além de serem objetos de contínuos ataques. O infortúnio é no sentido de que, após saírem de seus países, algumas perseguições ainda podem persistir. Isto se dá na medida em que solicitantes de refúgio com condições sexuais e expressões de gênero dissidentes apresentam fragilidades distintas. Apesar de subsistirem avanços nas políticas que implementaram o refúgio, inclusive com a adoção da Declaração sobre Direitos Humanos, Orientação Sexual e Identidade de Gênero, a promoção de direitos de igualdade para com a população LGBTainda caminha a passos módicos. Este estudo busca analisar como a percepção de vivências pessoais de perseguição com vistas a demonstrar pertencer a um grupo social específico pode reforçar estereótipos de sexualidade e gênero que acabam por marginalizar e prejudicar a proteção a pessoas LGBT, reforçando aspectos de uma perseguição que pode estar se deslocando do país de origem para o país de acolhimento.
CONVERSA SOBRE EDUCAÇÃO COM RAEWYN CONNELL
Authors: Mattos Carmen Lúcia Guimarães de , Caetano Márcio Rodrigo Vale , Castro Paula Almeida de
Published: September 2019

A conversar com Raewyn Connell tever início pela sua trajetória acadêmica a partir do livro Making the Difference: Schools, Families and Social Division (1982), cuja publicação em língua portuguesa ampliou o interesse de pesquisadores em educação pelos estudos de gênero. Dada a amplitude da produção da autora nesta linha de estudos a conversa continua com indagações sobre a importância para escola em lidar com esse tema, assim como sua interconexão com os estudos sobre masculinidades e suas teorizações internacionais e mais particularmente no Hemisfério Sul, visto que  Connell, à época estava divulgando o seu livro Southern Theory: The Global Dynamics of Knowledge in Social Science. Discutiu-se as possibilidades teóricas do Sul pelo Sul, o papel da escola na introdução dos temas sobre as ordenações de gênero e finalmente apresenta-se reflexões dos autores sobre seus próprios questionamentos a cerca da obra da autora.
PERSONAS TRANS Y EDUCACIÓN EN ARGENTINA, LA EXPERIENCIA EDUCATIVA DE MOCHA CELIS
Authors: Celis Mocha
Published: September 2019

En Argentina y américa del sur las personas travestis, transexuales y transgéneros sufren una serie de violencias basadas en su identidad de género. Entre ellas se encuentra la discriminación que atraviesa todos los ámbitos en los que se desenvuelven, inclusive la escuela. Por esta razón las personas trans no logran completar la escuela secundaria y eso repercute en la posibilidad de encontrar trabajo. Esta situación da origen a una mayor marginación social, a abusos por parte de la policía, a enfermedades de transmisión sexual y adicciones, que se traducen como un descenso en la calidad de vida. Mocha Celis nació desde la necesidad de construir las herramientas para la capacitación y el reconocimiento social por medio del otorgamiento de títulos secundarios oficiales para revertir la situación en la que travestis, transexuales y transgéneros se encuentran.
DE MENINO À SUJEITO-HOMEM: UM RELATO DE EXPERIÊNCIA
Authors: Viana Rubiana Nascimento
Published: September 2019

O seguinte trabalho apresenta análises que objetivam relatar uma experiência de estágio curricular obrigatório em psicologia, em uma instituição para cumprimento de medida socioeducativa direcionada à jovens em conflito com a lei, também usuários de um serviço de saúde mental. Considerando os tensionamentos produzidos ao longo deste período, bem como os atravessamentos raciais e socioeconômicos que antecedem a minha chegada a este lugar e que se desenrolam também ao longo das intervenções, tais análises produzem um analisador visceral: O silêncio. E é a partir deste que desenvolvo o relato, retomando a narrativa em uma tentativa de esmiuçar os fatores históricos e sociais que aproximam meu corpo ao corpo dos jovens ali encarcerados, incluindo em minhas análises as perspectivas construídas em função dos recortes produzidos em mim e nos sujeitos, colocando-me também em questão e valendo-me do método cartográfico de Deleuze e Guattari (1995) e da Necropolítica de Mbembe (2016).
NOVAS PRÁTICAS SOCIAIS NO CAMPO DA EDUCAÇÃO MUSEAL: A CULTURA DIGITAL E A SOCIABILIDADE EM REDE
Authors: Martins Luciana Conrado , Martins Dalton Lopes
Published: September 2019

A educação museal tem se constituído como um campo de estudos cujos interesses convergem, em grande medida, para a delimitação de sua especificidade. Compreender quais atores, práticas, processos e políticas que atuam nesse campo, bem como seus impactos percebidos tanto na instituição museal quanto na sociedade, são temas de estudo que contribuem para delimitar seu escopo e solucionar questões advindas da prática educacional museal. O uso das tecnologias digitais e a criação de uma infraestrutura informacional em rede nos museus nacionais tem surgido como um tema importante de investigação nos últimos anos, seja pela perspectiva de novas formas de socializar os acervos e ampliar seu potencial de apropriação simbólica, seja por novas práticas de gerir e organizar os museus para suas atividades fins. Entretanto, poucas são as reflexões que se debruçam sobre seus usos e impactos na educação museal, sobretudo aquelas que se propõem a entender seus efeitos e possibilidades para além do simples uso direto de determinadas técnicas e tecnologias. Que novas possibilidades de exercício do educar em museus essas práticas podem trazer? De que maneiras essas possibilidades podem dialogar com a gestão e a socialização dos acervos? Como pensar a formação do museólogo a partir desse cenário? De que formas novos usos da informação podem potencializar a prática da museologia? Este artigo pretende debater, a partir de uma reflexão teórica, como os educadores museais podem, frente às perspectivas apontadas pelos novos cenários informacionais, estabelecer processos de sociabilidade em rede por meio das novas práticas sociais vivenciadas pela cultura digital.
MUSEU DE AFETOS: UMA PARCERIA MUSEU HISTÓRICO NACIONAL e MUSEU NACIONAL
Authors: Tubbs Diogo Guarnieri
Published: September 2019

Documentário curta-metragem amador que buscou relatos sobre atividade desenvolvida pelo Núcleo de Educação do Museu Histórico Nacional e a Seção de Assistência ao Ensino do Museu Nacional denominada Museu de Afetos.
TOD@S SÃO TOD@S?
Authors: Rangel Aparecida
Published: September 2019

Tod@s são tod@s?
A Soil Water Balance Model for Subsurface Water Management
Authors: Kolars Kelsey , Jia Xinhua , Steele Dean D. , Scherer Thomas F.
Published: September 2019

Abstract. Most cropland in the upper Midwest will experience periods of excess water and drought conditions during a growing season. When the objective is to produce high yields, effective use of a subsurface water management system can help provide optimal soil moisture conditions for growth. A subsurface water management system includes draining excess water from the soil profile through subsurface drainage (SSD), managing the water table through controlled drainage (CD), or adding water to the drainage system during dry conditions (Subirrigation – SI). Subsurface water management can become difficult when determining the time and amount needed for SSD and SI, and (or) the optimal water table (WT) depth when using CD due to water movement in both the upward and downward directions. In this study, a 21 ha field with CD, a 17-ha field with CD + SI, and a 16 ha control field (surface drained only) over clay loam and silty clay loam soils were used to evaluate subsurface water management scheduling for corn (2013) and soybean (2014). The Checkbook Irrigation Scheduling method (Lundstrom and Stegman, 1988) was modified to include an algorithm to estimate the daily water balance contribution due to upward flux (UF) from a shallow water table. For the 2013 growing season, the UF reduction of the daily soil moisture deficit (SMD) was minimal due to deeper WT over the growing season and there was little difference between the modified and original Checkbook methods. For the 2014 growing season, the SMD estimates from the Modified Checkbook method produced closer estimates to the in-field SMD compared to the original Checkbook method. Therefore, adding SSD and shallow WT contributions in the Checkbook method produces similar, if not more accurate, estimations of daily SMD that can be used for subsurface water management. Keywords: Checkbook irrigation scheduling method, Model development, Subirrigation, Subsurface drainage.
Semi-Automatic Pig Weight Estimation Using Digital Image Analysis
Authors: Buayai Prawit , Piewthongngam Kullapapruk , Leung Carson K. , Saikaew Kanda Runapongsa
Published: September 2019

Abstract. As pigs are usually sold by their weights, the weighing process plays an important role. Traditional approaches include manually weighing pigs in the actual farm environment, which can be a slow and stressful task due to the movement of the pigs in a crowded space. Moreover, the imprecision of the weights adds to this problem. Hence, an automatic approach is needed. However, existing automated procedures also suffer from issues like the imprecision caused by the pig movements, low light intensity, low ceiling in the farm environment for proper installation of a camera. To overcome these problems, this article presents a semi-automatic machine vision approach for pig weight estimation in an actual farm environment with a high number of pigs per pen, cloudy image background, and natural movement of the pigs. Commercial mechanical weight scales with radio-frequency identification (RFID) exist to deal with automatic pig weight monitoring for each stall. However, from an economic perspective, they are too expensive to employ in developing countries such as Thailand. The primary purpose of this study is to tackle the problem of cost. A low-cost closed-circuit television (CCTV) was exploited, and open-source software was adopted. Pig images were taken from the top view of the feeder. The developed software was equipped with camera calibration for the distortion elimination process, pig boundary detection for the feature extraction process, and artificial neural network for pig weight estimation. The experimental evaluation results showed the benefits and practicality of the proposed approach, which led to a low absolute mean error of 2.84%, a short model training time of approximately 5 seconds, and a short prediction time of 7.18 milliseconds. Keywords: Artificial intelligence, Image processing, Multilayer perceptron, Pig weight estimation system, Smart agriculture.
Effect of Rice Cultivar, Type, Form, and Moisture Content on the Angle of Repose
Authors: Shi Hu , Siebenmorgen Terry J.
Published: September 2019

Abstract.

The angle of repose (AoR) is a primary characteristic determining the flowablity of grains and thus is an important property for designing rice handling and storage facilities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the AoR of contemporary rice cultivars grown in the United States. An apparatus was constructed to measure both the emptying and piling AoR of rice samples. The effect of rice cultivars (pureline and hybrid), rice types (long-, medium-, and short-grain rice), rice forms (rough, brown, head, and broken milled rice), and moisture content on the AoR of rice were evaluated. Results indicated that all of these factors significantly affected the AoR of rice. The piling AoR was significantly less than the emptying AoR. Hybrid rice cultivars tended to have greater AoR than purelines, which was attributed to the pubescence characteristic of their hulls. The emptying AoR and piling AoR of tested long-grain rough rice cultivars at 12% to 21% moisture content were in the range of 32.7° to 39.7° and 29.6° to 36.9°, respectively.Increasing the moisture content of long-grain rough rice led to greater AoR, possibly due to increased cohesion of rice kernels. Long-grain rough rice cultivars had slightly lesser AoR than those of medium- and short-grain rice cultivars. Among all tested rice forms, brown rice had the least AoR. Head and broken milled rice had approximately the same AoR as rough rice. Keywords: Angle of repose, Bridging, Flowablity, Friction, Rice.
Experimental Study on Jet Breakup Morphologies and Jet Characteristic Parameters of Non-circular Nozzles under Low-intermediate Pressures
Authors: Jiang Yue , Li Hong , Hua Lin , Zhang Daming , Issaka Zakaria
Published: September 2019

A High-Speed Photography (HSP) technique was used to investigate the breakup process and flow behavior of low-intermediate pressure water jets issued from square and triangular shaped nozzles. The non-circular orifices were designed based on the principle of equal flowrate with the same pressure in relation to the circular orifice. The breakup morphologies and boundary structures of the jets were studied under different nozzles and working pressures. Two forms of droplet formation and the process of droplet formation, in addition to the jet breakup lengths, initial amplitudes of surface waves and jet diffusion angles of different nozzles were evaluated. It was found that the jet presented a good continuity and fluidity in the initial section, and the fluid bands gradually appeared due to the air resistance and the jet break up as the disturbance intensifies. The degree of jet breakup was enhanced with the increase of pressure and cone nozzle angle. The random appearance of the fluid band structures and the dactylitic textures near the nozzles for non-circular jets appeared earlier than those produced by the circular jets. The small satellite droplets with different shapes and sizes were seen inside and outside the jet interface. Triangular jets exhibited the shortest breakup length, the initial amplitude of surface wave, and the diffusion angle of the jet at the same pressure were largest compared with square and circular jets. Two index equations of jet characteristic lengths and equivalent diameters of both circular and non-circular nozzles were fitted with a relative error of less than 10%, which means the fitting formulas are accurate. Keywords: Breakup length, High-speed photography, MATLAB simulation, Non-circular nozzle, Surface wave amplitude.
Gendering the job demands-resources model: work–family conflict in Taiwan
Authors: Lui Lake , Chang Chin-fen
Published: September 2019

Numerous studies show that job demands increase work-to-family conflict (WFC), while job resources have mixed effects on it. Yet the way in which their effects on WFC differ by gender is under-explored in Asian societies, where increasing female labour force participation coexists with traditional gender beliefs. Using data from the Taiwan Social Change Survey (TSCS) (N = 1,265), we find that mechanisms by which employment and family characteristics affect WFC differ for men and women. Having young children strengthens the effect of weekend work on WFC for women, but not for men. Working from home blurs work–family roles for women, but not for men. Increased family demands increases men’s but not women’s vulnerability to WFC, even though men do less housework. This study illuminates the importance of a gender-sensitive and culturally grounded explanation for WFC.
Testing the social exclusivity of marriage thesis in the context of high familism: do social involvement and support vary by marital status in Israel?
Authors: Offer Shira , Bear Libby
Published: September 2019

Studies have suggested that in individualistic societies, marriage constitutes an exclusive institution associated with reduced social involvement. This article tests this claim in a society that has experienced increased individualisation but has nevertheless remained highly familial. Analyses based on data from the Israel Social Survey show that married respondents were less involved with friends but more involved with family than their single counterparts. Results further revealed important differences by gender and between Jews and Israeli-Palestinians. No difference by marital status in involvement with kin was found for Israeli-Palestinian women, who also reported the lowest level of involvement with friends. The difference in involvement with friends was more pronounced among Israeli-Palestinians than Jews. Overall, findings indicate that Israeli society provides an interesting case that deviates from both the individualistic and collectivist models. Consistent with the new institutional approach to marriage, this article highlights the limitations of the exclusivity of marriage thesis.
Genotoxic Profile and Morphological Variation of the Amanita rubescens Complex: Traditional Knowledge for Safe Consumption in Mexico
Authors: Hernández-Rico Griselda Nallely , Octavio-Aguilar Pablo , Orijel-Garibay Roberto , Romero-Bautista Leticia
Published: September 2019

Wild mushrooms are important to the nutritional health and economic subsistence of rural populations in Mexico, but inaccurate identification of mushrooms has led to reported cases of poisoning. The aim of this study is to establish genotoxic profiles of mushrooms of the putative Amanita rubescens complex and to link those profiles with morphological attributes that suggest a correct identification of mushrooms, in order to prevent poisoning. Several combinations of amplification products (AMA, PHA, POP1, and POP2 genes) were identified in A. rubescens fungi sold in traditional markets; these genes are related to the presence of toxic polypeptides and its enzymatic regulators. The sequences correspond to a previously reported toxic gene family (MSDIM). All samples with the complete toxic gene profile presented reddish to dark-brown sporomes; this is the only attribute that visually distinguishes samples with toxic potential. Our results suggest that the mushrooms sold in traditional Mexican markets do not correspond to the A. rubescens complex. We conclude that morphological variability allows for identification of edible and inedible mushrooms.
Serum S100B and intelligence in children with Down syndrome
Authors: Noviarisa Nurul , Chundrayetti Eva , Lubis Gustina
Published: September 2019

Background Down syndrome is characterized by physical and mental retardation and caused by chromosome 21 (Hsa21) abnormalities. The S100B is a protein that is overproduced in Down syndrome due to overexpression of chromosome 21 genes. Comorbidities caused by S100B in Down syndrome are cognitive deterioration and early onset of dementia.

Objective To assess for a possible association between S100B protein and intelligence levels in children with Down syndrome.

Method This cross-sectional study included students in a special needs school in Padang, West Sumatera, who had the characteristic clinical features of Down syndrome and trisomy 21 by chromosome analysis. Examination of S100B levels was carried out using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Intelligence quotient (IQ) was measured using the 4th edition of the Wechlser Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV) method.

Results A total of 39 children with Down syndrome participated in the study. There were 25 children with mild mental retardation and 15 children with moderate-severe mental retardation. The mean S100B levels were not significantly different between groups [479.1 (SD 204) pg/mL in the mild mental retardation group and 458.7 (SD 158) pg/mL in the moderate-severe mental retardation group; P > 0.05]. The mean S100B level was significantly higher in subjects aged ≤ 10 years than in those aged > 10 years [566.9 (SD 210.0) pg/mL and 434.4 (SD 167.2) pg/mL, respectively (P<0.05)].

Conclusion There is no association between S100B and intelligence levels in children with Down syndrome. There is a significant association between higher S100B levels and younger age in children with Down syndrome.
Highly active antiretroviral therapy and left ventricular diastolic function in children with human immunodeficiency virus infection
Authors: Agustini Ni Made Ayu , Gunawijaya Eka , Venny Kartika Yantie Ni Putu , Dewi Kumara Wati Ketut , Ayu Witarini Komang , Santoso Hendra
Published: September 2019

Background In the past, cardiovascular involvement did not seem to be a common complication of HIV, but in recent years it has been described more frequently. With the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the symptoms of cardiac disease has changed, as the number of HIV-infected patients with abnormal diastolic parameters has increased significantly, often presenting as symptomatic rather than asymptomatic.

Objective To analyze for a possible correlation between HAART duration and left ventricular diastolic function in HIV-infected children.

Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2016 to December 2017 at the Cardiology and Allergy-Immunology Division/Department of Child Health, Universitas Udayana Medical School/Sanglah Hospital, Denpasar, Bali. Subjects with HAART were collected using a consecutive sampling method. The following data were recorded for each subject: age, sex, current stage of HIV, CD4+ level, as well as HAART regimen and duration of use. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed for tissue doppler imaging (TDI) of diastolic function. Spearman’s test was used to analyze the strength of correlation based on normality test results.

Results This study involved 53 subjects, 21 of whom had impaired diastolic function. There was no correlation between HAART duration and diastolic function in children with HIV infection (r= -0.03; P=0.82).

Conclusion Diastolic dysfunction is found in children under HAART treatment, but there is no correlation between HAART treatment duration and diastolic dysfunction.
UGT1A1 gene polymorphisms and jaundice in Indonesian neonates
Authors: Rohsiswatmo Rinawati , Amandito Radhian , Putri Andiani Wanda , Sartika Nilam , Malik Amarila
Published: September 2019

Background Uridine diphospho-glucuronocyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) polymorphisms are a risk factor for unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in neonates. UGT1A1 polymorphisms decrease bilirubin conjugation, thus causing hyperbilirubinemia. A variety of polymorphisms have been reported, with UGT1A1*60 and UGT1A1*6 especially prominent in the Asian population. Hyperbilirubinemia polymorphism studies are lacking in Indonesian populations.
Objective To identify UGT1A1*60 and UGT1A1*6 profiles in Indonesian populations of heterogeneous ethnicity.
Methods We enrolled 42 jaundiced neonates who were born from January to April 2017 and treated in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of our national referral center, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia. Genetic mutations *60 of exon 1 and *6 of the promoter region were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction – restriction fragment length polymorphism methods, with DraI and AvaII as restriction enzymes, respectively. Clinical data including total serum bilirubin and racial information were obtained by medical records and interviews with parents.
Results There were no homozygous mutations of UGT1A1*6, but 4.8% of subjects were heterozygous. As for UGT1A1*60, 4.8% were heterozygous and 95.2% were homozygous. Racial variations were not observed for UGT1A1*60, while Betawi descendents were found to have many heteroygous forms of UGT1A1*6.
Conclusion Polymorphisms of the UGT1A1 gene were found in Indonesian neonates. Some ethnicities also showed increased tendency towards its incidence, such as the heterozygous form of  UGT1A1*6.
A five-year review of children with neuroblastoma at Dr. Sardjito General Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Authors: Sutaryo Sutaryo , Kristian Scolastika Dita
Published: September 2019

Background Neuroblastoma is the third most common tumor in children, after leukemia and retinoblastoma. The disease presents with a wide range of symptoms.
Objective To assess the clinical profiles of children with neuroblastoma at Dr. Sardjito General Hospital from 2012-2016.
Methods A retrospective review of all children with neuroblastoma under 18 years of age in the Children’s Ward of Dr. Sardjito General Hospital, Yogyakarta from 2012-2016. Patients diagnosed and treated in other hospitals were excluded. Data were taken from the Yogyakarta Pediatric Cancer Registry (YPCR) and medical records. Outcomes were assessed by patient status: alive, died, or lost to follow-up.
Results A total of 40 subjects were included in this study. Six (15.0%) patients were diagnosed at <1 year of age, 26 (65.0%) patients at 1 to <5 years of age, 6 (15.0%) patients at 5 to <10 years of age, and 2 (5.0%) patients at ≥10 years of age. The male to female ratio was 1.5:1. Four (10.0%) patients had stage IV-S, 34 (85.0 %) patients had stage IV, and 2 (5.0 %) patients had stage II/III of the disease. Proptosis (40.0%) and abdominal mass (35.0%) were the most common chief complaints. Eight (20.0%) patients were alive at the end of observation, 15 (37.5%) died, and 17 (42.5%) were lost to follow-up. The deaths were mostly caused by sepsis.
Conclusion Most patients are  diagnosed at the age of 1 to <5 years, with a median age of 3 years. Proptosis is  the most common chief complaint. Most patients present in stage IV. Overall survival rate is very low. The high numbers of lost to follow-up should be noted.
P: 2 Opioid Prescriptions Increase the Risk of Hepatic Encephalopathy in a National Cohort of Privately Insured Patients With Compensated Cirrhosis
Authors: Moon Andrew M. , Jiang Yue , Rogal Shari S. , Tapper Elliot B. , Lieber Sarah R. , Barritt A. Sidney
Published: September 2019

BACKGROUND:

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a common complication of cirrhosis associated with decreased quality of life and increased mortality. Opioids are commonly used to treat pain in patients with cirrhosis and may increase the risk of hepatic encephalopathy. In a population of patients with cirrhosis and no prior decompensation events, we aimed to assess whether opioids were associated with (1) HE and (2) other decompensation events (variceal bleed, hepatocellular carcinoma, ascites).

METHODS:

We used the IMS PharMetrics database, which includes claims from >70 million privately-insured people in the United States, to identify patients aged 18–64 years with cirrhosis diagnosed from 1/1/2007 to 10/1/2015 based on the presence of two ICD-9 codes (571.2 or 571.5) on separate dates. We excluded patients with any decompensation event (defined by ICD codes, procedures and medications) from 1 year before cirrhosis diagnosis to 3 months after cirrhosis diagnosis. Opioid exposure was assessed over a 6 month period after cirrhosis diagnosis. Exposure to gabapentin and statins were assessed as positive and negative controls, respectively, to assure internal validity of the database. Our outcomes (HE and other decompensation events) were assessed in the subsequent 6 months (i.e. 6 months-1 year after cirrhosis diagnosis). We performed multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for Charlson comorbidity index, cirrhosis etiology, sex and age to assess the association between opioid, gabapentin and statin prescription and decompensation events.

RESULTS:

Of all patients with compensated cirrhosis (n = 7,580), 30.3%, 2.6% and 10.0% received opioid, gabapentin and statin prescriptions within 6 months after cirrhosis diagnosis. In the subsequent 6 months, 3.1% developed HE and its diagnosis was more common among those with prescriptions for opioids than those without (4.2% vs 2.6%, P < 0.001) but not associated with prescriptions for gabapentin (4.1% vs 3.0%, P = 0.397) or statins (2.8% vs 3.1%, P = 0.738). In the multivariable model, a higher odds of HE was seen in patients with opioid prescriptions (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.29–2.22), but not gabapentin (OR 1.34, 95% CI 0.65–2.78) or statin prescriptions (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.54–1.36). In multivariable models, opioids were not significantly associated with other decompensation events.

CONCLUSION:

In this nationwide cohort of privately-insured patients with cirrhosis, opioid prescriptions were common and significantly associated with higher odds of developing HE. Positive and negative controls performed as expected, supporting the validity of the data. Given their potential risks, opioids should be minimized in patients with cirrhosis, even in the absence of prior decompensation events.
P: 4 Uncovering Sex-based Differences in a Rat Model of Chronic Liver Disease and Hepatic Encephalopathy
Authors: Oliveira Mariana M. , Monnet-Aimard Alexis , Tremblay Mélanie , Rose Christopher F.
Published: September 2019

BACKGROUND:

The impact of sex differences on chronic liver disease (CLD) and hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is unknown. The majority of animals used in research are male since the main difficulty with using female animals is the potential impact of the estrous cycle, increasing intragroup variability. The bile duct ligated (BDL) rat is a well-characterized model of CLD and HE in males which has not been investigated in females. Therefore, we aimed to characterize a female BDL model of CLD and HE and compare to male BDL rats.

METHODS:

Female rats underwent either BDL (n = 8) or Sham (n = 8) surgery. After 5 weeks, we assessed estrous cycle phase (by cellular cytology), anxiety (open field test), motor incoordination (rota-rod test) and night-time activity. We also assessed body weight, body composition (MRI), gastrocnemius muscle weight/circumference, grip strength, and ammonia and liver enzymes in plasma. Results from female BDL rats were compared to historical laboratory data from male BDL rats.

RESULTS:

Female BDL rats had increased liver enzymes (ALP (P = 0.001) and AST (P < 0.0001) (but not ALT)), bilirubin (P < 0.0001) and ammonia (P < 0.001), and decreased albumin (P < 0.0001) compared to female Shams. These results were comparable to male BDL rats except ALT and ammonia which were lower in females (P < 0.01). Female BDL rats did not differ in body weight, muscle circumference/weight and grip strength but had decreased fat mass (P < 0.0001), increased lean mass (P < 0.005) compared to female shams. Whereas, male BDL rats have decreased fat mass, muscle circumference/weight and grip strength. BDL in female rats induced a dysregulated estrous cycle compared to Sham (increased metestrus phase (P < 0.01)). Similar to male BDL rats, female BDL rats had increased anxiety (P < 0.005), motor incoordination (P < 0.05), and decreased night activity (P < 0.05) independent of the estrous cycle phase.

CONCLUSIONS:

We demonstrated BDL surgery in females leads to hepatic and neurological impairment comparable to male BDL rats (similar intra-group variability). Interestingly, female BDL rats developed unique features. Contrary to male BDL vs Shams, body weight and muscle mass does not differ between female BDL and Shams. Since muscle mass plays an important compensatory role in regulating ammonia levels, this could explain why the increase in blood ammonia levels in female BDL rats (vs. female Shams) was lower compared to male BDL. We expect that this model will provide new insights on the effect of sex differences on the pathogenesis of CLD and HE and help to personalize HE treatment.
P: 5 Let7f Expression Is Upregulated in the Frontal Cortex During Acute Liver Failure and Contributes to Hepatic Encephalopathy via Downregulation of IGF1 Expression
Authors: Williams Elaina , Grant Stephanie , Petrescu Anca , Blaney Hanna , Davis Sam , Frampton Gabriel , McMillin Matthew , DeMorrow Sharon
Published: September 2019

BACKGROUND:

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a neurological complication that arises due to loss of liver function and is associated with increased blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, neuroinflammation and subsequent onset of cognitive decline. We have previously shown that increased circulating TGFβ levels induce BBB permeability and contribute to the development of HE. Associated with the aberrant TGFβ signaling during HE was an upregulation of the microRNA Let7f, a known modulator of IGF1 expression in the brain. However, whether Let7f contributes to the development of HE is unknown. The aims of this study were to assess the expression of Let7f in a mouse model of Type A HE and to determine its involvement in the neurological complications of acute liver failure (ALF).

METHODS:

C57Bl/6 mice were injected with azoxymethane (AOM) to induce ALF and HE. In parallel, mice were given an intracerebroventricular infusion of a Let7f antagomir or recombinant IGF1 (rIGF1) for 3 days prior to AOM injection. Cognitive impairment was monitored by reflex response assessment at various time points. Neuromuscular deficits were assessed using a grip strength meter, and a digigait analysis system was utilized to measure ataxia. Liver damage was assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining and serum chemistry. IGF1, Let7f and proinflammatory cytokine expression were assessed by immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry and/or qPCR. Microglia were stained by IBA1 and cortex field staining and cell morphology were assessed. In vitro, mouse neurons were transfected with a Let7f mimic and treated with vehicle or rIGF1 for 4 to 24 hr. The expression and secretion of IGF1 and the proinflammatory chemokine, CCL2 was assessed by qPCR and EIA.

RESULTS:

Mice injected with AOM had increased Let7f and decreased IGF1 expression in the frontal cortex. Treatment with a Let7f antagomir attenuated the i) suppression of cortical IGF1, ii) neuroinflammation, and iii) neurological and neuromuscular deficits of AOM-treated mice. Specific targeting of IGF1 expression by Let7f was demonstrated in vitro, where treatment of neurons with a Let7f mimic suppressed IGF1 expression and secretion. Furthermore, treatment of neurons with Let7f mimic increased the expression of CCL2, which could be attenuated with the co-treatment with rIGF1. Lastly, infusion of rIGF1 to restore the dampened IGF1 signaling attenuated the neurological and neuromuscular deficits, as well as the neuroinflammation observed in AOM-treated mice.

CONCLUSIONS:

Elevated cortical Let7f expression contributes to the pathogenesis of HE in AOM-treated mice via mechanisms involving the suppression of IGF1 expression. These deleterious effects of Let7f during HE can be reversed by inhibiting Let7f expression or by increasing IGF1 concentration in the brain.