bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Sleep Disturbance and Potential Associated Factors among Medical Students from Mashhad, Iran
Authors: Janatmakan Amiri Ahmad , Morovatdar Negar , Soltanifar Atefeh , Rezaee Ramin
Published: July 2020

Study Objectives. A very limited number of studies have evaluated the prevalence of sleep problems, and related factors, in Iranian medical students. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of sleep disturbance and potential associated factors among medical students of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Methods. In this cross-sectional study, 315 medical students chosen by stratified random sampling participated in the academic year 2018-2019. The Pittsburgh Instrument and DASS-21 questionnaire were used to evaluate sleep quality and anxiety, depression, and stress, respectively. Also, demographic, educational, and socioeconomic information was collected. SPSS 16 software was used for data analysis. Results. Out of 300 students who completed the questionnaires, 165 (55%) were male, with a mean age of 21.94±2.28 years old. The prevalence of poor sleep quality was 51.3%. We did not find significant associations among age, sex, and poor sleep quality. Concurrent psychological symptoms such as stress, depression, and anxiety were significantly associated with sleep disorders. After adjusting variables in the multivariable regression model, depression (OR=2.81, 95% CI: 1.35-5.87; p=0.006) and the number of hours spent on using smartphones in 24 hours (OR=1.13, 95% CI: 1.02-1.25; p=0.01) were significantly associated with poor sleep quality among medical students. Conclusion. The prevalence of poor sleep quality among medical students was high, and we found that increased use of smartphones during the day and depression were associated with sleep disorders.
Analytical and Approximate Solutions of a Novel Nervous Stomach Mathematical Model
Authors: Guerrero Sánchez Yolanda , Sabir Zulqurnain , Günerhan Hatıra , Baskonus Haci Mehmet
Published: July 2020

The stomach is usually considered as a hollow muscular sac, which initiates the second segment of digestion. It is the most sophisticated endocrine structure having unique biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, and immunology. The pivotal aim of the present study is to propose the nonlinear mathematical model of the nervous stomach system based on three compartments namely, tension (T), food (F), and medicine (M). The detailed description of each compartment is provided along with the mathematical form and different rates/factors, such as sleep factor, food rate, tension rate, medicine term, and death rate. The solution of the designed model is presented numerically by using the well-known differential transformation technique. The behavior of the obtained solution has been captured with respect to time as well as presentations of the numerical simulations.
Association between Visceral Fat and Bone Mineral Density in Both Male and Female Patients with Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency
Authors: Li Linman , Zhong Li , Zheng Xiaoya , You Wenyi , Wang Yunting , Yu Jihui , Wu Xun , Ren Wei , Yang Gangyi
Published: July 2020

Aim. Adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) is associated with an increased risk of fractures. The interactions between various body composition and bone are known to be complex in nature. However, very few studies have examined this crosstalk in AGHD. In this study, we sought to investigate the relationship between various parameters of body composition and bone mineral density (BMD) as well as determine the role of visceral fat in determining the bone mass in patients with AGHD. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study on 57 patients with AGHD. Anthropometry, biochemistry, and analysis of body composition and BMD were performed according to standard protocols. Male and female patients were classified into those with osteoporosis and those without osteoporosis (normal subjects and patients with osteopenia). Further, we analyzed the correlation between the BMD and measurements obtained for various body composition parameters in male and female AGHD patients. Results. Our findings indicated that among female AGHD patients, those with osteoporosis had a significantly higher levels of fat mass (FM) and visceral adipose tissue mass (VATM) (both, P<0.05) than those without osteoporosis. Further, Pearson correlation analysis showed that the values of age, body mass index (BMI), FM, and VATM correlated negatively with BMD in women with AGHD (all P<0.05); however, this association was not noted in men. After adjusting for the other covariates, VATM was found to be independently correlated with the BMD in female patients with AGHD. Conclusions. A close correlation was noted between VATM and BMD in female patients with AGHD.
Holistic View on Cell Survival and DNA Damage: How Model-Based Data Analysis Supports Exploration of Dynamics in Biological Systems
Authors: Weyland Mathias S. , Thumser-Henner Pauline , Nytko Katarzyna J. , Rohrer Bley Carla , Ulzega Simone , Petri-Fink Alke , Lattuada Marco , Füchslin Rudolf M. , Scheidegger Stephan
Published: July 2020

In this work, a method is established to calibrate a model that describes the basic dynamics of DNA damage and repair. The model can be used to extend planning for radiotherapy and hyperthermia in order to include the biological effects. In contrast to “syntactic” models (e.g., describing molecular kinetics), the model used here describes radiobiological semantics, resulting in a more powerful model but also in a far more challenging calibration. Model calibration is attempted from clonogenic assay data (doses of 0–6 Gy) and from time-resolved comet assay data obtained within 6 h after irradiation with 6 Gy. It is demonstrated that either of those two sources of information alone is insufficient for successful model calibration, and that both sources of information combined in a holistic approach are necessary to find viable model parameters. Approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) with simulated annealing is used for parameter search, revealing two aspects that are beneficial to resolving the calibration problem: (1) assessing posterior parameter distributions instead of point-estimates and (2) combining calibration runs from different assays by joining posterior distributions instead of running a single calibration run with a combined, computationally very expensive objective function.
Biological Characterization of Commercial Recombinantly Expressed Immunomodulating Proteins Contaminated with Bacterial Products in the Year 2020: The SAA3 Case
Authors: Abouelasrar Salama Sara , De Bondt Mirre , Berghmans Nele , Gouwy Mieke , de Oliveira Vivian Louise Soares , Oliveira Sergio C. , Amaral Flavio A. , Proost Paul , Van Damme Jo , Struyf Sofie , De Buck Mieke
Published: July 2020

The serum amyloid A (SAA) gene family is highly conserved and encodes acute phase proteins that are upregulated in response to inflammatory triggers. Over the years, a considerable amount of literature has been published attributing a wide range of biological effects to SAAs such as leukocyte recruitment, cytokine and chemokine expression and induction of matrix metalloproteinases. Furthermore, SAAs have also been linked to protumorigenic, proatherogenic and anti-inflammatory effects. Here, we investigated the biological effects conveyed by murine SAA3 (mu rSAA3) recombinantly expressed inEscherichia coli. We observed the upregulation of a number of chemokines including CCL2, CCL3, CXCL1, CXCL2, CXCL6 or CXCL8 following stimulation of monocytic, fibroblastoid and peritoneal cells with mu rSAA3. Furthermore, this SAA variant displayed potentin vivorecruitment of neutrophils through the activation of TLR4. However, a major problem associated with proteins derived from recombinant expression in bacteria is potential contamination with various bacterial products, such as lipopolysaccharide, lipoproteins and formylated peptides. This is of particular relevance in the case of SAA as there currently exists a discrepancy in biological activity between SAA derived from recombinant expression and that of an endogenous source, i.e. inflammatory plasma. Therefore, we subjected commercial recombinant mu rSAA3 to purification to homogeneity via reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and re-assessed its biological potential. RP-HPLC-purified mu rSAA3 did not induce chemokines and lackedin vivoneutrophil chemotactic activity, but retained the capacity to synergize with CXCL8 in the activation of neutrophils. In conclusion, experimental results obtained when using proteins recombinantly expressed in bacteria should always be interpreted with care.
NMR-Based Metabonomic Study Reveals Intervention Effects of Polydatin on Potassium Oxonate-Induced Hyperuricemia in Rats
Authors: Han Bin , Gong Mengjuan , Li Zhong , Qiu Yuqin , Zou Zhongjie
Published: July 2020

Previous studies have disclosed the antihyperuricemic effect of polydatin, a natural precursor of resveratrol; however, the mechanisms of action still remain elusive. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the therapeutic effects and the underlying mechanisms of polydatin on potassium oxonate-induced hyperuricemia in rats through metabonomic technology from a holistic view. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was applied to capture the metabolic changes in sera and urine collected from rats induced by hyperuricemia and polydatin treatment. With multivariate data analysis, significant metabolic perturbations were observed in hyperuricemic rats compared with the healthy controls. A total of eleven and six metabolites were identified as differential metabolites related to hyperuricemia in serum and urine of rats, respectively. The proposed pathways primarily included branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism, glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies, purine metabolism, and intestinal microflora metabolism. Additionally, some metabolites indicated the risk of renal injury induced by hyperuricemia. Polydatin significantly lowered the levels of serum uric acid, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen and alleviated the abnormal metabolic status in hyperuricemic rats by partially restoring the balance of the perturbed metabolic pathways. Our findings shed light on the understanding of the pathophysiological process of hyperuricemia and provided a reference for revealing the metabolic mechanism produced by polydatin in the treatment of hyperuricemia.
Benign Solitary Pulmonary Necrotic Nodules: How Effectively Does Pathological Examination Explain the Cause?
Authors: Urer Halide Nur , Gunluoglu Mehmet Zeki , Unver Nurcan , Toprak Sezer , Ortakoylu Mediha Gonenc
Published: July 2020

Aims. We investigated the histopathological features of solitary pulmonary necrotic nodules (NNs) of undetermined cause. We combined our findings with those obtained using other methods to determine how well the etiological factors were explained. Methods. We screened patients who underwent surgery to treat solitary pulmonary granulomatous and nongranulomatous NNs of undetermined cause. The NN sizes and features of both the NNs and adjacent parenchyma were evaluated. Histochemical analyses included Ehrlich–Ziehl–Neelsen (EZN), Grocott, and Gram staining. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect tuberculous and nontuberculous mycobacteria, panfungal DNA, Nocardia, Francisella tularensis types A and B, and actinomycetes. Results. The NNs were granulomatous in 78.9% and nongranulomatous in 21% of the 114 patients included. EZN staining or PCR was positive for Mycobacterium in 53.5% of all NNs: 62.2% of granulomatous and 20.8% of nongranulomatous NNs. We found a weak but significant correlation between granulomatous NNs and Bacillus positivity and a significant correlation between granulomas surrounding the NNs and the presence of multiple necroses. The NN etiology was determined via histopathological, histochemical, and PCR analyses in 57% of patients but remained undetermined in 42.9%. Conclusion. The causes of both granulomatous and nongranulomatous NNs can be determined by pathological examination. Granulomatous necrosis and granulomas in the adjacent parenchyma are important for differential diagnosis. When both features are present, they strongly support a diagnosis of tuberculosis, even in the absence of bacilli.
A Novel Fault Diagnosis Method for Diesel Engine Based on MVMD and Band Energy
Authors: Gu Cheng , Qiao Xinyong , Jin Ying , Liu Yanbin
Published: July 2020

Vibration signal, as an important means for diesel engine condition detection and fault diagnosis, has attracted attention for many years. In traditional vibration signal analysis, most processing methods are for single-channel data. However, single-channel vibration signal cannot reflect the operating information of the diesel engine comprehensively because diesel engine vibration is coupled by multiple source signals. This paper proposes the MVMD band energy method for fault diagnosis by four channels of vibration signals. First, the original multivariate signals are decomposed adaptively by MVMD, which obtains a series of components with modal alignment. Then, the band energy values of each measuring point are calculated as the fault characteristics. Finally, SVM is used to realize the diagnosis and identification of diesel engine misfire. The working conditions have a great influence on the vibration signal of the cylinder. In order to obtain the best diagnostic working conditions, six working conditions are set for testing. The result shows that the fault identification rate is highest under the 1500 rpm and 50% load working condition. The fault recognition rate of this method reaches more than 99%, which is superior to the other four common methods.
A Torus-Chaotic System and Its Pseudorandom Properties
Authors: Liu Jizhao , Zhang Xiangzi , Zhao Qingchun , Lian Jing , Huang Fangjun , Ma Yide
Published: July 2020

Exploring and investigating new chaotic systems is a popular topic in nonlinear science. Although numerous chaotic systems have been introduced in the literature, few of them focus on torus-chaotic system. The aim of our short work is to widen the current knowledge of torus chaos. In this paper, a new torus-chaotic system is proposed, which has one positive Lyapunov exponent, two zero Lyapunov exponents, and two negative Lyapunov exponents. The dynamic behavior is investigated by Lyapunov exponents, bifurcations, and stability. The analysis shows that this system has an interesting route leading to chaos. Furthermore, the pseudorandom properties of output sequence are well studied and a random number generator algorithm is proposed, which has the potential of being used in several cyber security systems such as the verification code, secure QR code, and some secure communication protocols.
Chrysophanol Prevents Lipopolysaccharide‐Induced Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation by Upregulating Apoptosis, Oxidative Stress, and the Unfolded Protein Response
Authors: Wu Jiunn-Sheng , Chiu Valeria , Lan Chou-Chin , Wang Ming-Chieh , Tzeng I.-Shiang , Kuo Chan-Yen , Hsieh Po-Chun
Published: July 2020

Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation is a vital driver of liver fibrosis. Recent research efforts have emphasized the clearance of activated HSCs by apoptosis, senescence, or reversion to the quiescent state. LPS induces human HSC activation directly and contributes to liver disease progression. Chrysophanol is an anthraquinone with hepatoprotective and anti‐inflammatory effects. This study aimed to investigate the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of chrysophanol in an LPS‐induced activated rat HSC cell line (HSC‐T6). The fibrosis phenotype was identified from the expression of α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), and integrin β1 by western blot analysis. We examined DNA fragmentation by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. We detected the apoptotic markers p53 and cleaved caspase‐3 by western blot analysis. Intracellular ROS were labeled with 2′,7′‐dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF‐DA) and the levels were measured by flow cytometry. Finally, we evaluated the ER stress markers binding immunoglobulin protein (BiP) and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) by Western blot analysis. Our results showed that chrysophanol decreased HSC‐T6 cell viability in LPS‐induced activated HSCs. Chrysophanol increased the expression of α‐SMA, CTGF, integrin βI, p53, cleaved caspase‐3, and DNA fragmentation. Chrysophanol also elevated ROS levels and increased the expression of BiP and CHOP. Pretreatment with chrysophanol prevented LPS‐induced HSC‐T6 cell activation by upregulating apoptosis, ROS accumulation, unfolded protein response (UPR) activation, and the UPR proapoptotic effect.
Bayesian Multilevel Analysis of Utilization of Antenatal Care Services in Ethiopia
Authors: Kitabo Cheru Atsmegiorgis , Damtie Ehit Tesfu
Published: July 2020

In sub-Saharan Africa, 72% of pregnant women received an antenatal care visit at least once in their pregnancy period. Ethiopia has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in sub-Saharan African countries. So, this high maternal mortality levels remain a major public health problem. According to EDHS, 2016, the antenatal care (ANC), delivery care (DC), and postnatal care (PNC) were 62%, 73%, and 13%, respectively, indicating that ANC is in a low level. The main objective of this study was to examine the factors that affect the utilization of antenatal care services in Ethiopia using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. The data used for this study comes from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey which was conducted by the Central Statistical Agency (CSA). The statistical method of data analysis used for this study is the Bayesian multilevel binary logistic regression model in general and the Bayesian multilevel logistic regression for the random coefficient model in particular. The convergences of parameters are estimated by using Markov chain Monte-Carlo (MCMC) using SPSS and MLwiN software. The descriptive result revealed that out of the 7171 women who are supposed to use ANC services, 2479 (34.6%) women were not receiving ANC services, while 4692 (65.4%) women were receiving ANC services. Moreover, women in the Somali and Afar regions are the least users of ANC. Using the Bayesian multilevel binary logistic regression of random coefficient model factors, place of residence, religion, educational attainment of women, husband educational level, employment status of husband, beat, household wealth index, and birth order were found to be the significant factors for usage of ANC. Regional variation in the usage of ANC was significant.
Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome: A Potentially Fatal but Reversible Gastrointestinal Manifestation of Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: Chua Choon-Guan , Wansaicheong Gervais Khin-Lin , Lim Wee-Chian , Thong Bernard Yu-Hor
Published: July 2020

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) is a rare gastrointestinal disorder characterised by vascular compression of the third part of the duodenum, in the angle between the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and the abdominal aorta. It presents as an uncommon cause of upper gastrointestinal obstruction. In patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), gastrointestinal involvement may result in oesophageal dysmotility, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastroparesis, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), chronic intestinal pseudoobstruction (CIPO), and fecal incontinence. Malnutrition may thus result in weight loss and reduced mesenteric and retroperitoneal adipose tissue, decreasing the angle between the SMA and aorta causing SMAS. Enteral or parenteral feeding can potentially reverse SMAS in SSc. We report a case of SMAS in an elderly female with SSc and concurrent gastrointestinal involvement, and discuss the important management considerations and potential adverse outcomes when untreated.
Persistent Postoperative Hiccups
Authors: Bryer Emily , Bryer Jeffrey
Published: July 2020

Hiccups are a common and poorly understood pathologic phenomenon. While hiccups often occur suddenly and episodically, they may persist for weeks and sometimes months. There is a paucity of data regarding the precise etiology and optimal treatment for persistent hiccups. Frequently considered a benign and frustrating condition, hiccups are sometimes a presenting symptom for pulmonary embolism and cardiac disease. We present a patient with gastroesophageal reflux disease who developed 11 days of recurrent hiccups following an orthopedic procedure.
Passivity Analysis of Markov Jumping Delayed Reaction-Diffusion Neural Networks under Different Boundary Conditions
Authors: Li Ziwei , Wang Xuelian , Kong Qingkai , Wang Jing
Published: July 2020

This work analyzes the passivity for a set of Markov jumping reaction-diffusion neural networks limited by time-varying delays under Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions, respectively, in which Markov jumping is used to describe the variations among system parameters. To overcome some difficulties originated from partial differential terms, the Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional that introduces a new integral term is proposed and some inequality techniques are also adopted to obtain the delay-dependent stability conditions in terms of linear matrix inequalities, which ensures that the designed neural networks satisfy the specified performance of passivity. Finally, the advantages and effectiveness of the obtained results are verified via displaying two illustrated examples.
The Pneumococcal Polysaccharide-Tetanus Toxin Native C-Fragment Conjugate Vaccine: The Carrier Effect and Immunogenicity
Authors: Yu Rui , Xu Junjie , Hu Tao , Chen Wei
Published: July 2020

The encapsulated bacteria, as Streptococcus pneumonia, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and Neisseria meningitidis, cause serious morbidity and mortality worldwide. The capsular polysaccharide (PS), which could elicit a weak T cell-independent immune response, is a vital virulence determinant. One of the strategies to improve the PS-specific immunogenicity is to conjugate PS with a nontoxic carrier protein. Tetanus toxoid (TT) and CRM197 are the typical carrier proteins for the PS conjugate vaccines. TT is the inactivated tetanus toxin manipulated with formaldehyde, which suffers from the pollution from residual formaldehyde and the incomplete detoxification. CRM197 has the disadvantage of low-yield purification with the requirement of sophisticated culture conditions. Thus, a novel carrier protein without these disadvantages is highly required. The tetanus toxin native C-fragment (Hc) is safe, low-cost, and highly immunogenic with easy purification, which can act as a promising carrier protein. Pneumococcal serogroups 14 and 23F were major epidemic causes of pneumococcal infections. In the present study, the capsular PSs (PS14 and PS23F) were conjugated with Hc, TT, and CRM197, respectively. TT- and CRM197-based conjugates acted as controls for Hc-based conjugates (PS14-Hc and PS23F-Hc). The structural properties of Hc were not fundamentally changed after conjugated with PS. PS14-Hc and PS23F-Hc could potentiate sound PS-specific antibody levels comparable to the controls. Thus, Hc exhibited a practical carrier effect to help the pneumococcal conjugate vaccines perform good immunogenicities.
Moving Horizon Estimation for Uncertain Networked Control Systems with Packet Loss
Authors: Fan Jianming , Xue Binqiang
Published: July 2020

This paper studies a moving horizon estimation approach to solve the constrained state estimation problem for uncertain networked systems with random packet loss. The system model error range is known, and the packet loss phenomena are modeled by a binary switching random sequence. Taking the model error, the packet loss, the system constraints, and the network transmission noise into account, a time-varying weight matrix is obtained by solving a least-square problem. Then, a robust moving horizon estimator is designed to estimate the system state by minimizing an optimization problem with an arrival cost function. The proposed estimator ensures that the optimal estimated state can be obtained in the worst case. Furthermore, the asymptotic convergence of the estimator is analyzed and some sufficient conditions for convergence are given. Finally, the validity of the proposed approach can be demonstrated by numerical simulations.
Rhabdoid Tumors Are Sensitive to the Protein-Translation Inhibitor Homoharringtonine
Authors: Howard Thomas P. , Oberlick Elaine M. , Rees Matthew G. , Arnoff Taylor E. , Pham Minh-Tam , Brenan Lisa , DoCarmo Mariana , Hong Andrew L. , Kugener Guillaume , Chou Hsien-Chao , Drosos Yiannis , Mathias Kaeli M. , Ramos Pilar , Seashore-Ludlow Brinton , Giacomelli Andrew O. , Wang Xiaofeng , Freeman Burgess B. , Blankenship Kaley , Hoffmann Lauren , Tiv Hong L. , Gokhale Prafulla C. , Johannessen Cory M. , Stewart Elizabeth A. , Schreiber Stuart L. , Hahn William C. , Roberts Charles W.M.
Published: July 2020

Purpose:

Rhabdoid tumors are devastating pediatric cancers in need of improved therapies. We sought to identify small molecules that exhibit in vitro and in vivo efficacy against preclinical models of rhabdoid tumor.

Experimental Design:

We screened eight rhabdoid tumor cell lines with 481 small molecules and compared their sensitivity with that of 879 other cancer cell lines. Genome-scale CRISPR–Cas9 inactivation screens in rhabdoid tumors were analyzed to confirm target vulnerabilities. Gene expression and CRISPR–Cas9 data were queried across cell lines and primary rhabdoid tumors to discover biomarkers of small-molecule sensitivity. Molecular correlates were validated by manipulating gene expression. Subcutaneous rhabdoid tumor xenografts were treated with the most effective drug to confirm in vitro results.

Results:

Small-molecule screening identified the protein-translation inhibitor homoharringtonine (HHT), an FDA-approved treatment for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), as the sole drug to which all rhabdoid tumor cell lines were selectively sensitive. Validation studies confirmed the sensitivity of rhabdoid tumor to HHT was comparable with that of CML cell lines. Low expression of the antiapoptotic gene BCL2L1, which encodes Bcl-XL, was the strongest predictor of HHT sensitivity, and HHT treatment consistently depleted Mcl-1, the synthetic-lethal antiapoptotic partner of Bcl-XL. Rhabdoid tumor cell lines and primary-tumor samples expressed low BCL2L1, and overexpression of BCL2L1 induced resistance to HHT in rhabdoid tumor cells. Furthermore, HHT treatment inhibited rhabdoid tumor cell line and patient-derived xenograft growth in vivo.

Conclusions:

Rhabdoid tumor cell lines and xenografts are highly sensitive to HHT, at least partially due to their low expression of BCL2L1. HHT may have therapeutic potential against rhabdoid tumors.
Fetoscopic Laser Ablation Therapy for Type II Vasa Previa
Authors: Chmait Ramen H. , Catanzarite Valerian , Chon Andrew H. , Korst Lisa M. , Llanes Arlyn , Ouzounian Joseph G.
Published: July 2020

Background: In type II vasa previa, fetoscopic laser ablation has the potential to avoid prolonged hospitalization, elective prematurity, and cesarean delivery associated with traditional conservative management. Objective: To assess the feasibility and to report perinatal outcomes of type II vasa previa patients treated via fetoscopic laser ablation. Study Design: This is a retrospective descriptive study of all women with vasa previa treated with laser at our center between 2006 and 2019. After 2010, laser ablation of vasa previa was only offered after 31 gestational weeks. Continuous variables are expressed as means ± SD. Results: 33 patients were evaluated for laser ablation of suspected vasa previa. Fifteen were not candidates (7 had type I vasa previa and 8 had no vasa previa), and the 18 remaining had type II vasa previa. Ten (56%) elected to undergo in utero laser ablation of the vasa previa vessel(s), which was successful in all patients. The mean gestational age (GA) at the time of the procedure was 28.8 ± 5.4 weeks, and the total operative time was 48.1 ± 21.3 min; there were no perioperative complications. The number of vessels lasered were distributed as follows: 1 (2 cases), 2 (5 cases), and 3 (3 cases). All patients except for 1 were subsequently managed as outpatients. The mean GA at delivery was 35.5 ± 3.2 weeks, and vaginal delivery occurred in 5 cases. The 5 patients with singletons who underwent laser ablation for primary diagnosis of type II vasa previa after the protocol change in 2010 had the following outcomes: mean GA of surgery was 32.5 ± 0.8 weeks, mean GA at delivery was 38.1 ± 1.4 weeks, vaginal delivery occurred in all cases, mean birth weight was 2,965 ± 596 g, and none were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. Conclusion: This cohort represents the largest number of vasa previa cases treated via in utero laser reported to date. Laser occlusion of type II vasa previa was technically achievable in all cases and resulted in favorable outcomes.
A linguagem metafórica da música na constituição do ethos
Authors: Freitas Jacira
Published: July 2020

O autor da Carta sobre a Música Francesa não é comumente estudado, entre nós, a partir do interesse filosófico suscitado pela música. No entanto, essa área jamais deixou de fazer parte de suas preocupações intelectuais. Em meados do século XX, a tradição crítica de estudos rousseaunianos traz à luz alguns dos escritos sobre a música e recoloca o problema da inserção da música no conjunto da obra. A discussão a nortear o texto aqui apresentado se propõe a determinar se, e em que medida, o pensamento de Platão sobre a música poderia ter sido uma fonte de inspiração para a elaboração da noção de música presente no pensamento de J.-J. Rousseau. Minha hipótese é que o pensamento de Rousseau sobre a música está impregnado pela visão de mundo grega. Nele, a noção de música adquire uma configuração muito próxima àquela da mousiké dos antigos, já que não se restringe a um mero fenômeno perceptível pela audição, mas se define por sua articulação com o ethos, transmutando-se num princípio capaz de dar sustentação tanto às suas teorias musicais quanto ético-políticas.
Filosofia da História, Combate e Civilização
Authors: De Oliva Mota Vladimir
Published: July 2020

A partir da fértil interpretação realizada pela Professora Maria das Graças de Souza dos textos de filosofia da história voltairianos e considerando a obra do filósofo francês segundo uma leitura sistemática, o que se pretende aqui é compreender a articulação entre o caráter combativo dos textos de Voltaire com sua noção de Filosofia de História e de Civilização com o fim de apontar a história como um instrumento pedagógico-moral de construção da civilização.
Democracia como Antiutopia
Authors: Ferreira Barros Douglas
Published: July 2020

O objetivo do artigo é estudar concepções da democracia como uma antiutopia. Pretendemosobservar o estatuto das relações estabelecidas entre cidadãos e o poder político para mostrar como estasversões rebaixam as expectativas quanto às promessas do bom governo ou das ficções políticas. Nãose trata aqui de fazer o recenseamento das democracias contemporâneas. Pretendemos destacar duasacepções para diferenciá-las das ficções políticas ideais e dos modelos utópicos. Na democracia, acondução do poder político e a ordenação do todo social é demarcada por interrupções e desajustesconstantes. Seja para negar a dominação desmedida do poder político sobre os cidadãos, seja paraafirmar a pertinência dos conflitos, democracias como antiutopias se afastam do ideal de uma sociedadereconciliada e estática. As mudanças, os impasses e a superação de desafios não demarcam avançosnecessários ou recuos definitivos. A sua trajetória histórica não descreve um percurso teleológico comvistas a atingir o bem superior. A passagem entre momentos históricos não ocorre como resultado deuma acumulação de resultados do passado que mira a transição para a redenção definitiva de mazelaspolíticas. Partimos da questão: em que sentido a democracia como forma de ordenamento social e deestrutura do poder político é um modelo antiutópico? Nossa hipótese é que as acepções mencionadasa seguir advogam em favor de um realismo filosófico político, apresentando a democracia comoexperiência política que demanda a constante indagação e reformulação acerca dos limites da liberdadedos cidadãos.
Desafios da Escrita Política
Authors: Fontoura Aranovich Patrícia
Published: July 2020

O texto consiste em algumas considerações sobre as relações entre filosofia e retórica e seuslugares no campo político à luz da leitura do De Oratore.
Moral e História na doutrina materialista do Barão d'Holbach
Authors: Kawauche Thomaz
Published: July 2020

Este artigo pretende discutir a possibilidade de juízos deontológicos na educação moral que o Barão d’Holbach propõe em seu sistema materialista. Para tanto, os conceitos de interesse, progresso, utilidade e virtude são passados em revista do ponto de vista do ensino da história. Afirma-se aqui que a ideia de educação moral do Barão é ambígua, pois, por um lado, ela deve se mostrar coerente com a visão deontológica da “moral de interesse” (nessa perspectiva, a virtude é um dado natural e o aprendizado consiste na regulação de hábitos em conformidade à natureza), mas por outro lado, o ensino da história não deixa de ser teleológico, pois pressupõe que a ordem política livre das representações religiosas é um bem futuro cuja realização depende do esclarecimento atual dos indivíduos com base nos exemplos do passado.
Occurrence of geohelminths in the soil of public squares in Rio Branco, Acre State, Brazilian Western Amazon
Authors: Silva Jefté Teixeira da , Menezes Keli Pinheiro , Melchior Leonardo Augusto Kohara , Nunes Vânia Lúcia Brandão , Brilhante Andreia Fernandes
Published: July 2020

Soil contamination by dog and cat feces can become a public health problem due to the transmission of various etiologic agents that cause zoonoses. This study aimed to verify the occurrence of geohelminths in the soil of some public square areas of the municipality of Rio Branco, Acre State, Western Brazilian Amazon. Five public squares were selected, and soil samples collection was performed from April 2014 to March 2015. The samples were processed by using the Baermann-Moraes and centrifugal‑flotation methods. Geohelminths positivity was of 25% for Toxocara spp., 6.6% for the Ancylostomatoidea Superfamily and 1.6 for Trichuris spp.. Measures should be implemented to prevent the free access of animals to these places, as well as deworming of stray dogs and cats and the implementation of population control and policies for such animals.
Netnografia como Método de Pesquisa em Turismo
Authors: Gondim Cibelle Batista , Bolzán Ricardo Ernesto , Espínola Rafaella Soares , Alexandre Mauro Lemuel de Oliveira
Published: July 2020

O método netnográfico se insere nos estudos qualitativos que procuram realizar pesquisas em comunidades virtuais. Neste contexto, objetiva-se analisar a utilização do método netnográfico nas dissertações e teses defendidas nos Programas de Pós-graduação da área de Turismo no Brasil, até julho de 2018, através de uma análise documental de abordagem qualitativa. Quanto aos resultados, constatou-se que dos 811 trabalhos analisados, apenas três utilizaram a netnografia. Todavia, a aplicação da netnografia nestes trabalhos apresentou limitações que funcionam como fatores restritivos, tais como a superficialidade na análise dos dados coletados, e a escassez de uma análise reflexiva sobre os comportamentos e discursos manifestados nas comunidades virtuais. Por outro lado, o método também apresentou aspectos facilitadores que favoreceram sua escolha, como o acesso fácil ao levantamento de dados no ambiente virtual e a registros de viajantes e stakeholders da atividade turística, e a coleta de dados menos invasiva do que métodos presenciais, entre outros. Apesar de ser um método recente e pouco utilizado na área de Turismo, mostra-se como uma alternativa viável para os pesquisadores que estudam comunidades virtuais, desde que aplicados com critérios científicos rigorosos.
"A turbulência que se aprofunda ao nosso redor"
Authors: Sousa Filho José Ivan Rodrigues de
Published: July 2020

Resenha de Capitalismo em debate: uma conversa na teoria crítica, de Nancy Fraser e Rahel Jaeggi (São Paulo, Boitempo, 2020)
Genealogia e crítica
Authors: Menke Christoph , Andrade Luis Filipe de Lima
Published: July 2020

O objetivo principal do artigo "Genealogie und Kritik: zwei Formen ethischer Moralbefragung" de Christoph Menke é apresentar os pontos comuns e divergentes na constituição das concepções éticas de Nietzsche e Adorno –, mais especificamente, no que refere-se ao questionamento crítico da moral ou ética individual (figuras comum a ambos), que, por sua vez, terá uma relação necessária com o conceito de genealogia de Nietzsche e com o conceito de crítica de Adorno –, para, em última análise, mostrar as consequências distintas do posicionamento de cada um dos autores no âmbito da crítica à moral. A tradução foi realizada tendo-se por referência o texto original em alemão.
Os dilemas da metafísica segundo Charles Renouvier
Authors: Santos Katia
Published: July 2020

Este texto apresenta e discute a concepção de Charles Renouvier sobre dilemas metafísicos na História da Filosofia. Com base no seu princípio de relatividade, esse pensador analisa as filosofias mais influentes ao longo da História, apontando as inconsistências e dilemas presentes nas teorias das metafísicas realistas. Neste artigo, acompanhamos as dicotomias explanadas na obra Les dilemmes de la métaphysique pure, com o objetivo de destacar as questões filosóficas que estão no fundamento dos dilemas e ressaltá-las como fio condutor da análise histórica de Renouvier.
A espera manca e a biblioteca aberta: Samuel Beckett e Carpeaux
Authors: Andrade Fábio De Souza
Published: July 2020

Quando da publicação da primeira edição de sua História da literatura ocidental (1959), redigida em meados dos anos 1940, Carpeaux reviu o texto original da obra para considerar a figura de Samuel Beckett, autor central no século XX, cuja peça mais conhecida, Esperando Godot, acabara de estrear. Anos depois, em 1976, o crítico tornou a se ocupar do dramaturgo irlandês, publicando uma análise de Godot na revista Manchete. Como esse encontro em dois tempos, entre o crítico/historiador e o romancista/dramaturgo, pode revelar aspectos da natureza de seus projetos autorais e dos contextos diversos, mas comunicantes, que os mobilizam?
História da literatura ocidental: gênese, fundamentos e peculiaridades
Authors: Acízelo de Souza Roberto
Published: July 2020

A partir de uma breve notícia sobre Carpeaux e seu perfil intelectual e político, empreende-se uma análise crítica de sua História da literatura ocidental. Consideram-se as circunstâncias da gênese da obra, bem como sua história editorial, as relações que mantém com produções congêneres e seus fundamentos conceituais.
Teatro e abolição: A cabana do pai Tomás nos palcos brasileiros
Authors: Faria João Roberto
Published: July 2020

O romance A cabana do pai Tomás, de Harriet Beecher Stowe, teve um grande papel para o fortalecimento de uma consciência antiescravista em nível internacional. Publicado em livro em 1852, tornou-se um dos maiores best-sellers do século XIX. Neste artigo, demonstra-se a importância das adaptações que chegaram aos palcos brasileiros para a luta abolicionista do país.
Drummond, Carpeaux e o poema longo
Authors: Alves Fabio Cesar , Camilo Vagner
Published: July 2020

Em carta inédita de 1946 para Carlos Drummond de Andrade, Carpeaux, que tinha acabado de ler A rosa do povo, discorre sobre alguns dos aspectos formais decisivos da obra.
Situação e presença
Authors: Carpeaux Otto Maria
Published: July 2020

Publicado em 1941, o primeiro ano de Carpeaux como crítico literário no Brasil, este esquecido ensaio explora as tensões imanentes ao ofício da historiografia e da crítica literárias a partir dos exemplos contrastantes de Charles Saint-Beuve e Benedetto Croce.
Dialética da literatura brasileira
Authors: Carpeaux Otto Maria
Published: July 2020

Escrito para o importante dossiê brasileiro organizado por Celso Furtado para a revista Les Tempes Modernes, em 1967, o ensaio discorre, com forte verve política, sobre as relações de autenticidade entre a literatura e a história do Brasil.
Formas de Vida Incompatíveis
Authors: Cuter João Vergílio Gallerani
Published: July 2020

No presente texto, o professor convidado João Vergílio Cuter, do departamento de Filosofia da FFLCH/USP, traz uma abordagem filosófica para alguns textos literários do autor chinês Lu Xun, especialmente o conto "Sabonete", de modo a refletir sobre a linguagem, a literatura e a sociedade.
Exegetical Puzzles and the Mystical Theologies of Gregory of Nyssa and Dionysius the Areopagite
Authors: Conway-Jones Ann
Published: July 2020

Gregory of Nyssa and Dionysius the Areopagite both contemplate the Exodus narrative of Moses’ experiences on Sinai. That narrative is complex, with Moses ascending and descending the mountain several times, sometimes in company, sometimes alone. Gregory follows the biblical twists and turns in Life of Moses; the relevant paragraph in Dionysius’ Mystical Theology tells of just one ascent. This article re-examines their dependence on the details of the biblical text, arguing that its exegetical puzzles proved fertile ground for their apophatic insights. Both seize on Exodus 20:21 as symbolising the utter incomprehensibility of God. But they resolve the enigmas of Exodus 33–34 differently. Gregory uses Exodus 33:18–23 as a springboard to his articulation of a never-ending journey into the infinite divine, while Exodus 34:29–35 provides the biblical impetus behind Dionysius’ concept of “union.”
On the identity of Bufo diptychus Cope, 1862 (Anura: Bufonidae)
Authors: LAVILLA ESTEBAN O. , BRUSQUETTI FRANCISCO
Published: July 2020

The enigmatic toad Bufo diptychus was described by Cope (1862) based on a single individual (USNM 5841, now lost) of about 25 mm of SVL, collected during the expedition to La Plata River and tributaries, conducted by Captain Page between 1853 and 1856. As no dwarf species of toad was ever recorded in the surveyed area, and based on some tips that arise from Page’s narrative, we postulate that the description was based on a toadlet. With this hypothesis in mind, we compared Cope’s characterization of B. diptychus with juveniles of all species of Rhinella present in the region, finding an exact match in almost all characters shown by the juveniles of the common “cururú” or “rococo” toad, Rhinella schneideri (Werner 1894). Henceforth, we postulate that R. schneideri is a junior synonym of B. diptychus, under the combination Rhinella diptycha (Cope 1862).
Description of a new subgenus and four new species of Gnaptorina Reitter, 1887 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Blaptini) from China
Authors: BAI XING-LONG , LI XIU-MIN , REN GUO-DONG
Published: July 2020

A new subgenus and four new species of the genus Gnaptorina Reitter, 1887 from China are described and illustrated: Austroptorina subgen. n. (type species Gnaptorina longicornis Li & Ren, 2004), G. (A.) polita sp. n. (Xizang), G. (B.) ampliptera sp. n. (Sichuan), G. (G.) artipenis sp. n. (Sichuan) and G. (G.) crenata sp. n. (Sichuan, Xizang). The new subgenus distributes in southeastern Xizang and western Hengduan Mountains of China, antennae and legs slender and long, protibiae slightly emarginate from middle to apex on inner side and weakly curved to inner side apically, ventral surface of protarsomeres 1–2 and mesotarsomere 1 with hairy brush in males.
Taxonomy and distribution of Cylindera germanica (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Middle East with the description of two new subspecies (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Cicindelinae)
Authors: BOETZL FABIAN A. , FRANZEN MICHAEL
Published: July 2020

Two new tiger beetle taxa, Cylindera germanica erzincana ssp. nov. Boetzl & Franzen, 2020 from eastern Anatolia and Cylindera germanica persiana ssp. nov. Boetzl & Franzen, 2020 from southern Iran are described based on morphological characters. We present the current knowledge on the distribution of C. germanica (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Middle East and present a first record of C. germanica muelleri (Magistretti, 1966) for Turkey. An identification key for the subspecies of C. germanica occurring in the Middle East is provided.
Citrate Association Dramatically Reduces Diameter with Concomitant Increase in Uptake of Drug-Loaded Carbonate Apatite Particles in Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Hossain Sultana Mehbuba , Mozar Fitya Syarifa , Chowdhury Ezharul Hoque
Published: July 2020

Inorganic nanoparticles are commonly employed as vectors for delivering drugs into cancer cells while decreasing undesired cytotoxicity in healthy tissues. Carbonate apatite is an attractive nonviral vector that releases drugs at acidic environment inside the cells following endocytosis.
However, maintaining the smaller particle size is crucial for enhancing cellular uptake of drugs as well as prolonging their systemic circulation time. We aimed to modify carbonate apatite with citrate for reducing the growth kinetics of carbonate apatite particles and enhancing the cellular
uptake of cyclophosphamide via endocytosis. Several concentrations of sodium citrate were used to fabricate citrate-modified carbonate apatite (CMCA) particle complexes in absence or presence of cyclophosphamide. The binding affinity of the drug towards the particles and its cellular uptake
were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The nanoparticles' average size and zeta potential were determined by Malvern Zetasizer. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was performed to justify association of citrate with carbonate apatite. MTT assay was performed
to evaluate the cell viability. CMCA exhibited 6% more binding efficiency for cyclophosphamide and promoted fast cellular uptake of cyclophosphamide with enhanced cytotoxicity in MCF-7 cells, compared to unmodified carbonate apatite. Therefore, CMCA nanoparticles have a high potential for
intracellular delivery of anti-cancer drugs and demand for further investigated in animal models of cancer.
Aviation Impacts on Fuel Efficiency of a Future More Viscous Atmosphere
Authors: Ren Diandong , Fu Rong , Dickinson Robert E. , Leslie Lance M. , Wang Xingbao
Published: July 2020

Aircraft cruising near the tropopause currently benefit from the highest thermal efficiency and the least viscous (sticky) air, within the lowest 50 km of Earth’s atmosphere. Both advantages wane in a warming climate, because atmospheric dynamic viscosity increases with temperature, in synergy with the simultaneous engine efficiency reduction. Here, skin friction drag, the dominant term for extra aviation fuel consumption in a future warming climate, is quantified by 34 climate models under a strong emissions scenario. Since 1950, the viscosity increase at cruising altitudes (∼200 hPa) reaches ∼1.5% century‒1, corresponding to a total drag increment of ∼0.22% century‒1 for commercial aircraft. Meridional gradients and regional disparities exist, with low to midlatitudes experiencing greater increases in skin friction drag. The North Atlantic corridor (NAC) is moderately affected, but its high traffic volume generates additional fuel cost of ∼3.8 × 107 gallons annually by 2100, compared to 2010. Globally, a normal year after 2100 would consume an extra ∼4 × 106 barrels per year. Intermodel spread is <5% of the ensemble mean, due to high inter–climate model consensus for warming trends at cruising altitudes in the tropics and subtropics. Because temperature is a well-simulated parameter in the IPCC archive, with only a moderate intermodel spread, the conclusions drawn here are statistically robust. Notably, additional fuel costs are likely from the increased vertical shear and related turbulence at NAC cruising altitudes. Increased flight log availability is required to confirm this apparent increasing turbulence trend.