bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scoring systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity with simple, rapid outcome measures
Authors: Thanou Aikaterini , James Judith A , Arriens Cristina , Aberle Teresa , Chakravarty Eliza , Rawdon Joseph , Stavrakis Stavros , Merrill Joan T , Askanase Anca
Published: December 2019

Objective

Existing methods for grading lupus flares or improvement require definition-based thresholds as increments of change. Visual analogue scales (VAS) allow rapid, continuous scaling of disease severity. We analysed the performance of the SELENA SLEDAI Physician’s Global Assessment (SSPGA) and the Lupus Foundation of America-Rapid Evaluation of Activity in Lupus (LFA-REAL) as measures of improvement or worsening in SLE.

Methods

We evaluated the agreement between prospectively collected measures of lupus disease activity [SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), British Isles Lupus Assessment Group Index 2004 (BILAG 2004), Cutaneous Lupus Area and Severity Index (CLASI), SSPGA and LFA-REAL] and response [(SLE Responder Index (SRI)-4 and BILAG-Based Combined Lupus Assessment (BICLA)] in a clinical trial.

Results

Fifty patients (47 females, mean age 45 (±11.6) years) were assessed at 528 consecutive visits (average 10.6 (±4.1) visits/patient). Changes in disease activity compared with baseline were examined in 478 visit pairs. SSPGA and LFA-REAL correlated with each other (r=0.936), and with SLEDAI and BILAG (SSPGA: r=0.742 (SLEDAI), r=0.776 (BILAG); LFA-REAL: r=0.778 (SLEDAI), r=0.813 (BILAG); all p<0.0001). Changes (∆) in SSPGA and LFA-REAL compared with screening correlated with each other (r=0.857) and with changes in SLEDAI and BILAG (∆SSPGA: r=0.678 (∆SLEDAI), r=0.624 (∆BILAG); ∆LFA-REAL: r=0.686 (∆SLEDAI) and 0.700 (∆BILAG); all p<0.0001). Changes in SSPGA and LFA-REAL strongly correlated with SRI-4 and BICLA by receiver operating characteristic analysis (p<0.0001 for all). Additionally, LFA-REAL correlated to individual BILAG organ scores (musculoskeletal: r=0.842, mucocutaneous: r=0.826 (p<0.0001 for both)).

Conclusion

SSPGA and LFA-REAL are reliable surrogates of common SLE trial end points and could be used as continuous or dichotomous response measures. Additionally, LFA-REAL can provide individualised scoring at the symptom or organ level.

Trial registration number

NCT02270957.
Vagus nerve stimulation for drug-resistant epilepsy
Authors: Pérez-Carbonell Laura , Faulkner Howard , Higgins Sean , Koutroumanidis Michalis , Leschziner Guy
Published: December 2019

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a neuromodulatory therapeutic option for drug-resistant epilepsy. In randomised controlled trials, VNS implantation has resulted in over 50% reduction in seizure frequency in 26%–40% of patients within 1 year. Long-term uncontrolled studies suggest better responses to VNS over time; however, the assessment of other potential predictive factors has led to contradictory results. Although initially designed for managing focal seizures, its use has been extended to other forms of drug-resistant epilepsy. In this review, we discuss the evidence supporting the use of VNS, its impact on seizure frequency and quality of life, and common adverse effects of this therapy. We also include practical guidance for the approach to and the management of patients with VNS in situ.
Challenge of uncontrolled enteroatmospheric fistulas
Authors: Gross Daniel Jonathan , Smith Michael C , Zangbar-Sabegh Bardiya , Chao Kenneth , Chang Erin , Boudourakis Leon , Muthusamy Muthukumar , Roudnitsky Valery , Schwartz Tim
Published: December 2019

Introduction

With the popularization of damage control surgery and the use of the open abdomen, a new permutation of fistula arose; the enteroatmospheric fistula (EAF), an opening of exposed intestine spilling uncontrollably into the peritoneal cavity. EAF is the most devastating complication of the open abdomen. We describe and analyze a single institution’s experience in controlling high-output EAFs in patients with peritonitis.

Methods

We analyzed 189 consecutive procedures to achieve and maintain definitive control of 24 EAFs in 13 patients between 2006 and 2017. EAFs followed surgery for either trauma (seven patients) or non-traumatic abdominal conditions (six patients). All procedures were mapped onto an operative timeline and analyzed for: success in achieving definitive control, number of reoperations, and feasibility of bedside procedures in the surgical intensive care unit. The end point was controlled enteric drainage through a healed abdominal wound.

Results

There was a mean delay of 8.5 days (range 2–46 days) from the index operation until the EAF was identified. Most EAFs required several attempts (mean: 2.7 per patient, range 1–7) until definitive control was achieved. Multiple reoperations were then required to maintain control (mean: 13). While the most effective techniques were endoscopic (1) and proximal diversion (1), these were applicable only in select circumstances. A ‘floating stoma’ where the fistula edges are sutured to an opening in a temporary closure device, while technically effective, required multiple reoperations. Tube drainage through a negative pressure dressing (tube vac) required the most maintenance usually through bedside procedures. Primary closure almost always failed. Twelve of the 13 patients survived.

Conclusion

An EAF is a highly complex surgical challenge. Successful source control of the potentially lethal ongoing peritonitis requires tenacity and tactical flexibility. The appropriate control technique is often found by trial and error and must be creatively tailored to the individual circumstances of the patient.
INFLUENCE OF GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS ON ENTREPRENEURIAL PERFORMANCE IN CAMEROON
Authors: MAHADEA DARMA , KABANGE MARTIN
Published: December 2019

Regulations and institutions influence entrepreneurship. This paper investigates whether government regulations and finance institutions help or hinder entrepreneurial performance at the small firm level in Yaoundé and Douala, Cameroon. Performance is examined in terms of growth in sales revenue, profits and labor employment. The results show that ‘government regulations’ have a strong and significantly adverse impact on sales revenue performance. Furthermore, ‘awareness of source of funds’ is found to significantly amplify sales revenue, and profit performance. Government support is significant to growth in labor employment, sales revenue and profit. However, ‘government regulations’ have a consistently negative influence on performance, even when using different indicators. Consequently, Cameroon should provide a more conducive environment for entrepreneurship to flourish and for small firm sales revenue, profit and employment to grow through the simplification or removal of unnecessary regulations and a provision of greater financial support.
Prediction of gastric cancer prognosis in the next-generation sequencing era
Authors: Cai Hui , Hou Xiaomei , Ding Yibo , Fu Zhongxing , Wang Ling , Du Yan
Published: December 2019

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed malignancies worldwide, and is caused by complex interactions of multiple risk factors such as environmental (Helicobacter pylori and Epstein–Barr Virus), hereditary (genetic alterations and epigenetic modifications), as well as dietary and lifestyle factors. GC is usually detected at an advanced stage, with a dismal prognosis. Even for patients with similar clinical or pathologic stage receiving similar treatment, the outcomes are still uneven and unpredictable. To better incorporate genetic and epigenetic profiles into GC prognostic predication, gene expression signatures have been developed to predict GC outcomes. More recently, the advancement of high-throughput sequencing technology, also known as next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, and analysis has provided the basis for accurate molecular classification of GC tumors. Here, we summarized and updated the literature related to NGS studies of GC, including whole-genome sequencing, whole-exome sequencing, RNA sequencing, and targeted sequencing, and discussed current progresses. NGS has facilitated the identification of genetic/epigenetic targets for screening as well as development of targeted agent therapy, thus enabling individualized patient management and treatment.
DPP4 deletion in adipose tissue improves hepatic insulin sensitivity in diet-induced obesity
Authors: Romacho Tania , Sell Henrike , Indrakusuma Ira , Roehrborn Diana , Castañeda Tamara R. , Jelenik Tomas , Markgraf Daniel , Hartwig Sonja , Weiss Jürgen , Al-Hasani Hadi , Roden Michael , Eckel Jürgen
Published: December 2019

Besides a therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes, dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) is an adipokine potentially upregulated in human obesity. We aimed to explore the role of adipocyte-derived DPP4 in diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance with an adipose tissue-specific knockout (AT-DPP4-KO) mouse. Wild-type and AT-DPP4-KO mice were fed for 24 wk with a high fat diet (HFD) and characterized for body weight, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity by hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, and body composition and hepatic fat content. Image and molecular biology analysis of inflammation, as well as adipokine secretion, was performed in AT by immunohistochemistry, Western blot, real-time-PCR, and ELISA. Incretin levels were determined by Luminex kits. Under HFD, AT-DPP4-KO displayed markedly reduced circulating DPP4 concentrations, proving AT as a relevant source. Independently of glucose-stimulated incretin hormones, AT-DPP4-KO had improved glucose tolerance and hepatic insulin sensitivity. AT-DPP4-KO displayed smaller adipocytes and increased anti-inflammatory markers. IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) levels were lower in AT and serum, whereas free IGF1 was increased. The absence of adipose DPP4 triggers beneficial AT remodeling with decreased production of IGFBP3 during HFD, likely contributing to the observed, improved hepatic insulin sensitivity.
Performance on the mouse vibration actuating search task is compromised by sleep deprivation
Authors: Bushana Priyanka N. , Koberstein John N. , Nguyen Theresa , Harvey Daniel O. , Davis Christopher J.
Published: December 2019

As we go about our daily routines we are continuously bombarded with environmental feedback that requires appraisal and response. Sleep loss can compromise the efficiency by which these cognitive processes function. Operationally, poor performance caused by insufficient sleep translates to increased health and safety risks in settings where attention and timely and/or accurate decisions to respond are critical (e.g., at work, on the road, etc.). Current rodent tasks that assess altered cognition after sleep deprivation (SD) do not accurately model the continuous multisensory feedback that informs goal-oriented behavior in humans. Herein, we describe the vibration actuating search task (VAST), which consists of a vibrating open field with pseudo-randomly selected entrance and target destination points. To successfully complete a trial, mice use feedback from rotary motor-induced floor vibrations to navigate from the entrance point to the target destination. Sets of 20 trials were conducted on 3 consecutive days, and before testing on the third day control mice were undisturbed while other mice were sleep deprived for 10 h. On the first 2 days mice learned the task with high success rates. Alternatively, VAST performance was compromised following SD as measured by increased failures in task completion, time to target, time spent immobile, and decreased speed as compared with undisturbed mice. The VAST enables the analysis of continuous feedback via multiple sensory modalities in mice and is applicable to a variety of operational settings.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The vibration actuating search task (VAST) is a novel performance assay that uses continuous auditory and haptic feedback to motivate and direct search behaviors in mice. The VAST is rapidly acquired by mice and performance is disrupted by sleep deprivation. The VAST has practical application in occupational settings. The cognitive aspects of the sensorimotor integration in the VAST may prove useful for rodent models of neurodegenerative disease.
Analysis of Factors Influencing Stability of Overlying Soil Layer on Thin Bedrock Based on Crack Development‐Closure Test
Authors: Wu Guangming , Bai Haibo , Wu Luyuan , He Shixin , Du Bin
Published: December 2019

The water‐blocking properties of the clay layer at the bottom of the Cenozoic overburden in China are an important factor influencing the safety of thin bedrock coal seam mining. Clay has remolding properties that are unlike the nonreversible characteristics of cracks in brittle rock, and failure cracks in clay can reclose or continue to expand under the influence of different external factors. In this work, the soil layer on top of thin bedrock is the research object, and the influences of the particle composition, water content, soil layer thickness, and crack width on the crack development‐closure state of soil layer are analyzed by the orthogonal test method. Visual analysis shows that the order of influence of each factor on the stability of soil layer is the crack width, particle composition, soil layer thickness, and water content. The stability of soil layer decreases with increasing crack width and sand content and decreasing soil layer thickness; in addition, soil layer stability decreases first and then increases with increasing water content. Further variance analysis shows that the crack width and particle composition are key factors that impact the stability of soil layer and that the soil layer thickness has some influence, while the water content has little effect on the stability of soil layer. In addition, the crack will reclose when the sand content in soil is less than 50% and the crack width is less than or equal to 1.0 mm, and the soil layer is prone to further failure when the sand content in soil is more than 50% and the crack width is greater than or equal to 3.0 mm; when the soil layer thickness is 15.0 cm, its stability is better than when the soil layer thickness is 10.0 cm or 5.0 cm.
CCl4-Induced Liver Injury Was Ameliorated by Qi-Ge Decoction through the Antioxidant Pathway
Authors: Peng Chong , Zhou Zun-ming , Li Jing , Luo Yan , Zhou Yun-song , Ke Xue-hong , Huang Ke-er
Published: December 2019

Qi-Ge decoction (QGD), which is derived from the Huangqi Gegen decoction, contains three traditional Chinese herbs: Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi), Pueraria lobata (Gegen), and Citri Reticulatae Blanco Pericarpium (Chenpi). Gastric mucosal damage caused by ethanol was prevented and alleviated by QGD. However, the role of QGD in protecting the liver from toxins has not been reported. High-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection was used to qualitatively analyze QGD. Positive control (silymarin 100 mg/kg/day), QGD (20, 10, or 5 g/kg/day), and Nrf2 inhibitor brusatol (0.4 mg/kg/2 d) were administered to rats for 7 days, and then, liver injury was induced by injecting 2 mL/kg 25% CCl4. After 24 h, blood and liver were collected for analysis and evaluation. QGD was found to contain 12 main components including calycosin, puerarin, and hesperidin. QGD treatment significantly reduced liver damage and decreased serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase activities. QGD increased superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, and glutathione levels, but decreased malondialdehyde levels in livers from CCl4-treated rats. Compared to rats treated with CCl4 alone, after QGD administration, mRNA and protein levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 were increased, while those of Kelch-like ECH-related protein 1 (Keap1) and cytochrome P450 (CYP)2E1 were decreased. However, these improvements in QGD were reversed by brusatol. In conclusion, QGD can achieve its hepatoprotective effect through an antioxidant mechanism by activating the Nrf2 pathway.
Hybrid Differential Evolution‐Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm for Multiobjective Urban Transit Network Design Problem with Homogeneous Buses
Authors: Buba Ahmed Tarajo , Lee Lai Soon
Published: December 2019

This paper considers an urban transit network design problem (UTNDP) that deals with construction of an efficient set of transit routes and associated service frequencies on an existing road network. The UTNDP is an NP‐hard problem, characterized by a huge search space, multiobjective nature, and multiple constraints in which the evaluation of candidate route sets can be both time consuming and challenging. This paper proposes a hybrid differential evolution with particle swarm optimization (DE‐PSO) algorithm to solve the UTNDP, aiming to simultaneously optimize route configuration and service frequency with specific objectives in minimizing both the passengers’ and operators’ costs. Computational experiments are conducted based on the well‐known benchmark data of Mandl’s Swiss network and a large dataset of the public transport system of Rivera City, Northern Uruguay. The computational results of the proposed hybrid algorithm improve over the benchmark obtained in most of the previous studies. From the perspective of multiobjective optimization, the proposed hybrid algorithm is able to produce a diverse set of nondominated solutions, given the passengers’ and operators’ costs are conflicting objectives.
Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Promote Seawater-Immersed Wound Healing by Activating Skin Stem Cells via the EGFR/MEK/ERK Pathway
Authors: Xiong Jiachao , Ji Boyao , Wang Liujun , Yan Yazhou , Liu Zhixiao , Fang Shuo , Wu Minjuan , Wang Yue , Song Jianxing
Published: December 2019

Seawater (SW) immersion can increase the damage of skin wounds and produce refractory wounds. However, few studies have been conducted to investigate the mechanisms of SW immersion on skin wounds. In our current study, we investigated the effect of human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) on the repair of SW-treated full-thickness skin wounds and the underlying mechanisms. The results showed that SW immersion could reduce the expression of EGF and suppress the activation of the MEK/ERK signaling pathway. At the same time, the proliferation and migration of skin stem cells were inhibited by SW immersion, resulting in delayed wound healing. However, hADSCs significantly accelerated the healing of SW-immersed skin wounds by promoting cell proliferation and migration through the aforementioned mechanisms. Our results indicate a role for hADSCs in the repair of seawater-immersed skin wounds and suggest a potential novel treatment strategy for seawater-immersed wound healing.
A Rare Case of Thoracic Pyogenic Facet Joint Infection
Authors: Setoue Tomoyuki , Nakamura Jun-ichiro
Published: December 2019

Pyogenic facet joint infection is a rare but severe infection. The most common complaint on presentation is pain followed by fever, then neurologic impairment. While the lumbar spine is involved in the vast majority of cases presented in the literature, the case presented here occurred in the thoracic spine. The patient was a 48-year-old immune-competent female who presented with left back pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) indicated a facet effusion, paraspinal abscess, and epidural abscess in the level of 9th-11th thoracic vertebra. On the 6th day of treatment, she presented a neurological disorder and underwent decompressive laminectomy and surgical debridement. We observed immediate improvement as a result of the surgery.
Simulation Research on the Effectiveness of a Multiagent Mine Safety Supervision System and Its Verification
Authors: Nie Xing Xin , Bai Cunrui , Zhang Jingjing
Published: December 2019

A Computable Mine Safety Supervision (CMSS) model is constructed based on agent‐based modeling and simulation (ABMS) technology and the conservation of resources (COR). This model aims to solve the mining safety problems involved with illegal mining operations and burnout among mining supervisors, in China. The model includes several types of agents: supervision agents, decision support agents, functional coordination agents, and miner agents, and it uses the Netlogo simulation platform to simulate the influence of reward and punishment on agent behavior. The simulation determines the decision support degree to gauge the influence of functional coordination and miner behavior on the burnout rate of supervision agents. We analyze the macroscopic emergence law of the simulation results. The results show the following: (1) Job Situation Adaptability (JSA) ∈ [−6.02, 2.64] ∪ [16.9, 21.93], which uses a reward strategy to guide miners to choose safe behavior and (2) JSA ∈ [2.64, 16.9], which uses a punishment strategy to restrict unsafe behavior. The decision support coefficient Sc has the greatest influence on the supervision agent’s job burnout. The functional coordination coefficient Fc has the second highest influence on job burnout and the processing effectiveness coefficient Ec has the least influence. According to the simulation results, suggestions for improving the mine safety supervision system are put forward and an improved safety management decision‐making basis for reducing mine accidents is provided.
Intragastric Application of Aspirin, Clopidogrel, Cilostazol, and BPC 157 in Rats: Platelet Aggregation and Blood Clot
Authors: Konosic Sanja , Petricevic Mate , Ivancan Visnja , Konosic Lucija , Goluza Eleonora , Krtalic Branimir , Drmic Domagoj , Stupnisek Mirjana , Seiwerth Sven , Sikiric Predrag
Published: December 2019

We suggest that the stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 may rescue thrombocyte function. We focused on the antithrombotic agent aspirin, clopidogrel, and cilostazol application in rats; arachidonic acid, ADP, collagen, and arachidonic acid/PGE1 platelet aggregation (aggregometry) and blood clot viscoelastic properties (thromboelastometry); and the pentadecapeptide BPC 157. Rats received intragastrically for three days once daily treatment with antithrombotic agents—aspirin (10 mg/kg) or clopidogrel (10 mg/kg) or cilostazol (10 mg/kg). Medication (BPC 157 (10 μg/kg) or an equal volume of saline (5 ml/kg)) was given intragastrically, immediately after each antithrombotic agent application. For multiple electrode aggregometry and modified rotational thromboelastometry studies, blood sampling was at 2 h after last application. Adenosine diphosphate (ADP test 6.5 μM), arachidonic acid (ASPI test 0.5 mM), a combination of arachidonic acid and prostaglandin E1 (ASPI test 0.5 mM and PGE1-test 30 nM), and collagen (COL test 3.2 μg/ml) were used as aggregation agonists. Given with aspirin, clopidogrel, or cilostazol in rats, BPC 157 counteracted their inhibitory effects on aggregation activated by arachidonic acid, ADP, collagen, and arachidonic acid/PGE1. Specifically, this includes recovery of the aggregation induced by arachidonic acid (vs. aspirin, vs. clopidogrel, and vs. cilostazol), arachidonic acid/PGE1 (vs. cilostazol), ADP (vs. clopidogrel), or collagen (vs. clopidogrel). Contrarily, there is no effect on the used tests (extrinsic/intrinsic hemostasis system, the fibrin part of the clot) EXTEM, INTEM, and FIBTEM; clotting time; clot formation time; alpha-angle; maximum clot firmness; lysis index after 30 minutes; and maximum lysis. In conclusion, we revealed that BPC 157 largely rescues thrombocyte function.
Interaction between Age, Sex, and Mental Health Status as Precipitating Factors for Symptom Presentation in Concussed Individuals
Authors: Lariviere Katie , Bureau Samantha , Marshall Cameron , Holahan Matthew R.
Published: December 2019

Concussions are among the most common neurological conditions, with emergency departments and sports injury clinics seeing hundreds of patients each year. The consideration of risk factors such as age, sex, and comorbid conditions are very important when looking at individual physiological and psychological outcomes after a concussion. The purpose of this study was to look at four comorbid conditions (depression, anxiety, behavioural disorder, or learning disability) and identify any interactions with age and sex in symptom presentation after suffering a concussion. A total of 4,865 participants from the CCMI (Complete Concussion Management Inc.) dataset were used with 1,577 self-identified with a diagnosis of anxiety, depression, a behavioural disorder, or a learning disability. Fixed-factor analyses of variance were used with age and sex as fixed, grouping factors and symptom total and severity as dependent measures. For the individuals who did not have one of the 4 mental health conditions (3,288 control participants), symptom total and symptom severity increased with age (p<0.05), and females showed more symptoms and a higher symptom severity than males across all ages (p<0.05). A diagnosis of anxiety or depression exacerbated total symptoms and symptom severity from 25–50% above control levels in the 19 and under age groups, while depression or anxiety exacerbated total symptoms and severity by 10–15% in males more than females over 20. A diagnosis of a behavioural disorder or a learning disability exacerbated symptom severity by approximately 50% above control levels in 13–19–year-old females and in males of 30 years and older. This study highlights how the presence of a mental health condition may alter concussion symptom presentation dependent on age and sex. The identification of risk factors and how they may interact can be of great value to health care providers who manage concussion symptoms and recovery.
Proximal Gastrectomy versus Total Gastrectomy for Siewert Type II Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagogastric Junction: A Comprehensive Analysis of Data from the SEER Registry
Authors: Zhu Kaixuan , Xu Yingying , Fu Jiaxin , Mohamud Farah Abdidahir , Duan Zongkui , Tan Siyuan , Zhao Zekun , Chen Ping , Zong Liang
Published: December 2019

Background. To determine the ideal surgical approach (total gastrectomy (TG) vs. proximal gastrectomy (PG)) for Siewert type II adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG), we searched and analyzed the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data. Methods. Patients with Siewert type II AEG treated by TG or PG were identified from the 2004–2014 SEER dataset. We obtained the patients’ overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) and stratified the patients by surgical approach. We performed a propensity score 1 : 1 matching (PSM) analysis and a univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. Results. A total of 2,217 patients with 6th AJCC stage IA–IIIB Siewert type II AEG was examined: 1,584 patients (71.4%) underwent PG, and 633 patients (28.6%) underwent TG. The follow-up time was 1–131 months. OS favored total gastrectomy before the PSM analysis (χ2=3.952, p=0.047), but after this analysis, there was no significant difference between TG and PG (χ2=2.227, p=0.136). The univariate and multivariate analyses identified age as an independent factor, and an X-tail analysis revealed 70 years as a cut-off point. The patients aged≥70 years obtained a significant long-term OS benefit from PG compared to TG (χ2=8.245, p=0.004), and those aged<70 years showed no difference between TG and PG (χ2=0.167, p=0.682). Conclusions. PG showed an equivalent survival benefit to TG in both the early and locally advanced stages of Siewert type II AEG. For elderly patients, PG is strongly recommended because of its clearer OS benefit compared to TG.
Serum Irisin Predicts Posthepatectomy Complications in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Jia , Ke Mengyun , Ren Yifan , Bi Jianbin , Du Zhaoqing , Zhang Mei , Wang Yawen , Zhang Lin , Wu Zheng , Lv Yi , Wu Rongqian
Published: December 2019

Background. Hepatectomy remains one of the most effective treatments for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, it can lead to serious complications. Irisin, a key regulator of energy metabolism, is secreted into the circulation by shedding of the extracellular portion of the fibronectin type III domain-containing 5 (FNDC5). We have shown that irisin administration alleviates liver ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice. However, the role of preoperative irisin levels in HCC patients who underwent hepatectomy remained unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine how irisin expression changes in HCC and to explore the relationship between preoperative serum irisin levels and complications after hepatectomy. Methods. FNDC5/irisin expression data in HCC were extracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. A total of 219 participants, including 102 healthy controls and 117 HCC patients, were recruited in this study. All HCC patients underwent hepatectomy at the First Affiliated Hospital of the Xi’an Jiaotong University. Preoperative serum irisin levels were measured by ELISA. Postoperative complications were assessed using the comprehensive complication index (CCI) score. The Pearson rank correlation coefficient was computed to assess the correlation between preoperative serum irisin levels and postoperative CCI scores. Results. In TCGA dataset, FNDC5/irisin expression was downregulated in HCC tissues (P<0.001). Similarly, serum irisin levels were decreased in HCC patients (P<0.001). Low preoperative serum irisin levels were significantly correlated with high CCI scores after hepatectomy. Conclusions. Irisin may be a novel serum biomarker in the diagnosis of HCC and a predictor of complications after hepatectomy.
Meta-Analysis of the Diagnostic Accuracy of Primary Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas by 18F-FDG-PET
Authors: Younis Manaf H. , Abu-Hijleh Hasan A. , Aldahamsheh Osama O. , Abualruz Abdulrahman , Thalib Lukman
Published: December 2019

Objectives: The goal of this meta-analysis was to assess the use of FDG-PET in the diagnosis of primary bone and soft tissue sarcomas. Subjects and Methods: Several databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, were searched. In addition to sensitivity and specificity, the diagnostic accuracy region for detecting and grading sarcomas were pooled using bivariate and hierarchical summary receiver-operating characteristic (HSROC) models. Subgroup analysis included pooling soft tissue and bone sarcomas separately, and sensitivity analysis included high-quality studies. The quality of eligible studies was assessed using QUADAS-2. Results: Of the 1,258 papers screened, 21 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of FDG-PET combined with CT for the detection of sarcomas were 89.2 and 76.3%, respectively. These diagnostic accuracy measures were higher when combined with CT than those of PDG-PET alone. Diagnostic accuracy for bone and soft tissue lesions were comparable but slightly better for soft tissue tumors. Pooling only the high-quality studies with low risk of bias yielded a sensitivity of 88.5% and specificity reduced to 65.6%. There was no evidence for publication bias, but significant heterogeneity among the studies was apparent. This study also showed that FDG-PET can efficiently differentiate between benign and malignant tumors, with a mean standard uptake value of maximally 2.52 units in benign and 6.81 units in malignant tumors (89.2% sensitivity and 75.1% specificity). Conclusion: Our findings indicate FDG-PET can efficiently differentiate between benign and malignant bone and soft tissue tumors. We also found that FDG-PET improves accuracy in diagnosing soft tissue sarcomas when combined with CT.
Notas sobre as transparências do filme em Theodor Adorno
Authors: Bergamaschi Alessandra
Published: December 2019

O artigo propõe uma panorâmica sobre a dialética entre o mimético e construtivo na constituição da obra de arte, a partir de Teoria Estética, de Theodor Adorno. Essa elaboração servirá para fundamentar a leitura do artigo “Transparencies on Film”, no qual o autor discute as especificidades do filme e as possibilidades de resistência à indústria cultural que ele oferece enquanto obra de arte. Um ponto central nesse debate é a alegação de imediatismo e verossimilhança do fotográfico, que, a princípio, impediria as possibilidades construtivas da obra, aspecto fundamental para a arquitetura conceitual da estética de Adorno.
Cultura de museus no Brasil
Authors: Downey Clara
Published: December 2019

Compreender a cultura de museus (isto é, o hábito de se visitar museus) em um país colonizado como o Brasil requer entender historicamente a gênese da criação dessas instituições, mesmo que de forma panorâmica. Como os museus vieram para o Brasil e aqui se desenvolveram? Para qual público foram criados e quais as relações com ele estabelecidas (e como elas mudaram ao longo dos anos)? Essas são algumas das questões que precisam ser analisadas, a fim de entender o que é necessário alterar, de modo que esses espaços tornem-se mais democráticos e acessíveis e que a apreciação do patrimônio artístico e o encontro com as obras contemporâneas possam se inserir no hábito e no anseio da população brasileira.
Manifestações da Liberdade
Authors: Souza Letícia Conceição de
Published: December 2019

A Lei Áurea (1888) foi um evento marcante e problemático na história nacional. Frequentemente, os discursos propagados em torno dela excluem a participação da população negra no processo pela devolução da liberdade. O mesmo ocorre com as imagens decorrentes desse episódio, que refletem a ideologia e os valores da época sob o ponto de vista, principalmente, das classes sociais abastadas. À população negra foram atribuídos arquétipos específicos, amplamente disseminados. Este artigo discorrerá sobre a Coluna pela Liberdade dos Escravos, monumento realizado na cidade de Rio Grande, no Rio Grande do Sul, no contexto acima referido, a partir da perspectiva que busca considerar as operações de exclusão e representatividade envolvidas em sua criação.
A arte do ler, contar e recontar na literatura infantil
Authors: Cantuario Victor Andre Pinheiro
Published: December 2019

Este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar a relação entre o ler, o contar e o recontar como elementos constituintes do ato da contação de histórias direcionadas à criança, bem como evidenciar suas diferenças. Para tanto, fez-se uso da pesquisa exploratória a fim de se compreender melhor a maneira como essas três modalidades se relacionam no ambiente da contação de histórias infantis e procedeu-se por pesquisa bibliográfica como procedimento para o estabelecimento de base teórica a fim de se traçar as características de cada uma, assim foram selecionados autores como Cademartori (1980), Zanotto (2003), Ramos (2011) e Sisto (2007), principalmente, e outros que possam auxiliar no desenvolvimento do artigo como Garcia (2009), Santos (2014) e Bettelheim (2015). Os resultados mostraram que, de fato, as três modalidades supracitadas mantêm uma relação intrínseca entre si e que cada uma possui sua importância para o desenvolvimento pessoal, social e cognitivo da criança, contribuindo significativamente para a construção da sua leitura de mundo. Por fim, ficou evidente que a leitura é a primeira das etapas orientadora da arte do contar, haja vista que é por ela que se toma conhecimento do enredo da história que se pretende expor, e o recontar, portanto, caracteriza-se como a última, mas não menos importante, das etapas desse processo por ser através dele que a criança relembra e forma uma perspectiva daquilo que escutou.
Entre o gênero e a raça: uma leitura de a cor da ternura, de Geni Guimarães
Authors: Silva Maurício
Published: December 2019

Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar o romance infanto-juvenil A cor da ternura (1989), de Geni Guimarães, destacando aspectos relacionados tanto à questão racial - como a afirmação identitária do negro - quanto à questão do gênero - como o papel da mulher numa sociedade patriarcal. Para tanto, este artigo procura inserir o referido romance no contexto da literatura afro-brasileira, especialmente em sua vertente infanto-juvenil.
As representações das devadasis em goa: a preocupação portuguesa com a moralidade (xvi-xvii)
Authors: Anjos Camila Domingos dos
Published: December 2019

O presente artigo analisa as iniciativas de coerção à conversão as devadasis – do concani Servas de Deus – no contexto da colonização portuguesa em Goa entre 1567-1606. As devadasis apareceram em tópicas específicas nos documentos oficiais que buscavam impor condutas, comportamentos e disciplinamentos às populações locais de Goa. Consideradas mulher públicas e associadas a lascívia, as devadasis foram alvos das iniciativas de imposição dos costumes portugueses e da fé cristã por parte das autoridades eclesiásticas e régias.
Poesia e opinion poll: uma análise do engajamento político literário no periodismo goês pós-colonial (1961-1967)
Authors: Assunção Marcello Felisberto Morais de
Published: December 2019

Neste texto pretendemos esboçar uma análise da produção cultural e literária goesa em torno do momento do fim do colonialismo na Índia Portuguesa em 1961, por meio da análise dos periódicos A Vida, Diário da Noite e O Heraldo. Analisaremos os editoriais e poesias destes jornais para perscrutar as diferentes leituras sobre a identidade goesa no quadro do turbulento processo de transição da Goa Pós-colonial, esmiuçando as diversas relações entre o campo político e cultural.
AVRUPA KOMŞULUK POLİTİKASI: AVRUPA BİRLİĞİ’NİN KOMŞU ÜLKELER İLE DIŞ TİCARET İLİŞKİSİ
Authors: EROL ERGAN Esra
Published: December 2019

Bu çalışmada, Avrupa Birliği (AB) ile
komşu ülkeler arasındaki dış ticaret ilişkileri, zaman serisi yöntemi
kullanılarak yakınsama hipotezi ile analiz edilmiştir. Analizde kullanılan
testler; ADF, PP, KPSS, NG-Perron ve yapısal kırılmalı Lee-Strazicich’dir.
Çalışma kapsamında; Avrupa Komşuluk Politikası’nın eylem planlarının yapıldığı
ülkeler yer almıştır. Bu ülkeler; Azerbaycan, Ermenistan, Fas, Gürcistan, İsrail,
Lübnan, Mısır, Moldova, Tunus, Ukrayna ve Ürdün’dür. Analiz sonucunda; AB ile
olan dış ticaret ilişkileri kapsamında Mısır’ın ihracatında ve Tunus ile Fas’ın
ithalatında yakınsamanın gerçekleşmediği; bununla beraber, diğer ülkelerin
ihracatında ve ithalatında yakınsamanın gerçekleştiği bulgusuna ulaşılmıştır.
BRICS-T ÜLKELERİNDE ÜLKE RİSKİNİN HİSSE SENEDİ RİSK PRİMİ ÜZERİNDEKİ ETKİSİ
Authors: DEMİR Yusuf , TERZİ Nuray
Published: December 2019

Ülke riski ekonomik, finansal ve politik risk kavramlarına ait
değişkenler dikkate alınarak belirlenir. Yatırımcının tahvil ve hazine bonosu
getirilerine göre daha değişken olan hisse senetlerine yatırım yaparak
üstlendiği varsayılan bu risklerin karşılanması için gerekli olan ek getiri ve/veya
riskin ödüllendirilmesi hisse senedi risk primini olarak tanımlanır. Hisse
senedi risk priminin hem ülkedeki toplam riski göstermesi, hem de yatırım
kararlarındaki öneminden hareketle yapılan bu çalışmada, bir ülkenin hisse
senedi risk primine etki eden faktörlerin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu
sebeple, BRICS-T ülkeleri için ekonometrik bir uygulama yapılarak ülkelerin hisse
senedi risk primleri üzerinde ekonomik, finansal ve politik risk unsurlarının
etkisi araştırılmıştır. Sonuç olarak, hisse senedi risk primi üzerinde, BRICS-T
de hem Panel FMOLS test sonuçlarına göre hem de Panel DOLS test sonuçlarına
göre finansal riskin daha etkili olduğu görülmüştür.
KURUMSAL MARKALAR AÇISINDAN KRİZ İLETİŞİMİNİN ÖNEMİ: PINAR KRİZİ ÖRNEĞİ
Authors: AYDIN Ali Fikret
Published: December 2019

Kriz dönemlerinde hedef kitle ile etkili bir iletişim
kurulamadığı ve kriz iyi yönetilmediği takdirde kurumsal markaya ilişkin
olumsuz bir algı oluşmakta ve kurumun itibarı sarsılabilmektedir. Dolayısıyla
krizlerin kurumsal markaya en az zarar verecek şekilde yönetilmesi büyük önem
taşımaktadır. Bunun için de kriz anlarında kurumsal markaların hedef kitlesi
ile hızlı bir şekilde iletişime geçerek onlara ikna edici ve bilgilendirici
mesajlar göndermesi gerekmektedir. 

Çalışma
kapsamında, gıda sektöründe faaliyet gösteren “Pınar” markasının 2017 yılında
yaşadığı itibar krizinde, markanın kriz iletişimini nasıl gerçekleştirdiğini
tespit etmek amacıyla nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden bütüncül tek durum deseni
kullanılmıştır. Krize
Coombs’un itibarı onarma stratejileri açısından yaklaşılmıştır. Sonuç olarak
kurum tarafından destekleme ve onarma yönlü bir yaklaşımın sergilendiği
görülmüştür. Kurumun saldırgan ve suçlayıcı bir dilden uzak durarak yapıcı bir
söylemle iletişimi yönettiği tespit edilmiştir.
Introducing the second volume on the ontogeny and morphological diversity in immature mites
Authors: ZHANG ZHI-QIANG
Published: December 2019

Immature mites are much less known than their adults, although they may also provide a diversity of characters and other information useful for understanding mite classification and phylogeny (Zhang et al. 2018). A recent survey of taxonomic papers published on mites from 2015 to 2017 showed that only 10% of these contained descriptions of immature stages in addition to adults and as few as 3% included data on all life stages (Liu & Zhang 2018). To address this imbalance, this series of special volumes is designed to promote studies on the ontogeny and morphological diversity in immature mites, with a special focus on the comparative morphology of all life stages. The first volume was a success and published last year (Zhang et al. 2018). It received strong support from numerous colleagues who shared the interest in ontogeny and immature mites (Bayartogtokh & Ermilov 2018; Castro et al. 2018; Gerdeman et al. 2018; Li et al. 2018; Liu & Zhang 2018; Ma et al. 2018; A. Seniczak & S. Seniczak 2018a; S. Seniczak & A. Seniczak 2018; Xu et al. 2018; Yi et al. 2018). This second volume matched the first volume in size (just a few pages longer), including 5 papers on Oribatida (Bayartogtokh & Ermilov 2019a,b; Ermilov et al. 2019; S. Seniczak et al. 2019a,b), three papers on Trombidiformes (Costa et al. 2019; Seeman 2019; Xu et al. 2019) and one paper on Mesostigmata (Moraza 2019). It is a delight to see the return of many authors form the first volume as well as some new authors. The third volume is in preparation, to accommodate some papers that missed the deadline for this volume and some new submissions. It is encouraging to see to an increasing interest in mite ontogeny here and elsewhere: e.g. the largest mite journal “Systematic and Applied Acarology” published over 100 taxonomic papers in 2018 and 15% of these provided descriptions of all life stages, including 10 papers by the Seniczak team alone (A. Seniczak & S. Seniczak 2018b; A. Seniczak A. et al. 2018a–d; S. Seniczak 2018 et al. 2018a–e).
Morphological ontogeny of Trichoribates naltschicki (Acari: Oribatida: Ceratozetidae)
Authors: SENICZAK STANISŁAW , SENICZAK ANNA , KACZMAREK SŁAWOMIR
Published: December 2019

The morphological ontogeny of Trichoribates naltschicki (Shaldybina, 1971) is described and illustrated, based on juvenile and adult specimens from a horse pasture in the steppe of northern Mongolia (Bulgan Province). The juveniles of T. naltschicki lack a humeral organ and a dark pigmented cuticle around the opisthonotal gland opening, which occur in some species of Trichoribatinae. In the adult, seta l” on genua I and II and all tibiae is thick, spine-like and barbed.
Comparing the Diagnostic Value of the C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio With Other Inflammatory Markers in Patients With Stable Angina Pectoris
Authors: Tanriverdi Zulkif , Gungoren Fatih , Tascanov Mustafa Begenc , Besli Feyzullah , Altiparmak Ibrahim Halil
Published: December 2019

Several laboratory parameters have been used to assess inflammatory process and determine cardiovascular risk. The C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) is a novel marker of inflammation and its clinical importance has not been clearly elucidated in coronary artery disease (CAD). We compared the diagnostic value of CAR with other inflammatory parameters in detecting significant CAD. Patients (n = 421) with stable angina pectoris who underwent coronary angiography for the suspected CAD were included. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio, uric acid, monocyte to high-density cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio, mean platelet volume to lymphocyte ratio (MPVLR), and platelet to mean corpuscular volume (MCV) ratio were measured. Patients with significant CAD had a significantly higher NLR ( P = .043), MLR ( P = .004), uric acid ( P < .001), monocyte to HDL-C ratio ( P = .004), and CAR ( P < .001) compared to patients without significant CAD. However, MPVLR and platelet to MCV ratio weren’t different between 2 groups. The area under the curve (AUC) of CAR was the highest AUC among all inflammatory parameters for predicting significant CAD. Multivariate analysis showed that age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.046, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.020-1.072, P < .001) and CAR (OR: 1.175, 95% CI, 1.126-1.226, P < .001) were the only independent predictors of significant CAD. In conclusion, CAR had the strongest diagnostic value in detecting significant CAD among the inflammatory parameters evaluated in this study.
Modeling Task Scheduling Decisions of Emergency Department Physicians
Authors: Barg-Walkow Laura H. , Thomas Rickey P. , Wickens Christopher D. , Rogers Wendy A.
Published: December 2019

Objective

This study evaluated task-scheduling decisions in the context of emergency departments by comparing patterns of emergency physicians’ task-scheduling models across levels of experience.

Background

Task attributes (priority, difficulty, salience, and engagement) influence task-scheduling decisions. However, it is unclear how attributes interact to affect decisions, especially in complex contexts. An existing model of task scheduling, strategic task overload management-no priority (STOM-NP), found that an equal weighting of attributes can predict task-scheduling behavior. Alternatively, mathematical modeling estimated that priority alone could make similar predictions as STOM-NP in a parsimonious manner. Experience level may also influence scheduling decisions.

Method

An experimental design methodology shortened a judgment analysis approach to compare a priori task-scheduling decision strategies. Emergency physicians with two levels of experience rank-ordered 10 sets of 3 tasks varying on 4 task attributes in this complex environment.

Results

Bayesian statistics were used to identify best-fit decision strategies. STOM-NP and priority-only provided the best model fits. STOM-NP fit the lower-experienced physicians best, whereas priority-only—using only one cue—fit the higher-experienced physicians best.

Conclusion

Models of decision strategies for task-scheduling decisions were extended to complex environments. Experts’ level of experience influenced task-scheduling decisions, where the scheduling decisions of more-experienced experts was consistent with a more frugal decision process. Findings have implications for training and evaluation.

Application

We assessed models of cues that influence task-scheduling decisions, including a parsimonious model for task priority only. We provided a sample approach for shortening methods for understanding decisions.
Periodic-corrected data-driven coupling of blood flow and the vessel wall for virtual surgery
Authors: Mai Xuejie , Yuan Zhiyong , Tong Qianqian , Yuan Tianchen , Zhao Jianhui , Liao Xiangyun , Wang Qiong
Published: December 2019

Fast and realistic coupling of blood flow and the vessel wall is of great importance to virtual surgery. In this paper, we propose a novel data-driven coupling method that formulates physics-based blood flow simulation as a regression problem, using an improved periodic-corrected neural network, estimating the acceleration of every particle at each frame to obtain fast, stable, and realistic simulation. We design a particle state feature vector based on smoothed particle hydrodynamics, modeling the mixed contribution of neighboring proxy particles on the blood vessel wall and neighboring blood particles, giving the extrapolation ability to deal with more complex couplings. We present a semi-supervised training strategy to improve the traditional back propagation neural network, which corrects the error periodically to ensure long-term stability. Experimental results demonstrate that our method is able to implement stable and vivid coupling of blood flow and the vessel wall while greatly improving computational efficiency.