bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A phase III trial to confirm the superiority of S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy for vulnerable elderly patients with pathological stage II/III gastric cancer after curative resection: JCOG1507 (BIRDIE).
Authors: Yamaguchi Kazuya , Yoshida Kazuhiro , Mizusawa Junki , Mizutani Tomonori , Ito Seiji , Nishida Yasunori , Yabusaki Hiroshi , Sano Takeshi , Sasako Mitsuru , Katayama Hiroshi , Fukuda Haruhiko , Boku Narikazu , Yoshikawa Takaki , Terashima Masanori
Published: January 2019

TPS196

Background: Base on the ACTS-GC trial, adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 at a dose of 80 mg/m2/day (4 weeks on and 2 weeks off, repeated for one year) is the standard care for stage II/III gastric cancer (GC) patients (pts) after D2 gastrectomy. As Japan has the most aged population in the world, the actual number of elderly GC pts is still increasing. While elderly pts population is heterogeneous and is conceptually composed of “fit”, “vulnerable” and “frail” pts, full-dose adjuvant chemotherapy tends to be given to fit elderly pts in clinical practice. However, it has not been determined yet whether S-1 should be administered to vulnerable pts over 80. Actually, according to the questionnaire survey conducted on 58 institutions of Stomach Cancer Study Group of Japan Clinical Oncology Group, S-1 was administered on only 15% to stage II/III pts > = 80 years old suggesting that surgery alone is generally considered as community standard for vulnerable pts. It is an urgent need to establish the standard adjuvant treatment of the vulnerable elderly GC pts. Methods: The study is designed to confirm the superiority of S-1 treatment group over surgery alone group focusing on vulnerable > = 80 years old pts in stage II / III GC after curative resection. The “vulnerable” is defined in this study based on the three factors [creatinine clearance (Ccr), weight loss, type of surgery] considered to have the most influence on compliance of S-1, that is Ccr > = 30ml/min, weight loss < 15% and total gastrectomy, or 80 > Ccr > = 30ml/min, weight loss < 15% and other than total gastrectomy. Initial dose was reduced by 1 rank from the standard dose. The primary endpoint is overall survival (OS) and the secondary endpoints are relapse free survival, time to treatment failure, treatment continuity, relative dose intensity and adverse events. We assume expected 3-year OS in surgery alone arm will be 55% and S-1 treatment will improve the survival by more than 10%. 370 pts are required to provide 75% of power and 5% one-sided alpha error, with 4 years accrual and 3 years of follow up period. The trial has started from January 2017. Clinical trial information: UMIN000025742. Clinical trial information: 000025742.
Phase I open label trial of intraperitoneal paclitaxel (IPP) in combination with intravenous cisplatin (C) and oral capecitabine (X) in patients with advanced gastric cancer and peritoneal metastases.
Authors: Vatandoust Sina , Bright Tim I. , Roy Amitesh Chandra , Klevansky Myron , Bull Jeff , Karapetis Christos Stelios
Published: January 2019

TPS201

Background: There have been few studies investigating advanced gastric cancer with peritoneal involvement and ascites, showing poor survival in these patients. Researchers from Japan have shown that chemotherapy with IPP and Oral S-1 (tegafur/gimeracil/oteracil) is active in these patients. These results have been achieved in a different genetic pool (Japanese population) compared with Australia, using regimens that are not available here. We have designed this phase I trial to investigate the Maximum Tolerated Dose (MDT) of IPP in combination with a standard chemotherapy combination (C+X) in these patients. Methods: This is an open-label, single centre, phase I trial with 3+3 expanded cohort design. Patients will have an IP catheter placed surgically after trial enrolment. Study was approved by the relevant ethics committee. Chemotherapy: maximum of six 21-day cycles of: X (PO, 1000 mg/m2 BD days 1-14) + C (IV 80mg/m2 day 1) + IPP (day 1 and 8) with the following doses: Cohort-1: 10 mg/m2, Cohort-2: 20 mg/m2 and Cohort-3: 30 mg/m2. Important inclusion criteria: age ≥ 18 years, signed written informed consent, HER-2 non-amplified gastric adenocarcinoma with biopsy or cytology showing peritoneal involvement and/or ascites, adequate organ function and signed consent. Important exclusion criteria: history of another malignancy within 5 years, life expectancy < 3months, peripheral neuropathy, recent ( < 4 weeks) abdominal or pelvic radiation treatment, significant intra-abdominal adhesions or active intra-abdominal sepsis. Cohorts 1 and 2 have been completed. Enrolment to cohort-3 is beginning in October 2017. Clinical trial information: ACTRN12614001063606.
Trans-intra-arterial gemcitabine versus continuation of IV gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel following radiotherapy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (TIGeR-PaC).
Authors: Pishvaian Michael J. , Goodman Karyn A. , Zervos Emmanuel E. , Muscarella Peter , Kim Alexander Y. , Bloomston Mark , Nutting Charles W. , Meredith Ken Lee , Lavu Harish , Chuy Jennifer W. , Lee Justin , Matrana Marc Ryan , Lavarias Clifford , Gellert Scott , Agah Ramtin
Published: January 2019

TPS529

Background: Treatment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) remains a challenge, and novel therapy options for local treatment of disease beyond systemic therapy are needed. Recently published data of intra-arterial delivery of gemcitabine (IAG) for local disease control has shown this approach to be safe (J. Pancreatic Cancer 3(1) 58:65). Furthermore, in patients who have received prior radiation for LAPC, there seems to be an effect on the local microvasculature that enhances the clinical efficacy of IAG. TIGeR-PaC is a randomized Phase 3 trial designed to test if the combination of induction systemic chemotherapy plus radiation followed by IAG is superior to systemic chemotherapy plus radiation alone (NCT03257033). Methods: All subjects with biopsy proven, and imaging-confirmed LAPC (by the NCCN guidelines) will receive induction therapy with IV gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel, for approximately four months, during which time a course of radiation therapy will also be incorporated. Subjects without evidence of disease progression will then be randomized to receive either IAG (test group); or continue only IV gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel (control group). Subjects will receive the randomized treatments for up to 16 weeks or until progression. Non-progressing patients from both groups will then receive, at the discretion of the investigator, either a continuation of IV gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel, or oral capecitabine until disease progression. The primary endpoint is progression free survival; secondary endpoints will include overall survival, neutropenia, quality of life, and neuropathy assessed over 2 years. Based on an assumed superiority of IAG therapy, which will lead to an increased PFS from 6 months (control group) up to 12 months (IAG group), with an alpha-error of 0.05 and a 90% power, 132 patients will be randomized; assuming a 30% dropout during the induction phase prior to randomization, 200 patients will be recruited. TIGeR-PaC will test the hypothesis that IAG local therapy, after induction systemic chemotherapy plus radiation in patients with LAPC is superior to systemic therapy plus radiation alone. Clinical trial information: NCT03257033.
A pilot study of ponatinib in cholangiocarcinoma patients with FGFR2 fusions.
Authors: DeLeon Thomas , Alberts Steven R. , McWilliams Robert R. , Hubbard Joleen Marie , Ahn Daniel H. , Bekaii-Saab Tanios S. , Mody Kabir , Roberts Lewis R. , Salomao Marcela , Kipp Benjamin , Halfdanarson Thorvardur Ragnar , Murtaza Muhammed , Ramanathan Ramesh K. , Dueck Amylou C. , Borad Mitesh J.
Published: January 2019

TPS532

Background: Recent studies have shown that FGFR2 fusions may represent recurrent (prevalence ~10-15% in larger cohorts) driver events amenable to therapeutic targeting in patients with advanced, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Methods: This single arm pilot study (NCT02265341) is being conducted at 3 centers (Mayo Clinic Arizona, Mayo Clinic Florida and Mayo Clinic Rochester; enrollment initiated December 2014). Next-generation sequencing based assays and a FISH-break apart assay are used to identify tumors with FGFR2 fusions. Patients must additionally have histologically/cytologically confirmed cholangiocarcinoma, ECOG performance score 0-2, measurable disease, preserved hematologic/renal and hepatic function and absence of cardiac events/stroke in the preceding 6 months. Ponatinib is administered at 45 mg once daily. Patients will be treated until disease progression, intolerable toxicity or patient decision to not pursue further therapy. The primary objective of the study is to estimate the clinical benefit rate (defined as composite of partial response rate, complete response rate and stable disease rate ≥ 4 months; as defined by RECIST criteria v1.1). Secondary endpoints include estimation of progression-free survival, overall survival, CA19-9 response rate (defined as > 50% reduction from baseline) and evaluation of the overall adverse event profile of ponatinib in this patient population. Translational objectives include serial circulating DNA (ct-DNA) monitoring, target knockdown assessments in tumor tissue (p-FGFR2, p-FRS2, p-Akt and p-ERK) and evaluation of mechanisms of resistance through comparison of baseline and progression biopsy samples using multi-platform sequencing (exome, RNA-Seq and methyl-Seq). Additionally, quality of life assessments will be evaluated using EORTC-QLQ-C30 and BIL21 tools. A total of 30 patients will be enrolled into the study (12 of 30 patients have been enrolled). The trial is designed using an underlying assumption of clinical benefit rate (CBR) of 5% with significance level of 0.15 and 80% power to detect a 20% CBR. Clinical trial information: NCT02265341.
Phase II open-label, single-center study evaluating safety and efficacy of pembrolizumab following induction with the hypomethylating agent azacitidine in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer after failure of first-line therapy.
Authors: Safyan Rachael A , Gonda Tamas , Tycko Benjamin , Chabot John A. , Manji Gulam Abbas , Schwartz Gary K. , Oberstein Paul Eliezer
Published: January 2019

TPS534

Background: First-line cytotoxic chemotherapy improves survival for patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDA) but the majority will progress after a median of 5-7 months. CD8 T-cells are thought to be the major anti-tumor effector cells and their density in resected pancreatic tumors correlates with survival. Our published pre-clinical data in the KPC-Brca1 mouse model shows that treatment with a hypomethylating agent inhibits tumor growth (Shakya, Gonda et al., Cancer Res, 2013) and, in recent data (B.T. and T.G. in preparation), combining a hypomethylating agent with an immune checkpoint inhibitor leads to slowing of tumor growth and increased survival in KPC mice. We propose a novel approach to improve response rates with immune checkpoint blockade in pancreatic cancer by utilizing a hypomethylating agent to prime the tumor and its microenvironment, thereby increasing the number of intratumoral effector T cells, decreasing the immunosuppressive cell population, and influencing stromal-tumor cell interactions. Methods: Thirty-one evaluable subjects with advanced pancreatic cancer will be enrolled in this phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab following induction with azacitidine in the second-line setting. All subjects will have received a single line of chemotherapy for locally advanced or metastatic PDA prior to study enrollment. Subjects must have available baseline biopsy or archival tissue for analysis. Low-dose azacitidine (50 mg/m2 subcutaneous) will be given daily for 5 days every 4 weeks, and pembrolizumab 200 mg IV will be administered starting on day 15 and then continued every 3 weeks. Subjects will undergo an on-treatment biopsy during week 8. The primary efficacy endpoint will be PFS according to RECIST v1.1 criteria. There will be an accelerated phase Ib dose determination component with an initial 6 subjects. Secondary endpoints will include safety/tolerability, ORR, DOR, and OS. Multiple correlative analyses utilizing tissue and serum samples will be performed. Clinical trial information: NCT03264404.
Keynote 290: Pembrolizumab (pem) in combination with stereotactic body radiotherapy for resectable liver metastatic colorectal cancer.
Authors: Deming Dustin A. , Kim David H. , Matkowskyj Kristina , Uboha Nataliya Volodymyrivna , Lubner Sam Joseph , LoConte Noelle K. , Mulkerin Daniel , Abbott Daniel , Weber Sharon M. , Winslow Emily , Jeraj Robert , Ritter Mark A. , Perlman Scott , Eickhoff Jens C. , Bassetti Michael Frederick
Published: January 2019

TPS874

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the few cancers in which aggressive local approaches to treat systemic metastases have resulted in clinical benefit. Despite these approaches 70-80% of patients (pts) with resectable metastatic disease will recur. The one-year recurrence rate for this population is ~40-50%. Immunotherapeutics have yet to be studied in this setting. To sensitize microsatellite stable (MSS) CRCs to immune therapies adjunctive therapies are required. Gross tumor microenvironments suppress systemic anti-cancer immune responses. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is commonly utilized to treat liver metastatic CRC, using very high doses of focused radiation to ablate tumors. This causes localized inflammation, a potential increase in immunogenic intra-tumoral and intra-lymphatic antigen release, and a rapid influx of responding immune cells. We hypothesize that radiotherapy-induced tumor necrosis, and surgical removal of the remaining immunosuppressive gross disease will enhance the immunogenicity of CRC and potentiate the effectiveness of PD-1 blockade. Methods: This is a single arm phase 1b investigator-initiated study (NCT02837263) to evaluate the use of pem in combination with ablative radiotherapy for the treatment of oligometastatic CRC. This study examines the sequential use of SBRT, then pem followed by resection of all known sites of disease and 6 months of adjuvant pem. Pts with MSS CRC with resectable liver metastatic disease who have received prior FOLFOX are eligible. The primary endpoints are safety/tolerability and the rate of cancer recurrence at 1 year. Secondary endpoints include time to disease recurrence, disease free survival and overall survival. This study is currently enrolling with a planned total accrual of 15 patients. Correlative studies examine PD-L1 status, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, evidence of an abscopal effect, versican proteolysis as a novel immune biomarker, and the ability of multiparametric fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET MR and fluorothymidine (FLT) PET CT to detect immune infiltration. Clinical trial information: NCT02837263.
Potential Roles of CD34+ Fibrocytes Masquerading as Orbital Fibroblasts in Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy
Authors: Smith Terry J
Published: January 2019

Context

Orbital tissues in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy exhibit particular reactivity and undergo characteristic remodeling. Mechanisms underlying these changes have remained largely unexplained. Studies have characterized orbital connective tissues and derivative fibroblasts to gain insights into local manifestations of a systemic autoimmune syndrome.

Evidence Acquisition

A systematic search of PubMed was undertaken for studies related to thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO), orbital fibroblasts, and fibrocytes involved in pathogenesis.

Evidence Synthesis

Orbital tissues display marked cellular heterogeneity. Fibroblast subsets, putatively derived from multiple precursors, inhabit the orbit in TAO. Among them are cells displaying the CD34+CXC chemokine receptor 4+collagen I+ phenotype, identifying them as fibrocytes, derived from the monocyte lineage. Their unique presence in the TAO orbit helps explain the tissue reactivity and characteristic remodeling that occurs in the disease. Their unanticipated expression of several proteins traditionally thought to be thyroid gland specific, including the TSH receptor and thyroglobulin, may underlie orbital involvement in Graves disease. Although no currently available information unambiguously establishes that CD34+ orbital fibroblasts originate from circulating fibrocytes, inferences from animal models of lung disease suggest that they derive from bone marrow. Further studies are necessary to determine whether fibrocyte abundance and activity in the orbit determine the clinical behavior of TAO.

Conclusion

Evidence supports a role for fibrocytes in the pathogenesis of TAO. Recognition of their presence in the orbit now allows development of therapies specifically targeting these cells that ultimately could allow the restoration of immune tolerance within the orbit and perhaps systemically.
Optimal Regulation of Financial Intermediaries
Authors: Di Tella Sebastian
Published: January 2019

I characterize the optimal financial regulation policy in an economy where financial intermediaries trade capital assets on behalf of households, but must retain an equity stake to align incentives. Financial regulation is necessary because intermediaries cannot be excluded from privately trading in capital markets. They don’t internalize that high asset prices force everyone to bear more risk. The socially optimal allocation can be implemented with a tax on asset holdings. I derive a sufficient statistic for the externality and use market data on leverage and volatility of intermediaries’ equity to measure it. (JEL D82, G01, G12, G20, G31, H25)
Elite Colleges and Upward Mobility to Top Jobs and Top Incomes
Authors: Zimmerman Seth D.
Published: January 2019

This paper asks whether elite colleges help students outside of historically advantaged groups reach top positions in the economy. I combine administrative data on income and leadership teams at publicly traded firms with a regression discontinuity design based on admissions rules at elite business-focused degree programs in Chile. The 1.8 percent of college students admitted to these programs account for 41 percent of leadership positions and 39 percent of top 0.1 percent incomes. Admission raises the number of leadership positions students hold by 44 percent and their probability of attaining a top 0.1 percent income by 51 percent. However, these gains are driven by male applicants from high-tuition private high schools, with zero effects for female students or students from other school types with similar admissions test scores. Admissions effects are equal to 38 percent of the gap in rates of top attainment by gender and 54 percent of the gap by high school background for male students. A difference-in-differences analysis of the rates at which pairs of students lead the same firms suggests that peer ties formed between college classmates from similar backgrounds may play an important role in driving the observed effects. (JEL I23, I26, J16, O15)
Serum levels of androgens in acne & their role in acne severity
Authors: Iftikhar Usma , Choudhry Nakhshab
Published: January 2019

Objectives: To correlate acne severity with elevated androgen levels and to compare androgen levels between cases and controls.

Methods: This case-control study was carried out in the Department of Dermatology, Mayo Hospital, Lahore from March 2016 – March 2017. Two hundred and seventy patients and eighty age and gender-matched controls were recruited after ethical approval and informed consent and categorized into mild, moderate and severe acne. Severity was correlated with serum Testosterone, Dihydrotestoststerone and Dihydroepiandrosterone Sulphate levels. Quantitative variables were expressed as median and percentiles, comparisons done by Mann-Whitney and correlations by Spearman correlation. P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: There were 142 (41%) males and 208 (59%) females. Ninety-Seven patients had mild, 108 moderate and 65 had severe disease. Median hormonal levels were 3.5ng/ml, 184pg/ml and 0.82ug/dl for Testosterone, Dihydrotestosterone and Dihydroepiandrosterone Sulphate respectively which differed significantly between cases and controls. There was no correlation with severity but the levels differed significantly between the different grades in case of Testosterone and DHEAS.

Conclusion: Androgens are not directly correlated with acne severity, but affect acne severity as seen in difference between their levels in different grades of acne. Anti-androgens may be initiated early in acne resistant to conventional therapy.

How to cite this:Iftikhar U, Choudhry N. Serum levels of androgens in acne & their role in acne severity. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(1):146-150.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.1.131

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Automated Wormscan
Authors: Puckering Timothy , Thompson Jake , Sathyamurthy Sushruth , Sukumar Sinduja , Shapira Tirosh , Ebert Paul
Published: January 2019

There has been a recent surge of interest in computer-aided rapid data acquisition to increase the potential throughput and reduce the labour costs of large scale Caenorhabditis elegans studies. We present Automated WormScan, a low-cost, high-throughput automated system using commercial photo scanners, which is extremely easy to implement and use, capable of scoring tens of thousands of organisms per hour with minimal operator input, and is scalable. The method does not rely on software training for image recognition, but uses the generation of difference images from sequential scans to identify moving objects. This approach results in robust identification of worms with little computational demand. We demonstrate the utility of the system by conducting toxicity, growth and fecundity assays, which demonstrate the consistency of our automated system, the quality of the data relative to manual scoring methods and congruity with previously published results.
Challenges in the use of atomistic simulations to predict solubilities of drug-like molecules
Authors: Duarte Ramos Matos Guilherme , Mobley David L.
Published: January 2019

Background: Solubility is a physical property of high importance to the pharmaceutical industry, the prediction of which for potential drugs has so far been a hard task. We attempted to predict the solubility of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) by estimating the absolute chemical potentials of its most stable polymorph and of solutions with different concentrations of the drug molecule.

Methods: Chemical potentials were estimated from all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. 

We used the Einstein molecule method (EMM) to predict the absolute chemical potential of the solid and solvation free energy calculations to predict the excess chemical potentials of the liquid-phase systems.

Results: Reliable estimations of the chemical potentials for the solid and for a single ASA molecule using the EMM required an extremely large number of intermediate states for the free energy calculations, meaning that the calculations were extremely demanding computationally. Despite the computational cost, however, the computed value did not agree well with the experimental value, potentially due to limitations with the underlying energy model. Perhaps better values could be obtained with a better energy model; however, it seems likely computational cost may remain a limiting factor for use of this particular approach to solubility estimation.   

Conclusions: Solubility prediction of drug-like solids remains computationally challenging, and it appears that both the underlying energy model and the computational approach applied may need improvement before the approach is suitable for routine use.
An interpretable machine learning model of biological age
Authors: Wood Thomas , Kelly Christopher , Roberts Megan , Walsh Bryan
Published: January 2019

Background: Assessments of biological (rather than chronological) age derived from patient biochemical data have been shown to strongly predict both all-cause and disease-specific mortality. However, these population-based approaches have yet to be translated to the individual. As well as using biological age as a research tool, by being able to better answer the question “why did we get this result?”, clinicians may be able to apply personalised interventions that could improve the long-term health of individual patients.

Methods: Here, the boosted decision tree algorithm XGBoost was used to predict biological age using 39 commonly-available blood test results from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database.

Results: Interrogation of the algorithm produced a description of how each marker contributed to the final output in a single individual. Additive explanation plots were then used to determine biomarker ranges associated with a lower biological age. Importantly, a number of markers that are modifiable with lifestyle changes were found to have a significant effect on biological age, including fasting blood glucose, lipids, and markers of red blood cell production.

Conclusions: The combination of individualised outputs with target ranges could provide the ability to personalise interventions or recommendations based on an individual’s biochemistry and resulting predicted age. This would allow for the investigation of interventions designed to improve health and longevity in a targeted manner, many of which could be rooted in targeted lifestyle modifications.
Empirical cumulant function based parameter estimation in stable laws
Authors: Krutto Annika
Published: January 2019

Stable distributions are a subclass of infinitely divisible distributions that form the only family of possible limiting distributions for sums of independent identically distributed random variables. A challenging problem is estimating their parameters because many have densities with no explicit form and infinite moments. To address this problem, a class of closed-form estimators, called cumulant estimators, has been introduced. Cumulant estimators are derived from the logarithm of empirical characteristic function at two arbitrary distinct positive real arguments. This paper extends cumulant estimators in two directions: (i) it is proved that they are asymptotically normal and (ii) a sample based rule for selecting the two arguments is proposed. Extensive simulations show that under the provided selection rule, the closed-form cumulant estimators generally outperform the well-known algorithmic methods.
On the relationship between typology and the description of Uralic languages
Authors: Miestamo Matti
Published: January 2019

Language typologists are dependent on data provided by descriptive linguists working on individual languages, who, in turn, benefit from typologists’ results, which give them new insights into the properties of their respective languages. The article addresses the relationship between typology and Uralic descriptive linguistics. The state of description of Uralic languages is examined by surveying the availability of descriptive sources on Uralic languages in the Glottolog database, which is widely used by typologists. Ways in which Uralic studies and language typology can be brought closer to each other for the benefit of both fields are discussed giving a number of recommendations for writing typologically-oriented grammars of (Uralic) languages. Finally, the use of typologically informed questionnaires in language description is briefly addressed.Аннотация. Матти Миестамо: О взаимоотношении типологической и описательной лингвистики в контексте уральских языков. Лингвисты, занимающиеся типологией, зависят от данных, предоставляемых лингвистами, работающими с конкретными языками. Последние, в свою очередь, используют результаты работы типологов, что позволяет им по-новому взглянуть на материал соответствующего языка. В статье рассматриваются взаимоотношения между типологией и описательной лингвистикой в контексте уральских языков. Положение дел в описании уральских языков оценивается на основе наличия материалов по этим языкам в базе данных Glottolog, широко используемой типологами. В статье обсуждаются способы сближения типологического и описательного подходов в изучении уральских языков, что способствует развитию обоих направлений. В статье даются рекомендации по написанию типологически ориентированных грамматик (уральских) языков. Кроме того, кратко обсуждается использование типологических анкет для описания языков.Ключевые слова: дескриптивная грамматика, описание языков, документация языков, лингвистическая типология, анкеты, уральские языкиKokkuvõte. Matti Miestamo: Tüpoloogia ja Uurali keelte kirjeldamise vahelisest suhtest. Keeletüpoloogid sõltuvad andmetest, mis pärinevad üksikkeeltega tegelevatelt deskriptiivses raamistikus töötavatelt keeleteadlastelt. Viimased aga saavad omakorda kasu tüpoloogide töö tulemustest, mis avavad uusi vaatenurki vastavate keelte omaduste kohta. Siinne artikkel käsitleb tüpoloogia ja deskriptiivse Uurali keeleteaduse vahelist suhet. Uurali keelte kirjeldamise seisu uuritakse analüüsides Uurali keeli puudutavate deskriptiivsete allikate kättesaadavust Glottologi andmebaasis, mida tüpoloogid laialdaselt kasutavad. Arutletakse viiside üle, mis aitaksid vastastikkuse kasu eesmärgil lähendada Uurali keelte uurimist ja keeletüpoloogiat, näiteks antakse mitmeid soovitusi tüpoloogilise suunitlusega (Uurali keelte) grammatikate kirjutamiseks. Lõpuks käsitletakse ka tüpoloogilise suunitlusega küsitluskavade kasutamist keelte kirjeldamisel.Märksõnad: deskriptiivne grammatika, keelekirjeldus, keelte dokumenteerimine, keeletüpoloogia, kirjastamine, küsitluskavad, Uurali keeled
Sub-Surface Investigation Using Vertical Electrical Sounding: Chennai Metropolitan Area
Authors: SARAVANAN J. , SINGH RAWAT KISHAN , KUMAR SINGH SUDHIR
Published: January 2019

The data or information on the sub-stratum, nature of aquifers, their spatial disposition, their hydrogeological characteristics and other information, are limited particularly in urban context. The study was performed in the Chennai metropolitan area. The objective of the study was to get the sub-surface information of the study area. The vertical electrical sounding was performed at ninety locations to identify the sub surface lithology. The Archaeans consisting of Charnockites, gneisses and dolerite occupy the southern part of the Metropolitan area. The lower portion of gondwanas belonging to the Talchir beds consist of light brown and green colored Shales occurring below the alluvium in the area between Nandanam on the east to Nandambakkam on the west. These Shales are overlying the older crystalline rocks. The lower portion of gondwanas belonging to the Talchir beds consist of light brown and green coloured Shales occurring below the alluvium in the area between Nandanam on the east to Nandambakkam on the west The Tertiary bed comprising friable white and reddish brown Sandstone occurs on the western side near Chembarambakkam and on the northwestern side between Thirunindravur and Villiwakkam. The thickness of the alluvium ranges between 5m on the southern side to a little more than 20m on the east central part of the Metropolitan area.
Effects of Environmental Factors and Alien Plant Invasion on Native Floral Diversity in Mt. Manunggal, Cebu Island, Philippines
Authors: JOSHUA CHI GARCES JAKE , JOYCE LAPA FLORES MARY
Published: January 2019

The status of native floral diversity in Mt. Manunggal, Cebu Island, the Philippines in relation to environmental factors and alien plant invasion has not been recorded and published. To assess factors influencing native plant communities in Mt. Manunggal, a vegetation survey of native and alien plants, as well as selected environmental variables at two sites (Site 1- invaded plot; Site 2- adjacent uninvaded plot) were measured, and anthropogenic disturbances observed using a t-test, regression analysis, and Pearson correlation. For each site, selected environmental parameters, as well as native and alien plant abundance and diversity, were determined last October-November, 2016. There was also a characterization of sites with respect to anthropogenic disturbances. Altitude (t= -14.11, p=0.000), soil temperature (t=2.68, p=0.014), and light intensity (t = -2.61; p=0.016) significantly differed between study sites due to the complex topography and geology of Mt. Manunggal, the variation in floral cover, and degree of anthropogenic activities. Among all environmental factors at both sites, altitude was highly positively correlated to alien plant abundance (r=0.709;p=0.000) at Site 1 while native plant abundance at Site 2 was negatively correlated with soil pH (r=-0.579;p=0.003).There was an apparent domination of alien plants in terms of species richness and abundance at both sites and this could have significantly affected native plant abundance. The strong correlation of environmental parameters to alien plant invasion could favor the continued dominance of alien plant species, resulting in a further decrease of native species.
Feasibility Studies for Developing Energy Efficient Building in the Juet Campus Using Solar and Biomass Energy
Authors: VERMA ABHISHEK , SHANKAR Y SHIVA , BAPNA HARSHIT , SURNDER KUSHWAH LAL , MUDGAL KSHITIJ
Published: January 2019

Building sector has been one of major contributors to global warming due to the excessive energy consumption during its lifecycle. In this context utilization of alternate energy resources such as solar, wind and biomass; as a replacement for conventional energy resources could be beneficially applied for achieving potential savings in power consumption. Adaptation of non- conventional energy resources combined with use of energy saving fixtures offer a sustainable solution for the increasing energy needs and environmental issues with conventional energy sources. In the present work feasibility studies were carried out for upgrading the existing building i.e. Annapurna bhawan in Jaypee University of Engineering & Technology (JUET), Madhya Pradesh, India; into an energy efficient building. Annapurna bhawan encompasses kitchen and four dining halls, being used for cooking and serving food to the students in the university. Study examines the potential benefits of using biomass energy through continuous anaerobic digestion and solar photovoltaic modules as a replacement to conventional energy sources. Results suggest potential energy savings and economic benefits could be achieved through the installation of these systems.
Lateral rim mesh in primary total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Colo E. , Leenders L. A. M. , Rijnen W. H. C. , Schreurs B. W. , Hannink G.
Published: January 2019

Aims

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of a lateral rim mesh on the survival of primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) in young patients, aged 50 years or younger.

Patients and Methods

We compared a study group of 235 patients (257 hips) who received a primary THA with the use of impaction bone grafting (IBG) with an additional lateral rim mesh with a group of 306 patients (343 hips) who received IBG in the absence of a lateral rim mesh during the same period from 1988 to 2015. In the mesh group, there were 74 male and 183 female patients, with a mean age of 35 years (13 to 50). In the no-mesh group, there were 173 male and 170 female patients, with a mean age of 38 years (12.6 to 50). Cox regression analyses were performed to study the effect of a lateral rim mesh on acetabular component survival. Kaplan–Meier analyses with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were performed to estimate the survival of the acetabular implant.

Results

The hazard ratio for the use of lateral rim mesh, adjusted for potential confounders, for acetabular revision for any reason was 0.50 (95% CI 0.13 to 1.93; p = 0.31) and for acetabular revision for aseptic loosening was 0.29 (95% CI 0.020 to 4.04; p = 0.35). The Kaplan–Meier analysis showed a ten-year survival for aseptic loosening of the acetabular of 98% (95% CI 95 to 100, n = 65 at risk) in the mesh group and 94% (89 to 98, n = 76 at risk) in the no-mesh group. The 15-year survival for aseptic acetabular loosening was 90% (81 to 100, n = 35 at risk) in the mesh group and 85% (77 to 94, n = 45 at risk) in the no-mesh group (p = 0.23).

Conclusion

This study shows that the use of a lateral rim mesh in primary THA in young patients is not associated with a higher risk of revision of the acetabular component. Therefore, we consider a lateral rim mesh combined with IBG to be effective in reconstructing segmental acetabular defects in primary THA.
The outcome following spinal instrumentation in haemodialyzed patients with pyogenic spondylodiscitis
Authors: Kim J. , Lee S. Y. , Jung J. H. , Kim S. W. , Oh J-K. , Park M. S. , Chang H-G. , Kim T-H.
Published: January 2019

Aims

The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of spinal instrumentation in haemodialyzed patients with native pyogenic spondylodiscitis. Spinal instrumentation in these patients can be dangerous due to rates of complications and mortality, and biofilm formation on the instrumentation.

Patients and Methods

A total of 134 haemodialyzed patients aged more than 50 years who underwent surgical treatment for pyogenic spondylodiscitis were included in the study. Their mean age was 66.4 years (50 to 83); 66 were male (49.3%) and 68 were female (50.7%). They were divided into two groups according to whether spinal instrumentation was used or not. Propensity score matching was used to attenuate the potential selection bias. The outcome of treatment was compared between these two groups.

Results

A total of 89 patients (66.4%) underwent non-instrumented surgery and 45 (33.5%) underwent instrumented surgery. There were no significant differences in the rates of postoperative complications, except for an increased rate of wound problems in the instrumented group, which was found in the unmatched cohorts (p = 0.034). There were no significant differences in the rate of recurrent infections (p = 0.328 for the unmatched cohort; p = 0.269 for the matched cohort) and mortality rate, including in-hospital (p = 0.713 for the unmatched cohort; p = 0.738 for the matched cohort) and one-year rates (p = 0.363 for the unmatched cohort; p = 0.787 for the matched cohort), between the groups. However, the interval between the initial diagnosis and the first recurrence was significantly longer in the instrumented group (p = 0.008 for the unmatched cohort; p = 0.032 for the matched cohort).

Conclusion

Instrumented surgery for haemodialyzed patients with pyogenic spondylodiscitis showed similar outcomes, including recurrence and mortality, to non-instrumented surgery, despite the instrumented group having more severe neurological deficit, a larger number of involved levels, and increased kyphotic angle.
Phenotypes of endocrine ophthalmopathy: clinical manifestation and tomographic characteristics
Authors: Belovalova Irina M. , Sviridenko Natalya Yu. , Bessmertnaya Elena G. , Chepurina Anna A. , Sheremeta Marina S. , Mikheenkov Alexander A.
Published: January 2019

The clinical manifetstations of endocrine orbitopathy (EOP) significantly because autoimmune process may involve various anatomical structures of the eye. Choosing an effective method for EOP treatment requires to determine the selectivity of orbital tissue damage, which is difficult when only clinical criteria are applied. 102 patients with EOP and Graves’ disease were examined. All patients underwent the standard ophthalmological examination and multispiral computed tomography of orbits. The analysis of clinical and tomographic parameters allowed us to distinguish 3 variants of EOP flow: classical, lipogenic, and myogenic. The prevailing symptoms of patients with the lipogenic variant were distinct exophthalmos without a disturbance of the function of extraocular muscles (EOM) and visual disturbances. Oculomotor disorders, diplopia, strabismus, and decreased vision were prevalent in patients with the myogenic variant. Patients with the classical variant suffered from exophthalmos, periorbital edema, and oculomotor disorders. The identification of independent clinical variants of EOP with specific clinical symptoms and different tomographic characteristics testifies different pathogenetic mechanisms of EOP development is to determine personalized approaches to treatment.
Hereditary Cushing’s syndrome caused by primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia due to ARMC5 mutation with concomitant primary hyperparathyroidism: the first known case in Russia
Authors: Mamedova Elizaveta O. , Vasilyev Evgeny V. , Petrov Vasily M. , Izmailova Natalya S. , Buryakina Svetlana A. , Rozhinskaya Liudmila Ya. , Tiulpakov Anatoly N. , Belaya Zhanna E.
Published: January 2019

Primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (PBMAH), a genetically heterogeneous disease, is a rare cause of Cushings syndrome. Until recently, few cases were attributed to mutations in known genes. However, in 2013, ARMC5, a newly discovered tumor suppressor gene, was identified. Further studies have shown that mutations in the ARMC5 gene are found in 2555% of all PBMAH cases.
This article describes a clinical case of hereditary Cushings syndrome caused by PBMAH in a 37-year old patient. The patients family history is remarkable for the presence of Cushings syndrome and PBMAH in the patients mother. Bilateral adrenalectomy was performed as the treatment of choice. Genetic analysis using whole-exome sequencing confirmed the hereditary cause of the disease, revealing a germline heterozygous mutation in the ARMC5 gene. The patient also had concomitant mild primary hyperparathyroidism, which had not been observed before in genetic carriers with the ARMC5 mutation.
Matrix metalloproteinases-1, -13 and their tissue inhibitor-1 in endocrine ophthalmopathy
Authors: Taskina Elizaveta S. , Kharintseva Svetlana V.
Published: January 2019

Effective regeneration of damaged soft orbital tissues in Graves ophthalmopathy (GO) requires coordinated remodeling of the extracellular matrix. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in the synthesis and degradation homeostasis of extracellular matrix components in various physiological and pathological conditions. Their proteolytic activity is inhibited by tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP). The biochemical processes taking place in extraocular muscles and retrobulbar tissue fibrogenesis in GO are not fully understood.
Aims to assess some biochemical mechanisms of extraocular muscles and retrobulbar tissue fibrogenesis in GO patients.
Material and methods. The study included 65 people (130 eyes) at the age of 43 (3550) years. Three groups of subjects were formed: 32 patients with a moderate GO severity (clinical group), 18 patients with autoimmune thyroid pathology without GO (comparison group), and 15 healthy persons (control). The diagnosis was based on clinical, laboratory, and instrumental data. A comprehensive ophthalmologic examination and blood sampling for determination of MMP-1, -13, TIMP-1, sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAG) and antibodies to thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHRAbs) were conducted. The data were statistically processed using the program Statistica 10.0.
Results. An elevated level of MMP-13, observed in all GO patients (p0.05). For the active phase of GOP, the comparison with the control group showed a 3.5-fold increase in MMP-13 (p0.001) and 1.17-fold rise in TIMP-1 (p0.05). Pulse glucocorticoid therapy reduced MMP-13 by 48.6% (p0.001), TIMP-1 by 2.7% (p0.001), and TSHRAbs by 93% (p0.001) compared with active GO, but these indicators were higher than the reference limits of control (p0.05). In inactive GO, despite increased MMP-13, TIMP-1 decreased to the reference values (p=0.533). There were no significant differences in MMP-1 in groups of subjects (p=0.865).
Conclusions. We have found imbalance between MMP-13 and TIMP-1 production in different activity phases of GO. Active GO is characterized by an increase in serum MMP-13 and TIMP-1. Dysregulation of intercellular matrix remodeling, possibly, underlies the development of extraocular muscles and retrobulbar tissue fibrosis in GO.
ANÁLISE CRÍTICA SOBRE EDULCORANTES E FLAVORIZANTES EMPREGADOS NA CORREÇÃO SENSORIAL DE EXTRATOS DE CANNABIS PARA USO PEDIÁTRICO
Authors: Duarte Andressa de Souza , Carneiro Carla da Silva , Martins Carvalho Virgínia
Published: January 2019

O tratamento terapêutico com extratos de cannabis representa, por vezes, a única alternativa no controle da epilepsia refratária infantil. Cannabis sativa é uma planta proibida no Brasil, mas a importação de extratos de cannabis foi autorizada para uso médico em 2015. Entretanto, estas formulações não são específicas para uso infantil comprometendo a adesão ao tratamento devido à palatabilidade. Este estudo objetivou realizar uma análise crítica dos edulcorantes e flavorizantes usados na formulações de extratos de cannabis registrados como suplementos alimentares e empregados no Brasil no controle de epilepsia refratária na população pediátrica. Foram estudadas as composições dos extratos disponíveis no mercado e realizadas buscas em bases de dados e sites de agências reguladoras. Dentre as alternativas disponíveis no mercado, apenas uma estava adequada, porque, incorporava um flavorizante de elevada aceitação, além de glicerina, que mascara o sabor desagradável do óleo de cânhamo. Foram sugeridas formulações sem restrições ao tipo de óleo incorporado, ausentes de edulcorantes e com pelo menos uma estratégia de mascaramento de sabor, como a incorporação de glicerina ou a incorporação de flavorizantes. Estas propostas podem guiar a elaboração de extratos que aumentem a adesão infantil a terapia.
Notes from the Editors, January 2019
Authors: The Editors -
Published: January 2019

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In this issue we commemorate the fortieth anniversary of the publishing of the definitive version of The Combahee River Collective Statement in Zillah Eisenstein, ed., Capitalist Patriarchy and the Case for Socialist Feminism. We are also extremely pleased to announce Monthly Review Press author Kohei Saito has won the prestigious Deutscher prize for 2018 for his Karl Marx's Ecosocialism: Capital, Nature, and the Unfinished Critique of Political Economy. There is no doubt that this book constitutes one of the great works of Marxian theory in our time.
The Role of Internet in Successful Marketing in Tourism Organizations
Authors: UKAJ Fatos
Published: January 2019

Tourism has been dealt with continuously since the earliest times. This was done without entering into the essence of the motive of satisfying the needs of individuals and groups then and now. Various tourist destinations need to be introduced to the wider public. Therefore, a range of information needs to be distributed to the public by agencies, tourism operators, and other participants in tourist activities. The use of the internet has become a daily routine guiding tourism organizations’ marketing, including hospitality and tourism oriented towards meeting the demands of tourists and clients in general. By analyzing the trends in terms of the use of the internet and factors affecting marketing in tourism and hospitality, this paper focuses on its role and importance in the tourism business. The use of internet technology in hotel marketing activities was also analyzed.