bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysing for 4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane in heritage collections containing solid and medium density flexible linear polyester polyurethanes using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry
Authors: Tillotson Robert , Crumplin Timothy E. , Jones Graham J. , Marshall George , Dawson Joe
Published: July 2019

Polyurethane (PUR) shoe soles from collections held by the Alfred Gillett Trust, stored for up to 50 years, were analysed for the presence of 4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane (4,4′-MDA)—a substance of very high concern in Europe and classified as a carcinogen in USA. A review of the literature revealed no papers on long term room-temperature hydrolysis of urethane or urea linkages leading to the spontaneous formation of 4,4′-MDA in polyester or polyether polyurethanes made from 4,4′-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane (MDI). However, evidence emerged of its potential formation and a possible handling hazard was consequently identified in the heritage collection. By chemical analysis, shortcomings in the current literature could be addressed. Calibration of liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry equipment showed analysis of 4,4′-MDA was possible down to 1 ppm with an error of 2.5 ppm. No 4,4′-MDA was found in the PUR analyte solutions at a concentration > 1 ppm. Under these experimental parameters the samples were shown to comply with the industrially accepted CertiPUR 2017 standard for commercial slab-stock foams. Furthermore, no 4,4′-MDA was found in solution after an ‘accelerated anaerobic hydrolysis test’ on the sole materials. This test was designed and developed to assess the likelihood of future formation of the aromatic amine via a hydrolysis-only mechanism/s. Finally, 4,4′-MDA itself was heated in air at 70 °C under ‘humid’ conditions to examine its stability. In this experiment the 4,4′-MDA altered in appearance and was reduced to ca 30% of its original weight. Subject to more work, it is conceivable 4,4′-MDA could be formed by hydrolysis, but degraded over time, and not detected in these tests.
Clinical effectiveness of the START (STrAtegies for RelaTives) psychological intervention for family carers and the effects on the cost of care for people with dementia: 6-year follow-up of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Livingston Gill , Manela Monica , O'Keeffe Aidan , Rapaport Penny , Cooper Claudia , Knapp Martin , King Derek , Romeo Renee , Walker Zuzana , Hoe Juanita , Mummery Cath , Barber Julie
Published: July 2019

Background

The START (STrAtegies for RelaTives) intervention reduced depressive and anxiety symptoms of family carers of relatives with dementia at home over 2 years and was cost-effective.

Aims

To assess the clinical effectiveness over 6 years and the impact on costs and care home admission.

Method

We conducted a randomised, parallel group, superiority trial recruiting from 4 November 2009 to 8 June 2011 with 6-year follow-up (trial registration: ISCTRN 70017938). A total of 260 self-identified family carers of people with dementia were randomised 2:1 to START, an eight-session manual-based coping intervention delivered by supervised psychology graduates, or to treatment as usual (TAU). The primary outcome was affective symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, total score (HADS-T)). Secondary outcomes included patient and carer service costs and care home admission.

Results

In total, 222 (85.4%) of 173 carers randomised to START and 87 to TAU were included in the 6-year clinical efficacy analysis. Over 72 months, compared with TAU, the intervention group had improved scores on HADS-T (adjusted mean difference −2.00 points, 95% CI −3.38 to −0.63). Patient-related costs (START versus TAU, respectively: median £5759 v. £16 964 in the final year; P = 0.07) and carer-related costs (median £377 v. £274 in the final year) were not significantly different between groups nor were group differences in time until care home (intensity ratio START:TAU was 0.88, 95% CI 0.58–1.35).

Conclusions

START is clinically effective and this effect lasts for 6 years without increasing costs. This is the first intervention with such a long-term clinical and possible economic benefit and has potential to make a difference to individual carers.

Declarations of interest

G.L., Z.W. and C.C. are supported by the UCLH National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre. G.L. and P.R. were in part supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) North Thames at Bart's Health NHS Trust. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health. Z.W. reports during the conduct of the study; personal fees from GE Healthcare, grants from GE Healthcare, grants from Lundbeck, other from GE Healthcare, outside the submitted work.
Fear of Cancer Recurrence: A Model Examination of Physical Symptoms, Emotional Distress, and Health Behavior Change
Authors: Hall Daniel L. , Jimenez Rachel B. , Perez Giselle K. , Rabin Julia , Quain Katharine , Yeh Gloria Y. , Park Elyse R. , Peppercorn Jeffrey M.
Published: July 2019

PURPOSE:

Fear of cancer recurrence is highly prevalent among adult survivors of cancer. The role of fear of recurrence in the emotional distress of survivors of cancer, as well as health behaviors that may directly affect their health, remains unclear. To advance oncology practice, this study sought to examine the extent to which fear of recurrence stemming from physical symptoms accounts for emotional distress in a large sample of adult survivors of cancer and to extend the model to explain postdiagnosis self-reported health behavior change.

METHODS:

In 2016, 258 survivors of cancer at an academic hospital completed a survey of psychosocial needs. Items assessed physical symptoms (checklist), fear of cancer recurrence (Assessment of Survivor Concerns), emotional distress (anxiety and depressed mood), and health behaviors (current alcohol use, physical activity, diet, and sunscreen use, as well as changes after cancer diagnosis) informed by National Comprehensive Cancer Network survivorship guidelines. Indirect effects regression models accounting for relevant covariates (age and treatment history) used 5,000-iteration bootstrapping.

RESULTS:

Higher fear of cancer recurrence was associated with greater number of physical symptoms ( P < .001), greater emotional distress ( P < .05), lower moderate or vigorous physical activity ( P < .05), higher sunscreen use ( P < .05), and postdiagnosis increases in alcohol use ( P < .01) and reductions in physical activity ( P < .01). Fear of cancer recurrence models accounted for almost half of the variance in distress of survivors of cancer ( R2 = 0.44, P < .001) and, to a lesser yet significant extent, changes in alcohol consumption ( R2 = 0.09, P < .001) and physical activity ( R2 = 0.06, P = .003).

CONCLUSION:

Fear of cancer recurrence plays a central role in the emotional distress and key health behaviors of survivors of cancer. These findings support fear of cancer recurrence as a potential target for emotional health and health behavior change interventions.
68Ga-Exendin-4 PET/CT Detects Insulinomas in Patients With Endogenous Hyperinsulinemic Hypoglycemia in MEN-1
Authors: Antwi Kwadwo , Nicolas Guillaume , Fani Melpomeni , Heye Tobias , Pattou Francois , Grossman Ashley , Chanson Philippe , Reubi Jean Claude , Perren Aurel , Gloor Beat , Vogt Deborah R , Wild Damian , Christ Emanuel
Published: July 2019

Context

Surgical intervention is advised in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type-1 (MEN-1) and nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs) with a size ≥20 mm. Functioning PanNETs, such as in patients with endogenous hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia (EHH) due to (one or multiple) insulinomas, should be treated surgically independent of size. Preoperative localization of insulinomas is critical for surgery.

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility and sensitivity of 68Ga-DOTA-exendin-4 positron emission tomography (PET)/CT in the detection of clinically relevant lesions in patients with MEN-1 and EHH in combination with MRI.

Design

Post hoc subgroup analysis of a larger prospective imaging study with 52 patients with EHH.

Patients

Six of 52 consecutive patients with EHH and genetically proven MEN-1 mutation were included.

Interventions

All patients received one 68Ga-DOTA-exendin-4 PET/CT and one MRI scan within 3 to 4 days. Thereafter, surgery was performed based on all imaging results.

Main Outcome Measures

Lesion-based sensitivity of PET/CT and MRI for detection of clinically relevant lesions was calculated. Readers were unaware of other results. The reference standard was surgery with histology and treatment outcome. True positive (i.e., clinically relevant lesions) was defined as PanNETs ≥20 mm or insulinoma.

Results

In six patients, 37 PanNETs were confirmed by histopathology. Sensitivity (95% CI) in the detection of clinically relevant lesions for combined PET/CT plus MRI, MRI, and PET/CT was 92.3% (64% to 99.8%), 38.5% (13.9% to 68.4%), and 84.6% (54.6% to 98.1%), respectively (P = 0.014 for the comparison of PET/CT plus MRI vs MRI). Postsurgery, EHH resolved in all patients.

Conclusion

68Ga-DOTA-exendin-4 PET/CT is feasible in patients with MEN-1 and EHH. The combination with MRI is superior to MRI alone in the detection of insulinomas and may guide the surgical strategy.
Oxidative Stress in Response to Saturated Fat Ingestion Is Linked to Insulin Resistance and Hyperandrogenism in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: González Frank , Considine Robert V , Abdelhadi Ola A , Acton Anthony J
Published: July 2019

Context

Oxidative stress and insulin resistance are often present in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Objective

We determined the effect of saturated fat ingestion on leukocytic reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, p47phox expression, and circulating thiobarbituric acid–reactive substances (TBARS) in women with PCOS.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Academic medical center.

Patients

Twenty women of reproductive age with PCOS (10 lean, 10 with obesity) and 19 ovulatory control subjects (10 lean, 9 with obesity).

Main Outcome Measures

ROS generation and p47phox mRNA and protein content were quantified in leukocytes, and TBARS was measured in plasma from blood drawn while the subjects were fasting and 2, 3, and 5 hours after saturated fat ingestion. Insulin sensitivity was derived from an oral glucose tolerance test (ISOGTT). Androgen secretion was assessed from blood drawn while the subjects were fasting and 24, 48, and 72 hours after human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) administration.

Results

Regardless of weight class, women with PCOS exhibited lipid-induced increases in leukocytic ROS generation and p47phox mRNA and protein content as well as plasma TBARS compared with lean control subjects. Both PCOS groups exhibited lower ISOGTT and greater HCG-stimulated androgen secretion compared with control subjects. The ROS generation, p47phox, and TBARS responses were negatively correlated with ISOGTT and positively correlated with HCG-stimulated androgen secretion.

Conclusion

In PCOS, increases in ROS generation, p47phox gene expression, and circulating TBARS in response to saturated fat ingestion are independent of obesity. Circulating mononuclear cells and excess adipose tissue are separate and distinct contributors to oxidative stress in this disorder.
Cocatalyst-free Plasmonic H2 Production over Au/Ta2O5 under Irradiation of Visible Light
Authors: Fudo Eri , Tanaka Atsuhiro , Kominami Hiroshi
Published: July 2019

Gold (Au)-modified tantalum(V) oxide (Ta2O5) prepared by using a colloid photodeposition method produced H2 without the aid of a cocatalyst under visible light irradiation due to the sufficiently negative potential of electrons injected from Au nanoparticles into the conduction band of Ta2O5 (−0.47 V).
DOT1L complex suppresses transcription from enhancer elements and ectopic RNAi in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Esse Ruben , Gushchanskaia Ekaterina S. , Lord Avery , Grishok Alla
Published: July 2019

Methylation of histone H3 on lysine 79 (H3K79) by DOT1L is associated with actively transcribed genes. Earlier, we described that DOT-1.1, the Caenorhabditis elegans homolog of mammalian DOT1L, cooperates with the chromatin-binding protein ZFP-1 (AF10 homolog) to negatively modulate transcription of highly and widely expressed target genes. Also, the reduction of ZFP-1 levels has consistently been associated with lower efficiency of RNA interference (RNAi) triggered by exogenous double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), but the reason for this is not clear. Here, we demonstrate that the DOT1L complex suppresses transcription originating from enhancer elements and antisense transcription, thus potentiating the expression of enhancer-regulated genes. We also show that worms lacking H3K79 methylation do not survive, and this lethality is suppressed by a loss of caspase-3 or Dicer complex components that initiate gene silencing response to exogenous dsRNA. Our results suggest that ectopic elevation of endogenous dsRNA directly or indirectly resulting from global misregulation of transcription in DOT1L complex mutants may engage the Dicer complex and, therefore, limit the efficiency of exogenous RNAi.
Análisis del proceso de reforma del Sistema General de Regalías colombiano 2010-2012
Authors: Moreno González Andrés Guillermo
Published: July 2019

En este artículo se analiza el proceso de reforma del Sistema General de Regalías colombiano (sgr) ocurrido entre los años 2010 a 2012. La pregunta por responder es: ¿por qué congresistas de departamentos mineros colombianos, en contravía al proceso de descentralización plasmado en la Constitución Política de 1991, aprueban un cambio de política pública que recentraliza las regalías mineras? El punto de partida es el diseño de políticas públicas analizado desde el marco de corrientes múltiples desarrollado por Kingdon (1995), desde el cual fue posible evidenciar el peso preponderante de los acuerdos institucionales para la aprobación de normas sobre el interés de los actores, pero además también permitió comprender que el sgr se constituye como mecanismo de solución al déficit fiscal creado por medidas destinadas a aumentar la inversión extranjera directa. Las fuentes de información fueron principalmente notas de prensa y el diario oficial del Congreso de la República.
Transformación de las emociones en las víctimas del conflicto armado para la reconciliación en Colombia
Authors: Peltier-Bonneau Leïla , Szwarcberg Méline
Published: July 2019

Este artículo analiza el lugar de las emociones en el posacuerdo de paz colom­biano, basándose en la implementación del programa Escuelas de Perdón y de Reconciliación (Espere) de la Fundación para la Reconciliación. Cuando los participantes, principalmente víctimas del conflicto armado, niegan sus emociones derivadas de una ofensa, observamos que se generan fenómenos de somatización que demuestran la insuficiencia de la resiliencia individual. La metodología pedagógica de las Espere permite abrir un camino hacia la reconciliación a través de actividades lúdicas y reflexivas en grupo. La facili­tación de un nuevo espacio de socialización donde se construye la confianza en el otro, fracturada después del traumatismo, es novedosa y liberadora. Para lograrlo, el lenguaje y el cuerpo son dos herramientas privilegiadas de la expresión personal. A esta reflexión se suma un enfoque de género, dado que los grupos analizados se componen únicamente por mujeres: la atención psicosocial toma en cuenta esta particularidad y ajusta la metodología con el fin de generar espacios de trabajo adaptados.
La política de la familiaridad. Hacia una etnografía política de las prácticas afectivas
Authors: Luján Verón David
Published: July 2019

En este artículo se vinculan algunas contribuciones de la antropología del estado y el clientelismo para iluminar la dimensión afectiva de las relaciones cliente­lares entre políticos profesionales, burócratas, dirigentes vecinales y vecinos, en un contexto local chileno. La tesis principal invita a categorizar sus prácticas como una ‘política de la familiaridad’, donde se invoca el conocimiento mutuo, confianza y emociones, para generar correspondencia e inhibir la diferencia así como el conflicto. Esta aproximación, se dirá, permite observar más fina y adecuadamente el entramado de relaciones sociales en juego. Las conclusiones, a manera de cierre, animan a otorgar centralidad a las emociones en el estudio de las relaciones políticas en general y las relaciones clientelares en particular despojándose de prejuicios racionalistas e individualistas.
La importancia del control conductual percibido como elemento determinante de la intención emprendedora entre los estudiantes universitarios
Authors: Torres-Coronas Teresa , Vidal-Blasco María Arántzazu
Published: July 2019

El aprendizaje emprendedor es un tema de gran interés en los últimos tiempos, incluso en el mundo universitario. La mentalidad emprendedora, el conocimiento, las habilidades y las actitudes están estrechamente relacionadoscon la innovación y la creatividad como facilitadores de acciones emprendedoras; estos factores son esenciales para preparar a los estudiantes universitarios para su futura vida profesional. Este estudio trata de analizar los factores que afectan al control conductual percibido como elemento determinante de la intención emprendedora. Para dar respuesta al objetivo propuesto, se pasó un cuestionario en línea a estudiantes universitarios (n = 549) yse realizó un análisis de regresión por pasos al objeto  de contrastar las hipótesis y la relación entre las variables. Los resultados del análisis realizado muestran que factores psicológicos relacionados con la inteligencia emocional, como de la autoeficacia emprendedora, así como la experiencia laboral, el ámbito de estudios y el entorno universitario, tienen impacto sobre el comportamiento conductual percibido. A partir de esto concluimos que las instituciones educativas deberían tener en cuenta los factores que influyen sobre el comportamiento conductualpercibido con la finalidad de rediseñar sus planes de estudios y ofrecer una formación más efectiva.
When a Doctor Knows, It Shows: An Empirical Analysis of Doctors’ Responses in a Q&A Forum of an Online Healthcare Portal
Authors: Khurana Sandeep , Qiu Liangfei , Kumar Subodha
Published: July 2019

Healthcare portals are gaining in popularity, connecting doctors with potential consumers of healthcare services. As online search and transaction marketplaces, they bring both sides of the market onto the same platform. Managers or platform owners seek to create value by increasing the number of users on either side of demand and supply of services. User-generated activity on Q&A forums of such sites reduces information asymmetry and indicates an increased adoption by either side. In this study, we have provided insights into understanding drivers for increased recommendations for doctors in online healthcare-services marketplace. The identification of these drivers and their directionality, interplay, and magnitude of impact are all of direct relevance to site promoters and managers as well as users. We find that the introduction of doctors’ responses has a significant causal impact on demand-side user perception of medical services offered. More importantly, our research suggests that doctors’ specialty, experience, qualifications, transparency in appointment booking, service fees, and response quality moderate the effect of doctors’ Q&A responses on user recommendations.
What is the role of ultrasound in fracture management?
Authors: Nicholson J. A. , Tsang S. T. J. , MacGillivray T. J. , Perks F. , Simpson A. H. R. W.
Published: July 2019

Objectives

The aim of this study was to review the current evidence and future application for the role of diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound in fracture management.

Methods

A review of relevant literature was undertaken, including articles indexed in PubMed with keywords “ultrasound” or “sonography” combined with “diagnosis”, “fracture healing”, “impaired fracture healing”, “nonunion”, “microbiology”, and “fracture-related infection”.

Results

The use of ultrasound in musculoskeletal medicine has expanded rapidly over the last two decades, but the diagnostic use in fracture management is not routinely practised. Early studies have shown the potential of ultrasound as a valid alternative to radiographs to diagnose common paediatric fractures, to detect occult injuries in adults, and for rapid detection of long bone fractures in the resuscitation setting. Ultrasound has also been shown to be advantageous in the early identification of impaired fracture healing; with the advent of 3D image processing, there is potential for wider adoption. Detection of implant-related infection can be improved by ultrasound mediated sonication of microbiology samples. The use of therapeutic ultrasound to promote union in the management of acute fractures is currently a controversial topic. However, there is strong in vitro evidence that ultrasound can stimulate a biological effect with potential clinical benefit in established nonunions, which supports the need for further investigation.

Conclusion

Modern ultrasound image processing has the potential to replace traditional imaging modalities in several areas of trauma practice, particularly in the early prediction of impaired fracture healing. Further understanding of the therapeutic application of ultrasound is required to understand and identify the use in promoting fracture healing. Cite this article: J. A. Nicholson, S. T. J. Tsang, T. J. MacGillivray, F. Perks, A. H. R. W. Simpson. What is the role of ultrasound in fracture management? Diagnosis and therapeutic potential for fractures, delayed unions, and fracture-related infection. Bone Joint Res 2019;8:304–312. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.87.BJR-2018-0215.R2.
Transient trade and the distribution of infrastructural knowledge: Bolivians in China
Authors: Müller Juliane
Published: July 2019

This article deals with transient migration of Bolivian traders and grassroots entrepreneurs to China. I trace prior experiences of traders with Asian and Chinese agents in South America to understand current transregional connections, and persistent trading practices and rationales. A growing conviction among Bolivians to travel to China and buy first-hand from factories in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Yiwu and Shanghai on the one hand, and a cautious handling of information and contacts among them on the other, have stimulated the emergence of commercial intermediaries. Very few of the Bolivian brokers, however, have settled down in China. The trade has remained highly transient with about 6,000 Bolivian traders and agents commuting each year back and forth to China. I explore the sources and effects of this transient trade, in particular the distribution of knowledge about infrastructure, technical and legal procedures to spur the inter-continental flow of goods.
Migration as adventure: Swedish corporate migrant families’ experiences of liminality in Shanghai
Authors: Suter Brigitte
Published: July 2019

The post-reform era in China has seen a steady increase in foreign migrants to the country. Swedish intra-corporate families are ambivalent about the move to China, as this causes the family dynamic to shift from a dual-career model to that of a single-career model. Although structural conditions are important in the decision to migrate, the more subjective part of the motivation to engage in mobility is the main focus of this article. Many assert that wanting to ‘have an adventure’ was a decisive aspect of the decision to migrate. By disentangling this ultimately relational concept, the article analyses the construction of difference in the way China is both imagined and experienced. The article contributes by providing insight into the family dynamics and decision-making involved in taking on an international assignment.
Transiting (in) Shanghai: High-skilled professionals from Spain to China
Authors: Masdeu Torruella Irene , Sáiz López Amelia
Published: July 2019

The last decade of transformations in global economy have made international migration between China and Spain increasingly popular. The ongoing developmental pathways of the two countries – with China becoming more economically prosperous and Spain struggling to deal with financial crisis – have led to more skilled workers moving from Spain to China in search of better life opportunities. This article aims to capture new mobility flows from Spain to China that involve two groups of Spanish high-skilled professionals: Chinese migrants’ descendants socialized in Spain and Spanish adults born to non-Chinese Spanish families. Drawing on semi-structured interviews the article makes a comparison between these two groups in terms of the aims of migration and the working experience in Shanghai. The main reasons for moving to China, irrespective of their ethnic backgrounds, were to develop professional careers and to gain qualified experience that might prove advantageous for their future life. For them, China is a transitional space in their professional mobility. Therefore, in our study the presence of migrants’ descendants in their parents’ home country cannot be described by the notions of ‘return migration’, ‘ethnic return’ and ‘second-generation return’.
The role of edible bird's nest and mechanism of averting lead acetate toxicity effect on rat uterus
Authors: Albishtue Abdulla A. , Yimer Nurhusien , Zakaria Md. Zuki A. , Haron Abd Wahid , Babji Abd Salam , Abubakar Adamu A. , Baiee Falah H. , Almhanna Hazem Kareem , Almhanawi Bahaa H.
Published: July 2019

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of edible bird's nest (EBN) supplement on the uteri of rats exposed to lead acetate (LA) toxicity.

Materials and Methods: Five treatment groups were established as follows: Group 1 (C), which was given distilled water; Group 2 (T0), which was administered with LA (10 mg/kg body weight [BW]); and Groups 3 (T1), 4 (T2), and 5 (T3), which were given LA (10 mg/kg BW) plus graded concentrations of 30, 60, and 120 mg/kg BW of EBN, respectively, for days. Rats were euthanized at week 5 to collect blood for superoxide dismutase (SOD) assay, and uterus for histomorphological study and expression analyses of epidermal growth factor (EGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).

Results: Results revealed that LA causes destruction of uterine lining cells and necrosis of uterine glands of exposed rats without EBN supplement while the degree of damage decreased among EBN treated groups; T3 showed the highest ameliorating effect against LA toxicity, as well as an increased number of uterine glands. Increased levels of SOD were also achieved in EBN supplemented groups than the controls. Results of immunohistochemistry showed significantly higher expressions of EGF, VEGF, and PCNA levels (p<0.05) in T3 compared to other treatments. EBN maintained upregulation of antioxidant – reactive oxygen species balance.

Conclusion: The findings showed that EBN could ameliorate the detrimental effects of LA toxicity on the uterus possibly by enhancing enzymatic antioxidant (SOD) activity as well as expressions of EGF, VEGF, and PCNA with cell proliferation roles.
Molecular characterization of Orf virus isolates from Kodai hills, Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Nagarajan G. , Pourouchottamane R. , Reddy G. B. Manjunatha , Yogisharadhya R. , Sumana K. , Rajapandi S. , Murali G. , Thirumaran S. M. K. , Mallick P. K. , Rajendiran A. S.
Published: July 2019

Aim: The present study was carried out to find out the causative agent of exanthematous skin lesions in sheep maintained by Southern Regional Research Centre, Mannavanur, Kodai hills, Tamil Nadu. Materials and Methods: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with Orf virus (ORFV) B2L gene-specific primers was carried out by employing the total genomic DNA isolated from the scabs as the template. The ORFV isolates from Kodai hills were characterized by the use of bioinformatics tools. Results: The amino acid identity of ORFV isolate 1 from Kodai hills is having 98.14%, 96.29%, and 83.59% identity with reference strains of ORFV, Pseudocowpox virus, and bovine papular stomatitis virus, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that ORFV isolates from Kodai hills clustered with the other ORFV isolates from different geographical areas of India. Conclusion: The etiological agent of exanthematous skin lesion among sheep of Kodai hills is ORFV.
Can the development of psoriatic arthritis be prevented in patients with psoriasis?
Authors: Nasonov E. L. , Korotaeva T. V. , Lila A. M. , Kubanov A. A.
Published: July 2019

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic immunoinflammatory disease that, on the one hand, is considered as the most common comorbidity in psoriasis as part of systemic psoriatic disease, and, on the other, is classified as a clinical form of spondyloarthritis and lies at the interface of the basic problems of rheumatology and dermatology. The study of the evolution of psoriasis in relation to the development of PsA is a research priority area in rheumatology and dermatology, which is important for deciphering the nature of heterogeneity and the immunopathogenesis mechanisms of these diseases and for developing novel methods of personalized therapy at different stages of diseases.
Insulin resistance in rheumatoid arthritis: relationship to lipid metabolism disorders and metabolic syndrome
Authors: Kondratyeva L. V. , Popkova T. V. , Nasonov E. L.
Published: July 2019

Objective:to determine the incidence of insulin resistance (IR) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to assess the relationship of IR to blood lipid profile changes and the presence of metabolic syndrome (MS).

Subjects and methods.The investigation enrolled 47 RA patients (41 women and 6 men) without a history of diabetes mellitus (DM) and with normal fasting glucose levels during examination. The patients' median age was 56 [39; 62] years; disease duration – 6 [5; 14] years. Most of the patients had low (40.4%) or moderate (42.6%) RA activity (DAS28). IR was diagnosed using the Homeostastic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) index 2.77. The presence of MS was assessed by the National Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP/ATPIII) criteria and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria.

Results and discussion.The median HOMA-IR value in RA patients was 1.7 [1.1; 3.2]. The HOMA-IR index correlated with age (r=0.3; p=0.04), body mass index (r=0.6; p<0.001), waist circumference (r=0.6; p<0.001), and the concentrations of total cholesterol (r=0.3; p=0.02) and triglycerides (TG) (r=0.5; p<0.001). All the patients were divided into two groups: 1) 15 patients with IR; 2) 32 patients without IR. The patients of both groups were matched for sex, age, RA duration and activity, and therapy, but the RA patients with IR more often had abdominal obesity (100.0 and 37.5%), hypertriglyceridemia (33.3 and 6.3%) and the atherogenic index >3.0 (40.0 and 6.3%, respectively; p<0.05 in all cases). MS was diagnosed using the NCEP/ATPIII criteria in 46.7% of cases with RI and in 6.3% of those without IR; MS was identified by the IDF criteria in 60.0 and 12.5% of cases, respectively (p<0.01 in all cases). There were no differences between groups in the incidence of hypertension, myocardial infarction, or in the frequency of surgeries for myocardial revascularization.

Conclusion.More than 30% of RA patients without DM have IR (HOMA-IR ≥2.77). IR in RA is associated with obesity, elevated blood TG levels, and a proatherogenic lipid profile. The use of the criteria for MS could not always allows suspect IR in patients with RA.
Study of local and generalized bone loss in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Dydykina I. S. , Kozhevnikova P. O.
Published: July 2019

Chronic inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is accompanied by local (periarticular osteoporosis) and generalized loss of bone mineral density in the axial and peripheral skeleton. The paper discusses the relationship between local and generalized bone loss and the contribution of various factors to bone changes. Information about the contribution of age at the onset of RA to the progression of destructive changes in the hands and feet and the rate of generalized bone loss in the axial and peripheral skeleton are contradictory.
Efficiency of local hyaluronic acid injections in subacromial impingement syndrome
Authors: Nesterenko V. A. , Karateev A. E. , Byalik E. I. , Makarov M. A. , Makarov S. A. , Byalik V. E. , Nurmukhametov M. R. , Fedotov I. A.
Published: July 2019

Chronic shoulder pain associated with subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) is a common pathology that causes suffering and disability. One of the treatments for SIS is the local injection of hyaluronic acid (HA) preparations.

Objective:to evaluate the efficiency of subacromial injection of HA in chronic shoulder pain associated with SIS.

Subjects and methods.A study group consisted of 31 patients (48.4% of women and 51.6% of men; mean age 53.8±15.2 years) with chronic shoulder pain (>3 months) that had occurred after rotator tendon injury confirmed by ultrasound and/or magnetic resonance imaging. All the patients received two subacromial injections of 40 mg HA in 2 ml at a 7-day interval. The efficacy criteria were the changes of pain during movement (100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS)) and functional ability according to the ASES and CSC questionnaires at 1, 3 and 6 months.

Results and discussion.During the treatment, there was a considerable improvement in all measures. At baseline and 1, 3, and 6 months, the mean pain severity measured on VAS was 60.0±20.0, 40.0±25.4, 31.6±26.0, and 32.2±26.5 mm (p<0.001), the mean ASES scores were 53.64±16.43, 70.08±17.70, 86.13±12.86, and 82.69±27.88 (p<0.001); the mean CSC scores were 52.38±21.1, 66.26±20.83, 73.9±24.14, and 76.1±25.02 (p<0.001) respectively. No serious adverse events were noted.

Conclusion.Subacromial injection of HA is an effective and safe treatment for chronic shoulder pain associated with SIS.
On the terms «rheumatology» and «rheumatic diseases» (regarding Sh. Erdes's article «Definition of the term «rheumatology»: do we need this and how do the EULAR and the ACR look at this?»)
Authors: Muravyev Yu. V. , Muravyeva L. A.
Published: July 2019

The authors comment on the discussion article «Definition of the term “rheumatology”: do we need this and how do the EULAR and the ACR look at this?» by Sh. Erdes.
PEMILIHAN RUTE TERPENDEK DARI KAWASAN PERMUKIMAN TERBANGUN PERKOTAAN PURBALINGGA MENGGUNAKAN ALGORITMA FLOYD-WARSHALL
Authors: Hapsari Moniq Rizki , Hardini Probo , Indriyati Eva Wahyu
Published: July 2019

Salah satu indikasi terjadinya perkembangan dan pertumbuhan kota ditandai dengan pertumbuhan lahan perumahan. Distribusi lokasi perumahan dalam hal ini berkaitan dengan pergerakan berbasis rumah dari masing-masing zona karena adanya lokasi perumahan akan menimbulkan terjadinya pergerakan. Pergerakan dalam hal ini berkaitan erat dengan pemilihan rute dan moda. Pengendara cenderung memilih rute atau moda yang dianggapnya dapat memberikan nilai optimum. Dalam pemilihan rute, untuk mendapatkan rute optimum salah satu pendekatan yang bisa diambil adalah dengan memilih rute dengan jarak terpendek. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pemilihan rute terpendek pada kawasan permukiman terbangun di Kawasan Kota Purbalingga. Data yang dibutuhkan adalah data sekunder berupa data Matriks Asal Tujuan (MAT), peta pembagian zona, peta jaringan jalan Kota Purbalingga, dan data panjang jalan. Proses analisis diawali dengan terlebih dahulu menentukan pusat zona. Langkah-langkah yang dilakukan untuk mencapai tujuan penelitian adalah penentuan pusat zona, penentuan rute-rute alternative dari suatu zona ke zona-zona lainnya, dan penentuan rute terpendek melalui reduksi terhadap alternatif rute. Pereduksian rute terpendek menggunakan algoritma Floyd-Warshall. Dari penelitian ini dihasilkan rute terpendek yang merupakan sebuah rute optimum. Pemakaian algoritma Floyd-Warshall yang diterapkan pada penelitian ini mampu menjadi solusi pencarian rute optimum dari zona asal menuju zona tujuan. Hal ini dikarenakan hasil iterasi matriks terakhir dapat menunjukkan nilai terkecil. Hasil penelitian ini dapat digunakan untuk mencari pembebanan jaringan jalan
Integrating Client-Chosen Music in Relational Trauma Treatment: Pathways to the Heart
Authors: Skean Karen Riggs
Published: July 2019

This commentary discusses the therapy of a hybridized client (Blimling, 2019) with a difficult relational trauma history in which client-chosen music was combined with a short-term treatment utilizing Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP). This combination bypassed rigid defenses and allowed access to a level of affect not ordinarily available to the client, allowing significant symptomatic and relational shifts to occur. Primary goals of helping the client deal with a major loss, reduce his level of depression, and improve his interpersonal functioning were met. Implications for the use of integrative methods with short-term models and the importance of therapist flexibility are discussed.
A Bridge Over Troubled Water: Commentary on Paul Blimling’s Case of "James" Integrating Music Listening into AEDP
Authors: Harrison Richard
Published: July 2019

The integration of music listening into Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) is explored through discussion of Dr. Paul Blimling’s (2019) composite case study, "James." AEDP is a healing-oriented, non-pathologizing, experiential therapy model in which the therapist actively seeks to harness glimmers of resilience from the outset of treatment, and to co-engender safety within the therapy relationship in order to unleash the transforming power of attachment and emotion (Fosha, 2000, 2003, 2009, 2018). Blimling’s incorporation of music listening into the treatment of a highly defended, initially hostile patient helped bypass defenses, foster attachment within the therapy relationship, and access and co-regulate the patient’s affective experience. Key AEDP change mechanisms in the treatment included: undoing aloneness; affirmative work with defenses; dyadic affect regulation; emotion processing; and (to a lesser extent), metatherapeutic processing (metaprocessing for short). The latter is a unique and important contribution of AEDP to our field. Since the publication of Fosha’s The Transforming Power of Affect (2000), AEDP itself has evolved from an attachment- and emotion-focused model to also focus increasingly and explicitly on transformational experience as an agent of change. The experience of positive change itself is now seen as an equally important AEDP change mechanism, alongside attachment and emotion processing. Metatherapeutic processing of patients’ experiences of positive change, which involves a recursive alternation between exploration of new experience and reflection on that experience, frequently results in an expansive spiral of the transformational processes and affects identified by Fosha (2009, 2018). In addition to affirming Blimling’s choice of AEDP and his sensitive and skillful integration of music listening into the treatment, I envision how the transformational process described in the case study might have been further expanded, deepened, and consolidated, had the therapist more assiduously and experientially explored the patient’s experiences of positive change.
𝐻𝑝 spaces for generalized Schrödinger operators and applications
Authors: Liu Yu , Wang He
Published: July 2019

In this paper, we study the Hardy type space

H
ℒ
p

⁢

(

ℝ
n

)

{H_{\mathcal{L}}^{p}({\mathbb{R}^{n}})}

by means of local maximal functions associated with the heat semigroup

e

-

t
⁢
ℒ

{e^{-t\mathcal{L}}}

generated by

-
ℒ

{-\mathcal{L}}

, where

ℒ
=

-
Δ

+
μ

{\mathcal{L}=-\Delta+\mu}

is the generalized Schrödinger operator in

ℝ
n

{{\mathbb{R}^{n}}}

(

n
≥
3

{n\geq 3}

) and

μ
≢
0

{\mu\not\equiv 0}

is a nonnegative Radon measure satisfying certain scale-invariant Kato conditions and doubling conditions.
Via the equivalence of the norms between various local maximal functions, we show that the norms

∥
f
∥

H
ℒ
p

⁢

(

ℝ
n

)

p

{\lVert f\rVert_{H_{\mathcal{L}}^{p}({\mathbb{R}^{n}})}^{p}}

and

∥
f
∥

H
m

p
,
q

⁢

(

ℝ
n

)

p

{\lVert f\rVert_{H_{m}^{p,q}({\mathbb{R}^{n}})}^{p}}

are equivalent for

n

n
+

δ
′

<
p
≤
1
≤
q
≤
∞

{\frac{n}{n+\delta^{\prime}}

0

{\delta^{\prime}>0}

.
As applications, we prove that Calderón–Zygmund operators related to the auxiliary function

m
⁢

(
x
,
μ
)

{m(x,\mu)}

are bounded from

H
ℒ
p

⁢

(

ℝ
n

)

{H_{\mathcal{L}}^{p}({\mathbb{R}^{n}})}

into

L
p

⁢

(

ℝ
n

)

{L^{p}({\mathbb{R}^{n}})}

for

n

n
+

γ
1

<
p
≤
1

{\frac{n}{n+\gamma_{1}}

0

{\gamma_{1}>0}

.
In particular, we show that the Riesz transform

∇

(
-
Δ
+
μ
)

-

1
2

{\nabla(-\Delta+\mu)^{-\frac{1}{2}}}

, which is a special example of the above Calderón–Zygmund operators, is bounded from

H
ℒ
p

⁢

(

ℝ
n

)

{H_{\mathcal{L}}^{p}({\mathbb{R}^{n}})}

into

H
p

⁢

(

ℝ
n

)

{{H}^{p}({\mathbb{R}^{n}})}

for

n

n
+

γ
1

<
p
≤
1

{\frac{n}{n+\gamma_{1}}<p\leq 1}

with

0
<

γ
1

<
1

{0<\gamma_{1}<1}

.
Predicate signatures from pair encodings via dual system proof technique
Authors: Nandi Mridul , Pandit Tapas
Published: July 2019

Recently, Attrapadung (Eurocrypt 2014) proposed a generic framework for fully (adaptively) secure predicate encryption (PE) based on a new primitive, called pair encodings.
The author shows that if the underlying pair encoding scheme is either perfectly secure or computationally (doubly-selectively) secure, then the PE scheme will be fully secure.
Although the pair encodings were solely introduced for PE, we show that these can also be used to construct predicate signatures, a signature analogue of PE.
More precisely, we propose a generic construction of predicate signature (PS) from pair encoding schemes.
Our construction provides unconditional signer privacy, and unforgeability in the adaptive model.
Thereafter, we instantiate many PS schemes with new results, e.g., the first practical PS schemes for regular languages, the first attribute-based signature (ABS) scheme with constant-size signatures in the adaptive model, unbounded ABS with large universes in key-policy flavor, etc.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of S-simplexides and other analogues of simplexide
Authors: Roux Amélie , Loffredo Stefania , Ferrara Anne Lise , Murphy Paul V.
Published: July 2019

Simplexides are natural glycolipids isolated from the marine sponge Plakortis simplex, and contain alkyl 4-O-(α-D-glucopyranosyl)-β-D-galactopyranoside. Simplexides can release of cytokines (IL-6) and chemokines (CXCL-8) from human monocytes and cause the expansion of natural killer T-cells (iNKTs) in vitro, with iNKTs contributing to the sustenance of immune homeostasis. Herein, the stereoselective syntheses of S-glycosidic analogues, i.e. S-simplexides, are described. The routes included Lewis acid promoted anomerisation of glycosyl thiols and thioglycolipids, as well as anomeric S-alkylation. Synthesis of O-glycosidic analogues are included. Heptadecanyl O- and S-glycosides as well as the 17-tritriacontyl 4-O-(α-D-glucopyranosyl)-β-D-galactopyranoside, a component of the natural simplexide isolate, all induced IL-6 and CXCL-8 production at both 10 and 30 μg/mL concentrations from PBMCs whereas the two S-simplexides were inactive. It is speculated that the lack of activity for the S-disaccharide analogue could be due to inhibition of cellular α-glucosidase, preventing degradation of the simplex disaccharide to a simpler galactopyranoside, whereas lack of activity for the S-galactolipid analogue could be due to increased conformational flexibility of S-glycosides. On the other hand, simpler unbranched O- and S-glycolipid analogues were active. Natural simplexide, and a synthetic simplexide, the 18-pentatriacontanyl 4-O-(α-D-glucopyranosyl)-β-D-galactopyranoside, were more potent than the new compounds tested.
Serum Homocysteine, VEGF and TGF-β1 dynamic change in colorectal cancer patients prior and post-operation
Authors: Ni Yayi , Xue Lihua , Zhu Guangbo , Chen Yangrong
Published: July 2019

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the serum homocysteine (Hcy), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) dynamic change in colorectal cancer patients pre- and post-operation.

Material and methods: One hundred and eighteen CRC patients treated with surgery (CRC group) and 56 healthy controls (Control group) were included in this work. The serum Hcy, VEGF TGF-β1 were examined by enzymatic cycle and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of the two groups. We followed patients for 12 months and out of the 118 CRC patients, 14 patients had recurrent disease. Serum Hcy, VEGF and TGF-β1 were measured before and after surgery and repeated every 2 months.

Results Serum Hcy, VEGF and TGF-β1 were 16.20 ± 4.79 μmol/L, 492.36 ± 97.32 pg/ml, 29.23 ± 7.47 pg/ml for the CRC group and 8.98 ± 3.02 μmol/L, 315.21 ± 56.28 pg/ml, 7.69 ± 2.31 pg/ml for the control groups. Serum Hcy, VEGF and TGF-β1 was significantly (p<0.05) lower after surgery in both recurrent and nonrecurrent CRC patients (p<0.05). Interestingly, serum Hcy, VEGF and TGF-β1 gradually increased with time.

Conclusion Serum Hcy, VEGF and TGF-β1 levels are elevated in CRC patients and may correlated with the post-operative disease recurrence.
Improving patient–practitioner interaction in chronic pain rehabilitation
Authors: Stinesen Baukje B. , Sneijder Petra , Köke Albère J.A. , Smeets Rob J.E.M.
Published: July 2019

Stimulating patients to approach their pain from a biopsychosocial perspective is central to chronic pain rehabilitation. However, conversations between patients and their healthcare professionals about the social and psychological factors that may contribute to the continuation of pain and disability can be challenging. The current scientific literature does not sufficiently pinpoint the difficulties in patient–practitioner interaction on chronic pain, and it falls short of answering the question of how a joint exploration of the social and psychological factors that might be involved in the patient’s pain and evolving disability can be enhanced. In this theoretical article, we introduce discursive psychology as a potentially valuable research perspective to gain a better understanding of the difficulties in patient–practitioner interaction in the context of chronic pain rehabilitation. Discursive psychology focuses on features of people’s talk (e.g. that of patients and practitioners) and is concerned with the social practices that people perform as part of a specific interactional context. In this paper, we provide an introduction to the main theoretical notions of discursive psychology. We illustrate how discursive psychological analyses can inform our understanding of the specific sensitivities in conversations between patients with chronic pain and their practitioners. Finally, we address how a better understanding of these sensitivities offers a gateway towards improving these conversations.