bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevention and management of statin adverse effects: A practical approach for pharmacists
Authors: Barry Arden R. , Beach Jessica E. , Pearson Glen J.
Published: April 2018

Statin-associated adverse effects, primarily muscle-related symptoms, occur in up to approximately one-third of patients in clinical practice. Recently, a Canadian Consensus Working Group outlined 6 key principles to assess and manage patients with goal-inhibiting statin intolerance, defined as a syndrome characterized by symptoms or biomarker abnormalities that prevent the long-term use of and adherence to indicated statin therapy, which includes a trial of at least 2 statins and precludes reversible causes of statin adverse effects. These principles ensure patients are appropriately receiving a statin and aware of both the benefits and risks of therapy. As well, they address factors that may increase the risk of statin-associated myopathy. A thorough assessment of patients’ clinical and laboratory history should be performed in any patient presenting with muscle symptoms on statin therapy, followed by a systematic dechallenge/rechallenge approach. In practice, most patients with statin intolerance due to muscle symptoms will be able to tolerate another statin. This is of particular importance because of the relative paucity of compelling evidence demonstrating a cardiovascular benefit with nonstatin therapies. Pharmacists are ideally situated to provide patient education, recommend changes to therapy and monitor patients with goal-inhibiting statin intolerance.
Simple nonlinear control of quadcopter for collision avoidance based on geometric approach in static environment
Authors: Thanh Ha Le Nhu Ngoc , Phi Nguyen Ngoc , Hong Sung Kyung
Published: April 2018

A simple, robust nonlinear controller for quadcopters to avoid collisions, based on the geometry approach and kinematics equation, is proposed. The controller allows the quadcopter to avoid single and multiple obstacles. Once an obstacle with a high possibility of collision is detected, a boundary sphere of the obstacle is generated to determine the collision zone. Afterward, the tracking error angles between the quadcopter’s motion direction and the tangential lines from the quadcopter’s current position to the boundary sphere are computed to steer the direction of the quadcopter for collision avoidance. A guidance law and a velocity control law are obtained from the Lyapunov stability based on the tracking error angles and relative distances between vehicle and obstacles. In addition, a method to drive the quadcopter to the target position after the completion of collision avoidance is introduced. The effectiveness of the proposed collision-avoidance algorithm is demonstrated through the result of a numerical simulation.
Immune therapy in sepsis: Are we ready to try again?
Authors: Davies Roger , O’Dea Kieran , Gordon Anthony
Published: April 2018

Immune therapy to ease the burden of sepsis has thus far failed to consistently improve patient outcomes. Advances in cancer immune therapy and awareness that prolonged immune-suppression in sepsis can leave patients vulnerable to secondary infection and death have driven resurgence in the field of sepsis immune-therapy investigation. As we develop and evaluate these novel therapies, we must learn from past experiences where single-mediator targeted immune therapies were blindly delivered to heterogeneous patient cohorts with complex and evolving immune responses. Advances in genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and point-of-care technology, coupled with a better understanding of sepsis pathogenesis, have meant that personalised immune-therapy is on the horizon. Here, we review the complex immune pathogenesis in sepsis and the contemporary immune therapies that are being investigated to manipulate this response. An outline of the immune biomarkers that may be used to support this approach is also provided.
Melloni overruled? Considerations on the ‘Taricco II’ judgment of the Court of Justice
Authors: Viganò Francesco
Published: April 2018

In its M.A.S. preliminary ruling on the questions asked by the Italian Constitutional Court in the wake of Taricco, the Court of Justice chooses now to avoid any conflict with the Italian counterpart and allows the Italian criminal courts not to comply with the obligations laid down in Taricco, insofar as these obligations are inconsistent with the principle of legality in criminal matters in its domestic constitutional dimension. However, several questions remain unanswered. The most awkward question is probably whether or not each Member State will be actually allowed, as the Italian Constitutional Court has been in this case, to be bound by its own national standards of protection of fundamental rights while implementing EU obligations in criminal matters, even if those national standards are higher than those set at a European level – a possibility, which is hardly reconcilable with the principles set forth by the same Court of Justice in Melloni.
Some lessons from the Taricco saga
Authors: Manes Vittorio
Published: April 2018

The Taricco saga represents a fundamental step into the evolution of ‘EU criminal law’ as for the relationship between the Court of Justice and national constitutional courts. The primacy of EU law, the counter-limits, together with the protection of fundamental rights, have come under the spotlight since the Court of Justice has denied in practice the obligation to disapply national provisions contrasting with EU law that in principle is still regarded as necessary. The path of `European criminal law’ appears long and winding, requiring the cooperation among national and supranational level to be strengthened instead of undermined.
Improvement in exercise capacity and delayed anaerobic metabolism induced by far-infrared-emitting garments in active healthy subjects: A pilot study
Authors: Mantegazza Valentina , Contini Mauro , Botti Maurizia , Ferri Ada , Dotti Francesca , Berardi Pierluigi , Agostoni Piergiuseppe
Published: April 2018

Background

Far-infrared-emitting garments have several biological properties including the capability to increase blood perfusion in irradiated tissues.

Design

The aim of the study was to evaluate whether far-infrared radiation increases exercise capacity and delays anaerobic metabolism in healthy subjects.

Methods

With a double-blind, crossover protocol, a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test was performed in 20 volunteers, wearing far-infrared or common sport clothes, identical in texture and colour.

Results

Comparing far-infrared with placebo garments, higher oxygen uptake at peak of exercise and longer endurance time were observed (peak oxygen uptake 38.0 ± 8.9 vs. 36.2 ± 8.5 ml/kg/min, endurance time 592 ± 85 vs. 570 ± 71 seconds; P < 0.01); the anaerobic threshold was significantly delayed (anaerobic threshold time 461 ± 93 vs. 417 ± 103 seconds) and anaerobic threshold oxygen uptake and anaerobic threshold oxygen pulse were significantly higher (25.3 ± 6.4 vs. 20.9 ± 5.4 ml/kg/min and 13.3 ± 3.8 vs. 12.4 ± 3.3 ml/beat, respectively). In 10 subjects the blood lactate concentration was measured every 2 minutes during exercise and at peak; lower values were observed with far-infrared fabrics compared to placebo from the eighth minute of exercise, reaching a significant difference at 10 minutes (3.6 ± 0.83 vs. 4.4 ± 0.96 mmol/l; P = 0.02).

Conclusions

In healthy subjects, exercising with a far-infrared outfit is associated with an improvement in exercise performance and a delay in anaerobic metabolism. In consideration of the acknowledged non-thermic properties of functionalised clothes, these effects could be mediated by an increase in oxygen peripheral delivery secondary to muscular vasodilation. These data suggest the need for testing far-infrared-emitting garments in patients with exercise limitation or in chronic cardiovascular and respiratory patients engaged in rehabilitation programmes.
Attitudes of people working in mental health non-governmental organisations in Australia: A comparison with other mental health professionals
Authors: Rose Grenville , von Hippel Courtney , Brener Loren , von Hippel Bill
Published: April 2018

Research suggests that stigma impacts help-seeking behaviour and health outcomes for people affected by mental illness. This study compared the attitudes of Australian non-governmental organisation support workers towards people with mental illness with those of other health professionals. Three hundred and seventy four support workers were randomly allocated to answer questions about one of the six vignettes. Results indicated that non-governmental organisation support workers held more positive attitudes towards people with mental illness than those of general practitioners, psychiatrists and psychologists measured in prior research. These results suggest that non-governmental organisations may be a more positive and comfortable entry and referral point for mental health clients.
Eco-Label Effects in the Built Environment: Does Labeling a Light Source Environmentally Friendly Influence Performance and Judgment?
Authors: Haga Andreas
Published: April 2018

Built environments with objects that are labeled “environmentally friendly” appear to change people’s behavior. For example, one study has shown that labeling a desktop lamp “environmentally friendly” can enhance color discrimination, in comparison with when the lamp is labeled “conventional,” even though there is no physical difference between the two lamps. This article explored the generalizability and replicability of this label effect by asking participants to conduct a proofreading task on a desk lit up by a desktop lamp that was either labeled “environmentally friendly” or “conventional”; in reality, the two lamps were identical. Participants high in environmental concern performed better when the lamp was labeled “environmentally friendly.” Moreover, the light from the lamp labeled “environmentally friendly” was rated as more comfortable. Taken together, the results seem to suggest that people’s beliefs about the source (an environmentally friendly or a conventional lamp) from which the light originates change both rating of comfort and performance. Theoretical explanations and applied implications of these effects are discussed.
Smoking and Flap Survival
Authors: Hwang Kun , Son Ji Soo , Ryu Woo Kyung
Published: April 2018

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to compare the complications of flap surgery in non-smokers and smokers and to determine how the incidence of complications was affected by the abstinence period from smoking before and after flap surgery.

Methods:

In PubMed and Scopus, terms “smoking” and “flap survival” were used, which resulted in 113 papers and 65 papers, respectively. After excluding 6 duplicate titles, 172 titles were reviewed. Among them, 45 abstracts were excluded, 20 full papers were reviewed, and finally 15 papers were analyzed.

Results:

Post-operative complications such as flap necrosis ( P < .001), hematoma ( P < .001), and fat necrosis ( P = .003) occurred significantly more frequently in smokers than in non-smokers. The flap loss rate was significantly higher in smokers who were abstinent for 24 hours post-operatively than in non-smokers (n = 1464, odds ratio [OR] = 4.885, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.071-11.524, P < .001). The flap loss rate was significantly lower in smokers who were abstinent for 1 week post-operatively than in those who were abstinent for 24 hours post-operatively (n = 131, OR = 0.252, 95% CI = 0.074-0.851, P = .027). No significant difference in flap loss was found between non-smokers and smokers who were abstinent for 1 week preoperatively (n = 1519, OR = 1.229, 95% CI = 0.482-3.134, P = .666) or for 4 weeks preoperatively (n = 1576, OR = 1.902, 95% CI = 0.383-2.119, P = .812).

Conclusion:

Since smoking decreases the alveolar oxygen pressure and subcutaneous wound tissue oxygen, and nicotine causes vasoconstriction, smokers are more likely to experience flap loss, hematoma, or fat necrosis than non-smokers. Preoperative and post-operative abstinence period of at least 1 week is necessary for smokers who undergo flap operations.
Policymaking in the Context of Contestations: GM Technology Debate in India
Authors: Navneet Asheesh
Published: April 2018

This article deals with the current conflicting discourses on the GM technology in India. To analyse the discourse, the article adopts the theory of advocacy coalition framework (ACF) and co-dynamic model taken from Sabatier & Weible (2007) and Millstone (2014), respectively. With the help of ACF and co-dynamic model, an attempt is made to understand the shaping up of the theory of various arguments on GM technology in Indian context. The theory and the model deal with the conflict of interest of stakeholders and the primary reason for the conflict. Besides that the article deals with the reports-presented by the Technical Expert Committee (TEC) appointed by the Supreme Court and the Parliamentary Standing Committee appointed by the Indian Parliament to show that the available information on GM techno-logy is contested among scientists. The article argues that the relevance of the theory and model increases for policy participants to analyse and address various concerns coming from the civil society groups about GM technology on production, biodiversity, environment, health and ownership right related issues.
Heme-pigment nephropathy after transurethral resection of prostate cancer
Authors: Kumar Anubhav , Besharatian Behdad , Kobrin Sidney , Palmer Matthew B , Hogan Jonathan J
Published: April 2018

Introduction:

Transurethral resection of the prostate is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in men to relieve bladder outlet obstruction, most often due to benign prostatic hyperplasia. However, transurethral resection of the prostate may also be used in patients with metastatic prostate cancer who have bladder outlet obstruction. Acute kidney injury after transurethral resection of the prostate has been described and attributed to a variety of mechanisms, including acute tubular necrosis, rhabdomyolysis, and hemolysis with heme-pigment nephropathy. However, to our knowledge, no case of kidney biopsy-proven heme-pigment nephropathy due to hemolysis from a transurethral resection of the prostate procedure has been published to date.

Case description:

We describe a case of an 82-year-old man with metastatic prostate cancer who presented with severe oliguric renal failure 2 weeks after transurethral resection of the prostate for bladder outlet obstruction. Laboratory studies showed evidence of hemolysis, and a kidney biopsy showed heme-pigment cast nephropathy.

Conclusions:

We hypothesize that the patient’s kidney injury was induced by hemolysis resulting from rapid absorption of hypotonic fluid administered during the transurethral resection of the prostate procedure. Patients with prostate cancer undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate for bladder outlet obstruction may experience severe complications related to rapid absorption of hypotonic fluid. Our case illustrates the importance of nephrology evaluation and kidney biopsy in patients with benign and malignant prostate conditions who experience post-transurethral resection of the prostate syndrome and acute kidney injury in order to better characterize these complications, and to develop preventative strategies for future cases.
Altered Cortical Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid in Female Veterans With Suicidal Behavior: Sex Differences and Clinical Correlates
Authors: Prescot Andrew , Sheth Chandni , Legarreta Margaret , Renshaw Perry F. , McGlade Erin , Yurgelun-Todd Deborah
Published: April 2018

Background

Suicide is a public health concern in the civilian and veteran populations. Stressful life events are precipitating factors for suicide. The neurochemical underpinnings of the association between stress/trauma and suicide risk are unclear, especially with regard to sex differences. We hypothesized that gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), the major inhibitory neurotransmitter, may be a neurochemical candidate that is critical in the association between stress and suicide risk in veterans.

Methods

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 3.0 Tesla was used to measure in vivo neurochemistry in the anterior cingulate cortex (predominantly the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex) of 81 veterans (16 females), including 57 (11 females) who endorsed past suicidal ideation and/or suicide attempt and 24 (5 females) with no history of suicidal ideation and/or suicide attempt. Suicidal behavior (SB) was defined as the presence of suicidal ideation and/or suicide attempt.

Results

We observed no significant differences in GABA/creatine + phosphocreatine (Cr + PCr) between veterans with SB (SB+) and without SB (SB−). However, the female SB+ group showed significantly reduced GABA/Cr + PCr versus the female SB− group. We observed a trend-level significant negative correlation between GABA/Cr + PCr and the Defensive Avoidance subscale on the Trauma Symptom Inventory in the SB+ group. In contrast, the SB− group exhibited a positive relationship between the two variables. Furthermore, we found significant negative correlations between GABA/Cr + PCr and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression scores as well as between GABA/Cr + PCr and several subscales of the Trauma Symptom Inventory in female veterans.

Conclusions

This study suggests that reduced GABA/Cr + PCr ratio in the anterior cingulate cortex, which may be related to altered inhibitory capacity, may underlie suicide risk in female veterans. Further, the negative association between GABA/Cr + PCr and stress symptomatology and depression scores suggests that magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies may shed light on intermediate phenotypes of SB.
Hypotony Maculopathy: A Silent Mimicker of Common Macular Diseases With Nonspecific Optical Coherence Tomography Findings
Authors: Lee Ramon , Ameri Hossein
Published: April 2018

Purpose:

To highlight the diagnostic challenge of eyes with hypotony maculopathy with concurrent macular diseases and to present optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging findings in hypotony maculopathy.

Methods:

Retrospective review of 15 eyes of 12 patients with hypotony maculopathy at a single institution.

Results:

Low intraocular pressure (IOP) was caused by overfiltration from trabeculectomy in 9 eyes (of 15, 60%), overtreatment with topical aqueous suppressants after trabeculectomy in 3 eyes (of 15, 20%), bleb leak in 1 eye (of 15, 7%), and treatment with topical aqueous suppressants alone in 2 eyes (of 15, 13%). On OCT imaging, 7 eyes (of 15, 47%) had chorioretinal folds without intraretinal fluid (IRF) or subretinal fluid (SRF), 5 eyes (of 15, 33%) had either IRF or SRF with chorioretinal folds, and 3 eyes (of 15, 20%) had IRF or SRF without chorioretinal folds. The majority of eyes (11 of 15 eyes, 73%) had additional diagnoses apart from hypotony maculopathy that could have potentially caused IRF or SRF, which included epiretinal membrane, retinal vein occlusion, and age-related macular degeneration. Two eyes (of 15, 13%) were initially erroneously managed for a nonhypotony maculopathy pathology due to the diagnostic challenge in eyes with hypotony maculopathy.

Conclusion:

Hypotony maculopathy demonstrates nonspecific OCT findings such as IRF and SRF that are commonly seen in other macular diseases. In eyes with these macular diseases, diagnosing hypotony maculopathy may be challenging; thus, attention to past ocular history and IOP must always be part of evaluation.
Low risk of recurrence following artesunate–Sulphadoxine–pyrimethamine plus primaquine for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax infections in the Republic of the Sudan
Authors: Hamid Muzamil Mahdi Abdel , Thriemer Kamala , Elobied Maha E. , Mahgoub Nouh S. , Boshara Salah A. , Elsafi Hassan M. H. , Gumaa Suhaib A. , Hamid Tassneem , Abdelbagi Hanadi , Basheir Hamid M. , Marfurt Jutta , Chen Ingrid , Gosling Roly , Price Ric N. , Ley Benedikt
Published: April 2018

Background

First-line schizontocidal treatment for uncomplicated malaria in the Republic of the Sudan is artesunate (total dose 12 mg/kg) plus Sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine (25/1.25 mg/kg) (AS/SP). Patients with Plasmodium vivax are also treated with 14 days primaquine (total dose 3.5 mg/kg) (PQ). The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of the national policy.

Methods

Patients above 1 year, with microscopy-confirmed, Plasmodium falciparum and/or P. vivax malaria were treated with AS/SP. Patients with P. falciparum were randomized to no primaquine (Pf-noPQ) or a single 0.25 mg/kg dose of PQ (Pf-PQ1). Patients with P. vivax received 14 days unsupervised 3.5 mg/kg PQ (Pv-PQ14) on day 2 or at the end of follow up (Pv-noPQ). Primary endpoint was the risk of recurrent parasitaemia at day 42. G6PD activity was measured by spectrophotometry and the Accessbio Biosensor™.

Results

231 patients with P. falciparum (74.8%), 77 (24.9%) with P. vivax and 1 (0.3%) patient with mixed infection were enrolled. The PCR corrected cumulative risk of recurrent parasitaemia on day 42 was 3.8% (95% CI 1.2–11.2%) in the Pf-noPQ arm compared to 0.9% (95% CI 0.1–6.0%) in the Pf-PQ1 arm; (HR = 0.25 [95% CI 0.03–2.38], p = 0.189). The corresponding risks of recurrence were 13.4% (95% CI 5.2–31.9%) in the Pv-noPQ arm and 5.3% (95% CI 1.3–19.4%) in the Pv-PQ14 arm (HR 0.36 [95% CI 0.1–2.0], p = 0.212). Two (0.9%) patients had G6PD enzyme activity below 10%, 19 (8.9%) patients below 60% of the adjusted male median. Correlation between spectrophotometry and Biosensor™ was low (rs = 0.330, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

AS/SP remains effective for the treatment of P. falciparum and P. vivax. The addition of PQ reduced the risk of recurrent P. falciparum and P. vivax by day 42, although this did not reach statistical significance. The version of the Biosensor™ assessed is not suitable for routine use.

Trial registrationhttps://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02592408
Mutational signatures reveal the role of RAD52 in p53-independent p21-driven genomic instability
Authors: Galanos Panagiotis , Pappas George , Polyzos Alexander , Kotsinas Athanassios , Svolaki Ioanna , Giakoumakis Nickolaos N. , Glytsou Christina , Pateras Ioannis S. , Swain Umakanta , Souliotis Vassilis L. , Georgakilas Alexandros G. , Geacintov Nicholas , Scorrano Luca , Lukas Claudia , Lukas Jiri , Livneh Zvi , Lygerou Zoi , Chowdhury Dipanjan , Sørensen Claus Storgaard , Bartek Jiri , Gorgoulis Vassilis G.
Published: April 2018

Background

Genomic instability promotes evolution and heterogeneity of tumors. Unraveling its mechanistic basis is essential for the design of appropriate therapeutic strategies. In a previous study, we reported an unexpected oncogenic property of p21WAF1/Cip1, showing that its chronic expression in a p53-deficient environment causes genomic instability by deregulation of the replication licensing machinery.

Results

We now demonstrate that p21WAF1/Cip1 can further fuel genomic instability by suppressing the repair capacity of low- and high-fidelity pathways that deal with nucleotide abnormalities. Consequently, fewer single nucleotide substitutions (SNSs) occur, while formation of highly deleterious DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) is enhanced, crafting a characteristic mutational signature landscape. Guided by the mutational signatures formed, we find that the DSBs are repaired by Rad52-dependent break-induced replication (BIR) and single-strand annealing (SSA) repair pathways. Conversely, the error-free synthesis-dependent strand annealing (SDSA) repair route is deficient. Surprisingly, Rad52 is activated transcriptionally in an E2F1-dependent manner, rather than post-translationally as is common for DNA repair factor activation.

Conclusions

Our results signify the importance of mutational signatures as guides to disclose the repair history leading to genomic instability. We unveil how chronic p21WAF1/Cip1 expression rewires the repair process and identifies Rad52 as a source of genomic instability and a candidate therapeutic target.
Revealing Gauguin’s practice: multi-analytical approach of the Portrait de Suzanne Bambridge
Authors: Defeyt C. , Van Vyve E. , Leen F. , Vandepitte F. , Gilbert B. , Herens E. , Strivay D.
Published: April 2018

The Portrait de Suzanne Bambridge (1891) is the first oil painting executed by Paul Gauguin (1848–1903) in Tahiti. A comprehensive material study of the painting by means of MA-XRF, Raman and FT-IR techniques has been conducted to understand Gauguin’s practice. The obtained results allowed collecting unexpected material evidences, which suggest restoration and subsequent addition made by Gauguin himself. Moreover relevant compositional information has been provided that has influenced the decision-making process during the restoration of the painting as the removal of the old varnish and the overpaints, dating from undocumented past treatments, turned out to be much more complicated than expected. While X-ray radiography and multi-spectral imaging methods could not give sufficient information, overpaints and original paint layers have been distinguished through this multi-analytical approach.
Role power dynamics within the bridal gown selection process
Authors: Min Seoha , Ceballos Lina M. , Yurchisin Jennifer
Published: April 2018

In this study, the researchers explore the decision-making process of brides when selecting their wedding dresses by examining the power of the significant people involved in the selection process. Within a framework of role theory and symbolic interactionism, qualitative data from an open-ended survey with 71 brides were collected online and analyzed. The interpretations revealed two main themes that explain how social power is determined and how different actors use bases of power to influence the selection of the wedding dress, when considered as a group decision. The six main categories further explained the bases of power used by the actors involved in the wedding dress selection process. This research extends the understanding of the bases of power and social roles in the specific context of the ritual of matrimony. Managerial implications are included for wedding retailers seeking to further understand the dynamics among family members during wedding preparations, so they can provide more effective guidance and support to the bride-to-be during the selling process.
An assistive sleeping bag for children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Biswas Tuser Tirtha , Infirri Rosalinda Sardo , Hagman Susanna , Berglin Lena
Published: April 2018

Children suffering from autism spectrum disorder are often reported to encounter sleeping disorder several causes such as hypersensitivity as result of irregular brain and muscle functions. Disturbance in sleep affects not only their health but also daytime activities including the risk of other cognitive and behavioral impairments. Such hindrance in sleep have been demonstrated to treat therapeutically by measures like application of deep pressure touch and full body vibration which can be beneficially integrated into the sleeping environment such as on the textile-based platform around the bed. With such a vision, this pilot design project aimed to develop a smart textile based sleeping bag incorporated with sensors to detect awakening stage of the child and thereby actuating stimuli for assuaging the child to fall asleep. To serve the purpose, a micro-controllable body movement detection sensor, based on conductive yarns connected to a vibrating motor was prosperously embedded at the interior of the sleeping bag along with weighted slots to exert deep touch and soothing sensation in the form of wearable technology.
A study on the design improvement of protective footwear for firefighters
Authors: Kang Minyoung , Lee Sunhee
Published: April 2018

In this study, protective footwear for firefighters in Korea was evaluated. Based on the results of wearing evaluation, three types of new designs of firefighting protective footwear were developed: prototypes I, I and II. The prototypes with improved designs were evaluated by wear trails and design preference. Surveys on wearing and design preference of firefighting protective footwear, led to suggestions for designs elements of protective footwear. Firstly, the combination of laces and buckle was suggested for the closure. Secondly, the footwear material suggested was artificial leather with excellent waterproof and ventilation standards. In addition, retro-reflective and fluorescent materials and various colors were suggested for visibility. Thirdly, appearance designs were suggested in three categories: figure, line, and arrangement. Based on the design suggestions, prototypes with improved designs were made. An evaluation was conducted wearing the prototypes with improved designs. All prototypes were found to satisfy more than half of the design and wearing evaluation categories.
Precision medicine becomes reality—tumor type‐agnostic therapy
Authors: Yan Li , Zhang Wei
Published: April 2018

Precision medicine just witnessed two breakthroughs in oncology in 2017. Pembrolizumab (Keytruda), Merck's anti‐programmed cell death‐1 (PD‐1) monoclonal antibody (mAb), received accelerated approval in May 2017 by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic solid tumors that have been identified as having microsatellite instability‐high (MSI‐H) or deficient DNA mismatch repair (dMMR). Shortly after, nivolumab (Opdivo), Bristol‐Myers Squibb's anti‐PD‐1 mAb, gained an accelerated approval in August 2017 for adult and pediatric patients with MSI‐H or dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer that has progressed after standard chemotherapy. These regulatory approvals marked an important milestone that a cancer treatment may be approved based on a common biomarker rather than the anatomic location in the body where the tumor originated, and therefore established a precedent for tumor type‐agnostic therapy. In the 2017 American Society for Clinical Oncology annual meeting, larotrectinib (LOXO‐101), Loxooncology's oral, potent, and selective inhibitor of tropomyosin receptor kinases (TRK), demonstrated unprecedented efficacy on unresectable or metastatic solid tumors with neurotrophic tropomyosin receptor kinase (NTRK)‐fusion proteins in adult and pediatric patients. Both the anti‐PD‐1 mAbs and the TRK‐targeting therapies share some basic features: (a) biomarker‐based, well‐defined rare patient population; (b) exceptionally high clinical efficacy, e.g., near 40% overall response rate (ORR) for pembrolizumab across 15 tumor types with MSI‐H/dMMR and 75% ORR for larotrectinib across more than 12 tumor types with NTRK‐fusion proteins; (c) durable responses lasting at least 6 months with complete responses observed; and (d) parallel development in adult and pediatric populations. With increasing accessibility to genetic analysis tools such as next‐generation sequencing, tumor type‐agnostic therapy has become a reality, both during clinical development and in clinical practice. Adjustments in our approaches to developing new anti‐cancer drugs and to adopting these new cancer treatments in clinical practice need to occur in order to prepare ourselves for the new era of precision medicine.
Checking procalcitonin suitability for prognosis and antimicrobial therapy monitoring in burn patients
Authors: Cabral Luís , Afreixo Vera , Meireles Rita , Vaz Miguel , Chaves Catarina , Caetano Marisa , Almeida Luís , Paiva José Artur
Published: April 2018

Background

Due to greater infection susceptibility, sepsis is the main cause of death in burn patients. Quick diagnosis and patient stratification, early and appropriated antimicrobial therapy, and focus control are crucial for patients’ survival. On the other hand, superfluous extension of therapy is associated with adverse events and arousal of microbial resistance. The use of biomarkers, necessarily coupled with close clinical examination, may predict outcomes, stratifying patients who need more intensive care, and monitor the efficacy of antimicrobial therapy, allowing faster de-escalation or stop, reducing the development of resistance and possibly the financial burden, without increasing mortality. The aim of this work is to check the suitability of procalcitonin (PCT) to fulfill these goals in a large sample of septic burn patients.

Methods

One hundred and one patients, with 15% or more of total body surface area (TBSA) burned, admitted from January 2011 to December 2014 at Coimbra Burns Unit (CBU), in Portugal were included in the sample. All patients had a diagnosis of sepsis, according to the American Burn Association (ABA) criteria. The sample was factored by survival (68 survivors and 33 non-survivors). The maximum value of PCT in each day was used for statistical analysis. Data were summarized by location measures (mean, median, minimum, maximum, quartiles) and dispersion measures (standard error and range measures). Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS© 23.0 IBM© for Windows©.

Results

There were statistically significant differences between PCT levels of patients from the survivor and non-survivor groups during the first and the last weeks of hospitalization as well as during the first week after sepsis suspicion, being slightly higher during this period. During the first 7 days of antimicrobial therapy, PCT was always higher in the non-survivor, still without reaching statistical significance, but when the analysis was extended till the 15th day, PCT increased significantly, rapidly, and steadily, denouncing therapy failure.

Conclusion

Despite being not an ideal biomarker, PCT proved to have good prognostic power in septic burn patients, paralleling the evolution of the infectious process and reflecting the efficacy of antimicrobial therapy, and the inclusion of its serial dosing may be advised to reinforce antimicrobial stewardship programs at burn units; meanwhile, more accurate approaches are not available.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Point-of-Care Gastric Ultrasound
Authors: Kruisselbrink Richelle , Gharapetian Angineh , Chaparro Luis E. , Ami Noam , Richler Dustin , Chan Vincent W. S. , Perlas Anahi
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND:

Pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents is associated with significant perioperative morbidity and mortality. Previous studies have investigated the validity, reliability, and possible clinical impact of gastric ultrasound for the assessment of gastric content at the bedside. In the present study, we examined the accuracy (evaluated as sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios) of point-of-care gastric ultrasound to detect a “full stomach” in a simulated scenario of clinical equipoise.

METHODS:

After a minimum fasting period of 8 hours, 40 healthy volunteers were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either remain fasted or ingest a standardized quantity of clear fluid or solid. Each subject was randomized twice on 2 independent study sessions at least 24 hours apart. A gastric ultrasound examination was performed by a blinded sonographer following a standardized scanning protocol. Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative findings, the result was summarized in a dichotomous manner as positive (any solid or >1.5 mL/kg of clear fluid) or negative (no solid and ≤1.5 mL/kg of clear fluid) for full stomach.

RESULTS:

Data from 80 study sessions were analyzed. In this simulated clinical scenario with a pretest probability of 50%, point-of-care gastric ultrasound had a sensitivity of 1.0 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.925–1.0), a specificity of 0.975 (95% CI, 0.95–1.0), a positive likelihood ratio of 40.0 (95% CI, 10.33–∞), a negative likelihood ratio of 0 (95% CI, 0–0.072), a positive predictive value of 0.976 (95% CI, 0.878–1.0), and a negative predictive value of 1.0 (95% CI, 0.92–1.0).

CONCLUSIONS:

Our results suggest that bedside gastric ultrasound is highly sensitive and specific to detect or rule out a full stomach in clinical scenarios in which the presence of gastric content is uncertain.
Maternal immunization increases nestling energy expenditure, immune function, and fledging success in a passerine bird
Authors: Burness Gary , Moher Deanna , Ben-Ezra Noah , Kelly Ryan J. , Hasselquist Dennis , Chin Eunice H.
Published: April 2018

Female birds transfer maternally derived antibodies (matAb) to their nestlings, via the egg yolk. These antibodies are thought to provide passive protection, and allow nestlings to avoid the costs associated with mounting an innate immune response. To test whether there is an energetic benefit to nestlings from receiving matAb, we challenged adult female tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) prior to clutch initiation with either lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or saline (Control). Following hatching, one half of each female's nestlings were immunized on day 8 post-hatch with LPS or saline, and the 4-h post-immunization nestling metabolic rate (MR) was measured. There was no difference in either LPS-reactive antibodies or total Ig levels between offspring of immunized and non-immunized mothers on day 6 or 14 post-hatch, possibly reflecting a relatively short half-life of matAbs in altricial birds. Additionally, we found no evidence that nestlings from LPS-immunized mothers could avoid the growth suppression that may result from activation of an inflammatory response. Unexpectedly, we found that control nestlings from LPS mothers had higher resting MR than control nestlings of control mothers. We attribute the increased MR to the costs associated with a general non-specific enhancement of immune function in nestlings from LPS-immunized mothers. Consistent with enhanced immune function, nestlings of immunized mothers had a more robust inflammatory response to phytohaemagglutinin and higher fledging success. Our results suggest that maternal antigen exposure pre-laying can result in increased fitness for both mothers and offspring, depending on food availability.
Choroidal pericytes promote subretinal fibrosis after experimental photocoagulation
Authors: Luo Xueting , Yang Shiqi , Liang Jian , Zhai Yuanqi , Shen Mengxi , Sun Junran , Feng Yiji , Lu Xinmin , Zhu Hong , Wang Fenghua , Sun Xiaodong
Published: April 2018

Subretinal fibrosis results in local destruction of retinal structures and permanent vision loss, representing the end stage of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Histological examination of fibrotic specimens from AMD patients has uncovered a wide range of cellular and acellular components. However, their origins and roles in fibrosis remain largely unexplored. Using laser-induced photocoagulation model with Collagen 1α1-GFP reporter mice, we demonstrate by cell-lineage tracing that a subset of pericytes associating with choroidal microvasculature are activated upon injury and infiltrate into subretinal space as significant components of fibrotic lesions. In contrast to their choroidal precursors, infiltrating pericytes acquire stellate-like structures, upregulate expression of fibrogenic molecules and colocalize with extracellular fibrotic scar. Collectively, our results identify choroidal perivascular niche as a novel source of subretinal fibrosis after photocoagulation and suggest that collagen 1-expressing pericytes are potential targets for therapeutic intervention to suppress subretinal fibrosis and preserve vision.
Dynamics of cortical domains in early Drosophila development
Authors: Schmidt Anja , Grosshans Jörg
Published: April 2018

Underlying the plasma membrane of eukaryotic cells is an actin cortex that includes actin filaments and associated proteins. A special feature of all polarized and epithelial cells are cortical domains, each of which is characterized by specific sets of proteins. Typically, an epithelial cell contains apical, subapical, lateral and basal domains. The domain-specific protein sets contain evolutionarily conserved proteins, as well as cell-type-specific factors. Among the conserved proteins are, the Par proteins, Crumbs complex and the lateral proteins Scribbled and Discs large 1. Organization of the plasma membrane into cortical domains is dynamic and depends on cell type, differentiation and developmental stage. The dynamics of cortical organization is strikingly visible in early Drosophila embryos, which increase the number of distinct cortical domains from one, during the pre-blastoderm stage, to two in syncytial blastoderm embryos, before finally acquiring the four domains that are typical for epithelial cells during cellularization. In this Review, we will describe the dynamics of cortical organization in early Drosophila embryos and discuss the processes and mechanisms underlying cortical remodeling.
Anti-diuretic action of a CAPA neuropeptide against a subset of diuretic hormones in the disease vector,Aedes aegypti.
Authors: Sajadi Farwa , Curcuruto Carmela , Al Dhaheri Afra , Paluzzi Jean-Paul V.
Published: April 2018

The mosquito, Aedes aegypti, is a vector responsible for transmitting various pathogens to humans, and their prominence as chief vectors of human disease is largely due to their anthropophilic blood feeding behaviour. Larval stage mosquitoes must deal with the potential dilution of their haemolymph in fresh water, whereas the haematophagus A. aegypti female faces the challenge of excess ion and water intake after a blood meal. The excretory system, comprised of the Malpighian tubules (MTs) and hindgut, is strictly controlled by neuroendocrine factors, responsible for the control of diuresis across all developmental stages. The highly-studied insect MTs are influenced by a variety of diuretic hormones, and in some insects, anti-diuretic factors. In the present study, we investigated the effects of AedaeCAPA-1 on larval and adult female A. aegypti MTs stimulated with various diuretic factors including serotonin (5-HT), a corticotropin-related factor (CRF) diuretic peptide, a calcitonin-related diuretic hormone (DH31), and a kinin-related diuretic peptide. Overall, our findings establish that AedaeCAPA-1 specifically inhibits secretion of larval and adult MTs stimulated by 5-HT and DH31, whilst having no activity on MTs stimulated by other diuretic factors. Furthermore, although AedaeCAPA-1 acts as an anti-diuretic, it does not influence the relative proportions of cations transported by adult MTs, thus maintaining the kaliuretic activity of 5-HT and natriuretic activity of DH31. In addition, we tested the effects of the second messenger cGMP in adult MTs. Here, we established that cGMP displays similar effects as AedaeCAPA-1, strongly inhibiting 5-HT and DH31-stimulated fluid secretion, but with only minor effects on CRF-stimulated diuresis. Interestingly, although AedaeCAPA-1 has no inhibitory activity on kinin-stimulated fluid secretion, cGMP strongly inhibited fluid secretion by this diuretic hormone, which targets stellate cells specifically. Collectively, these results support that AedaeCAPA-1 inhibits select diuretic factors acting on the principal cells and this likely involves cGMP as a second messenger. Kinin-stimulated diuresis, which targets stellate cells, is also inhibited by cGMP suggesting that another anti-diuretic factor in addition to AedaeCAPA-1 exists and may utilize cGMP as a second messenger.
A new research paradigm for bivariate allometry: combining ANOVA and non-linear regression
Authors: Packard Gary C.
Published: April 2018

A novel statistical routine is presented here for exploring and comparing patterns of allometric variation in two or more groups of subjects. The routine combines elements of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) with non-linear regression to achieve the equivalent of an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) on curvilinear data. The starting point is a three-parameter power equation to which a categorical variable has been added to identify membership by each subject in a specific group or treatment. The protocol differs from earlier ones in that different assumptions can be made about the form for random error in the full statistical model (i.e. normal and homoscedastic, normal and heteroscedastic, lognormal and heteroscedastic). The general equation and several modifications thereof were used to study allometric variation in field metabolic rates of marsupial and placental mammals. The allometric equations for both marsupials and placentals have an explicit, non-zero intercept, but the allometric exponent is higher in the equation for placentals than in that for marsupials. The approach followed here is extraordinarily versatile, and it has wider application in allometry than standard ANCOVA performed on logarithmic transformations.
Normal tissue damage: its importance, history and challenges for the future
Authors: Williams Jacqueline P , Newhauser Wayne
Published: April 2018

Sir Oliver Scott, a philanthropist and radiation biologist and, therefore, the epitome of a gentleman and a scholar, was an early Director of the BECC Radiobiology Research Unit at Mount Vernon. His tenure preceded that of Jack Fowler, with both contributing to basic, translational and clinical thought and application in radiation across the globe. With respect to this review, Fowler’s name in particular has remained synonymous with the use of models, both animal and mathematical, that assess and quantify the biological mechanisms that underlie radiation-associated normal tissue toxicities. An understanding of these effects is critical to the optimal use of radiation therapy in the clinic; however, the role that basic sciences play in clinical practice has been undergoing considerable change in recent years, particularly in the USA, where there has been a growing emphasis on engineering and imaging to improve radiation delivery, with empirical observations of clinical outcome taking the place of models underpinned by evidence from basic science experiments. In honour of Scott and Fowler’s work, we have taken this opportunity to review how our respective fields of radiation biology and radiation physics have intertwined over the years, affecting the clinical use of radiation with respect to normal tissue outcomes. We discuss the past and current achievements, with the hope of encouraging a revived interest in physics and biology as they relate to radiation oncology practice, since, like Scott and Fowler, we share the goal of improving the future outlook for cancer patients.
ТЕРМИНОЛОГИЧЕСКАЯ ГРАМОТНОСТЬ В ОБЛАСТИ ПСИХОЛОГИИ ОБУЧАЮЩИХСЯ СОЦИАЛЬНО-ГУМАНИТАРНЫХ НАПРАВЛЕНИЙ ПОДГОТОВКИ
Authors: Mironov Aleksei Gennadievich
Published: April 2018

Статья посвящена исследованию уровня терминологической грамотности в области психологии обучающихся социально-гуманитарных направлений подготовки как одного из важнейших педагогических условий усвоения содержания гуманитарных дисциплин и качества овладения профессиональными навыками.Цель настоящей работы заключается в экспериментальной оценке уровня терминологической грамотности обучающихся в области психологии на этапах обучения бакалавриат и магистратура, юридических и профессионально-педагогического направлений подготовки.Методической основой исследования послужили: педагогический эксперимент (констатирующий этап), опрос, общепринятые методы статистической обработки экспериментальных данных.База исследований: Красноярский государственный аграрный университет, Юридический институт, Институт международного менеджмента и образования.В результате исследовательской работы установлено, что в отношении 35–41% психологических терминов и понятий обучающиеся испытывают значительные трудности в понимании или не знают вовсе. В современных образовательных условиях в ходе освоения учебных дисциплин следует актуализировать работу с понятийно-терминологическим аппаратом, шире и полнее используя глоссарные методы обучения, составление тезаурусов, работу с текстами с высокой частотой обращения к специальным терминам.