bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmental impact of private forest management in Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara
Authors: Nandini Ryke
Published: December 2019

Community forestry has several impacts on the environment, both physical and social economics. This study aims to determine the environmental impacts of private forest activities in Central Lombok, especially on runoff and soil erosion. The hydrological modelling approach operating Soil and Water Analysis Tools (SWAT) was used to describe the hydrological response such as runoff and soil erosion that occurs as the impacts of private forests. The results revealed that runoff and soil erosion observed in 2008-2014 had the same trend, with a polynomial pattern that increases at the beginning of the measurement and drops at the end. It means that the longer the age of the private forest, the higher runoff and soil erosion will be reduced and the better the quality of the environment. Thus, intensive private forests need to be development to improve environmental quality.
A review on the floating net cage waste management for the sustainability of Cirata Reservoir service life
Authors: Suryawan A , Sunardi  , Heru B
Published: December 2019

The number of Floating Net Cages (FNC) in Cirata reservoir has exploded four times more than allowed. It makes water quality problem severe because 22.260 tons/month of stools and excessive feeding threaten the benefits, functions, and service life of the reservoir. This is a review paper to explore FNC waste management methods, the potential of integrated FNC management, and the implementation strategies. Twenty-eight articles published between 2015 and 2019 abaout aquaculture technology have been discussed to improve understanding of FNC waste management. Several solutions have been recommended based on an integrated management approach. Technical ideas are proposed for water control and in situ treatment management. Management of water control reduces the concentration of pollutants by increasing water destratification. The IFCAS (Integrated Floating Cage Aquageoponics System) - PFF (Precision Fish Farming) - IMTA (Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture) concept is an effort to manage FNC using both approaches. The IFCAS-IMTA concept can reduce the main concept of waste by creating the nitrification and assimilation of phosphate. The concept of PFF can improve the capacity of farmers in water quality detection and monitoring. The manager needs to modify aquaculture techniques in water and nutrition, feeding formulations, technological innovations, and the inclusiveness of scientific-based management. Management must involve FNC farmers, research and development institutions, Cirata authorities, Fisheries and Marine Service of West Java Province, and investors.
Microplastics in digestive tracts of fishes from Jakarta Bay
Authors: Efadeswarni  , Andriantoro  , Azizah N , Saragih G S
Published: December 2019

Microplastics are small plastic particles less than five millimeters in size. Microplastic is dangerous because it becomes a medium for other pollutants such as heavy metals and harmful bacteria to attach on. This study aims to determine the presence of microplastic in the digestive tracts of fishes in Jakarta Bay. The number of fish samples obtained was 25 fishes consisting of several species, namely, Siganus sp., Albula forsteri, Lutjanus sp., Parastromateus sp., Plicofollis argyropleuron, Pampus argenteus, Paraplotosus albilabris, Sardinella fimbriata, and Platycephalus indicus. The samples were grouped into three categories based on the length of their body, namely small fish with a length of 13-24 cm, medium fish 25-36 cm, and large fish 37-90 cm. The method used to identify microplastics in the fishes digestive tract is optical microscopy. Microplastics were found in 19 fish (76%), those identified as fiber is 73%, identified as films is 18%, and identified as fragment 9%. The larger the size of fish the higher the microplastic content of all types. This implies that microplastic bioaccumulation occurs through the food chain.
Measurement of Organochlorines Residue (OCs) in water, sediment and soil from Jakarta and West Java
Authors: Syofyan Y , Andiri Y , Kartiningsih S E , Ratnaningsih D
Published: December 2019

Organochlorine compounds (OCs) are widely used as pesticides in the past and several of them have been prohibited. Some of these organochlorine compounds have persistent properties that can last long in the environment so that they have been included in the list of groups of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The bioconcentration and bioaccumulation properties of organochlorine compounds increase the negative impact on the health of living organism. The purpose of this study was to measure the organochlorine compounds in the environment, including samples from agricultural soil, sediment, and river water. Sampling was collected in November and December 2018. Sample of agricultural soils were taken in Bogor and Cianjur regencies while water and sediment samples were taken from the rivers in the Jakarta and Cianjur regencies. Total of 24 organochlorine compounds were then measured using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrophotometer (GCMS). Recovery of water samples was 72% to 82%, for the soil was 79% to 103% and for sediment was below 40%. The OCs detected in the water was in the range of 0.010 µg/L – 0.4 µg/L and in the soil was in the range of 0.4 µg/Kg – 18.55 µg/Kg. Measurement of OCs in sediments from the estuary or downstream of the river in Jakarta was done, however the result was uncertain due to the difficulties in the sample preparation of oily sediments, and hence the results were not provided here. Therefore, it was necessary to develop a testing methodology, especially the proper refining process so that good recovery data could be obtained in the future. The small amounts of organochlorine that were detected in the environment indicated that these compounds are still existing up to now. The purpose of this study is to produce the proper methodology to examine the matrix effects from sticky and oily samples.
Bird community changes across gradient of habitat quality in the urban green open space
Authors: Mardiastuti A
Published: December 2019

Bird species can be found in almost all habitat types, including urban area. The objective of this research was to investigate the changes in bird community in different habitat quality gradients of urban green open spaces and provide suggestions for indicator species. Five urban green open spaces were selected as study sites, representing gradient from low to high habitat quality: Gunung Gadung cemetery (21 bird sp.), Sentul City (34 sp.), Bogor Botanical Garden (48 sp.), Darmaga Campus (52 sp.), and Darmaga Experimental Forest (35 sp.). Species richness and Jaccard similarity indices were analyzed to discover the pattern reflecting the quality of urban habitat. Bird community in all study sites had low to medium similarity (0.33-0.51), indicating that each site had a distinct bird community. Bird richness was highest in the mid-quality habitat (garden-tree mix), but decreased in the high quality (urban mature forest). Bird that can be used for habitat indicators were babbler (low-medium quality); bulbul, pigeon, flycatchers (medium-quality); pied triller and cuckoo (medium-high quality), and barbet and nuthatch (high quality). Similar research needs to be conducted in other urban areas to reconfirm this pattern, in order to use bird community as an indicator of urban habitat quality.
Investigation of direct runoff in the intensive farming system of upstream Merawu watershed, Indonesia
Authors: Suryatmojo H , Putra G M , Satriagasa M C
Published: December 2019

Merawu watershed is located at Banjarnegara district and categorized as degraded watershed in the Serayu river basin. Upstream area in the Merawu watershed is a mountainous area of 1,500 m a.s.l., with steep slopes and high rainfall intensity. Upstream Merawu has an important function as recharge area, protect the downstream and water supply for the Merica reservoir. Forest conversion to intensive farming practices have produced large portion of erosion, surface runoff and water pollutant. Understanding the surface runoff changes in the forest conversion to intensive farming practices is important. Investigations of direct runoff in the intensive farming system in upstream area of Merawu watershed were observed using two small catchment experiments. Catchment for intensive farming system was compared to non-disturbed catchment of Pine forest. Surface disturbances associated with soil tillage, fertilization, pesticides and mulching during 2-3 months of planting reduced the soil capacity to control rainfall. During 1-year investigation, total direct runoff (DRO) in intensive farming catchment was 360.05 mm or 34.4% of rainfall or 1.63 times higher than that in the Pine forest catchment. Unit hydrograph analysis found the direct runoff coefficient was 9.4% or 1.7 times higher than that in the Pine forest catchment. This study found the important function of canopy interception, forest floor interception, soil management and infiltration to control the direct runoff in the catchment.
Double perovskites with 3d and 4d/5d transition metals: compounds with promises
Authors: Saha-Dasgupta Tanusri
Published: December 2019

Double perovskites, which can host two different transition metal cations at the B-sites of its perovskite derived structure, provide the possibility to explore the interplay of localized 3d transition metals and the relatively delocalized 4d or 5d transition metals within the same structure. This interplay gives rise to extraordinary magnetic properties. In this overview article, we summarize our recent computational efforts in understanding the curious properties of magnetic double perovskites with 3d and 4d/5d transition metal ions, make predictions on new functionalities in known compounds of this family, engineering functionalities via chemical modifications/doping and prediction on a new set of magnetic 3d-4d/5d double perovkite compounds, which may be synthesized to explore and expand further this interesting family.
Quasi-static compression characterization of binary nanoclay/graphene reinforced carbon/epoxy composites subjected to seawater conditioning
Authors: Ahsan Mohammad Al , Hosur Mahesh , Tareq Sarower Hossain , Hasan S M Kamrul
Published: December 2019

Fiber reinforced polymer composite (FRPC) materials are superior to other conventional materials because of their high strength to weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and moisture resistance. FRPC materials are preferred in many high-end applications such as marine, automobile, aerospace, and advanced sporting goods. The aim of this study was to investigate the in-plane quasi-static compressive and durability studies of nanophased FRPC materials. Composite samples were fabricated using unmodified epoxy and epoxy modified with montmorillonite nanoclay (MMT), graphene nanoplatelets (GNP), and a combination of the two as a binary reinforcement with carbon fibers. Quasi-static compression tests were conducted for mechanical property evaluation. Seawater conditioning was performed for a six-month period both at room and arctic cold temperatures. The results indicated that addition of GNP and MMT improved the compressive properties of carbon/epoxy composites compared to unmodified carbon samples. Specific compressive strength and modulus of GNP infused samples improved by 30 and 41% respectively; the samples showed a relatively higher strain to failure than the unmodified samples. Specific compressive strength and modulus increased by 32 and 47%, respectively, for carbon/epoxy samples with MMT reinforcement. Performance of hybrid carbon/glass/epoxy composites was lower compared to other FRPC materials considered in the study. The mode of failure of fractured samples investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed a rough morphology after incorporation of nanoparticles into the polymer matrix. This is indicative of enhanced interfacial bonding between carbon/epoxy and the nanoparticles.
The Racialization of International Law after the Haitian Revolution: The Holy See and National Sovereignty
Authors: Gaffield Julia
Published: December 2019

The Haitian state shaped international definitions of sovereignty and national legitimacy after the Declaration of Independence in 1804. Haiti’s nineteenth century was not a period of isolation and decline; its first six decades were globally connected because the country’s leaders challenged their postcolonial inequality with diplomacy and state formation. This strategy aimed to establish Haiti’s membership in the “family of nations,” a central metaphor in European and American diplomatic, legal, and religious decision-making. In doing so, the Haitian state forced the Atlantic powers to redefine the boundaries of international relations. Haiti’s decades-long negotiations with the Catholic Church were tied to the racialization of the global hierarchy. After its Declaration of Independence, the Haitian state began clearing a theoretical path toward recognized sovereignty based on the dominant narrative that a society must be considered “civilized” on the world stage. But, as it cultivated internal policies and practices that rejected the dominant racist assumptions, these discriminatory ideologies became increasingly more explicit in international law.
Complexity measures of the mature miRNA for improving pre-miRNAs prediction
Authors: Raad Jonathan , Stegmayer Georgina , Milone Diego H
Published: December 2019

Motivation

The discovery of microRNA (miRNA) in the last decade has certainly changed the understanding of gene regulation in the cell. Although a large number of algorithms with different features have been proposed, they still predict an impractical amount of false positives. Most of the proposed features are based on the structure of precursors of the miRNA only, not considering the important and relevant information contained in the mature miRNA. Such new kind of features could certainly improve the performance of the predictors of new miRNAs.

Results

This paper presents three new features that are based on the sequence information contained in the mature miRNA. We will show how these new features, when used by a classical supervised machine learning approach as well as by more recent proposals based on deep learning, improve the prediction performance in a significant way. Moreover, several experimental conditions were defined and tested to evaluate the novel features impact in situations close to genome-wide analysis. The results show that the incorporation of new features based on the mature miRNA allows to improve the detection of new miRNAs independently of the classifier used.

Availability and implementation

https://sourceforge.net/projects/sourcesinc/files/cplxmirna/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The non-Italian Ars Nova: how to read the madrigal Povero zappator by Lorenzo da Firenze
Authors: Abramov-van Rijk Elena
Published: December 2019

The label ‘Ars Nova’ is not easily applicable to Italian 14th-century music, since its main characteristics, such as isorhythm, diminution, pre-existing tenors, and so on, are practically absent, with a few exceptions, from Italian musical compositions, even Italian motets. Yet, isorhythm and diminution were used in the madrigal Povero zappator by Lorenzo da Firenze. What was the reason for using these devices just in this madrigal, whose poetic text about a lone sailor in a tempestuous sea at first glance seems to be a poem typical of Trecento madrigals? This article contends that this text, which so far has attracted little scholarly attention, is derived from Petrarch’s canzone Ne la stagion che ’l ciel rapido inchina. This provides not only a clue to understanding Lorenzo’s intentions, but, in a larger perspective, it also discloses the perception by Italian Trecento musicians of the musical thinking of their transalpine colleagues.
Compounding Complexity: Examining Multiple Factors Leading to Challenges Within Grandfamilies
Authors: Tompkins Catherine J , Vander Linden Kara
Published: December 2019

Background and Objectives

Grandparents who are raising their grandchildren in the absence of the biological parents, often referred to as custodial grandparents, are prevalent across the United States. The objective of this project was to establish a grounded theory as a tool for practitioners and researchers to understand the experiences of members of grandfamiles.

Research Design and Methods

In-depth, unstructured interviews with custodial grandparents and grandchildren from 15 grandfamilies were conducted. Classic grounded theory was the methodology used to ask the question, “What are the challenges within grandfamilies and how do they respond to these challenges?”

Results

The theory emerging from the data, Compounding Complexity, provides an explanatory framework of three interrelated categories of factors that affect complexity in grandfamilies: situational, relationship, and emotional complexity. Conflict and change were found to be consistent across the categories of Compounding Complexity.

Discussions and Implications

Next steps include adding data from interviews with biological parents to Compounding Complexity and applying the theory. Understanding relationship, situational, and emotional complexity in the context of conflict and change enables practitioners to advance their work with grandfamiies.
From surface seismic data to reservoir elastic parameters using a full-wavefield redatuming approach
Authors: Garg Aayush , Verschuur D J
Published: December 2019

Traditionally, reservoir elastic parameters inversion suffers from the overburden multiple scattering and transmission imprint in the local input data used for the target-oriented inversion. In this paper, we present a full-wavefield approach, called reservoir-oriented joint migration inversion (JMI-res), to estimate the high-resolution reservoir elastic parameters from surface seismic data. As a first step in JMI-res, we reconstruct the fully redatumed data (local impulse responses) at a suitable depth above the reservoir from the surface seismic data, while correctly accounting for the overburden interal multiples and transmission losses. Next, we apply a localized elastic full waveform inversion on the estimated impulse responses to get the elastic parameters. We show that JMI-res thus provides much more reliable local target impulse responses, thus yielding high-resolution elastic parameters, compared to a standard redatuming procedure based on time reversal of data. Moreover, by using this kind of approach we avoid the need to apply a full elastic full waveform inversion-type process for the whole subsurface, as within JMI-res elastic full waveform inversion is only restricted to the reservoir target domain.
Have you got the time? Challenges using vendor electronic health record metrics of provider efficiency
Authors: Hron Jonathan D , Lourie Eli
Published: December 2019

The rise of clinician burnout has been correlated with the increased adoption of electronic health records (EHRs). Some vendors have used data entry logs to measure the amount of time spent using the EHR and have developed metrics of provider efficiency. Initial attempts to utilize these data have proven difficult as it is not always apparent whether variations reflect provider behavior or simply the metric definitions. Metric definitions are also updated intermittently without warning, making longitudinal assessment problematic. Because the metrics are based on proprietary algorithms, they are impossible to validate without costly time–motion studies and are also difficult to compare across institutions and vendors. Clinical informaticians must partner with vendors in order to develop industry standards of EHR use, which could then be used to examine the impact of EHRs on clinician burnout.
Expression of FOXP3 in Canine Gliomas: Immunohistochemical Study of Tumor-Infiltrating Regulatory Lymphocytes
Authors: Pi Castro Dolors , José-López Roberto , Fernández Flores Francisco , Rabanal Prados Rosa M , Mandara Maria Teresa , Arús Carles , Pumarola Batlle Martí
Published: December 2019

Dogs develop gliomas with similar histopathological features to human gliomas and share with them the limited success of current therapeutic regimens such as surgery and radiation. The tumor microenvironment in gliomas is influenced by immune cell infiltrates. The present study aims to immunohistochemically characterize the tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) population of naturally occurring canine gliomas, focusing on the expression of Forkhead box P3-positive (FOXP3+) regulatory T-cells (Tregs). Forty-three canine gliomas were evaluated immunohistochemically for the presence of CD3+, FOXP3+, and CD20+ TILs. In low-grade gliomas, CD3+ TILs were found exclusively within the tumor tissue. In high-grade gliomas, they were present in significantly higher numbers throughout the tumor and in the brain-tumor junction. CD20+ TILs were rarely found in comparison to CD3+ TILs. FOXP3+ TILs shared a similar distribution with CD3+ TILs. The accumulation of FOXP3+ Tregs within the tumor was more pronounced in astrocytic gliomas than in tumors of oligodendroglial lineage and the difference in expression was significant when comparing low-grade oligodendrogliomas and high-grade astrocytomas. Only high-grade astrocytomas presented FOXP3+ cells with tumoral morphology. In spontaneous canine gliomas, TILs display similar characteristics (density and distribution) as described for human gliomas, supporting the use of the dog as an animal model for translational immunotherapeutic studies.
BAT AGN Spectroscopic Survey – XIX. Type 1 versus type 2 AGN dichotomy from the point of view of ionized outflows
Authors: Rojas A F , Sani E , Gavignaud I , Ricci C , Lamperti I , Koss M , Trakhtenbrot B , Schawinski K , Oh K , Bauer F E , Bischetti M , Boissay-Malaquin R , Bongiorno A , Harrison F , Kakkad D , Masetti N , Ricci F , Shimizu T , Stalevski M , Stern D , Vietri G
Published: December 2019

We present a detailed study of ionized outflows in a large sample of ∼650 hard X-ray-detected active galactic neuclei (AGNs). Using optical spectroscopy from the BAT AGN Spectroscopic Survey (BASS), we are able to reveal the faint wings of the [O iii] emission lines associated with outflows covering, for the first time, an unexplored range of low AGN bolometric luminosity at low redshift (z ∼0.05). We test if and how the incidence and velocity of ionized outflow is related to AGN physical parameters: black hole mass ($\rm \mathit{ M}_{BH}$), gas column density ($\rm \mathit{ N}_{H}$), Eddington ratio ($\rm \lambda _{Edd}$), [O iii], X-ray, and bolometric luminosities. We find a higher occurrence of ionized outflows in type 1.9 (55 per cent) and type 1 AGNs (46 per cent) with respect to type 2 AGNs (24 per cent). While outflows in type 2 AGNs are evenly balanced between blue and red velocity offsets with respect to the [O iii] narrow component, they are almost exclusively blueshifted in type 1 and type 1.9 AGNs. We observe a significant dependence between the outflow occurrence and accretion rate, which becomes relevant at high Eddington ratios [log($\rm \lambda _{Edd}$) ≳ −1.7]. We interpret such behaviour in the framework of covering factor-Eddington ratio dependence. We do not find strong trends of the outflow maximum velocity with AGN physical parameters, as an increase with bolometric luminosity can be only identified when including samples of AGNs at high luminosity and high redshift taken from literature.
Multiband optical flux density and polarization microvariability study of optically bright blazars
Authors: Pasierb Magdalena , Goyal Arti , Ostrowski Michał , Stawarz Łukasz , Wiita Paul J , Gopal-Krishna  , Larionov Valeri M , Morozova Daria A , Itoh Ryosuke , Alicavus Fahri , Erdem Ahmet , Joshi Santosh , Zola Staszek , Borman Georgy A , Grishina Tatiana S , Kopatskaya Evgenia N , Larionova Elena G , Savchenko Sergey S , Nikiforova Anna A , Troitskaya Yulia V , Troitsky Ivan S , Akitaya Hiroshi , Kawabata Miho , Nakaoka Tatsuya
Published: December 2019

We present the results of flux density, spectral index, and polarization intra-night monitoring studies of a sample of eight optically bright blazars, carried out by employing several small to moderate aperture (0.4 to 1.5 m diameter) telescopes fitted with CCDs and polarimeters located in Europe, India, and Japan. The duty cycle of flux variability for the targets is found to be ∼45 per cent, similar to that reported in earlier studies. The computed two-point spectral indices are found to be between 0.65 to 1.87 for our sample, comprised of low- and intermediate-frequency peaked blazars, with one exception: they are also found to be statistically variable for about half the instances where ‘confirmed’ variability is detected in flux density. In the analysis of the spectral evolution of the targets on hourly time-scale, a counterclockwise loop (soft-lagging) is noted in the flux–spectral index plane on two occasions, and in one case a clear spectral flattening with the decreasing flux is observed. In our data set, we also observe a variety of flux–polarization degree variability patterns, including instances with a relatively straightforward anticorrelation, correlation, or counterclockwise looping. These changes are typically reflected in the flux–polarization angle plane: the anticorrelation between the flux and polarization degree is accompanied by an anticorrelation between the polarization angle and flux, while the counterclockwise flux–PD looping behaviour is accompanied by a clockwise looping in the flux–polarization angle representation. We discuss our findings in the framework of the internal shock scenario for blazar sources.
‘Our Fellow Shakespeare’: A Contemporary Classic in the Early Modern University
Authors: Blank Daniel
Published: December 2019

This essay discusses the reception of Shakespeare’s works among the students and fellows of early modern Oxford and Cambridge. Taken at face value, the documentary record would seem to suggest that Shakespeare had no place there, as authorities at the two English universities aimed to prevent the presence of his work in the academic sphere. However, this essay uses a variety of literary and archival evidence to show that Shakespeare’s works not only entered into scholarly discourse, but also achieved a status that had previously been reserved for ancient authors. I argue that the best window into Shakespeare’s reception among early modern scholars can be found in academic drama, and I examine two university theatrical productions that engage closely with his works: the Parnassus plays, performed at Cambridge between 1598 and 1601, and Narcissus, performed at Oxford in 1602. These plays not only provide early examples of Shakespeare’s reception among intellectuals, but also illustrate how the scholars of Oxford and Cambridge figured Shakespeare as a ‘classical’ author—an author as worthy of imitation as Homer or Ovid. The process of establishing Shakespeare as a ‘classic’ in the academic setting, this essay ultimately argues, began much earlier than scholars have realized.
Mass Casualty Incident Simulation for a Small Space With Limited Resources
Authors: Screws Sarah , Cason Melanie
Published: December 2019

To be able to respond appropriately and safely, nursing students must learn about the principles of triage and managing disasters. An accelerated bachelor of science in nursing program with limited resources (space and time) determined there was a need for education on these principles beyond the classroom and developed a mass casualty incident simulation for a small space and budget. Based on faculty and student evaluation, this activity was found to be effective in presenting and enhancing understanding of the principles for triage and disaster management as they relate to nursing.
Addressing the impact of ethnicity on asthma care
Authors: Tay Tunn Ren , Pham Jonathan , Hew Mark
Published: December 2019

Purpose of review

In asthma, there is an increasing focus on personalizing treatment by targeting treatable traits. Ethnicity has effects on many biological and behavioural traits, and so is an important consideration when personalizing asthma care. This review has particular relevance in light of current patterns of international migration, which are leading to unprecedented levels of ethnic heterogeneity in many geographic regions.

Recent findings

This review examines the effect of ethnicity on three key domains – biological traits, behavioural traits and health system behaviour. Ethnicity influences asthma biology by affecting biomarker reference ranges, response to drug therapy and asthma phenotypes. Ethnicity impacts behavioural traits through its effects on psychosocial well being, adherence and asthma self-management. Ethnic minorities are often disadvantaged with regards to healthcare access and healthcare interactions.

Concerted action is needed to address current issues around behavioural traits and healthcare behaviour, which are influenced by ethnicity. More research is required to understand the impact of ethnicity on asthma biology, especially the interplay between genetic and environmental influences on asthma, and the differential response to asthma therapies.
Febrile Hashimoto's encephalopathy associated with Graves’ disease and acute pancytopenia
Authors: Liu Shaoyu , Ma Qingbian , Zheng Yaan
Published: December 2019

Rationale:

Hashimoto's encephalopathy (HE) is an autoimmune-mediated encephalopathy rarely seen in Graves’ disease, with <20 cases reported previously, associated with elevated concentration of circulating serum anti-thyroid antibodies usually responsive to steroid therapy.

Patient concerns:

We present a HE case (25-year-old male) with Graves’ disease, complicated by fever and pancytopenia. The patient presented with fever, gait impairment, delirium, agitation and disorientation.

Diagnoses:

Thyroid-related antibodies were elevated and brain magnetic resonance imaging confirmed symmetrical white-matter lesion. There was no evidence of infection or other reasons to explain all of his clinical manifestations. Hashimoto's encephalopathy (HE) is an autoimmune encephalopathy with various manifestations and the characteristic of elevated anti-thyroid antibodies and has no relationship to thyroid function.

Interventions:

The patient had nonspecific clinical manifestations and excellently respond to glucocorticoid therapy.

The symptoms and the radiographic abnormalities disappeared after glucocorticoid therapy.

Outcomes:

We followed up with him for 5 years, in which there was no recurrence and his thyroid function continued to be normal.

Lessons:

It is important to evaluate thyroid function and related antibodies in patients present with neuropsychological symptoms to avoid delay in diagnosis.
Heterogeneous response to target therapy in metastatic papillary renal cell carcinoma evaluated by morphologic and metabolic multimodality imaging
Authors: Naglieri Emanuele , Niccoli Asabella Artor , Nappi Anna Giulia , Carella Claudia , Ferrari Cristina , Rubini Giuseppe
Published: December 2019

Rationale:

Papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC) accounts for about 15% to 20% of renal cell carcinoma and is histologically distinguished in type I and type II. The last one is associated with poorer prognosis.

Treatment options for PRCC patients are surgery, immunotherapy, revolutionized by Nivolumab, and other target-therapy with an improvement in overall survival. Heterogenous response and a pseudo-progression may be observed in the initial phase of biological treatment that could induce premature discontinuation.

Patient concerns:

We present the case of a 44-year-old woman with left cervical palpable mass increased in size and without concomitant disease or previous surgery.

Diagnosis:

Neck ultrasonography, contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography, and 18F-FDG PET/CT were performed with the detection of lymph nodes involvement and a left renal lesion.

Interventions:

The patients underwent left radical nephrectomy and homolateral cervical and para-aortic lymphadenectomy, with histological diagnosis of PRCC, type II. After disease relapse, the inter-aortocaval lymph node was laparoscopically removed. Following the detection of further disease relapse in several lymph nodes and the lung, several lines of target-therapy were started; then disease progression and worsening of clinical and hematological status led us to start Nivolumab as last-line therapy.

Outcomes:

A heterogeneous response to therapies was documented with morphological and nuclear medicine imaging, however the concomitant deterioration of performance status and liver function led to discontinuation of Nivolumab; then the patient died, 30 months after diagnosis.

Lessons:

Here we describe the clinical case and radiological and nuclear medicine imaging investigations performed by our patient, highlighting that 18F-FDG PET/CT shows greater adequacy in assessing the response to therapy, avoiding premature drug discontinuation, and ensuring better management of a patient with advanced PRCC.
The effect of additional transforaminal epidural blocks on percutaneous epidural neuroplasty with a wire-type catheter
Authors: Gil Ho Young , Lee Sook Young , Min Sang Kee , Kim Ji Eun , Lee Hye Seon , Jeong Hae Won , Park Bumhee , Choung Jinhee , Choi Jong Bum
Published: December 2019

Percutaneous epidural neuroplasty (PEN) is an effective interventional treatment for radicular pain. However, in some cases, contrast runoff to the spinal nerve root does not occur. We investigated whether contrast runoff to the spinal nerve root affects the success rate of PEN and whether additional transforaminal epidural blocks for intentional contrast runoff affect the success rate of PEN in cases in which contrast runoff is absent.

This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT03867630) in March 2019. We reviewed the medical records of 112 patients who underwent PEN with a wire-type catheter from May 2016 to August 2018. Patients were divided in 3 groups (Runoff group, Non-runoff group, Transforaminal group).

Patients with low back pain and leg radicular pain who did not respond to lumbar epidural steroid injections

PEN was performed in 112 patients with a wire-type catheter in target segment. We compared the success rate of PEN between

The success rate was significantly different between the Runoff group and the Non-runoff group (P < .0007) and between the Non-runoff group and the Transforaminal group (P = .0047), but not between the Runoff group and the Transforaminal group (P = .57).

Contrast runoff influenced the success rate of PEN. In cases without contrast runoff, additional transforaminal epidural blocks for intentional contrast runoff increased the success rate of PEN with a wire-type catheter.
Compressive myelopathy and compression fracture of aggressive vertebral hemangioma after parturition
Authors: Wang Guan-xi , Mu Yuan-dong , Che Jun-yi , Zhang Guang-fei , Jiang Gang , Gao Chuan-ping
Published: December 2019

Rationale:

Compressive myelopathy and compression fracture of aggressive vertebral hemangioma after parturition is a rare condition. Vertebral body compression fracture and high serum progesterone lead to extraosseous hemangioma enlargment cause narrowing the spinal canal which contribute to compressive myelopathy relate to pregnancy.

Patient concerns:

We report a case of compressive myelopathy and compression fracture of aggressive vertebral hemangioma after parturition in a 35-year-old woman. The patient complained unable to walk and experienced intense pain in the back.

Diagnosis:

Based on the clinical features and imaging studies, the patient underwent a T4–T6 laminectomy. Histopathology consistent with vertebral hemangioma.

Interventions:

The patient underwent laminectomy for decompression. After subperiosteal dissection of the paraspinal muscles and exposure of the laminae, there was no involvement of the lamina by the tumor. The epidural tumor was removed through the spaces lateral to the thecal sac. Vertebroplasty was performed through T5 pedicles bilaterally and 7 ml of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cement was injected. T4–T6 pedicle screw fixation was performed for segmental fixation and fusion.

Outcomes:

Six months after resection of the tumor the patient remained asymptomatic. She reported no low back pain and had returned to her normal daily activities, with no radiographic evidence of recurrence on MRI. Physical examination revealed that superficial and deep sensation was restored to normal levels in the lower extremities.

Lessons:

The occurrence of compressive myelopathy of pregnancy related vertebral hemangiomas is quite unusual. It can lead to serious neurologic deficits if not treated immediately. So, prompt diagnosis is important in planning optimal therapy and preventing morbidity for patients.
Combined albumin-bilirubin grade and Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer as a useful predictor in compensated liver cirrhosis
Authors: Nishikawa Hiroki , Enomoto Hirayuki , Yoh Kazunori , Iwata Yoshinori , Sakai Yoshiyuki , Kishino Kyohei , Ikeda Naoto , Takashima Tomoyuki , Aizawa Nobuhiro , Takata Ryo , Hasegawa Kunihiro , Ishii Noriko , Yuri Yukihisa , Nishimura Takashi , Iijima Hiroko , Nishiguchi Shuhei
Published: December 2019

We aimed to compare the impact on survival among albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade, modified ALBI (mALBI) and our proposed combined ALBI grade and Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) or FIB4 index grading system in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) related compensated liver cirrhosis (n = 165, 93 men and 72 women, median age = 67 years). Patients with ALBI grade 1, 2, and 3 were allocated a score of 1, 2, and 3 points, respectively. Patients with mALBI grade 1, 2A, and 2B were allocated a score of 1, 2, and 3 points, respectively. Patients with a high or low M2BPGi were allocated a score of 1 and 0 point. Patients with a high or low FIB4 index were allocated a score of 1 and 0 point. Sum of the point of ALBI (1, 2, or 3) and M2BPGi (0 or 1) or FIB4 index (0 or 1) was defined as ALBI-M2BPGi grade or ALBI-FIB4 grade. Prognostic accuracy was compared using the Akaike information criterion (AIC) value and time dependent receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis. The median follow-up duration was 5.422 years. AIC value for survival by ALBI-M2BPGi grade was the lowest among 4 prognostic models (AIC: 205.731 in ALBI grade, 200.913 in mALBI grade, 189.816 in ALBI-M2BPGi grade, and 204.671 in ALBI-FIB4 grade). All area under the ROC curves of ALBI-M2BPGi grade in each time point were higher than those of ALBI grade, mALBI grade, and ALBI-FIB4 grade. In conclusion, our proposed ALBI-M2BPGi grading system seems to be helpful for estimating prognosis in patients with CHC related compensated LC.
Avulsion of the femoral attachment of the medial collateral ligament in the setting of knee multiligament injury
Authors: Guo Deming , Yu Haichi , Huang Bingzhe , Gao Xue , Qin Yanguo , Liu Xiaoning
Published: December 2019

Rationale:

Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury is a common sports injury. The damage mainly occurs in ligament fibers, but MCL avulsion fracture is extremely rare and only a few reports have been published.

Patient concerns:

Herein, we present a healthy 21-year-old man with an avulsion fracture of the MCL of the right knee sustained during snowboarding.

Diagnosis:

Clinical and radiographic findings confirmed the presence of an avulsion fracture at the proximal attachment of the MCL, combined with complete anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) rupture.

Interventions:

The patient underwent single-stage ACL, PCL reconstruction, and MCL repair.

Outcomes:

Two weeks after the surgery, the patient developed heterotopic ossification (HO) at the medial side of the knee, HO tended to be stable and mature at the 3-month follow-up examination. One year after the operation, the patient's knee was fully functional, stable, and pain free.

Lessons:

Femoral attachment avulsion fracture of the MCL is in contrast to common isolated MCL injuries. Early surgical repair is advocated for the greatest benefit. Orthopedic surgeons should keep the potential complication HO in mind and develop rational strategies for HO prevention and treatment.
Outcomes of adhesion barriers in gynecologic surgeries
Authors: Huang Ci , Ding Dah-Ching
Published: December 2019

During second-look surgery or hospitalization, intra-abdominal surgeries may cause severe postoperative complications, such as pelvic adhesion, postoperative ileus, and severe pain. However, only few studies have analyzed the outcomes of antiadhesive barriers in second-look surgery. This retrospective study aims to identify the outcomes of different antiadhesive barriers by analyzing surgical images. The study included patients who received an adhesion barrier during second-look surgery between January 2011 and November 2017. Four brands of adhesive barriers were used: Interceed, Seprafilm, Adept, and SurgiWrap. Adhesion scores were calculated for four quadrants of the uterus and surrounding structures before and after the use of antiadhesive barriers. The differences between the data of 2 observers and surgery times were also determined. A total of 18 patients were enrolled in the study. The adhesion scores were not significantly different before and after the placement of antiadhesive barriers. The difference in the adhesion scores between the two observers was also not significant, except in the Seprafilm group (P = .029). Furthermore, no significant change in the adhesion scores was observed between the first and second surgeries. Therefore, using adhesion barriers may not decrease the adhesion scores in the current setting.
Prevention of Anastomotic Leak Via Local Application of Tranexamic Acid to Target Bacterial-mediated Plasminogen Activation
Authors: Jacobson Richard A. , Williamson Ashley J. , Wienholts Kiedo , Gaines Sara , Hyoju Sanjiv , van Goor Harry , Zaborin Alexander , Shogan Benjamin D. , Zaborina Olga , Alverdy John C.
Published: December 2019

Objective:

To investigate the role of bacterial- mediated plasminogen (PLG) activation in the pathogenesis of anastomotic leak (AL) and its mitigation by tranexamic acid (TXA).

Background:

AL is the most feared complication of colorectal resections. The pathobiology of AL in the setting of a technically optimal procedure involves excessive submucosal collagen degradation by resident microbes. We hypothesized that activation of the host PLG system by pathogens is a central and targetable pathway in AL.

Methods:

We employed kinetic analysis of binding and activation of human PLG by microbes known to cause AL, and collagen degradation assays to test the impact of PLG on bacterial collagenolysis. Further, we measured the ability of the antifibrinolytic drug TXA to inhibit this process. Finally, using mouse models of pathogen-induced AL, we locally applied TXA via enema and measured its ability to prevent a clinically relevant AL.

Results:

PLG is deposited rapidly and specifically at the site of colorectal anastomoses. TXA inhibited PLG activation and downstream collagenolysis by pathogens known to have a causal role in AL. TXA enema reduced collagenolytic bacteria counts and PLG deposition at anastomotic sites. Postoperative PLG inhibition with TXA enema prevented clinically and pathologically apparent pathogen-mediated AL in mice.

Conclusions:

Bacterial activation of host PLG is central to collagenolysis and pathogen-mediated AL. TXA inhibits this process both in vitro and in vivo. TXA enema represents a promising method to prevent AL in high-risk sites such as the colorectal anastomoses.
Impact of a Parastomal Bulge on Quality of Life – A Cross-sectional Study of Patients From the Danish Stoma Database
Authors: Krogsgaard Marianne , Watt Torquil , Danielsen Anne K. , Klausen Tobias Wirenfeldt , Vinther Anders , Gögenur Ismail , Thomsen Thordis
Published: December 2019

Objective:

To investigate stoma specific and generic HRQoL in patients with and without a parastomal bulge.

Background:

Most patients have to live with their stoma complicated by a parastomal bulge. How this affects quality of life remains unclear.

Methods:

Patients in the Danish Stoma Database completed the Short-form 36 health survey and the stoma-QOL questionnaire. Linear regression analysis, adjusted for potential confounding factors, provided mean and mean score differences and 95% confidence intervals for each HRQoL scale and item. Cohens d provided estimates of effect size.

Results:

A total of 1265 patients (65%) completed the questionnaire 4.4 (interquartile range 3.1–6.0) years after stoma surgery. Of these, 693 (55%) patients with a parastomal bulge had significantly impaired (P < 0.01) HRQoL across all stoma specific and generic health domains compared to patients without a parastomal bulge. In patients with a benign diagnosis or an ileostomy, a parastomal bulge impacted significantly on Social Functioning and Mental Health resulting in a worse Mental Component Summary. A large bulge >10 cm impaired HRQoL (P < 0.01) across all stoma specific and generic domains. The impact on HRQoL was independent of time with the bulge.

Conclusions:

A novel finding in this large, unselected sample from high-quality regional registries was that parastomal bulging was associated with substantial and sustained impairment of HRQoL.
Science communication in online media: influence of press releases on coverage of genetics and CRISPR
Authors: Grochala Rafał
Published: December 2019

New scientific discoveries are communicated through multiple channels. Publications remain essential for scientists, whereas general public relies on news articles. Numerous studies investigated the path from publications to news and identified press releases as the key factor, associating them with issues such as exaggerations, but less is known about the direct influence of press releases on subject choice or on the content of media reports. Here, a cross-sectional sample of publications related to genetics and CRISPR is assessed in three independent datasets (n = 1362 publications, n = 461 press releases). Analysis finds 92.5% (CI = 88.5-96.5) dependence of news outlets on press releases in terms of topic choice and 39-43% explicit use of passages from press releases. Publications without press releases are described by 74x fewer news outlets. Even if they come from leading journals or universities, lack of a press release leads to 8.8x less coverage. Given the high impact of press releases, their reliability is especially relevant, but the majority of them omits interest disclosures - 84.3% (CI = 80.8-87.7) of press releases did not mention existing conflicts of interest, including multiple patent applications. These results establish the major indirect and direct role of press releases in science communication via online media. In line with previous research, this dependency raises concerns about possible distortions of science coverage.
Nwd1 regulates neuronal differentiation and migration through purinosome formation in the developing cerebral cortex
Authors: Yamada Seiya , Sato Ayaka , Sakakibara Shin-ichi
Published: December 2019

Engagement of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) into proper neuronal differentiation requires the spatiotemporally regulated generation of metabolites. Purines are essential building blocks for many signaling molecules. Enzymes that catalyzede novopurine synthesis are assembled as a huge multienzyme complex called “purinosome”. However, there is no evidence of the formation or physiological function of the purinosome in the brain. Here, we showed that a signal transduction ATPases with numerous domains (STAND) protein,NACHT andWD repeatdomain-containing1(Nwd1), interacted with Paics, a purine-synthesizing enzyme, to regulate purinosome assembly in NSPCs. Altered Nwd1 expression affected purinosome formation and induced the mitotic exit and premature differentiation of NSPCs, repressing neuronal migration and periventricular heterotopia. Overexpression/knockdown of Paics or Fgams, other purinosome enzymes, in the developing brain resulted in a phenocopy of Nwd1 defects. These findings indicate that strict regulation of purinosome assembly/disassembly is crucial for maintaining NSPCs and corticogenesis.