bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FRACTURE TREATMENT IN TIBIA AND FIBULA BONES IN POMERANIAN CROSSBREED DOG: A CASE REPORT
Authors: Mahpuz Lalu Rian , Wirata I Wayan , Wandia I Nengah
Published: May 2021

Fraktur tibia fibula adalah terputusnya kontinuitas pada tulang tibia fibula akibat pukulan langsung, jatuh dalam posisi plexi atau gerakan memuntir yang keras. Hewan kasus merupakan seekor anjing peranakan pomeranian berumur enam bulan, berjenis kelamin jantan diperiksa dan bobot badan 5,2 kg di Rumah Sakit Hewan, Fakultas Kedokteran Hewan, Universitas Udayana dengan keluhan mengalami pincang pada kaki belakang kanan, secara tidak sengaja tertabrak motor saat melintas dijalan raya. Nafsu makan dan minum anjing kasus baik. Hasil pemeriksaan radiografi, anjing mengalami fraktur diafisis pada tibia fibula kanan jenis oblique dengan prognosis fausta. Anjing ditangani dengan fiksasi internal menggunakan wire atau kawat. Hewan diberikan premedikasi berupa atropine sulfat secara subkutan, dan kombinasi anestesi ketamin dan xylazin diberikan secara intravena. Selama operasi digunakan isofluran sebagai anestesi inhalasi untuk maintenance anestesi. Pembedahan dilakukan dengan insisi kulit dan subkutan pada bagian medial tibia fibula, kemudian menguakkan otot-otot muskulus fibularis longus dan musculus flexor digitorum medialis sehingga bagian patahan tulang terlihat. Selanjutnya, tulang direposisi pada kedudukan semula secara manual, dilakukan pemasangan wire pada patahan tulang. Pada daerah operasi dilakukan pembersihan menggunakan cairan NaCl kemudian ditetesi dengan antibiotik penisilin dan streptomisin 1%. Otot dan subkutan dijahit dengan pola sederhana menerus menggunakan chromic catgut 2/0, serta kulit dijahit dengan pola terputus menggunakan silk 2/0. Pasca operasi diberikan antibiotik amoxicillin, analgesik meloxicam, dan terapi supportif kalsium laktat. Dua minggu pasca operasi sudah terbentuk kalus pada bagian diaphisis tibia fibula yang patah dan anjing sudah bisa berjalan dengan baik.
Covid-19, Conflict, and Governance Evidence Summary No.28
Authors: Herbert Siân
Published: May 2021

The fortnightly Covid-19, Conflict, and Governance Evidence Summary aim to signpost the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) and other UK government departments to the latest evidence and opinions on Covid-19 (C19), to inform and support their responses. This summary features resources on C19’s unequal impacts and policy responses; responses to build long-term resilience to both conflict and pandemics; responses to support forcibly displaced people in Africa and the Middle East; and the implications of C19 for international development cooperation in 2021. Many of the core C19 themes continue to be covered this week, including C19 increasing gender-based violence; whether regime type shapes effective C19 responses; and whether and how C19 is shaping conflict contexts. The summary uses two main sections – (1) literature: – this includes policy papers, academic articles, and long-form articles that go deeper than the typical blog; and (2) blogs & news articles. It is the result of one day of work and is thus indicative but not comprehensive of all issues or publications.
COVID-19 Health Evidence Summary No.113
Authors: Millington Kerry
Published: May 2021

This weekly COVID-19 health evidence summary (HES) is based on 3.5 hours of desk-based research. The summary is not intended to be a comprehensive summary of available evidence on COVID-19 but aims to make original documents easily accessible to decision makers which, if relevant to them, they should go to before making decisions. This summary covers publications on Clinical characteristics and management; Infection Prevention and Control; Therapeutics; Vaccines; Comments, Editorials, Opinions, Blogs, News; Dashboards & Trackers; C19 Resource Hubs and Online learning & events.
A FIVE-YEAR SURVEY IN TUSCANY (ITALY) AND DETECTION OF XYLELLA FASTIDIOSASUBSPECIES MULTIPLEXIN POTENTIAL INSECT VECTORS, COLLECTED IN MONTE ARGENTARIO
Authors: GARGANI ELISABETTA , BENVENUTI CLAUDIA , MARIANELLI LEONARDO , ROVERSI PIO FEDERICO , RICCIOLINI MASSIMO , SCARPELLI ILARIA , SACCHETTI PATRIZIA , NENCIONI ANITA , RIZZO DOMENICO , STRANGI AGOSTINO , IOVINELLA IMMACOLATA , CUTINO ILARIA
Published: May 2021

The vector‐borne bacterium Xylella fastidiosa(Wells and Raju) causes several serious diseases to plants. Recently, different subspecies of X. fastidiosa were reported in some European countries. The risk of the bacterium’s spread on the entire European territory is very high; therefore, it has been added into the priority pest list (2019/1702/EU Regulation). The main purposes of this work were to verify the presence of potential vectors in areas at a high risk of introduction in Tuscany and to ascertain the presence of X. fastidiosa in these insect vectors. Over 4,000 Auchenorrhyncha were collected and analysed from 2015 to 2019. Among the xylem sap-feeder putative vectors, most of the insects collected belonged to the family Aphrophoridae, but also many species of leafhopper were identified. Overall, in Tuscany four species were the most represented: Philaenus spumarius(L.), Cicadella viridis(L.), Synophropsis lauri (Horvath) and Neophilaenus campestris(Fallen).In 2018 an outbreak of X. fastidiosa subsp. multiplex was reported in Monte Argentario (Grosseto province, Tuscany). In 2019 X. fastidiosa subspecies multiplex ST 87 was detected in seven P. spumarius and three N. campestris collected from the infected area.
The role of tourism in Slovenia's strategy of international economic relations
Authors: Bobek Vito
Published: May 2021

This paper explores the idea of sustainable tourism as a criterion for long-term global planning that takes the economic, sociocultural and environmental benefits of tourist products into account. The paper also discusses what Slovenia’s strategy of international economic relations, together with the Law on tourist activities have contributed to the subject.
Extensive Limb Lengthening for Achondroplasia and Hypochondroplasia
Authors: Paley Dror
Published: May 2021

Extensive limb lengthening (ELL) was completed in 75 patients: 66 achondroplasia and 9 hypochondroplasia. The average lengthening was 27cm for achondroplasia (12-40cm) and 17cm for hypochondroplasia (range 10-25cm). There were 48 females and 27 males. Lengthening was done either by 2-segment (14 patients; both tibias and/or both femurs) or by serial 4-segment lengthenings (64 patients; both femurs and tibias same time). Most patients also had bilateral humeral lengthening. Lengthenings were either juvenile-onset (31), adolescent-onset (38) or adult-onset (6). The average age at final follow-up was 26 years old (range 17-43 years). There were few permanent sequelae of complications. The most serious was one paraparesis. All patients returned to activities of normal living and only one was made worse by the surgery (paraparesis). This is the first study to show that ELL can lead to increase of height into the normal height range. Previous studies showed mean increases of height of up to 20cm, while this study consistently showed an average increase of 30 cm (range 15-40cm) for juvenile-onset and increase of 26cm (range 15-30cm) for adolescent-onset. This results in lower normal height at skeletal maturity for males and females. The adult-onset had a mean increase of 16.8 (range 12-22cm). This long-term follow-up study shows ELL can be done safely even with large lengthenings and that 4-segment lengthening may offer advantages over 2-segment lengthening. While the majority of cases were performed using external fixation, implantable limb lengthening promises to be an excellent alternative and perhaps an improvement.
Outcomes Following Severe Distal Tibial, Ankle, and/or Mid/Hindfoot Trauma
Authors:   Major Extremity Trauma Research Consortium (METRC)
Published: May 2021

Background:

Selecting the best treatment for patients with severe terminal lower-limb injury remains a challenge. For some injuries, amputation may result in better outcomes than limb salvage. This study compared the outcomes of patients who underwent limb salvage with those that would have been achieved had they undergone amputation.

Methods:

This multicenter prospective observational study included patients 18 to 60 years of age in whom a Type-III pilon or IIIB or C ankle fracture, a Type-III talar or calcaneal fracture, or an open or closed blast/crush foot injury had been treated with limb salvage (n = 488) or amputation (n = 151) and followed for 18 months. The primary outcome was the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA). Causal effect estimates of the improvement that amputation would have provided if it had been performed instead of limb salvage were calculated for the SMFA score, physical performance, pain, participation in vigorous activities, and return to work.

Results:

The patients who underwent limb salvage would have had small differences in most outcomes had they undergone amputation. The most notable difference was an improvement in the SMFA mobility score of 7 points (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.0 to 10.7). Improvements were largest for pilon/ankle fractures and complex injury patterns.

Conclusions:

Amputation should be considered a treatment option rather than a last resort for the most complex terminal lower-limb injuries.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Ações corporificadas e construção de turnos em uma interação entre terapeuta e criança com Transtorno do Espectro Autista (TEA)
Authors: Cruz Fernanda Miranda da , Guerra Ana Caroline Lopes Gomes , Tamanaha Ana Carina , Perissinoto Jacy
Published: May 2021

Os objetivos deste trabalho são explorar como algumas ações interacionais corporificadas silenciosas são construídas, contribuindo para a descrição de interações envolvendo sujeitos com Transtornos do Espectro do Autismo (TEA). Transcrevemos e descrevemos quatro sequências em que perguntas e solicitações verbais de uma terapeuta são dirigidas a uma criança com TEA e respondidas por ações corporificadas não-verbais. Identificamos algumas formas pelas quais os interlocutores constroem, monitoram e gerenciam as múltiplas e complexas temporalidades de uma interação que envolvem ações de: a) projeções; b) sequencialidade e c) inteligibilidade de unidades constitutivas dos turnos. As análises apresentadas colaboraram para o refinamento de métodos qualitativos para a descrição da dinâmica interacional de interações envolvendo sujeitos com TEA.
A alquimia discursiva nos processos inquisitoriais: o cruzamento das vozes do notário e do visitador nas confissões
Authors: Franco Gabriele
Published: May 2021

No Brasil colônia, durante a visitação da Inquisição, as confissões dos possíveis “réus” eram registradas pela comissão da visitação do Tribunal do Santo Ofício no Primeiro Livro das Reconciliações e Confissões (1591-1592), doravante LRC, e possuíam três vozes discursivas: do visitador Heitor Furtado de Mendonça, do notário Manoel Francisco e dos depoentes. O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar uma análise das vozes do notário e do visitador no discurso reportado das confissões do LRC com a finalidade de compreender como constituíam-se e validavam uma ideologia que silenciava para incriminar. Para realizar as análises, utilizou-se como metodologia o modelo tridimensional proposto pela teoria da Análise Crítica do Discurso (FAIRCLOUGH, 2001). Para compreender o contexto jurídico, linguístico e histórico recorre-se, respectivamente, a Soares (2018), Mota (2016) e Assis (2019).
Occurrence of antimicrobial persistence in Streptococcus pyogenes
Authors: Martini Caroline L. , Coronado Amada Z. , Melo Maria Celeste N. , Gobbi Clarice N. , Lopez Úrsula S. , Mattos Marcos C. , Amorim Thais T. , Botelho Ana Maria N. , Vasconcelos Ana Teresa R. , Almeida Luiz Gonzaga , Planet Paul , Zingali Russolina B. , Figueiredo Agnes Marie S. , Ferreira-Carvalho Bernadete T.
Published: May 2021

Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus-GAS) is an important pathogen for humans. GAS has been associated with severe and invasive diseases. Despite the fact that these bacteria remain universally susceptible to penicillin, therapeutic failures have been reported in some GAS infections. Many hypotheses have been proposed to explain these antibiotic-unresponsive infections, however none of them have fully elucidated this phenomenon. In this study, we show that GAS strains have the ability to form antimicrobial-persistent cells when growing on abiotic surfaces in a biofilm-like environment. Our data suggest that efflux activity was possibly involved in this phenomenon. In fact, gene expression assays by real-time qRT-PCR showed upregulation of some genes associated with efflux pumps in persistent cells arising in the presence of penicillin. Phenotypic reversion assay and whole-genome sequence analysis indicated that this event was due to non-inherited resistance mechanisms. The small persistent colonies showed downregulation of genes associated with protein biosynthesis and cell growth, as demonstrated by gene expression assays. Moreover, the proteomic analysis showed that susceptible cells express higher levels of ribosome proteins. It is conceivable to suppose that the generation of persistent cells by S. pyogenes might a mechanism of antimicrobial refractory during the course of real GAS invasive infections, which has been overlooked. Accordingly, the phenomenon described here might shed some light on the origin of therapeutic failures in S. pyogenes infections. Multifactorial mechanisms involving efflux pump activity, protein synthesis inhibition and cell-growth impairment seem to play roles in generation of GAS-persistent cells.
Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Mothers/caregivers on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Assosa Woreda, Assosa Zone, Benshangul Gumuz Region, Western Ethiopia: A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Assefa Dawit Getachew , Woldesenbet Tigist Tekle , Molla Wondwosen , Zeleke Eden Dagnachew
Published: May 2021

Background Through the health extension package Ethiopia had practiced infant and young child feeding. However, infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practice has been poor. Hence, in this study, the knowledge, attitude, and practice of the mothers/caregivers on infant and young child feeding were assessed.Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out among 486 mothers/caregivers from Assosa Districts in Assosa Zone of Benshangul Gumuz Region, Western Ethiopia. A semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used. To isolate independent predictors for good knowledge, good practice, and favorable attitude of the mothers/caregivers related to child feeding, multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Results Out of 486 study participants, 456(93.8%) of mothers had good knowledge, 432(88.9%) had a positive attitude, and 380 (78.2%) mothers had good practice of IYCF practice recommendations. Furthermore, age of mothers, educational status of the mother, place of delivery, father’s educational status, father’s involvement & support, previous knowledge about IYCF, discussion with their husband about IYCF, and ANC follows up were significantly associated with mother’s knowledge on IYCF recommendation.Conclusions Overall mothers had good knowledge and a positive attitude about IYCF practices. To support IYCF practices, behavior change communications intervention strategies should be introduced in mothers to bridge the gap between knowledge and practices.
Carbon isotopic composition of Frutexites in subseafloor ultramafic rocks
Authors: Neubeck Anna , Ivarsson Magnus , Broman Curt , Zaloumis Jonathan , Bach Wolfgang , Whitehouse Martin
Published: May 2021

Micrometer sized stromatolitic structures called Frutexites are features observed in samples from the deep subsurface, and hot-spring environments. These structures are comprised of fine laminations, columnar morphology, and commonly consist of iron oxides, manganese oxides, and/or carbonates. Although a biological origin is commonly invoked, few reports have shown direct evidence of their association with microbial activity. Here, we report for the first time the occurrence of subsurface manganese-dominated Frutexites preserved within carbonate veins in ultramafic rocks. To determine the biogenicity of these putative biosignatures, we analyzed their chemical and isotopic composition using Raman spectroscopy and secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS). These structures were found to contain macromolecular carbon signal and have a depleted 13C/12C carbon isotopic composition of –35.4 ± 0.50 ‰ relative to the entombing carbonate matrix. These observations are consistent with a biological origin for the observed Frutexites structures.
Omeprazole increases survival via different mechanisms in two rat models of liver injury
Authors: Kotsuka Masaya , Hashimoto Yuki , Nakatake Richi , Okuyama Tetsuya , Hatta Masahiko , Yoshida Terufumi , Okumura Tadayoshi , Nishizawa Mikio , Kaibori Masaki , Sekimoto Mitsugu
Published: May 2021

Omeprazole (OMZ) is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that is used to reduce gastric acid secretion, but little is known about its possible liver protective effects. This study investigated whether OMZ has beneficial effects in rat septic models of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury after D-galactosamine (GalN) treatment and 70% hepatectomy (PH), and to determine the mechanisms of OMZ in an in vitro model of liver injury. In the in vivo models, the effects of OMZ were examined 1 h before treatment. OMZ increased survival and decreased tumor necrosis factor-alpha, inducible nitric oxide synthase, cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant 1, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β mRNA expression, and increased IL-10 mRNA expression in the livers of both GaIN/LPS- and PH/LPS-treated rats. Necrosis and apoptosis were inhibited by OMZ in GaIN/LPS rats, but OMZ had no effects on necrosis in PH/LPS rats. Primary rat hepatocytes were treated with IL1-β in the presence or absence of OMZ (in vitro model). OMZ inhibited iNOS induction partially through suppression of NF-κB signaling in hepatocytes. Furthermore, OMZ inhibited the induction of several inflammatory mediators, resulting in the prevention of LPS-induced liver injury after GalN liver failure and PH, although OMZ showed different doses and mechanisms in the two models.
Financial Incentives for Preventing Postpartum Return to Smoking (Fipps): Study Protocol for a Three-Arm Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Ussher Michael , Best Cath , Lewis Sarah , McKell Jennifer , Coleman Tim , Cooper Sue , Orton Sophie , Bauld Linda
Published: May 2021

BackgroundFinancial incentives are an effective way of helping women to stop smoking during pregnancy. Unfortunately, most women who stop smoking at this time return to smoking within 12 months of the infant’s birth. There is no evidence for interventions that are effective at preventing postpartum smoking relapse. Financial incentives provided after the birth may help women to sustain cessation. This randomised controlled trial will assess the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of financial incentives to help women who are abstinent from smoking at end of pregnancy to avoid return to smoking up to 12 months postpartum. MethodsThis is a UK-based, multi-centre, three-arm, superiority, parallel group, individually randomised controlled trial, with 1:1:1 allocation. It will compare the effectiveness of two financial incentive interventions with each other (one intervention for up to three months postpartum offering up to £120 of incentives, the other for up to 12 months postpartum with up to £300 of incentives) and with a no incentives/usual care control group. Eligible women will be between 34 weeks gestation and two weeks postpartum, abstinent from smoking for at least four weeks, have an expired carbon monoxide (CO) reading <4 parts per million (ppm), aged at least 16 years, intend remaining abstinent from smoking after the birth and able to speak and read English. The primary outcome is self-reported, lapse-free, smoking abstinence from the last quit attempt in pregnancy until 12 months postpartum, biochemically validated by expired CO and/or salivary cotinine or anabasine. Outcomes will be analysed by intention-to-treat and regression models used to compare the proportion of abstinent women between the two intervention groups and between each intervention group and the control group. An economic evaluation will assess the cost-effectiveness of offering incentives and a qualitative process evaluation will examine barriers and facilitators to trial retention, effectiveness and implementation. DiscussionThis pragmatic randomised controlled trial will test whether offering financial incentives is effective and cost-effective for helping women to avoid smoking relapse during the 12 months after the birth of their baby. Trial registrationInternational Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number: 55218215. Registered retrospectively on 5 th June 2019.
The Spatial Distribution Characteristics of Typical Pathogens and Nitrogen and Phosphorus in the Sediments of Shahe Reservoir and their Relationships
Authors: Sun Wen , Yang Ke , Li Risheng , Chen Tianqing , Xia Longfei , Wang Zhao , Sun Xubo
Published: May 2021

Using samples collected in Shahe Reservoir in the upper North Canal in China, this research analyzes the structure of a microorganism group in sediment and the gene expression levels of two typical pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli and Enterococcus), and their relationship with environmental factors including total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP). The study of samples collected from the surface (0–20 cm) and sediment cores shows that the absolute gene expression level of E. coli in in horizontal distribution in the sediment is higher than the relative gene expression level in the downstream of the reservoir and contaminated area. In vertical distribution, the absolute gene expression level of the two pathogenic bacteria in the sediment tends to decrease with increasing depth, although the relative gene expression level has its highest value at 10–30 cm depth. The relative gene expression level of the two pathogenic bacteria is much greater in the sediment of Shahe Reservoir with the structure of horizontal groups including Clortridium sensu stricto, unclassified Anaeroineaceae, and Povalibacter, while Anaeroineaceae is much more abundant in the group structure of the vertical distribution. Pearson correlation analysis suggests positive correlation in horizontal distribution for E. coli and TN and TP (P < 0.05) and for Enterococcus and TP (P < 0.05). The results clearly show that the amount of pathogenic bacteria in the sediment in Shahe Reservoir is most likely due to water eutrophication.
Network-based Inference of Hub Genes in Epithelial Membrane Protein 2-treated Human RPE cells
Authors: Wan Hua , Zhang Wei , Gao Wei , Lu Xiang , Chen Feng
Published: May 2021

BackgroundsIdentification of hub genes (HGs) using transcriptome data of epithelial membrane protein 2 (EMP2) treated human retinal pigment epithelial cells (hRPECs) samples was helpful to accurately evaluate the functional relevance of genetic alterations in activity proteins (APs) in these cells.ResultsWe performed differential expression genes (DEGs) analyses of public RNA-seq transcriptome data of EMP2 treated hRPECs, victor control (VC) and wild type (WT) hRPECs. VIPER (Virtual Inference of Protein activity by Enriched Regulon analysis) was used to convert DEGs outcomes to APs signatures and ARACNE (Algorithm for the Reconstruction of Accurate Cellular Networks) was used to construct transcription regulatory networks (TRNs) to identify hub genes (HGs). ConclusionsIn addition to identifying a significant fraction of DEGs among EMP2-OE groups and EMP-KD groups when compared to VC or WT groups, respectively, we also accurately inferred aberrant TGNs and found several HGs induced by EMP2-overexpressed hRPECs under hypoxia. Thus, we raise a hypothesis that EMP2 may regulate hRPECs angiogenesis via a PDGFA regulatory network, which would help to understand the complex biology of angiogenesis in EMP2 and hypoxia treated hRPECs.
Cancer-Net SCa: Tailored Deep Neural Network Designs for Detection of Skin Cancer from Dermoscopy Images
Authors: Lee James Ren Hou , Pavlova Maya , Famouri Mahmoud , Wong Alexander
Published: May 2021

Background: Skin cancer continues to be the most frequently diagnosed form of cancer in the U.S., with not only significant effects on health and well-being but also significant economic costs associated with treatment. A crucial step to the treatment and management of skin cancer is effective early detection with key screening approaches such as dermoscopy examinations, leading to stronger recovery prognoses. Motivated by the advances of deep learning and inspired by the open source initiatives in the research community, in this study we introduce Cancer-Net SCa, a suite of deep neural network designs tailored for the detection of skin cancer from dermoscopy images that is open source and available to the general public. To the best of the authors' knowledge, Cancer-Net SCa comprises the first machine-driven design of deep neural network architectures tailored specifically for skin cancer detection, one of which leverages attention condensers for an efficient self-attention design.Results: We investigate and audit the behaviour of Cancer-Net SCa in a responsible and transparent manner through explainability-driven performance validation. All the proposed designs achieved improved accuracy when compared to the ResNet-50 architecture while also achieving significantly reduced architectural and computational complexity. In addition, when evaluating the decision making process of the networks, it can be seen that diagnostically relevant critical factors are leveraged rather than irrelevant visual indicators and imaging artifacts. Conclusion: The proposed Cancer-Net SCa designs achieve strong skin cancer detection performance on the International Skin Imaging Collaboration (ISIC) dataset, while providing a strong balance between computation and architectural efficiency and accuracy. While Cancer-Net SCa is not a production-ready screening solution, the hope is that the release of Cancer-Net SCa in open source, open access form will encourage researchers, clinicians, and citizen data scientists alike to leverage and build upon them.
Comprehensive Analysis of Expression Profile and Prognostic Significance of Interferon Regulatory Factors in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Zhang Ke , Xu Pan-Ling , Li Yu-Jie , Dong Shu , Gao Hui-Feng , Chen Lian-Yu , Chen Hao , Chen Zhen
Published: May 2021

Background: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly lethal disease and an increasing cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide. Interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) play vital roles in immune response and tumor cellular biological process. However, the specific functions of IRFs in PC and tumor immune response are far from systematically clarified. This study aimed to explorer the expression profile, prognostic significance, and biological function of IRFs in PC.Results: We observed that the level of IRF3, 6, 7, 8, and 9 were elevated in tumor compared to normal tissues in PC. IRF7 expression was significantly associated with patients’ pathology stage in PC. PC patients with high IRF2, low IRF3, and high IRF6 level had significantly poorer overall survival. High mRNA expression, amplification and deep deletion were the three most common types of genetic alterations of IRFs in PC. Low expression of IRF2, 4, 5, and 8 was resistant to most of the drugs or small molecules from Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer. Moreover, IRFs were positively correlated with the abundance of tumor infiltrating immune cells in PC, including B cells, CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, macrophages, Neutrophil, and Dendritic cells. Functional analysis indicated that IRFs were involved in T cell receptor signaling pathway, immune response and Toll-like receptor signaling pathway. Conclusions: Our results indicated that certain IRFs could serve as potential therapeutic targets and prognostic biomarker for PC patients. Further basic and clinical studies are needed to validate our findings and generalize the clinical application of IRFs in PC.
High Summer Temperatures Have No Role in Breaking Physical Dormancy Among Seeds of Fireprone Cistaceae: A Reinterpretation of Luna (2020)
Authors: Lamont Byron B. , Burrows Geoffrey E. , Korczynskyj Dylan
Published: May 2021

In a unique study, Luna (2020) examined the viability and germination of 12 hard-seeded Cistaceae in the Mediterranean Basin by alternating a prolonged summer-type-temperature (50/20°C at 12 h cycles) treatment with a fire-type heat pulse. A re-analysis of their data shows that the summer treatment applied before the heat pulse was superfluous as similar high levels of germination under ambient conditions were attained with the heat pulse only. The abundance of hard seeds remaining when the summer treatment was applied after the heat pulse is better explained by ungerminated seeds having become hard again rather than not responding, i.e., showing secondary physical dormancy, and thus became ‘desensitized’ to their environment. While this response is adaptive, such a retarding effect will be limited in practice as most fires are expected in autumn, at least historically, and are thus close to the start of optimal winter conditions for germination. Future studies should concentrate on the fate of the water-gap plug during such alternating treatments and also ensure that realistic summer temperature regimes are used.
Relationship between type of hand hygiene method and incidence of skin problems during Covid-19 pandemic in Ahvaz; Iran
Authors: Afshari Poorandokht , Mohammadi Mohammad Javad , Nasab Maryam Beheshti , Maraghi Elham , Cheraghi Maria
Published: May 2021

Background: During the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, there was a increase in human activities in relation to hygiene, especially hand hygiene. The purpose of this study was to investigation the, hand hygiene among volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ahvaz, southwest Iran during 2020. Methods: Data validation was performed using WHO criteria. A web-based prospective cross-sectional descriptive study which conducted during 2020 in Ahvaz city, southwest Iran. The data collection was based on completion of the volunteer questionnaire. In our study, WhatsApp software was used. Results: The number of participants in our study were 1000 persons. Based on result this study, the mean ages (mean ± SD) participants were 32.84±10.74 years for women and 33.06±11.08 years for men. According finding this study, there was no relationship between age of participants and hand-skin’s health scores (p>0.05).Conclusions: It was concluded that during the COVID-19 pandemic all the assessed hand hygiene behaviors of Iranian were improved, compared with those before, but hand hygiene education is still necessary.Therefore, the results of this study may be useful for health policymaker in order to cope with the emerging disease.
Clinical characteristics and genetic analysis of familial spontaneous pneumothorax in China
Authors: Feng Yong , Li Yi-Shuai , Wei Wei , Chen Liang , Li Meng , Li Xiao-Mei
Published: May 2021

Familial spontaneous pneumothorax (FSP) is a hereditary disease, and Birt-Hogg-Dubé (BHD) syndrome is its main cause. FSP is an autosomal dominant genetic disease related to folliculin (FLCN). The goal of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and possible causes of FSP in China compared with those of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP). We reviewed the detailed clinical data of 8 FSP patients in a family and analyzed the clinical characteristics of FSP combined with literatures. The FLCN gene of these 8 FSP patients was sequenced by the next-generation sequencing technology (NGS). The results showed that the clinical features of FSP were significantly different from those of PSP: the incidence of pneumothorax in women is significantly higher, and the age of pneumothorax is later, most of them are two generations, which may be related to heredity. And the effect of surgical treatment is the best. Novel nonsense mutation was found in the 8 patients, and the 8 patients had the same mutation, thus demonstrating the diversity of mutation spots along the gene. Therefore, the FLCN gene screening and early surgical intervention is recommended for FSP patients.
Assessing functional reorganization in visual cortex with simulated retinal lesions
Authors: Brown Holly D. H. , Gouws André D. , Vernon Richard J. W. , Lawrence Samuel J. D. , Donnelly Gemma , Gill Lorraine , Gale Richard P. , Baseler Heidi A. , Morland Antony
Published: May 2021

Macular degeneration (MD) causes central vision loss, removing input to corresponding representations in the primary visual cortex. There is disagreement concerning whether the cortical regions deprived of input can remain responsive, and the source of reported cortical responses is still debated. To simulate MD in controls, normally sighted participants viewed a bright central disk to adapt the retina, creating a transient ‘retinal lesion’ during a functional MRI experiment. Participants viewed blocks of faces, scrambled faces and uniform gray stimuli, either passively or whilst performing a one-back task. To assess the impact of the simulated lesion, participants repeated the paradigm using a more conventional mean luminance simulated scotoma without adaptation. Our results suggest our attempt to create a more realistic simulation of a lesion did not impact on responses in the representation of the simulated lesion. While most participants showed no evidence of stimulus-driven activation within the lesion representation, a few individuals (22%) exhibited responses similar to a participant with juvenile MD who completed the same paradigm (without adaptation). Reliability analysis showed that responses in the representation of the lesion were generally consistent irrespective of whether positive or negative. We provide some evidence that peripheral visual stimulation can also produce responses in central representations in controls while performing a task. This suggests that the ‘signature of reorganization of visual processing’, is not found solely in patients with retinal lesions, consistent with the idea that activity may be driven by unmasked top-down feedback.
Impact of Sodium Bicarbonate on Blood Lactate and Psychometric Dimensions of Fatigue
Authors: Webb Heather E. , Garrett Christopher , Boham Mikaela D.
Published: May 2021

Background

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) on blood lactate (BLa) and psychometric dimensions of fatigue in response to exercise.
Methods

Twelve recreationally active subjects (age 22.25 ± 2.70 years) performed three (one control and two supplemented) sessions of a 20-minute progressive exercise routine. Subjects completed the control condition during session one, and in the two subsequent sessions, subjects were randomly provided a beverage with either a 0.15g•kg− 1 body weight NaHCO3 or a placebo of 0.30g•kg− 1 body weight calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in a double-blind manner. Measurements of BLa, heart rate (HR), state anxiety (SAI), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and perceived mood states (POMS) were measured prior to and during the exercise protocol, and then immediately post-exercise.
Results

BLa levels were significantly different [F(8,88) = 2.04, p < .05] between the three conditions. Further, BLa [F(4,44) = 41.25, p < .05], HR [F(4,32) = 182.16, p < .05], and RPE [F(4,44) = 140.13, p < .05] increased significantly as exercise progressed, with BLa [F(2,22) = 5.55, p < .05 ] and RPE [F(2,22) = 4.09, p < .05] changing differently between conditions. SAI responses showed no change from to pre-to post-measures, but a significant difference was seen between the conditions [F(2, 22) = 3.84, p = .05], with differences between the placebo and NaHCO3, but not the control. Only the POMS subscale of vigor was different between conditions [F(2, 22) = 7.69, p = .003], while the subscales of tension [F(1, 11) = 6.59, p = .03], anger [F(1, 11) = 9.81, p = .01], and confusion [F(1, 11) = 7.21, p = .02] changed across time.
Conclusions

Both BLa and RPE were greatest in the control condition compared to the placebo and NaHCO3 conditions, with no differences being seen between the control and NaHCO3 conditions for RPE, and between the placebo and NaHCO3 conditions for BLa. Using either NaHCO3 or CaCO3 appears to provide benefits by blunting BLa production during progressively intensive exercise, but differences in psychometric values suggest that other psychophysiological factors may impact perceptions of effort.
PMT-Gesetz: Verfahren und Zweckerreichung
Authors: Mohler Markus
Published: May 2021

Nach Darlegungen, dass keine verfassungsmässige Bundeskompetenz zum Erlass des Gesetzes in Bezug auf das BWIS besteht und wesentliche Begriffe im ergänzten BWIS mit der BV und der EMRK nicht übereinstimmen, wird nun gezeigt, dass verfahrensrechtlich ein Durcheinander besteht und unverzichtbare Verfahrensvorschriften fehlen, was beides zu unhaltbaren rechtlichen Konsequenzen führt. Schliessich wird belegt, dass die festgelegten Massnahmen einen terroristischen Anschlag nicht zu verhindern vermögen, was der Zweck der Novelle ist.

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Après avoir démontré que la Confédération ne dispose pas de la compétence constitutionnelle nécessaire pour mettre en œuvre les mesures de police et de sécurité édictées dans la LMSI, et que certains termes essentiels de la loi modifiée ne sont conformes ni à la Cst. ni à la CEDH, l’auteur explique qu’une certaine confusion subsiste encore sur le plan procédural. De plus, plusieurs dispositions indispensables font défaut entraînant ainsi des conséquences juridiques insoutenables. En outre, l’auteur soutient que ces mesures ne permettent pas de prévenir efficacement une attaque terroriste, ce qui constitue pourtant le but principal de la LMSI.
The Effect of Bevacizumab on Vestibular Schwannoma Related to Neurofibromatosis Type 2
Authors: Ardern-Holmes Simone , White Cassandra , Bahure Sarita , So Simon , McCowage Geoff , Hovey Elizabeth , Troon Simon , De Souza Paul , Simes John , Slancar Michael , Dexter Mark , Wong Mark
Published: May 2021

Introduction: We describe an Australian experience of infusional bevacizumab for vestibular schwannoma (VS) in neurofibromatosis type 2 patients, with specific focus on 3-dimensional tumour volume and audiometry.

Method: Data was pooled from patients with symptomatic or progressive VS from 2009 to April 2018. Tumours were assessed as total volume per patient. Bevacizumab infusions were administered every 2-4 weeks. 3-D volumetric response (cm3) was determined through serial magnetic resonance imaging, at baseline and at 3-6-month intervals, until cessation of infusions following progression or prior to surgery. Volumetric response was defined as a reduction of volume ³ 20%, from baseline. Patients underwent interval pure tone audiometry. A decrease in the average pure tone analyses by 10dB indicated response.

Results: Twenty-one VS tumours were identified in eleven patients. Median age was 26 (range 13 – 67yr). Average baseline tumour volume was 14.17cm3 (range 1.45cm3 - 38.51cm3). Tumour volume reduction >20% was shown in 7/11 patients (64%), indicating partial response, 2/11 (18%) patients showed stable disease, and 2/11 (18%) progressed. Average percentage tumour volume change was +4.45% from baseline (range -57% to 241%). 16 individual ears were tested, 3/16 (19%) of ears showed an average decibel reduction of 10dB or more, indicating response (average change 2.5dB, range -36dB to 81dB). 10/16 (63%) showed stable hearing, and 3/16 (19%) showed hearing deterioration.

Conclusion: Bevacizumab is a useful agent for reducing tumour volume and improving hearing losses due to vestibular schwannoma in neurofibromatosis type 2 patients. These results reflect results described from the United Kingdom and United States.
SKILLS SHIFT AND ORGANISATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY: PERSPECTIVES FOR THE FUTURE OF WORK
Authors:   Department of Business Administration and Marketing School of Management Sciences, Babcock University, Ilisan Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria., Sunday Adebowale , Adesoga Adefulu ,   Department of Business Administration and Marketing School of Management Sciences, Babcock University, Ilisan Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria., Emmanuel Ajike ,   Department of Business Administration and Marketing School of Management Sciences, Babcock University, Ilisan Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria., Benita Amos-Fidelis ,   Department of Business Administration and Marketing School of Management Sciences, Babcock University, Ilisan Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Published: May 2021

Organisationalsustainability in the 21st century has aroused great concern in the world of business and in academia. Studies have shown that insurance industry sustainability is beleaguered with low performance of business process, absence of lean structure, poor organisational creativity and excessive talent poaching. In Nigeria, insurancesustainability has not been sufficiently investigated in literature with regards to the effect of skills shift, organisational values on organisational sustainability. Hence, the article addresses this gap by investigating the effect of skills shift on organisational sustainability of selected insurance companies in Lagos State, Nigeria. Methodologically, cross-sectional survey research design was adopted. The findings showed that skills shift had positive significant effect on organisational sustainability (Adj R2 = 0.704, F(2, 337) = 404.206, p < 0.05). The research concludes that skills shift affects organisational sustainability of the selected Insurance companies in Lagos State, Nigeria. The research highlights the need for insurance business to move towards investing in capabilities, knowledge improvement, enhancing critical thinking skill, problem-solving skill, and analytical skill which are valuable enablers of organisational sustainability. These findings suggest unique implications for chief executives, managers, regulators and policy makers.
AN UNUSUAL CAUSE OF SMALL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION: INTERNAL SUPRAVESICAL HERNIA
Authors:   General Surgery, Mohammed VI University Hospital Center of Marrakech, Morocco., Rabbani Khalid , Ahbala Tariq ,   General Surgery, Mohammed VI University Hospital Center of Marrakech, Morocco., Ait Belaid Wafae ,   General Surgery, Mohammed VI University Hospital Center of Marrakech, Morocco., Lammat Habib ,   General Surgery, Mohammed VI University Hospital Center of Marrakech, Morocco., Louzi Abdelouahed ,   General Surgery, Mohammed VI University Hospital Center of Marrakech, Morocco.
Published: May 2021

Supravesical hernias are very rarely seen and reported as a possible cause of small bowel obstruction. The proper diagnosis of which is usually made intra-operatively as the preliminary diagnosis despite the availability of advanced radiological investigations which are not very helpful. We report the case of a patient without previous abdominal surgery with an acute abdominal obstruction in which laparotomy exploration revealed a strangulatedinternalsupravesicalhernia. The defect was repaired after reducing the bowel and the patient made an uneventful recovery.
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN INDIA
Authors:   Director, Don BoscoAnbuIllam, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India., Raj M Casimir , A Nepolian ,   Assistant Professor, PG and Research Department of English, St. Josephs College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India.
Published: May 2021

Today, every child in this world has to undergo a hard phase in his/her life. The hard phase could be in the form of physical or mental harassment. These cruel acts, done by some grown-up men and women will have a huge impact on the future generation. One such act is Child Sexual Abuse (CSA). Its prevalence is perceptible all over the world. This research article gives exclusive importance to CSA in India. A general understanding of CSA in the public eye is coitus. However, the reality is touching or speaking with the intention of abusing the child either physically or emotionally itself is a CSA. The statistics and case studies referred to in this article have their source from the leading national and international newspapers. The post-traumatic phase or the consequences of CSA has been dealt with in detail. This article can also serve as an eye-opener by making the readers aware of the rules and regulations available at the state, national, and international level for the welfare of children. The present article also throws light on the prevention of CSA and tailored guidelines for handling victims of CSA. This article could also be used by future researchers in exploring the various factors behind CSA and policymakers, in understanding the status quo and strengthening the system accordingly. It can also serve as an eye-opener for the common public to understand the nuances involved in protecting a child against sexual advancements.
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE ROLE OF AUDITING SKILLS ON THE BUSINESS PERFORMANCE OF SMALL BUSINESS OPERATORS IN THESOUTH-EAST OF NIGERIA
Authors:   Department of Business Education, Federal College of Education, Eha Amufu, Enugu State, Nigeria., S. Urama Musa, , U. Usoh Charles ,   Federal College of Education, Eha Amufu, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Published: May 2021

The present study aimed to assess the role of auditing skills on the business performance of small business operations in South-East Nigeria. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey. A total of one hundred and five (105) small business operators were randomly selected from Aba and Onitsha business hub in the South-East of Nigeria participated in the study. A self-developed instrument was used as a measure. Simple linear regression analysis was used for data analysis, and it was found that auditing skills significantly predicted positive business performance. Implications and recommendations are discussed.
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN MUSIC, SOCIO-CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT AND COGNITIVE PATTERN AMONG SCHOOL GOING CHILDREN
Authors:   Department of Music, Federal College of Education, Eha Amufu, Enugu State, Nigeria., Okeke Martha , E. Ogara Edna ,   Department of Childhood Studies, Federal College of Education, Eha Amufu, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Published: May 2021

The current study aimed to determine the association between music (interest/no interest) and socio-cultural environment (urban/rural location) and field-dependent/independent cognitive style. A total of 200 junior secondary school children drawn from rural and urban communities in Enugu State participated in the study. The Latent test developed by Withkin et al. (1976) and a self-develop scale measuring music interest were used for data collection. An independent t-test was conducted on the data, and the result showed no significant difference between music and field-dependent/independent cognitive style. However, a statistically significant difference was found between the socio-cultural environment and field-dependent/independent cognitive style. Discussion and conclusion are discussed.