bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tenascin-C expression controls the maturation of articular cartilage in mice
Authors: Gruber Bastian L. , Mienaltowski Michael J. , MacLeod James N. , Schittny Johannes , Kasper Stephanie , Flück Martin
Published: February 2020

Objective

Expression of the de-adhesive extracellular matrix protein tenascin-C (TNC) is associated with the early postnatal development of articular cartilage which is both load-dependent and associated with chondrocyte differentiation. We assessed morphological changes in the articular cartilage of TNC deficient mice at postnatal ages of 1, 4 and 8 weeks compared to age-matched wildtype mice.

Results

Cartilage integrity was assessed based on hematoxylin and eosin stained-sections from the tibial bone using a modified Mankin score. Chondrocyte density and cartilage thickness were assessed morphometrically. TNC expression was localized based on immunostaining. At 8 weeks of age, the formed tangential/transitional zone of the articular cartilage was 27% thicker and the density of chondrocytes in the articular cartilage was 55% lower in wildtype than the TNC-deficient mice. TNC protein expression was associated with chondrocytes. No relevant changes were found in mice at 1 and 4 weeks of age. The findings indicate a role of tenascin-C in the post-natal maturation of the extracellular matrix in articular cartilage. This might be a compensatory mechanism to strengthen resilience against mechanical stress.
Synchronisation of two different uncertain fractional-order chaotic systems with unknown parameters using a modified adaptive sliding-mode controller
Authors: Almatroud A. Othman
Published: February 2020

This article investigates a modified adaptive sliding-mode controller to achieve synchronisation between two different fractional-order chaotic systems with fully unknown parameters. A suitable parameter updating law is designed to tackle the unknown parameters. For constructing the modified adaptive sliding-mode control, a simple sliding surface is designed and the stability of the suggested method is proved using Lyapunov stability theory. Finally, the proposed method is applied to gain chaos synchronisation between two different pairs of fractional-order chaotic systems with uncertain parameters. Numerical simulations are performed to demonstrate the robustness and efficiency of the proposed method.
Adolescents’ engagement in multiple risk behaviours is associated with concussion
Authors: Shore Joshua , Janssen Ian
Published: February 2020

Background

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between engagement in multiple risk behaviours (MRB) and concussion amongst youth.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study that used survey data collected from 3059 students in grades 6–10 (approximate ages 11–15 years) from Ontario, Canada. Students reported whether or not they had a medically diagnosed concussion within the previous 12 months and the frequency that they participated in several risky behaviours including fighting, bullying, smoking, drinking alcohol, using illicit drugs, drinking caffeinated beverages, not using protective equipment, and having unsafe sex. Responses to the risky behavior items were used to create a MRB score. The association between MRB and concussion was explored using logistic regression that controlled for several confounding variables.

Results

Approximately 10.7% of students reported that they had a medically diagnosed concussion within the past year. A dose-response relationship was found between MRB and concussion among students in grades 9–10, while in grades 6–8 students only those in the highest MRB quartile had an increased likelihood of concussion. The relative odds for concussion in the highest versus the lowest MRB quartile were 4.67 (95% confidence interval: 2.33, 9.35) in grades 9–10 students and 2.94 (95% confidence interval, 1.90, 4.56) in grades 6–8 students.

Conclusions

Engagement in MRB may be an important etiologic component of adolescent concussion. Future studies should address whether behavioural interventions designed to decrease engagement in MRB reduce the risk of concussion and other injuries.
Biomanufacturing process for the production of bacteriocins from Bacillaceae family
Authors: Lajis Ahmad Firdaus B.
Published: February 2020

Members of Bacillaceae family are of major interest in medical industry due to vast antimicrobial peptides they produce as therapeutic agents. For decades, synthetic and natural occurring antibiotics have been used to treat infectious diseases, but heavy dependence on these drugs has led to significant drawbacks which propel continuous development of new antibiotics generation. Recent findings have shown several bacteriocins of Bacillaceae as promising alternatives to the conventional drugs to combat the emergence of new drug-resistant pathogens. In this present review, Bacillaceae bacteriocins’ classification such as lantibiotics and thiazole/oxazole-modified microcins as well as their biochemical characterization such as sensitivity to enzymes, temperature, pH and chemicals are described. This article enlightens on the medical application of several Bacillaceae bacteriocins emphasizing those that underwent and on-going preclinical trials. This review also discusses the development of Bacillaceae bacteriocins production, focusing strains selection and fermentation factors such as inocula size, medium (carbon, nitrogen, minerals sources), temperature, pH, agitation and aeration rate, dissolved oxygen tension (DOT), fermentation time, inducers and mode of operation via various statistical methods for their optimization. It also highlights recent advance in the production of bioengineered and recombinant bacteriocins in bioreactors system which are rarely disclosed in literature.
Unilateral antibiotic-induced acute eosinophilic pneumonia on the operative side after surgery for primary lung cancer: a case report
Authors: Goda Yasufumi , Shoji Tsuyoshi , Katakura Hiromichi
Published: February 2020

Background

Acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) is a rare idiopathic lung disease characterized by pulmonary eosinophilia. The epidemiology of AEP remains understudied; however, past reports have reported that AEP can be caused by an allergic reaction to medications, such as antibiotics or inhaled antigens, such as tobacco smoke. AEP usually occurs bilaterally. However, we encountered an unusual case of antibiotic-induced eosinophilic pneumonia showing unilateral consolidation just on the operative side, which was initially diagnosed as postoperative bacterial pneumonia and treated with antibiotic therapy. The prescribed antibiotics paradoxically provoked AEP and worsened the patient’s condition. Here, we report this antibiotic-induced AEP case showing unilateral consolidation only on the operative side which could be triggered by surgery for primary lung cancer.

Case presentation

A 74-year-old man underwent right upper lobectomy for lung adenocarcinoma. On postoperative day (POD) 9, an interstitial shadow appeared in the right lower lung field of the chest radiographs, along with a fever of 38.5 °C, dyspnea needing oxygen supplementation, and increased purulent sputum production, suggesting postoperative bacterial pneumonia. Despite administration of the broad-spectrum antibiotic, meropenem, the fever did not improve, and pulmonary opacity gradually worsened. Blood analysis showed increased peripheral eosinophils at 1182/mm3. The meropenem treatment was discontinued and bronchoscopy was performed for further evaluation, and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid assessment showed a remarkable increase in the eosinophil population (51%). The drug lymphocyte stimulation test (DLST) for meropenem was positive. We diagnosed the patient with antibiotic-induced unilateral AEP, after which corticosteroid treatment was initiated. The patient subsequently improved and the infiltration in the right lower lung field completely disappeared. The patient was discharged on POD 43 without oxygen supplementation and is doing well without tumor recurrence 16 months after the surgery.

Conclusions

Unilateral drug-induced AEP is rare. Nonetheless, it should be recognized as a differential diagnosis of postoperative pneumonia even in cases of a unilateral radiographic infiltration, because the lung operation itself could trigger this type of AEP.
Can flipped classroom enhance class engagement and academic performance among undergraduate pediatric nursing students? A mixed-methods study
Authors: Busebaia Toqa Jameel Abbas , John Bindu
Published: February 2020

The study aimed to assess the nursing students’ class engagement and academic performance using flipped class using a mixed-methods research and explored their feedback and perceptions about the flipped classroom (FCR) in comparison to the current teaching methodology. Participants were 22 females and 4 males, selected through convenience sampling method, and were evaluated at pre-cycle with case-based learning, post-cycle I with FCR, and post-cycle II, using FCR with an extra class time, in a cyclical nature of inquiry. Data collection involved a triangulation technique using checklists to observe and assess students’ class engagement, quizzes for measuring class performance, and focus group interviews. The focus group interview reflections and feedback were used to refine and plan the next cycle.

The quiz and the class engagement scores were highly significant at post-cycle II where the FCR was used with extra class time compared to post-cycle I and pre-cycle. The participants stated that they gained a deeper understanding of concepts, were motivated and more confident in learning the course material. The study findings support the use of FCR in learning pediatric course content. Further empirical evidence is required for adapting FCR to other courses in the curricula to determine its suitability to a particular teaching content.
Neurological soft signs for discrimination between euthymic patients with bipolar I disorder and healthy controls
Authors: El Safy Eman Roshdy , El Masry Nagda Mohamed , El Shabrawy Amany , Ellatif Ahmed Rafik Reda Abd
Published: February 2020

Background

Neurological soft signs in remitted state of bipolar disorder may represent trait deficits and the aim of this study was to examine the extent of neurological soft signs in euthymic patients with bipolar I disorder as compared to healthy controls. We conducted this study in Zagazig University Hospital upon 60 subjects divided into two groups: euthymic patients with bipolar I disorder group (30 patients) and control group (30 healthy individuals). Assessment of neurological soft signs was performed through Neurological Evaluation Scale and the euthymic state was determined by Young Mania Rating Scale and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale.

Results

The euthymic patient group exhibited a significantly worse performance in the total Neurological Evaluation Scale and the whole four subtest scores than healthy control subjects. There was a statistically significant association between total neurological soft sign score and mood stabilizer therapy in the studied patients. The age of onset of the disorder was correlated to the total score of Neurological Evaluation Scale which is statistically significant. The best cutoff points of the total neurological soft signs score in the discrimination between the euthymic patient group and control group was 3.5 according to the receiver operating characteristic curve.

Conclusion

This study may emphasize the role of neurological soft signs as a sign of organic brain disorder; however, further studies may be able to extend our findings to explore the etiology and pathogenesis of bipolar I disorder.
KEYNOTE-365 cohort A updated results: Pembrolizumab (pembro) plus olaparib in docetaxel-pretreated patients (pts) with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
Authors: Yu Evan Y. , Piulats Josep M. , Gravis Gwenaelle , Laguerre Brigitte , Arranz Arija Jose Angel , Oudard Stephane , Fong Peter C.C. , Kolinsky Michael Paul , Augustin Marinela , Feyerabend Susan , Kam Audrey E. , Gurney Howard , Tafreshi Ali , Retz Margitta , Berry William R. , Mar Nataliya , Wu Helen , Schloss Charles , Poehlein Christian Heinrich , De Bono Johann S.
Published: February 2020

100

Background: KEYNOTE-365 (NCT02861573) is a phase 1b/2 study evaluating pembro + other agents in mCRPC. Updated results from cohort A (pembro + olaparib) are reported. Methods: Docetaxel-pretreated, molecularly unselected pts with mCRPC with progression within 6 mo of screening per PSA or radiologic bone/soft tissue progression enrolled. Pts may have received 1 other chemotherapy and ≤2 2nd-generation hormone therapy (HT). Pts received pembro 200 mg IV Q3W + olaparib 400 mg PO BID. Primary end points: safety, PSA response rate (confirmed PSA decline ≥50%), and ORR per blinded independent central review. Results: Of 84 treated pts, 42 discontinued, primarily due to progression (n=29). Median age was 71 y (range, 47-83); 26% were PD-L1+, 26% had visceral disease, and 57% had RECIST-measurable disease. Median follow-up was 3 mo for all pts (n=81) and 14 mo for pts with ≥27 wks’ follow-up (n=41). See Table for efficacy outcomes. Treatment-related AEs occurred in 70 (83%) pts. Most frequent (≥30%) were nausea (33%) and anemia (31%). Grade 3-5 treatment-related AEs occurred in 29 (35%) pts. Three pts died of AEs (2 treatment related [l myocardial infarction, 1 unknown cause]). Conclusions: With additional follow-up, pembro + olaparib continued to show activity in docetaxel-pretreated, molecularly unselected pts who previously received HT for mCRPC. Safety of the combination was consistent with individual profiles of each agent. Clinical trial information: NCT02861573. [Table: see text]
Randomized phase II study of sipuleucel-T (SipT) with or without radium-223 (Ra223) in men with asymptomatic bone-metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
Authors: Marshall Catherine Handy , Park Jong Chul , DeWeese Theodore L. , King Serina , Afful Michaella , Hurrelbrink Julia , Manogue Charlotte , Cotogno Patrick , Moldawer Nancy P. , Barata Pedro C. , Drake Charles G. , Posadas Edwin M. , Armstrong Andrew J. , Sartor A. Oliver , Antonarakis Emmanuel S.
Published: February 2020

130

Background: SipT-induced antigen-specific immune responses in mCRPC patients correlate with survival. Due to the immunomodulatory effects of radiopharmaceutical agents (e.g. enhancing tumor-antigen display), we hypothesized that combined use of Ra223 and SipT would augment SipT-related immune response and improve outcomes compared to SipT alone. Methods: Patients with asymptomatic mCRPC and bone-predominant mets, without visceral mets >1.0 cm, were randomized (1:1) to standard SipT alone or combined with 6 doses of Ra223 (NCT02463799). Men in the SipT+Ra223 arm received SipT between the 2nd and 3rd dose of Ra223. Clinical endpoints were radiographic/clinical PFS, PSA response (≥50% decline), AlkPhos response (≥30% decline), and safety. Immunologic endpoints were PA2024-specific T-cell proliferation 6 wks after the first SipT infusion, PA2024-specific ELISPOT response, PAP-specific proliferation and ELISPOT, humoral responses against both antigens, and antigen spread. Results: 32 men were randomized, 16 per arm. Baseline characteristics in SipT and SipT+Ra223 arms were matched with respect to age (median 70 vs 71 yrs), Gleason (8-10: 69% vs 69%), PSA (median 82 vs 72 ng/mL), AlkPhos (median 125 vs 125 U/L) and ECOG scores (≥1: 19% vs 31%). After median follow up of 5.3 (range 2.8–26.6) mo, median PFS was longer in the SipT+Ra223 arm (10.7 vs 3.1 mo; HR 0.35, 95% CI 0.15–0.81; P=0.02). Outcomes were also better in the SipT+Ra223 arm with respect to PSA responses (5/15=33% vs 0/14=0%; P=0.04) and AlkPhos responses (9/15=60% vs 1/15=7%; P=0.01). No safety concerns were observed with the combination (grade 3 AEs shown in the Table). Conclusions: SipT combined with Ra223 was associated with improved clinical outcomes compared to SipT alone. Since neither agent reliably induces PSA responses alone, these data suggest a synergistic effect of the combination. Immunologic endpoints will be presented at the meeting. Larger randomized studies of this combination are warranted. Clinical trial information: NCT02463799. [Table: see text]
Nivolumab (NIVO) in combination with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in pretreated patients (pts) with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC): First results of phase II NIVES study.
Authors: Masini Cristina , Iotti Cinzia , De Giorgi Ugo , Bellia Roberto Salvatore , Buti Sebastiano , Salaroli Francesco , Zampiva Ilaria , Mazzarotto Renzo , Mucciarini Claudia , Baldessari Cinzia , Bruni Alessio , Procopio Giuseppe , Kinspergher Stefania , Nole Franco , Morelli Franco , Baier Susanne , Buttigliero Consuelo , Berselli Annalisa , Pinto Carmine
Published: February 2020

613

Background: NIVO showed an increased on OS in pre-treated mRCC. The introduction of metastasis SBRT could improve the clinical outcomes. NIVES Study evaluated the efficacy and safety of SBRT in combination with NIVO in II and III line of mRCC pts. Methods: This is a phase II, single arm, multicentre study in mRCC pts with PD after ≤2 prior anti-angiogenic therapies with measurable metastatic sites, and at least one suitable for SBRT. The pts received hypofractionated radiation in 1 lesion at dose of 10 Gy/3 fractions after 7 days from the first infusion of NIVO. NIVO is given as flat dose of 240 mg on day 1 every 14 days for 6 months, then 480 mg q4-weekly in responding pts until PD or unacceptable toxicity. The primary end point is ORR. Secondary endpoints are PFS, OS, ORR of irradiated and non-irradiated metastasis and safety profile. Results: 69 pts were enrolled from July 2017 to March 2019 in 12 Italian centers. Pt characteristics were: 79.7% clear cell histology, 82.6% males, 79.7%% IMDC intermediate/poor, median age 67 yrs (43-85), 18.8% third line, 21.7% non-nephrectomy. The most frequent sites of SBRT were lung (37.7%), lymphonodes (15.9%), bone (11.6%). At the time of this analysis, median number of NIVO doses received was 12 (1-32). The ORR was 19% (1 CR) and DCR 63.5% (no statistically difference between site of SBRT and ORR); the largest benefit in pts with clear cell histology (p=0.01). Median PFS was 4 months (95%CI, 2.8-7.1), median OS 22.1 months (95%CI, 18.1-NR). With a median follow-up of 15 months (0-25.6), 6-month and 9-month survival rates were 80.3% and 56.1% respectively. 7 pts (10.1%) discontinued treatment due to AEs; grade(G) 3-4 toxicities related to NIVO were experienced in 17 pts (24.6%). The most frequent G3-4 toxicities included diarrhea (5.8%), amylase/lipase increased (4.3%) and hypothyroidism (4.3%); no G3-4 toxicities related to SBRT. Conclusions: The NIVES Study represents the first prospective trial of NIVO and SBRT combination in pre-treated mRCC pts. At present the Study showed a high DCR and no-increase of toxicity. It is ongoing the analysis of correlation between efficacy and PD-L1 expression. Clinical trial information: NCT03469713.
Adjuvant therapy in high-risk renal cell cancer: A systematic review and cumulative meta-analysis.
Authors: Siddiqi Rabbia , Riaz Irbaz Bin , Islam Mahnoor , Sipra Qurat Ul Ain Riaz , Ryu Alexander J. , Raina Ammad , Murad M. Hassan , Kohli Manish
Published: February 2020

708

Background: Patients with high risk non-metastatic renal cell cancer (RCC) are at significant risk of recurrence following nephrectomy. Previously, we reported no benefit of adjuvant tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment in high-risk patients. Since our most recent publication, efficacy results from the multicenter double-blind SORCE trial have become available. We updated our meta-analysis to include these additional data and performed a cumulative meta-analysis. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched to identify relevant RCTs. A generic variance-weighted random effects model was used to derive estimates for efficacy. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochran Q statistic and was quantified using the I2 test. The primary outcome was disease-free survival (DFS), defined as the interval between randomization and the first recurrence, the occurrence of metastasis or a secondary cancer, or death due to any cause. Statistical analysis was performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis version 3 (Biostat). Results: Five phase 3 trials were identified, enrolling 6531 patients. Two trials compared sunitinib with placebo (S-TRAC and ECOG-ACRIN), two compared sorafenib with placebo (ECOG-ACRIN and SORCE) and one trial each compared pazopanib (PROTECT) and axitinib (ATLAS) vs placebo. Cumulative evidence suggests that adjuvant therapy with TKIs showed no significant improvement in (DFS) hazard ratio [HR] of 0.93 (95% CI, 0.85-1.02), compared to placebo. There was no significant heterogeneity among included trials ( I2= 52%, P= .41). Overall, the trials were at low risk of bias. Conclusions: Adjuvant vascular endothelial growth factor tyrosine kinase inhibitors in high-risk renal cell carcinoma did not improve DFS as compared to placebo. Improved patient selection using better prognostic biomarkers or scoring systems may identify subsets of patients who can benefit from adjuvant treatments. Toxicity estimates will be updated as data from SORCE trial publication becomes available.
DASL-HiCAP (ANZUP1801): The impact of darolutamide on standard therapy for localized very high-risk cancer of the prostate—A randomized phase III double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of adding darolutamide to androgen deprivation therapy and definitive or salvage radiation in very high-risk, clinically localized prostate cancer.
Authors: Niazi Tamim , Williams Scott , Davis Ian D. , Stockler Martin R. , Martin Andrew James , Hague Wendy , Bracken Karen , Gorzeman Margot , Roncolato Felicia , Yip Sonia , Horvath Lisa , Sengupta Shomik , Hughes Simon , McDermott Raymond S. , Catto James WF , Vapiwala Neha , Parulekar Wendy R. , Sweeney Christopher
Published: February 2020

TPS385

Background: Radiation therapy (RT), plus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with a luteinising hormone releasing hormone analogue (LHRHA) for at least one year, is standard of care for men with very high-risk localised prostate cancer (PC), or with very high-risk features and persistent PSA after radical prostatectomy (RP). Despite this, incurable distant metastases develop within 5 years in 15% of men with very high risk features. Darolutamide is an androgen receptor antagonist with favourable tolerability. Our aim is to determine the efficacy of adding darolutamide to ADT and RT given in the setting of either primary definitive therapy (RP or RT), or adjuvant therapy for very high-risk PC. Methods: This study is a randomised (1:1) phase III placebo-controlled, double-blind trial for men planned for RT who have very high-risk localised PC, or very high-risk features with PSA persistence or rise within one year following RP. The trial will be stratified by: use of adjuvant docetaxel; pelvic nodal involvement; RP. 1100 participants will be randomised to darolutamide 600 mg or placebo twice daily for 96 weeks. Participants will receive LHRHA for 96 weeks, plus RT starting week 8-24 from randomisation. Participants are allowed nonsteroidal antiandrogen (up to 90 days) in addition to LHRHA up until randomisation. Early treatment with 6 cycles of docetaxel completed at least 4 weeks prior to RT is permitted. The primary endpoint is metastasis-free survival, with secondary endpoints overall survival, PC-specific survival, PSA-progression free survival, time to subsequent hormonal therapy, time to castration-resistance, frequency and severity of adverse events, health related quality of life, fear of recurrence. Tertiary endpoints include incremental cost-effectiveness, and identification of prognostic and/or predictive biomarkers of treatment response, safety and resistance to study treatment. Clinical trial information: NCT04136353.
Atezolizumab + intravesical BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) in high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients: Institutional clinical and translational study (BladderGATE).
Authors: Castellano Daniel , de Velasco Guillermo , Martin Soberón Maria Cruz , Carretero-González Alberto , Dueñas Marta , Paramio Jesus , De La Rosa Federico , Sanz Juan Luis , Guerrero Félix
Published: February 2020

TPS598

Background: Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) induction + BCG maintenance after transurethral resection (TURBT) is the current standard of care for patients (pt) with high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Recurrence rate at 2 years is around 30%, which is clearly unsatisfactory. Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) is a surface glycoprotein that functions as an inhibitor of T-cells and plays a crucial role in suppression of cellular immune response. Atezolizumab is a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody targeting PD-L1 and is associated with long-term durable remissions in pts with metastatic urothelial cancer (Powles T. Lancet. 2018). Atezolizumab in combination with standard BCG could be beneficial in pts with NMIBC. BladderGATE (NCT04134000) is a phase Ib-II study aims to evaluate the clinical impact and safety of the combination of Atezolizumab + intravesical BGC (medac strain), including a translational study (microbioma and urobioma) in pts with NMIBC. Methods: Eligible pt have confirmed histopathology of NMIBC, BCG naïve or stopped >3 years ago, WHO PS 0-1, no prior radiation to bladder and adequate hematologic and end-organ function. We propose a de-escalation design to enroll patients to identify DLT and MTD proposed to safety and efficacy expansion cohort. Pt will receive induction BCG, 1 instillation every week (qw) (dose level 0) or BCG, 1/2 instillation qw (dose level -1) + intravenously atezolizumab 1200 mg every 3 w (q3w), during 6 w. After induction, BCG will be administered as maintenance treatment at weeks 12, 24 and 48 and atezolizumab 1200 mg q3w up to 1 year. Pt will be accrued to each dose level in cohorts of 10 pt until the MTD is achieved (the highest dose at which <4 out of 10 pt experience DLT). DLT will be evaluated during induction treatment. Additional pt will be included in the expansion cohort up to 40 pt. DLT and safety profile will be evaluated according to NCI-CTCAE v 5.0 criteria. Recurrence-free survival will be assessed per RECIST 1.1. Tissue, plasma and urine sample will be collected for translational study. Clinical trial information: NCT04134000.
Reduced Expression of the Co-regulator TLE1 in Type 2 Diabetes Is Associated with Increased Islet α-Cell Number
Authors: Armour Sarah L , Anderson Scott J , Richardson Sarah J , Ding Yuchun , Carey Chris , Lyon James , Maheshwari Rashmi R , Al-Jahdami Najwa , Krasnogor Natalio , Morgan Noel G , MacDonald Patrick , Shaw James A M , White Michael G
Published: February 2020

β-Cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with loss of cellular identity and mis-expression of alternative islet hormones, including glucagon. The molecular basis for these cellular changes has been attributed to dysregulation of core β-cell transcription factors, which regulate β-cell identity through activating and repressive mechanisms. The TLE1 gene lies near a T2D susceptibility locus and, recently, the glucagon repressive actions of this transcriptional coregulator have been demonstrated in vitro. We investigated whether TLE1 expression is disrupted in human T2D, and whether this is associated with increased islet glucagon-expressing cells. Automated image analysis following immunofluorescence in donors with (n = 7) and without (n = 7) T2D revealed that T2D was associated with higher islet α/β cell ratio (Control: 0.7 ± 0.1 vs T2D: 1.6 ± 0.4; P < .05) and an increased frequency of bihormonal (insulin+/glucagon+) cells (Control: 0.8 ± 0.2% vs T2D: 2.0 ± 0.4%, P < .05). In nondiabetic donors, the majority of TLE1-positive cells were mono-hormonal β-cells (insulin+/glucagon–: 98.2 ± 0.5%; insulin+/glucagon+: 0.7 ± 0.2%; insulin–/glucagon+: 1.1 ± 0.4%; P < .001). TLE1 expression was reduced in T2D (Control: 36 ± 2.9% vs T2D: 24 ± 2.6%; P < .05). Reduced islet TLE1 expression was inversely correlated with α/β cell ratio (r = –0.55; P < .05). TLE1 knockdown in EndoC-βH1 cells was associated with a 2.5-fold increase in glucagon gene mRNA and mis-expression of glucagon in insulin-positive cells. These data support TLE1 as a putative regulator of human β-cell identity, with dysregulated expression in T2D associated with increased glucagon expression potentially reflecting β- to α-cell conversion.
Study of energy quantities for a hyperon in hypernuclei using a single particle potential
Authors: Lalazissis G. A. , Grypeos M. E. , Massen S. E.
Published: February 2020

A single particle hyperon-nucleus potential is adopted for the study of various energy quantities of a hyperon (Y) in hypernuclei.Approximate semi-empirical formulae for the ground state (g.s.) binding energy and for the oscillator spacing hωΛ of a Λ in hypernuclei are proposed. The region of their validity is discussed.The g.s. binding energies of the Ξ- hyperon in the few known Ξ- hypernuclei are also analyzed and a comparison of the volume integrals of the Ξ- nucleon and Λ nucleon potentials |V_{ΞN}I and |V_{ΛΝ)| is made. The value of the ratio γ=V_{ΞΝ}/|V_{ΛN}| is found to be ~0.8. Such a conclusion is also obtained by using in the same way other potential models such as the Woods-Saxon one.
A completely integrable case in the complex Lorenz equations
Authors: Flessas G. P. , Leach P. G.L.
Published: February 2020

By application of the Lie theory of extended groups and for the parameter values σ=1/2, b=1, r1= e^2/2, r2=e/2, e arbitrary we prove that the system of the complex Lorenz equations is algebraically completely integrable. The respective general exact solution i$ expressed by means of Jacobian elliptic functions
Conditions for the existence of peaks in the Sigma hypernucleus spectra
Authors: Petridou Th. , Daskaloyannis C.
Published: February 2020

The (K-, π±) sigma hypernuclear spectrum is studied qualitatively in the Green function approach, using a solvable interaction model. The general features of the spectrum are explained. The necessary conditions for the existence of peaks in the spectrum are also studied. We show that the resonant peaks can be distinguished in the case of a real strong spin-orbit potential with a relatively weak Sigma to Lambda conversion.
Construction of Receptor Geometric Models for Objects of Complex Technical Forms
Authors: E Vin Tun , Markin Leonid
Published: February 2020

In this paper the question related to the use of receptor (voxel) method for geometric modeling to solve practical design problems has been considered. The use of receptor methods is effective in solving a certain class of problems, primarily the problems of automated layout. The complexity of this method’s practical use is due to the fact, that receptor geometric models are never the primary ones. They are formed based on parametric models specified by designer. Receptor models are the internal machine ones. The main problem that prevents the widespread use of the receptor method is the lack of universal methods for converting parametric models into the receptor ones. Available publications show that in solving practical problems various authors have developed their own methods for creating receptor models for objects of "primitives" and "composition of primitives" classes. Therefore, it is extremely urgent to solve the problem of developing a universal method of forming receptor models for objects of complex technical forms. The essence of the proposed method is the transformation of a solid-state model created in a CAD system into a receptor matrix. First in the physical one, in which the solid-state model is discretized into cubes with receptor sizes, and then in the mathematical one — a three-dimensional array with binary codes of zeros and ones. The creation of a physical receptor matrix is carried out by means of the CAD-system itself, allowing diagnose the belonging of a single receptor to a simulated object. The fact of intersection or non-intersection a given position by a single receptor is encoded by "1" and "0" respectively, and this information is transferred to a mathematical receptor model (3-dimensional binary array). This calculation procedure is programmed in the form of a macro, providing a given position of a single receptor and fixing the fact of its intersection with the solid-state model. Have been demonstrated examples for described method’s practical application, and has been carried out CPU time cost estimation for the construction of a physical receptor model depending on the receptor size and object geometric complexity. Actions on data transformation from a solid-state model to a receptor one have been implemented in the form of C# programs.
A Língua Portuguesa nas Organizações Internacionais
Authors: Silva Gordino Anaísa
Published: February 2020

Na era da globalização e do multiculturalismo, as organizações internacionais constituem uma janela para o mundo das línguas de forma mais lata, replicando muitos dos jogos de forças entre línguas e culturas na cena internacional.Neste artigo, apresentaremos o panorama atual em instituições que contam com o português entre as suas línguas oficiais/de trabalho, daí derivando ilações sobre a sua implementação e procurando identificar estratégias para a difusão da língua portuguesa, ancoradas nas três categorias de política de língua e planeamento linguístico: planeamento de estatuto, de corpus e de aquisição.Tendo como base abordagens em política de língua e planeamento linguístico e o levantamento de dados estatísticos nas áreas da tradução e interpretação, defendemos que a expansão do português nestas instituições é um projeto viável, desde que selecionados os canais adequados e seguidas orientações claras em termos de planeamento linguístico. Estas orientações deverão privilegiar a cooperação entre países lusófonos e colocar a adoção do português numa perspetiva de complementaridade à língua inglesa (a língua hipercentral), de forma a cimentar o estatuto do português como língua global.
Menstrual hygiene management among girls at a peri-urban senior high school in the Volta Region, Ghana
Authors: Baku Elizabeth Aku , Adrakpanya Victor , Konlan Kennedy Diema , Adatara Peter
Published: February 2020

Background

Young women and adolescent girls experience many challenges in their lives related to sanitation, hygiene, and menstruation. These challenges are often seen in a school setting and are more intense in peri-urban areas, where the infrastructure in educational institutions is often outpaced by the population, generating poor sanitary conditions. This can lead to adolescent girls contracting reproductive tract infections, such as candidiasis, as a result of poor menstrual hygiene. This study assessed menstrual hygiene management among students at a senior high school in the Volta Region, Ghana, in order to identify improvements to be made by school authorities to improve the health and comfort of students during menstruation.

Methods

This cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted among 265 students aged 13–22 years, who had attained menarche. A pretested, structured questionnaire was used to collect data on their menstruation knowledge and practices, and the available sanitary facilities for menstrual hygiene management in the school. This was followed by an evaluation of the available facilities using a survey process. The Pearson chi-squared test was used to test the association between a student's year group and their knowledge and practices.

Results

The majority of the girls had accurate knowledge on menstruation (52.8% reported the correct length of a woman's menses, 74.7% correctly reported that a woman's menses comes once a month). However, the majority (63%) of participants reported the belief that menstrual blood is unhygienic and this belief was significantly associated with year group (P<0.00). When reporting on their practices during menstruation, the majority (76.2%) bathed twice a day and most (47.2%) changed their sanitary product twice a day. The frequency of these practices was significantly associated with year group (P=0.017 and P≤0.00, respectively). Only one-third (33.6%) of girls reported always having access to water for washing when menstruating and only 24.9% reported always having access to soap. The survey of facilities revealed that there was no handwashing facility in the school.

Conclusions

There is a need for Ghanaian educational institutions to provide proper sanitary facilities and for parents to provide sanitary pads or towels, which will allow girls who are menstruating to be comfortable and free of reproductive health infections. To achieve this, school authorities should be educated on the importance of providing the necessary sanitary facilities and parents should be educated on the necessity of provision of sanitary pads.
Highlighting the latest research: February 2020
Authors: Palmer Sarah Jane
Published: February 2020

Sarah Jane Palmer presents a selection of recently published articles of interest to nurses working in cardiovascular nursing. The aim of this roundup is to provide a brief overview of the research papers selected. A full reference is provided for those who wish to take a look at the research in further detail.
A brief overview of recently published nursing and health articles
Authors: Welyczko Nikki
Published: February 2020

Nikki Welyczko, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, De Montfort University, provides a brief overview of recently published nursing and health articles
2020: the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife
Authors: Harrison Penny
Published: February 2020

Penny Harrison, Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing at De Montfort University, Leicester, discusses the initiative from the World Health Organization
Study scope
Authors: Kurien Reuben , Menon Shyam
Published: February 2020

Reuben Kurien, Senior Clinical Fellow in Gastroenterology, and Shyam Menon, Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatobiliary Physician, both at Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, offer a succinct summary of articles on endoscopy published in recent months
Tackling burnout: why is it important?
Authors: Thorpe James
Published: February 2020

Evidence suggests a significant relationship between healthcare staff wellbeing and patient safety, with burnout directly and indirectly affecting medicolegal risk. Poor wellbeing of doctors has major implications for patient outcomes and the overall performance of healthcare organisations. This editorial looks at the predisposing factors that can lead to burnout and the potential solutions.
Parallels and ruptures in the neoliberal intensive parenting regime
Authors: Gillies Val
Published: February 2020

This Open Space commentary offers a response to the special issue article by Ana Vergara del Solar, shedding light on global linkages and discontinuities in childhood and parenting in two national contexts that sit at the heart of the neoliberal project, Chile and the UK. In particular, it explores how social investment rationales have worked to instrumentalise parent–child relationships, enforcing a stifling intensification of parenting.
Video games, parental mediation and gender socialization
Authors: Aierbe Ana , Oregui Eider , Bartau Isabel
Published: February 2020

The study examines the parental perception of the use of video games by their preadolescent children, as well as parental beliefs, mediation practices and difficulties they encounter. In total, 186 parents have participated. The results, gathered in the quantitative and qualitative phase, reveal differences in parental perception according to the age and sex of their children; parents have more negative than positive beliefs about video games and use more strategies based on control than on support and communication. In parents’ opinion, the difficulties for mediation are related to the precocity to which they access the media and Internet, social pressure, uncontrollability and the digital divide. The paper concludes with implications for the educational intervention aimed to respond to parents’ concerns and needs for information and training.
Blended Learning Researches in Iran: Several Fundamental Criticisms
Authors: Seraji Farhad , Attaran Muhammad , Azizi Seyyed Mohsen
Published: February 2020

The present study seeks to critically review the state of the blended learning researches in the Iranian context. For this critique, 47 papers about blended learning were found in a number of indexing databases and their contents were analyzed. The contents mainly revolved around use of relevant terminology, features of blended learning, methodology, levels of blended learning, variables of the study, and the analyzed educational programs. Some major criticisms that can be leveled at these studies include limited range of terminology, inappropriate use of key concepts, overemphasis on quantitative methods, overuse of pseudo-empirical method, lack of case studies, mistaking blended learning for application of computers in education, excessive concentration on the level of educational programs, superficial treatment of the distinction between learning and retaining, lack of attention to some of the variables of blended learning, and use of blended learning for primary and secondary education.
Les concepcions sobrenaturals de les malalties a través de la història.
Authors: SIERRA i VALENTÍ Xavier
Published: February 2020

THE SUPERNATURAL CONCEPCIONS OF DISEASES THROUGH THE HISTORY: In the antiquity, the concept of disease was frequently straightened with supernatural phenomena. Divine or demoniacal forces were seen as causing disease, which were also conceived as a punishment for individual or collective sin, although it was also seen at certain times as an evidence of holiness.
La "topografía Médica de Mataró y su zona" d’Antoni Franquesa i Sivilla (1862-1906).
Authors: TORRES i GALLARDO Begonya
Published: February 2020

THE MEDICAL TOPOGRAPHY OF MATEAR AND IST AREA BY ANTONI FRANQUESA I SIVILLA (1862-1906): The medical topography of Mataró, by the local doctor Dr. Antoni Franquesa i Sivilla, was presented by its author to the prize of the Royal Academy of Medicine and Surgery of Barcelona in 1888. Dr. Franquesa, despite his ephemeral life, he was a prominent figure in the professional and political spheres of the city, and recognized with a street that bears his name.
Non-linear statistical photocalibration of photodetectors without calibrated light sources
Authors: Cain Stephen C.
Published: February 2020

Calibration of CCD arrays is commonly conducted using dark frames. Non-absolute calibration techniques only measure the relative response of the detectors. For absolute calibration to be achieved, a second calibration is sometimes utilized by looking at sources with known radiances. A process like this can be used to calibrate photodetectors if a calibration source is available and sensor time can be spared to perform the operation. A previous attempt at creating a procedure for calibrating a photodetector using the underlying Poisson nature of the photodetection statistics relied on a linear model. This effort produced the statistically applied non-uniformity calibration algorithm, which demonstrated an ability to relate the measured signal with the true radiance of the source. Reliance on a completely linear model does not allow for non-linear behaviors to be described, thus potentially producing poor photocalibration over large dynamic ranges. In this paper, a photocalibration procedure is defined that requires only first and second moments of the measurements and allows the response to be modeled using a non-linear function over the dynamic range of the detector. The technique is applied to image data containing a light source measured with different integration times showing that the non-linear technique achieves significant improvement over the linear model over a large dynamic range.
High-speed combined reflectance confocal and moxifloxacin based two-photon microscopy
Authors: Kim Bumju , Le Hoan , Oh Byung-ho , Kim Ki Hean
Published: February 2020

Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a non-invasive high-resolution optical imaging technique used in clinical settings as a diagnostic method. However, RCM has limited diagnostic ability by providing non-specific morphological information only based on reflection contrast. Various multimodal imaging techniques have been developed to compensate the limitations of RCM, but multimodal techniques are often slow in imaging speed compared to RCM alone. In this report, we combined RCM with moxifloxacin based two-photon microscopy (TPM) for high-speed multimodal imaging. Moxifloxacin based TPM used clinically compatible moxifloxacin for cell labeling and could do non-invasive cellular imaging at 30 frames/s together with RCM. Performance of the combined microscopy was characterized in the imaging of mouse skin and cornea, in vivo. Detail tissue microstructures including cells, extra-cellular matrix (ECM), and vasculature were visualized. The combined microscopy was applied to human skin cancer specimens, and both cells and ECM in the skin cancer and normal skin regions were visualized at high imaging speeds. The combined microscopy can be useful in the clinical applications of RCM by providing multiple contrasts.
In vivo ultrasound-switchable fluorescence imaging using a camera-based system
Authors: Yu Shuai , Yao Tingfeng , Liu Yang , Yuan Baohong
Published: February 2020

Ultrasound-switchable fluorescence (USF) is a novel imaging technique that provides high spatial resolution fluorescence images in centimeter-deep biological tissue. Recently, we successfully demonstrated the feasibility of in vivo USF imaging using a frequency-domain photomultiplier tube-based system. In this work, for the first time we carried out in vivo USF imaging via a camera-based USF imaging system. The system acquires a USF signal on a two-dimensional (2D) plane, which facilitates the image acquisition because the USF scanning area can be planned based on the 2D image and provides high USF photon collection efficiency. We demonstrated in vivo USF imaging in the mouse’s glioblastoma tumor with multiple targets via local injection. In addition, we designed the USF contrast agents with different particle sizes (70 nm and 330 nm) so that they could bio-distribute to various organs (spleen, liver, and kidney) via intravenous (IV) injections. The results showed that the contrast agents retained stable USF properties in tumors and some organs (spleen and liver). We successfully achieved in vivo USF imaging of the mouse’s spleen and liver via IV injections. The USF imaging results were compared with the images acquired from a commercial X-ray micro computed tomography (micro-CT) system.