bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is there anybody out there: what do senior surgeons expect of their youngsters?
Authors: Vallböhmer Daniel , Fuchs Hans , Dittmar Ronny , Krones Carsten J.
Published: January 2019

Surgery is indeed one of the most fascinating medical professions. However, it is also a stressful field of work with a high workload, and often leaves little time for personal and family needs. Within the last decade, a noticeable decline occurred in the willingness of medical students to enter a surgical residency. In fact, Generation Y is highly interested in a medical career with a respectful working atmosphere and balanced work and private life, as published in several recent papers. Therefore, surgery must evolve with the times to retain its attractiveness as a career choice for medical students and to compete for the best talents from Generation Y. However, little is known about what senior surgeons really expect from young surgical residents. On the basis of a recent survey by the Professional Association of German Surgeons, this paper tries to give some insights in this very relevant topic and a perspective on how to increase the attractiveness of our fascinating specialty. In fact, in this survey, senior surgeons defined a very clear requirement profile for surgical residency applicants. While the colleagues defined accurate applicant documents, a previous internship, self-motivation, and impressions from the job interview as the most important factors for a successful application for a surgical residency, a standard period of study or a dissertation was deemed of lower importance.
Thyroid function in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome: an Italian multicenter study of 339 patients
Authors: Iughetti Lorenzo , Vivi Giulia , Balsamo Antonio , Corrias Andrea , Crinò Antonino , Delvecchio Maurizio , Gargantini Luigi , Greggio Nella Augusta , Grugni Graziano , Hladnik Uros , Pilotta Alba , Ragusa Letizia , Salvatoni Alessandro , Wasniewska Malgorzata , Weber Giovanna , Predieri Barbara
Published: January 2019

Background

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disorder due to loss of expression of paternally transcribed genes of the imprinted region of chromosome 15q11-13. PWS is characterized by peculiar signs and symptoms and many endocrine abnormalities have been described (growth hormone deficiency, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism). The abnormalities of thyroid function are discussed in literature and published data are discordant. The aim of our study was to report the thyroid function in patients with PWS to identify the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction.

Methods

Thyroid function tests were carried out in 339 patients with PWS, aged from 0.2 to 50 years. A database was created to collect personal data, anthropometric data, thyroid function data and possible replacement therapy with L-thyroxine. Subjects were classified according to thyroid function as: euthyroidism (EuT), congenital hypothyroidism (C-HT), hypothyroidism (HT – high thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH] and low free thyroxine [fT4]), central hypothyroidism (CE-H – low/normal TSH and low fT4), subclinical hypothyroidism (SH – high TSH and normal fT4), and hyperthyroidism (HyperT – low TSH and high fT4).

Results

Two hundred and forty-three out of 339 PWS patients were younger than 18 years (71.7%). The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction was 13.6%. Specifically, C-HT was found in four children (1.18%), HT in six patients (1.77%), CE-H in 23 patients (6.78%), SH in 13 patients (3.83%), and HyperT in none. All other subjects were in EuT (86.4%).

Conclusions

Hypothyroidism is a frequent feature in subjects with PWS. Thyroid function should be regularly investigated in all PWS patients both at the diagnosis and annually during follow-up.
Multi-term fractional differential equations with nonlocal boundary conditions
Authors: Ahmad Bashir , Alghamdi Najla , Alsaedi Ahmed , Ntouyas Sotiris K.
Published: January 2019

We introduce and study a new kind of nonlocal boundary value problems of multi-term fractional differential equations. The existence and uniqueness results for the given problem are obtained by applying standard fixed point theorems. We also construct some examples for demonstrating the application of the main results.
Crystal structure of chlorido-(6,6′-((1,2-phenylenebis(azanylylidene))bis(methanylylidene))bis(3-methoxyphenolato)-κ4
O,N,N′,O′)iron(III), C22H18ClN2FeO4
Authors: Cuihong Zhang , Yuan Ge , Xiaoping Huo , Liguo Yang , Xin Li , Zongcheng Miao
Published: January 2019

C22H18ClN2FeO4, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 7.0779(6) Å, b = 19.0203(16) Å, c = 14.7233(12) Å, β = 103.1570(10)°, V = 1930.1(3) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0278, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1037, T = 296(2) K.
Ceramic-based photocatalytic membrane reactors for water treatment – where to next?
Authors: Horovitz Inna , Gitis Vitaly , Avisar Dror , Mamane Hadas
Published: January 2019

Ceramic-based photocatalytic membrane reactors (cPMRs) are becoming increasingly popular among researchers and will soon be seen on the water/wastewater-treatment market. This review provides a thorough analysis of the available data on cPMRs fabricated to date based on coating method, support and coating materials, membrane design, pore size and model compounds used to evaluate process efficiency and light source. While all of the studies describe cPMR preparation in great detail, over half do not provide any information about their performance. The rest used various dyes that can be conveniently detected by spectrophotometry/fluorimetry, or micropollutants that require analytical equipment available only in specialized laboratories. In addition, cPMRs are viewed as a convenient way of incorporating a photocatalyst on an inert surface assuming that the surface itself, i.e. the membrane, does not participate in the treatment process. A unified test for cPMR performance should be developed and implemented for all cPMRs that have the potential for commercialization. There is a need for standardization in cPMR testing; only then can the true performance of cPMRs be evaluated and compared. Such testing will also answer the question of whether the cPMR membrane is indeed an inert support or an active part of the treatment process.
Risk-based targeting of adjuvant pregabalin treatment in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomized, controlled trial
Authors: von Plato Hanna , Mattila Kristiina , Poikola Satu , Löyttyniemi Eliisa , Hamunen Katri , Kontinen Vesa
Published: January 2019

Background and aims

Pain is the most common reason for delayed discharge after day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This study investigates a simple five-item questionnaire in evaluating the risk of postoperative pain in day-case cholecystectomy and the efficacy and safety of single-dose preoperative pregabalin on patients with multiple risk factors for pain. There are no previous studies on targeting adjuvant pain treatment based on the individual risk factors like the preoperative state of anxiety, acute or chronic pain, and the expectation of pain in day-case surgery.

Methods

One hundred and thirty patients scheduled for day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy were evaluated with a five-item questionnaire assessing the risk for postoperative pain. The patients with multiple risk factors (n=60) were randomized to receive either pregabalin 150 mg or placebo, 1 h before surgery. The primary outcome was abdominal pain intensity on numerical rating scale (NRS) 1 h after surgery. Pain, analgesic consumption and adverse effects during first three postoperative days, and the length of hospital stay were also recorded.

Results

Pregabalin 150 mg given as an adjuvant analgesic preoperatively did not decrease postoperative abdominal pain or opioid consumption in the first hour after surgery compared to placebo in a preselected group of patients with multiple risk factors for postoperative pain (p=0.31). Preoperative anxiety assessed with a scale of 0–10 had a positive association with postoperative pain (p=0.045).

Conclusions and implications

This was the first trial on systematically selecting patients with a high-risk factor profile for postoperative pain as a target for a preventive adjuvant analgesic intervention. Although numerous previous studies have identified various risk factors, including those used in the current trial, it seems to be challenging to use these risk factors as predictive tools for targeting adjuvant analgesics in day-case surgery. Preoperative anxiety has a positive association with postoperative pain in day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and this should be taken into account when treating these patients.
Temperature induced twinning in aragonite: transmission electron microscopy experiments and ab initio calculations
Authors: Gavryushkin Pavel N. , Rečnik Aleksander , Daneu Nina , Sagatov Nursultan , Belonoshko Anatoly B. , Popov Zakhar I. , Ribić Vesna , Litasov Konstantin D.
Published: January 2019

The microstructure of aragonite, one of the main bio-mineral and component of bio-inspired materials, was described in numerous investigations. Using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), for the first time we show the effect of temperature on aragonite microstructure. The local increase of (0.5 0.5 0) reflections intensities and appearance of satellite reflections in [11̅0] zone axis were observed above 350°C. We explain the appearance of satellite reflections by the generation and ordering of {110} twin boundaries and suggest new thermal mechanism of the twin boundaries generation. We check the viability of this mechanism by ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations and generalized solid state nudge elastic band (g-SSNEB) calculations.
The Pharmacological Assessment of GABAAReceptor Activation in Experimental Febrile Seizures in Mice
Authors: Kasahara Yuka , Igata Hideyoshi , Sasaki Takuya , Ikegaya Yuji , Koyama Ryuta
Published: January 2019

Hyperthermia-induced febrile seizures (FSs) are the most common seizures during childhood, and prolonged complex FSs can result in the development of epilepsy. Currently, GABAAreceptor modulators such as benzodiazepines and barbiturates are used as medications for FSs with the aim of enhancing GABA-mediated inhibition of neuronal activity. However, it is still up for debate whether these enhancers of GABAergic neurotransmission could depolarize immature neurons with relatively higher levels of the intracellular Cl−in the developing brain during FSs. Here, we performed simultaneous video-local field potential monitoring to determine whether benzodiazepines and barbiturates affect the phenotypes of FSs in postnatal day (P)11 and P14 mice. We found that low-dose administration of diazepam decreased the incidence of clonic seizures at P11. We also found that high-dose administration of diazepam and pentobarbital exacerbated the behavioral and electrophysiological phenotypes of the induction phase of experimental FSs at P11 but not at P14. We further found that the deteriorated phenotypes at P11 were suppressed when Na+K+2Cl−cotransporter isoform 1 (NKCC1), which mediates Cl−influx, was blocked by treatment with the diuretic bumetanide. Though our findings do not exclude the involvement of sedation effect of high-dose GABAAreceptor modulators in worsening experimental FSs at P11, pharmacological enhancement of GABAergic signaling could aggravate seizure activity in the early phase of FSs.
Calcium-Activated Calpain Specifically Cleaves Glutamate Receptor IIA But Not IIB at theDrosophilaNeuromuscular Junction
Authors: Metwally Elsayed , Zhao Guoli , Li Wenhua , Wang Qifu , Zhang Yong Q.
Published: January 2019

Calpains are calcium-dependent, cytosolic proteinases active at neutral pH. They do not degrade but cleave substrates at limited sites. Calpains are implicated in various pathologies, such as ischemia, injuries, muscular dystrophy, and neurodegeneration. Despite so, the physiological function of calpains remains to be clearly defined. Using the neuromuscular junction ofDrosophilaof both sexes as a model, we performed RNAi screening and uncovered that calpains negatively regulated protein levels of the glutamate receptor GluRIIA but not GluRIIB. We then showed that calpains enrich at the postsynaptic area, and the calcium-dependent activation of calpains induced cleavage of GluRIIA at Q788 of its C terminus. Further genetic and biochemical experiments revealed that different calpains genetically and physically interact to form a protein complex. The protein complex was required for the proteinase activation to downregulate GluRIIA. Our data provide a novel insight into the mechanisms by which different calpains act together as a complex to specifically control GluRIIA levels and consequently synaptic function.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTCalpain has been implicated in neural insults and neurodegeneration. However, the physiological function of calpains in the nervous system remains to be defined. Here, we show that calpain enriches at the postsynaptic area and negatively and specifically regulates GluRIIA, but not IIB, level during development. Calcium-dependent activation of calpain cleaves GluRIIA at Q788 of its C terminus. Different calpains constitute an active protease complex to cleave its target. This study reveals a critical role of calpains during development to specifically cleave GluRIIA at synapses and consequently regulate synaptic function.
Metformin improves the glucose homeostasis of Wuchang bream fed high-carbohydrate diets: a dynamic study
Authors: Xu Chao , Li Xiang-Fei , Tian Hong-Yan , Shi Hua-Juan , Zhang Ding-Dong , Abasubong Kenneth Prudence , Liu Wen-Bin
Published: January 2019

After a 12-week feeding trial, the glucose tolerance test was performed in Megalobrama amblycephala to evaluate the effects of metformin on the metabolic responses of glycolipids. Plasma insulin peaked at 2 h, then decreased to the basal value at 8–12 h post-injection. Plasma triglyceride levels and liver glycogen contents of the control group was decreased significantly during the first 2 and 1 h, respectively. Then, they returned to basal values at 12 h. During the whole sampling period, the high-carbohydrate groups had significantly higher levels of plasma metabolites and liver glycogen than those of the control group, and metformin supplementation enhanced these changes (except insulin levels). Glucose administration lowered the transcriptions of ampk α1, ampk α2, pepck, g6pase, fbpase, cpt IA and aco, the phosphorylation of Ampk α and the activities of the gluconeogenic enzymes during the first 2–4 h, while the opposite was true of glut 2, gs, gk, pk, accα and fas. High-carbohydrate diets significantly increased the transcriptions of ampk α1, ampk α2, glut 2, gs, gk, pk, accα and fas, the phosphorylation of Ampk α and the activities of the glycolytic enzymes during the whole sampling period, while the opposite was true for the remaining indicators. Furthermore, metformin significantly upregulated the aforementioned indicators (except accα and fas) and the transcriptions of cpt IA and aco. Overall, metformin benefits the glucose homeostasis of Megalobrama amblycephala fed high-carbohydrate diets through the activation of Ampk and the stimulation of glycolysis, glycogenesis and fatty acid oxidation, while depressing gluconeogenesis and lipogenesis.
Effect of Iloprost, a Prostacyclin Analogue, on Myocardial Ischemia- Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Tumer Naim Boran , Erol Gokhan , Tekeli Kunt Atike , Doganci Suat
Published: January 2019

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury continues to be observed during open heart surgery. Various experimental models have been developed to overcome this injury and to increase postoperative prognosis.
This study was conducted to assess the effect that iloprost, a prostacyclin analogue, can have on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. We evaluated tissue damage by measuring the levels of malonyldialdehyde (MDA), glutathione, and nitric oxide (NO) in tissue and perfusates.
In this study, 20 guinea pig hearts were prepared by using the modified Langendorff perfusion apparatus to form control (n = 10) and experimental study groups (n = 10). Following a preischemic period of perfusion and an ischemic period of 20 minutes, control hearts were perfused with Krebs–Henseleit solution. In the experimental group, iloprost (0.45 µg/kg per hour) was included in the perfusates for the last 10 minutes of the preischemic phase. Following cardiac stabilization, heart rate (pulse/min), contractility (mm), and aortic pressure (mmHg) values were recorded at the end of preischemia, postischemia, and reperfusion. Perfusate and tissue analyses for glutathione, MDA, and NO levels were made in each group at the end of experiments.
Iloprost was found to have protective effects against myocardial ischemia by means of increased myocardial contractility, decreased tissue/perfusate glutathione levels and inhibited rise of tissue/perfusate MDA observed in the iloprost-treated experimental group. Future investigations on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury must evaluate iloprost-related mechanisms.
La relación entre el apoyo organizacional percibido y la calidad de vida relacionada con el trabajo, con la implementación de un modelo de bienestar en la organización
Authors: Salazar Estrada José Guadalupe
Published: January 2019

Con los cambios en los sistemas de producción, los trabajadores ven sus condiciones laborales y su sentir del bienestar subjetivo afectados, por lo cual en la actualidad existe un gran interés en mejorar las condiciones de calidad de vida en el trabajo. El objetivo de este estudio es realizar un análisis de la relación multivariante entre el apoyo (soporte) organizacional percibido y algunas dimensiones de la calidad de vida relacionada con el trabajo, con el bienestar subjetivo y, al mismo tiempo, constructos relevantes derivados de la psicología organizacional positiva, como el compromiso laboral y el sentido de coherencia. Se consideró una muestra de 1255 trabajadores de diferentes empresas, en dos grupos, uno con 736 (59 %) trabajadores que participaron en un programa de bienestar y otro grupo con 519 (41 %) trabajadores que no participaron en el programa de bienestar de las mismas empresas. El modelo de ecuaciones estructurales que se presenta en este estudio muestra cómo los factores de la calidad de vida relacionada con el trabajo y el apoyo (soporte) organizacional percibido predicen, de manera indirecta, el bienestar subjetivo. Se concluye que este estudio contribuye al desarrollo de la literatura de compromiso laboral y la teoría de soporte organizacional.
Cambios en la gestión de las pymes hoteleras de Bogotá: un reto en la gestión para su internacionalización
Authors: Cogollos Pérez Rafael , Pedraza Malo John Helbert , Bermúdez Sánchez Yolanda
Published: January 2019

Al conocer la realidad de las pequeñas y medianas empresas del sector hotelero en la ciudad de Bogotá, y el aporte de algunas investigaciones realizadas por académicos nacionales y extranjeros y de universidades como el Externado de Colombia y EAFIT, se pudieron identificar los principales problemas que aquejan a este tipo de empresas, dentro de los que se resaltan la falta de liderazgo de sus dueños o administradores y la reducida proyección a corto o mediano plazo, lo que se ve reflejado en procesos administrativos tradicionales de cada una de las áreas, o incluso la no claridad en su operatividad, al punto que muchas de estas empresas no operan con un plan estratégico propio, acorde a sus perspectivas de desarrollo. El objetivo de este artículo es proponer mejoras en la gestión de las pequeñas y medianas empresas de turismo del sector hotelero de Bogotá. Se realizó un estudio de campo, con encuestas en línea y de forma física a 71 hoteles, de 245 pymes hoteleras definidas por el método probabilístico simple. Se concluye que una empresa interesada en expandirse a mercados internacionales busca optimizar recursos, reducir costos y mejorar la productividad a través de su gestión empresarial. Las pymes hoteleras se convierten en la base para que las empresas objeto de estudio enfoquen su gestión desde el desarrollo competitivo y de mejora continua.
Metodología de correlación estadística de un sistema integrado de gestión de la calidad en el sector salud
Authors: Betancourt Velásquez Andrea Carolina , Caviedes Niño Ivonne Liliana
Published: January 2019

Considerando que en la actualidad las IPS desean ser competitivas y tienen como reto la optimización de su gestión, atendiendo a la complejidad de sus procesos y estructuras organizativas, entre otros aspectos, se hace relevante que adopten para ello herramientas que les permitan innovar en su gestión organizacional, al integrar y orientar con estas los resultados ya logrados hacia estándares de calidad superiores como los ofrecidos por la acreditación en salud. En este sentido, se desarrolló una investigación que buscó combinar técnicas estadísticas para establecer correlaciones entre los requisitos de dos modelos de gestión, efectuando un análisis exploratorio de requisitos normativos, calculando el nivel de correlación con el chi cuadrado de Pearson e índice V de Cramer, la confiabilidad de los resultados con el alfa de Cronbach, y la estimación de intervalos de confianza con la prueba t de Student. A partir del análisis de los resultados de estas pruebas, se establecieron las relaciones, sinergias, convergencias y complementariedades entre los sistemas de gestión y su validez de contenido brindando mayor objetividad al conocimiento de las ciencias de la gestión y explicando las variables asociadas a fenómenos propios de la integración de requisitos normativos en el sector salud y de los sistemas de gestión.
Necessity and Contingency in Developmental Genetic Screens: EGF, Wnt, and Semaphorin Pathways in Vulval Induction of the NematodeOscheius tipulae
Authors: Vargas-Velazquez Amhed M , Besnard Fabrice , Félix Marie-Anne
Published: January 2019

Genetic screens in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans have identified EGF and Notch pathways as key for vulval precursor cell fate patterning. Here, Vargas-Velazquez, Besnard, and Félix report on the molecular identification of...

Genetic screens in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans identified the EGF/Ras and Notch pathways as central for vulval precursor cell fate patterning. Schematically, the anchor cell secretes EGF, inducing the P6.p cell to a primary (1°) vulval fate; P6.p in turn induces its neighbors to a secondary (2°) fate through Delta-Notch signaling and represses Ras signaling. In the nematode Oscheius tipulae, the anchor cell successively induces 2° then 1° vulval fates. Here, we report on the molecular identification of mutations affecting vulval induction in O. tipulae. A single Induction Vulvaless mutation was found, which we identify as a cis-regulatory deletion in a tissue-specific enhancer of the O. tipulae lin-3 homolog, confirmed by clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9 mutation. In contrast to this predictable Vulvaless mutation, mutations resulting in an excess of 2° fates unexpectedly correspond to the plexin/semaphorin pathway. Hyperinduction of P4.p and P8.p in these mutants likely results from mispositioning of these cells due to a lack of contact inhibition. The third signaling pathway found by forward genetics in O. tipulae is the Wnt pathway; a decrease in Wnt pathway activity results in loss of vulval precursor competence and induction, and 1° fate miscentering on P5.p. Our results suggest that the EGF and Wnt pathways have qualitatively similar activities in vulval induction in C. elegans and O. tipulae, albeit with quantitative differences in the effects of mutation. Thus, the derived induction process in C. elegans with an early induction of the 1° fate appeared during evolution, after the recruitment of the EGF pathway for vulval induction.
Validación de un método de detección mediante cromatografía líquida (HPLC-DAD) para la determinación de aloína en productos alimenticios elaborados a partir de sábila (Aloe vera)
Authors: Ulate-Molina Ricardo , Borbón-Alpízar Henry , Sibaja-Brenes José Pablo , Vega-Guzmán Ilena , Arguedas-González Maricruz
Published: January 2019

La aloína es una antraquinona presente en una amplia variedad de productos alimenticios que se elaboran a base de sábila, la cual puede provocar efectos laxantes y su ingestión prolongada incrementa el riesgo de cáncer gastrointestinal. En este estudio, se validaron parámetros de una metodología de extracción y análisis de la aloína, por medio de cromatografía líquida con detector de arreglo de diodos (HPLC-DAD). Se determinó la concentración de la aloína en 14 productos comerciales, consumidos en Costa Rica. Los valores de calidad evaluados fueron la linealidad (R = de 0,9995 a 0,99995), la reproducibilidad (porcentaje de recuperación = de 96,7 % a 99,9 %), la precisión intradía (coeficiente de variación = de 0,24 % a 1,47 %), la precisión interdía (coeficiente de variación = de 1,65 % a 2,68 %), el límite de detección (de 0,063 mg/L a 0,228 mg/L), el límite de cuantificación (de 0,126 mg/L a 0,452 mg/L) y la selectividad (≤ 0,063 mg/L). La mayoría de los productos alimenticios evaluados mostró una concentración por debajo del valor máximo permitido (10 mg/L); se encontraron valores entre los 0,2 ± 0,1 mg/L y 4,8 ± 0,1 mg/L de aloína, con una desviación estándar promedio de 0,41 mg/L. Las muestras líquidas presentaron valores más altos que el resto de las matrices. 2 de las muestras (RU/BT1/39A y RU/BT1/45B) fueron reportadas con concentraciones mayores al valor máximo permitido (14,2 ± 0,1 mg/L y 19,0 ± 0,1 mg/L) de aloína. El consumo de estos productos podría llegar a tener un efecto perjudicial, a largo plazo, en la salud, ya que sobrepasan el límite mencionado anteriormente.
La demostración matemática: significado, tipos, funciones atribuidas y relevancia en el conocimiento profesional de los profesores de matemáticas
Authors: Alfaro-Carvajal Cristian , Flores-Martínez Pablo , Valverde-Soto Gabriela
Published: January 2019

El objetivo de esta investigación es realizar un estudio teórico sobre el significado de la demostración matemática, considerando tres elementos centrales: el concepto, los tipos de demostraciones matemáticas, así como sus funciones. La indagación es de tipo cualitativo de carácter descriptivo. El método empleado para la recolección y el análisis de la información es el análisis conceptual. Se consideraron cuatro fuentes de datos: diccionarios, libros de texto, investigaciones previas y el programa de estudios de matemáticas del Ministerio de Educación Pública de Costa Rica. La técnica de recolección de los datos requeridos fue la revisión bibliográfica. Se determinó que el concepto de demostración tiene diversos sentidos, dependiendo del contexto en el que se ubique; que los tipos de demostraciones matemáticas pueden clasificarse en dos categorías, directas e indirectas, y que existen diferentes funciones atribuidas a las demostraciones matemáticas, las cuales cobran relevancia, dependiendo del ámbito en donde se consideren. Se cree que los tres elementos anteriores deben formar parte del conocimiento especializado del profesor de matemáticas, para que promuevan el sentido de la demostración en los estudiantes de la educación secundaria.
Atminties kultūra ir politiškumo genezė Delfų teologijoje
Authors: Kazlauskas Raimondas
Published: January 2019

[full article and abstract in Lithuanian; abstract in English]

This article discusses the genesis of the political by treating this phenomena as a distinctive interaction between political and religious factors. The chirographic culture of memory, which is more characteristic of the Eastern nations, is being compared with the alternative culture of Ancient Greece, the so-called oroacoustic culture of memory. This article also examines the peculiarities of the political consciousness and religious mentality of Ancient Greece. The assumptions of legitimacy are considered as well, which are related to an identity crisis and a war between generations reflected, in theology, by the traditional world of the Fathers (Olympic) and the marginal world of the Sons (Delphic).
Te visad dega šviesos: Lietuvos energetinio saugumo problemos sociologijos šviesoje
Authors: Norkus Zenonas
Published: January 2019

[text in Lithuanian]
Mutation in ITCH Gene Can Cause Syndromic Multisystem Autoimmune Disease With Acute Liver Failure
Authors: Kleine-Eggebrecht Nicola , Staufner Christian , Kathemann Simone , Elgizouli Magdeldin , Kopajtich Robert , Prokisch Holger , Lainka Elke
Published: January 2019

Pediatric intractable autoimmune hepatitis is rare and may be responsible for acute liver failure. Mutations in the itchy E3 ubiquitin protein ligase (ITCH) gene (located on chromosome 20q11.22) can lead to a deficiency of the encoded protein, resulting in increased T-cell activity with lack of immune tolerance and manifestation of a complex systemic autoimmune disease. A 1-year-old girl of consanguineous parents received a liver transplant (LT) because of acute liver failure attributed to a drug-induced hypereosinophilic syndrome with positive liver-kidney-mikrosome-2 antibodies. Notable findings were syndromic features, dystrophy, short stature, psychomotor retardation, and muscular hypotonia. Later, we saw corticosteroid-sensitive rejections as well as a systemic autoimmune disease with detection of specific antibodies (de novo autoimmune hepatitis, thyroiditis with exophthalmos, diabetes mellitus type 1, and immune neutropenia). Histologically, liver cirrhosis with lobular inflammatory infiltrates, giant-cell hepatitis, and ductopenia was verified in chronic cholestasis. Shortly after a second LT, a comparable liver histology could be detected, and viral, bacterial, and mycotic infections deteriorated the general health condition. Because of refractory pancytopenia related to portal hypertension and hypersplenism, a posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder was excluded. One year after the second LT, epidural and subdural bleeding occurred. Three months afterward, the girl died of sepsis. Postmortem, whole-exome sequencing revealed a homozygous mutation in the ITCH gene. A biallelic mutation in ITCH can cause a severe syndromic multisystem autoimmune disease with the above phenotypic characteristics and acute liver failure because of autoimmune hepatitis. This case reveals the importance of ubiquitin pathways for regulation of the immune system.
O fundamento do conhecimento em L’être et le néant
Authors: Fujiwara Gustavo
Published: January 2019

Pretendemos analisar neste artigo o fundamento ontofenomenológico do conhecimento em L’être et le néant (1943). Como veremos, o conhecimento será concebido a partir de uma negação de tipo interna definida como relação ontológica fundamental entre ser-para-si e ser-em-si. Todavia, caso almejemos compreender o estatuto profundo de uma tal relação, teremos que escrutinar as definições sartreanas de ser do fenômeno e fenômeno de ser, ser transfenomenal, ser-em-si, ser-para-si e estrutura reflexo-refletidora do cogito. Recuperando tais definições, mostraremos que a identidade do ser do para-si e do conhecimento, antes de sinalizar que o conhecimento seja a medida do ser, desponta de um registro ontofenomenológico no qual o para-si, enquanto nada de ser, anuncia a si mesmo a partir do em-si.
On the Prospects for Child Disability Prevention Research
Authors: Baranov Alexander A. , Terleckaya Rimma N.
Published: January 2019

The presented review of the special literature data (on MEDLINE and eLIBRARY.RU databases) makes it possible to determine a number of topical issues for preventing child disability as well as trends of scientific research in this area, taking into account the causes of disability and its structure by the underlying disease. The World Health Organization has established a relentless focus on the problem of disability, including that of children, which is reflected in the continuous improvement of methods for assessing and classifying persistent disabilities. It has been shown that the prevention of disability in children and the support of families raising handicapped children and children with disabilities are among the main priorities of the state social policy of the Russian Federation. The data on modern technologies for reducing the genetic burden in the population from the perspective of prevention of hereditary and congenital diseases, including orphan ones, has been presented. The results of studies indicating the increasing role of the intestinal microbiota in the development and prevention of a number of diseases affecting the formation of disability in children have been presented. The problem of combating antibiotic resistance is considered from a preventive perspective. A number of scientific studies is devoted to non-infectious pathology, which is becoming increasingly important in the formation of disability in children of different age groups, starting from the neonatal period. The actual data on the role of obesity in the formation of serious health disorders has been given. The opinion is expressed on the need to create a system of hygienic and medico-psychological safety of children's life in conditions of hyperinformatisation and the modern environmental situation. It is assumed that the implementation of the results of the proposed research into health care practice will make it possible to influence the processes of disability in a child on a deeper pathogenetic level as well as to improve the arrangement of preventive activities in this direction.
Kenyatta R. Gilbert, Exodus Preaching: Crafting Sermons about Justice and Hope
Authors: Schnasa Jacobsen David
Published: January 2019

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On the issue of cooperation of States in the field of organ donation and transplantation
Authors: Boenko N. A. , Minina M. G.
Published: January 2019

In today’s world, state cooperation is carried out in almost all aspects of political, social and economic life. The interaction of States on high technologies in medicine is not something new and is carried out in a wide range of clinical areas. The cooperation of States in the field of organ donation and transplantation is not limited to the exchange of clinical experience between specialists from different countries or the provision of medical care in a particular case. On the one hand, this direction affects many aspects of social life of man, and needs special legal regulation. On the other hand, it is an effective organizational mechanism, the use of which by States can contribute to saving the lives and health of their own citizens through the inter-state exchange of donor organs. The most important goal of inter-state cooperation is to unite the efforts of the relevant state institutions and services to combat the illegal organ donation and transplantation tourism.
Experience of effective antiviral therapy in a liver recipient with recurrent HCV infection genotype 1
Authors: Umrik D. V. , Tsiroulnikova O. M. , Miloserdov I. A. , Latypov R. A. , Egorova E. T.
Published: January 2019

HCV infection is one of the most common causes leading to the development of terminal liver diseases – cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, the main treatment for which is orthotopic liver transplantation. However, with continued virus replication, 100% reinfection occurs, which leads to the rapid progression of cirrhosis of the graft and the loss of its function. Standard interferon-containing therapy is ineffective for HCV infection, especially genotype 1, both before and after transplantation, and also has a wide range of adverse events. The article presents the successful experience of treating the recurrence of HCV infection 1 genotype in a patient who underwent liver transplantation and several courses of ineffective antiviral therapy.
The efficacy and safety of antiviral drugs of direct action in liver recipients with recurrence of chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 after transplantation
Authors: Tsiroulnikova О. M. , Umrik D. V. , Miloserdov I. A. , Egorova Е. Т. , Latypov R. A.
Published: January 2019

Aim.To study the efficacy and safety of the use of paritaprevir, ritonavir, ombitasvir and dasabuvir in combination or without ribavirin in liver recipients with recurrence of HCV 1 genotype after transplantation.

Materials and methods.The study included 46 patients after orthotopic liver transplantation with recurrence of HCV 1 genotype. 37 patients completed a 24-week course of antiviral therapy, including paritaprevir, ritonavir, ombitasvir and dasabuvir in combination or without ribavirin. The effectiveness of the therapy was calculated as the proportion of patients who achieved aviremia 12 weeks after the end of the course of treatment. The safety of therapy was assessed by the number of adverse events that occurred during the course of antiviral therapy.

Results.A sustained virologic response at 12 weeks after the end of the course of antiviral therapy, including paritaprevir, ritonavir, ombitasvir and dasabuvir, reached 100% of the recipients of the liver. Reduction in the intensity of cytolytic and cholestatic syndromes was noted at week 4 of therapy. Adverse events were recorded in 56.7% of the subjects, mostly they were not severe and were stopped on their own. Acute cellular rejection of the transplant developed in 1 patient (2.7%). There have been no cases of irreversible liver transplant dysfunction or death of the recipient.

The conclusion.The use of paritaprevir, ritonavir, ombitasvir and dasabuvir is safe and effective in the treatment of relapse of HCV infection of 1 genotype after liver transplantation.
The analysis of the proliferative activity of cells on microparticles obtained from decellularized liver and kidney tissue
Authors: Bobrova M. M. , Safonova L. A. , Agapova O. I. , Efimov A. E. , Agapov I. I.
Published: January 2019

Aim.To develop the protocols for liver and kidney tissue decellularization, and to develop an analysis of the proliferative activity of human Hep-G2hepatocarcinoma cells on various carriers.

Materials and methods.Decellularization of the liver and kidneys was performed by perfusion of detergent solutions with gradually increasing concentrations of Triton X-100 (1, 2 and 3%). A histological analysis of the obtained samples was performed, and the method of optical and scanning electron microscopy was used to study the obtained samples. The proliferative activity of human Hep-G2hepatocarcinoma cells was studied on the obtained samples of decellularized liver and kidney tissue.

Results.Decellularization of the organ does not lead to changes in the specific structure of the tissue matrix. Microparticles with an average size of 200 μm were made from their decellularized matrix of liver and kidney tissues. The level of proliferative activity of human Hep-G2hepatocarcinoma cells cultured on microparticles from a decellularized liver was significantly higher than on microparticles from a decellularized kidney.

Conclusion.The decellularized matrix retains the native three-dimensional structure of the tissue. The level of cell proliferative activity is significantly higher on microparticles from the decellularized liver, which confirms the preservation of the specificity of the extracellular matrix of the tissue after the process of decellularization.
Streptozotocin model of stable diabetes mellitus
Authors: Skaletskaya G. N. , Skaletskiy N. N. , Volkova E. A. , Sevastyanov V. I.
Published: January 2019

Aim:to create a model of stable experimental diabetes mellitus (DM) in laboratory rats using streptozotocin (STZ).

Materials and methods.The dynamics of changes in glycemia and survival in 60 Wistar rats was determined. STZ at a dosage of 70 mg/kg was administered to these rats in two ways: once and fractionally (within 5 days).

Results.After a single injection of the STZ, 6 out of 30 rats (20%) died, in 7 cases (23.3%) a spontaneous reversion of the diabetic status occurred and in 17 animals (56.6%) the DM remained stable throughout the observation period (8 weeks). After the fractional administration of the STZ no mortality was observed. Spontaneous reversal of DM occurred only in 2 of 30 rats (6.6% of cases). In other 28 animals hyperglycemia was stable until the end of the experiment. It is important to note that in all rats with a stable course of DM, the level of glycemia after 2 weeks after the injection of the STZ was at least 20 mmol/l.

Conclusion.Fractional intraperitoneal injection of STZ has an obvious advantage compared with a single injection, providing 100% survival and stable course of DM in 93.4%. The main criterion for a stable course of experimental DM is the level of hyperglycemia not less than 20 mmol/l after 2 weeks after intraperitoneal administration of STZ.
New Approximations for Coalitional Manipulation in Scoring Rules
Authors: Keller Orgad , Hassidim Avinatan , Hazon Noam
Published: January 2019

We study the problem of coalitional manipulation---where k manipulators try to manipulate an election on m candidates---for any scoring rule, with focus on the Borda protocol. We do so in both the weighted and unweighted settings. For these problems, recent approximation approaches have tried to minimize k, the number of manipulators needed to make some preferred candidate p win (thus assuming that the number of manipulators is not limited in advance). In contrast, we focus on minimizing the score margin of p which is the difference between the maximum score of a candidate and the score of p. We provide algorithms that approximate the optimum score margin, which are applicable to any scoring rule. For the specific case of the Borda protocol in the unweighted setting, our algorithm provides a superior approximation factor for lower values of k.Our methods are novel and adapt techniques from multiprocessor scheduling by carefully rounding an exponentially-large configuration linear program that is solved by using the ellipsoid method with an efficient separation oracle. We believe that such methods could be beneficial in other social choice settings as well.
A Model of Endogenous Debt Maturity with Heterogeneous Beliefs
Authors: Darst R. Matthew , Refayet Ehraz
Published: January 2019

This paper studies optimal debt maturity in an economy with repayment enforcement frictions and investors disagree about repayment probabilities. The optimal debt maturity choice is a mix of long- and short-term debt securities. Spreading risky debt claims on cash flows over time allows debt to be priced by investors most willing to hold risk at each point in time, thereby increasing investment and output. By contrast, a single maturity, either all long- or short-term, will be priced by investors less willing to hold risk, which reduces investment and output. The model provides a novel explanation for the stylized fact that large and mature companies almost always issue debt with multiple maturities rather than a single maturity, and is broadly consistent with empirical debt maturity results. Lastly, we show that non-financial covenants that prevent debt dilution only serve as substitutes for short-term debt and do not affect real outcomes as they do not allow the firm to create additional collateral against which to borrow.
RETRACTED: Agro-morphological characterization of Urochloa grass accessions in Kenya
Authors: Njarui Donald M.G. , Gatheru Mwangi , Ghimire Sita R.
Published: January 2019

The Editors and Publisher have retracted this article because the text had already been published in Njarui et al 2016. The content conveyed by this article is therefore not original and redundant. The corresponding author, Donald Njarui, recognizes this involuntary duplication publication and agrees to the retraction of this article. The online version contains the full text of the retracted article as electronic supplementary material.Supplementary materialhttp://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/public/417_Njauri_et_al.pdfReferences(Note of the editors: All hyperlinks were verified 28 June 2019.)Njarui DMG; Gatheru M; Ghimire SR. 2016. Agro-morphological characterisation of Brachiaria grass accessions. In: Njarui DMG; Gichangi EM; Ghimire SR; Muinga RW, eds. Climate smart Brachiaria grasses for improving livestock production in East Africa - Kenya Experience. Proceedings of a workshop, Naivasha, Kenya, 14–15 September 2016. p. 27–36. hdl.handle.net/10568/80421
AGRIBUSINESS CHALLENGES TO EFFECTIVENESS OF CONTRACT FARMING IN COMMERCIALIZATION OF SMALL-SCALE VEGETABLE FARMERS IN EASTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA
Authors: Khapayi Musa , Van Niekerk Pieter , Celliers Phillip Retief
Published: January 2019

The study investigated the key factors that influ- ence small-scale vegetable farmers’ participation in contract farming arrangements. A sample of 70 small-scale vegetable farmers and 15 key informants of agribusiness firms involved in contract farming production of vegetables were selected in Amathole and Sarah Baartman (formerly Cacadu) district municipalities in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were chosen as data collection tools to identify the factors that influence small-scale vegetable farmers’ participation in contract farm- ing arrangements with agribusiness firms. The data was ana- lyzed using open multi-stage coding with an inductive frame- work approach. Atlas.ti was used to sort and organize data. The findings indicated availability of farm assets, hydrologi- cal conditions, farming skills and distance of producer to the markets as key determinants of contract farming participation. The use of unmarketable cultivars, inappropriate agricultural practices and inconsistent supply in quality and quantity of vegetables were found to be bottlenecks to contract participa- tion. The study recommends a more meaningful state support and incentives for agribusiness firms; otherwise, growth of small-scale farmers in contract farming is unlikely because of the financial implications for private sector companies.
ECONOMIC FACTORS UNDERPINNING THE STRUCTURAL GENOTYPES OF AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT IN THE EUROPEAN UNION AFTER 2004
Authors: Staniszewski Jakub , Czyżewski Andrzej
Published: January 2019

The purpose of this study was to identify the simi- larities and differences between EU-27 countries in produc- tion structures of the agricultural sector. The investigation focused on the concentration of productive inputs as well as on the specialization and orientation of production processes because of the relationship these characteristics have with production efficiency. The indices used in the Ward’s cluster- ing method were estimated based on data from the 2005–2013 Farm Structure Survey. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to determine the statistical significance of differences between the clusters. Four structural genotypes of agriculture were identified. While the EU-12 (genotype IV) and EU-15 (geno- types II and III) differ considerably in productive inputs and production concentration, the differences in prevailing pro- duction patterns are less pronounced. EU-15 countries differ mainly in the specialization level, and are similar in terms of production concentration. The genotypes identified do not co- incide strictly with the typical EU-12/EU-15 aggregates. This is because Southern European countries (Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy), although members of the EU-15, are closer to the structures characteristic of EU-12. Conversely, although the Czech Republic and Slovakia joined the EU only in 2004, they have the highest concentration rates.