bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Simple, Rapid, Fluorometric Assay for Dopamine by In Situ Reaction of Boronic Acids and cis-Diol
Authors: Liu Xiaoxia , Tian Miaomiao , Gao Wenmei , Zhao Jinzhong
Published: March 2019

An efficient, sensitive, and low-cost method has been developed for turn-on fluorescence sensing of dopamine (DA). The method relies on the rapid reaction of DA and 3-Hydroxyphenylboronic acid (3-HPBA) via specific recognition between boronic acids and cis-diol of DA in alkaline solution. The reaction product shows an excitation wavelength of 417 nm and the maximum emission peak at 470 nm. The proposed method allows the determination of DA in the range of 50 nM–25 μM, and the whole detection can be completed within 5 minutes. Furthermore, the presented approach has good selectivity and has been successfully applied to DA sensing in human serum samples, showing great potential in clinical diagnosis.
Dorsal Penile Nerve Block via Perineal Approach, an Alternative to a Caudal Block for Pediatric Circumcision: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Wang Xiaocou , Dong Chaoxuan , Beekoo Deepti , Qian Xiaowei , Li Jun , Shang-Guan Wang-Ning , Jiang Xuebin
Published: March 2019

Background. General anesthesia combining with a caudal block (CB) has been commonly performed in pediatric patients undergoing circumcision surgeries. However, some severe complications have been suspected of a caudal block in the combined use. To avoid these issues of a caudal block, this study introduces a novel dorsal penile nerve block (DPNB) via perineum guided by ultrasound as an alternative to a caudal block in pediatric circumcision surgeries. Methods. A total of 104 pediatric patients scheduled for circumcision surgeries were involved and randomly divided into 2 groups: the CB group (n=52) and the DPNB group (n=52). A laryngeal mask was inserted followed by induction and maintenance anesthesia of inhaled sevoflurane. In the DPNB group, a dorsal penile nerve block (DPNB) guided by a real-time ultrasonography was performed by a single injection via perineum of 0.25% ropivacaine plus 0.8% lidocaine with total injection volume of 3-5ml. In the CB group, a dose of 0.5 ml/kg was given via the caudal canal following the same general anesthesia with that of Group DPNB. The time to the first analgesic demand after surgery is the key data collected for comparing between the two study groups. Heart rates and respiratory rates changes before and during the surgical procedure, pain score when leaving the PACU, and the time taken for the first micturition after a surgery were also recorded to analyze the differences in analgesic effects between the CB and DPNB groups. Results. No significant difference in heart rates and respiratory rates was found between the two groups before and during the surgery. Pain scores were similar before pediatric patients leave the PACU. However, the time taken for the first micturition after a surgery in Group DPNB is shorter than Group CB. The patients in Group DPNB asked for analgesics later than those in Group CB. Additionally, no significant differences in adverse effects were noted between two groups except the numbness of the lower limbs occurring less in Group DPNB. Conclusions. The ultrasound-guided dorsal penile nerve block via perineal approach can basically act as a safe and effective alternative to the caudal block in pediatric patients undergoing circumcision surgeries. Clinical Trials identifier is ChiCTR-IPR-15006670. Protocol is available at http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=11319.
Damage Concentration Effect of Multistory Buckling‐Restrained Braced Frames
Authors: Wang Hanqin , Feng Yulong , Wu Jing , Jiang Qing , Chong Xun
Published: March 2019

Due to the low postyield stiffness of buckling‐restrained braces (BRBs), multistory buckling‐restrained braced frames (BRBFs) subjected to earthquakes are prone to lateral deformations and damage concentrations at certain stories, which is deemed a damage concentration effect (DCE). A series of nonlinear pushover analyses and response history analyses are conducted to investigate the key factors affecting the DCE of BRBFs. Two comparisons of the DCE are performed for different types of structures and different beam‐to‐column connections in the main frame (MF). These comparisons show that BRBFs equipped with BRBs as the main earthquake resistance system have a more serious DCE than the traditional moment‐resisting frame or conventional braced frame and that the MF stiffness significantly affects the structural residual displacement and DCE. Then, parametric analyses are performed to investigate the influence of two stiffness distribution parameters (in the horizontal and vertical directions) on the DCE of a 6‐story BRBF dual system designed according to the Chinese seismic code. The results show that increasing the MF stiffness and avoiding abrupt changes in the BRB stiffness between stories can effectively mitigate the DCE of BRBFs. Finally, the correlations between various damage performance indices are analyzed. A low statistical correlation between the peak and residual drift responses can be observed in BRBFs. Therefore, it is recommended that the DCE be considered in BRBF design.
RNA-Sequencing and Bioinformatics Analysis of Long Noncoding RNAs and mRNAs in the Prefrontal Cortex of Mice Following Repeated Social Defeat Stress
Authors: Wang Xian , Ma Shaolei , Mao Mao , Li Caijuan , Shen Xiaofeng , Xu Shiqin , Yang Jianjun
Published: March 2019

Background. Repeated or continuous chronic psychological stress may induce diverse neuropsychiatric disorders; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we explored the expression profiles of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and mRNAs, along with their biological function and regulatory network, in mice after repeated social defeat (RSD) stress to explore their potential involvement in the development of anxiety-like behaviors. Main Methods. RNA-sequencing was used to screen all differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs and mRNAs between the RSD and control groups. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used for confirmation of the RNA-sequencing results. The function of DE lncRNAs was predicted by Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and pathway analyses of target mRNAs. In addition, the functional regulatory network of the target mRNAs was constructed to reveal potential relationships between lncRNAs and their target genes with bioinformatics approaches. Key Findings. In mice experiencing RSD, 373 and 454 lncRNAs, along with 1142 and 654, mRNAs were significantly upregulated and downregulated, respectively. The detailed regulatory network included 126 eligible lncRNA-mRNA pairs. Among them, 14 genes such as Arhgef1, Chchd2, Fam107a, Dlg1, Nova2, Dpf1, and Shank3 involved in neurite growth, neural development, and synaptic plasticity were direct targets of the DE lncRNAs. qRT-PCR of four of the DE lncRNAs and mRNAs confirmed the reliability of RNA-sequencing. GO clustering analyses showed that the top enriched biological process, cellular component, and molecular function terms were synaptic transmission, neuron spine, and glutamate receptor binding, respectively. Further, the top three significant enriched pathways were synaptic adhesion-like molecule (SALM) protein interactions at the synapses, trafficking of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors, as well as glutamate binding, activation of AMPA receptors, and synaptic plasticity. Significance. Hundreds of lncRNAs and mRNAs are dysregulated after RSD, and many of these lncRNAs might participate in the development of anxiety-like behaviors via multiple complex mechanisms such as target regulation. Available informatics evidence highlighted the likely role of synapse dysfunction and abnormal synaptic neurotransmission in these behaviors. Thus, our findings provide potential candidate biomarkers or intervention targets for chronic psychological stress-induced neuropsychiatric disorders.
New Insights into the Hepcidin-Ferroportin Axis and Iron Homeostasis in iPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes from Friedreich’s Ataxia Patient
Authors: Bolotta Alessandra , Abruzzo Provvidenza Maria , Baldassarro Vito Antonio , Ghezzo Alessandro , Scotlandi Katia , Marini Marina , Zucchini Cinzia
Published: March 2019

Iron homeostasis in the cardiac tissue as well as the involvement of the hepcidin-ferroportin (HAMP-FPN) axis in this process and in cardiac functionality are not fully understood. Imbalance of iron homeostasis occurs in several cardiac diseases, including iron-overload cardiomyopathies such as Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA, OMIM no. 229300), a hereditary neurodegenerative disorder. Exploiting the induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) technology and the iPSC capacity to differentiate into specific cell types, we derived cardiomyocytes of a FRDA patient and of a healthy control subject in order to study the cardiac iron homeostasis and the HAMP-FPN axis. Both CTR and FRDA iPSCs-derived cardiomyocytes express cardiac differentiation markers; in addition, FRDA cardiomyocytes maintain the FRDA-like phenotype. We found that FRDA cardiomyocytes show an increase in the protein expression of HAMP and FPN. Moreover, immunofluorescence analysis revealed for the first time an unexpected nuclear localization of FPN in both CTR and FRDA cardiomyocytes. However, the amount of the nuclear FPN was less in FRDA cardiomyocytes than in controls. These and other data suggest that iron handling and the HAMP-FPN axis regulation in FRDA cardiac cells are hampered and that FPN may have new, still not fully understood, functions. These findings underline the complexity of the cardiac iron homeostasis.
In Vitro Effect of Estradiol and Progesterone on Ovine Amniotic Epithelial Cells
Authors: Mauro Annunziata , Sanyal Hashimita , Canciello Angelo , Berardinelli Paolo , Russo Valentina , Bernabò Nicola , Valbonetti Luca , Barboni Barbara
Published: March 2019

Amniotic epithelial cells (AECs), an emerging source of extrafoetal stem cells, have recently attracted attention for their great regenerative potential. Since AEC amplifications are accompanied by the loss of their native epithelial phenotype and by the progressive reduction of relevant biological properties, the issue to be addressed is the development of effective culture protocols. In this context, recently, it has been demonstrated that progesterone (P4) supplementation during ovine AEC (oAEC) expansion could prevent the undesirable epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In contrast, there is no information to date on the role of the other pregnancy steroids in culture. With this aim, the present study has been designed to clarify the impact of estradiol (E2), alone or in combination with P4 (12.5 μM and 25 μM), during oAEC amplification. Steroid supplementations were assessed by testing oAEC proliferation, stemness, EMT, and osteogenic or chondrogenic plasticity. The results indicated that EMT can be prevented exclusively in the presence of high doses of P4, while it occurred rapidly in cells exposed to E2 as denoted by protein (cytokeratin-8 and alpha-SMA) and gene expression (vimentin and snail) profiles. Moreover, steroid exposure was able to influence highly oAEC plasticity. Particularly, P4-treated cells displayed a precommitment towards osteogenic lineage, confirmed by the upregulation of OCN, RUNX2, and the greater deposition of calcium nodules. Conversely, P4 exposure inhibited oAEC chondrogenic differentiation, which was induced in E2-treated cells as confirmed by the upregulation of chondrogenesis-related genes (SOX9, ACAN, and COL2A1) and by the accumulation of Alcian blue-positive extracellular matrix. Simultaneously, E2-treated cells remained unresponsive to osteogenic inductive stimuli. In conclusion, media supplementation with high doses of steroids may be adopted to modulate phenotype and plasticity during oAEC amplification. Relevantly, the osteo or chondro steroid-induced precommitment may open unprecedented cell-based therapies to face the unsolved orthopaedic issues related to osteochondral regeneration.
Magnitude and Associated Factors of Perceived Stigma among Adults with Mental Illness in Ethiopia
Authors: Hadera Etsedingl , Salelew Endalamaw , Girma Eshetu , Dehning Sandra , Adorjan Kristina , Tesfaye Markos
Published: March 2019

Background. Many people with mental illness perceive and experience stigma caused by other people’s knowledge, attitudes, and behavior. The stigma can lead to patients’ impoverishment, social marginalization, poor adherence to medication, and low quality of life, worsen the disease, decrease health-seeking behavior, and have a negative impact on socioeconomic well-being. Therefore, this study aimed to explore these issues. Objective. To assess the magnitude and associated factors of perceived stigma among adults with mental illness in an Ethiopian setting. Methods. A facility-based, cross-sectional study design with a consecutive sampling technique was employed from September 1 to 30, 2012. Data for perceived stigma were assessed by using the perceived devaluation-discrimination (PDD) scale from new or returning patients. The data was analyzed by using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The results were described with the frequency table, graph, mean, and standard deviation. Bivariate analysis was used to get candidate variables for multivariate logistic regression analysis. Variables with a P value of < 0.05 at multivariate analysis were considered statistically associated with perceived stigma. Results. A total of 384 participants were interviewed and the response rate was 100%. The prevalence of high and low perceived stigma was 51% and 44%, respectively. Having substance use history (AOR=0.6, 95% CI: 0.4–0.9) and family support (AOR=2.5, 95% CI: 1.5–4.3) and medication side effects (AOR=0.6, 95% CI: 0.5–0.8) were associated statistically with higher perceived stigma of people with mental illness. Conclusion. Perceived stigma is a major problem of adults with mental illness in this outpatient setting in Ethiopia. Patients who had substance use and family support and medication side effects were more likely to have high perceived stigma. Therefore, screening and management of substance use, social support, and medication side effect should be strengthened for people with mental illness.
An Analytical Approximate Solution for the Quasi-Steady State Michaelis-Menten Problem
Authors: Filobello-Nino U. , Vazquez-Leal H. , Castaneda-Sheissa R. , Jimenez-Fernandez V. M. , Herrera-May A. L. , Huerta-Chua J. , Gil-Adalid L. , Pretelin-Canela J. E.
Published: March 2019

This article utilizes perturbation method (PM) to find an analytical approximate solution for the Quasi-Steady-State Michaelis-Menten problem. From the comparison of Figures and absolute error values, between approximate and numerical solutions, it is shown that the obtained solutions are accurate, and therefore, they explain the general behaviour of the Michaelis-Menten mechanism.
Nonnegative Tensor‐Based Linear Dynamical Systems for Recognizing Human Action from 3D Skeletons
Authors: Li Guang , Liu Kai , Ding Wenwen , Cheng Fei , Ding Chongyang
Published: March 2019

Recently, skeleton‐based action recognition has become a very important topic in the field of computer vision. It is a challenging task to accurately build a human action model and precisely distinguish similar human actions. In this paper, an action (skeleton sequence) is represented as a third‐order nonnegative tensor time series to capture the original spatiotemporal information of the action. As a linear dynamical system (LDS) is an efficient tool for encoding the spatiotemporal data in various disciplines, this paper proposes a nonnegative tensor‐based LDS (nLDS) to model the third‐order nonnegative tensor time series. Nonnegative Tucker decomposition (NTD) is utilized to estimate the parameters of the nLDS model. These parameters are used to build extended observability sequence for the action, which implies that can be considered as the feature descriptor of the action. To avoid the limitations introduced by approximating with a finite‐order matrix, we represent an action as a point on infinite Grassmann manifold comprising the orthonormalized extended observability sequences. The classification task can be performed by dictionary learning and sparse coding on the infinite Grassmann manifold. The experimental results on the MSR‐Action3D, UTKinect‐Action, and G3D‐Gaming datasets demonstrate that the proposed approach achieves a better performance in comparison with the state‐of‐the‐art methods.
Gaussian Process‐Based Response Surface Method for Slope Reliability Analysis
Authors: Hu Bin , Su Guo-shao , Jiang Jianqing , Xiao Yilong
Published: March 2019

A new response surface method (RSM) for slope reliability analysis was proposed based on Gaussian process (GP) machine learning technology. The method involves the approximation of limit state function by the trained GP model and estimation of failure probability using the first‐order reliability method (FORM). A small amount of training samples were firstly built by the limited equilibrium method for training the GP model. Then, the implicit limit state function of slope was approximated by the trained GP model. Thus, the implicit limit state function and its derivatives for slope stability analysis were approximated by the GP model with the explicit formulation. Furthermore, an iterative algorithm was presented to improve the precision of approximation of the limit state function at the region near the design point which contributes significantly to the failure probability. Results of four case studies including one nonslope and three slope problems indicate that the proposed method is more efficient to achieve reasonable accuracy for slope reliability analysis than the traditional RSM.
Geotechnical Seismic Isolation System Based on Sliding Mechanism Using Stone Pebble Layer: Shake‐Table Experiments
Authors: Banović Ivan , Radnić Jure , Grgić Nikola
Published: March 2019

Using a shake‐table, the effects of several stone pebble layer parameters (the layer thickness, the fraction of pebbles, the pebble compaction, the pebble moisture, the vertical contact stress below the foundation, and the effect of repeated excitations) on layer aseismic efficiency were investigated. For each considered parameter, a model of a rigid building on an aseismic layer was exposed to four different accelerograms, with three levels of peak ground acceleration (PGA), while all other layer parameters were kept constant. For each test, the characteristic displacements and accelerations were measured. Based on the test results, the main conclusions regarding the effect of the considered parameters on the effectiveness of the adopted aseismic layer are given.
Improvement of K562 Cell Line Transduction by FBS Mediated Attachment to the Cell Culture Plate
Authors: Abbasalipour Maryam , Khosravi Mohammad Ali , Zeinali Sirous , Khanahmad Hossein , Karimipoor Morteza , Azadmanesh Kayhan
Published: March 2019

Lentiviral vectors have been used for gene therapy in the clinical phase in recent years. These vectors provide a tool for gene insertion, deletion, or modification in organisms. The K562 human cell line has been used extensively in hematopoietic research. Despite its broad application, it is hard-to-transfection and transduction. So, this study presents a simple method to increase the transduction efficiency of K562 cells with a low multiplicity of infection (MOI) of the virus particle. For this purpose, 24-well plate was coated by 300μl fetal bovine serum (FBS) before seeding. Then 2×104K562 cells were seeded in each FBS coated plate. After 24h, K562 cells were attached and doubled. Different amount of lentivirus-based GFP vector according to MOI (5, 10, 15, and 20) along with 8μg polybrene was added to the attached K562 cells and after 6h cells and viral particle complex were spinfected. Then cells were returned to the plate and incubated in 37°C overnight. After 48h transduction efficiency was established by measuring the GFP-expressing cells by flow cytometry. Flow cytometry analysis showed that, after plate treatment by FBS, 64.5% transduction rate in K562 cells was achieved at MOI=20. Therefore, this method can be an effective and simple way to increase the lentiviral transduction rate for suspended cells such as K562.
Prävention von Scheidung: Ergebnisse einer 25-Jahres-Follow-up-Studie
Authors: Engl Joachim , Thurmaier Franz , Hahlweg Kurt
Published: March 2019

Hintergrund: Vor dem Hintergrund hoher Scheidungsraten, einer insgesamt mit zunehmender Partnerschaftsdauer sin­kenden Beziehungszufriedenheit und den zahlreichen damit einhergehenden negativen Folgen für die Betroffenen und ihre Familien sollte die Prävention von Partnerschaftsstörungen eine immer größere Bedeutung für den Public-Health-Bereich gewinnen. Fragestellung: In dieser Studie sollte zum einen die 25-Jahres-Wirksamkeit des EPL-I-Trainings (Ein Partnerschaftliches Lernprogramm für heiratswillige Paare) zur Verhinderung von Scheidung untersucht werden. Zum anderen sollten die Auswirkungen des Trainings auf die langfristige Partnerschaftszufriedenheit und die nachhaltige Nutzung der EPL-Kommunikationsregeln der Partner be stimmt werden. Methode: Im Jahr 1988 wurden N = 96 Paare für die quasi-experimentelle Studie rekrutiert. n = 64 Paare entschieden sich für eine Teilnahme am EPL-I, n = 32 Paare wurden der Kontrollgruppe (KG) zugeteilt. Die Paare wurden vor und nach dem Training und 1,5, 3, 5 und 25 Jahre später erneut untersucht. Ergebnisse: Nach 5 und 25 Jahren hatten die EPL-I-Paare eine signifikant niedrigere Scheidungsrate (4%/5%) als die Paare der Vergleichsgruppe (24%/26%). Nach 25 Jahren gaben ca. 60% der Partner an, die im EPL-Training vermittelten Sprecher- und Zuhörer-Kommunikationsregeln noch oft bzw. sehr oft im Alltag zu benutzen. Über 98% würden das EPL weiterempfehlen. Insgesamt wa­ren von den noch zusammenlebenden Paaren 83% (EPL) und 72% (KG) der Partner mit ihrer Beziehung zufrieden. Für die Partnerschaftszufriedenheit (Locke-Wallace MAT) über den 25-Jahresverlauf zeigten sich keine signifikanten Unterschiede zwischen EPL- und KG-Partnern. Schlussfolgerungen: Diese Studie zeigt auch international zum ersten Mal, dass kurze, auf aktivem Training beruhende kognitiv-verhaltenstherapeutische Präventionsprogramme sehr langfristige, nachhaltige Wirkungen in Bezug auf die Partnerschaftsstabilität erzielen können. Deshalb sollten solche Interventionen fester Bestandteil von Public-Health-Strategien sein.
Risikoabschätzung bei suizidalen Patienten: Geht das überhaupt?
Authors: Teismann Tobias , Forkmann Thomas , Glaesmer Heide
Published: March 2019

Eine Risikoabschätzung ist im Kontext suizidalen Erlebens und Verhaltens nicht sicher möglich. Aktuelle Metaanalysen zeigen, dass weder Einzelvariablen noch Risikoscores, das klinische Urteil oder die Orientierung an einem Theoriemodell eine zufriedenstellende Vorhersage suizidalen Verhaltens erlauben. Es stellt sich die Frage, wie in der klinischen Praxis mit dem Wissen um die mangelnde Präzision der Risikoabschätzung umgegangen werden sollte. Der vorliegende Artikel skizziert zunächst die aktuelle Befundlage und reflektiert im Anschluss die Bedeutung dieser Befunde für die praktische Arbeit: Die Risikoabschätzung sollte als kollaborativer Prozess verstanden werden, in dem der Therapeut anerkennt, dass er kein ausreichendes Expertenwissen hinsichtlich des Gefährdungspotentials eines Patienten besitzt.
Baguan Therapy Is an Alternative in Treating Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Systematic Review Based on Existing Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Wang Fei , Tian Zhong-Gu , Lv Chao-Hui , Geng Cheng-Wu
Published: March 2019

Background: The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the evidence available on the effects of Baguan therapy for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. Materials and Methods: The following databases were searched from their inception to August 2018: PubMed, Web of Science, AMED, Cochrane Library, Google, EMBASE, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases, Wanfang Data, CiNii, KoreaMed, and the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which assessed the effects of Baguan therapy for AS, were included in our review. The methodological quality of eligible studies was assessed by the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool. The RevMan 5.3 software was used for quantitative analysis of RCTs. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics. Results: Four studies were included in our review. The aggregated results indicated that Baguan therapy improved the treatment effect (risk ratio 1.21, 95% CI 1.10–1.34, p < 0.01) as well as physical function (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index) (mean difference –1.56, 95% CI –2.01 to –1.12, p < 0.01) and reduced disease activity (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index) (mean difference –0.71, 95% CI –1.09 to –0.33, p < 0.01) in patients with AS. Conclusion: Due to the low quality of included trials, it is difficulty to draw the firm conclusion that Baguan therapy may have beneficial effects on AS.
Smoking Behavior of Women Before, During, and after Pregnancy: Indicators of Smoking, Quitting, and Relapse
Authors: Scheffers-van Schayck Tessa , Tuithof Marlous , Otten Roy , Engels Rutger , Kleinjan Marloes
Published: March 2019

Background: Smoking cessation during pregnancy and preventing relapse postpartum is a pivotal public health priority. Objectives: This study examined the risk and protective indicators of women who (a) smoke before pregnancy, (b) smoke during the entire pregnancy, (c) successfully quit smoking during pregnancy, and (d) relapse postpartum. Method: This paper reports secondary analyses of the Dutch population-based Monitor on Substance Use and Pregnancy (2016). A representative sample of mothers of young children (n = 1,858) completed questionnaires at youth health care centers. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results: Main results showed that women’s smoking around pregnancy was strongly associated with the partner’s smoking status before pregnancy, partner’s change in smoking during pregnancy, and partner’s change in smoking postpartum. Women’s educational level and cannabis use before pregnancy were also related with women’s smoking before and during pregnancy. Women’s intensity of alcohol use before pregnancy was ambiguously related with women’s smoking before and during pregnancy. Conclusions: One of the key findings of this study suggests that it is essential that partners quit smoking before pregnancy and do not smoke during pregnancy. If partners continue smoking during pregnancy, they should quit smoking postpartum. Health care professionals can play an important role in addressing partners’ smoking and giving them evidence-based cessation support before, during, and after pregnancy.
Feasibility and Acceptability of an Intervention Providing Computer-Generated Tailored Feedback to Target Alcohol Consumption and Depressive Symptoms in Proactively Recruited Health Care Patients and Reactively Recruited Media Volunteers: Results of a Pilot Study
Authors: Krause Kristian , Guertler Diana , Moehring Anne , Batra Anil , Eck Sandra , Rumpf Hans-Jürgen , Bischof Gallus , Lucht Michael , Freyer-Adam Jennis , Ulbricht Sabina , John Ulrich , Meyer Christian
Published: March 2019

Background: A pre-post pilot study was conducted to test the feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness of a fully automatized computer-based intervention targeting hazardous drinking and depressiveness in proactively recruited health care patients (HCPs). To address the importance of the sample selection when testing interventions, HCPs were compared to media recruited volunteers (MVs). Method: In a multicenter screening program 2,773 HCPs were screened for hazardous drinking and depressive symptoms. MVs were recruited via media solicitation. Over a period of 6 months, study participants received 6 individualized counseling letters and weekly short messages. Pre-post data were analyzed for 30 participants (15 HCPs, 15 MVs). Intervention acceptability was assessed in post-intervention interviews conducted with 32 study participants. Results: MVs showed higher problem severity and motivation to change than HCPs. Over the course of the intervention both subsamples reduced regular binge drinking (HCPs: p = 0.016; MVs: p = 0.031) and depressiveness (HCPs: p = 0.020; MVs: p < 0.001). MVs further reduced average daily alcohol consumption (p = 0.034). The intervention received positive ratings from both subsamples, the alcohol module was rated more favorably by MVs than by HCPs (p = 0.012). Subsamples further differed in terms of intervention usage (p = 0.013). Conclusion: The intervention was technically and logistically feasible, well accepted, and may have the potential to reduce hazardous drinking and depressive symptoms in different populations. Subsamples differed in terms of problem severity, motivation to change, intervention usage, pre-post changes, and attitudes toward the intervention, showing that intervention development should involve the intended target populations to avoid biased conclusions on intervention effectiveness and acceptability.
Loss of the Golgi Matrix Protein 130 Cause Aberrant IgA1 Glycosylation in IgA Nephropathy
Authors: Wang Chang , Ye Muyao , Zhao Qiulan , Xia Ming , Liu Di , He Liyu , Chen Guochun , Peng Youming , Liu Hong
Published: March 2019

Background: Aberrant O-glycosylation IgA1 production is a major factor in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. IgA1 glycosylation modification is in Golgi, and downregulation of the Golgi peripheral membrane protein Golgi matrix protein 130 (GM130) could lead to glycosylation deficiency. In this study, we aimed to explore the role of GM130 in glycosylate deficiency IgA1 (Gd-IgA1) production. Methods: We enrolled 27 IgA nephropathy patients, 12 patients with chronic tonsillitis, 15 non-IgAN chronic kidney disease patients, and 15 healthy volunteers as healthy control. We explored GM130 expression in Tonsillar tissue by immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting and expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by flow cytometry. The concentration of IgA1 and level of O-glycosylation were determined by ELISA and Vicia Villosa lectin-binding assay. Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to analyze the levels of β1,3-Gal transferase (C1GALT1) and ST6GalNAC2, respectively. To explore the contribution of GM130 in IgA1 O-glycosylation modification, cells were subjected to experiments for evaluation of GM130 silencing by GM130-siRNA transfection. Results: GM130 expression was significantly decreased in tonsil tissues and PBMC of IgAN patients; the expression of C1GALT1 decreased and Gd-IgA1 level increased significantly in patients with IgAN patients. The expression of GM130 was negatively related to Gd-IgA1 production. By siRNA transfection, our results clearly indicated that the downregulation of GM130 can increase IgA1 O-glycosylation deficiency, which is thought to reduce C1GALT1 expression but not affect the expression of ST6GalNAC2. Conclusion: We identified and demonstrated that GM130 plays an important role in IgA1 O-glycans deficiency in IgAN patients, by negatively regulating C1GALT1 expression. We believe that this finding will provide theoretical foundations for a new mechanism of Gd-IgA1 production in IgAN patients.
Mini-Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy for Complex Staghorn Stones in Children
Authors: Rashid Aso Omer , Amin Shakhawan Hama , Al Kadum Mohammed Abed , Mohammed Sarbaz Kamal , Buchholz Noor
Published: March 2019

Objectives: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous mini-nephrolithotomy (mini-PCNL) in children with complex staghorn stones. Patients and Methods: We analyzed prospectively data of 28 children undergoing pediatric mini-PCNL during a period of 18 months. Stone complexity was defined according to the validated Guy’s stone score (GSS). Our patients were GSS III and IV. All PCNL procedures were performed in the prone position, under fluoroscopic guidance, and in the same standardized fashion with F12 and F17 mini-nephroscopes. Results: Eleven children were boys (total n = 28). Mean age was 7.25 ± 3.27 (2–14) years. Mean stone burden was 36.89 ± 8.002 (30–60) mm. GSS was in 57% grade III and in 43% grade IV. The initial stone-free rate was 78%, which increased to 89% after few ancillary procedures. Seventeen percent of children had major complications (1 hydrothorax, 4 blood transfusions). On statistical analysis, stone clearance rates were found inversely dependent on stone complexity (GSS; p < 0.025). Stone burden, number of tracts, and procedure time were associated with stone complexity (p < 0.000). In turn, stone complexity (p < 0.015) and the number of tracts (p < 0.049) were significantly associated with complications. Conclusion: Mini-PCNL is effective and safe for treating complex renal stones in pediatric patients. Complication rates are acceptable and predictably stable on comparison with the literature.
Contemporary Diagnosis and Management of Patients With Myocardial Infarction in the Absence of Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Authors: Tamis-Holland Jacqueline E. , Jneid Hani , Reynolds Harmony R. , Agewall Stefan , Brilakis Emmanouil S. , Brown Todd M. , Lerman Amir , Cushman Mary , Kumbhani Dharam J. , Arslanian-Engoren Cynthia , Bolger Ann F. , Beltrame John F. ,   On behalf of the American Heart Association Interventional Cardiovascular Care Committee of the Council on Clinical Cardiology; Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing; Council on Epidemiology and Prevention; and Council on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research
Published: March 2019

Myocardial infarction in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease is found in ≈5% to 6% of all patients with acute infarction who are referred for coronary angiography. There are a variety of causes that can result in this clinical condition. As such, it is important that patients are appropriately diagnosed and an evaluation to uncover the correct cause is performed so that, when possible, specific therapies to treat the underlying cause can be prescribed. This statement provides a formal and updated definition for the broadly labelled term
MINOCA
(incorporating the definition of acute myocardial infarction from the newly released “Fourth Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction”) and provides a clinically useful framework and algorithms for the diagnostic evaluation and management of patients with myocardial infarction in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease.
Patient‐Reported Reasons for Declining or Discontinuing Statin Therapy: Insights From the PALM Registry
Authors: Bradley Corey K. , Wang Tracy Y. , Li Shuang , Robinson Jennifer G. , Roger Veronique L. , Goldberg Anne C. , Virani Salim S. , Louie Michael J. , Lee L. Veronica , Peterson Eric D. , Navar Ann Marie
Published: March 2019

Background

Many adults eligible for statin therapy for cardiovascular disease prevention are untreated. Our objective was to investigate patient‐reported reasons for statin underutilization, including noninitiation, refusal, and discontinuation.

Methods and Results

This study included the 5693 adults recommended for statin therapy in the PALM (Patient and Provider Assessment of Lipid Management) registry. Patient surveys evaluated statin experience, reasons for declining or discontinuing statins, and beliefs about statins and cardiovascular disease risk. Overall, 1511 of 5693 adults (26.5%) were not on treatment. Of those not on a statin, 894 (59.2%) reported never being offered a statin, 153 (10.1%) declined a statin, and 464 (30.7%) had discontinued therapy. Women (relative risk: 1.22), black adults (relative risk: 1.48), and those without insurance (relative risk: 1.38) were most likely to report never being offered a statin. Fear of side effects and perceived side effects were the most common reasons cited for declining or discontinuing a statin. Compared with statin users, those who declined or discontinued statins were less likely to believe statins are safe (70.4% of current users vs. 36.9% of those who declined and 37.4% of those who discontinued) or effective (86.3%, 67.4%, and 69.1%, respectively). Willingness to take a statin was high; 67.7% of those never offered and 59.7% of patients who discontinued a statin would consider initiating or retrying a statin.

Conclusions

More than half of patients eligible for statin therapy but not on treatment reported never being offered one by their doctor. Concern about side effects was the leading reason for statin refusal or discontinuation. Many patients were willing to reconsider statin therapy if offered.
The Great Aesthetic Inspiration
Authors: Sorgenfrei Simon
Published: March 2019

Ivan Aguéli is known not only as an artist but also as Sweden’s first (famous) convert to Islam and as an initiate in the Sufi order Shadhiliyya-Arabiyya. Sufism’s role in Aguéli’s life and its significance for his theory of art and style of painting have been analyzed primarily by Viveca Wessel (1988). This article will instead analyze Aguéli’s relationship to the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg (1688–1772), which extends far back in his life, and how they influenced Aguéli’s philosophy of religion and view of art.
Additional threat to Hynobius salamander eggs: predation by loaches (Misgurnus sp.) in agricultural wetlands
Authors: Bae Yoonhyuk , Kong Sungsik , Yi Yoonjung , Jang Yikweon , Borzée Amaël
Published: March 2019

Anthropogenic modifications of the environment have clear negative impacts on species. These effects may reach a higher magnitude in highly altered habitats, for example in wetlands transformed into rice paddies. This is the case for the amphibian species of the genus Hynobius in the Republic of Korea, which originally breed in slow streams and valleys. However, a comparatively high proportion of the natural breeding sites used by the species in the lowlands has been transformed into rice paddies. Here, we assessed whether anthropogenic modification of wetlands leads to an additional threat to breeding Hynobius spp. in the form of increased vulnerability of their egg clutches to loach predators (Misgurnus species) in such modified habitats. We conducted weekly occurrence surveys at 27 randomly selected sites in the Republic of Korea and recorded the following information: type of site (natural versus agricultural), air temperature, water conductivity, moon phase and predation by Misgurnus sp. Our results reveal, for the first time, cases of predation of Hynobius spp. eggs by Misgurnus loaches. We also show that the risk of predation was higher in agricultural sites in comparison to natural sites. In conclusion, we demonstrate the increased predation risk of Hynobius spp. eggs by Misgurnus sp. at anthropogenically disturbed sites, and thus a new type of threat to Hynobius populations. This new type of threat may, however, be due to expansion of the breeding habitats following human disruptions to landscapes. We therefore call for the development of mitigating measures to wetland modifications.
The Push to Protect the Oneness of English as a Judicial Language in the Southern Cameroons Jurisdiction of Cameroon
Authors: Nfobin Eric Herman Ngwa
Published: March 2019

The February 2015 crisis whether both official languages, French and English, be used in proceedings in the Anglophone jurisdiction practicing common law, was a reminder that the Cameroon concept of bilingualism still requires definition. At the simplest and most obvious level, the lawyers of the minority English-speaking jurisdiction were protesting against the introduction of a rival language, unfamiliar to their community. A second look unveils proofs of deeper malaise behind what is only the thin end of the wedge. In fact, there are conjoining components originating from misunderstandings traceable back to 1961 when the English-speaking Southern Cameroons and independent French-speaking Cameroon reunited. It is far from the dream that drove them to form a common entity. This article goes below the surface of these dissensions that amount to a veritable ‘Anglophone problem’, which if not properly understood and handled, and allowed to fester, can be the harbinger of disintegration.
Teaching International Criminal Law from a Contextual Perspective
Authors: Kastner Philipp
Published: March 2019

After a period of overwhelmingly doctrinal research following the establishment of international criminal justice institutions in the 1990s and early 2000s, international criminal law (icl) research has become increasingly self-reflexive and critical. However, the teaching practice of icl seems to have remained focused on a doctrinal analysis of statutes and the jurisprudence of international tribunals. This article discusses a possible way of incorporating the critical turn in icl scholarship into teaching, namely through a contextual perspective. In this perspective, the context of the substance, procedures, objectives, justifications and impacts of the field is foregrounded, instead of being presented as background beyond the scope of analysis. Discussing some of the potential benefits, challenges and downsides of teaching icl contextually, the article concludes that there is merit in adopting and further exploring this approach, among others to educate, and not only to train, the next generation(s) of icl experts.
Diakonos and Doulos as Concepts of True Discipleship in Mark 10.43–44
Authors: Kgatle Mookgo Solomon
Published: March 2019

In Mark, the life of the disciple is presented as being essentially continuous with that of Jesus. A disciple is one who is able to become a diakonos and a doulos, which come with following Jesus. However, the disciples of Jesus in general and James and John in particular demonstrated a misunderstanding of discipleship when they made a request for seats of honor in Mk 10.35–42. This article demonstrates through a social scientific reading of Mk 10.43–44 that Jesus’ teaching on diakonos and doulos is a call to true discipleship. This shall be achieved by studying the literature review on Mk 10.35–45 as a point of departure. The meaning of the words diakonos and doulos in Mk 10.43–44 shall be explained as part of exegesis on the text. The purpose is to demonstrate that Jesus’ response to discipleship misconceptions is a call to true discipleship.
Changes in the intertidal community structure after a mass mortality event in sandy beaches of Argentina
Authors: Dadon José R.
Published: March 2019

After a massive mortality of the dominant species (the clam Mesodesma mactroides) occurred in 1995, changes in the intertidal community in sandy beaches of Argentina were monitored. Eight sampling stations were established in a 40 km open stretch and samples were taken every October each year up to 2001. Biomass, density, size frequency distribution and mean growth rates for the most abundant species were analyzed. During the mortality event, only the benthic stages of M. mactroides were affected, their total mean biomass diminishing from 1,399 g to 2 g per running meter beach. Post-mortality recruitment was normal and the growth rates for the youngest cohorts were similar to those previously reported. After a two years’ lag, the wedge clam Donax hanleyanus replaced M. mactroides as the dominant species, increasing from 6.0 g/m up to 24.3 g/m. However, dominance replacement did not restore the productivity of the intertidal macrobenthic assemblage and, despite the increment of D. hanleyanus stocks, the community total biomass remained < 1% of the pre-mortality levels. Since 1998 on, M. mactroides and D. hanleyanus showed several peaks in abundance. Disturbance, mainly due to non-regulated fisheries, has been delaying the community recovery. Taking into account the interactions among species and human activities, the present individual resourcebased management should be replaced by an integrated systembased management program including both conservation and tourism requirements.
On the genus Strandesia Stuhlmann, 1888 (Crustacea, Ostracoda, Cyprididae) with description of Strandesia kimberleyi n. sp. and a key to the extant species of the genus
Authors: Karanovic Ivana
Published: March 2019

Strandesia kimberleyi n. sp. is described from subterranean waters of the Kimberley Region (Western Australia). It belongs to the group of relatively elongated Strandesia Stuhlmann, 1888 species, with no projection on the carapace and with a finely serrated posterior margin of the CR and its claws. The new species is characterized by the asymmetrical valves, elongated terminal segment of the maxillular palp, and the presence of a sensory organ antero-proximally on the first segment of the antennula. This is the first time that this organ is reported in the genus Strandesia. Strandesia purpurascens (Brady, 1886) is redescribed, while for S. variegata (Sars, 1901) and S. obliqua (Brady, 1868) some additional notes on the morphology are provided. A key to identification of 67 species of Strandesia is here given. This number includes a new species and two new combinations (S. iheringi (Sars, 1901) comb. nov., and S. mollis (Furtos, 1936) comb. nov.). Strandesia ewaldi is proposed as a nomen novum for S. labiata Roessler, 1990, while 31 species are proposed to be synonyms.
Desmacella austini sp. nov. from sponge reefs off the Pacific coast of Canada
Authors: Lehnert Helmut , Conway Kim W. , Barrie J.Vaughn , Krautter Manfred
Published: March 2019

A new species of a very thinly encrusting Desmacella (Porifera, Demospongiae, Poecilosclerida, Desmacellidae) is described from Queen Charlotte Basin and Georgia Basin, off the Canadian Pacific coast. It is compared with all known species of the genus, differing in the geometry and size of spicules, and the persistent epizoic growth.
Shallow-water Niphatidae (Haplosclerina, Haplosclerida, Demospongiae) from the São Sebastião Channel and its environs (tropical southwestern Atlantic), with the description of a new species
Authors: Pinheiro U. S. , Berlinck R.G.S. , Hajdu E.
Published: March 2019

Two niphatids are described here: Amphimedon viridis and Pachychalina alcaloidifera sp. nov. Amphimedon viridis is a common and conspicuous species in most of the tropical western Atlantic. Pachychalina alcaloidifera sp. nov. has this far been found only in the coasts of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo states. Both species are described on the basis of series of specimens observed alive.
A taxonomic revision of the Pleistocene Hystrix (Hystricidae, Rodentia) from Eurasia with notes on the evolution of the family
Authors: van Weers D.J.
Published: March 2019

Measurements of many hundreds of the high-crowned cheek teeth of Hystrix specimens from the Euro-Asiatic Pleistocene in the collections of European and Asiatic institutions have been compared with extant species for a revision of the genus. A review is given about the extant genera and species of the family. The number of recognisable Euro-Asiatic species in the fossil record is reduced from eight to five. The European H. (A.) vinogradovi Argyropulo, 1941 is here considered to be a synonym of H. (A.) brachyura Linnaeus, 1758, and the three Asiatic species H. (H.) crassidens Lydekker, 1886, H. (H.) gigantea Van Weers, 1985 and H. (H.) magna Pei, 1987 are synonymized with H. (H.) refossa Gervais, 1852. Most of the Chinese fossil specimens are properly allocated to H. (H.) kiangsenensis Wang, 1931 instead of ‘H. subcristata’, and a neotype is indicated for this species. The distribution of the Indonesian Hystrix species is the result of several migration waves into Sundaland, and is not considered to be the result of ‘in situ’ evolution. Comparison of the Miocene material from the Siwaliks in India, described as Sivacanthion complicatus Colbert 1933, with extant and Pleistocene Atherurus results in allocation of this species to Atherurus karnuliensis Lydekker, 1886.