bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transgenic expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in pancreatic acinar cells induces chronic pancreatitis
Authors: Huang Haojie , Chen Jiaxiang , Peng Lisi , Yao Yao , Deng Defeng , Zhang Yang , Liu Yan , Wang Huamin , Li Zhaoshen , Bi Yan , Haddock Ashley N. , Zhan Xianbao , Lu Weiqin , Logsdon Craig D. , Ji Baoan
Published: November 2018

Replacement of the exocrine parenchyma by fibrous tissue is a main characteristic of chronic pancreatitis. Understanding the mechanisms of pancreatic fibrogenesis is critical for the development of preventive and therapeutic interventions. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), a rate-limiting enzyme for prostaglandin synthesis, is expressed in patients with chronic pancreatitis. However, it is unknown whether COX-2 can cause chronic pancreatitis. To investigate the roles of pancreatic acinar COX-2 in fibrogenesis and the development of chronic pancreatitis, COX-2 was ectopically expressed specifically in pancreatic acinar cells in transgenic mice. Histopathological changes and expression levels of several profibrogenic factors related to chronic pancreatitis were evaluated. COX-2 was expressed in the pancreas of the transgenic mice, as detected by Western blot analysis. Immunohistochemical staining showed COX-2 was specifically expressed in pancreatic acinar cells. COX-2 expression led to progressive changes in the pancreas, including pancreas megaly, persistent inflammation, collagen deposition, and acinar-to-ductal metaplasia. Quantitative RT-PCR and immunostaining showed that profibrogenic factors were upregulated and pancreatic stellate cells were activated in the COX-2 transgenic mice. Expression of COX-2 in pancreatic acinar cells is sufficient to induce chronic pancreatitis. Targeting this pathway may be valuable in the prevention of chronic pancreatitis.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY COX-2 expression is observed in pancreatic tissues of human chronic pancreatitis. In this study, we showed that COX-2 expression caused the development of chronic pancreatitis in transgenic mice, supporting the idea that COX-2 inhibition may be an effective preventive and therapeutic strategy.
A novel role for programmed cell death receptor ligand 2 in sepsis-induced hepatic dysfunction
Authors: Rossi Anne-Lise , Le Marilyn , Chung Chun-Shiang , Chen Yaping , Fallon Eleanor A. , Matoso Andres , Xu Shumin , Chun Tristen T. , Erickson Craig P. , Ayala Alfred
Published: November 2018

The liver is an organ that, when dysfunctional in a septic patient, is strongly associated with morbidity and mortality. Understanding the pathophysiology of liver failure during sepsis may lead to improved diagnostics and potential therapeutic targets. Historically, programmed cell death receptor (PD) ligand 1 (PD-L1) has been considered the primary ligand for its checkpoint molecule counterpart, PD-1, with PD-L2 rarely in the immunopathological spotlight. PD-1 and PD-L1 contribute to liver dysfunction in a murine cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model of sepsis, but virtually nothing is known about PD-L2’s role in sepsis. Therefore, our central hypothesis was that sepsis-induced changes in hepatic PD-L2 expression contributed to worsened liver function and, subsequently, more pronounced morbidity and mortality. We found that although PD-L1 gene deficiency attenuated the hepatic dysfunction seen in wild-type mice after CLP, the loss of PD-L2 appeared to actually worsen indices of liver function along with a trend toward higher liver tissue vascular permeability. Conversely, some protective effects of PD-L2 gene deletion were noted, such as reduced liver/peritoneal bacterial load and reduced IL-6, IL-10, and macrophage inflammatory protein 2 levels following CLP. These diverse actions, as well as the unique expression pattern of PD-L2, may explain why no overt survival advantage could be witnessed in the septic PD-L2−/− mice. Taken together, these data suggest that although PD-L2 has some selective effects on the hepatic response seen in the septic mouse, these factors are not sufficient to alter septic mortality in this adult murine model.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our study shows not only that ligands of the checkpoint protein PD-1 respond inversely to a stressor such as septic challenge (PD-L2 declines, whereas PD-L1 rises) but also that aspects of liver dysfunction increase in septic mice lacking the PD-L2 gene. Furthermore, these differences in PD-L2 gene-deficient animals culminated in the abrogation of the survival advantage seen in the septic PD-L1-knockout mice, suggesting that PD-L2 may have roles beyond a simple immune tolerogen.
Dysfunction of muscle contraction with impaired intracellular Ca2+handling in skeletal muscle and the effect of exercise training in maledb/dbmice
Authors: Eshima Hiroaki , Tamura Yoshifumi , Kakehi Saori , Nakamura Kyoko , Kurebayashi Nagomi , Murayama Takashi , Kakigi Ryo , Sakurai Takashi , Kawamori Ryuzo , Watada Hirotaka
Published: November 2018

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by reduced contractile force production and increased fatigability of skeletal muscle. While the maintenance of Ca2+homeostasis during muscle contraction is a requisite for optimal contractile function, the mechanisms underlying muscle contractile dysfunction in type 2 diabetes are unclear. Here, we investigated skeletal muscle contractile force and Ca2+flux during contraction and pharmacological stimulation in type 2 diabetic model mice ( db/db mice). Furthermore, we investigated the effect of treadmill exercise training on muscle contractile function. In male db/db mice, muscle contractile force and peak Ca2+levels were both lower during tetanic stimulation of the fast-twitch muscles, while Ca2+accumulation was higher after stimulation compared with control mice. While 6 wk of exercise training did not improve glucose tolerance, exercise did improve muscle contractile dysfunction, peak Ca2+levels, and Ca2+accumulation following stimulation in male db/db mice. These data suggest that dysfunctional Ca2+flux may contribute to skeletal muscle contractile dysfunction in type 2 diabetes and that exercise training may be a promising therapeutic approach for dysfunctional skeletal muscle contraction.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The purpose of this study was to examine muscle contractile function and Ca2+regulation as well as the effect of exercise training in skeletal muscle in obese diabetic mice ( db/db). We observed impairment of muscle contractile force and Ca2+regulation in a male type 2 diabetic animal model. These dysfunctions in muscle were improved by 6 wk of exercise training.
Voluntary running protects against neuromuscular dysfunction following hindlimb ischemia-reperfusion in mice
Authors: Wilson Rebecca J. , Drake Joshua C. , Cui Di , Ritger Matthew L. , Guan Yuntian , Call Jarrod A. , Zhang Mei , Leitner Lucia M. , Gödecke Axel , Yan Zhen
Published: November 2018

Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) due to temporary restriction of blood flow causes tissue/organ damages under various disease conditions, including stroke, myocardial infarction, trauma, and orthopedic surgery. In the limbs, IR injury to motor nerves and muscle fibers causes reduced mobility and quality of life. Endurance exercise training has been shown to increase tissue resistance to numerous pathological insults. To elucidate the impact of endurance exercise training on IR injury in skeletal muscle, sedentary and exercise-trained mice (5 wk of voluntary running) were subjected to ischemia by unilateral application of a rubber band tourniquet above the femur for 1 h, followed by reperfusion. IR caused significant muscle injury and denervation at neuromuscular junction (NMJ) as early as 3 h after tourniquet release as well as depressed muscle strength and neuromuscular transmission in sedentary mice. Despite similar degrees of muscle atrophy and oxidative stress, exercise-trained mice had significantly reduced muscle injury and denervation at NMJ with improved regeneration and functional recovery following IR. Together, these data suggest that endurance exercise training preserves motor nerve and myofiber structure and function from IR injury and promote functional regeneration.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This work provides the first evidence that preemptive voluntary wheel running reduces neuromuscular dysfunction following ischemia-reperfusion injury in skeletal muscle. These findings may alter clinical practices in which a tourniquet is used to modulate blood flow.
Effect of menopause and exercise training on plasma apolipoprotein M and sphingosine-1-phosphate
Authors: Yafasova Adelina , Mandrup Camilla M. , Egelund Jon , Nyberg Michael , Stallknecht Bente , Hellsten Ylva , Nielsen Lars B. , Christoffersen Christina
Published: November 2018

The axis of apolipoprotein M (apoM) and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is of importance to plasma lipid levels, endothelial function, and development of atherosclerosis. Menopause is accompanied by dyslipidemia and an increased risk of atherosclerosis, which can be lowered by exercise training. The aim of this study was to explore if effects of menopause and training are paralleled by changes in the apoM/S1P axis. Healthy, late premenopausal [ n = 38, age 49.2 (SD 2)] and recent postmenopausal [ n = 37, age 53.3 (SD 3)] women from the Copenhagen Women Study participated in a 3-mo, aerobic high-intensity exercise intervention. Before training, plasma apoM was higher in postmenopausal [1.08 µmol/l (SD 0.2)] compared with premenopausal [0.82 µmol/l (SD 0.2)] women ( P < 0.0001). Plasma S1P was similar in the two groups [0.44 µmol/l (SD 0.1) and 0.46 µmol/l (SD 0.1), respectively]. Thus, the pretraining S1P/apoM ratio was 26% lower in postmenopausal than premenopausal women ( P < 0.0001). After the training program, plasma apoM increased from 0.82 µmol/l (SD 0.2) to 0.90 µmol/l (SD 0.3) in premenopausal women and from 1.08 µmol/l (SD 0.2) to 1.16 µmol/l (SD 0.3) in postmenopausal women ( P < 0.05). Plasma S1P increased from 0.44 µmol/l (SD 0.1) to 0.47 µmol/l (SD 0.1) in premenopausal women and from 0.46 µmol/l (SD 0.1) to 0.48 µmol/l (SD 0.1) in postmenopausal women ( P < 0.05). The results suggest that menopause is accompanied by higher plasma apoM but not S1P concentrations and that exercise training increases plasma apoM and S1P in healthy middle-aged women irrespective of menopausal status.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The apolipoprotein M/sphingosine-1-phosphate (apoM/S1P) complex is involved in maintaining a healthy endothelial barrier function. Our study is the first, to our knowledge, to show how menopause affects the apoM/S1P axis. The results suggest that menopause is accompanied by higher plasma apoM but not S1P concentrations. Second, to our knowledge the study is also the first to show that exercise training increases both apoM/S1P in women irrespective of menopausal status.
Biological Control of Mosquito-Borne Diseases: The Potential ofWolbachia-Based Interventions in an IVM Framework
Authors: Niang El Hadji Amadou , Bassene Hubert , Fenollar Florence , Mediannikov Oleg
Published: November 2018

People living in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world face an enormous health burden due to mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and filariasis. Historically and today, targeting mosquito vectors with, primarily, insecticide-based control strategies have been a key control strategy against major mosquito-borne diseases. However, the success to date of such approaches is under threat from multiple insecticide resistance mechanisms while vector control (VC) options are still limited. The situation therefore requires the development of innovative control measures against major mosquito-borne diseases. Transinfecting mosquitos with symbiotic bacteria that can compete with targeted pathogens or manipulate host biology to reduce their vectorial capacity are a promising and innovative biological control approach. In this review, we discuss the current state of knowledge about the association between mosquitoes andWolbachia, emphasizing the limitations of different mosquito control strategies and the use of mosquitoes’ commensal microbiota as innovative approaches to control mosquito-borne diseases.
Turn-On Fluorescence Detection of Glutathione Based on o-Phthaldialdehyde-Assisted SiO2 Particles
Authors: Nedeljko Polonca , Turel Matejka , Lobnik Aleksandra
Published: November 2018

We report about the fluorometric method for the determination of glutathione (GSH) in dietary supplements. The fluorometric assay is based on the use of functionalized silica particles (SiO2-SH) in combination with o-phthaldialdehyde (OPA). The fluorescence excitation and emission wavelengths were located at 340 nm and 430 nm. The relative fluorescence intensity was linear in the concentration range between 1.0 × 10−7 mol/L and 1.0 × 10−5 mol/L (M) with the detection limit of 3.4 × 10−7 M. The fluorescent silica particle-based sensor was successfully employed for the determination of GSH in dietary supplements with excellent recoveries. The proposed sensor may pave a new way for fluorescence sensing of other substances in food samples.
Implementing Fuzzy TOPSIS in Cloud Type and Service Provider Selection
Authors: Basu Aveek , Ghosh Sanchita
Published: November 2018

Cloud computing can be considered as one of the leading-edge technological advances in the current IT industry. Cloud computing or simply cloud is attributed to the Service Oriented Architecture. Every organization is trying to utilize the benefit of cloud not only to reduce the cost overhead in infrastructure, network, hardware, software, etc., but also to provide seamless service to end users with the benefit of scalability. The concept of multitenancy assists cloud service providers to leverage the costs by providing services to multiple users/companies at the same time via shared resource. There are several cloud service providers currently in the market and they are rapidly changing and reorienting themselves as per market demand. In order to gain market share, the cloud service providers are trying to provide the latest technology to end users/customers with the reduction of costs. In such scenario, it becomes extremely difficult for cloud customers to select the best service provider as per their requirement. It is also becoming difficult to decide upon the deployment model to choose among the existing ones. The deployment models are suitable for different companies. There exist divergent criteria for different deployment models which are not tailor made for an organization. As a cloud customer, it is difficult to decide on the model and determine the appropriate service provider. The multicriteria decision making method is applied to find out the best suitable service provider among the top existing four companies and choose the deployment model as per requirement.
A Sequence Number Prediction Based Bait Detection Scheme to Mitigate Sequence Number Attacks in MANETs
Authors: Jhaveri Rutvij H. , Desai Aneri , Patel Ankit , Zhong Yubin
Published: November 2018

The characteristics of MANET such as decentralized architecture, dynamic topologies make MANETs susceptible to various security attacks. Sequence number attacks are such type of security threats which tend to degrade the network functioning and performance by sending fabricated route reply packets (RREP) with the objective of getting involved in the route and drop some or all of the data packets during the data transmission phase. The sequence number adversary attempts to send a fabricated high destination number in the RREP packet which attracts the sender to establish a path through the adversary node. This paper proposes a proactive secure routing mechanism which is an improvement over the authors previously proposed scheme. It makes use of linear regression mechanism to predict the maximum destination sequence number that the neighboring node can insert in the RREP packet. As an additional security checkpoint, it uses a bait detection mechanism to establish confidence in marking a suspicious node as a malicious node. The proposed approach works in collaboration with the ad hoc on-demand distance vector routing (AODV) protocol. The simulation results depict that the approach improves the network performance in the presence of adversaries as compared to previously proposed scheme.
Large‐Time‐Step‐Based Ray‐Tracing Modeling of Light Delivery in One‐Sidedly Cladding‐Removed Step‐Index Plastic Optical Fiber under Arbitrary Weave Structure
Authors: Moon Sun Hee , Sul In Hwan
Published: November 2018

An advanced theoretical method to simulate the light delivery in plastic optical fiber is presented. The final objective is to use “light” as a new media for information delivery in wearable computers. A large‐time‐step‐based ray‐tracing algorithm, which was improved from our previous research, was used to simulate the light vector movement in a complex weave structure efficiently. NURBS and free‐form‐deformation‐based modeling was used to mimic the arbitrary weave structure. Experimentally, optical fibers were modified to control the direction of light emission. Particularly, half side of a cladding layer in the radial direction was selectively removed to enhance one‐sided fabric light scattering. The cladding‐removed plastic optical fiber was adopted in a textile weave structure, and its light scattering was measured quantitatively by varying the removal length, fiber curvature, and fabric weave patterns. To show the validity of the proposed simulation technique, twill structures with varying number of cross repeat numbers were used as a testbed. The unit number 2 was found to be the optimal structure for light emission, when a single POF was embedded in the textile. The proposed model showed the similar result with the actual light intensity measurement, with computation time not much than one second.
A Literature Review of Women’s Sex Hormone Changes by Acupuncture Treatment: Analysis of Human and Animal Studies
Authors: Ko Jade Heejae , Kim Seung-Nam
Published: November 2018

Background. It has been known that acupuncture treatment relieves gynecological disorders such as menopause, ovarian dysfunction, and dysmenorrhea. Sex hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, and gonadotropins, are related to the women disease. However, regulative effect of acupuncture on sex hormones has not been fully identified. Methods. Acupuncture articles including analysis of sex hormones were searched in electronic databases from inception to June 2018. The methodological quality was assessed using modified CAMRADES tool. A total of 23 articles were selected and analyzed. Results. In the results, overall studies showed that acupuncture increases estrogen, especially estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, and other hormones. Estradiol level was increased in most of studies except 3 studies which resulted in decreased level or not meaningful change. Two studies showed increase of FSH and LH whereas it was decreased in other studies. Other hormones were mostly increased by acupuncture. Conclusion. This study possibly indicates that acupuncture changes sex hormone in various gynecological conditions in women.
Parturient on Magnesium Infusion and Its Effectiveness as an Adjuvant Analgesic after Cesarean Delivery: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Shah Tanmay H. , Rubenstein Abby R. , Kosik Edward S. , Heimbach Stephen W. , Madamangalam Abhinava S.
Published: November 2018

Background. Perioperative use of intravenous magnesium as part of multimodal analgesia has been increasing in recent years in an effort to decrease the use of opioids. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of magnesium sulfate infusion in lowering analgesic requirement and decreasing the intensity of pain score after cesarean delivery. Methods. Sixty-four patients who underwent cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia were included in this medical record review: 32 patients received magnesium infusion after cesarean delivery for treatment of mild preeclampsia (Mg group); 32 patients received routine post-cesarean delivery care (control group). Primary outcome was total analgesic consumption and secondary was visual analogue scores (VAS) of pain in each group during the first 24 hours following delivery. These measures were compared using Student’s t-tests and Mann-Whitney U-tests. Results. Our study found that patients in the Mg group had significantly less requirement for analgesia than the control group. In the 24 h after cesarean delivery, the Mg group received significantly less intravenous ketorolac (the standard initial rescue analgesic agent) when compared to the control group (79 ± 23 mg vs. 90 ± 0 mg; P = 0.008). The Mg group also received significantly less intravenous morphine equivalents than the control group (median 5.0 (IRQ: 0.0 – 10.0) vs. 9.3 (IRQ: 6.0 – 21.1); P = 0.001) during the first 24 h after cesarean delivery. The Mg group also had significantly lower VAS pain scores than the control group (median 1.75 (IRQ: 0.4 – 2.6) vs. median 3.2 (IRQ: 2.3 – 4.5); P < 0.001). Conclusions. Our results suggest that magnesium sulfate infusion decreases total analgesic requirements and lowers VAS pain scores during the first 24 h after cesarean delivery.
Analysis of Springback Behaviour in Micro Flexible Rolling of Crystalline Materials
Authors: Qu Feijun , Jiang Zhengyi , Wang Xiaogang , Zhou Cunlong
Published: November 2018

This paper presents a constitutive modelling of the polycrystalline thin metal strip under a state of combined loading in microflexible rolling. The concept of grained inhomogeneity is incorporated into the classic Chaboche hardening model that accounts for the Bauschinger effect, in order to provide more precise description and analysis of the springback mechanism in the particular forming operation. The model is first implemented in the finite element program ABAQUS to numerically predict the stress‐strain relationship of 304 stainless steel specimens over a range of average grain sizes. After validation of the developed model by comparison of predicted curves and actual stress‐strain data points, it is further applied to predict the thickness directional springback in microflexible rolling of 304 stainless steel strips with initial thickness of 250 µm and reduction changing from 5 to 10%. The model predictions show a reasonable agreement with the experimental measurements and have proven to be more accurate than those obtained from the conventional multilinear isotropic hardening model in combination with the Voronoi tessellation technique. In addition, the variation of thickness directional springback along with the scatter effect is compared and analysed in regard to the average grain size utilising both qualitative and quantitative approaches in respect of distinct types of data at different reductions.
Extracts from the Mediterranean Food Plants Carthamus lanatus, Cichorium intybus, and Cichorium spinosum Enhanced GSH Levels and Increased Nrf2 Expression in Human Endothelial Cells
Authors: Stagos Dimitrios , Balabanos Dimitrios , Savva Salomi , Skaperda Zoi , Priftis Alexandros , Kerasioti Efthalia , Mikropoulou Eleni V. , Vougogiannopoulou Konstantina , Mitakou Sofia , Halabalaki Maria , Kouretas Demetrios
Published: November 2018

The Mediterranean diet is considered to prevent several diseases. In the present study, the antioxidant properties of six extracts from Mediterranean plant foods were assessed. The extracts’ chemical composition analysis showed that the total polyphenolic content ranged from 56 to 408 GAE mg/g dw of extract. The major polyphenols identified in the extracts were quercetin, luteolin, caftaric acid, caffeoylquinic acid isomers, and cichoric acid. The extracts showed in vitro high scavenging potency against ABTS•+ and O2•− radicals and reducing power activity. Also, the extracts inhibited peroxyl radical‐induced cleavage of DNA plasmids. The three most potent extracts, Cichorium intybus, Carthamus lanatus, and Cichorium spinosum, inhibited OH•‐induced mutations in Salmonella typhimurium TA102 cells. Moreover, C. intybus, C. lanatus, and C. spinosum extracts increased the antioxidant molecule glutathione (GSH) by 33.4, 21.5, and 10.5% at 50 μg/ml, respectively, in human endothelial EA.hy926 cells. C. intybus extract was also shown to induce in endothelial cells the transcriptional expression of Nrf2 (the major transcription factor of antioxidant genes), as well as of antioxidant genes GCLC, GSR, NQO1, and HMOX1. In conclusion, the results suggested that extracts from edible plants may prevent diseases associated especially with endothelium damage.
An Enhanced Generalized Plasticity Model for Coarse Granular Material considering Particle Breakage
Authors: Cen W. J. , Luo J. R. , Zhang W. D. , Rahman M. S.
Published: November 2018

In this study, an enhanced constitutive model is developed for coarse granular soil within the framework of generalized plasticity (Pastor, Zienkiewicz, and Chan, 1990). In this model, particle breakage is also considered by introducing the state parameter and the compression index into the plastic modulus, loading vectors, and plastic flow direction vectors of a generalized plasticity model. The calibration of constitutive parameters of the enhanced model is addressed in detail. The numerical simulation of triaxial tests for two types of coarse granular soils under different confining pressures is carried out to illustrate the particle breakage performance of the enhanced model. The good agreement between numerical results and experimental data indicates that the enhanced model can accurately characterize the influence of particle breakage on essential behavior of coarse granular soils.
Image Processing-Based Recognition of Wall Defects Using Machine Learning Approaches and Steerable Filters
Authors: Hoang Nhat-Duc
Published: November 2018

Detection of defects including cracks and spalls on wall surface in high-rise buildings is a crucial task of buildings’ maintenance. If left undetected and untreated, these defects can significantly affect the structural integrity and the aesthetic aspect of buildings. Timely and cost-effective methods of building condition survey are of practicing need for the building owners and maintenance agencies to replace the time- and labor-consuming approach of manual survey. This study constructs an image processing approach for periodically evaluating the condition of wall structures. Image processing algorithms of steerable filters and projection integrals are employed to extract useful features from digital images. The newly developed model relies on the Support vector machine and least squares support vector machine to generalize the classification boundaries that categorize conditions of wall into five labels: longitudinal crack, transverse crack, diagonal crack, spall damage, and intact wall. A data set consisting of 500 image samples has been collected to train and test the machine learning based classifiers. Experimental results point out that the proposed model that combines the image processing and machine learning algorithms can achieve a good classification performance with a classification accuracy rate = 85.33%. Therefore, the newly developed method can be a promising alternative to assist maintenance agencies in periodic building surveys.
Prediction of the Clinical Outcomes of Sigmoid Volvulus by Abdominal X-Ray: AXIS Classification System
Authors: Ishibashi Rei , Niikura Ryota , Obana Nobuya , Fukuda Sho , Tsuboi Mayo , Aoki Tomonori , Yoshida Shuntaro , Yamada Atsuo , Hirata Yoshihiro , Koike Kazuhiko
Published: November 2018

Aim. Early diagnosis and evaluation of the severity of sigmoid volvulus are necessary for management and early intervention. We developed a new predictive classification system for sigmoid volvulus based on X-ray findings. Methods. We retrospectively analyzed 66 patients diagnosed with sigmoid volvulus using the electronic medical records at the Osaki Citizen’s Hospital and the University of Tokyo Hospital from 2008–2015. We classified patients according to the coffee-bean sign mesenteric axis on X-ray (AXIS classification: group A, 0–90°; group B, 90–135°; and group C, >135°). We examined the association between AXIS classification and severe sigmoid volvulus, intestinal necrosis, need for surgery, 30-day mortality, and length of stay using the Cochran–Armitage trend test. Results. In total, 66 patients were analyzed. They had a mean age of 76.9 years, and 47 (71.0%) were male. They were classified into three groups according to the AXIS classification system (group A, 40 patients; group B, 23 patients; and group C, 3 patients). Group C had a significantly higher frequency of severe sigmoid volvulus (100%) compared to group B (30%) and group A (15%). AXIS classification was significantly associated with the severity of sigmoid volvulus (p=0.003), necrosis (p=0.004), and need for surgery (p=0.001), but not with the 30-day mortality or the length of stay. Conclusions. We developed the AXIS classification system to predict the severity of sigmoid volvulus. This new classification system may facilitate triage and therapeutic decision-making for sigmoid volvulus patients.
Designing a Human Machine Interface for Quality Assurance in Car Manufacturing: An Attempt to Address the “Functionality versus User Experience Contradiction” in Professional Production Environments
Authors: Borisov Nikolaj , Weyers Benjamin , Kluge Annette
Published: November 2018

The complexity of nowadays car manufacturing processes increases constantly due to the increasing number of electronic and digital features in cars as well as the shorter life cycle of car designs, which raises the need for faster adaption to new car models. However, the ongoing digitalization of production and working contexts offers the chance to support the worker in production using digital information as well as innovative, interactive, and digital devices. Therefore, in this work we investigate a representative production step in a long-term project together with a German car manufacturer, which is structured into three phases. In the first phase, we investigated the working process empirically and developed a comprehensive and innovative user interface design, which addresses various types of interactive devices. Building up on this, we developed the device score model, which is designed to investigate interactive system and user interface in production context due to ergonomics, UI design, performance, technology acceptance, and user experience. This work was conducted in the second phase of the project, in which we used this model to investigate the subjective suitability of six innovative device setups that implement the user interface design developed in phase one in an experimental setup with 67 participants at two locations in south Germany. The major result showed that the new user interface design run on a smart phone is the most suitable setup for future interactive systems in car manufacturing. In the third and final phase, we investigated the suitability of the two best rated devices for long term use by two workers using the system during a full shift. These two systems were compared with the standard system used. The major conclusion is that smartphones as well as AR glasses show very high potential to increase performance in production if used in a well-designed fashion.
Molecular Profiling of Cohorts of Tumor Samples to Guide Clinical Development of Pembrolizumab as Monotherapy
Authors: Ayers Mark , Nebozhyn Michael , Cristescu Razvan , McClanahan Terrill K. , Perini Rodolfo , Rubin Eric , Cheng Jonathan D. , Kaufman David R. , Loboda Andrey
Published: November 2018

Purpose:

Molecular profiling of large databases of human tumor gene expression profiles offers novel opportunities for informing decisions in clinical development programs.

Experimental Design:

Gene expression profile of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) was explored in a dataset of 16,000 samples, including approximately 4,000 metastatic tumors, across >25 tumor types prevalent in the United States, looking for new indications for the programmed death 1 (PD-1) inhibitor pembrolizumab. PD-L1 expression was highly concordant with several genomic signatures indicative of immune-inflamed tumor microenvironment. Prevalence of activated immune-inflamed tumors across all tumor types was explored and used to rank tumor types for potential response to pembrolizumab monotherapy.

Results:

The analysis yielded 3 tiers of indications in which high levels of PD-L1 and immune-inflamed signatures were found in up to 40% to 60%, 20% to 40%, and 0% to 20% of tumors. Tier 1 contained novel indications known at the time of analysis to be responsive to PD-1 checkpoint blockade in the clinic (such as melanoma and non–small cell lung cancer), as well as indications not studied in the clinic previously, including microsatellite instability–high colorectal, head and neck, bladder, and triple-negative breast cancers. Complementary analysis of an Asian/Pacific cancer dataset (gastric cancer) revealed high prevalence of immune-inflamed tumors in gastric cancer. These data contributed to prioritization of these indications for clinical development of pembrolizumab as monotherapy.

Conclusions:

Data highlight the value of molecular profiling in identifying populations with high unmet needs with potentially favorable response characteristics and accelerating development of novel therapies for these patients.

See related commentary by Mansfield and Jen, p. 1443
Neue Chancen bei der Glaukom-Früherkennung mit der optischen Kohärenztomographie-Angiographie
Authors: Rohrschneider Klaus
Published: November 2018

Purpose: To evaluate papillary, peripapillary, and macular vasculature with optical coherence tomography angiography in preperimetric (PPG), primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and normal eyes, and to assess diagnostic ability and associations among the vasculature and structural damage. Methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional study. Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell complex thickness, whole-image (wiVD), inside disc (idVD), peripapillary (ppVD), and macular vessel densities were obtained. Analysis of variance, post hoc test, and Pearson coefficient were used. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and cut-offs were calculated. Results: Thirteen healthy, 39 PPG, and 19 POAG eyes were included. Papillary and peripapillary VD were lower in POAG eyes in all parameters analyzed. wiVD in PPG eyes (52.37 ± 5.04%) was significantly decreased compared to healthy eyes (58.02 ± 2.02%, p < 0.05). AUC ranged from 0.62 to 0.90; the established cut-off values were 56% for wiVD, 55% for idVD, and 62% for ppVD. Pearson's correlation coefficient showed a direct correlation between the papillary or peripapillary VD and RNFL thickness. Conclusions: Vessel densities in POAG eyes are significantly lower than in healthy eyes, and they show good discriminatory abilities. A diminished microvascular network is associated with RNFL thinning more strongly in POAG than in PPG eyes.
A Novel and Cytogenetically Cryptic t(7;21)(q36.1;q22) Disrupting RUNX1 in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Zámečníkova Adriana , Al Bahar Soad
Published: November 2018

Translocations involving the RUNX1 transcription factor gene are frequently identified in leukemia patients, but the partner genes have been characterized in only about half of these cases. We report here a novel RUNX1 partner gene, KMT2C (MLL3), in a patient with de novo acute myeloid leukemia, having a novel and cytogenetically cryptic t(7;21)(q36.1;q22) leading to disruption of RUNX1 and KMT2C. This is the third cryptic RUNX1 rearrangement in myeloid and the fourth in hematologic malignancies.
O CARÁTER IMAGINATIVO DA MEMÓRIA NO LIVRO II DA ÉTICA DE ESPINOSA
Authors: Oliveira Eliakim Ferreira
Published: November 2018

O presente artigo busca, a partir da leitura das proposições 17 e 18 do livro II da Ética, inserir Espinosa na tradição filosófica que trata a memória como uma faculdade de caráter fundamentalmente imaginativo. Essa tradição tem destaque na modernidade com Descartes, cujo modelo físico de explicação dos mecanismos da memória é, segundo nossa leitura, aquele em voga no século XVII e o mesmo que serviu de base para a chamada pequena física da Ética, da qual depende a demonstração das proposições 17 e 18 do livro II.
PASCAL E SPINOZA: OS CONFLITOS DO RECONHECIMENTO
Authors: Nogueira Rafael Zambonelli
Published: November 2018

Neste trabalho, pretendemos empreender uma comparação entre as filosofias de Spinoza e Pascal a respeito da dimensão essencialmente conflituosa da vida intersubjetiva — e, particularmente, do fato de que esse conflito se origina em um desejo de dominação do outro, fundado, por sua vez, em um desejo de ser reconhecido pelo outro —, de sorte a ressaltar tanto as semelhanças quanto as diferenças que se estabelecem entre os dois filósofos. Como tentaremos mostrar, embora seja possível encontrar diversas semelhanças entre eles, isso não elimina o contraste fundamental que separa seus pensamentos. No entanto, é precisamente a consideração dessa dupla relação que, a nosso ver, faz o interesse de se confrontar suas obras.
MARILENA CHAUI: A FILOSOFIA, A DÍVIDA E O DOM
Authors: Matos Olgária
Published: November 2018

Esta apresentação do pensamento de Marilena Chaui procura mostrar o alcance tanto filosófico quanto acadêmico e político de sua obra, bem como sua presença no espaço público. Neste sentido, Marilena Chaui desenvolveu trabalhos de Mestre e autora, segundo uma perspectiva singular, pois, para Marilena Chaui, a Filosofia não é apenas uma profissão, mas uma vocação. Assim, também, no Departamento de Filosofia, mais do que uma carreira, Marilena realizou uma história, história que marca nossa identidade de Departamento e de Universidade. Com erudição filosófica, literária e histórica, seus escritos e ensinamentos generosamente se destinam ao especialista, ao aprendiz e o grande público leitor.
O PENSAMENTO POLÍTICO DE MARILENA CHAUI: A INVENÇÃO DO MÉTODO
Authors: Santiago Homero
Published: November 2018

Nos vários textos em que se debruça sobre a realidade brasileira, especialmente suas manifestações ideológicas, Marilena Chaui serve-se de um método particular de análise que envolve três operações distintas: 1) a preocupação com a singularidade dos objetos estudados; 2) a compreensão da luta de classes como determinante desses objetos; 3) a prática do contradiscurso. Nosso propósito é detectar o momento de invenção desse método nos Apontamentos para uma crítica da Ação Integralista Brasileira, texto publicado em 1978 e que sintetiza muito do percurso da autora ao longo dos anos 70.
CHAUI: PLURA SIMUL NA ÉTICA DE ESPINOSA
Authors: Ramacciotti Bárbara Lucchesi
Published: November 2018

Neste trabalho partimos da seguinte hipótese: o advérbio simul e a expressão plura simul (pluralidade simultânea) são chaves para compreender as principais teses inovadoras da ética de espinosa, assim como a leitura desta obra proposta por Marilena Chaui no livro Nervura do Real ii (2016).
QUANDO MARILENA CHAUI ENCONTROU O DEUS DE ESPINOSA
Authors: De Paula Marcos Ferreira
Published: November 2018

Dois episódios marcaram a formação de Marilena Chaui e a transformaram numa das maiores filósofas contemporâneas. Este artigo trata desses dois episódios.
A TAREFA DE UMA VIDA: O NEOSSOCRATISMO DE MARILENA CHAUI
Authors: Larison Mariana
Published: November 2018

A extraordinária e prolífica obra de Marilena Chaui abarca diversos temas e disciplinas do pensamento, desde a filosofia até a política passando pela sociologia e a historia, desde a cultura e a arte até questões de conjuntura. A pergunta que percorre nosso trabalho é a de se existe ou não uma unidade conceptual (e não meramente biográfica) que unifique esta obra de pensamento. Nossa hipótese consiste em afirmar que sim existe uma tal unidade, e que ela encontra-se no modo em que Marilena Chaui compreende a atividade filosófica como interrogação da experiência. Neste sentido, desenvolveremos o sentido destes termos para poder, depois, mostrar sua aplicação concreta nas análises da filósofa sobre a ideologia da competência.
CONSIDERACIONES SOBRE LA RELACIÓN ENTRE PASIÓN Y RAZÓN EN LA FILOSOFÍA DE BARUCH SPINOZA: LA IMITACIÓN AFECTIVA PARA UNA COMUNIDAD
Authors: Farga Gisel
Published: November 2018

El presente artículo intentará atravesar una pequeña parte de la cartografía afectiva spinozista. Nos detendremos en la idea de imitación afectiva, momento en el que la categoría de otro - expresión de la exterioridad - se presenta como un desconocido de quien, a pesar de no haber tenido un encuentro específico, podemos sentirnos afectados. Desandar los caminos de la mimesis afectiva nos permite establecer un origen social afectivo que como tal descubrirá la importancia que tienen los afectos en la vida en común de los hombres. En otros términos, mostraremos el rol esencial que posee la vida afectiva en el origen de la comunidad a partir de una primera unión producto de un afecto común.
CÓMO NO HABLAR DE DIOS. ALCANCES DE UNA LECTURA MATERIALISTA DE LAS CONCEPCIONES HOBBESIANAS DE LO DIVINO
Authors: Ferez Cecília Abdo
Published: November 2018

O texto pretende pesquisar diferentes concepções de Deus, na obra de Thomas Hobbes. Em particular, propõe-se pensar, desde uma leitura materialista, o entrecruzamento entre a corporeidade e a nomeação de uma política cristã, cujo cumprimento só seria possível num reino futuro na terra, o "reino de Deus" para vir (numa obra cujo clímax será, talvez, a alegada corporeidade de Deus). Essa escatologia hobbesiana define uma determinada posição cética contra a teologia, que, dado o Deus incognoscível, é vinculada a uma função específica da linguagem, o papel da honra, e a essas palavras e proposições que -para cada sujeito, em primeiro lugar, e numa sociedade dada, mais tarde- são inerentes a ela.
LOCKE E OS POBRES
Authors: Santos Antônio Carlos Dos
Published: November 2018

O objetivo deste artigo é analisar o projeto de lei de Locke sobre os pobres à luz do debate que se estabeleceu no século XVII inglês sobre o combate à pobreza. A leitura desse projeto de lei com outros textos de Locke, como o Segundo tratado, por exemplo, conduz o leitor a uma flutuação interpretativa que parte de sua visão moral, de salvação da alma per si, passa por uma perspectiva de cunho econômico-utilitarista, baseada no trabalho, e chega a uma solução igualmente moral, de homem disciplinado e apto à vida do labor. Ler este texto de Locke, sem clichês e preconceitos, pode ajudar o leitor contemporâneo a entender a longa luta de inclusão do pobre enquanto ser de direito (à vida) por meio da assistência social.
TRÊS ENSAIOS SOBRE lOCKE (LEO STRAUSS, C. B. MACPHERSON E JAMES TULLY): OU RECONSTRUINDO O SUJEITO LIBERAL
Authors: Souza Ronaldo Tadeu de
Published: November 2018

O artigo procura apresentar três interpretações contemporâneas da filosofia político de John Locke. A saber, Leo Strauss, C. B. Macpherson e James Tully.  A partir desses três hermeneutas se problematiza a noção de sujeito liberal em Locke e como ele se apresenta na leitura daqueles autores e no próprio texto do filósofo.
Sílvio Romero e Machado de Assis: leituras e dissensos do fim do Oitocentos
Authors: Schneider Alberto Luiz
Published: November 2018

O objetivo deste artigo é explorar os dissensos no ambiente intelectual do fim do Século XIX, cujo debate girava em torno da literatura e da crítica literária por meio das obras de Machado de Assis e Sílvio Romero. O segundo, um dos principais críticos literários do país, atacou pesadamente a obra de Machado de Assis, já reconhecido como o maior romancista de sua época. O artigo almeja explorar as razões mais profundas da divergência, para além das disputas de espaço e prestígio no interior da República das Letras.
Literatura e História em duas obras de George Orwell
Authors: Puglia Daniel , Tavares Débora Reis
Published: November 2018

A obra de George Orwell frequentemente estabelece conexões entre panorama histórico e forma literária. Tendo em vista um olhar crítico sobre a realidade, os narradores orwellianos tecem uma rede de estórias que refletem a fundo a Inglaterra dos anos 1930. No romance A Flor da Inglaterra e no ensaio documental O Caminho Para Wigan Pier está presente a discussão sobre o socialismo em diferentes camadas sociais, uma reverberação da tensão do período entre as Guerras Mundiais. Cada obra, à sua maneira, nos leva a algumas conclusões sobre as pontes entre história e literatura como ferramentas analíticas.
Apresentação do dossiê "História e Literatura: ficção e verdade"
Authors: Pinto Júlio Pimentel , Iegelski Francine , Chiarelli Stefania
Published: November 2018

Apresentação escrita pelos coordenadores do dossiê.
Filosofia, Religião e o Oriente: o caso Nietzsche
Authors: Alves Derley Menezes
Published: November 2018

Este trabalho pretende discutir a relação entre oriente e Ocidente considerando como as pesquisas envolvendo o Oriente, feitas notadamente a partir do século XIX, foram lidas e interpretadas por filósofos. Nossa análise tomará como modelos Nietzsche e o budismo. Pretendemos apresentar assim um primeiro passo rumo a uma análise detalhada do tema.
A Hora da Estrela entre a ficção e a realidade: ou o trágico em Macabéa
Authors: Masuda Fábio Takao , Almeida Rogério De
Published: November 2018

Explicitaremos as relações entre ficção e história, tendo como objeto A Hora da Estrela, de Clarice Lispector. Tal escolha se deve pelo fato da obra clariceana ser caracterizada como intimista, embora acreditemos que seja possível compreender as consequências sociais acarretadas pelo processo de modernização no Brasil, ocorrido na segunda metade do século XX, através da análise não só da personagem Macabéa, como também do narrador Rodrigo S. M., de modo a situar a obra entre ficção e realidade. É nessa zona de indeterminação e ambivalência que se instaura o caráter trágico de Macabéa, ao afirmar a vida diante da morte.
Ricardo Piglia, autor de relatos policiais. Uma leitura comparada de Plata Quemada (1997) e Blanco Nocturno (2010)
Authors: Silva Michelly Cristina Da
Published: November 2018

O presente artigo visa comparar dois romances de Ricardo Piglia, a saber, Plata Quemada (1997) e Blanco Nocturno (2010). As duas histórias representam as incursões novelescas do autor pelo mundo dos romances policiais. Em outra ocasião, em um ensaio crítico intitulado “Sobre el género policial”, Piglia apresentou duas divisões dentro do gênero, situando-as cronologicamente e destacando suas diferenças: o romance de “enigma” ou analítico, por um lado, e o hard-boiled ou policial duro, de outro. Interessa-nos aqui indicar nos dois livros do autor elementos do relato policial citados pelo mesmo, observando como os dois romances, no tocante à narrativa, se assemelham e se  distanciam.
Visibilidade e visualização
Authors: Araújo André De Melo
Published: November 2018

Este artigo analisa o conceito de constituição estética do sentido histórico tal como apresentado na obra de Jörn Rüsen. Em um primeiro passo, identificam-se os pontos de contato do quadro teórico de Rüsen com o conceito de densidade icônica do sentido, desenvolvido pelo historiador da arte Max Imdahl. Em um segundo passo, os termos do debate anunciado por Rüsen são ampliados, uma vez que o atual desafio colocado pelas imagens não mais se limita à possibilidade de conferir visibilidade aos acontecimentos ou ao sentido históricos, mas se reconfigura ao considerar as estratégias por meio das quais os objetos da ciência e o pensamento científico são visualizados.
Jörn Rüsen e sua contribuição para a didática da história
Authors: Schmidt Maria Auxiliadora
Published: November 2018

A partir do recorte acerca da obra de Jörn Rüsen no que se refere à sua teoria da aprendizagem histórica, se  propõe  analisar as contribuições para a pesquisa e para a educação histórica. De um lado, a apropriação destas contribuições,  tendo como referência e fundamentação a teoria da História, é algo a ser acolhido e anunciam um novo paradigma para a  relação entre aprendizagem e ensino de História, o que se propõe a realizar na  primeira parte deste trabalho. De outro, a partir destes pressupostos, foram tomadas como objeto de análise investigações que vem sendo realizadas no Brasil, na área do ensino de História, que  têm como referência teórica o pensamento ruseniano. Resultados destas pesquisas, ainda que parciais, indicam várias questões a serem levadas em consideração, no que se refere à aprendizagem das crianças e jovens, seja em ambiente escolar ou outros ambientes de aprendizagem. Ademais, suscitam novas questões de investigação, que também serão apontadas neste trabalho.