bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Secular trend in dietary patterns of Iranian adults from 2006 to 2017: Tehran lipid and glucose study
Authors: Aghayan Maryam , Asghari Golaleh , Yuzbashian Emad , Mahdavi Maryam , Mirmiran Parvin , Azizi Fereidoun
Published: October 2020

Background

Based on data regarding nutrition transition in the Middle East and North Africa, this study aim to investigate the general structure and secular trend of dietary patterns reported from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS) and adherence to these dietary patterns among Iranian population from 2006 till 2017.

Methods

We investigated on four examination waves of TLGS, including wave 1 (2006–2008), wave 2 (2009–2011), wave 3 (2012–2014), and wave 4 (2015–2017), using a validated and reliable food frequency questionnaire. Generalized Estimating Equations was used to assess secular trends in anthropometric, biochemical, and dietary variables across the study period. To identify general structure and secular trend of dietary patterns during each waves, principle component analysis (PCA) and K-mean cluster analysis were used, respectively.

Results

After adjusting for potential confounders including age, sex, body mass index, and total energy intake, the carbohydrate and protein intake gradually increased and the total fat intake decreased during study period (P-value< 0.001), although total energy intake remained stable. During the study period, participants consumed noticeably less refined grains, solid fat, dairy products, and simple sugars. Snack and dessert consumption increased and meat intakes showed no significant changes during a decade (all P-values< 0.001). Three dietary patterns extracted using PCA, included: Healthy dietary pattern characterized by higher intakes of vegetable, fruit, dairy products, liquid oil, nuts and seeds, and honey and jam; Western dietary pattern featured by refined grain, solid fat, meat, snack and dessert, potato, and soft drink, and the Mixed dietary pattern, highlighted by tea and coffee, and simple sugar. Based on cluster analysis, 27.8% of participants in wave 4 followed a Western dietary pattern, and 34.1% followed the Mixed dietary pattern. The Healthy dietary pattern was stable among the study population during the last decade.

Conclusions

The structure and the type of foods that participants preferred to eat changed since 2006, a new secular trend in dietary patterns, including a stability of Healthy dietary pattern, a decline of the Western dietary pattern and an increase in the Mixed dietary pattern was obsereved in our investigation.
Overcoming inefficiencies arising due to the impact of the modifiable areal unit problem on single-aggregation disease maps
Authors: Tuson Matthew , Yap Matthew , Kok Mei Ruu , Boruff Bryan , Murray Kevin , Vickery Alistair , Turlach Berwin A. , Whyatt David
Published: October 2020

Background

In disease mapping, fine-resolution spatial health data are routinely aggregated for various reasons, for example to protect privacy. Usually, such aggregation occurs only once, resulting in ‘single-aggregation disease maps’ whose representation of the underlying data depends on the chosen set of aggregation units. This dependence is described by the modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP). Despite an extensive literature, in practice, the MAUP is rarely acknowledged, including in disease mapping. Further, despite single-aggregation disease maps being widely relied upon to guide distribution of healthcare resources, potential inefficiencies arising due to the impact of the MAUP on such maps have not previously been investigated.

Results

We introduce the overlay aggregation method (OAM) for disease mapping. This method avoids dependence on any single set of aggregate-level mapping units through incorporating information from many different sets. We characterise OAM as a novel smoothing technique and show how its use results in potentially dramatic improvements in resource allocation efficiency over single-aggregation maps. We demonstrate these findings in a simulation context and through applying OAM to a real-world dataset: ischaemic stroke hospital admissions in Perth, Western Australia, in 2016.

Conclusions

The ongoing, widespread lack of acknowledgement of the MAUP in disease mapping suggests that unawareness of its impact is extensive or that impact is underestimated. Routine implementation of OAM can help avoid resource allocation inefficiencies associated with this phenomenon. Our findings have immediate worldwide implications wherever single-aggregation disease maps are used to guide health policy planning and service delivery.
Primary epithelioid angiosarcoma originating from the mandibular gingiva: a case report of an extremely rare oral lesion
Authors: Komatsu Yuko , Miyamoto Ikuya , Ohashi Yu , Katagiri Katsunori , Saito Daisuke , Obara Mizuki , Takeda Yasunori , Shiga Kiyoto , Yamada Hiroyuki
Published: October 2020

Background

Angiosarcoma occurs very rarely in the oral cavity, and the epithelioid type is even rarer. Here, we report a rare case involving an elderly man with a primary epithelioid angiosarcoma that originated from the mandibular gingiva and resembled a dentigerous cyst on radiographs.

Case presentation

A 66-year-old Japanese man visited our hospital with a chief complaint of gingival swelling in right mandibular third molar region. A panoramic radiograph showed bone resorption around the crown of right mandibular third molar, which was impacted. Incisional biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of epithelioid angiosarcoma. The lesion exhibited aggressive proliferation after biopsy resulting in uncontrolled bleeding and difficulty in closing the mouth. Mandibular segmental resection including the tumor was performed without reconstruction. Because of the aggressive preoperative course of the tumor, the patient received adjuvant chemotherapy. There were no signs of recurrence during a 2-year follow-up period.

Conclusions

A review of the literature yielded only four reported cases of epithelioid angiosarcoma in the jaw region, with the lesions occurring in the maxilla in three cases. To our knowledge, this is the second case of primary epithelioid angiosarcoma in the mandible.
Psychometric investigation of the French version of the Aberrant Salience Inventory (ASI): differentiating patients with psychosis, patients with other psychiatric diagnoses and non-clinical participants
Authors: Golay Philippe , Laloyaux Julien , Moga Mihaela , Della Libera Clara , Larøi Frank , Bonsack Charles
Published: October 2020

During the prodromal phase of psychosis, individuals may experience an aberrant attribution of salience to irrelevant stimuli. The concept of aberrant salience has been hypothesized to be a central mechanism in the emergence and maintenance of psychosis. The 29-item Aberrant Salience Inventory (ASI) was designed to measure five aspects of aberrant salience. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the French version of the ASI comparing patients with psychosis, patients with other diagnosis and healthy, non-clinical participants. The French-language ASI was adapted using the back-translation procedure. Two hundred and eighty-two participants issued from the general population and 150 psychiatric patients were evaluated. Internal validity was assessed using a two-parameter logistic item response model. Reliability was estimated using a test–retest procedure. Convergent validity was estimated using correlations between the ASI scores and several other scales. Sensitivity was evaluated by comparing the scores of participants with a diagnosis of psychosis, patients with other diagnoses and the general population. The best model distinguished three factors: Enhanced Interpretation and Emotionality, Sharpening of Senses and Heightened Cognition. Reliability and convergent validity estimates were good in both groups. The Sharpening of Senses factor was able to discriminate between patients and the general population. Only the Heightened Cognition factor was able to discriminate patients with psychosis from the other psychiatric patients. The ASI is a valid and reliable tool to study not only the aberrant salience phenomenon in patients with psychosis, but also with other diagnoses and within the general population.
Purification, structural analysis, and stability of antioxidant peptides from purple wheat bran
Authors: Zhao Yan , Zhao Qi , Lu Qingyu
Published: October 2020

Protein derived from purple wheat bran was hydrolyzed sequentially using alcalase proteases for the production of antioxidant peptides. Purple wheat bran protein (PWBP) hydrolysates were fractionated using size-exclusion (G-25) and ion-exchange chromatography methods to identify the structure of antioxidant peptides. The free radical scavenging activity of peptides purified from PWBP hydrolysates was evaluated using superoxide anion radical-scavenging activity and determination assays of Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC). Results demonstrated that purple wheat bran peptide F4-4 exhibited the highest antioxidant activity among other hydrolysates. F4-4 was further identified as Cys-Gly-Phe-Pro-Gly-His-Cys, Gln-Ala-Cys, Arg-Asn-Phe, Ser-Ser-Cys, and Trp-Phe by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) spectrometer coupled with Orbitrap Elite™ mass spectrometer (LC–MS/MS). Antioxidant peptides 2 and 4 showed improved stability when the temperature was lower than 80 °C. These peptides also demonstrated good digestive stability in vitro system by simulating gastrointestinal digestion.
Gene flow from transgenic soybean, developed to obtain recombinant proteins for use in the skin care industry, to non-transgenic soybean
Authors: Kim Do Young , Eom Min Sik , Kim Hye Jin , Ko Eun Mi , Pack In-Soon , Park Jung-Ho , Park Kee Woong , Nam Kyong-Hee , Oh Sung Duk , Kim Jae Kwang , Seo Ju Seok , Kim Chang-Gi
Published: October 2020

Soybean has been recognized as a useful platform for heterologous protein production. This study compared the pollen characteristics of transgenic and non-transgenic soybean and investigated the rate of gene flow from transgenic soybean events, developed to obtain recombinant proteins (such as human epidermal growth factor, insulin-like growth factor 1, or thioredoxin) for use in the skin care industry, to non-transgenic soybean under field conditions, and determined the distance at which gene flow could occur. The lack of significant differences in pollen grain size, viability and pollen germination rates between transgenic and non-transgenic cultivars indicates that the overexpression of transgenes did not alter pollen characteristics in soybean. The highest rates of gene flow from the three transgenic soybean events to non-transgenic soybean ranged from 0.22 to 0.46% at the closest distance (0.5 m). Gene flow was observed up to 13.1 m from the transgenic plots. Our data fell within the ranges reported in the literature and indicate that an isolation distance greater than at least 13 m from transgenic soybean is required to prevent within-crop gene flow in soybean. As the potential markets for transgenic crops as a recombinant protein factory increase, gene flow from transgenic to non-transgenic conventional crops will become a key decision factor for policy makers during the approval process of transgenic crops. Our study may provide useful baseline data for the prevention of transgenic soybean seed contamination caused by transgene flow.
Survey of psychiatrist use of digital technology in clinical practice
Authors: Bauer Rita , Glenn Tasha , Monteith Scott , Whybrow Peter C. , Bauer Michael
Published: October 2020

Background

Psychiatrists were surveyed to obtain an overview of how they currently use technology in clinical practice, with a focus on psychiatrists who treat patients with bipolar disorder.

Methods

Data were obtained using an online-only survey containing 46 questions, completed by a convenience sample of 209 psychiatrists in 19 countries. Descriptive statistics, and analyses of linear associations and to remove country heterogeneity were calculated.

Results

Virtually all psychiatrists seek information online with many benefits, but some experience information overload. 75.2% of psychiatrists use an EMR/EHR at work, and 64.6% communicate with patients using a new technology, primarily email (48.8%). 66.0% do not ask patients if they use the Internet in relation to bipolar disorder. 67.3% of psychiatrists feel it is too early to tell if patient online information seeking about bipolar disorder is improving the quality of care. 66.3% of psychiatrists think technology-based treatments will improve the quality of care for some or many patients. However, 60.0% of psychiatrists do not recommend technology-based treatments to patients, and those who recommend select a variety of treatments. Psychiatrists use technology more frequently when the patients live in urban rather than rural or suburban areas. Only 23.9% of psychiatrists have any formal training in technology.

Conclusions

Digital technology is routinely used by psychiatrists in clinical practice. There is near unanimous agreement about the benefits of psychiatrist online information-seeking, but research on information overload is needed. There is less agreement about the appropriate use of other clinical technologies, especially those involving patients. It is too early to tell if technology-based treatments or patient Internet activities will improve the quality of care. The digital divide remains between use of technology for psychiatrists with patients living in urban and rural or suburban areas. Psychiatrists need more formal training in technology to understand risks, benefits and limitations of clinical products.
Microfluidic resonators with two parallel channels for independent sample loading and effective density tuning
Authors: Lee Jungchul , Khan Faheem , Thundat Thomas , Lee Bong Jae
Published: October 2020

This paper reports doubly clamped microchannel embedded resonators with two independent and parallel channels integrated for effective sample density tuning for the first time. With the aid of such a unique design, each fluidic channel can be independently accessed thus different liquid samples can be loaded simultaneously. The proposed fluidic resonators are batch fabricated by depositing silicon nitride, polysilicon, and silicon nitride sequentially on top of a set of 4-inch silicon wafers and sacrificing the middle polysilicon layer with potassium hydroxide (KOH). The sacrificial process defines two parallel channels and releases doubly clamped beam resonators simultaneously. In addition, an off-chip vacuum clamp with optical and fluidic access is custom-made to operate each resonator with enhanced quality factor. The microfluidic resonators mounted on the custom vacuum clamp are thoroughly characterized with a laser Doppler vibrometer and used to measure the effective sample density ranging from 395 to 998 kg/m3.
Evaluation of activities of dipteran maggots on a poisoned pig cadaver at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria
Authors: Abajue Maduamaka Cyriacus , Ewuim Sylvanus Chima
Published: October 2020

Background

Forensic entomology is evolving intoentomotoxicology, which is a critical approach in forensic toxicology that alternatively assesses presence of toxins in insects that have eaten a decomposing cadaver. Toxic substances in or on a dead body may accumulate in the tissues of fly maggots while feeding on the body and thus may alter their developmental rate. Thus, four out of eight healthy pigs (Sus scrofaLinn.) that weighed on the average 22.3 ± 1.9 kg were sacrificed with zinc phosphide as food poison, while the remaining four pigs were sacrificed by strangulation during the rainy and dry seasons of 2014 and 2015 respectively. Their bodies were deposited in a building to mimic indoor decomposition. The building is on 6° 15′ 18.06″ N and 7° 06′ 41.37″ E at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. The effect of the zinc phosphide on the decomposition duration of the cadavers was monitored. Toxicological assessment of zinc and phosphorus on maggots found on the cadavers was performed with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

Findings

The zinc phosphide did not affect the decomposition duration of the cadaver and did not prolong or shortened the life cycle of the fly maggots when compared with the control (strangled pig cadaver). For the poisoned cadavers, the atomic absorption spectrophotometer detected zinc in the maggot tissues collected from them while phosphorus was not detected. Neither zinc nor phosphorus was detected in the maggot tissues collected from the strangled cadavers.

Conclusions

The study showed that the zinc component in the zinc phosphide commonly used as rodenticide in Awka can be detected in maggots collected from such a suspected poisoned cadaver. Other implications related to toxicological studies on cadaveric insects in forensic entomology and serving as alternative matrices in forensic toxicology in any questionable death were also highlighted.
Interactively tracking seismic geobodies with a deep-learning flood-filling network
Authors: Shi Yunzhi , Wu Xinming , Fomel Sergey
Published: October 2020

We have designed a deep-learning workflow to interactively track seismic geobodies. The algorithm is based on a flood-filling network, which performs iterative segmentation and moving the field of view (FoV). The proposed network takes the previous mask output, together with the seismic image in a new FoV, as a combined input to predict the mask at this FoV. The movement of the FoV is guided by the flood-filling algorithm to visit and segment the full extent of a geobody. Unlike conventional seismic image segmentation methods, the proposed workflow can not only detect geobodies, but it can also track individual geobody instances.
Application of brittleness index to interpret microseismic event distribution in a hydraulically fractured shale formation
Authors: Li Dewei , Yang Ruizhao , Meng Lingbin , Li Wang
Published: October 2020

Many factors can impact the location data of microseismic events, including natural fractures, rock lithology, in situ stress, and hydraulic-fracturing parameters. The distribution of microseismic events generally tends toward highly brittle areas or areas with brittle minerals. Moreover, location data of microseismic events lack effective evaluation methods. Therefore, we have developed a method to use lithologic information and prestack seismic data to explain the distribution of well Tian Xing microseismic events. We have analyzed the brittleness of the target formation through the well logs and core. We inverted the Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio based on simultaneous amplitude variation with offset inversion by the prestack seismic data. We then computed the 3D brittleness index (BI) property volume by Grieser and Rickman’s method. In addition, the microseismic event distribution and BI map were then combined to show the internal relationship between the two results. We found that the well logs and core analysis demonstrated that the target formation has high brittleness. Generally, areas with more natural fractures have a higher probability of inducing hydraulic fractures. However, the analysis results show that the BI has an impact on the distribution of hydraulic fractures. Therefore, BI explains the reason for the distribution of almost all events in the northeast of the perforation. These observations also supported the concept that microseismic events preferentially grow toward more brittle areas.
Introduction to special section: Integrated geophysical imaging
Authors: Filina Irina , Yalamanchili Rao , Re Simone , Colombo Daniele , Price Antony , Egorov Vsevolod , Liu Guimin
Published: October 2020

This special section illustrates the value of integration with nonseismic geophysical methods, namely potential fields (gravity and magnetics), electric and electromagnetic techniques. The primary objective is to overcome the overall underappreciation of these methods as exploration tools. We provide their brief overview and present nine case studies illustrating how the integrative approach to geophysical data analysis influences the overall result and reduces the uncertainty of the derived solution.
Prevalence of stroke in Pakistan: Findings from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa integrated population health survey (KP-IPHS) 2016-17
Authors: Sherin Akhtar , Ul-Haq Zia , Fazid  Sheraz , Shah Basharat Hussain , Khattak Maria Ishaq , Nabi Fazal
Published: October 2020

Objective: To study the prevalence of stroke and associated risk factors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province of Pakistan.

Methods: This study was a part of cross-sectional KP Integrated Population Health Survey 2016-17 conducted on population aging ≥18 years at 24 districts of KP. Primary (n=1061) and secondary sampling units (n=15724) were developed, based on urban/rural and socio-economic status. Each primary-unit comprised of 250-300 households. Sample was selected through a multi-staged stratified systematic cluster sampling technique by taking every 16th household per rural and every 12th household per urban-unit. A validated “Cincinnati Stroke Scale” for identification of stroke patients in community was used along with demographics and potential risk factors.

Results: Among the 15724 randomly selected households, 22500 participants (51.4% females; 74.6% rural areas, mean age 42±12.6 years) were interviewed. Stroke was identified in 271 cases (137 males, 134 females; Mean age=43.39±0.85 years) and prevalence of stroke was 1.2% (1200 per 100,000 population). Obesity/overweight (38.8%), hypertension (21.8%), smoking (6.6%) and known diabetes mellitus (5.9%) were the common associated risk factors of stroke. Age groups >60 years (adjusted OR=1.68; 95% CI: 1.05-2.68); urban area (adjusted OR=1.68; 95% CI: 1.29-2.19); unemployment (adjusted OR=3.78; 95% CI: 2.49-5.73) and lower formal (primary) education (adjusted OR 2.18; 95% CI: 1.30-3.64) were significantly associated with stroke (p <0.05).

Conclusion: Prevalence of stroke is 1.2% in the province of KP. Obesity, hypertension, smoking and Diabetes Mellitus are the common associated risk factors of stroke. Higher age, urban area, unemployment and lower formal education are significantly associated with stroke.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.7.2824

How to cite this:Sherin A, Ul-Haq Z, Fazid S, Shah BH, Khattak MI, Nabi F. Prevalence of stroke in Pakistan: Findings from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa integrated population health survey (KP-IPHS) 2016-17. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(7):1435-1440.   doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.7.2824

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Integração no canal de marcas próprias: visão estratégica e tática dos distribuidores
Authors: Braga Guilherme André , Freitas de Paula Vérica Marconi , Freitas de Paula Verônica Angélica
Published: October 2020

O consumidor passou a ser criterioso em relação às marcas próprias, culminando na maior integração entre distribuidores e fabricantes para entregar produtos no padrão demandado. Portanto, este estudo analisa o posicionamento entre os elos táticos e estratégicos de distribuidores que atuam no mercado de marcas próprias. Foram realizadas entrevistas com gestores em nível estratégico e tático, além de observações em loja. Os resultados revelam o fortalecimento da relação entre distribuidores e fabricantes e a crença de consolidação da estratégia no Brasil. Os entrevistados também acreditam que o consumidor passou a se atentar mais à origem das marcas próprias.
Bancos comunitários de desenvolvimento e cidadania: reflexões teóricas
Authors: Bezerra Leal Mariane Goretti de Sá , Cavalcante Carlos Eduardo , Lima Coelho Ana Lúcia de Araújo
Published: October 2020

Este ensaio atesta a teoria da Utilidade Social como a que melhor explica a conexão entre bancos comunitários e cidadania. Adotando a revisão sistemática de literatura como estratégia de pesquisa, a análise de 72 trabalhos coletados em bases virtuais de periódicos e anais de eventos possibilitou reflexões sobre diversas teorias, dentre elas, as teorias da Utilidade Social e Cidadania. No eixo teórico, o estudo colabora com a análise conjunta dessas duas teorias, até então estudadas isoladamente. No eixo de gestão, contribui para a efetividade das práticas dos bancos comunitários na oferta de produtos e serviços voltados à promoção da cidadania.
Condicionantes ambientais da avaliação da Pós-Graduação em Administração 2013-2016
Authors: Oliveira Rodrigo Teles Dantas de , Heber Florence
Published: October 2020

Este artigo objetivou compreender como processos ambientais previstos na Ecologia Organizacional influenciaram o declínio de notas de programas de pós-graduação (PPGs) em Administração na avaliação CAPES 2017. Estudo qualitativo, utilizou dados de entrevistas com coordenadores de sete PPGs, com a coordenação da CAPES, pesquisa documental e bibliográfica e observação não-participante. Os principais condicionantes do declínio foram: alterações dos critérios avaliativos, exigência do alto impacto na produção intelectual; ausência de apoio das instituições de ensino (regulação); crise e reorientações políticas/econômicas; retração do financiamento (oscilações políticas); precariedade nas ações de internacionalização e nas relações com agências de fomento e empresas (ligações institucionais).
Editorial
Authors: Moraes Joysi
Published: October 2020

Editorial
In vivo intravascular photoacoustic imaging at a high speed of 100 frames per second
Authors: Xie Zhihua , Shu Chengyou , Yang Daya , Chen Hao , Chen Chaobin , Dai Gang , Lam Kwok Ho , Zhang Jinke , Wang Xiatian , Sheng Zonghai , Gao Duyang , Liu Chengbo , Song Liang , Gong Xiaojing
Published: October 2020

Intravascular photoacoustic (IVPA) imaging technology enables the visualization of pathological characteristics (such as inflammation activities, lipid deposition) of the artery wall. Blood flushing is a necessary step in improving the imaging quality in in vivo IVPA imaging. But the limited imaging speed of the systems stretches their flushing time, which is an important obstacle of their clinical translations. In this paper, we report an improvement in IVPA/IVUS imaging speed to 100 frames per second. The high-speed imaging is demonstrated in rabbit in vivo, visualizing the nanoparticles accumulated on abdominal aorta wall at the wavelength of 1064 nm, in real time display. Blood flushing in vivo improves the IVPA signal-noise-ratio by around 3.5 dB. This study offers a stable, efficient and easy-to-use tool for instantaneous disease visualization and disease diagnosis in research and forwards IVPA/IVUS imaging technology towards clinical translations.
Effect of feeding rice gluten meal with and without enzymes on hematobiochemical profile of broiler chickens
Authors: Dinani Om Prakash , Tyagi Pramod Kumar , Tyagi Jagbir Singh , Bhanja Subrat Kumar , Rokade J. J.
Published: October 2020

Background and Aim: Blood and serological parameters are indicators of the health status of the birds and influenced by the type of feed and their nutrient composition. Scanty researches are available in rice gluten meal (RGM) regarding its effect of feeding with and without enzymes on hematology and serum biochemistry. This study was conducted for in vitro and in vivo investigation regarding feeding RGM without or with different enzymes on hematology and serum biochemistry of broiler chickens. The in vitro study was done to determine chemical composition of RGM used in the biological trial.

Materials and Methods: A biological experiment with 384 broiler chicks was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding RGM as soybean replacement without or with different enzymes on carcass characteristics in broiler chicken for 42 days. Two levels of RGM were taken (15% and 17.5%). Protease, xylanase, and multienzymes supplementation under different treatments were done.

Results: The RGM feeding and enzyme supplementation or their interaction revealed no significant (p>0.05) effects on the hematological parameters and serological parameters of broiler chickens except the significant (p<0.05) effect of enzyme supplementation on serum albumin and triglyceride values. The higher albumin values were observed in xylanase and protease supplemented birds and lower triglyceride values were observed in xylanase supplemented birds.

Conclusion: Thus, it may be concluded that RGM feeding at 15% or 17.5% inclusion level with or without enzymes had no adverse effect on hematobiochemical profile of broiler chickens.
Multifocal Cryoballoon Ablation for Eradication of Barrett's Esophagus-Related Neoplasia: A Prospective Multicenter Clinical Trial
Authors: Canto Marcia Irene , Trindade Arvind J. , Abrams Julian , Rosenblum Michael , Dumot John , Chak Amitabh , Iyer Prasad , Diehl David , Khara Harshit S. , Corbett F. Scott , McKinley Matthew , Shin Eun Ji , Waxman Irving , Infantolino Anthony , Tofani Christina , Samarasena Jason , Chang Kenneth , Wang Bingkai , Goldblum John , Voltaggio Lysandra , Montgomery Elizabeth , Lightdale Charles J. , Shaheen Nicholas J.
Published: October 2020

INTRODUCTION:

Ablation of Barrett's esophagus (BE) is the preferred approach for the treatment of neoplasia without visible lesions. Limited data on cryoballoon ablation (CBA) suggest its potential clinical utility. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of CBA in a multicenter study of patients with neoplastic BE.

METHODS:

In a prospective clinical trial, 11 academic and community centers recruited consecutive patients with BE of 1–6 cm length and low-grade dysplasia, high-grade dysplasia (HGD), or intramucosal adenocarcinoma (ImCA) confirmed by central pathology. Patients with symptomatic pre-existing strictures or visible BE lesions had dilation or endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), respectively, before enrollment. A nitrous oxide cryoballoon focal ablation system was used to treat all visible columnar mucosa in up to 5 sessions. Study end points included complete eradication of all dysplasia (CE-D) and intestinal metaplasia (CE-IM) at 1 year.

RESULTS:

One hundred twenty patients with BE with ImCA (20%), HGD (56%), or low-grade dysplasia (23%) were enrolled. In the intention-to-treat analysis, the CE-D and CE-IM rates were 76% and 72%, respectively. In the per-protocol analysis (94 patients), the CE-D and CE-IM rates were 97% and 91%, respectively. Postablation pain was mild and short lived. Fifteen subjects (12.5%) developed strictures requiring dilation. One patient (0.8%) with HGD progressed to ImCA, which was successfully treated with EMR. Another patient (0.8%) developed gastrointestinal bleeding associated with clopidogrel use. One patient (0.8%) had buried BE with HGD in 1 biopsy, not confirmed by subsequent EMR.

DISCUSSION:

In patients with neoplastic BE, CBA was safe and effective. Head-to-head comparisons between CBA and other ablation modalities are warranted (clinicaltrials.gov registration NCT02514525).
In Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis, Serum Keratin-18 Fragments Are Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Theragnostic Biomarkers
Authors: Atkinson Stephen R. , Grove Jane I. , Liebig Stephanie , Astbury Stuart , Vergis Nikhil , Goldin Robert , Quaglia Alberto , Bantel Heike , Guha Indra Neil , Thursz Mark R. , Newcombe Paul , Strnad Pavel , Aithal Guruprasad P.
Published: October 2020

INTRODUCTION:

Up to 40% of patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis (AH) die within 6 months of presentation, making prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment essential. We determined the associations between serum keratin-18 (K18) and histological features, prognosis, and differential response to prednisolone in patients with severe AH.

METHODS:

Total (K18-M65) and caspase-cleaved K18 (K18-M30) were quantified in pretreatment sera from 824 patients enrolled in the Steroids or Pentoxifylline for Alcoholic Hepatitis trial (87 with suitable histological samples) and disease controls.

RESULTS:

K18 fragments were markedly elevated in severe AH and strongly predicted steatohepatitis (alcoholic steatohepatitis) on biopsy (area under receiver operating characteristics: 0.787 and 0.807). Application of published thresholds to predict alcoholic steatohepatitis would have rendered biopsy unnecessary in 84% of all AH cases. K18-M30 and M65 were associated with 90-day mortality, independent of age and Model for End-stage Liver Disease score in untreated patients. The association for K18-M65 was independent of both age and Model for End-stage Liver Disease in prednisolone-treated patients. Modelling of the effect of prednisolone on 90-day mortality as a function of pretreatment serum K18 levels indicated benefit in those with high serum levels of K18-M30. At low pretreatment serum K18 levels, prednisolone was potentially harmful. A threshold of K18-M30 5 kIU/L predicted therapeutic benefit from prednisolone above this level (odds ratio: 0.433, 95% confidence interval: 0.19–0.95, P = 0.0398), but not below (odds ratio: 1.271, 95% confidence interval: 0.88–1.84, P = 0.199). Restricting prednisolone usage to the former group would have reduced exposure by 87%.

DISCUSSION:

In a large cohort of patients with severe AH, serum K18 strongly correlated with histological severity, independently associated with 90-day mortality, and predicted response to prednisolone therapy. Quantification of serum K18 levels could assist in clinical decision-making.
Effects of Diaphragmatic Breathing on the Pathophysiology and Treatment of Upright Gastroesophageal Reflux: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Halland Magnus , Bharucha Adil E. , Crowell Michael D. , Ravi Karthik , Katzka David A.
Published: October 2020

INTRODUCTION:

Uncontrolled results suggest that diaphragmatic breathing (DB) is effective in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) but the mechanism of action and rigor of proof is lacking. This study aimed to determine the effects of DB on reflux, lower esophageal sphincter (LES), and gastric pressures in patients with upright GERD and controls.

METHODS:

Adult patients with pH proven upright GERD were studied. During a high-resolution impedance manometry, study patients received a standardized pH neutral refluxogenic meal followed by LES challenge maneuvers (Valsalva and abdominal hollowing) while randomized to DB or sham. After that, patients underwent 48 hours of pH-impedance monitoring, with 50% randomization to postprandial DB during the second day.

RESULTS:

On examining 23 patients and 10 controls, postprandial gastric pressure was found to be significantly higher in patients compared with that in controls (12 vs 7 mm Hg, P = 0.018). Valsalva maneuver produced reflux in 65.2% of patients compared with 44.4% of controls (P = 0.035). LES increased during the inspiratory portion of DB (42.2 vs 23.1 mm Hg, P < 0.001) in patients and healthy persons. Postprandial DB reduced the number of postprandial reflux events in patients (0.36 vs 2.60, P < 0.001) and healthy subjects (0.00 vs 1.75, P < 0.001) compared with observation. During 48-hour ambulatory study, DB reduced the reflux episodes on day 2 compared with observation on day 1 in both the patient and control groups (P = 0.049). In patients, comparing DB with sham, total acid exposure on day 2 was not different (10.2 ± 7.9 vs 9.4 ± 6.2, P = 0.804). In patients randomized to DB, esophageal acid exposure in a 2-hour window after the standardized meal on day 1 vs day 2 reduced from 11.8% ±6.4 to 5.2% ± 5.1, P = 0.015.

DISCUSSION:

In patients with upright GERD, DB reduces the number of postprandial reflux events pressure by increasing the difference between LES and gastric pressure. These data further encourage studying DB as therapy for GERD.
Fendrix vs Engerix-B for Primo-Vaccination Against Hepatitis B Infection in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Chaparro María , Gordillo Jordi , Domènech Eugeni , Esteve Maria , Barreiro-de Acosta Manuel , Villoria Albert , Iglesias-Flores Eva , Blasi Mercedes , Naves Juan E. , Benítez Olga , Nieto Laura , Calvet Xavier , García-Sánchez Valle , Villagrasa José Ramón , Marin Alicia C. , Donday María G. , Abad-Santos Francisco , Gisbert Javier P.
Published: October 2020

INTRODUCTION:

To compare Engerix-B and Fendrix hepatitis B virus for primo vaccination in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

METHODS:

Patients with IBD were randomized 1:1 to receive Engerix-B double dose or Fendrix single dose at months 0, 1, 2, and 6. Anti-HBs titers were measured 2 months after the third and fourth doses. Response to vaccination was defined as anti-HBs ≥100 UI/L. Anti-HBs titers were measured 2 months after the third and fourth doses and again at 6 and 12 months after the fourth dose.

RESULTS:

A total of 173 patients were randomized (54% received Engerix-B and 46% Fendrix). Overall, 45% of patients responded (anti-HBs ≥100 IU/L) after 3 doses and 71% after the fourth dose. The response rate after the fourth dose was 75% with Fendrix vs 68% with Engerix-B (P = 0.3). Older age and treatment with steroids, immunomodulators, or anti–tumor necrosis factor were associated with a lower probability of response. However, the type of vaccine was not associated with the response. Anti-HBs titer negativization occurred in 13% of patients after 6 months and 20% after 12 months. Anti-HBs ≥100 IU/L after vaccination was the only factor associated with maintaining anti-HBs titers during follow-up.

DISCUSSION:

We could not demonstrate a higher response rate of Fendrix (single dose) over Engerix-B (double dose). A 4-dose schedule is more effective than a 3-dose regimen. Older age and treatment with immunomodulators or anti–tumor necrosis factors impaired the success. A high proportion of IBD patients with protective anti-HBs titers after vaccination loose them over time. The risk of losing protective anti-HBs titers is increased in patients achieving anti-HBs <100 IU/L after the vaccination.
Symptom Stability in Rome IV vs Rome III Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Barberio Brigida , Houghton Lesley A. , Yiannakou Yan , Savarino Edoardo V. , Black Christopher J. , Ford Alexander C.
Published: October 2020

INTRODUCTION:

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional bowel disorder, which follows a relapsing and remitting course. Little is known about how evolving definitions of IBS or treatment for the condition affect symptom stability. We conducted a 12-month longitudinal follow-up study of individuals who self-identified as having IBS to examine these issues.

METHODS:

We collected demographic, gastrointestinal symptom, mood, and psychological health data at baseline, and gastrointestinal symptom data at 12 months, from adults who self-identified as having IBS, registered with 3 organizations providing services to people with IBS. We applied the Rome III and Rome IV criteria simultaneously at baseline and 12 months and subtyped participants according to predominant stool form or frequency. We examined stability of a diagnosis of IBS, and stability of IBS subtype, for the Rome IV and III criteria separately and examined the effect of commencing new therapy on fluctuation of symptoms.

RESULTS:

Of 1,375 individuals recruited at baseline, 784 (57.0%) provided data at 12 months. Of these, 452 met the Rome IV criteria for IBS at baseline, of whom 133 (29.4%) fluctuated to another functional bowel disorder at 12 months. In the remaining 319 (70.6%) who still met the Rome IV criteria for IBS, IBS subtype changed in 101 (31.7%) subjects, with IBS with mixed bowel habit (IBS-M) the least stable. Commencing a new treatment for IBS did not affect symptom stability. Among 631 who met the Rome III criteria at baseline responding at 12 months, 104 (16.5%) fluctuated to another functional bowel disorder. In the 527 (83.5%) who still met the Rome III criteria for IBS, IBS subtype fluctuated in 129 (24.5%), with IBS-M the most stable subtype. Again, commencing a new treatment for IBS did not affect symptom stability.

DISCUSSION:

Fluctuation between functional bowel disorders and predominant stool subtype is common in people with IBS and does not appear to be influenced solely by treatment. Rome IV IBS appears less stable than Rome III IBS.
Risk of Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagus in Patients With Achalasia: A Long-Term Prospective Cohort Study in Italy
Authors: Zagari Rocco Maurizio , Marasco Giovanni , Tassi Valentina , Ferretti Stefano , Lugaresi Marialuisa , Fortunato Francesca , Bazzoli Franco , Mattioli Sandro
Published: October 2020

INTRODUCTION:

Epidemiological studies assessing relative risk and incidence rate of esophageal cancer in patients with achalasia are scarce. We performed a long-term prospective cohort study to evaluate the risk of both squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus in these patients.

METHODS:

Between 1973 and 2018, patients with primary achalasia were followed by the same protocol including upper endoscopy with esophageal biopsies. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to estimate the relative risk of esophageal cancer in patients with achalasia compared with the sex- and age-matched general population.

RESULTS:

A cohort of 566 patients with achalasia (46% men, mean age at diagnosis: 48.1 years) was followed for a mean of 15.5 years since the diagnosis of achalasia. Overall, 20 patients (15 men) developed esophageal cancer: 15 squamous cell carcinoma and 5 adenocarcinoma. The risk of esophageal cancer was significantly greater than the general population (SIR 104.2, 95% CI 63.7–161), and this for both squamous cell carcinoma (SIR 126.9, 95% CI 71.0–209.3) and adenocarcinoma (SIR 110.2, 95% CI 35.8–257.2). The excess risk was higher in men than women. Annual incidence rate of esophageal cancer was only 0.24% and was higher for squamous cell carcinoma (0.18%) than adenocarcinoma (0.06%).

DISCUSSION:

Patients with achalasia have an excess risk of developing both squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus; however, this prospective cohort study confirms that the annual incidence of esophageal cancer is rather low. These findings may have implications for endoscopic surveillance of patients with achalasia.
As origens dos nomes de pessoas
Authors: Carvalhinhos Patrícia de Jesus
Published: October 2020

Usar a língua e sua significação simbólica para apropriar-se do mundo tem sido uma constante desde os primórdios humanos. Analisar as origens dos nomes próprios não é diletantismo, mas sim uma forma séria de resgatar fatos sociais, culturais e religiosos, entre outros; fatos aparentemente perdidos, mas devidamente registrados nos fragmentos de significação intactos nos nomes. Este artigo se propõe a mostrar como isto é possível e quais as principais vertentes teóricas; a Onomástica, seja em sua vertente toponímica ou antroponímica, se vale da língua para detectar fatos e motivos superpostos durante os séculos, proporcionando um resgate de memória coletiva.
Representing “The Other India” in Transnational Public Spaces
Authors: Basu Maitrayee
Published: October 2020

Marlon Ross in his chapter in The Construction of Authorship (1994: 231) claims that what differentiates a writer from an author is the latter’s ability to “transmute” and “transport” knowledge to a public space, thus “transversing” the distance between the self and the other. Such knowledge or experience is then rendered “knowable, shareable and answerable”. This article explores some of the ways in which the Indian non-fiction writer and journalist, Sonia Faleiro, is positioned as someone with a privileged knowledge about the lives of Indian marginalised subjects, and the ability to translate those experiences for a transnational middle-class audience. She is also tasked with having an ‘authentic’ personality that her readers can relate to, interact with, and in some ways hold to account. This article, with its focus on empirically understanding Indian middlebrow writing, showcases some of the characteristics of literary celebrity in the postmodern cultural sphere, its focus on affective citizenship, and purported significance to upholding the cosmopolitan values of plurality, social justice and democracy.
Voices from the East: Svetlana Alexievich's and Hanna Krall's Literary Journalisms
Authors: Passos Mateus Yuri , Breccio Marchetto Arthur
Published: October 2020

In literary journalism, just like in fiction, reality is organized in ways that reflect the author's worldviews. Their choices in style and structure often result in unique ways for the reader to virtually experience the events told in reportages. Based on a close reading of excerpts from three books – one by the Polish writer Hanna Krall and two by the Belarusian reporter Svetlana Alexievich – we intend to understand features peculiar to literary journalism produced by Slavic women. Our goal is to identify the singularities in style and voice in each author's work, as well as their narrative and discourse strategies. In our findings, we understand that Svetlana Alexievich tends to present a mosaic of individual experience for the reader to grasp a broader sense of reality, while Hanna Krall's style is full of narrative discontinuities and gaps of information, an approach she believes is more truthful in emulating reality as it is experienced by her subjects.
L'expérience communielle dans la pratique narrative du JT vietnamien
Authors: Nguyen-Pochan Thi Thanh Phuong
Published: October 2020

Cet article s’interroge sur l’articulation de l’expérience communielle avec la dimension informationnelle dans un type du récit spécifique qualifié d’identificatoire. S’inspirant de la narratologie naturelle (Fludernik, 1996), nous envisageons la figure incarnée comme un dispositif de médiation de l’expérience qui renvoie d’une part à un ethos discursif du sujet-expériençant et d’autre part, au régime de croyance qui sous-tend l’adhésion aux valeurs traditionnelles de la culture. Prenant l’exemple de trois récits, retransmis au JT de 19 heures de la télévision vietnamienne, nous examinerons cette articulation à travers la construction de l’ethos discursif de la figure incarnée, le processus d’identification et d’incorporation du téléspectateur à cet ethos, et enfin, le degré d’expérientialité, ou effet de communion, permettant l’adhésion à la communauté imaginaire émanée de l’ethos discursif.
Genetic Analysis of Walnut (Juglans regia L.) Pellicle Pigment Variation Through a Novel, High-Throughput Phenotyping Platform
Authors: Sideli Gina M , McAtee Peter , Marrano Annarita , Allen Brian J , Brown Patrick J , Butterfield Timothy S , Dandekar Abhaya M , Leslie Charles A , Neale David B
Published: October 2020

Walnut pellicle color is a key quality attribute that drives consumer preference and walnut sales. For the first time a high-throughput, computer vision-based phenotyping platform using a custom algorithm to quantitatively score each walnut pellicle in L* a* b* color space was deployed at large-scale. This was compared to traditional qualitative scoring by eye and was used to dissect the genetics of pellicle pigmentation. Progeny from both a bi-parental population of 168 trees (‘Chandler’ × ‘Idaho’) and a genome-wide association (GWAS) with 528 trees of the UC Davis Walnut Improvement Program were analyzed. Color phenotypes were found to have overlapping regions in the ‘Chandler’ genetic map on Chr01 suggesting complex genetic control. In the GWAS population, multiple, small effect QTL across Chr01, Chr07, Chr08, Chr09, Chr10, Chr12 and Chr13 were discovered. Marker trait associations were co-localized with QTL mapping on Chr01, Chr10, Chr14, and Chr16. Putative candidate genes controlling walnut pellicle pigmentation were postulated.
Granulometric study and phosphorus analysis from soil of Maâmora Forest (Morocco)
Authors: Achelhi Karima , Zerki Nabih
Published: October 2020

The aims of this study is in the first time to characterize the granulometric composition and analyze the phosphorus content in the soil of Maâmora forest in two sites (Bled Dendonn) and (Sidi Amira) depending on the depth and location. Second time using the principal component analysis method for determine the correlations between different parameters analyzed.