bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Zoledronic Acid on Middle Ear Osteoporosis: An Animal Study
Authors: Surmelioglu Ozgur , Aydogan Feyha Kahya , Ozdemir Suleyman , Tarkan Ozgur , Uguz Aysun , Tuncer Ulku , Aydogan Lutfi Barlas
Published: December 2018

Hearing function in older patients may be related to bone structure. We conducted an experiment to evaluate the effect of zoledronic acid on osteoporotic middle ear ossicles in an animal model. Our subjects were 19 female New Zealand white rabbits (38 ears) weighing 2 to 4 kg. We divided the rabbits into three groups: one group consisted of 6 rabbits with osteoporotic ears that were treated with zoledronic acid; the second group was made up of 8 rabbits with osteoporotic ears that were not treated; a control group included 5 rabbits with normal ears that were untreated. After an oophorectomy, the 6 study rabbits were administered 0.1 ml/kg of zoledronic acid intravenously. All rabbits were sacrificed 16 weeks later, and the middle ear ossicles were removed for investigation under light microscopy. Although osteoporosis enhanced the osteoclastic bone resorption of the ossicles, zoledronic acid enhanced osteoblastic activity on osteoporotic middle ear ossicles. The incidence of osteoporosis was 93.8% in the untreated osteoporosis group and 33.3% in zoledronic acid group—a statistically significant difference (OR: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.58; p < 0.001). Osteoporosis appears to increase the resorption of the middle ear ossicles, a process that can be avoided with zoledronic acid administration. Prevention of the effects of osteoporosis in humans may help decrease the irreversible changes in the middle ear ossicles.
Beliefs about the Benefits of Breastfeeding: Formation and Effects on Breastfeeding Intention and Persistence
Authors: Topolyan Iryna , Xu Xu
Published: December 2018

Using data from the Infant Feeding Practices Survey (IFPS) II, we investigate whether women’s beliefs about the benefits of breastfeeding significantly affect breastfeeding intention and breastfeeding persistence. We uncover factors that affect women’s beliefs about the benefits of breastfeeding. Our model allows for the endogenous belief formation and could be extended to study a wide range of situations, including beliefs about the benefits of exercise, organic versus conventional food consumption and so on. We find that beliefs have a highly statistically significant effect on breastfeeding intention and the likelihood of breastfeeding at the third and sixth month, which suggests the potential usefulness of educational campaigns aimed at raising breastfeeding awareness. Beliefs are indeed endogenous in the model of breastfeeding intention but not of breastfeeding persistence.

JEL: D13, I10, I18, J13
Feel the commitment: From situational emotional information to venture goal commitment
Authors: Treffers Theresa , Klyver Kim , Nielsen Mette Søgaard , Uy Marilyn A
Published: December 2018

An individual’s commitment stimulates action, but we know little about how entrepreneurial commitment initially emerges. Utilising affect-as-information and the appraisal theory, our objective is to investigate the influence of situational emotional information on the venture goal commitment of individuals, defined as commitment to the goal of starting a new venture. Based on a correlational pilot study and an experimental scenario approach, we first link encouragement and discouragement provided by the individual’s parents and friends to venture goal commitment and test the mediating role of opportunity evaluation. Second, we find that emotional intelligence plays a moderating role in the relationship between situational emotional information and venture goal commitment as mediated through opportunity evaluation. Overall, our research underscores the emotional and cognitive mechanisms that shape venture goal commitment by explaining how and under which conditions situational emotional information is internalised and venture goal commitment emerges.
Shared decision-making within goal-setting in rehabilitation: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Rose Alice , Soundy Andy , Rosewilliam Sheeba
Published: December 2018

Objectives:

To assess the extent of shared decision-making within goal-setting meetings and explore patient-reported factors that influenced their participation to shared decision-making about their goals.

Design:

A two-phase explanatory sequential mixed-methods study, using questionnaires and interviews.

Setting:

A rehabilitation centre and patients’ homes.

Subjects:

Frail elderly patients.

Main Measures:

Quantitative data were collected after every patient’s goal-setting meeting using the Multifocal Approach to Sharing in Shared Decision Making (MAPPIN’SDM) questionnaire that assesses competencies relevant to shared decision-making. Shared decision-making was rated by an observer, patients and staff and compared. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews.

Results:

A total of 24 rehabilitation team members and 40 patients (mean age: 83 years) participated. All study participants felt that competency 7a (the language used by staff made sense to the patient) was observed in all meetings. Patients reported that for 22 of the meetings competency 4a, the advantages and disadvantages of rehabilitation, was not discussed. Games-Howell tests for direction of differences between groups showed significant difference ( P = 0.001) between patients and staff in whether patients’ problems were discussed. Nine patients’ interviews suggested that motivation, self-confidence, family support, preparing themselves, getting information about goal-setting and rehabilitation options could enable them to participate in shared decision-making. They suggested that staff should communicate clearly and demonstrate that they are listening to patients but without a paternalistic approach.

Conclusion:

Staff exhibited most shared decision-making competencies at a good level. However, patients highlighted problems with information sharing and felt staff might not be listening to them. Research and practice should explore tools to address these shortfalls.
An assisted structured reflection on life events and life goals in advanced cancer patients: Outcomes of a randomized controlled trial (Life InSight Application (LISA) study)
Authors: Kruizinga Renske , Scherer-Rath Michael , Schilderman Johannes BAM , Hartog Iris D , Van Der Loos Jacoba PM , Kotzé Hantie P , Westermann Anneke M , Klümpen Heinz-Josef , Kortekaas Francesco , Grootscholten Cecile , Bossink Frans , Schrama Jolanda , Van De Vrande Willem , Schrama Natascha AWP , Blokland Willem , De Vos Filip YFL , Kuin Annemieke , Meijer Wim G , Van Oijen Martijn GH , Sprangers Mirjam AG , Van Laarhoven Hanneke WM
Published: December 2018

Background:

Diagnosis and treatment of incurable cancer as a life-changing experience evokes difficult existential questions.

Aim:

A structured reflection could improve patients’ quality of life and spiritual well-being. We developed an interview model on life events and ultimate life goals and performed a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect thereof on quality of life and spiritual well-being.

Design:

The intervention group had two consultations with a spiritual counselor. The control group received care as usual. EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL and the FACIT-sp were administered at baseline and 2 and 4 months after baseline. Linear mixed model analysis was performed to test between-group differences over time.

Participants:

Adult patients with incurable cancer and a life expectancy ⩾6 months were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to the intervention or control group.

Results:

A total of 153 patients from six different hospitals were included: 77 in the intervention group and 76 in the control group. Quality of life and spiritual well-being did not significantly change over time between groups. The experience of Meaning/Peace was found to significantly influence quality of life ( β = 0.52, adj. R2 = 0.26) and satisfaction with life ( β = 0.61, adj. R2 = 0.37).

Conclusion:

Although our newly developed interview model was well perceived by patients, we were not able to demonstrate a significant difference in quality of life and spiritual well-being between groups. Future interventions by spiritual counselors aimed at improving quality of life, and spiritual well-being should focus on the provision of sources of meaning and peace.
Moving From Heart Failure Guidelines to Clinical Practice: Gaps Contributing to Readmissions in Patients With Multiple Comorbidities and Older Age
Authors: Iyngkaran Pupalan , Liew Danny , Neil Christopher , Driscoll Andrea , Marwick Thomas H , Hare David L
Published: December 2018

This feature article for the thematic series on congestive heart failure (CHF) readmissions aims to outline important gaps in guidelines for patients with multiple comorbidities and the elderly. Congestive heart failure diagnosis manifests as a 3-phase journey between the hospital and community, during acute, chronic stable, and end-of-life (palliative) phases. This journey requires in variable intensities a combination of multidisciplinary care within tertiary hospital or ambulatory care from hospital outpatients or primary health services, within the general community. Management goals are uniform, ie, to achieve the lowest New York Heart Association class possible, with improvement in ejection fraction, by delivering gold standard therapies within a CHF program. Comorbidities are an important common denominator that influences outcomes. Comorbidities include diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive airways disease, chronic renal impairment, hypertension, obesity, sleep apnea, and advancing age. Geriatric care includes the latter as well as syndromes such as frailty, falls, incontinence, and confusion. Many systems still fail to comprehensively achieve all aspects of such programs. This review explores these factors.
Has illicit drug use become normalised in groups of Swedish youth? A latent class analysis of school survey data from 2012 to 2015
Authors: Karlsson Patrik , Ekendahl Mats , Månsson Josefin , Raninen Jonas
Published: December 2018

Background:

It is often assumed that illicit drug use has become normalised in the Western world, as evidenced for example by increased prevalence rates and drug-liberal notions in both socially advantaged and disadvantaged youth populations. There is accumulating research on the characteristics of young illicit drug users from high-prevalence countries, but less is known about the users in countries where use is less common. There is reason to assume that drug users in low-prevalence countries may be more disadvantaged than their counterparts in high-prevalence countries, and that the normalisation thesis perhaps does not apply to the former context.

Aim:

This article aims to explore to what extent such assertions hold true by studying the characteristics of young illicit drug users in Sweden, where prevalence is low and drug policy centres on zero tolerance.

Material and Method:

We draw on a subsample ( n = 3374) of lifetime users of illicit drugs from four waves of a nationally representative sample of students in 9th and 11th grade (2012–2015). Latent class analysis (LCA) on ten indicators pertaining to illicit drug use identified four classes which we termed “Marijuana testers”, “Marijuana users”, “Cannabinoid users” and “Polydrug users”.

Findings:

Indications of social advantage/disadvantage such as peer drug use, early substance-use debut and truancy varied across groups, particularly between “Marijuana testers” (low scores) and “Polydrug users” (high scores).

Conclusions:

Our findings corroborate the idea that the majority of those who have used illicit drugs in the Swedish youth population have tried marijuana a few times only. We discuss whether or not the comparably large share of socially advantaged “Marijuana testers” in a comparably small sample of lifetime users can be interpreted as a sort of normalisation in a prohibitionist drug policy context.
1/f spectrum estimation based on α-stable distribution in colored Gaussian noise environments
Authors: Shi Yao-Wu , Wang Chen , Zhu Lan-Xiang , Deng Li-Fei , Shi Yi-Ran , Wang De-Min
Published: December 2018

The main goal of this paper is to suppress the effect of unavoidable colored Gaussian noise on declining accuracy of transistor 1/f spectrum estimation. Transistor noises are measured by a nondestructive cross-spectrum measurement method, which is first to amplify the voltage signals through ultra-low noise amplifiers, then input the weak signals into data acquisition card. The data acquisition card collects the voltage signals and outputs the amplified noise for further analysis. According to our studies, the output 1/f noise can be characterized more accurately as non-Gaussian α-stable distribution rather than Gaussian distribution. Therefore, by utilizing the properties of α-stable distribution, we propose a cross-spectrum method effective in noisy environments based on samples normalized cross-correlation function. Simulation results and diodes output noise spectrum estimation results confirm the effectiveness of our method.
The Intergenerational Effects of Intimate Partner Violence in Pregnancy: Mediating Pathways and Implications for Prevention
Authors: Murray Aja Louise , Kaiser Daniela , Valdebenito Sara , Hughes Claire , Baban Adriana , Fernando Asvini D. , Madrid Bernadette , Ward Catherine L. , Osafo Joseph , Dunne Michael , Sikander Siham , Walker Susan , Van Thang Vo , Tomlinson Mark , Eisner Manuel
Published: December 2018

Prenatal intimate partner violence (P-IPV) can have significant adverse impacts on both mother and fetus. Existing P-IPV interventions focus on the safety of the mother and on reducing revictimization; yet expanding these to address the adverse impact on the fetus has considerable potential for preventing long-term negative developmental outcomes. In this review, we draw together evidence on major pathways linking exposure to P-IPV and child outcomes, arguing that these pathways represent potential targets to improve P-IPV intervention efforts. Using a narrative review of 112 articles, we discuss candidate pathways linking P-IPV to child outcomes, as well as their implications for intervention. Articles were identified via key word searches of social science and medical databases and by inspection of reference lists of the most relevant articles, including recent reviews and meta-analyses. Articles were included if they addressed issues relevant to understanding the effects of P-IPV on child outcomes via six core pathways: maternal stress and mental illness, maternal–fetal attachment, maternal substance use, maternal nutritional intake, maternal antenatal health-care utilization, and infection. We also included articles relevant for linking these pathways to P-IPV interventions. We conclude that developing comprehensive P-IPV interventions that target immediate risk to the mother as well as long-term child outcomes via the candidate mediating pathways identified have significant potential to help reduce the global burden of P-IPV.
A Targeted Swallow Screen for the Detection of Postoperative Dysphagia in Liver Transplant Patients
Authors: Mukdad Laith , Toppen William , Nguyen Son , Kim Kwang , Mendelsohn Abie H. , Zarrinpar Ali , Benharash Peyman
Published: December 2018

Introduction:

Postoperative dysphagia leads to aspiration pneumonia, prolonged hospital stay, and is associated with increased mortality. We have demonstrated the validity of a bedside targeted swallow evaluation following cardiac surgery. Since dysphagia following liver transplantation is not well examined, we evaluated the efficacy of this swallow screen method in postoperative liver transplant patients.

Methods:

This was a prospective trial involving adult patients who underwent liver transplant surgery at our institution over a 5-month period. Within 24 hours of extubation and prior to the initiation of oral intake, all patients were evaluated using the targeted swallow screen, which is a direct assessment of mental status and laryngeal sensation/elevation upon swallowing of progressively larger amounts of water. A fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing was requested for failed screenings.

Results:

During the study, 50 patients were screened. Twenty (40%) failed the targeted swallow screen, while 18 (90%)/20 failed the subsequent fiberoptic endoscopic examination (overall dysphagia incidence = 40%). Patients with dysphagia were older and had significantly longer intensive care unit and hospital stays. The screening test had a 90% sensitivity and a specificity of 83% for detecting dysphagia.

Conclusion:

The true incidence of dysphagia following liver transplantation appears to be significantly higher than previously recognized. A simple bedside swallow screen can efficiently screen these patients for dysphagia. Our findings require further validation and may support programs for reduction and early detection of dysphagia.
Custom-Made Iliac Fenestrated Device
Authors: Taher Fadi , Assadian Afshin , Plimon Markus , Walter Corinna , Uhlmann Miriam , Falkensammer Juergen
Published: December 2018

Iliac branch devices (IBDs) are undergoing rapid popularization. They allow for treatment of an iliac aneurysm while preserving blood flow to the hypogastric artery. Certain anatomic criteria are necessary for the use of an iliac side branch device to be technically feasible. Custom-made fenestrated iliac stent grafts may provide an alternative when anatomic criteria for an IBD are not met.
Humeral head histopathological changes in cuff tear arthropathy
Authors: Toma Takashi , Suenaga Naoki , Taniguchi Noboru , Oizumi Naomi , Yamaguchi Hiroshi , Tome Yasunori , Kanaya Fuminori
Published: December 2018

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to investigate the histopathological changes in the humeral head in cuff tear arthropathy (CTA) compared with those in glenohumeral osteoarthritis (OA) and humeral neck fracture, which served as non-cuff tear controls.

Methods:

Twenty-three humeral heads extracted at the time of shoulder prosthesis arthroplasty between June 2014 and July 2015 were evaluated in the present study. The diagnoses included four-part humeral neck fracture ( n = 4; average age, 85.0 years), glenohumeral OA ( n = 4; average age, 71.0 years), and CTA ( n = 15; average age, 73.0 years). The humeral heads were evaluated pathologically by hematoxylin and eosin and Safranin-O staining, and the thickness of the articular cartilage was measured.

Results:

Fibrillation, thinning, and tearing of the cartilage were observed in the superior area of the humeral heads in CTA and glenohumeral OA. In CTA cases, clusters of chondrocytes in the cartilage were observed. Moreover, the thickness of the cartilage layer in the middle of the humeral head was 1.54 ± 0.07, 0.32 ± 0.46, and 2.19 ± 0.50 mm in humeral neck fracture, glenohumeral OA, and CTA, respectively. The cartilage layer in CTA was thicker than that in glenohumeral OA (CTA vs. OA: p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

OA changes in the superior area of the humeral heads and thickening of the cartilage layer from the middle to the inferior of the humeral heads were confirmed histopathologically, suggesting that simultaneous mechanical and nutritional factors might be contributing to CTA pathogenesis. The current study provided the better understanding of cartilage damage and thickening in CTA. This will help guide treatment options in the setting of CTA.
Postpartum Pseudoaneurysm After Cesarean Delivery
Authors: DiGiacinto Dora , Bagley Jennifer E. , Gildon Bradford , Cantrell Gina
Published: December 2018

Uterine artery pseudoaneurysm is an uncommon vascular lesion that can be life threatening. A ruptured uterine artery pseudoaneurysm can cause acute massive hemorrhaging, creating a true emergency for the postpartum patient. The etiology is more commonly seen with traumatic procedures such as cesarean delivery or curettage. This case report is of a patient with a history of HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count) syndrome who presented with heavy bleeding after a cesarean delivery. Sonography was primarily used to diagnose the uterine artery pseudoaneurysm. Because of the massive hemorrhaging in this case, a hysterectomy was performed.
Sex Alters the MHC Class I HLA-A Association With Polyglandular Autoimmunity
Authors: Flesch Brigitte K , König Jochem , Frommer Lara , Hansen Martin P , Kahaly George J
Published: December 2018

Context

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) strongly contributes to the development of polyglandular autoimmunity (PGA).

Objective

To evaluate the impact of sex on human leukocyte antigen (HLA) association with PGA for the first time.

Design

Cross-sectional immunogenetic study.

Setting

Academic tertiary referral Orphan Disease Center for PGA (ORPHA 282196) and immunogenetics laboratory.

Subjects

Patients (158) with coexistent type 1 diabetes and autoimmune thyroid disease (adult type 3 PGA, ORPHA 227982) and 479 unrelated healthy controls.

Interventions

All 637 white subjects were typed for HLA-A, -B, -DRB1, -DQA1, and -DQB1 alleles at a two-field level.

Main Outcome Measures

Modification of the gene-disease association by sex.

Results

MHC class I HLA-A association was sex related to both the total white adult type 3 PGA collective (n = 158, P = 0.0065), as well as in PGA patients with autoimmune Hashimoto thyroiditis (n = 91, P = 0.010). Compared with HLA-A*02:01, A*11:01 was over-represented in male patients, yet under-represented in women (OR 1.49, 95% CI 0.55 to 3.88 vs 0.42, 0.12 to 1.17). A*24:02 was under-represented in male but not in female patients (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.11 to 1.04 vs 1.19, 0.65 to 2.15). With the exclusion of the five most frequent alleles (A*01:01, A*02:01, A*03:01, A*11:01, and A*24:02), the sum of all other identified alleles was under-represented in male patients (OR 0.37, 0.18 to 0.72, P = 0.0046). The strong MHC HLA-B association with PGA (P < 0.0001) was not sex related (P = 0.55). Furthermore, no interaction with sex was observed for the MHC class II HLA-DRB1, -DQA1, and -DQB1 alleles.

Conclusion

MHC class I HLA-A association with type 3 PGA is significantly affected by sex.
Exposure to Gestational Diabetes Is a Stronger Predictor of Dysmetabolic Traits in Children Than Size at Birth
Authors: Kampmann Freja Bach , Thuesen Anne Cathrine Baun , Hjort Line , Olsen Sjurdur Frodi , Pires Sara Monteiro , Tetens Inge , Grunnet Louise Groth
Published: December 2018

Context and Objective

Being born small or large for gestational age and intrauterine exposure to gestational diabetes (GDM) increase the risk of type 2 diabetes in the offspring. However, the potential combined deleterious effects of size at birth and GDM exposure remains unknown. We examined the independent effect of size at birth and the influence of GDM exposure in utero on cardiometabolic traits, body composition, and puberty status in children.

Design, Participants, and Methods

The present study was a longitudinal birth cohort study. We used clinical data from 490 offspring of mothers with GDM and 527 control offspring aged 9 to 16 years, born singleton at term from the Danish National Birth Cohort with available birthweight data.

Results

We found no evidence of a U-shaped association between size at birth (expressed as birthweight, sex, and gestational age adjusted z-score) and cardiometabolic traits. Body size in childhood and adolescence reflected the size at birth but was not reflected in any metabolic outcome. No synergistic adverse effect of being born small or large for gestational age and exposure to GDM was shown. However, GDM was associated with an adverse metabolic profile and earlier onset of female puberty in childhood and adolescence independently of size at birth.

Conclusion

In childhood and adolescence, we found GDM was a stronger predictor of dysmetabolic traits than size at birth. The combination of being born small or large and exposed to GDM does not exacerbate the metabolic profile in the offspring.
Management of Comatose Survivors of Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Seder David B.
Published: December 2018

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Because the whole-body ischemia-reperfusion insult associated with cardiac arrest often results in brain injury, neurologists perform an important role in postresuscitation cardiac arrest care. This article provides guidance for the assessment and management of brain injury following cardiac arrest.

RECENT FINDINGS

Neurologists have many roles in postresuscitation cardiac arrest care: (1) early assessment of brain injury severity to help inform triage for invasive circulatory support or revascularization; (2) advocacy for the maintenance of a neuroprotective thermal, hemodynamic, biochemical, and metabolic milieu; (3) detection and management of seizures; (4) development of an accurate, multimodal, and conservative approach to prognostication; (5) application of shared decision-making paradigms around the likely outcomes of therapy and the goals of care; and (6) facilitation of the neurocognitive assessment of survivors. Therefore, optimal management requires early neurologist involvement in patient care, a detailed knowledge of postresuscitation syndrome and its complex interactions with prognosis, expertise in bringing difficult cases to their optimal conclusions, and a support system for survivors with cognitive deficits.

Neurologists have a critical role in postresuscitation cardiac arrest care and are key participants in the treatment team from the time of first restoration of a perfusing heart rhythm through the establishment of rehabilitation services for survivors.
Bexarotene – a novel modulator of AURKA and the primary cilium in VHL-deficient cells
Authors: Chowdhury Pratim , Powell Reid T. , Stephan Clifford , Uray Ivan P. , Talley Tia , Karki Menuka , Tripathi Durga Nand , Park Yong Sung , Mancini Michael A. , Davies Peter , Dere Ruhee
Published: December 2018

Loss of the gene von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) is associated with loss of primary cilia and is causally linked to elevated levels of Aurora kinase A (AURKA). We developed an image-based high-throughput screening (HTS) assay using a dual-labeling image analysis strategy that identifies both the cilium and the basal body. By using this strategy, we screened small-molecule compounds for the targeted rescue of cilia defects associated with VHL deficiency with high accuracy and reproducibility. Bexarotene was identified and validated as a positive regulator of the primary cilium. Importantly, the inability of an alternative retinoid X receptor (RXR) agonist to rescue ciliogenesis, in contrast to bexarotene, suggested that multiple bexarotene-driven mechanisms were responsible for the rescue. We found that bexarotene decreased AURKA expression in VHL-deficient cells, thereby restoring the ability of these cells to ciliate in the absence of VHL. Finally, bexarotene treatment reduced the propensity of subcutaneous lesions to develop into tumors in a mouse xenograft model of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), with a concomitant decrease in activated AURKA, highlighting the potential of bexarotene treatment as an intervention strategy in the clinic to manage renal cystogenesis associated with VHL deficiency and elevated AURKA expression.
Distinct metabolic adjustments arise from acclimation to constant hypoxia and intermittent hypoxia in estuarine killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus)
Authors: Borowiec Brittney G. , McClelland Grant B. , Rees Bernard B. , Scott Graham R.
Published: December 2018

Many fish experience daily cycles of hypoxia in the wild, but the physiological strategies for coping with intermittent hypoxia are poorly understood. We examined how killifish adjust O2 supply and demand during acute hypoxia, and how these responses are altered after prolonged acclimation to constant or intermittent patterns of hypoxia exposure. We acclimated killifish to normoxia (∼20 kPa O2), constant hypoxia (2 kPa) or intermittent cycles of nocturnal hypoxia (12 h:12 h normoxia:hypoxia) for 28 days, and then compared whole-animal O2 consumption rates (ṀO2) and tissue metabolites during exposure to 12 h of hypoxia followed by reoxygenation in normoxia. Normoxia-acclimated fish experienced a pronounced 27% drop in ṀO2 during acute hypoxia, and modestly increased ṀO2 upon reoxygenation. They strongly recruited anaerobic metabolism during acute hypoxia, indicated by lactate accumulation in plasma, muscle, liver, brain, heart and digestive tract, as well as a transient drop in intracellular pH, and they increased hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α protein abundance in muscle. Glycogen, glucose and glucose-6-phosphate levels suggested that glycogen supported brain metabolism in hypoxia, while the muscle used circulating glucose. Acclimation to constant hypoxia caused a stable ∼50% decrease in ṀO2 that persisted after reoxygenation, with minimal recruitment of anaerobic metabolism, suggestive of metabolic depression. By contrast, fish acclimated to intermittent hypoxia maintained sufficient O2 transport to support normoxic ṀO2, modestly recruited lactate metabolism and increased ṀO2 dramatically upon reoxygenation. Both groups of hypoxia-acclimated fish had similar glycogen, ATP, intracellular pH and HIF-1α levels as normoxic controls. We conclude that different patterns of hypoxia exposure favour distinct strategies for matching O2 supply and O2 demand.
Hif-1α paralogs play a role in the hypoxic ventilatory response of larval and adult zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Mandic Milica , Tzaneva Velislava , Careau Vincent , Perry Steve F.
Published: December 2018

Hypoxia inducible factor (Hif) 1α, an extensively studied transcription factor, is involved in the regulation of many biological processes in hypoxia including the hypoxic ventilatory response. In zebrafish, there are two paralogs of Hif-1α (Hif-1A and Hif-1B), but little is known about the specific roles or potential sub-functionalization of the paralogs in response to hypoxia. Using knockout lines of Hif-1α paralogs, we examined their involvement in the hypoxic ventilatory response, measured as ventilation frequency (fV) in larval and adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). In wild-type zebrafish, fV increased across developmental time [4 days post fertilization (dpf), 7 dpf, 10 dpf and 15 dpf] in response to hypoxia (55 mmHg). In contrast, the Hif-1B knockout fish did not exhibit an increase in hypoxic fV at 4 dpf. Similar to wild-types, as larvae of all knockout lines developed, the magnitude of fV increased but to a lesser degree than in the wild-type larvae, until 15 dpf at which point there was no difference among the genotypes. In adult zebrafish, only in Hif-1B knockout fish was there an attenuation in fV during sustained exposure to 30 mmHg for 1 h but no effect when exposed for a shorter duration to progressive hypoxia. The mechanism of action of Hif-1α, in part, may be through its downstream target, nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and its product, nitric oxide (NO). Overall, the effect of each Hif-1α paralog on the hypoxic ventilatory response of zebrafish varies over development and is dependent on the type of hypoxic stress.
Mapping of microRNAs related to cervical cancer in Latin American human genomic variants
Authors: Guerrero Flórez Milena , Guerrero Gómez Olivia Alexandra , Mena Huertas Jaqueline , Yépez Chamorro María Clara
Published: December 2018

Background: MicroRNAs are related to human cancers, including cervical cancer (CC) caused by HPV. In 2018, approximately 56.075 cases and 28.252 deaths from this cancer were registered in Latin America and the Caribbean according to GLOBOCAN reports. The main molecular mechanism of HPV in CC is related to integration of viral DNA into the hosts’ genome. However, the different variants in the human genome can result in different integration mechanisms, specifically involving microRNAs (miRNAs).

Methods: The miRNAs associated with CC were obtained from literature, the miRNA sequences and four human genome variants (HGV) from Latin American populations were obtained from miRBase and 1000 Genomes Browser, respectively. HPV integration sites near cell cycle regulatory genes were identified. miRNAs were mapped on HGV. miRSNPs were identified in the miRNA sequences located at HPV integration sites on the Latin American HGV. 

Results: Two hundred seventy-two miRNAs associated with CC were identified in 139 reports from different geographic locations. By mapping with Blast-Like Alignment Tool (BLAT), 2028 binding sites were identified from these miRNAs on the human genome (version GRCh38/hg38); 42 miRNAs were located on unique integration sites; and miR-5095, miR-548c-5p and miR-548d-5p were involved with multiple genes related to the cell cycle. Thirty-seven miRNAs were mapped on the Latin American HGV (PUR, MXL, CLM and PEL), but only miR-11-3p, miR-31-3p, miR-107, miR-133a-3p, miR-133a-5p, miR-133b, miR-215-5p, miR-491-3p, miR-548d-5p and miR-944 were conserved.

Conclusions: Ten miRNAs were conserved in the four HGV. In the remaining 27 miRNAs, substitutions, deletions or insertions were observed. These variation patterns can imply differentiated mechanisms towards each genomic variant in human populations because of specific genomic patterns and geographic features. These findings may help in determining susceptibility for CC development. Further identification of cellular genes and signalling pathways involved in CC progression could lead new therapeutic strategies based on miRNAs.
An accessible GenePattern notebook for the copy number variation analysis of Illumina Infinium DNA methylation arrays
Authors: Mah Clarence K. , Mesirov Jill P. , Chavez Lukas
Published: December 2018

Illumina Infinium DNA methylation arrays are a cost-effective technology to measure DNA methylation at CpG sites genome-wide and across cohorts of normal and cancer samples. While copy number alterations are commonly inferred from array-CGH, SNP arrays, or whole-genome DNA sequencing, Illumina Infinium DNA methylation arrays have been shown to detect copy number alterations at comparable sensitivity. Here we present an accessible, interactive GenePattern notebook for the analysis of copy number variation using Illumina Infinium DNA methylation arrays. The notebook provides a graphical user interface to a workflow using the R/Bioconductor packages minfi and conumee. The environment allows analysis to be performed without the installation of the R software environment, the packages and dependencies, and without the need to write or manipulate code.
Model of the Regional Network of School of Olympic Reserve in Computer Science
Authors: Цветкова М. , Tsvetkova Marina , Кирюхин В. , Kiryukhin V.
Published: December 2018

The article deals with the models of the formation of the olympic reserve network school in the Russian Federation as a single environment of the olympiad training of students-participants of the all-Russian olympiad, on the example of the olympiad in Informatics. It is proposed to make full use of network models of educational activities in the integration of schools, universities, organizations of additional education of children in preparation for the olympics, allowing to create and constantly develop an environment of continuous training of participants in the subject of the Russian Federation in partnership with coaches and mentors.
Problems of destructive relations in oficial collectives of organs of internal affairs
Authors: Михайлова Татьяна , Mihaylova Tat'yana , Джонов Айс , Dshonov Ais
Published: December 2018

Considering the conditions and specifics of work, the constant tension of the labor process, service in the organs of internal affairs is undoubtedly one of the most difficult types of professional activity. Thus, according to the indicators of tension, it belongs to the 3rd class of complexity.

Practically all areas of operational and service activity of the internal Affairs bodies imply collective work, with a large number of employees United by the solution of complex state tasks on protection of life, health, rights and freedoms of citizens of the Russian Federation, foreign citizens, stateless persons, for combating crime, protection of public order, property and for ensuring public safety.

In such a situation, special attention should be paid to the moral and psychological climate, which is formed in one or another staff of the internal Affairs bodies as a result of constant interaction both in office and outside it.

In modern conditions of constant reforming, optimization of structure and regular number of the Ministry of internal Affairs among employees of law-enforcement bodies various negative interrelations which in General can be characterized as destructive are shown.

The need to strengthen the discipline among the employees of the internal Affairs bodies by constantly monitoring the socio-psychological climate in the team and the formation of optimal relationships in the service teams is one of the most important psychological and pedagogical tasks of the entire management of the Ministry of internal Affairs at all levels.
Organization of firearm training in the territorial bodies of the Ministry of internal Affairs of Russia
Authors: Пырчев Сергей , Pyrchev Sergey
Published: December 2018

The article is about basics of the organization of firearm training. Algorithms of the head of firing practice, the assistant to the head of firing practice are revealed. Specific recommendations are given to optimize the process of fire training organization. Attention is focused on some features of the organization and conduct of fire training in the territorial bodies of the Ministry of internal Affairs of Russia.
Static Routing in Stochastic Scheduling: Performance Guarantees and Asymptotic Optimality
Authors: Balseiro Santiago R. , Brown David B. , Chen Chen
Published: December 2018

Scheduling problems have a deep and well-developed literature in both operations research and computer science. Stochastic scheduling problems with many jobs are notoriously difficult, and optimal policies may require constant tracking of the elapsed time of all jobs in process. When the processors (or “machines”) are identical, a policy that simply schedules jobs in fixed order of job weight to expected processing time—the WSEPT rule—is asymptotically optimal when the number of jobs is large. Much less understood is the case with specialized (or “unrelated”) machines (i.e., each job’s processing distribution may vary across machines). In “Static Routing in Stochastic Scheduling: Performance Guarantees and Asymptotic Optimality,” Balseiro, Brown, and Chen study stochastic scheduling with unrelated machines. The authors study a simple static routing policy that (i) assigns jobs to machines up front and (ii) schedules the jobs on each machine in the WSEPT order. This static routing policy depends only on job processing times through their expected values and is easy to compute with a single convex optimization problem. The authors explicitly characterize the performance loss of this static routing policy relative to an optimal scheduling policy; this result implies that this static routing policy is asymptotically optimal in the regime of many jobs.
LUTA LGBTQ EM PORTUGAL: DUAS DÉCADAS DE HISTÓRIAS, MEMÓRIAS E RESISTÊNCIAS
Authors: Santos Ana Cristina
Published: December 2018

Apesar de avanços significativos no reconhecimento formal de direitos LGBTQ em Portugal, a história deste movimento permanece pouco estudada internacionalmente. Este artigo visa contribuir para a memória coletiva de um movimento social notável. O artigo encontra-se estruturado em três secções: na primeira, serão analisadas transformações associadas aos campos da lei e da política partidária; a segunda secção considera o progresso verificado na cobertura noticiosa dada a temas LGBTQ; por fim, na terceira secção apresento o conceito de ativismo sincrético demonstrando o seu potencial analítico no que se reporta a compreender duas décadas de histórias, memórias e resistências do movimento LGBTQ em Portugal.
CORPOS TRANSVIADOS, CORPOS FALHADOS: A ARTE QUEER DO FRACASSO NO DESPORTO
Authors: Santos Ana
Published: December 2018

A partir do lugar desafiante que corpos protésicos e corpos intersexo ocupam no desporto, proponho pensá-los como uma interrupção positiva na “normalidade”, com potencial político na criação de uma identidade híbrida que recusa o encaixe em categorias estanques, tanto de género como de corporeidades (capaz/incapaz, “normal”/ “deficiente”). Para referir-me a essa interrupção positiva faço uso de um conceito trabalhado pelo feminismo digital – glitch –, usado como metáfora dos erros em códigos binários, e situarei estes corpos transviados como lugares de resistência ao regime capacitista à luz da teoria crip desenvolvida por Robert McRuer e da teoria da arte do fracasso de J. Halberstam.
Building bricks and resilience
Authors: Barker Karen
Published: December 2018

Total concentration, a way to switch off and a form of expression: building bricks are being reborn as tools for therapy and reflection. Karen Barker explains why Lego is not just for children
Weight management during teenage pregnancy: Issues to consider when developing appropriate support
Authors: Olander Ellinor , Lucas Grace , Salmon Debra
Published: December 2018

Teenage pregnancy is more prevalent in areas of high obesity, compared to areas where obesity levels are low. Risks associated with maternal obesity in pregnant teenagers include pre-eclampsia and caesarean delivery. To reduce these risks, pregnant teenagers need to be supported to gain a healthy weight in pregnancy. This includes encouraging these women to eat healthily through providing appropriate information including online or smartphone apps in conjunction with face-to-face support. These young women also need encouragement to be physically active. This support must be tailored to the teenage population considering their specific barriers and facilitators to behaviour change. Midwives with the aid of a multidisciplinary team play a key role in encouraging these healthy behaviours.
The National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program: Over 20 Years of Improving Hemoglobin A1c Measurement
Authors: Little Randie R , Rohlfing Curt , Sacks David B
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUND

Measurement of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in the blood is integral to and essential for the treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus. HbA1c reflects the mean blood glucose concentration over the preceding 8 to 12 weeks. Although the clinical value of HbA1c was initially limited by large differences in results among various methods, the investment of considerable effort to implement standardization has brought about a marked improvement in analysis.

CONTENT

The focus of this review is on the substantial progress that has been achieved in enhancing the accuracy and, therefore, the clinical value of HbA1c assays.

The interactions between the National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program and manufacturers of HbA1c methods have been instrumental in standardizing HbA1c. Proficiency testing using whole blood has allowed accuracy-based assessment of methods in individual clinical laboratories that has made an important contribution to improving the HbA1c measurement in patient samples. These initiatives, supported by the efforts of the IFCC network, have led to a continuing enhancement of HbA1c methods.

Many of the factors that previously influenced HbA1c results independently of blood glucose have been eliminated from most modern methods. These include carbamylation, labile intermediates, and common hemoglobin variants. Nevertheless, some factors (e.g., race and aging) may alter HbA1c interpretation, but whether these differences have clinical implications remains contentious. HbA1c has a fundamental role in the diagnosis and management of diabetes. Ongoing improvements in HbA1c measurement and quality will further enhance the clinical value of this analyte.
Science Fiction im Hörspielmodus
Authors: Wirth Felix
Published: December 2018

Felix Wirth untersucht in seinem Beitrag die Produktion von Science-Fiction-Hörspielen beim Radio der deutschsprachigen Schweiz. Er widmet sich dazu den klanglichen Techniken und Praktiken, die das Science-Fiction-Genre im Hörspielformat hervorgebracht hat. Die Inszenierungen fiktionaler Welten mithilfe akustischer Zeichenträger wie Musik, Stimme oder Geräusche bilden den Schwerpunkt des Artikels. Der Einbezug von Hörspielen aus verschiedenen Dekaden des 20. Jahrhunderts liefert dabei aufschlussreiche Erkenntnisse über die historische Entwicklung radiofoner Science Fiction in der Deutschschweiz. Mit Blick auf die institutionellen Rahmenbedingungen wird der Artikel unter anderem aufzeigen, dass gerade auch spezifisch schweizerische Vorstellungen die Geschichte des Science-Fiction-Hörspiels entscheidend mitgeprägt haben.
Liebe als Alibi
Authors: Mosser Peter
Published: December 2018

Ausgehend von einem umfassenden Literaturüberblick zu Prävalenz, Entstehungsbedingungen und Charakteristika von (sexualisierter) Gewalt in formalen Bildungseinrichtungen werden zentrale Erkenntnisse aus Tiefenanalysen exemplarisch ausgewählter Institutionen vorgestellt. Dabei zeigt sich, dass zwischen so unterschiedlichen pädagogischen Kontexten wie katholischen Internaten (Ettal, Kremsmünster) einerseits und der reformpädagogischen Odenwaldschule andererseits überraschende systemische Parallelen, die Gewalt begünstigten, bestanden. Bedeutsam sind dabei ideologisch begründbare Instrumentalisierungen des Liebesbegriffs, wie sie in Konzepten wie »Nächstenliebe«, »Liebe zum Kind« oder »pädagogischer Eros« zum Ausdruck kommen. Die inzwischen unbestreitbare Tatsache weitreichender sexualisierter Gewalt in pädagogischen Kontexten führt zu einer nachhaltigen Desavouierung von Liebe als pädagogischer Kategorie in formalen Bildungseinrichtungen. Konzepte von Bindung und Feinfühligkeit eignen sich daher wesentlich besser, um das Problem von pädagogischer Nähe und Distanz zu operationalisieren und entsprechende Anregungen für die Praxis zu geben.
Geschichte - erzeugt, nicht gegeben
Authors: Fulda Daniel
Published: December 2018

Daniel Fulda expliziert »Geschichte« als ein gehaltvolles Konzept, dessen Möglichkeit und Formen des klanglichen Vermitteltwerdens anschließend diskutiert werden. Können Klänge ein Geschichtsmedium sein, und wenn ja: in welcher Hinsicht und in welcher Weise? Die These des Beitrags lautet, dass Klänge keine Geschichtsdarstellung zu tragen vermögen, sondern lediglich Geschichtsvorstellungen auslösen können, weil Geschichte durch narrative Textstrukturen bzw. durch Narrativierung erzeugt wird. Klänge können deren Objekt, nicht aber deren Träger sein. Welche Rolle Klänge üblicherweise in von Historikern erzählten Geschichten spielen, kommt abschließend in zwei kurzen Beispielen zur Sprache.
Klang und Wandel: Ein philosophischer Exkurs
Authors: Grünberg Angela
Published: December 2018

In diesem Beitrag stelle ich die grundlegende Frage, ob - und wenn ja, wie - das Medium Klang jemals Nicht-Klangliches darstellen kann. Denn dass dies möglich ist, liegt der Idee von Klang als Medium historischer Repräsentation zu Grunde; sowie der Idee von Klang als Träger oder Ausdruck historischer Tatsachen oder Geschehnisse, als auch der Annahme, dass Sound-Daten jemals auf Nicht-Klangliches verweisen oder sie bedeuten können. Ich zeige, dass das Medium Klang durchaus Nicht-Klangliches darstellen kann. Ich zeige, dass sowohl Alltagsgeräusche, die uns umgeben, als auch der Klang, den wir beim Sprechen erzeugen, direkt auf nicht-klangliche Umstände hinweisen oder sie zum Inhalt haben können.
Understanding the Alt-Right. Ideologues, 'Lulz' and Hiding in Plain Sight
Authors: May Rob , Feldman Matthew
Published: December 2018

Rob May and Matthew Feldman survey strategies for mainstreaming ideas by the infamous Alt-Right movement. After examining texts associated with this a contemporary example of fascist ideology, particular focus is given to three of the Alt-Right's main players - Richard Spencer, Andrew Anglin and Daniel Friberg. From researching these key actors as well as the location statistics to their websites, the Alt-Right is undoubtedly a transnational movement.