bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Peperomin E Induces Promoter Hypomethylation of Metastatic-Suppressor Genes and Attenuates Metastasis in Poorly Differentiated Gastric Cancer
Authors: Wanga Xin-zhi  , Gu Jia-li , Gao Ming , Bian Yong , Liang Jiang-yu , Wen Hong-mei , Wu Hao
Published: November 2018

Background/Aims: Peperomin E (PepE), a natural secolignan isolated from the whole plant of Peperomia dindygulensis, has been reported by ourselves and others to display potent anti-cancer effects in many types cancer cells, especially gastric cancer. However, the effects of PepE on the metastasis of poorly-differentiated gastric cancer cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms have not been well elucidated. Methods: We evaluated PepE effects on gastric cancer cell invasion and migration in vitro via wound healing and transwell assays and those on growth and metastasis in vivo using an orthotopic xenograft NOD-SCID mouse model. DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) activity was determined using a colorimetric DNMT activity/inhibition assay kit. PepE binding kinetics to DNMTs were determined using the bio-layer interferometry binding assay. Gene and protein levels of DNMTs, AMPKα-Sp1 signaling molecules, and metastatic-suppressor genes in PepE-treated gastric cancer cells were determined using quantitative reverse transcription-PCR arrays and western blotting. The effect of PepE on Sp1 binding to the DNMT promoter was determined by electrophoretic mobility-shift assay. Global DNA methylation levels were determined using liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The methylation status of silenced metastatic-suppressor genes (MSGs) in gastric cancer cells was investigated by methylation-specific PCR. Results: PepE can dose-dependently suppress invasion and migration of poorly-differentiated gastric cancer cells in vitro and in vivo with low toxicity against normal cells. Mechanistically, PepE not only covalently binds to the catalytic domain of DNMT1 and inhibits its activity (IC50 value 3.61 μM) but also down-regulates DNMT1, 3a, and 3b mRNA and protein expression in in gastric cancer cells, by disruption of the physical interaction of Sp1 with the DNMT1, 3a, and 3b promoter and mediation of the AMPKα-Sp1 signaling pathway. The dual inhibition activity of PepE toward DNMTs renders a relative global DNA hypomethylation, which induces MSG promoter hypomethylation (e.g., E-cadherin and TIMP3) and enhances their expression in gastric cancer cells. Conclusion: Collectively, our data indicated that PepE may represent a promising therapeutic lead compound for intervention in gastric cancer metastasis and may also exhibit potential as a DNA methylation inhibitor for use in epigenetic cancer therapy.
МУЗИЧНИЙ СЛУХ У ПАЦІЄНТІВ ІЗ ПАРАНОЇДНОЮ ШИЗОФРЕНІЄЮ ТА ШИЗОАФЕКТИВНИМ РОЗЛАДОМ: МЕТОДИКА ВИЗНАЧЕННЯ ТА РЕЗУЛЬТАТИ
Authors: Kostyuchenko N. V. , Filts O. O.
Published: November 2018

У роботі наведено методику діагностики музичного слуху та результати його визначення у пацієнтів із параноїдною шизофренією та шизоафективним розладом порівняно зі здоровими особами.

Мета дослідження – науково обґрунтувати важливість та ефективність методики діагностики музичного слуху в пацієнтів із параноїдною шизофренією та шизоафективним розладом.

Матеріали і методи. У роботі досліджували музичний слух у 160 осіб віком від 18 до 35 років, з яких 40 пацієнтів із параноїдною шизофренію (F20), 40 – із шизоафективним розладом (F25), які проходили лікування у третьому клінічному відділенні КЗ “Львівська обласна клінічна психіатрична лікарня” за період 2015–2017 рр. та 80 здорових осіб. Лабораторну діагностику музичного слуху проводили на основі адаптованої методики Дж. Айот. Загальний лабораторний діагностичний тест складався із семи субтестів, кожен з яких було спрямовано на виявлення якості сприйняття музики.

Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. Порівняння психоакустичних властивостей поміж здоровими та хворими особами показало достовірну (р<0,05) різницю у цих групах не тільки в цілому, але й за статтю. Найбільша кількість осіб обох статей мала розвинутий музичний слух серед пацієнтів із шизоафективним розладом – (80,00±6,32) % ((92,86±6,88) % чоловіків та (73,08±8,70) % жінок із цією патологією). У групі пацієнтів із параноїдною шизофренією була найменша частка осіб із розвиненим музичним слухом – (30,00±7,25) % ((33,33±8,21) % чоловіків та (14,29±13,23) % жінок цієї групи). У контрольній групі здорових осіб частка людей із розвиненим музичним слухом становила (66,25±5,29) % ((59,26±9,46) % чоловіків та (69,81±6,31) % жінок).

Висновки. Дане дослідження показує доцільність визначення музичних здібностей у пацієнтів із психопатологічними станами, так званого ендогенного спектра, що дозволить розширити прогностично-діагностичні перспективи в психіатричній практиці.
ОСОБЛИВОСТІ СТРУКТУРНОЇ ОРГАНІЗАЦІЇ ТА КРОВОНОСНОГО РУСЛА ПРИВУШНИХ ЗАЛОЗ БІЛИХ ЩУРІВ У НОРМІ
Authors: Yavorska-Skrabut I. M. , Yavorska S. I.
Published: November 2018

Дослідженню стану великих слинних залоз у нормі та при різних патологічних станах присвячено ряд наукових робіт. Проте необхідно зазначити, що в науковій літературі обрану проблематику висвітлено недостатньо. Незважаючи на певну кількість наукових публікацій із цієї проблеми, багато принципово важливих питань теорії залишаються нез’ясованими.

Мета дослідження – установити особливості структурної організації привушних залоз щурів та їх органних судин у нормі, а також охарактеризувати їх морфометрично.

Матеріали і методи. Експерименти проведено на статевозрілих білих лабораторних щурах-самцях. Було використано такi морфологiчнi методи дослiдження, як гiстологiчні дослiдження, морфометричну оцiнку компонентiв паренхiми та iнтраорганних судин. Морфометрично визначали площу епітеліоцитів кінцевих секреторних відділів, зовнішній діаметр посмугованих проток, діаметр їх просвіту та площу епітеліоцитів цих проток, а також величини зовнішнього і внутрішнього діаметрів судин. Оцінку функціонального стану судин проводили шляхом вирахування коефіцієнта індексу Вогенворта (КІВ) – відношення площі середнього шару артерій до площі їх просвіту.

Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. У результаті проведених досліджень щодо структури привушних залоз iнтактних щурів, встановлено морфометричнi параметри структурних компонентiв паренхіми та внутрішньоорганних артерій залоз тварин. Площа секреторних клiтин ацинусiв привушних залоз інтактних білих щурів становить (270,90±7,24) мкм2, зовнiшнiй дiаметр посмугованих проток привушних залоз складає (34,16±2,34) мкм, а просвiт – (11,0±0,28) мкм. Гiстологiчно встановлено, що внутрiшньоорганнi артерiї великих слинних залоз є артерiями м’язового типу та мають характерну для цих судин будову. Вени мають структуру, характерну для них, у яких м’язовi елементи розвиненi слабко. Оцінку функціонального стану судин проводили шляхом вирахування коефіцієнта пропускної здатності судин за індексом Вогенворта, що у дрiбних артерiях привушних залоз становить (184,40±6,57), у середнiх – (142,54±4,85) вiдповiдно.

Висновки. У результаті досліджень, проведених із використанням гістологічних та морфометричних методiв, встановлено, що компоненти паренхіми привушних залоз iнтактних щурiв не мають видових особливостей структурної організації. Отримано морфометричнi параметри структурних компонентiв паренхіми та органних артерій, якi можуть складати основу для порiвняння.
ОСОБЛИВОСТІ ПОРУШЕНЬ ПРОЦЕСІВ ПЕРОКСИДНОГО ОКИСНЕННЯ ЛІПІДІВ ТА АНТИОКСИДАНТНОГО ЗАХИСТУ В КРОВІ У ДИНАМІЦІ РОЗВИТКУ ІММОБІЛІЗАЦІЙНОГО СТРЕСУ ПРИ АДРЕНАЛІНОВОМУ УШКОДЖЕННІ МІОКАРДА
Authors: Lys O. B. , Regeda M. S. , Hrushka O. I.
Published: November 2018

Стресові реакції організму людини та тварин – одна з найважливіших проблем сучасності, процеси адаптації до яких активно досліджуються. Гостре адреналінове ушкодження міокарда зумовлює розлади серцевої діяльності, які проявляються зниженням його помпувальної функції, що призводить до зменшення хвилинного об’єму серця.

Мета дослідження – з'ясувати особливості динаміки змін показників пероксидного окиснення ліпідів та антиоксидантного захисту в крові у щурів за умов розвитку іммобілізаційного стресу та адреналінового ушкодження міокарда.

Матеріали і методи. Дослід проводили на білих щурах-самцях лінії Вістар масою 180–200 г, яких поділили на 4 групи по 10 тварин (одна контрольна та три дослідні). Стан процесів пероксидного окиснення ліпідів (ПОЛ) оцінювали за вмістом дієнових кон’югатів та малонового діальдегіду в крові, що визначали в різні періоди (1-ша, 3-тя і 5-та доби) після проведення іммобілізаційного стресу (ІС) в щурів. Антиоксидантний захист (АОЗ) оцінювали за активністю ферментів каталази та супероксиддисмутази.

Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. Проведені комплексні біохімічні дослідження показників пероксидного окисненя ліпідів і антиоксидантної системи у тварин різних груп (інтактних, іммобілізаційний стрес, адреналінове ушкодження міокарда, окремо та в їх поєднанні), довели, що на всіх етапах їх формування відбувається поступове надмірне утворення продуктів ліпопероксидації на тлі зниження активності каталази і супероксиддисмутази (1-ша, 3-тя, 5-та доби) в крові, що вказує на розвиток оксидантного стресу.

Висновки. Проведений експеримент дозволив встановити суттєве порушення прооксидантної рівноваги у тварин за умов іммобілізаційного стресу та адреналінового ушкодженя міокарда.
ЕФЕКТИВНІСТЬ УРАТОЗНИЖУВАЛЬНОЇ ТЕРАПІЇ ІЗ ЗАСТОСУВАННЯМ АЛОПУРИНОЛУ ТА ФЕБУКСОСТАТУ У ХВОРИХ НА ПОДАГРУ
Authors: Orlova I. V. , Stanislavchuk M. A.
Published: November 2018

Подагра є найбільшим захворюванням суглобів із різним спектром клінічної маніфестації. Окрім рецидивного гострого артриту, підшкірних тофусів і хронічного болю, вона значно впливає на рівень захворюваності та передчасної смертності як коморбідна патологія.

Мета дослідження – оцінити ефективність уратознижувальної терапії (УЗТ) із застосуванням алопуринолу та фебуксостату у хворих на подагру.

Матеріали і методи. У дослідженні взяли участь 110 хворих на подагру (100 % чоловіків, середній вік – (52,6±9,6) року). Серед обстежених 37 осіб із наявністю тофусів. З метою зниження сироваткового вмісту сечової кислоти (СК) хворі застосовували фебуксостат чи алопуринол. Ефективність лікування оцінювали через 24 тижні.

Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. Під впливом УЗТ відмічали позитивну динаміку клініко-лабораторних показників, однак у пацієнтів із наявністю тофусів вона була менш вираженою. У хворих, які використовували в якості УЗТ фебуксостат, відмічали кращу динаміку таких показників, як частоту загострень подагричного артриту протягом останнього року, сироватковий рівень СК, активність захворювання за GAS, інтенсивність болю за ВАШ. А також вірогідність досягнути цільових рівнів СК у пацієнтів, які отримують фебуксостат, є утричі вищою (OR=3,52; 95% ДІ 1,46; 8,45), ніж у пацієнтів, що застосовують алопуринол.

Висновки. Застосування фебуксостату для уратознижувальної терапії дозволяє швидше досягти цільових рівнів сечової кислоти та регресу артрологічного статусу.
The Goblin Spiders of the Genus Opopaea (Araneae, Oonopidae) in Hainan Island, China
Authors: TONG YANFENG , LI SHUQIANG
Published: November 2018

Seven species of Opopaea are recognized from Hainan Island, China. Four species are found to be new to science: Opopaea diaoluoshan sp. nov. (male/female), Opopaea furcula sp. nov. (male/female), Opopaea sanya sp. nov. (male) and Opopaea vitrispina sp. nov. (male/female). One species, Opopaea sauteri Brignoli, 1974 is firstly recorded from this area. All of them, including the two previously known species, Opopaea cornuta Yin & Wang, 1984 and Opopaea gibbifera Tong & Li, 2008, are diagnosed and illustrated. A key to all the seven species of Hainan Island is provided.
Taxonomy of coccids (Hemiptera: Coccidae: Coccus L.) associated with Crematogaster ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the stems of Macaranga plants (Euphorbiaceae) in Southeast Asia
Authors: GULLAN PENNY J. , KONDO TAKUMASA , FIALA BRIGITTE , QUEK SWEE-PECK
Published: November 2018

The Southeast Asian soft scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) associated with ants of the Crematogaster borneensis-group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and living in the hollow stems of Macaranga plants (Euphorbiaceae) are revised taxonomically. Ten species of the genus Coccus L. are recognised: seven were described previously and three new species are described herein. The species are: Coccus caviramicolus Morrison, C. circularis Morrison, C. heckrothi Gullan & Kondo sp. n., C. lambirensis Gullan & Kondo sp. n., C. macarangicolus Takahashi, C. macarangae Morrison, C. penangensis Morrison, C. pseudotumuliferus Gullan & Kondo sp. n., C. secretus Morrison and C. tumuliferus Morrison. All of these species are described or redescribed and newly illustrated based on the adult females, and a key to distinguish the species is provided. We designate a lectotype for C. macarangicolus. The first-instar nymphs of all species are morphologically extremely similar and therefore only the first-instar nymph of C. macarangae is described and illustrated. Seven of these species currently are known only from Macaranga, but C. macarangae, C. secretus and perhaps C. pseudotumuliferus have been recorded from the hollow stems of several other ant-plants and a few non-myrmecophytes. The Coccus species from Macaranga are closely related to C. hesperidum L., the type species of the genus, and therefore are retained in the genus Coccus even though the adult females exhibit a few morphological differences from C. hesperidum. The species of Coccus from Macaranga appear to be parthenogenetic because no male nymphs or adults have been found, despite extensive collecting.
Ichneumonid wasps of the subfamily Mesochorinae: new replacement names, combinations and an updated key to the World genera (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)
Authors: ARAUJO RODRIGO O. , VIVALLO FELIPE , SANTOS BERNARDO F.
Published: November 2018

Mesochorinae is a relatively small but widely distributed subfamily of Ichneumonidae, with most species occurring in the Neotropical Region. Currently, there are two classifications in use regarding mesochorine genera, causing numerous taxonomic conflicts. To resolve nomenclature conflicts, seven new replacement names and twelve new combinations are proposed for species now recognized as members of Mesochorus Gravenhorst. Herein the synonymy of Plectochorus Uchida and Stictopisthus Thomson  with the genus Mesochorus s. lat. is reaffirmed, supported by the following shared character states: transverse subantennal carina partially or completely developed; supraclypeal area evenly convex, without median protrusion; clypeus not separated from supraclypeal area by depression or groove; and hind wing without vein Cu1b. An updated key to the World genera of Mesochorinae is also presented.
The genus Austrotinodes Schmid 1955 (Trichoptera: Ecnomidae) in Roraima state, Brazil: new records and description of a new species
Authors: NETO JAIME DE LIEGE GAMA , PASSOS MAHEDY ARAUJO BASTOS
Published: November 2018

A new species of Austrotinodes Schmid 1955 from Roraima state, Brazil is described and illustrated: Austrotinodes tepui sp. nov. In addition, A. lenti and A. neblinensis are recorded from Roraima state for the first time.
A new species of the genus Rapturella (Gastropoda: Acteonidae) from southeast Brazil
Authors: CUNHA CARLO M. , SIMONE LUIZ RICARDO L.
Published: November 2018

Acteonidae d'Orbigny, 1843 is the largest family within the superfamily Acteonoidea (Bouchet et al. 2017) and includes small gastropods typical of infralittoral environments. Most acteonids living on the continental shelf or in deep water have been described on the basis of shell morphology alone (Simone 2006; Valdés 2008; Cunha 2011; Salvador & Cunha 2016), because little material with soft parts has been collected and examined. Consequently, little is known about the ecology of the species.  Recently, many new species of the genus Acteon Montfort, 1810 have been described from tropical Southwest Pacific waters (Valdés 2008), suggesting that a high diversity of acteonid species may await discovery in other deep water environments, including those of Brazil.
Description of two new Obriini Mulsant, 1839 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) from the Tankwa Karoo biome in South Africa and Namibia
Authors: MAQUART PIERRE-OLIVIER , RICHARD DENIS , VITALI FRANCESCO
Published: November 2018

Two new species of Capezoum: C. tankwakarooensis sp. nov. and C. museiconfluentiarum sp. nov. are described from the Succulent Karoo ecosystem in South Africa and Namibia.
A whiter shade of pale: anchoring the name Paecilaema C. L. Koch, 1839 onto a neotype (Opiliones, Cosmetidae)
Authors: KURY ADRIANO B. , MEDRANO MIGUEL
Published: November 2018

The generic name Paecilaema C.L. Koch, 1839 is anchored to the nomen dubium Cosmetus u-flavum Perty, 1833, and the fixation of the latter is proposed by designating a neotype. The choice was made on a potential topotype, being a common species in metropolitan Rio de Janeiro city, SE Brazil, which has been described as new five times and is currently best known as Metavononoides bellus (Mello-Leitão, 1932). Cosmetus u-flavum has been originally included in Paecilaema along with Paecilaema limbatum Kollar in C.L. Koch, 1839, the latter here synonymized with the former. Therefore, our choice of this species is adequate in conveying Koch’s original concept of Paecilaema. The most striking diagnostic feature of the species of Paecilaema is the presence of a lyra, a unique shape of blots in layers of shades of white to pale yellow on the dorsal scutum. Other patterns of scutal white blots are hereby defined and named. Paecilaema is here considered most closely related to Metavononoides Roewer, 1928. Comments are made on the diagnostic characters and the terminology of parts of the lyra is expanded with the introduction of new terms. Comments are made on the formation of the generic name Paecilaema. Taxonomic adjustments are made in the closest relatives of Paecilaema u-flavum, and the following nomenclatural acts are proposed: (1) MNRJ 3433 is designated as male neotype of Cosmetus u-flavum, type species of Paecilaema. (2) Proposed new synonymies: Poecilaema soerenseni Henriksen, 1932 = Paecilaemula bella Mello-Leitão, 1932 = Eucynorta brasiliensis Mello-Leitão, 1923 = Paecilaema limbatum Kollar in C.L. Koch, 1839 = Cosmetus u-flavum Perty, 1833. (3) Nine species originally described elsewhere but currently placed in Metavononoides are transferred to Paecilaema, either as new or as restored combinations: Paecilaemula albisecta Mello-Leitão, 1942, Poecilaemula albosigillata Mello-Leitão, 1941, Paecilaema lyra Sørensen, 1932, Metavononoides melanacanthus Ferreira, Pedroso & Kury, 2005, Paecilaema muticum Sørensen, 1932, Paecilaema ornatissimum Mello-Leitão 1942, Poecilaemula peculiare Roewer, 1917, Paecilaemula preciosa Roewer 1928 and Metavononoides renneri Ferreira, Pedroso & Kury, 2007. (4) The following genera, currently in the synonymy of Paecilaema, are all revalidated and given emended diagnoses: Meterginoides Roewer, 1912, Meterginulus Roewer, 1912, Paecilaemella Roewer, 1925, Pararhauculus Roewer, 1933, Soaresella Goodnight & Goodnight 1947. (5) Their respective type species, currently combined under Paecilaema, are transferred back to their revalidated genera: Paecilaema rastelliferum Pickard-Cambridge 1905 to Meterginulus; Meterginus inermis Banks, 1909 to Meterginoides; Pararhauculus lineatus Roewer, 1933 to Pararhauculus; Paecilaemella festae Roewer, 1925 to Paecilaemella and Soaresella gracilis Goodnight & Goodnight, 1947 to Soaresella.
Predictors of Nature Connection Among Urban Residents: Assessing the Role of Childhood and Adult Nature Experiences
Authors: Cleary Anne , Fielding Kelly S. , Murray Zoe , Roiko Anne
Published: November 2018

Fostering nature connection may promote psychological well-being and enhance proenvironmental attitudes. However, there is limited understanding of what factors influence a person’s nature connection. Using survey responses from 1,000 residents of a large Australian city, we describe the relationship between nature connection and nature experiences at different stages in life, that is, past nature experiences that occurred during childhood, and current, everyday nature experiences. Both past childhood nature experiences and duration of current nature experiences significantly predicted nature connection. The positive relationship between duration of current nature experiences and nature connection was not significantly moderated by past childhood nature experiences. Hence, current nature experiences are associated with high levels of nature connection, even among those lacking childhood nature experiences. This research empirically demonstrates the positive relationship between nature connection and nature experiences, and suggests that it may be equally important to promote nature experiences at any life stage if increasing nature connection is the goal.
Are We Finnished Yet? Teacher Preparation and the Rise of “Glocalization”
Authors: Hollier David R.
Published: November 2018

The successes of the Finnish approach in teacher preparation and related school practices and policies are discussed. A narrative literature review methodology is used to determine the key policy underpinnings, program designs and methods, and other essential elements related to teacher preparation in various countries. An international perspective is used, focusing primarily on Finland, but also considers the island city-state of Singapore, and the United States. Following this, the success of teacher preparation in the United States is discussed using case study research of seven exemplary university/college programs including one Texas university. Finally, recommendations for teacher preparation programs are posited based on Stoll and Fink’s typology of effective schools/programs identifying “moving” and “sinking” strategies and approaches in teacher preparation programs.
Revalidation of the Federal PTRA: Testing the PTRA for Predictive Biases
Authors: Cohen Thomas H. , Lowenkamp Christopher T.
Published: November 2018

The pretrial risk assessment instrument (PTRA) was developed for use in the U.S. federal pretrial system. Specifically, this instrument was constructed to help officers assess the likelihood that defendants will commit pretrial violations including being rearrested for new crimes, missing court appearances, or being revoked while on pretrial release. This research evaluates the PTRA’s capacity to predict pretrial violations on 85,369 defendants with officer-completed PTRA assessments. Bivariate and multivariate models were estimated by race, ethnicity, and sex. Results show that the PTRA performs well at predicting pretrial violations as the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve ranged from 0.65 to 0.73 depending upon the subsamples and outcomes being predicted. Moreover, the PTRA predicted new criminal arrest activity equally well for non-Hispanic Whites and Blacks, while for Hispanics and females, findings show the instrument validly predicting rearrest activity, with some evidence of overprediction depending upon the outcome being examined.
Does a rising school climate lift all boats? Differential associations of perceived climate and achievement for students with disabilities and limited English proficiency
Authors: Sanders Steven M. , Durbin James M. , Anderson Bart G. , Fogarty Laura M. , Giraldo-Garcia Regina J. , Voight Adam
Published: November 2018

Previous research studies show that a positive school climate is associated with desirable academic outcomes for youth. In the United States, students with disabilities and English language learner (ELL) students are particularly at-risk for poor academic outcomes and therefore more in need of interventions to support their academic development. The present study examined whether school climate has a differential association with academic achievement for these at-risk students compared to their peers, which would suggest that school climate has the effect of reducing or widening achievement gaps based on disability and language. For students at all levels, the main effects of perceived school climate and disability status on mathematics and reading achievement were statistically significant controlling for race/ethnicity, gender, and grade. The results of this study have numerous implications for school psychology practice. Our findings suggest that a positive school climate is associated with higher achievement for all students at all levels in both mathematics and reading, school psychologists should consider school climate improvement as part of their mandate.
Hard times in latte land? Analysing pay and working time in the café industry in France, Norway and the UK
Authors: Lloyd Caroline , Payne Jonathan
Published: November 2018

Industrial relations and employment regulation are central elements of the national institutional framework shaping country-level differences in job quality. However, researchers are also interested in within-country variation by sector. International sector comparisons can shed light on the role of national institutions, individual employer approaches and workplace unions in shaping outcomes within a sector. This article uses qualitative data on pay and working time in the café industry in France, Norway and the UK to weigh the effects of institutions and employer differentiation on worker outcomes in a sector particularly challenging for union organisation. The findings identify the importance of national institutions for worker outcomes, and for shaping the scope at organisational level for employers and unions to make a difference.
The contributions of Jean A. Laponce to political science
Authors: Safran William
Published: November 2018

Jean A. Laponce contributed significantly to the study of political science, particularly in the fields of French and comparative politics, pluralism, the meaning of right and left, and the politics of ethnicity and language. His most influential writings focused on the politics of multilingual societies. He examined the place of language from three perspectives: the territorial imperative—a bounded formal space providing safety and dominance for a single language; the problems of nonterritorially based linguistic minorities; and the rivalries and conflicts between languages in contact. Finally, he dealt with the survival of minority languages and the fate of languages globally. This review article evaluates Laponce’s contributions to political science.
Seventeen-Year Follow-up After Meniscal Repair With Concomitant Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in a Pediatric and Adolescent Population
Authors: Tagliero Adam J. , Desai Vishal S. , Kennedy Nicholas I. , Camp Christopher L. , Stuart Michael J. , Levy Bruce A. , Dahm Diane L. , Krych Aaron J.
Published: November 2018

Background:

Studies have shown good and excellent clinical and radiographic results after meniscal repair. Limited published information exists on the long-term outcomes, however, especially in a pediatric and adolescent population.

Purpose:

To determine long-term results of meniscal repair and concomitant anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in a pediatric and adolescent population. Specifically, the aims were to determine the clinical success rate of meniscal repair with concomitant ACL reconstruction, compare results with midterm outcomes, and analyze risk factors for failure.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Cases of meniscal repair with concomitant ACL reconstruction between 1990 and 2005 were reviewed among patients aged ≤18 years. Patient demographics, injury history, and surgical details were recorded, and risk factors for failure were analyzed. Physical examination findings and clinical outcomes at latest available follow-up were collected. Subjective knee outcomes were compared with midterm results. Descriptive statistics and univariate analysis were used to evaluate the available data.

Results:

Forty-seven patients (30 females, 17 males) with a mean age of 16 years (SD, 1.37) and a mean follow-up of 16.6 years (SD, 3.57) were included in this study. Overall, 13 patients (28%) failed meniscal repair and required repeat surgery at the time of final follow-up. Of the 13 failures, 9 underwent a subsequent meniscectomy; 2, meniscectomy and revision ACL reconstruction; 1, meniscal repair and revision ACL reconstruction; and 1, meniscal repair and subsequent meniscectomy. Mean International Knee Documentation Committee scores improved from 47.9 preoperatively to 87.7 postoperatively ( P < .01), and the mean score at long-term follow-up (87.7) did not significantly differ from that at the midterm follow-up (88.5) at a mean 7.4 years ( P = .97). Mean Tegner Activity Scale scores improved from 1.9 preoperatively to 6.3 postoperatively ( P < .01) and decreased from 8.3 at preinjury to 6.3 at final long-term follow-up ( P < .01).

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the long-term overall clinical success rate (failure-free survival) was 72% for repair of pediatric and adolescent meniscal tears in the setting of concomitant ACL reconstruction. Patients reported excellent knee subjective outcome scores that remained favorable when compared with midterm follow-up.
Bone Marrow–Harvesting Technique Influences Functional Heterogeneity of Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells and Cartilage Regeneration
Authors: Sivasubramaniyan Kavitha , Ilas Dragos C. , Harichandan Abhishek , Bos Pieter K. , Santos Diego L. , de Zwart Peter , Koevoet Wendy J.L.M. , Owston Heather , Bühring Hans-Jörg , Jones Elena , van Osch Gerjo J.V.M.
Published: November 2018

Background:

Connective tissue progenitors (CTPs) from native bone marrow (BM) or their culture-expanded progeny, often referred to as mesenchymal stem/stromal cells, represents a promising strategy for treatment of cartilage injuries. But the cartilage regeneration capacity of these cells remains unpredictable because of cell heterogeneity.

Hypothesis:

The harvest technique of BM may highly influence stem cell heterogeneity and, thus, cartilage formation because these cells have distinct spatial localization within BM from the same bone.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

CTPs obtained from the femur of patients undergoing total hip replacement by 2 harvest techniques—BM aspiration and BM collection—after bone rasping were immunophenotyped by flow cytometry and evaluated for chondrogenic ability. The spatial localization of different CTP subsets in BM was verified by immunohistochemistry.

Results:

Cells from the BM after rasping were significantly more chondrogenic than the donor-matched aspirate, whereas no notable difference in their osteogenic or adipogenic potential was observed. The authors then assessed whether distinct immunophenotypically defined CTP subsets were responsible for the different chondrogenic capacity. Cells directly isolated from BM after rasping contained a higher percentage (mean, 7.2-fold) of CD45–CD271+CD56+ CTPs as compared with BM aspirates. The presence of this subset in the harvested BM strongly correlated with chondrogenic ability, showing that CD271+CD56+ cells are enriched in chondroprogenitors. Furthermore, evaluation of these CTP subsets in BM revealed that CD271+CD56+ cells were localized in the bone-lining regions whereas CD271+CD56– cells were found in the perivascular regions. Since the iliac crest remains a frequent site of BM harvest for musculoskeletal regeneration, the authors also compared the spatial distribution of these subsets in trabeculae of femoral head and iliac crest and found CD271+CD56+ bone-lining cells in both tissues.

Conclusion:

Chondrogenically distinct CTP subsets have distinct spatial localization in BM; hence, the harvest technique of BM determines the efficiency of cartilage formation.

Clinical Relevance:

The harvest technique of BM may be of major importance in determining the clinical success of BM mesenchymal stem/stromal cells in cartilage repair.
Chemioprofilassi endovescicale del carcinoma uroteliale superficiale. Studio su mitomicina ed epirubicina in differenti dosaggi
Authors: Pastorello M. , Molon A. , Poluzzi M. , Venturi F. , Siggillino I.
Published: November 2018

Superficial transitional cell carcinomas (TCC) of the bladder have a high recurrence rate and a potential for progressive disease. The intravesical use of chemotherapeutic agents to prevent recurrences has achieved varying success. We report our experience in the prevention of superficial TCC recurrences using topical Mitomycin C or Epirubicin (in two different doses).

After complete transurethral resection (TURB) and histological confirmation of stage pTa or pT1 disease, 80 patients were assigned to group A (Mitomycin 40 mg in 40 ml); 80 pts to group B (Epirubicin 50 mg in 50 ml); 40 pts were enrolled in group C (Epirubicin 80 mg in 50 ml saline). Median follow-up is 43.4 months for group A, 42.1 months for gr. B, 21.1 months for gr. C. 183 pts could be evaluated.

Results: 28/74 pts had recurrences in gr. A, 26/73 in gr. B, 11/36 in gr. C; the recurrence index/100 pt-months is 1.21 in gr. A, 1.23 in gr. B, 2.10 in gr. C. Tumour progression was registered in 13/74 pts in gr. A, in 11/73 in gr. B, in 5/36 in gr. C. pT1-tumours showed a recurrence rate of 69% (average of the three groups) versus 13% of pTa-tumours; a very high recurrence rate was also observed in multiple neoplasms.
La terapia mininvasiva del varicocele sinistro
Authors: Turci A. , Farabegoli E. , Bruschi D. , Martinelli A.
Published: November 2018

Varicocele is present in 15% of males. The incidence increases to 41% in infertile males. Surgery is suggested in oligo-astenospermia and/or hypotrophic testis. The kind of surgery is controversial: “low” or “high” varicocelectomy (Palomo, Ivanissevich), percutaneous sclerotherapy or laparoscopy.
II Papilloma Invertito Dell'uretra Prostatica: Nostra Esperienza e Revisione Della Letteratura
Authors: Beatrici V. , Ferrara V. , Cicetti A. , Gabrielloni G. , Sagrini D.
Published: November 2018

The inverted papilloma is a rare polipoid lesion of urothelial origin and unknown etiopathogenesis. Since 1963 more than 100 cases have been reported. We describe a case of inverted papilloma of the bladder neck and prostatic urethra. The association with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, the potential for recurrence and therapeutic treatment are considered.
Idronefrosi da anomalia giuntale con voluminosa calcificazione della parete pielica
Authors: Repetto U. , Lillo M. , Pizzorno R. , Schenone M. , De Rose A. , Audino P. , Medica M.
Published: November 2018

We report on a 47-year-old man with hydronephrosis secondary to ureteropelvic junction obstruction with renal pelvic calcification. Calcium deposit was found in the wall of the severely dilated renal pelvis. Pathological examination revealed a damaged and hyalinized fibrous renal pelvic wall while serum calcium level was normal. Thus, we speculated that this calcification was dystrophic. Chronic extensive dilatation with intermittent hemorrhage of the renal pelvic wall may have caused this dystrophic renal pelvic calcification.
Patologia prostato-vescicolare: Trattamento ecoguidato
Authors: Gastaldi E. , Benvenuti S. , Iacoviello M. , Mennini B. , Caviglione M. , Traverso G.B.
Published: November 2018

In the pathology of urogenital carrefour, ultrasonography can play an important role in diagnosis as well as in therapy. We report our experience on the echoguided puncture of utricular cysts and seminal vesicle congestion post-prostatectomy.
Trattamento endoscopico della calcolosi ureterale
Authors: Loreto N. , Cuscunà D. , Santoro P. , Bonsanto M. , Francario G. , Di Lallo A. , Loreto A. , Tonti E.
Published: November 2018

Non-invasive techniques have revolutionized the treatment of ureteral stones. We report the success rate and the complication rate of ureteral calculosis treatment with ureterorenoscopy. From November 1990 to April 1994 we have treated 121 patients with URS. In all cases we have used a 12.5 F. “Wolf” rigid ureteroscope. 85 patients (70.2%) were treated with ultrasonic lithotripsy; 36 (29.7%) with a Dormia basket; and in 16 cases a combined treatment of both procedures was employed. Complete stone removal was obtained in 96 patients (79.3%) but six of these required further endoscopic treatment. The complication rate was 7.4 per cent (9 patients) and two patients (1.6%) needed open surgery. In our experience ureteroscopy is a good approach to the treatment of ureteral stones.
Regole della sperimentazione clinica: Rules in clinical experiments
Authors: Marconi A.M. , Bono A.V.
Published: November 2018

Before a new drug can be put on the market, a thorough assessment by governmental bodies is necessary. First of all the drug must overcome a pre-clinical stage including: extraction or synthesis, pharmacological and toxicological study in vitro and on laboratory animals. Permission is then requested from the Ministry of Health to begin experiments on humans. The stages of clinical experiments are also valid for other types of therapeutic procedures such as the association of drugs, surgery and diagnostic investigations or tests. In general all these stages are grouped together in study protocols, which must follow precise rules with regard to their writing out and application if governmental and scientific authorisation is not be denied. However, it is necessary to adapt the protocols to each experimental situation, the one constant point being that experiments should be started very cautiously on a small number of carefully-studied patients in order to arrive at a large-scale assessment.
Il carcinoma uroteliale della vescica pT1G3. Studio clinico-patologico e morfometrico di 26 casi trattati con BCG: Urothelial bladder carcinoma pT1G3. Clinico-pathological and morphometric study of 26 cases treated with BCG
Authors:   GOCCNE (Gruppo Oncologico Clinico Cooperativo del Nord-Est), Canzonieri V. , Bidoli E. , Francini M. , Carbone A.
Published: November 2018

From 1987 to 1993, 26 patients with superficial urothelial bladder carcinoma pT1G3 were observed consecutively at the Dept. of Urology of Pordenone City Hospital and the Division of Pathology of the Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (Italy). All patients were treated with TUR and then with a course of BCG-intravesical instillations. The complete immunoprophylaxis treatment consisted of a weekly instillation of BCG for 6 weeks; then cystoscopy and urinary cytologies or random biopsies were performed. An additional 1-monthly BCG treatment for 3 months was administered to 10 disease-free patients. In 6 cases of pT1G3 recurrences, a new complete cycle of BCG was performed whereas in 10 patients with local progression, defined as muscular infiltration, a cystoprostatectomy or RT therapy was advised. Follow-up examinations, planned every 3 months for 2 years and then every 6 months for 3 years, included cystoscopy and urinary cytologies in 19 patients and cystoscopy with randomized biopsies and washing in the remaining 7 patients. Ten patients were disease-free at a mean of 34 months follow-up (range 13-65 months); 6 patients experienced recurrence at a mean of 7 months follow-up (range 3-40 months) and 10 patients local progression at a mean of 13 months follow-up (range 3-44 months). The morphometric study demonstrated that cases with average nuclear area, in the deepest part of the histological section, more or equal to 40 μm2 have a threefold progression rate, compared to cases with average nuclear area less than 40 μm2 (p = 0.10). Our results would indicate the possible role of morphometric evaluation of prognostically important parameters, in the clinical management of patients with pT1G3 tumours.
I markers biologici. Introduzione: Biological markers. Introduction
Authors: Ferrari P. , Ferrari G. , Castagnetti G. , Dotti A. , Baisi B. , Galizia G.
Published: November 2018

Molecular biology has made giant strides over the last ten years and provides an immense field of research. The Authors first review the concepts of neoplastic proliferation and transformation of the phenotype, analysing cell constitution and its relations with the intercellular space. The most important moment in molecular research was the identification of the growth factors and consequently the process of transduction of signals from the outside into the cell and the retroinhibiting mechanisms of the same signals. The terms oncogene and antioncogene are defined as well as their most significant expressions.
Possibile ruolo della citofluorometria (CFM) nel monitoraggio della risposta alla terapia endocavitaria con BCG nel carcinoma in situ della vescica: Monitoring the response to intravesical BCG in the treatment of cis: A possible role of flow cytometry
Authors: De Siati M. , Grassi D. , Franzolin N. , Azzolina L.S.
Published: November 2018

We report our experience on the treatment of carcinoma in situ (CIS) using intravesical therapy with the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). From November 1992 to September 1994, 18 patients received treatment: 6 had associated CIS and 12 secondary CIS. Ploidy of each tumour was determined by flow cytometry. Aneuploidy was found in 12 cases, diploidy in 6 cases. After treatment, a standard bladder mapping was performed: 14 patients showed no evidence of cystoscopic and histological disease and if previously aneuploid, became diploid. 4 patients has recurrent disease after therapy; they were all aneuploid before treatment. One of these showed a persistent aneuploidy, although both voided urinary cytology and histological samples were negative. Six months later, a recurrent CIS was seen at the time of cystoscopy. These results enhance the interest in flow cytometry as a possible predictor of response to BCG in the treatment of CIS.
Considerazioni su un caso di adenoma nefrogenico della vescica associato a tbc urinaria: Considerations on a case of nephrogenic adenoma of the bladder associated with urinary tuberculosis
Authors: Pecoraro G. , Grosso G. , Sidoti O.
Published: November 2018

A nephrogenic bladder adenoma case is reported in a 64-year-old man with urinary tbc. This association has never been reported in literature. From the pathogenetic point of view, it can be included in Mostofi's hypothesis, which considers chronic phlogosis as the input for urothelial metaplasia.
Lo screening del cancro della prostata. Introduzione: Prostate cancer screening. Introduction
Authors: Guazzieri S.
Published: November 2018

Cancer of the prostate is a statistically important disease in the field of urological neoplastic pathology. The usefulness of mass screening for this tumour is extremely controversial. The most important reports of the congress are given here.
Ruolo dell'ER e del PSA nello screening per la diagnosi precoce del carcinoma prostatico: The role of ER and PSA in screening for early diagnosis of prostatic carcinoma
Authors: Fini M. , Vagliani G.
Published: November 2018

From September 1992 to February 1994, 1441 men aged between 50 and 70 years underwent screening with PSA and ER measurement for early diagnosis of prostatic carcinoma. A neoplasm was diagnosed in 1.73% (25/1441) of cases, which being found at an early stage, made it possible to perform prostatectomy and radical radiotherapy on 37.5% and 16.6% of patients respectively. The incidence of the disease was higher than in a previous screening with just ER dosage (1.73% vs 1.1%). Combined PSA and ER also gave higher sensitivity, specificity, overall accuracy and predictiveness compared to the methods taken individually. This combination seems preferable, in view of the greater efficacy and “practicability” compared to protocols which involve the use of USTR, which is less practicable on a large scale due to the length of time required and high costs. The utility of periodic determination of PSA levels in those over fifty years old is emphasised, both for oncological screening controls and to increase the diagnostic accuracy of other clinical tests.
Metodologia di Una Ricerca: A Research Methodology
Authors: Marotta A.
Published: November 2018

The Author describes the procedures to be followed in the prostatic carcinoma screening project with PSA dosage among professional Italian Army members. This research is included in the Italian prostatic tumour screening project in co-operation with the Department of Urology - University of Padua - Italy.
Upper urinary tract tumours: Latest diagnostic methods
Authors: Carini M. , Palminteri E. , Mincione G.P. , Lapini A. , Serni S. , Stefanucci S. , Scelzi S. , Cavalli V.
Published: November 2018

— The diagnostic and therapeutic approach to upper urinary tract tumours has been a problem for a long time. The recent introduction of endourological instruments (ureterorenoscopy), the possibility of well-aimed cellular analysis (selective urinary cytology, brush biopsy) as well as the development of imaging methods, have all improved the accuracy of diagnosis and staging with the consequent rationalisation of treatment. Using ureterorenoscopy in addition to the main diagnostic examinations for this pathology i.e. urinary cytology and urography, diagnostic accuracy has increased from 58 to over 85%. This allows identification of early, single and low grade forms, which are susceptible to conservative, possibly endoscopic, treatment.
Surgical therapy and approaches
Authors: Anselmo G. , Lembo A. , Maccatrozzo L. , Merlo F. , Fandella A. , Graziotti P. , Tura M.
Published: November 2018

— In the field of upper urinary tract neoplasms there is a need to find a logical linear connection between staging and treatment with surgery performed according to the gravity of the neoplasm. The Authors consider the basic concepts of surgery, discussing the access route and best operation for each clinical situation plus the advantages and disadvantages. The case histories relating to 181 operated patients from the Treviso and Bergamo Units are reported, (141 total nephroureterectomies – of whom 14 with simultaneous cystectomy, 3 nephrectomies in high-risk patients, 6 pyelectomies or heminephrectomies, 19 segmental ureterectomies and 12 endourological procedures). Conservative therapy (rather than endourology) through segmental ureterectomy with removal of the bladder cuff and ureterocystoneostomy was preferred in neoplasms of the distal ureter. In fact, in these cases survival is in relation to the tumour stage and not the type of operation. Cases are reported where conservation of the renal emunctory necessitates conservative treatment. Results of radical therapy (80% of patients, justified by the high malignancy and multifocality of the neoplasms) showed recurrence in the bladder in 28%, contralaterally in 2% and a 5-year survival rate (according to Kaplan-Meyer) of 66%. With conservative treatment there was a high rate of local recurrences (33%) in the upper tract, but only 11 % after segmental ureterectomy for tumours of the pelvic ureter. In the Authors’ experience, total nephroureterectomy guarantees maximum extirpation whereas conservative surgery is the only form of treatment allowing complete tumour removal while maintaining, even if only partially, a renal emunctory.
Nd:YAG laser in penile diseases. Indications and limits
Authors: Dotti E. , Gaboardi F. , Bozzola A. , Zago T. , Galli L.
Published: November 2018

— Penile cancer is an uncommon malignancy in the western world (1–2% of all malignancies in males). Traditionally it is treated by penis amputation. Today with laser therapy a new opportunity is offered. 16 patients referred to our Dept. for early stage penile cancer. 2 TIS, 7 T1, 1 T2 penile cancer and 6 with Erythroplasia of Queyrat. Before treatment the patients underwent cold biopsy in order to establish the tumour grading and staging of malignancy. A laser irradiation was performed under local anaesthesia using 25–35 Watt/3 sec in the penile cancer and 15–20 Watt/2 sec in the Erytroplasia of Queyrat. There were no complications after treatment. All patients were observed during follow-up every month after the irradiation until the sixth month and then every 3 months. No-one developed local recurrence or metastatic disease: Nd:YAG laser seems to offer a safe, easy treatment compared to traditional surgery. It can be performed under local, anaesthesia without bleeding, permits good local tumour control, a good cosmetic aspect and, finally full functionality of the penis.