bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Surface Microhardness and Abrasion Resistance of Two Dental Glass Ionomer Cement Materials after Radiant Heat Treatment
Authors: Dionysopoulos Dimitrios , Tolidis Kosmas , Sfeikos Thrasyvoulos , Karanasiou Christina , Parisi Xanthippi
Published: August 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a radiant heat treatment using a dental LED unit on the surface microhardness and abrasion resistance after toothbrushing simulation of two conventional GIC materials. Two conventional GIC materials were studied in this investigation: Ketac Fil Plus Aplicap and IonoStar Molar. Twenty disk-shaped specimens (n=10) were prepared of each GIC (7 mm × 2 mm) using cylindrical Teflon molds. Group 1 specimens were left in the mold to set without any treatment, while in Group 2 after placement in the mold the specimens were irradiated for 60 sec at the top surface using a LED light-curing unit. Toothbrushing simulation was carried out using a commercial electric toothbrush which was fixed in a constructed device that allowed the heads of the brushes to be aligned parallel to the surface of the specimens and to control the pressure, with the following parameters: load of the toothbrush standardized at 250 g, medium hardness toothbrush head, and rotation sense changing every 30 sec. The toothbrush abrasion test mechanism, based on a 1.25-Hz frequency for 10,000 cycles, was equivalent to 800 days (~2 years) of brushing. Surface hardness, surface roughness, and surface loss after abrasive procedure were evaluated using Vickers method and Vertical Scanning Interferometry. Data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test (a=0.05). The radiant heat treatment increased the surface microhardness and decreased surface roughness and surface loss after abrasive procedures of both the tested GIC materials but to different extent. Between the tested GIC materials there were significant differences in their tested properties (p<0.05).
On Coupledp-Laplacian Fractional Differential Equations with Nonlinear Boundary Conditions
Authors: Khan Aziz , Li Yongjin , Shah Kamal , Khan Tahir Saeed
Published: August 2017

This paper is related to the existence and uniqueness of solutions to a coupled system of fractional differential equations (FDEs) with nonlinearp-Laplacian operator by using fractional integral boundary conditions with nonlinear term and also to checking the Hyers-Ulam stability for the proposed problem. The functions involved in the proposed coupled system are continuous and satisfy certain growth conditions. By using topological degree theory some conditions are established which ensure the existence and uniqueness of solution to the proposed problem. Further, certain conditions are developed corresponding to Hyers-Ulam type stability for the positive solution of the considered coupled system of FDEs. Also, from applications point of view, we give an example.
The Effects of Vitamin D Supplement on Prevention of Recurrence of Preeclampsia in Pregnant Women with a History of Preeclampsia
Authors: Behjat Sasan Sanam , Zandvakili Farnaz , Soufizadeh Nasrin , Baybordi Elaheh
Published: August 2017

Introduction. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific syndrome. One of the hypotheses concerning the etiology of preeclampsia is vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy. Method and Materials. The present study is a randomized controlled clinical trial which aims to determine the effect of vitamin D supplement on reducing the probability of recurrent preeclampsia. 72 patients were placed in control group while 70 patients were randomized to the intervention group. The intervention group received a 50000 IU pearl vitamin D3 once every two weeks. The control group was administered placebo. Vitamin D or placebo was given until the 36th week of pregnancy. Results. The patients in intervention group have significantly lower (P value = 0.036) probability of preeclampsia than patients in the control group. The risk of preeclampsia for the control group was 1.94 times higher than that for the intervention group (95% CI 1.02, 3.71). Conclusion. The intended intervention (i.e., prescription of vitamin D) has a protective effect against recurrent preeclampsia. Vitamin D supplementation therapy in pregnancy could help in reducing the incidence of gestational hypertension/preeclampsia. Registration. This study has been registered in Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) site with ID number IRCT2017010131695N1.
Personalized Medicine–Based Approach to Model Patterns of Chemoresistance and Tumor Recurrence Using Ovarian Cancer Stem Cell Spheroids
Authors: Raghavan Shreya , Mehta Pooja , Ward Maria R. , Bregenzer Michael E. , Fleck Elyse M. A. , Tan Lijun , McLean Karen , Buckanovich Ronald J. , Mehta Geeta
Published: August 2017

Purpose: Chemoresistant ovarian cancers grow in suspension within the ascites fluid. To screen the effect of chemotherapeutics and biologics on resistant ovarian cancers with a personalized basis, we developed a 3D hanging drop spheroid platform.

Experimental Design: We initiated spheroids with primary aldehyde dehydrogenase–positive (ALDH+) CD133+ ovarian cancer stem cells (OvCSC) from different patient samples and demonstrated that stem cell progeny from harvested spheroids was similar to the primary tumor. OvCSC spheroids were utilized to initiate tumors in immunodeficient mice. Drug responses to cisplatin and ALDH-targeting compound or JAK2 inhibitor determined whether the OvCSC population within the spheroids could be targeted. Cells that escaped therapy were isolated and used to initiate new spheroids and model tumor reemergence in a personalized manner.

Results: OvCSC spheroids from different patients exhibited varying and personalized responses to chemotherapeutics. Xenografts were established from OvCSC spheroids, even with a single spheroid. Distinct responses to therapy were observed in distinct primary tumor xenografts similar to those observed in spheroids. Spheroids resistant to cisplatin/ALDH inhibitor therapy had persistent, albeit lower ALDH expression and complete loss of CD133 expression, whereas those resistant to cisplatin/JAK2 inhibitor therapy were enriched for ALDH+ cells.

Conclusions: Our 3D hanging drop suspension platform can be used to propagate primary OvCSCs that represent individual patient tumors effectively by differentiating in vitro and initiating tumors in mice. Therefore, our platform can be used to study cancer stem cell biology and model tumor reemergence to identify new targeted therapeutics from an effective personalized medicine standpoint. Clin Cancer Res; 23(22); 6934–45. ©2017 AACR.
Adaptive Global Innovative Learning Environment for Glioblastoma: GBM AGILE
Authors: Alexander Brian M. , Ba Sujuan , Berger Mitchel S. , Berry Donald A. , Cavenee Webster K. , Chang Susan M. , Cloughesy Timothy F. , Jiang Tao , Khasraw Mustafa , Li Wenbin , Mittman Robert , Poste George H. , Wen Patrick Y. , Yung W.K. Alfred , Barker Anna D.
Published: August 2017

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a deadly disease with few effective therapies. Although much has been learned about the molecular characteristics of the disease, this knowledge has not been translated into clinical improvements for patients. At the same time, many new therapies are being developed. Many of these therapies have potential biomarkers to identify responders. The result is an enormous amount of testable clinical questions that must be answered efficiently. The GBM Adaptive Global Innovative Learning Environment (GBM AGILE) is a novel, multi-arm, platform trial designed to address these challenges. It is the result of the collective work of over 130 oncologists, statisticians, pathologists, neurosurgeons, imagers, and translational and basic scientists from around the world. GBM AGILE is composed of two stages. The first stage is a Bayesian adaptively randomized screening stage to identify effective therapies based on impact on overall survival compared with a common control. This stage also finds the population in which the therapy shows the most promise based on clinical indication and biomarker status. Highly effective therapies transition in an inferentially seamless manner in the identified population to a second confirmatory stage. The second stage uses fixed randomization to confirm the findings from the first stage to support registration. Therapeutic arms with biomarkers may be added to the trial over time, while others complete testing. The design of GBM AGILE enables rapid clinical testing of new therapies and biomarkers to speed highly effective therapies to clinical practice. Clin Cancer Res; 24(4); 737–43. ©2017 AACR.
Non-Meckel Small Intestine Diverticulitis
Authors: Ejaz Shamim , Vikram Raghu , Stroehlein John R.
Published: August 2017

Non-Meckel small intestine diverticulitis can have many manifestations and its management is not well-defined. We report 4 unselect cases of small intestine diverticulitis; all patients were seen by the same physician at the Emergency Center at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center between 1999 and 2014. The median age at diagnosis of these patients was 82 years (range, 76–87 years). All 4 patients presented with acute onset of abdominal pain, and computed tomography scans showed characteristics of small intestine diverticulitis unrelated to cancer. Most of the diverticula were found in the region of the duodenum and jejuno-ileal segments of the small intestine. The patients, even those with peripancreatic inflammation and localized perforation, were treated conservatively. Non-Meckel diverticulitis can be overlooked in the initial diagnosis because of the location of the diverticulosis, the age of the patient, and the rarity of the disease. Because patients with non-Meckel small intestine diverticulitis can present with acute abdominal pain, non-Meckel small intestine diverticulitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with acute abdominal pain, and computed tomography scans can help identify the condition. Because of the rarity of non-Meckel small intestine diverticulitis, few studies have been published, and the data are inconclusive about how best to approach these patients. Our experience with these 4 elderly patients indicates that non-Meckel small intestine diverticulitis can be treated conservatively, which avoids the potential morbidity and mortality of a surgical approach.
Celiac Disease Associated with a Benign Granulomatous Mass Demonstrating Self-Regression after Initiation of a Gluten-Free Diet
Authors: Tiwari Abhinav , Sharma Himani , Qamar Khola , Khan Zubair , Darr Umar , Renno Anas , Nawras Ali
Published: August 2017

Celiac disease is a chronic immune-mediated enteropathy in which dietary gluten induces an inflammatory reaction predominantly in the duodenum. Celiac disease is known to be associated with benign small bowel thickening and reactive lymphadenopathy that often regresses after the institution of a gluten-free diet. A 66-year-old male patient with celiac disease presented with abdominal pain and diarrheal illness. Computerized tomography of the abdomen revealed a duodenal mass. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration of the mass revealed bizarre stromal cells which represent a nonspecific tissue reaction to inflammation. This inflammatory mass regressed after the institution of a gluten-free diet. This case report describes a unique presentation of celiac disease in the form of a granulomatous self-regressing mass. Also, this is the first reported case of bizarre stromal cells found in association with celiac disease. In addition to lymphoma and small bowel adenocarcinoma, celiac disease can present with a benign inflammatory mass, which should be serially monitored for resolution with a gluten-free diet.
Downregulation of MicroRNA-330 Correlates with the Radiation Sensitivity and Prognosis of Patients with Brain Metastasis from Lung Cancer
Authors: Jiang Li-Peng , Zhu Zhi-Tu , Zhang Yue , He Chun-Yan
Published: August 2017

Background: The present study sought to explore the role of microRNA-330 (miR-330) in predicting the radiation response and prognosis of patients with brain metastasis (BM) from lung cancer (LC). Methods: Patients with BM from LC were identified and classified into radiation-sensitive and radiation-resistant groups according to the overall survival rate, local and distant recurrence rate after conventional whole-brain radiation therapy. Quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect miR-330 expression in serum. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the prognostic value of miR-330 for the radiation sensitivity of brain metastasis from LC. Related clinical factors for radiation sensitivity were assessed by logistic regression analysis, and a survival analysis was conducted using COX regression and the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: MiR-330 exhibited lower expression in the radiation-sensitive group than in the radiation-resistant group. The area under the ROC curve of miR-330 for predicting radiation sensitivity was 0.898 (optimal cut-off value, 0.815), with a sensitivity of 71.7% and a specificity of 90.1%. After radiation therapy, patients with low miR-330 expression, compared to patients with high miR-330 expression, displayed a lower survival rate and a median survival time. MiR-330 expression was correlated with extracranial metastasis, maximum BM diameter, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage and node (N) stage. Logistic regression and COX regression analyses revealed that extracranial metastasis, TNM stage, N stage and miR-330 expression were factors that influenced both radiation sensitivity and individual prognostic factors in patients with BM from LC. Conclusions: These findings indicate that the downregulation of miR-330 correlates with radiation sensitivity and poor prognosis in patients with BM from LC.
TGF-β1 is Involved in Vitamin D-Induced Chondrogenic Differentiation of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Regulating the ERK/JNK Pathway
Authors: Jiang Xiaorui , Huang Botao , Yang Huiying , Li Guishi , Zhang Chunlei , Yang Guangshi , Lin Feng , Lin Guodong
Published: August 2017

Background/Aims: Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by degradation of cartilage, sole cell type of which is chondrocytes. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) possess multipotency and can be directionally differentiated into chondrocytes under stimulation. This study was aimed to explore the possible roles of vitamin D and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in the chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Methods: BMSCs were isolated from femurs and tibias of rats and characterized by flow cytometry. After stimulation with vitamin D, BMSC proliferation and migration were measured by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and Transwell assays, respectively. Chondrogenic differentiation was estimated through expression levels of specific markers by qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. After stable transfection, the effects of aberrantly expressed TGF-β1 on vitamin D-induced alterations, including BMSC viability, migration and chondrogenic differentiation, were all evaluated utilizing CCK-8 assay, Transwell assay, qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Finally, the phosphorylation levels of key kinases in the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathways were determined by Western blot analysis. Results: Vitamin D remarkably promoted BMSC viability, migration and chondrogenic differentiation. These alterations of BMSCs induced by vitamin D were reinforced by TGF-β1 overexpression while were reversed by TGF-β1 silencing. Additionally, the phosphorylation levels of ERK, JNK and c-Jun were enhanced by TGF-β1 overexpression but were reduced by TGF-β1 knockdown. Conclusion: Vitamin D promoted BMSC proliferation, migration and chondrogenic differentiation. TGF-β1 might be implicated in the vitamin D-induced alterations of BMSCs through regulating ERK/JNK pathway.
Clinical impact of major bleeding in patients with venous thromboembolism treated with factor Xa inhibitors or vitamin K antagonists
Authors: Eerenberg Elise , Cohen Alexander , Middeldorp Saskia , Raskob Gary , Büller Harry , Bleker Suzanne , Brekelmans Marjolein
Published: August 2017

Factor Xa (fXa)-inhibitors are as effective and safer than vitamin-K–antagonists (VKA) in the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE). We previously classified the severity of clinical presentation and course of all major bleeding events from the EINSTEIN, AMPLIFY and HOKUSAI-VTE trials separately. The current aim was to combine these findings in order to increase precision, assess a class effect and analyse presentation and course for different types of bleeding, i. e. intracranial, gastro-intestinal, and other. We classified the clinical presentation and course of all major bleeding events using pre-defined criteria. Both classifications comprised four categories; one being the mildest, and four the most severe. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated for all events classified as category three or four between fXa-inhibitors and VKA recipients. Also, ORs were computed for different types of bleeding. Major bleeding occurred in 111 fXa-inhibitor recipients and in 187 LMWH/VKA recipients. The clinical presentation was classified as category three or four in 35% and 48% of the major bleeds in fXa inhibitor and VKA recipients, respectively (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.36–0.97). For intracranial, gastro-intestinal and other bleeding a trend towards a less severe presentation was observed for patients treated with fXa inhibitors. Clinical course was classified as severe in 22% of the fXa inhibitor and 25% of the VKA associated bleeds (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.47–1.46). In conclusion, FXa inhibitor associated major bleeding events had a significantly less severe presentation and a similar course compared to VKA. This finding was consistent for different types of bleeding.
ЕКОНОМІЧНЕ ОБГРУНТУВАННЯ ПОНЕСЕНИХ ВТРАТ З ДЕРЖАВНОГО БЮДЖЕТУ УКРАЇНИ ТА ОСОБИСТИХ ВИТРАТ ПАЦІЄНТІВ, ЯКІ ПЕРЕНЕСЛИ ОПЕРАЦІЮ ГАРТМАНА
Authors: Grytsenko S. Y.
Published: August 2017

В економічно розвинутих країнах світу система охорони здоров’я функціонує в умовах жорстких правил страхової медицини. Як правило, при наданні тих чи інших медичних послуг враховують також і економічну доцільність необхідних операційних втручань чи будь-якої іншої лікарської маніпуляції, вираховують можливі втрати як для пацієнта, так і для держави.Мета дослідження – вивчити та економічно обґрунтувати додаткові витрати держави та особистих витрат пацієнтів, котрим була виконана операція Гартмана, та провести порівняння даних показників із економічними втратами, які несуть пацієнти, прооперовані за методикою, розробленою в нашій клініці.Матеріали і методи. За даними Міністерства охорони здоров’я України, в 2015 р. чисельність інвалідів ІІ групи (захворювання органів травлення), яких вперше визнали, становила 3423 особи, в тому числі 3219 осіб у працездатному віці або 94,0 % [2]. Доходи населення – важливий результативний показник, що характеризує загальну суму грошових і натуральних (у грошовій оцінці) доходів громадян протягом року. За даними Державної служби статистики України, в 2015 р. загальний середньомісячний дохід у розрахунку на одного працюючого становив 10 362 грн.Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. За умов, якщо інвалід ІІ групи офіційно не працював, тобто не отримував зарплати, а лише отримував соціальну допомогу та інші соціальні трансферти, то у цій ситуації втрати з державного бюджету в 2015 р. для таких осіб становили 5958,3 грн. щомісячно, або на 11,7 % більше, ніж для працюючих інвалідів. Крім цього, інваліди ІІ групи понесли особисті додаткові витрати, пов’язані з придбанням калоприймачів та засобів догляду за стомою. Для забезпечення одного пацієнта засобами догляду за стомою становить 10 300 грн/1 рік.Висновки. Пацієнти, котрим виконано операцію Гартмана, потребують тривалої соціальної адаптації та психологічної допомоги для пристосування до нових умов існування, необхідні додаткові витрати коштів як з державного бюджету, так і особистих заощаджень, збільшення обсягів соціальної допомоги від держави та ін.
ДЖЕРЕЛА ФОРМУВАННЯ НЕТИПОВИХ ФОРМ ПРОГРЕСУЮЧОЇ ВАРИКОЗНОЇ ХВОРОБИ ПІДШКІРНИХ ВЕН У ВАГІТНИХ (ВАРИКОЗ ВЕН ПАХОВОГО КАНАЛУ) ЗА ДАНИМ ДУПЛЕКСНОГО СКАНУВАННЯ
Authors: Antonyuk-Kysil V. М. , Yenikeeva V. М. , Lichner S. І. , Lypnyy V. M. , Semenyuk M. V.
Published: August 2017

Однією із нетипових форм варикозного розширення вен є прогресуюче варикозне розширення вен круглої зв’язки матки, яке зустрічається у 5 % випадків. Воно може бути як самостійним захворюванням, яке проявляється імітацією пахової кили, а також як джерелом формування варикозу зовнішніх статевих органів.Мета дослідження – вивчити активну безмедикаментозну профілактику прогресування варикозного розширення вен пахового каналу та запобігти ускладненням під час вагітності, пологів і в післяпологовий період шляхом безпечної хірургічної корекції даної патології.Матеріали і методи. Вперше особливу увагу приділено вивченню анатомії вен шляхом дуплексного сканування. З’ясовано, через які й з яких венозних басейнів виникає патологічний венозний рефлекс (ПВР), що призводить до варикозного розширення вен зовнішніх статевих органів та пахового каналу.Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. Частота варикозного розширення вен пахового каналу простежувалась у 11,2 % обстежених, тобто у 86 пацієнток. У 24 (27,9 %) жінок відмічено ізольоване варикозне розширенням вен у цій ділянці, яке не поширювалось за межі пахового каналу (19 із них народжують вперше), у 38 (44,2 %) пацієнток варикозне розширення вен пахового каналу поєднувалось із варикозним розширенням вен зовнішніх статевих органів, тобто виходило за межі пахового каналу через зовнішнє пахове кільце. Формувався варикоз зовнішніх статевих органів (32 жінок із них мали двоє і більше пологів), у 24 (27,9 %) випадках поєднувалось із варикозним розширенням підшкірних вен нижніх кінцівок.Висновки. Дуплексне сканування не є інвазійним методом, не викликає ятрогенних ускладнень як з боку вагітної, так і плода. Це дослідження надало майже всі дані, що необхідні для постановки етіологічного діагнозу варикозу, сприяло можливості оцінити динаміку процесу і вибрати стратегію подальшого лікування.
РЕЗУЛЬТАТИ КОМПЛЕКСНОГО ДИФЕРЕНЦІЙОВАНОГО ЛІКУВАННЯ ХВОРИХ НА СИНДРОМ ДІАБЕТИЧНОЇ СТОПИ.
Authors: Gerasymchuk P. O. , Deykalo I. M. , Zaporozhan S. Y. , Fira D. B. , Hospodarskyy A. Ya. , Sydorenko V. M.
Published: August 2017

Цукровий діабет (ЦД) у всьому світі набув масштабів пандемії і кількість хворих продовжує постійно зростати, що становить одну з найбільш вагомих медичних та соціально-економічних проблем. У структурі пізніх ускладнень ЦД синдром діабетичної стопи (СДС) займає лідируючі позиції, призводячи до зростання інвалідизації і смертності хворих цієї групи. Він ускладнює перебіг цукрового діабету в 4,6–25 % пацієнтів, щорічно діагностовано нові випадки ураження в межах 2,2–5,9 % хворих на діабет.Мета дослідження – оцінити ефективність розроблених методів комплексного диференційованого патогенетичного лікування хворих із синдромом діабетичної стопи.Матеріали і методи. Проаналізовано результати комплексного хірургічного лікування 1716 хворих із синдромом діабетичної стопи. На основі вивчення особливостей перебігу патологічного процесу, мікробіологічних, морфологічних і цитологічних досліджень, вивчення центральної та периферичної гемодинаміки нижніх кінцівок, рентгенологічного обстеження розроблено об’єктивні критерії комплексного диференційованого лікування пацієнтів та критерії ефективності проведення хірургічних обробок і малих ампутацій на стопі.Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. Проведені дослідження дозволили ствердити, що при формуванні диференційованих підходів до хірургічного лікування гнійно-некротичних уражень нижніх кінцівок на тлі цукрового діабету слід враховувати патогенетичну форму діабетичної стопи, глибину та поширення ураження, його топографоанатомічне розташування, характер мікрофлори гнійно-запального вогнища та показники периферичної гемодинаміки кінцівки. З метою збереження нижньої кінцівки при наявності обґрунтованих показань перевагу необхідно надавати одноетапним радикальним хірургічним обробкам та малим ампутаціям стопи.Висновки. Своєчасне та правильне використання комплексних диференційованих патогенетичних схем лікування СДС дозволяє кількісно та якісно поліпшити лікування вищезазначеної патології, зберегти опірність кінцівки та зменшити кількість високих ампутацій нижніх кінцівок до 9,6 %, а також знизити термін стаціонарного лікування хворих на (5,8±1,4) ліжко-дня, покращити якість життя хворих і їх соціальну адаптацію.
РАННІ РЕЗУЛЬТАТИ ЛІКУВАННЯ ХВОРИХ ІЗ НИЖНЬОПОПЕРЕКОВИМ БОЛЬОВИМ СИНДРОМОМ, ДЕ ДОМІНУВАЛИ ПРОЯВИ СПОНДИЛОАРТРОЗУ З ВИКОРИСТАННЯМ РАДІОЧАСТОТНОЇ ДЕНЕРВАЦІЇ ФАСЕТКОВИХ СУГЛОБІВ У ПОЄДНАННІ З ПЕРИАРТИКУЛЯРНИМ ВВЕДЕННЯМ МІСЦЕВИХ АНЕСТЕТИКІВ ТА СТЕРОЇДНИХ ПРЕПАРАТІВ
Authors: Kvasnitskyi M. V.
Published: August 2017

Висока частота розповсюдженості дегенеративно-дистрофічного ураження хребта при малій ефективності терапії спондилоартрозу робить актуальним дослідження стосовно лікування нижньопоперекового болю, зумовленого переважно спондилоартрозом, інноваційним міні-інвазійним методом високочастотної денервації фасеткових суглобів у поєднанні з періартикулярним введенням місцевих анестетиків та стероїдних препаратів.Мета дослідження – визначити ефективність впливу радіочастотної денервації фасеткових суглобів у поєднанні з періартикулярним введенням місцевих анестетиків та стероїдних препаратів на ліквідацію больового синдрому у хворих із нижньопоперековим больовим синдромом, в яких переважали явища спондилоартрозу.Матеріали і методи. Проведено аналіз ранніх результатів лікування 78 пацієнтів (37 чоловіків та 41 жінки у віці від 51 до 79 років) з нижньопоперековим больовим синдромом, у яких ведучим клінічним проявом був артроз дуговідросткових суглобів, що склали основну групу, а також радіочастотну денервацію фасеткових суглобів (за допомогою апарату RFG-1A/RFG-1B фірми Radionics) в поєднанні з періартикулярним введенням місцевого анестетика та стероїдного препарату. Контрольну групу склали 136 пацієнтів (73 чоловіків та 63 жінки у віці від 44 до 81 років) із нижньопоперековим болем, де домінували явища спондилоартрозу, які лікувались виключно за допомогою методу радіочастотної денервації фасеткових суглобів.Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. Як відразу ж після проведеного лікування, так і через три місяці отримано достовірний результат лікування хронічного нижньопоперекового больового синдрому, зумовленого переважно ураженням дуговідросткових суглобів як в основній, так і контрольній групах, що свідчить про ефективність обох методів лікування. Разом з тим, є чітка достовірна різниця між основною та контрольною групами як відразу після проведеного лікування, так і через три місяці, що свідчить про достовірну вищу ефективність методу радіочастотної денервації фасеткових суглобів у поєднанні з періартикулярним введенням місцевого анестетика та стероїдного препарату в ранньому післяопераційному періоді.Висновки. Отримані результати як відразу ж після лікування, так і через 3 місяці свідчать як про ефективність радіочастотної денервації фасеткових суглобів, так і про ефективність радіочастотної денервації фасеткових суглобів у поєднанні з періартикулярним введенням місцевого анестетика та стероїдного препарату у хворих із нижньопоперековим больовим синдромом, де домінують явища спондилоартрозу. Достовірно кращі результати лікування отримані в ранньому післяопераційному періоді в групі пацієнтів, яким проводили радіочастотну денервацію фасеткових суглобів у поєднанні з періартикулярним введенням місцевого анестетика та стероїдного препарату.
Transcriptome analysis of Meloidogyne incognita encumbered by Pasteuria penetrans endospores provides new insights into bacteria and nematode interaction
Authors: Zou Xiaoxiao , Lu Yan , Sun Qianguang , Huang Huiqin , Liu Min , Bao Shixiang
Published: August 2017

Root-knot nematodes (RKN,Meloidogynespp.) are one of the most harmful pests in agriculture.Pasteuria penetrans, an obligate hyperparasite of RKN, is an effective biological control agent. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of interaction betweenP. penetransand the second-stage juvenile (J2) ofMeloidogyne incognita. Here, we used transcriptome sequencing to characterise the differential expression profiles between control J2 ofM. incognitaand J2 encumbered byP. penetransendospores. A total of 445 genes were found to be differentially expressed, including 406 up-regulated and 39 down-regulated genes. Thirty-seven putative immune-related genes encoding collagens, cytochrome P450, lysozymes and other active proteins were identified. Genes involved in the ‘biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids’ pathway and several core sets of immune effectors were up-regulated, indicating conserved immune mechanisms among different nematodes. Down-regulation of cytochrome P450-related genes might suggest a specific defence response ofM. incognitaencumbered byP. penetransendospores.
To Naturalize is to Differentiate
Authors: Ruper Stefani
Published: August 2017

Many scholars have expressed fears that naturalism will homogenize religion, thereby reifying the concept and distorting the academy’s perception of local cultures. Yet this fear is misplaced. In fact, recent advances in cognitive science, most notably regarding the development of interactional theories of cognition, lend significant support to conceptualizing religion heterogeneously. In this paper I first explore Russell McCutcheon’s rationale for fearing naturalism. I then obviate McCutcheon’s fears by demonstrating how the interactionalist perspective in cognitive science both promotes a heterogeneous understanding of human behavior as well as refutes sui generis religion. I conclude by recommending fusing insights from interactionalism with a ground-up, sociological approach to “religion” such as Timothy Fitzgerald’s, which results in research methodology that is appropriately sensitive to the natural differences of behavior that have been historically identified as religious.
Species checklist of Orthoptera (Insecta) from Sakaerat Environmental Research Station, Thailand (Southeast Asia)
Authors: DAWWRUENG PATTARAWICH , TAN MING KAI , ARTCHAWAKOM TAKSIN , WAENGSOTHORN SURACHIT
Published: August 2017

Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve is one of the four Biosphere Reserves in Thailand. It is situated at Khorat Plateau and comprises of mainly dry evergreen forest and dry dipterocarp forest. Despite studies that document its rich biodiversity, there was no concerted study on the orthopteran diversity. Recent sampling by the authors in Sakaerat led to the discovery of numerous undescribed species. A checklist, first for the place, is also reported here, each species represented with a habitus photograph. In total, 128 species of Orthoptera from 11 families were recorded. Caelifera (grasshoppers) were represented with five families and Ensifera (crickets and katydids) were represented with six families, making up 10 of the 16 lineages in the orthoptera phylogeny.
Description of a new Aemene Walker, 1854 from North Thailand and Myanmar, with a checklist of the genus (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae)
Authors: VOLYNKIN ANTON V. , ČERNÝ KAREL , IVANOVA MARIA S.
Published: August 2017

A new species of the genus Aemene Walker, 1854, Aemene eudonioides Volynkin & Černý, sp. nov. is described from North Thailand and Myanmar. The diagnostic comparison is made with Aemene taeniata Fixsen, 1887. The new synonymy is established: Aemene taeniata (Fixsen, 1887) = Siccia v-nigra Hampson, 1900, syn. nov. The checklist of Aemene taxa from the Oriental and Palaearctic Regions is presented.
Possible amphi-Atlantic dispersal of Scyllarus lobsters (Crustacea: Scyllaridae): molecular and larval evidence
Authors: GENIS-ARMERO REBECA , GUERAO GUILLEM , ABELLÓ PERE , GONZÁLEZ-GORDILLO J. IGNACIO , CUESTA JOSÉ A. , CORBARI LAURE , CLARK PAUL F. , CAPACCIONI-AZZATI ROMANA , PALERO FERRAN
Published: August 2017

DNA methods may contribute to better understand larval dispersal of marine lobsters. The molecular analysis of phyllosoma specimens from the East Atlantic facilitated for the first time here the description of Scyllarus subarctus Crosnier, 1970 larvae. The identification of S. subarctus phyllosomae from Cabo Verde confirmed that this species has a much wider geographic distribution than previously thought. Moreover, the phylogenetic analyses placed S. depressus from the Western Atlantic together with the African species S. subarctus, instead of other American Scyllarus. In fact, S. depressus and S. subarctus formed a strongly supported clade with comparatively low genetic differentiation, suggesting the possibility that they might be recently-diverged sister taxa with an amphi-Atlantic distribution. Support for this is provided by the examination of S. subarctus larvae and the lack of any qualitative character that would allow for differentiation between the adults of S. subarctus and S. depressus. The results obtained highlight the challenges of current Scyllarus systematics and the need for further research on Atlantic slipper lobsters.
New species and records of Corydalidae (Insecta: Megaloptera) from Myanmar
Authors: LIU XINGYUE , DVORAK LIBOR
Published: August 2017

Seven species of the family Corydalidae (Insecta: Megaloptera) are newly recorded from Myanmar, including a new species of the dobsonfly genus Protohermes van der Weele, 1907, P. burmanus sp. nov. A total of 18 species of Megaloptera are now known from Myanmar.
A New Approach to Streaming Data from the Cloud
Authors: Robinson Niall H. , Prudden Rachel , Arribas Alberto
Published: August 2017

Environmental datasets are becoming so large that they are increasingly being hosted in the compute cloud, where they can be efficiently analyzed and disseminated. However, this necessitates new ways of efficiently delivering environmental information across the Internet to users. We visualised a big atmospheric dataset in a web page by repurposing techniques normally used to stream HD video. You can try the prototype at http://demo.3dvis.informaticslab.co.uk/ng-3d-vis/apps/desktop/ or watch a video demonstration at www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzvk1ZNMvFY.
Competition and Antitrust Enforcement Against Standard Essential Patents in India
Authors: Gandhi Samir , Sukumar Shivanghi
Published: August 2017

Competition authorities and courts across the world have assessed issues at the interface between competition law and intellectual property rights. India is no longer a stranger to this debate and has witnessed the initiation of multiple proceedings involving the exercise of standard essential patents. Further, a long-pending jurisdictional conflict has now been resolved by a court decision, paving the way for the Indian competition authority and courts to concurrently examine the exercise of standard essential patents. While these developments represent a step in the evolution of antitrust jurisprudence in India, several foundational issues in relation to the competition enforcement against standard essential patents are yet to be decided.
The Competition Law Regulation of Standard Essential Patents in South Korea
Authors: Kim Gene-Oh , Koo Dave B. , Lee Kyung Yul
Published: August 2017

South Korea is squarely involved in the global debates regarding the intersection between standard essential patents (SEPs) and competition law, as it is home to an active competition agency and major technology firms such as Samsung and LG that have rapidly advanced from being almost pure implementers/licensees to simultaneously becoming innovators/licensors in the information technology sector. The landmark case between Samsung and Apple was a major milestone in terms of the application of competition law to the exercise of patent rights by an SEP holder, in particular whether a filing of an injunction claim based on an SEP violated the law as an abuse of intellectual property rights. The Korea Fair Trade Commission has also shown substantial interest and activity in this area, as represented by its recent revisions of its intellectual property rights related guidelines, and with the Commission’s latest decision at the end of 2016 against Qualcomm, the debate around the exercise of SEPs is sure to be more vigorous than ever, in addition to expanding to new issues and dimensions.
Standard-Essential Patents and the Japanese Competition Law in Comparison with China, the U.S., and the EU
Authors: Takigawa Toshiaki
Published: August 2017

Despite having committed to FRAND (fair, reasonable and nondiscriminatory) terms, not a few standard essential patent (SEP) owners have engaged in holdup (such as suing for injunction, or levying very high royalty), which has triggered antitrust/competition actions in the U.S., the EU, China, Japan, and Korea. This article focuses on the Japanese situation, highlighting its difference with the Chinese one. The Japanese competition agency (JFTC) as well as the Japanese Intellectual Property (IP) High Court have closely studied the jurisprudence in the U.S. and the EU, coming up with solutions in line with those adopted by the U.S. and EU courts and agencies. By contrast, Chinese agencies and courts have devised unique methods for tackling SEP/FRAND issues. First, a Chinese antimonopoly agency has utilized the exploitative-abuse provision of the Chinese competition law for ordering a SEP owner to reduce its royalties to Chinese licensees, regardless of the SEP owners’ FRAND commitment. Second, a Chinese court utilized “nondiscriminatory” portion of FRAND commitment, for mandating virtually the same royalty to be levied on Chinese licensees as that levied on Apple. These methods either leave too much latitude to the agencies or lack a convincing rationale.
Portfolio Licensing to Makers of Downstream End-User Devices
Authors: Padilla Jorge , Wong-Ervin Koren W.
Published: August 2017

Competition agencies around the globe are investigating whether a standard-essential patent (SEP) holder’s choice to license to the makers of downstream end-user devices, rather than to makers of the components of those devices, violates competition laws. Some authorities have already reached that conclusion. While much has been written about FRAND-assured SEPs, the literature to date focuses largely on the appropriateness of seeking and obtaining injunctive relief on such patents or on the meaning of “fair and reasonable,” and has largely ignored the “nondiscriminatory” prong of FRAND (fair, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory). This article analyzes what we observe to be the common industry practice of licensing on a portfolio basis at the end-user device level, and whether a patent holder’s refusal to license at only at the downstream end-user device level, and not at other levels of the production chain, may constitute an antitrust violation. We conclude that (1) whether the “nondiscriminatory” prong of the FRAND promise requires licensing at the component level is a fact-specific inquiry that depends upon the specific standard-development organization’s policy; (2) even if there is potential for a failure to comply with a FRAND assurance, that alone does not constitute an antitrust violation; and (3) the refusal to license at component level cannot be anticompetitive when the vertically integrated holder of one or more SEPs does not assert its patents against the makers of components but, instead, licenses its SEP portfolio to end-device manufacturers on FRAND terms.
U.S. and E.U. Antitrust Law as Written
Authors: Markovits Richard S.
Published: August 2017

This Article (1) articulates operational definitions of eight possible morally-defensible test of antitrust legality, (2) describes the conduct-coverage of, tests of prima facie illegality promulgated by, and economic-efficiency defenses recognized by U.S. and E.U. antitrust law correctly interpreted as matters of law, (3) delineates the seven most important differences between U.S. and E.U. antitrust law as written and the two most important shared attributes of U.S. and E.U. antitrust law as written, and (4) evaluates the relative and absolute moral desirability of these two antitrust-law regimes as written from the perspectives of both the liberal conception of justice and various nonliberal conceptions of the moral good. Inter alia, the Article explains why (1) conduct that manifest one or more perpetrators’ specific anticompetitive intent or distorts competition (constitutes unfair competition) violates liberal moral-rights, (2) conduct that manifests specific anticompetitive intent, lessens competition or distorts competition is distributively undesirable from utilitarian, various nonliberal-egalitarian and various individual history/conduct-focused normative perspectives, and (3) analyses that take appropriate account of the General Theory of Second Best reveal that (A) although the fact that conduct reduced price competition in some area of product-space does not imply that it generated economic inefficiency by causing too few resources to be devoted to unit-output production in that area of product-space relative to the amount devoted to unit-output product elsewhere, it does imply that the relevant conduct generated economic inefficiency by allocating resources from unit-output production to quantity-or-variety-increasing-investment (QV-investment) creation, (B) price-fixing and predatory pricing generate economic inefficiency not only by generating allocative transaction costs but by leading to undercutting by competitive inferior’s and retaliation that results in suppliers’ that are allocatively as well as privately worse-than-best-placed making sales, (C) conduct that reduces QV-investment competition increases economic efficiency by allocating resources from QV-investment creation t unit-output production and production-process-research execution, and (D) the use of many pricing-techniques (price discrimination, the simultaneous charging of lump-sum fees and per-unit prices, and some functional types of tie-ins and reciprocity) is economically inefficient although it does not manifest the perpetrator’s specific anticompetitive intent or lessen competition.
The Effectiveness of Private Enforcement and Class Actions to Secure Antitrust Enforcement
Authors: Juška Žygimantas
Published: August 2017

The U.S. system has relied heavily on antitrust class actions as a means of ensuring compensation and deterrence. Although this tool seems sensible in theory, the reality is that it remains highly controversial. On the one hand, commentators argue that class actions force defendants to settle cases lacking merit. Even if a settlement agreement is assumed to have a merit, class actions are accused of doing a poor job in compensating victims and deterring wrongdoers. On the other hand, the proponents of class actions claim that there is no reliable empirical evidence proving that class action schemes caused negative effects on antitrust litigation. The public debate about the effectiveness of class actions illustrate the controversial nature of American class actions fairly well. Therefore, using comparative insights from the predominant controversies, this study will determine how well antitrust class actions fulfill compensation objectives and to what extent they can facilitate deterrence.
Collusion/Competition
Authors: Lanzillotti Robert F.
Published: August 2017

Ever since the U.S. Supreme Court opinion in Matsushita, various U.S. district courts have issued a series of rulings that appear to constitute a new learning on the economics of collusive behavior and to elevate the economic evidentiary bar for successful proof of price-fixing and bid-rigging. The rulings use game theory constructs expressed as pure, interdependent behavior that theoretically can result in supracompetitive prices in the absence of any agreement. The most recent explanation of this learning is contained in the 2016 titanium dioxide (TiO2) opinion Valspar v. E. I. DuPont, which raises the bar for proving a Sherman Act Sec. 1 violation. This and earlier rulings appear counterintuitive when their reasoning is tested against the context of Judge Richard Posner’s opinion on the value of circumstantial evidence in High Fructose Corn Syrup and In re Text Messaging. This article identifies market structure and behavioral features typically found in cartel arrangements, and tests the efficacy of what is perceived as a new learning on collusion/competition with empirical data from twelve alleged price-fixing conspiracies successfully litigated over the past two decades.
Women’s employment patterns after childbirth and the perceived access to and use of flexitime and teleworking
Authors: Chung Heejung , van der Horst Mariska
Published: August 2017

This article sets out to investigate how flexitime and teleworking can help women maintain their careers after childbirth. Despite the increased number of women in the labour market in the UK, many significantly reduce their working hours or leave the labour market altogether after childbirth. Based on border and boundary management theories, we expect flexitime and teleworking can help mothers stay employed and maintain their working hours. We explore the UK case, where the right to request flexible working has been expanded quickly as a way to address work–life balance issues. The dataset used is Understanding Society (2009–2014), a large household panel survey with data on flexible work. We find some suggestive evidence that flexible working can help women stay in employment after the birth of their first child. More evidence is found that mothers using flexitime and with access to teleworking are less likely to reduce their working hours after childbirth. This contributes to our understanding of flexible working not only as a tool for work–life balance, but also as a tool to enhance and maintain individuals’ work capacities in periods of increased family demands. This has major implications for supporting mothers’ careers and enhancing gender equality in the labour market.
Modeling magneto-mechanical behavior of Fe3O4 nanoparticle/polyamide nanocomposite membrane in an external magnetic field
Authors: Tayefeh Arsalan , Wiesner Mark , Mousavi Seyyed A , Poursalehi Reza
Published: August 2017

The magnetic response of a polyamide nanocomposite membrane under applying a magnetic field has been modeled to evaluate elastic deformation order of magnitude. A PA-Fe3O4 nanocomposite membrane is considered to be modeled under influence of volume plane stress caused by a magnetic field. The modeling of the mechanical behavior of Fe3O4-PA nanocomposite membrane suggests that nanoparticle displacements within the nanocomposite, in the order of 200 nm under applying an external magnetic field, are greater than free volumes or porosities of the polyamide membrane. The membrane can be excited to mechanically vibrate by applying an alternating magnetic field lower than 0.1 T. As the results showed, there is an optimum nanoparticle size, %vol. loading and magnetic field strength to optimize such very small mechanical elastic deformations in the polymer, for controlling membrane functions. The perturbation and decreasing thickness of boundary layer and flow regime can be created by such vibrational elastic deformations on the membrane. It shows that the nanoparticle size has a more significant effect on membrane in-plane movement than their %vol. loading in the polyamide matrix. Decreasing loading of magnetic nanoparticles is very critical to fabricating high-performance membranes with appropriate and controllable magnetic and mechanical properties simultaneously. This phenomenon in vibrational mode might be exploited as a pathway to develop near surface mixing on the membrane, to hydrodynamically lower boundary layer thickness, control membrane separation behavior and enhance cleaning of the membranes, with inducing alternative magnetic fields.