bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulation of Shaoyao Ruangan Mixture on Intestinal Flora in Mice With Primary Liver Cancer
Authors: Zhen Hongde , Qian Xiang , Fu Xiaoxuan , Chen Zhuo , Zhang Aiqin , Shi Lei
Published: April 2019

Background: Shaoyao Ruangan mixture (SRM) has been applied clinically for more than 20 years in Zhejiang Cancer Hospital to treat patients with primary liver cancer (PLC). Intestinal microecology plays an important role in the emergence of liver diseases. This study aimed to reveal connections among SRM, intestinal microbiota and PLC, and the potential targets of SRM for liver cancer. Methods: We established a control group, a PLC model group, and a treatment group of mice to analyze the inhibitory effect of SRM on PLC and its intestinal flora target. We also evaluated drug efficacy of SRM and analyzed specific changes in intestinal flora by 16S rDNA sequencing of stools. As the serum interleukin (IL)-10 level could be an independent prognostic factor for unresectable liver cancer, we detected IL-10 levels and analyzed their association with the abundance of specific bacteria. Results: Liver tumors in the treatment group were smaller and fewer than those in the model group ( P = .046). The abundance of Bacteroides was significantly higher in the model group than that in the control group, while SRM significantly reduced the increasing abundance of Bacteroides in mice with PLC. We found that the IL-10 level was positively correlated with the abundance of Bacteroides. Conclusion: SRM can effectively inhibit the progression of PLC and increase Bacteroides abundance. In view of the association between Bacteroides and liver cancer and the significant positive correlation between Bacteroides and IL-10 levels, Bacteroides may be the target intestinal flora of SRM to inhibit PLC.
Analysis of Circular RNA Expression Profile in HEK 293T Cells Exposed to Ionizing Radiation
Authors: He Ningning , Sun Yuxiao , Yang Mengmeng , Lu Qianying , Wang Jinhan , Xiao Changyan , Wang Yan , Du Liqing , Ji Kaihua , Xu Chang , Liu Qiang
Published: April 2019

Radiation therapy is one of the most common cancer treatments. It is important to understand how cells respond to ionizing radiation (IR) to improve therapeutic efficacy. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) recently have been found to regulate a variety of cellular processes. However, it is poorly defined that their expression pattern and their identity in cells following IR exposure. Here, we performed high-throughput sequencing and comprehensive analysis of circRNA expression in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293T cells before and after irradiation. We identified totally 5592 circRNAs and discovered 1038 new circRNAs. We found 158 circRNAs with significantly differential expression after IR exposure. Among them, there were 61 upregulated and 97 downregulated circRNAs. Using Gene Ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway, and circRNA-microRNA-messenger RNA network analyses, we found the differentially expressed circRNAs might be involved in the signal pathways of oxidative phosphorylation, epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling.
An improved opportunity maintenance model of complex system
Authors: Yuan Qinghe , Jin Zhenzhen , Jia Shun , Liu Qian
Published: April 2019

To solve the problems of multiple parts, high cost of disassembly, and imperfect maintenance in multi-component complex systems, an opportunistic maintenance model of multi-component complex systems based on a time threshold is proposed in this article. The influence of the disassembly sequence and hybrid evolution factors on maintenance and learning-forgetting effects are considered in the proposed model. In this article, the learning-forgetting effect of the field strip in the components on the same level or components on different levels is considered in addition to the shortest disassembly path of multi-component complex systems. Imperfect and preventive maintenance is applied in a complex system, and random failure involves minor repairs. Multiple objectives that minimize maintenance costs and maximize operation time rate are proposed. Monte Carlo simulation is used to solve the model and obtain the time threshold of optimal opportunistic maintenance. The results show the feasibility of the opportunistic maintenance model.
Autoencoder-based transfer learning in brain–computer interface for rehabilitation robot
Authors: Tan Chuanqi , Sun Fuchun , Fang Bin , Kong Tao , Zhang Wenchang
Published: April 2019

The brain–computer interface-based rehabilitation robot has quickly become a very important research area due to its natural interaction. One of the most important problems in brain–computer interface is that large-scale annotated electroencephalography data sets required by advanced classifiers are almost impossible to acquire because biological data acquisition is challenging and quality annotation is costly. Transfer learning relaxes the hypothesis that the training data must be independent and identically distributed with the test data. It can be considered a powerful tool for solving the problem of insufficient training data. There are two basic issues with transfer learning, under transfer and negative transfer. We proposed a novel brain–computer interface framework by using autoencoder-based transfer learning, which includes three main components: an autoencoder framework, a joint adversarial network, and a regularized manifold constraint. The autoencoder framework automatically encodes and reconstructs data from source and target domains and forces the neural network to learn to represent these domains reliably. The joint adversarial network aims to force the network to learn to encode more appropriately for the source domain and target domain simultaneously, thereby overcoming the problem of under transfer. The regularized manifold constraint aims to avoid the problem of negative transfer by avoiding geometric manifold structure in the target domain being destroyed by the source domain. Experiments show that the brain–computer interface framework proposed by us can achieve better results than state-of-the-art approaches in electroencephalography signal classification tasks. This is helpful in aiding our rehabilitation robot to understand the intention of patients and can help patients to carry out rehabilitation exercises effectively.
The Neoliberal Mobilization of Empathy in the Era of the Financial Crisis: A Case-Study
Authors: Houser Tammy Amiel
Published: April 2019

This article analyzes the entanglement between the contemporary discourse of empathy and the neoliberal imaginary, arguing that it threatens the (already strained) relationship between empathy and justice. Joining current scholarly debates about the pro-social effects of empathy, the article focuses on a specific case study: the 2009 criminal trial of Ralph Cioffi and Matthew Tannin, two Wall Street executives charged with conspiracy and fraud after their hedge fund collapsed. Their criminal trial, which was one of the first prosecutions originating from the credit crunch, ended with a surprising acquittal. In this study, I analyze how the defense made skillful use of the discourse of empathy in order to affect the jury’s final decision. Their strategies, I argue, drew power from the broader cultural context of the neoliberal embrace of empathy – and the underlying beliefs, expectations, and confusions that accompany this embrace. Particularly, I show how the defense mobilized the neoliberal ethos of hard work, optimism and globalism in order to encourage the jurors to step into the shoes of the defendants. The counsels’ call to empathy involved a blurring between self-oriented perspective-taking and other-oriented perspective-taking, so that an imaginative stepping-into-the-shoes of the defendants was confused with a deep understanding of Cioffi and Tannin’s actual experience and genuine intentions. This distorted pseudo-empathy, I argue, played a decisive role in the final outcome of the trial – and perhaps helped contribute to the crises of empathy that we are currently undergoing.
Advances in spinal cord imaging in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Moccia Marcello , Ruggieri Serena , Ianniello Antonio , Toosy Ahmed , Pozzilli Carlo , Ciccarelli Olga
Published: April 2019

The spinal cord is frequently affected in multiple sclerosis (MS), causing motor, sensory and autonomic dysfunction. A number of pathological abnormalities, including demyelination and neuroaxonal loss, occur in the MS spinal cord and are studied in vivo with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The aim of this review is to summarise and discuss recent advances in spinal cord MRI. Advances in conventional spinal cord MRI include improved identification of MS lesions, recommended spinal cord MRI protocols, enhanced recognition of MRI lesion characteristics that allow MS to be distinguished from other myelopathies, evidence for the role of spinal cord lesions in predicting prognosis and monitoring disease course, and novel post-processing methods to obtain lesion probability maps. The rate of spinal cord atrophy is greater than that of brain atrophy (−1.78% versus −0.5% per year), and reflects neuroaxonal loss in an eloquent site of the central nervous system, suggesting that it can become an important outcome measure in clinical trials, especially in progressive MS. Recent developments allow the calculation of spinal cord atrophy from brain volumetric scans and evaluation of its progression over time with registration-based techniques. Fully automated analysis methods, including segmentation of grey matter and intramedullary lesions, will facilitate the use of spinal cord atrophy in trial designs and observational studies. Advances in quantitative imaging techniques to evaluate neuroaxonal integrity, myelin content, metabolic changes, and functional connectivity, have provided new insights into the mechanisms of damage in MS. Future directions of research and the possible impact of 7T scanners on spinal cord imaging will be discussed.
Low skeletal muscle mass is associated with the risk of all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Miyake Hitomi , Kanazawa Ippei , Tanaka Ken-ichiro , Sugimoto Toshitsugu
Published: April 2019

Background:

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have an increased risk of muscle mass reduction. However, the association between muscle mass and mortality in T2DM remains unknown.

Methods:

This was a historical cohort study with the endpoint of all-cause mortality. This study included 163 Japanese men and 141 postmenopausal women with T2DM whose body compositions were evaluated using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Low muscle mass was defined as a skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) of <7.0 kg/m2 for men and <5.4 kg/m2 for women.

Results:

During the 6-year follow-up period, 32 men and 14 women died. In a Cox regression analysis adjusted for age, T2DM duration, glycated hemoglobin, serum creatinine, fasting C-peptide, body mass index, and lean body mass were associated with the risk of mortality in men [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.00–3.28 per standard deviation (SD) decrease, p = 0.049] and women (HR = 4.53, 95% CI = 1.14–17.96 per SD decrease, p = 0.032). Neither fat mass nor bone mineral content was associated with mortality. Low SMI was associated with increased mortality in women (HR = 5.97, 95% CI = 1.04–34.37, p = 0.045), while the association between low SMI and mortality was marginal in men (HR = 2.38, 95% CI = 0.92–6.14, p = 0.074).

Conclusions:

Low muscle mass was independently associated with all-cause mortality in patients with T2DM. The preservation of skeletal muscle mass is important to protect patients with T2DM from increased mortality risk.
Making Sustainability Personal: An Experiential Semester-Long Project to Enhance Students’ Understanding of Sustainability
Authors: Bell Geoffrey G.
Published: April 2019

Students often naively assume that pursuing sustainability is necessarily costly and difficult. However, proponents of “weak” or “business-centered” sustainability argue that well-crafted sustainability initiatives may simultaneously reduce carbon footprint and enhance financial performance. This article describes a semester-long project that helps students move from their naive perspective to a more nuanced understanding of the opportunities present in sustainability. They examine and choose among alternatives that reduce both their carbon footprint and expenses; then they implement their chosen alternative. The project transforms their understanding of sustainability as they realize their choices can reduce both their footprint and their expenses. They draw parallels to the firm level, realizing that firms can also use sustainability to simultaneously reduce carbon impact and enhance firm value.
Bioethical Issues in Biostatistical Consulting Study: Additional Findings and Concerns
Authors: Wang M.Q. , Fan A.Y. , Katz R.V.
Published: April 2019

Objectives:

To determine the frequency and severity of 17 requests for inappropriate analysis and reporting of data that biostatisticians received from researchers in statistical consultations, as indirectly experienced (i.e., either heard about or observed being asked of other biostatisticians).

Methods:

A randomly drawn sample of 522 members of the American Statistical Association who self-identified as consulting biostatisticians were selected to participate in an online survey with the Bioethical Issues in Biostatistical Consulting Questionnaire, specifically developed for this study.

Results:

Of the 522 consulting biostatisticians contacted, 390 (74.7%) completed the survey. The top 4 most frequently reported indirectly experienced inappropriate requests rated as “high severity” by at least 50% of the respondents were as follows: 1) proposing a study with a flawed design, including insufficient power; 2) setting aside values when the outcome turns on a few outliers; 3) reporting results of data analysis from only subsets of the data; and 4) overstating the statistical findings well beyond what the data support so that readers are misled.

Conclusions:

This article is a follow-up report to our recently published article on 18 directly experienced inappropriate and/or unethical requests by biomedical researchers of their consulting biostatisticians. These additional survey findings from the Bioethical Issues in Biostatistical Consulting Questionnaire on 17 indirectly experienced inappropriate requests show the following: 1) the widespread nature of inappropriate, if not, frankly unethical requests made by biomedical researchers of their consulting biostatisticians and 2) the urgent need to develop and offer educational programs for biomedical researchers in training to correct these behaviors—be they intentional or accidental. This report speaks to the urgency for developing training programs for new and existing researchers to reduce the frequency of these inappropriate bioethical requests during biostatistical consultations.

Knowledge Transfer Statement:

The findings from this U.S. national survey of biostatisticians on inappropriate requests for data analyses by biomedical researchers strongly suggest a need for remedial actions, including 1) new educational modules for in-development and currently employed biomedical researchers, 2) improved institutional environments by research universities and companies regarding job and publication pressures, and 3) inclusion of a collaborating biostatistician as a working research team member from the early planning stages of all biomedical studies.
Corporate Image and Customer Responses to Organisational Transformation in B2B Context: An Empirical Research in Vietnam
Authors: Thi Hoang Yen Nguyen
Published: April 2019

Marketing researchers have largely focused on corporate image and customer responses to stimuli and events in their environment. However, little academic attention has been paid to the relationship between them. Besides, only a little attention has been given to the context of organisational transformation. The aim of this research, therefore, is to investigate these issues by testing the hypotheses about the relationship between corporate image and different customer response types (controllability attribution, attitude and relationship commitment) in B2B market under the specific context of organisational transformation in Vietnam’s transition economy. Using the structural equation modelling approach, the research found that corporate image has a strong impact on customer relationship commitment and is influenced by customer controllability attribution as well as attitude towards organisational transformation. This research also remarks the role of controllability attribution by showing that it has influence on both corporate image and customer attitude towards organisational transformation.
Crisaborole: A Novel Nonsteroidal Topical Treatment for Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: McDowell Lena , Olin Bernie
Published: April 2019

Objective: To review the efficacy and safety of crisaborole and its place in therapy for the management of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (AD). Data Sources: A literature search of PubMed (data inception to February 2019) was performed using the search terms crisaborole and atopic dermatitis. Supplementary sources included the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Guidelines of Care for the Management of Atopic Dermatitis, clinicaltrials.gov data, manufacturer prescribing information, and article bibliographies. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Relevant English-language studies and those conducted in humans were considered and reviewed. Abstracts from clinical trials and drug reviews were reviewed. Phases I, II, III, and long-term safety studies were included. Data Synthesis: Data from multiple clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of crisaborole topical ointment. Patients treated with crisaborole experienced improvement in AD symptoms based on improvement in the Investigator’s Static Global Assessment and the AD Severity Index scores. Crisaborole has a limited adverse event profile and low systemic absorption. Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice: Crisaborole is the first topical phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate AD. Its place in therapy is along with topical calcineurin inhibitors as a second-line option for patients who are recalcitrant to or unable to use topical corticosteroids. Conclusions: Crisaborole is a safe and efficacious second-line option for the treatment of mild to moderate AD in patients 2 years of age and older.
Implementing a Co-Teaching Model in Music Student Teaching: A Literature Review
Authors: Kim Jieun
Published: April 2019

The purpose of this literature review is to examine music education research concerning the emerging practice of co-teaching between cooperating music teachers and student teachers, and to understand the benefits of co-teaching for both. The review is organized into two sections: (a) how cooperating music teachers and student teachers view their co-teaching experiences and (b) how cooperating music teachers mentor student teachers in a co-teaching model. Co-teaching during student teaching can occur successfully through cooperating teachers’ willingness to facilitate the co-teaching process, student teachers’ reflective practice with cooperating teachers and careful sequencing in teaching opportunities, and co-teachers’ engagement in daily communication activities. Music education researchers should continue to examine various topics related to implementing a co-teaching model in student teaching. This article will provide current P–12 music teachers with successful co-teaching examples and suggestions for applications in music classrooms.
Reprogramming identifies functionally distinct stages of clonal evolution in myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Hsu Jasper , Reilly Andreea , Hayes Brian J. , Clough Courtnee A. , Konnick Eric Q. , Torok-Storb Beverly , Gulsuner Suleyman , Wu David , Becker Pamela S. , Keel Siobán B. , Abkowitz Janis L. , Doulatov Sergei
Published: April 2019

Myeloid neoplasms, including myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), are genetically heterogeneous disorders driven by clonal acquisition of somatic mutations in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HPCs). The order of premalignant mutations and their impact on HPC self-renewal and differentiation remain poorly understood. We show that episomal reprogramming of MDS patient samples generates induced pluripotent stem cells from single premalignant cells with a partial complement of mutations, directly informing the temporal order of mutations in the individual patient. Reprogramming preferentially captured early subclones with fewer mutations, which were rare among single patient cells. To evaluate the functional impact of clonal evolution in individual patients, we differentiated isogenic MDS induced pluripotent stem cells harboring up to 4 successive clonal abnormalities recapitulating a progressive decrease in hematopoietic differentiation potential. SF3B1, in concert with epigenetic mutations, perturbed mitochondrial function leading to accumulation of damaged mitochondria during disease progression, resulting in apoptosis and ineffective erythropoiesis. Reprogramming also informed the order of premalignant mutations in patients with complex karyotype and identified 5q deletion as an early cytogenetic anomaly. The loss of chromosome 5q cooperated with TP53 mutations to perturb genome stability, promoting acquisition of structural and karyotypic abnormalities. Reprogramming thus enables molecular and functional interrogation of preleukemic clonal evolution, identifying mitochondrial function and chromosome stability as key pathways affected by acquisition of somatic mutations in MDS.
Retention following Two-Stage Collaborative Exams Depends on Timing and Student Performance
Authors: Cooke James E. , Weir Laura , Clarkston Bridgette
Published: April 2019

Multistage collaborative exams are implemented to enhance learning and retention of course material. However, the effects of multistage collaborative exams on retention of course content are varied. These discrepancies may be due to a number of factors. To date, studies examining collaborative exams and content retention have used questions that all, or mostly, require students to select an answer, rather than generate one of their own. However, content retention can improve when students generate their own responses. Thus, we examined the effect of collaborative exams with open-ended questions on retention of course content. Retention was measured at two time periods; one relatively shortly (9 days) following a collaborative exam and another over a longer time period (23 days). Furthermore, we examined whether content retention differed for low-, mid-, or high-­performing students. Our results suggest that collaborative exams offer retention benefits at relatively long time periods between pre- and posttests, but not over shorter time periods. Retention varied across students in different performance categories. Our study, the first to use only open-ended questions, showed relatively small effects compared with studies using multiple-choice or fill-in-the-blank format, but still suggest that collaborative exams can aid in content retention.
Natural Language Processing for Automated Quantification of Brain Metastases Reported in Free-Text Radiology Reports
Authors: Senders Joeky T. , Karhade Aditya V. , Cote David J. , Mehrtash Alireza , Lamba Nayan , DiRisio Aislyn , Muskens Ivo S. , Gormley William B. , Smith Timothy R. , Broekman Marike L.D. , Arnaout Omar
Published: April 2019

PURPOSE

Although the bulk of patient-generated health data are increasing exponentially, their use is impeded because most data come in unstructured format, namely as free-text clinical reports. A variety of natural language processing (NLP) methods have emerged to automate the processing of free text ranging from statistical to deep learning–based models; however, the optimal approach for medical text analysis remains to be determined. The aim of this study was to provide a head-to-head comparison of novel NLP techniques and inform future studies about their utility for automated medical text analysis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Magnetic resonance imaging reports of patients with brain metastases treated in two tertiary centers were retrieved and manually annotated using a binary classification (single metastasis v two or more metastases). Multiple bag-of-words and sequence-based NLP models were developed and compared after randomly splitting the annotated reports into training and test sets in an 80:20 ratio.

RESULTS

A total of 1,479 radiology reports of patients diagnosed with brain metastases were retrieved. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression model demonstrated the best overall performance on the hold-out test set with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.92 (95% CI, 0.89 to 0.94), accuracy of 83% (95% CI, 80% to 87%), calibration intercept of –0.06 (95% CI, –0.14 to 0.01), and calibration slope of 1.06 (95% CI, 0.95 to 1.17).

CONCLUSION

Among various NLP techniques, the bag-of-words approach combined with a LASSO regression model demonstrated the best overall performance in extracting binary outcomes from free-text clinical reports. This study provides a framework for the development of machine learning-based NLP models as well as a clinical vignette of patients diagnosed with brain metastases.
Identification and Management of Lymphedema in Patients With Breast Cancer
Authors: Tandra Pavankumar , Kallam Avyakta , Krishnamurthy Jairam
Published: April 2019

Breast cancer–related lymphedema (BCRL) is a potentially debilitating and often irreversible complication of breast cancer treatment. Risk of BCRL is proportional to the extent of axillary surgery and radiation. Other risk factors include obesity and infections. Given the 5-year survival rate of 90% and its potential impact on the quality of life of survivors of breast cancer, BCRL has become a significant financial burden on the health care system. Minimizing axillary surgery and radiation has been proven to reduce the risk of BCRL. Comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment at the time of initial diagnosis; early referral to physical therapy after surgery; and patient education regarding weight loss, skin, and nail care are cornerstones of the management of early-stage lymphedema. End-stage lymphedema may benefit from referral to a plastic surgeon specializing in lymphedema surgery. In this review, we attempt to review the incidence, risk factors, staging, prevention, and management of this complication of breast cancer treatment. We also describe our multidisciplinary approach for the prevention of this complication at the time of initial diagnosis.
Examining Arm Vascular Function and Blood Flow Regulation in Row-trained Males
Authors: GARTEN RYAN S. , HOGWOOD AUSTIN C. , WEGGEN JENNIFER , DECKER KEVIN , DARLING ASHLEY , MANIYAR RUHI , MICHAEL AUSTIN
Published: April 2019

Vascular function and blood flow responses to upper limb exercise are differentially altered in response to different exercise training modalities. Rowing is a unique exercise modality that incorporates the upper limbs and can significantly augment upper limb endurance, strength, and power capacity.

Purpose

This study sought to determine whether vascular function and blood flow regulation during handgrip exercise are altered in row-trained males.

Methods

Nine young row-trained males (ROW, 20 ± 1 yr; V˙O2peak = 51 ± 2 mL·kg−1·min−1) and 14 recreationally active male controls (C: 22 ± 1 yr; V˙O2peak = 37 ± 2 mL·kg−1·min−1) were recruited for this study. Subjects performed multiple bouts of progressive rhythmic handgrip exercise. Brachial artery (BA) diameter, blood flow, shear rate, and mean arterial pressure were measured at rest and during the last minute of each exercise workload.

Results

Resting values for BA diameter, blood flow, shear rate, and mean arterial pressure were not different between groups. During handgrip exercise, the ROW group reported significantly lower BA blood flow (ROW vs C: 4 kg [146 ± 21 vs 243 ± 13 mL·min−1], 8 kg [248 ± 29 vs 375 ± 17 mL·min−1], 12 kg [352 ± 43 vs 490 ± 22 mL·min−1]) across all workloads when compared with controls. The examination of BA dilation, when controlled for the shear rate stimulus and evaluated across all workloads, was revealed to be significantly greater in ROW group versus controls.

Conclusion

This study revealed that vascular function and blood flow regulation were significantly different in row-trained males when compared with untrained controls evidenced by greater shear-induced BA dilation and lower arm blood flow during progressive handgrip exercise.
Dermal Calcium Loss Is Not the Primary Determinant of Parathyroid Hormone Secretion during Exercise
Authors: KOHRT WENDY M. , WOLFE PAMELA , SHERK VANESSA D. , WHERRY SARAH J. , WELLINGTON TOBY , MELANSON EDWARD L. , SWANSON CHRISTINE M. , WEAVER CONNIE M. , BOXER REBECCA S.
Published: April 2019

Introduction

Exercise can cause a decrease in serum ionized calcium (iCa) concentration, which stimulates parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion and activates bone resorption. We postulated that dermal Ca loss during cycling exercise is the major determinant of the serum iCa, PTH, and bone resorption (C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen [CTX]) responses.

Methods

To investigate this, women (n= 13) and men (n= 12) age 18 to 45 yr performed the same exercise bout under cool (18°C) and warm (26°C) conditions. Exercise was 60 min of cycling at ~75% of peak aerobic power. Sweat samples were obtained during exercise using a skin patch method, and blood samples were obtained before and during exercise and during 60 min of recovery.

Results

Sweat volume and estimated sweat Ca loss were 50% higher for the warm condition than the cool condition. Despite this, there were no differences between thermal conditions in the changes (mean, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]) in iCa (cool, −0.07 mg·dL−1; 95% CI, −0.16 to 0.03); warm, −0.07 mg·dL−1; 95% CI, −0.20 to 0.05), PTH (cool, 34.4 pg·mL−1; 95% CI, 23.6–45.2; warm: 35.8 pg·mL−1; 95% CI, 22.4–49.1), or CTX (cool, 0.11 ng·mL−1; 95% CI, 0.08–0.13; warm, 0.15 ng·mL−1; 95% CI, 0.11–0.18). Adjusting for exercise-related shifts in plasma volume revealed a marked decline in vascular iCa content in the first 15 min of exercise (cool, −0.85 mg·dL−1; 95% CI, −1.01 to −0.68; warm, −0.85 mg·dL−1; 95% CI, −1.05 to −0.66), before substantial sweat Ca loss had occurred.

Conclusions

This indicates that dermal Ca loss was not the primary trigger for the increases in PTH and CTX during exercise. Further research is necessary to understand the causes and consequences of the disruption in Ca homeostasis during exercise and specifically the extravascular shift in iCa.
Alternatives to (antipsychotic) medication in people with dementia
Authors: Mendes Aysha
Published: April 2019

Aysha Mendes, Freelance Journalist, specialising in healthcare, psychology and nursing, looks at ways of caring for people with dementia without the use of antipsychotic drugs
Canine and feline blood transfusions
Authors: Webb Gemma
Published: April 2019

Despite the various blood products for dogs made available by Pet Blood Bank UK, there is currently no system available for cats in the UK. It is crucial that veterinary nurses and surgeons know how to collect blood in emergency situations and how to administer blood and blood products safely.

This article focuses on the importance of blood typing and cross matching to try and minimise potential reactions. It also highlights the criteria for appropriate canine and feline donors and how to collect blood safely.
Gastric dilatation volvulus in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus)
Authors: Edis Abigail
Published: April 2019

Gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV) is a known acute abdominal emergency in dogs. The condition is life threatening and without corrective surgery results in the death of the patient. GDV in guinea pigs has been documented in literature but is not well known to many of the general small animal veterinary practices. This is probably due to the species' sudden death from this condition, absence of specific clinical signs, a lack of experience in this species, and a high mortality rate known with this condition in guinea pigs. This article explains the signs and care of this condition in these animals and discusses a case of GDV in the author's own guinea pig in the hope that awareness of this condition can be raised.
Which skin preparation technique is most effective to minimise bacterial contamination?
Authors: Reynolds Helen , Nichols Abigail
Published: April 2019

Background:

The risk of surgical site infections (SSI) can be addressed by removing organic matter which contains transient and resident flora from the patient's skin prior to surgical incision. Using correct techniques when applying skin preparation solution can significantly reduce bacterial load. Historically the circular technique has been used within veterinary practice for skin preparation prior to surgery; however there has been a recent promotion within the veterinary industry using the back-and-forth technique which has historically been used in human medicine.

Aim:

The move towards evidence-based medicine suggested testing both skin preparation techniques to determine if either technique was more effective than the other at reducing bacterial load.

Method:

Five felines undergoing flank ovariohysterectomy surgery were randomly selected for each skin preparation technique with a total sample size of ten felines. Samples of bacterial load were taken before and after the skin was prepared using each technique and cultured in sealed agar plates at a temperature of 38.5°C for 48 hours. Bacterial colonies were then counted and compared pre and post skin preparation. Statistical analysis was performed using ‘Minitab’.

Results:

There was no statistically significant difference between either skin preparation technique at reducing the number of colony forming units (Mann-Whitney U test: W=27.0, N=5, p=1.000).

Conclusion:

The limited sample size indicated that either technique was as beneficial as the other at preparing the skin for surgery, giving the veterinary nurse confidence in choosing either technique for skin preparation for flank ovariohysterectomy.
Dog-Friendly Practice and how to become one
Authors: Malkani Rachel
Published: April 2019

Most veterinary professionals are aware of the Cat Friendly Clinic initiative, but did you know that it is now possible to become a Dog-Friendly Practice? Rachel Malkani from the British Veterinary Behaviour Association explains why this new certification programme is necessary.
A Review on in vitro and in vivo Bioremediation Potential of Environmental and Probiotic Species of Bacillus and other Probiotic Microorganisms for Two Heavy Metals, Cadmium and Nickel
Authors: Goyal Pragya , Belapurkar Pranoti , Kar Anand
Published: April 2019

Microbial assisted remediation is the ray of hope in the current scenario of tremendous heavy metal pollution. The indiscriminate release of heavy metal laden industrial effluents in the water bodies and soil is now manifesting itself in the form of life threatening health hazards to humans. The conventional heavy metal remediation strategies are not only expensive but are ineffective in low metal concentrations. Microbial assisted remediation of heavy metals has come forward as the cheap and easy alternative. Amongst the various bacterial genera actively involved in bioremediation of cadmium and nickel in the environment, genus Bacillus has shown remarkable ability in this respect owing to its various biochemical and genetic pathways. It can perform bioremediation using multiple mechanisms including biosorption and bioaccumulation. This genus has also been able to reduce toxicity caused by cadmium and nickel in eukaryotic cell lines and in mice, a property also found in probiotic genera like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. This paper reviews the role of environmentally present and known probiotic species of genus Bacillus along with different probiotic genera for their various mechanisms involved for remediation of cadmium and nickel.
Mycobiota and Mycotoxins Contaminating Rice Grains in El Minia, Governorate, Egypt
Authors: Moharram A.M. , Yasser M.M. , Sayed M.A. , Omar O.A. , Idres M.M.M.
Published: April 2019

The mycological analysis of 51 samples of rice grains collected from different localities in El-Minia Governorate revealed the isolation of 54 species of fungi belonging to 21 genera. Most common mycobiota (genera) were Aspergillus and Penicillium being isolated from 96.07% and 54.9% of samples contributing 63.08% and 21.89% of total fungal counts. The prevalent species were represented by Aspergillus flavus, A. candidus, A. niger, Penicillium chrysogenum, P. islandicum especially on Dichloran Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol Agar medium (DRBC). These species in addition to some osmophilic fungi including A. chevalieri, A. montevidensis, A. rubrum were also common when Dichloran Glycerol agar (DG18) was used for the culturing of rice samples. About 12.5% of samples analysed for natural occurrence of mycotoxins were contaminated either with Aflatoxin – B1 (100-200 µg/ kg), ochratoxin –A (50-100 µg/ kg) or sterigmatocystin (10-20 µg/ kg). The majority of fungal strains tested for their mycotoxin production in liquid cultures were able to produce variable levels of aflatoxin B1, Aflatoxin G1 , Ochratoxin –A , terrein , gliotoxin and fumagillin
Emporium
Authors: Mort Graham
Published: April 2019

In this short story, a man drifts into a bric-a-brac shop in a rural town to find the past confronting him. He is snared into a lie about his dead wife that haunts the story with images of the past and with actions that draw him deeper into an unintended act of deception.
Deep muscles, deeper understanding: An investigation into abdominal muscle activation during vocalization and the impact of active training for the stage actor
Authors: Lewis Robert , Bird Marie-Louise
Published: April 2019

Stage actors need breath control for voice projection and resonance. However, little is known about the abdominal muscle activation during vocalizations of different sounds and different lung volumes. The impact of training on muscle activation is likewise under-reported in the literature. This Voicing describes the content of an intervention used in an intensive six-week series of training workshops and forms the basis for a research project where muscle recruitment before and after was measured in both trained and untrained performers. Through participation in this intensive workshop, an untrained performer demonstrates changes in muscle recruitment with reduced activation of the global muscles and improved muscle efficiency.
Effect of mastitis on some hematological and biochemical parameters of Red Sokoto goats
Authors: Garba Bashiru , Habibullah S. A. , Saidu Bashir , Suleiman Nasiru
Published: April 2019

Aim: This research project investigates the effect of mastitis on some hematological and biochemical parameters of Red Sokoto goats (RSGs).

Materials and Methods: In this investigation, 16 clinically and subclinically diagnosed mastitic and 20 non-mastitic RSGs, within Sokoto metropolis, were sampled. Blood samples were collected both in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and anticoagulant free sample bottles for hematology and biochemical analysis, respectively.

Results: A statistical analysis of the results revealed no significant difference in all the hematological parameters analyzed for both the mastitic and non-mastitic goats except mean corpuscular hemoglobin where significant difference (p<0.05) was observed. Similarly, no significant difference was recorded in the serum biochemistry except for the increase in total protein (p<0.001), globulin (p<0.05), and alanine aminotransferase activity (p<0.05).

Conclusion: This finding is a pointer to the fact that mastitis could be regarded as a localized problem affecting the udder without serious systemic or metabolic involvement in RSGs.
Effect of seasonality on the population density of wetland aquatic insects: A case study of the Hawr Al Azim and Shadegan wetlands, Iran
Authors: Nasirian Hassan , Salehzadeh Aref
Published: April 2019

Aim: Wetlands are extremely suitable ecosystems to assess the effect of climate change on the density of aquatic insects. This study aimed to assess the effect of seasonality on populations of aquatic insects in the Hawr Al Azim and Shadegan wetlands.

Materials and Methods: The insect samplings were conducted at a large area of the Hawr Al Azim and five different sites of the Shadegan wetlands. In total, 18,534 arthropods of different life stages, including 12 orders containing 51 families, were collected and identified from the selected sites of the Shadegan and Hawr Al Azim wetlands.

Results: Results showed that the population density of wetland aquatic insects gradually increased as the average daily temperature decreased, positively increased with daily mean relative humidity and precipitation, and decreased with the mean daily evaporation between October and April. Conversely, the population density of wetland aquatic insects gradually decreased with increasing average daily temperature and reduction of the mean relative humidity and precipitation and increasing the average evaporation from April to September. When differences between the average daily and water temperatures reached minimum in April, the population density of wetland aquatic insects reached maximum and turned mainly to families that they have high level of biological indices, indicating that wetlands have clean waters around the spring. While around the autumn conversely, they mostly changed to families that they have low level of biological indices, indicating that wetlands have unclean waters.

Conclusion: The present study showed an optimum condition for the growth of insects around spring. Seasonality affects the population density of wetland aquatic insects during a year.
Purification and Characterization of Xanthine Oxidase from Liver of the Sheep (Ovis Aries)
Authors: Zaahkouk Samir A.M. , Darwish Doaa A. , Masoud Hassan M.M. , Abdel-Monsef Mohamed M. , Helmy Mohamed S. , Esa Sayed S. , Ghazy Abdel-Hady M. , Ibrahim Mahmoud A.
Published: April 2019

Xanthine oxidase is a commercially important enzyme with wide area of medical applications to develop diagnostic kits. Xanthine oxidase was extracted, purified and characterized from sheep liver (SLXO). The purification procedure involved acetone precipitation and chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and Sephacryl S-300 columns. The sheep liver xanthine oxidase was homogeneously purified 31.8 folds with 3.5 U/mg specific activity and 24.1% recovery. SLXO native molecular weight was 150 kDa and on SDS-PAGE appeared as single major band of 75 kDa representing a homodimer protein. Isoelectric focusing of the purified SLXO resolved into two closely related isoforms with pI values of 5.6 and 5.8. The apparent Km for xanthine oxidase at optimum pH 7.6 was found to be 0.9 mM xanthine. FeCl2 and NiCl2 increased the activity of SLXO, while CuCl2 and ZnCl2 were found to be potent inhibitors of the purified enzyme. Allopurinol inhibits SLXO competitively with one binding site on the purified molecule and Ki value of 0.06 mM.
The Effect of Allogenic Versus Autologous Fecal Microbiota Transfer on Symptoms, Visceral Perception and Fecal and Mucosal Microbiota in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Holster Savanne , Lindqvist Carl Mårten , Repsilber Dirk , Salonen Anne , de Vos Willem M. , König Julia , Brummer Robert J.
Published: April 2019

OBJECTIVES:

Fecal microbiota transfer (FMT) is suggested as a potential treatment for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We aimed to study the effect of allogenic and autologous FMT on IBS symptoms, visceral sensitivity, and compositional changes in fecal and mucosa-adherent microbiota.

METHODS:

Seventeen patients with IBS were randomized either to receive fecal material from a healthy donor (allogenic) or to receive their own fecal material (autologous). The fecal material was administered into the cecum by whole colonoscopy after bowel cleansing.

RESULTS:

No significant differences were found between the allogenic and the autologous FMT regarding symptom scores. However, symptom scores of patients receiving allogenic fecal material significantly decreased after FMT compared with baseline (P = 0.02), which was not the case in the autologous group (P = 0.16). Visceral sensitivity was not affected except for a small beneficial effect on urge scores in the autologous group (P < 0.05). While both fecal and mucosa-adherent microbiota of some patients shifted to their respective donor's fecal microbiota, some patients showed no relevant microbial changes after allogenic FMT. Large compositional shifts in fecal and mucosa-adherent microbiota also occurred in the autologous group.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study showed that a single FMT by colonoscopy may have beneficial effects in IBS; however, the allogenic fecal material was not superior to the autologous fecal material. This suggests that bowel cleansing prior to the colonoscopy and/or processing of the fecal material as part of the FMT routine contribute to symptoms and gut microbiota composition changes in IBS.
Avance de investigación: Juventud, responsabilidad y castigo. Un abordaje cultural de la cuestión criminal juvenil en la Argentina contemporánea: los Centros de Referencia de la Provincia de Buenos Aires
Authors: Fernández Mariana
Published: April 2019

El transcurso de una década luego de la puesta en marcha de la leyN° 13.298 y su accesoria, la ley No 13.634, que crea el Fuero de Responsabilidad Penal Juvenil en la Provincia de Buenos Aires, es un tiempo considerable que habilita el análisis de la configuración de la trama socio-cultural que estructura el ejercicio de medidas no privativas de libertad en un Centro de Referencia de la Provincia de Buenos Aires entre 2015 y 2016. A indagar las matrices  culturales que enmarcaron los discursos de agentes institucionales, agentes socio-comunitarios y jóvenes bajo un proceso penal en curso en torno a las  categorías de juventud, responsabilidad y castigo se atiene este artículo. Para ello, se emplearon técnicas de entrevista en profundidad y se analizó el material desde una perspectiva cultural de la cuestión criminal.
O diagnóstico como determinante na tomada de decisão em Endodontia
Authors: Bonjardim Leonardo Rigoldi
Published: April 2019

"A dor relacionada aos dentes (dor odontogênica) é a dor orofacial mais comum, e suas possíveis causas envolvem, frequentemente, marcadores facilmente identificáveis, como: cárie dentária, periodontite, pulpite, traumas dentários, entre outros. O tratamento dessas condições dolorosas está diretamente relacionado à remoção desses fatores e inclui, geralmente, procedimentos invasivos, como restaurações, tratamento endodôntico ou exodontia. Nesses casos, a eliminação do fator etiológico provavelmente eliminará a dor, pois ela é secundária, ou seja, é um sintoma de algo “errado” nos dentes."..