bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor rs5186 Gene Variant Predicts Incident NAFLD and Associated Hypertension: Role of Dietary Fat-Induced Pro-Inflammatory Cell Activation
Authors: Musso Giovanni , Saba Francesca , Cassader Maurizio , Paschetta Elena , De Michieli Franco , Pinach Silvia , Framarin Luciana , Berrutti Mara , Leone Nicola , Parente Renato , Ayoubi Khajekini Mohammad Taghi , Zarovska Adriana , Gambino Roberto
Published: March 2019

OBJECTIVES:

Hypertension has been linked to the presence and severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) through unclear mechanisms. The gain-of-function rs5186 A1166C variant in angtiotensin receptor type 1 (AGTR1) gene has been linked to hypertension, cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. We assessed the impact of AGTR1 A1166C variant on NAFLD incidence and severity and on glucose and lipid metabolism and explored the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS:

We followed up 314 healthy nonobese, nondiabetic, nonhypertensive, insulin-sensitive participants in a population-based study, characterized for AGTR1 rs5186 A1166C variant, adipokine profile, inflammatory and endothelial dysfunction markers. An independent cohort of 78 biopsy-proven nondiabetic NAFLD patients and controls underwent an oral glucose tolerance test with Minimal Model analysis of glucose homeostasis, and an oral fat tolerance test with measurement of plasma lipoproteins, adipokines, MCP-1, calprotectin, and nuclear factor-κB activation in circulating mononuclear cells.

RESULTS:

AGTR1 A1166C polymorphism predicted 9.8-year incident NAFLD (odds ratio: 1.67, 95% CI: 1.26–2.21) and hypertension (odds ratio: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.12–2.63) and 9-year increase in cardiovascular disease risk and endothelial dysfunction markers. In the cross-sectional cohort, AGTR1 C allele carriers had higher insulin resistance. Despite comparable fasting lipid profiles, AGTR1 C allele carriers showed postprandial triglyceride-rich and cholesterol-rich VLDL lipoprotein accumulation, higher resistin, MCP-1 and calprotectin responses and nuclear factor-κB activation in mononuclear cells, and a blunted postprandial adiponectin response to fat, which predicted liver histology, hepatocyte apoptosis activation, insulin resistance, and endothelial dysfunction.

DISCUSSION:

AGTR1 A1166C variant affects liver disease, insulin resistance, and endothelial dysfunction in NAFLD, at least in part by modulating adipokine, chemokine, and pro-inflammatory cell activation in response to fat ingestion.
A Treat-to-Target Update in Ulcerative Colitis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ungaro Ryan , Colombel Jean-Frédéric , Lissoos Trevor , Peyrin-Biroulet Laurent
Published: March 2019

OBJECTIVES:

In 2015, the Selecting Therapeutic Targets in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (STRIDE) program proposed shifting the therapeutic focus on ulcerative colitis (UC) toward altering the natural history of the disease course by regularly monitoring objective measurements of disease activity and tailoring treatment accordingly. The therapeutic paradigm shift was well received in the research community and is often cited. However, new evidence on optimal UC treatment targets continues to accumulate since the time of the STRIDE guidelines. This systematic review summarizes the evidence accrued since the STRIDE UC recommendations, discusses the barriers for adoption of treat-to-target approaches in clinical practice in UC, and suggests directions for future research.

METHODS:

We systematically reviewed MEDLINE for studies from the time of the STRIDE systematic review up to March 31, 2018, that assessed the potential treatment targets identified by the STRIDE recommendations.

RESULTS:

Each potential treatment target literature search returned > 200 articles, which were then reviewed by 2 independent investigators for relevant studies. Selected studies of clinical factors, patient-reported outcomes, endoscopy, histology, imaging, and biomarkers and implications on treatment targets are summarized.

CONCLUSIONS:

It appears that the relative weight given to different therapeutic targets in the development and improvement of UC treatments could be optimized, with an increased emphasis on endoscopic and histological targets over clinical or symptomatic targets. For this evolution to occur, however, new research has to demonstrate that the treat-to-target approach will deliver on the promise of better long-term outcomes compared with current approaches.
Efficacy of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Xu Dabo , Chen Vincent L. , Steiner Calen A. , Berinstein Jeffrey A. , Eswaran Shanti , Waljee Akbar K. , Higgins Peter D.R. , Owyang Chung
Published: March 2019

OBJECTIVES:

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal condition with a heterogeneous pathophysiology. An altered gut microbiome has been identified in some IBS patients, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been suggested to treat IBS. We performed meta-analyses and systematic review of available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the efficacy of FMT in IBS.

METHODS:

We performed a systematic literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science. Selection criteria included RCTs of FMT vs placebo using FMT excipients or autologous FMT in IBS. Meta-analyses were conducted to evaluate the summary relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of combined studies for primary outcome of improvement in global IBS symptoms as measured by accepted integrative symptom questionnaires or dichotomous responses to questions of overall symptom improvement.

RESULTS:

Among 742 citations identified, 7 were deemed to be potentially relevant, of which 4 studies involving 254 participants met eligibility. No significant difference in global improvement of IBS symptoms was observed at 12 weeks in FMT vs placebo (RR = 0.93; 95% CI 0.48–1.79). Heterogeneity among studies was significant (I
2 = 79%). Subgroup analyses revealed benefits of single-dose FMT using colonoscopy and nasojejunal tubes in comparison with autologous FMT for placebo treatment (number needed to treat = 5, RR = 1.59; 95% CI 1.06–2.39; I
2 = 0%) and a reduction in likelihood of improvement of multiple-dose capsule FMT RCTs (number needed to harm = 3, RR = 0.54; 95% CI 0.34–0.85; I
2 = 13%). Placebo response was 33.7% in nonoral FMT RCTs and 67.8% in capsule FMT RCTs. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation quality of the body of evidence was very low.

DISCUSSION:

Current evidence from RCTs does not suggest a benefit of FMT for global IBS symptoms. There remain questions regarding the efficacy of FMT in IBS as well as the lack of a clean explanation on the discrepant results among RCTs in subgroup analyses.
Detection of Gluten in Gluten-Free Labeled Restaurant Food: Analysis of Crowd-Sourced Data
Authors: Lerner Benjamin A. , Phan Vo Lynn T. , Yates Shireen , Rundle Andrew G. , Green Peter H.R. , Lebwohl Benjamin
Published: March 2019

INTRODUCTION:

Adherence to a gluten-free (GF) diet is the mainstay of therapy for celiac disease. Until now, those wishing to avoid gluten in restaurants had to rely on menu labels, word of mouth, intuition, and restaurant workers' advice, with a relative dearth of supporting data. We used crowd-sourced data from users of a portable gluten detection device to estimate rates of, and identify risk factors for, gluten contamination of supposed GF restaurant foods.

METHODS:

We analyzed data from a portable gluten detection device (Nima), collected across the United States during an 18-month period by users who opted to share the results of their point-of-care tests. Data were sorted by region, time of day, median household income in the restaurant's vicinity, restaurant genre, and food items. We used the χ2 test for bivariate analysis and multiple logistic regression for multivariate analysis to identify predictors of gluten detection in restaurant food.

RESULTS:

There were 5,624 tests, performed by 804 users, in the examined period. Gluten was detected in 32% of GF labeled foods. Rates of gluten detection differed by meal, with 27.2% at breakfast and 34.0% at dinner (P = 0.0008). GF labeled pizza and pasta were most likely to test positive for gluten, with gluten detected in 53.2% of pizza and 50.8% of pasta samples. On multivariate analysis, GF labeled food was less likely to test positive for gluten in the West than in the Northeast United States (odds ratio 0.80; 95% confidence interval 0.67–0.95).

CONCLUSIONS:

This study of crowd-sourced data suggests that a substantial fraction of GF labeled restaurant foods contain detectable gluten. Although the highly sensitive Nima device may detect gluten at levels <20 parts per million (ppm), leading to gluten exposure of unknown clinical significance, our findings raise a potential concern. In addition, our findings of higher rates of gluten detection in pizza and pasta provide practical data when providing dining strategies for patients with celiac disease.
Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis: Benefit or Risk?
Authors: Gonzalez Stevan A.
Published: March 2019

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is associated with risk of acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF). Current guidelines recommend primary and secondary antibiotic prophylaxis for patients with cirrhosis and ascites who are at risk of a first episode and to prevent recurrence, respectively. Factors associated with prophylaxis failure leading to SBP, ACLF, and increased mortality are not well established. Gram-positive and multidrug-resistant organisms have become more frequently associated with SBP, particularly in the setting of ACLF. Efforts to understand how long-term antibiotic therapy may affect individual risk of SBP in this population will be critical to developing optimal preventive strategies.
Fechar espaços sem perder o controle do perímetro da arcada dentária
Authors: Furquim Laurindo Zanco
Published: March 2019

"Casos clínicos com excesso de espaços, principalmente em pacientes com agenesias, exigem atenção especial durante o fechamento desses espaços. Os principais objetivos são: evitar a retração dos dentes anteriores, a diminuição das inclinações e, consequentemente, a diminuição do volume labial e o aumento do ângulo nasolabial. Muitos pacientes portadores de agenesias dentárias também possuem alguns dentes com simplificação morfológica, fato que aumenta a quantidade de espaços na arcada dentária." [...]
Torque individual
Authors: Bastos Marden
Published: March 2019

"Parece óbvio, mas o torque individual é uma dúvida frequente na Ortodontia, apesar de ser necessário em casos de quase todas as filosofias. O torque feito de forma ou magnitude errada pode trazer resultados desastrosos. Mostraremos duas formas diferentes de confeccionar o torque individual, com a intenção de que o colega que tem dificuldade nesse procedimento experimente e escolha a forma à qual se adapta melhor. O primeiro passo é planejar para que lado a raiz do dente mal posicionado deve se deslocar e marcar no arco a mesial e a distal desse dente." [...]
Como você utiliza os métodos de ligação de molas e/ou elásticos na mecânica de mini-implantes extra-alveolares?
Authors: Almeida Marcio
Published: March 2019

"O uso da ancoragem esquelética com mini-implantes extra-alveolares revolucionou a Ortodontia. Nesse sentido, a retração (distalização) ou mesialização de toda a dentição superior e/ou inferior com a ancoragem esquelética extra-alveolar (EA) pode ser obtida por meio da correta aplicação das forças provenientes de elásticos em cadeia ou molas de níquel-titânio (Fig. 1 a 3)."
Metodología de diseño electrónico aplicado en circuito detector de agua
Authors: Díaz Montealegre Leidy Catherine , López Téllez Alexander
Published: March 2019

Con la metodología de diseño de circuitos electrónicos en el laboratorio se crea en los aprendices un interés por observar y explorar como pequeños científicos las características de la electrónica análoga y digital, teniendo como principio fundamental el reconocimiento teórico y matemático de la ley de Ohm, los teoremas y principios de diferentes científicos como Nikola Tesla, Thomas Edison y Georg Simon Ohm, guiados de un facilitador en el planteamiento, desarrollo y solución del problema para poder crear prototipos o productos de ciencia, tecnología e innovación con metodologías de investigación. Este artículo muestra el diseño, la construcción de circuitos electrónicos análogo-digitales y los procedimientos que realizan para obtener información experimental, enfocado en el proyecto denominado “Detector de humedad” que permite, como su nombre lo indica, detectar la humedad mediante la comprobación de continuidad eléctrica y cortocircuito, es decir, cuando viajan gran cantidad de electrones en el circuito está detectando la variable humedad y esto hace que el flujo de voltaje y corriente circule con facilidad para brindar un sonido en el parlante o prender un led.
Effects of Two Types of Restraint Stress on the Learned Behaviour in Rats
Authors: Šída Pavel , Koupilová Marie , Hynie Sixtus , Klenerová Věra
Published: March 2019

To study the effects of stress on cognitive functions, Wistar and Lewis rats were exposed to restraint (immobilization stressor) (IMO) or restraint combined with partial immersion into water (IMO+C). Learned discriminatory avoidance response in Y-maze, with foot-shock as an unconditioned stimulus, was used as a memory test. The latency to enter the correct arm and number of wrong entries were daily recorded during the training period (20 days) until the criterion was reached, which was set at 90 % avoidances (choosing the correct arm). After exposure of rats to one of the stressors for 60 min, the rats were returned to the home cage; the latency to enter the safe arm was recorded in 6 daily trials that started 1 h after application of stressor. Both stressors significantly prolonged the avoidance latencies for 2 or 3 days in Wistar and Lewis rats, respectively; then the latencies returned to the values obtained before the stress exposure. In Lewis rats, the latencies more increased after IMO+C than after IMO stressor, and the maximal increase in latencies was higher in Lewis rats than in Wistar rats. The latency did not reach the time limit for foot-shock delivery, and the number of correct choices remained unchanged in both strains. The results indicate that the used restraint stressors did not affect the long-term memory; rather a transient impairment of retrieval can be considered. Further, differences in response of Lewis and Wistar rats may be interpreted by different activity of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity in used strains.
Inhalation Apparatus for Generating Sarin and Soman Toxic Vapors
Authors: Ševelová Lucie , Vachek Josef , Bajgar Jiří
Published: March 2019

The developed inhalation system is a dynamic and whole-body exposure model designated for generating sarin or soman vapors. It consists of an evaporating apparatus, an inhalation chamber and a carbon filter. The inhalation chamber is made of stainless steel and its total volume is 36 l. The concentration of organophosphorus compound depends on airflow through the chamber, syringe volume of the dosing pump and dosing speed. For determination of organophosphorus compound (OPC) concentration, a modification of Ellman method is used. At generating of vapors in the inhalation chamber the means of the yield were 61.4 ± 6.6 % for sarin and 35.8 ± 3.5 % for soman. The better yield for sarin than for soman, because of the higher volatility of sarin in comparison with soman was achieved. The stable concentration of the OPC for several hours could be maintained in the inhalation chamber when only relatively small amount of the OPC is used. Using the developed inhalation system LCt50 for sarin and for soman in rats was determined. At 1 h exposure the LCt50 values were 4.72 mg.h-1.m-3 for sarin and 4.81 mg.h-1.m-3 for soman. The results presented show that the inhalation chamber successfully fulfils the role of instrument for inhalation intoxication of small laboratory animals with highly toxic OPC.
A Study of Potential Toxic Effects After Repeated 10-Week Administration of a New Iron Chelator – Salicylaldehyde Isonicotinoyl Hydrazone (SIH) to Rabbits
Authors: Klimtová Ivona , Šimůnek Tomáš , Mazurová Yvona , Kaplanová Jana , Štěrba Martin , Hrdina Radomír , Geršl Vladimír , Adamcová Michaela , Poňka Přemysl
Published: March 2019

Salicylaldehyde Isonicotinoyl Hydrazone (SIH) – a Pyridoxal Isonicotinoyl Hydrazone (PIH) analogue – is an effective iron chelator with antioxidant and antimalarial effects, as documented in numerous in vitro studies. However, no toxicological data obtained from in vivo studies have been made available yet. In this study, the potential toxic effects of repeated administration of SIH (50 mg/kg, once weekly, 10 weeks, i.p.), partially dissolved in a 10 % Cremophor solution, on various biochemical, haematological, and cardiovascular parameters and on morphology of selected tissues were investigated in rabbits. The obtained values were compared with data from the control (saline, 1 ml/kg, i.v.) and the Cremophor (10 % Cremophor solution, 2 ml/kg, i.p.) groups. In this study, SIH did not induced marked signs of toxicity: No premature deaths occurred, the body weight increase was comparable with the control and Cremophor groups. Only few and mild changes in some biochemical and haematological parameters could be determined, most of them were noticed also in the control or Cremophor groups. The morphological changes in the kidney were mild and did not manifest in the biochemical examination. The cardiac function was also not affected markedly – the values of left ventricular ejection fraction and systolic time interval did not differ from the values of control group. Only an increased left ventricular contractility (dP/dtmax) was noticed in the SIH group at the end of the experiment as compared to the controls (13354±1191 vs. 9339±647 mmHg/s, resp.). These results seem to be promising from the standpoint of possible clinical use of SIH.
Prevalence of CD8/CD4 Ratio in the Fetal Thymic Parenchyme in Down’s Syndrome
Authors: Tamiolakis Demetrio , Venizelos Ioannis , Kotini Athanasia , Nikolaidou Sylva , Papadopoulos Nikolaos
Published: March 2019

Aim: The maturation of most T- lymphocyte precursors takes place within the meshwork of thymic epithelial cells. Different steps of this process can be defined by immunologic phenotyping. The prothymocytes are positive for the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) and give rise to cortical thymocytes, which express CD1, CD2, CD3, CD5, and both CD4 and CD8. These CD4 and CD8 double-positive cortical thymocytes differentiate into two lineages: CD4+ or CD8+ lymphocytes of the thymic medulla, by the tenth week of gestation. Our study points towards the determination of the CD8 cytotoxic/suppressor capacity of the fetal thymus in Down’s syndrome. Experimental design: A quantitative comparison of T-lymphocytes (CD3, CD4, and CD8) in the thymic parenchyme in embryos after voluntary abortion during 2nd trimester of gestation and embryos with Down’s syndrome, respectively, was performed. Results: Our results showed: 1) A statistically significant depletion in the total number of T-cells (CD3 positive) in the cases of embryos with Down’s syndrome over those after voluntary abortion, during the second trimester of gestation (p<0.0001, t-test). 2) A significant difference in the CD8/CD4 ratio in the cases of embryos with Down’s syndrome, during the second trimester of gestation which was numerically stronger with the progress of fetal development (20th week: p<0.025; 24th week: p<0.01, chi-square). Conclusions: The occurrence of increased CD8/CD4 ratio in the cases with Down’s syndrome, in the second trimester of gestation, underlines the cytotoxic / suppressor property of the thymus in the affected fetuses.
Stabilitätsgesicherte Stellgrößenbegrenzungsstrategie für beliebige zeitdiskrete PI-Zustandsregler bei linearen zeitinvarianten Systemen
Authors: Nuß Uwe
Published: March 2019

Im Beitrag wird für lineare, zeitinvariante, zeitdiskrete und stabile Regelstrecken beschrieben, wie zwei bekannte Zustandsraumverfahren zur Windup-Vermeidung so miteinander kombiniert werden können, dass dadurch für sämtliche PI-Zustandsregler Strecken- und Regler-Windup verhindert wird, sofern diese Regler im unbegrenzten Fall stabil sind. Zurückgegriffen wird hierbei auf das „Additional Dynamic Element“ (ADE) von Hippe zur Vermeidung von Strecken-Windup [Hippe, P.: Windup in control – Its effects and their prevention, 2006; at – Automatisierungstechnik, 2007], dessen Übertragung auf zeitdiskrete Systeme im Beitrag kurz skizziert wird, sowie auf das Verfahren der Führungsgrößenkorrektur [Nuß, U.: at – Automatisierungstechnik, 2017] zur Vermeidung von Regler-Windup. Das vorgestellte Kombinationsverfahren setzt für die jeweilige Regelstrecke lediglich die Einbeziehung eines bereits existierenden P-Zustandsreglers voraus, der Strecken-Windup vermeidet. Die Bereitstellung eines möglichst einfachen und dennoch nicht allzu einschränkenden Kriteriums zur Überprüfung, ob ein P-Zustandsregler diese Eigenschaft besitzt, ist ebenfalls ein Anliegen des Beitrags. Diesbezüglich wird auf der Basis einer geeigneten Ljapunow-Funktion ein hinreichendes Kriterium angegeben, das umfassender ist als das in [Nuß, U.: at – Automatisierungstechnik, 2017] verwendete. Ein Beispiel aus der elektrischen Antriebstechnik demonstriert die Leistungsfähigkeit der vorgestellten Methode.
A General Method to Study the Co-Existence of Different Hybrid Synchronizations in Fractional-Order Chaotic Systems
Authors: Ouannas Adel , Bendoukha Samir , Karouma Abdulrahman , Abdelmalek Salem
Published: March 2019

Referring to incommensurate fractional-order systems, this paper proposes a new type of chaos synchronization by combining full state hybrid function projective synchronization (FSHFPS) and inverse full state hybrid function projective synchronization (IFSHFPS). In particular, based on stability theory of linear integer-order systems and stability theory of linear fractional-order systems, the co-existence of FSHFPS and IFSHFPS between incommensurate fractional chaotic (hyperchaotic) systems is proved. To illustrate the capabilities of the novel approach proposed herein, numerical and simulation results are given.
“How Dare You Have Another Relationship!”: An analysis of cross-cultural and interlanguage corrections
Authors: Lin Ming-Fang , Chang Miao-Hsia , Wang Yu-Fang
Published: March 2019

The present study aimed to examine the speech act of correction produced by Chinese, Americans, and Chinese EFL learners. A total of 120 participants were asked to fill in a questionnaire with two major parts: a Scaled Response Questionnaire (SRQ) and a Discourse Completion Task (DCT). Elicited data were analyzed in terms of three perspectives: perception of face-threat, overall correction strategy use, and the use of external modifications. The results showed some similarities and differences between Chinese and Americans’ corrections. As for the EFL learners, they exhibited their interlanguage development in the perception and overall strategy use. In addition, instances of L1 pragmatic transfer were found in the learners’ use of some individual strategies and external modifications. Learners’ interlanguage development and L1 socio-cultural transfer demonstrated the multi-competence of the learners. The present study suggests that further instruction should be implemented to enrich L2 learners’ pragmatic repertoire for successful ELF communication.
Problem solved? Absurdist humour and incongruity-resolution
Authors: Couder Olivier
Published: March 2019

This article explores the role absurdist humour fulfils in the narrative structure of novels as well as its impact on the process of literary interpretation. Tracing the historical and philosophical roots of absurdist humour, the article emphasises the importance of the concept of incongruity. It then critically evaluates current and influential cognitive and linguistic theories of humour, specifically incongruity-resolution theories and their purported suitability for literary analysis. Drawing on schema-theory, the article examines a passage from Douglas Adams’sThe Restaurant at the End of the Universe(1980; henceforthThe Restaurant) and illustrates why literary humour cannot be analysed in the same manner as short, often specifically designed, joke texts as is common practice in most humour research. Subsequently, the traditional classification of absurdist humour as a type of humour where resolution cannot be achieved is also challenged as the analysis reveals how absurdist humour is part and parcel of the narrative structure ofThe Restaurantand how the incongruity is resolved at the moment of literary interpretation.
Reading against the text? Metarepresentation and patterns of subjectivity in the summarization of Henry James’s tales
Authors: Álvarez-Amorós José A.
Published: March 2019

Informed by cognitive narratology and specifically based on our metarepresentational ability, this paper explores how the subjectivity in Henry James’s tales is transferred to the summaries provided by critics for the orientation of readers. Since it enables real, and realistic, minds to process content along with sources and paths of propagation, the metarepresentational skill proves to be an essential instrument for discriminating in narrative texts the authenticated, source-free facts from those which are contingent on the subjective domains of characters and character-narrators. When for a number of reasons this skill is relaxed or altogether deactivated in the act of summarizing, the resulting product will betray the original work by projecting a distorted or reductive image of it, particularly in a writer like James who was increasingly concerned with imparting informational verisimilitude to his fiction. The treatment of metarepresentational sources in the summaries of James’s tales generates perplexing patterns, such as when the handling of sources in a summary contradicts the critic’s own conclusions elsewhere in his or her work. This clash yields insights into the authenticating function of the fictional text in connection with its cognitive rhetoric.
Construing and reconstruing the horrors of the trench: Siegfried Sassoon, creativity and context
Authors: Giovanelli Marcello
Published: March 2019

Cognitive Grammar has emerged in recent years to become an established analytical method in cognitive stylistics. Although one of its key affordances is that it provides a robust framework for analysing the different ways in which scenes can be depicted, researchers have yet to develop an account of how Cognitive Grammar can support a detailed analysis of authorial creativity. This paper aims to redress the balance by using Cognitive Grammar to examine the relationship between creativity and the unique situations that give rise to writing in a diary entry and two subsequent rewritings of that entry by the First World War poet and soldier Siegfried Sassoon. The paper combines ideas on contextual constraints with a text-driven, Cognitive Grammar-oriented analysis to demonstrate how a contextualized approach highlights the ways in which Sassoon’s writing is motivated by particular physical, social and cultural environments. These include the interaction with and reconfiguration of the material body within the physical setting of the military trench.
White blood cell counts, CRP, GGT and LDH in the elderly German population
Authors: Röhrig Gabriele , Becker Ingrid , Hagemeier Anna , Gutensohn Kai , Nebe Thomas
Published: March 2019

Background

Hematological abnormalities are frequently found in geriatric patients. However, little data is available on reference values for total blood cell counts in older patients. This study is focused on the analysis of reference values for white blood cell counts in aged persons ≥60 years.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study of outpatient laboratory data of 2015 from a German countrywide working laboratory company; inclusion criteria: age ≥60 years, parameters evaluated by the laboratory company between 1.1.2015 and 31.12.2015; exclusion criteria: glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <60 mL/min, lack of inclusion criteria; primary objective: mean leukocyte count; secondary objective: mean counts of lymphocytes, eosinophil, neutrophil and basophil leukocytes as well as platelets, C-reactive protein (CRP), γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in hematologically healthy persons aged ≥60 years.

Results

Data of 30,611 persons aged ≥60 years were evaluated by age groups. Results for leukocytes, basophils, eosinophils, neutrophils and lymphocytes remained within the reference ranges recommended by the German Society of Hematology and Oncology (DGHO) and the German Association of Specialists in Internal Medicine (BDI); the lower reference limit for normal platelet values in males was below the DGHO reference value with 136,000/μL (confidence interval [CI] 129,000;142,000); similarly, our results for normal monocyte values were above the DGHO reference values with 6.0% (5.7;6.2) to 14.3% (13.9;14.8) in males and 5.4% (5.2;5.6) to 12.9% (12.6;13.4) in females; CRP, GGT and LDH values were above the BDI reference values, comparable with the previous data of a senior patient cohort analysis.

Conclusions

Adaptation of reference values for selected laboratory parameters in older German patients should be well considered.
Crystal structure of (E)-2-(((6-bromopyridin-2-yl)methylene)amino)-3′,6′-bis(ethylamino)-2′,7′-dimethylspiro[isoindoline-1,9′-xanthen]-3-one—methanol (1:1), C32H30N5O2Br ⋅ CH4O
Authors: Xing Ai-Ping , Zeng Dai
Published: March 2019

C33H34N5O3Br, triclinic, P1̄ (no. 2), a = 9.1179(2) Å, b = 9.3291(3) Å, c = 18.4706(6) Å, α = 91.187(3)°, β = 95.764(2)°, γ = 102.256(2)°, Z = 2, V = 1526.15(8) Å3, R
gt(F) = 0.0357, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0954, T = 105.7(5) K.
Relationship of thermodynamic data with Periodic Law
Authors: Vassiliev Valery P. , Lysenko Valery A. , Gaune-Escard Marcelle
Published: March 2019

Relationships between the various physical and chemical properties of isostructural compounds take place according to the Periodic Table that is a fundamental basis of Chemistry. The systematization of this approach, data vs. the Periodic Table, will contribute to further development of the solid state chemistry theory. The lanthanides and the actinides make up the f block of the Periodic Table. The lanthanides are the elements produced as the 4f sublevel is filled with electrons and the actinides are formed while filling the 5f sublevel. In this paper, we analyze some classes of compounds formed by the lanthanides with other elements of the Periodic Table, which can count into the thousands of binary compounds. The special place of lanthanides in the Periodic System of Elements made it possible to establish strict nonlinear relationships between the standard entropy and the lanthanide atomic number of the compounds Ln
2
X
3 (X = O, S, Se, Te), LnN, LnB4, and LnF3 in the solid state. This relationship, based on tetrad-effect, can be applied to other physical and chemical properties of the isostructural compounds. The thermodynamic properties of actinides have been studied much less than lanthanides, but the similarity of physicochemical properties makes it possible for us to estimate, with sufficient accuracy, unexplored properties using fundamental laws. One of these laws is the tetrad-effect concept that is an effective tool to predict missing thermodynamic values for lanthanide and actinide compounds and to rationally plan experiments.
Carbohydrates and BODIPYs: access to bioconjugatable and water-soluble BODIPYs
Authors: Gomez Ana M. , Lopez Jose Cristobal
Published: March 2019

Fluorescent difluoroboron dipyrromethenes (BODIPYs), have been accessed in a one-pot synthetic operation from phthalides and pyrroles, a process that involvesO-ethylation of phthalides with Meerwein’s reagent (Et3OBF4) and reaction of the ensuing tetrafluoroborate salts with pyrrole, followed by treatment with BF3 · OEt2. These derivatives are endowed with aortho-hydroxymethyl 8-C-aryl group for further derivatization and/or conjugation to, among others, carbohydrates. The new conjugate derivatives benefit from the optimal characteristics of BODIPYs as fluorescent dyes, including in some instances water-solubility (in the case of conjugation to unprotected carbohydrates). The different kinds of BODIPY-carbohydrate derivatives are compounds of potential interest for biological studies.
Motion tracking glove for augmented reality and virtual reality
Authors: Minh Vu Trieu , Katushin Nikita , Pumwa John
Published: March 2019

This project designs a smart glove, which can be used for motion tracking in real time to a 3D virtual robotic arm in a PC. The glove is low cost with the price of less than 100 € and uses only internal measurement unit for students to develop their projects on augmented and virtual reality applications. Movement data from the glove is transferred to the PC via UART DMA. The data is set as the motion reference path for the 3D virtual robotic arm to follow. APID feedback controller controls the 3D virtual robot to track exactly the haptic glove movement with zero error in real time. This glove can be used also for remote control, tele-robotics and tele-operation systems.
Studies on the radiolytic degradation of N,N-dioctyl-2-hydroxyacetamide using dynamic light scattering and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy
Authors: Prathibha T. , Selvan B. Robert , Venkatesan K. A. , Antony M. P.
Published: March 2019

The bulk extraction of Nd(III) from 4 M nitric acid medium was studied in a solution of N,N-di-octyl-2-hydroxyacetamide (DOHyA) in n-dodecane as a function of γ absorbed dose up to 750 kGy. The average size of reverse micellar aggregates in the irradiated and un-irradiated DOHyA samples after the extraction of Nd(III) was measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS) spectroscopy. The effect of absorbed dose of γ radiation and concentration of Nd(III) in the organic phase on the aggregation behavior of DOHyA was investigated by DLS measurements and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. The data on irradiated and un-irradiated samples were compared. FT-IR analysis of the irradiated samples of DOHyA showed the formation of degradation products which were mainly identified as hydroxyacetic acid and primary or secondary amines.
The critical role of primer pheromones in maintaining insect sociality
Authors: Hefetz Abraham
Published: March 2019

Primer pheromones play a pivotal role in the biology and social organization of insect societies. Despite their importance, they have been less studied because of the complexity of the required bioassays and, consequently, only a few of them have been chemically identified to date. The major primer pheromones are that of the queen pheromones that regulate reproductive skew and maintain colony cohesion and function. From a theoretical viewpoint, several features regarding the chemistry of queen pheromones can be predicted. They should be generally nonvolatile in order to avoid saturation of the colony space, which might otherwise hamper their perception because of sensory habituation. Accordingly, they should be actively dispersed throughout the colony by workers. The queen pheromone should also be caste-specific, qualitatively different from any worker pheromone, and preferably multicomponent, to allow unequivocal identification of the queen. The bi-potency of the female larvae in social Hymenoptera to become queen or worker necessitates strict regulation over pheromone production. Indeed, in the honeybee, the biosynthetic pathways as well as the genomic expressions are completely disparate between queens and workers. Future advances in chemical analyses, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics will enrich our understanding of the chemistry, mechanisms, and crucial role that primer pheromones play in social evolution.
Structural, Vibrational and UV/Vis Studies of Adamantane-Containing Triazole Thiones by Spectral, DFT and Multi-reference ab initio Methods
Authors: Shundalau Maksim , Mindarava Yuliya L. , Matsukovich Anna S. , Gaponenko Sergey V. , El-Emam Ali A. , Alkahtani Hamad N.
Published: March 2019

The Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectra of two adamantane-containing triazole thiones, namely 3-(adamantan-1-yl)-1-[(4-benzylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl]-4-phenyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5(4H)-thione and 3-(adamantan-1-yl)-4-phenyl-1-[(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl]-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5(4H)-thione, were examined in the ranges of 3200–650 cm−1 and 3200–150 cm−1, respectively. The density functional theory calculations were performed for the geometric structures and vibrational spectra for the title molecules. The accurate equilibrium geometry structures of the molecules were determined on the basis of full geometry optimization at the B3LYP/cc-pVDZ level of the theory. The IR and Raman vibrational spectra were calculated and compared with the experimental ones. The experimental vibrational FT-IR and Raman spectra were interpreted. Based on the structure of the molecules the biological activity indices were predicted. It is established that compounds under consideration are very likely to exhibit the analgesic activities. The UV/Vis spectra of solution of the compounds in ethanol were measured in the range of 450–200 nm. The UV/Vis spectra simulations at the Time-Dependent DFT and Multi-Reference Perturbation Theory levels of theory demonstrate unsuitability of the TDDFT for description of the experimental spectra of the title molecules. It is highly probable that this is a consequence of the intramolecular charge transfer. In contrast, the MRPT results are in a good agreement with the experimental spectra.
Awareness and Attitude Towards Opioid and Stimulant Use and Lifetime Prevalence of the Drugs: A Study in 5 Large Cities of Iran
Authors: Mohebbi Elham , Haghdoost Ali Akbar , Noroozi Alireza , Molavi Vardanjani Hossein , Hajebi Ahmad , Nikbakht Roya , Mehrabi Maryam , Jabbarinejad Kermani Akram , Salemianpour Mahshid , Baneshi Mohammad Reza
Published: March 2019

Background: Providing population-based data on awareness, attitude and practice of drug and stimulant use has policy implications. A national study was conducted among Iranian general population to explore life time prevalence, awareness and attitudes toward opioids and stimulant use. Methods: We recruited subjects from 5 provinces with heterogenic pattern of drug use. Participants were selected using stratified multistage cluster sampling. Data were collected using a validated self-administered questionnaire. Logistic regression model was applied to identify the variables that are associated with drug and stimulant use. Results: In total 2065 respondents including 1155 men (33.96 ± 10.40 years old) and 910 women (35.45 ± 12.21 years old) were recruited. Two-third of respondents had good awareness about adverse effects of opioid use. Corresponding figure in terms of stimulants was 81.4%. Almost 95% of participants reported a negative attitude towards either opioid or stimulant use. The lifetime prevalence of opioid use and stimulant use were 12.9% (men: 21.5%, women: 4.0%) and 7.3% (men: 9.6%, women: 4.9%), respectively. Gender (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]M/W=6.92; 95% CI: 2.92, 16.42), education (AORundergraduate/diploma or less =0.49; 95% CI: 0.26, 0.90), and marital status (AORothers/single=2.13; 95% CI: 1.36, 3.33) were significantly related with opioid use. With respect to stimulant use, age was negatively associated with the outcome (AOR60+/20-29 years = 0.08: 95% CI; 0.01, 0.98) and men were 2 times more likely than women to use stimulants (ORM/W=2.15: 95% CI: 0.83, 5.56). In addition, marital status (AOROthers/singles = 3.45; 95% CI: 1.09, 10.93), and awareness (AORWeak and moderate/good =0.40; 95% CI: 0.25, 0.61) were independently correlated with stimulants use. Conclusion: While the attitude of Iranian adults toward opioid and stimulant use was negative, their awareness was not that adequate to prevent the drug use. Men and those with lower socio-economic status (SES) should be the focus of health promotion programs regarding opioid use. However, regarding stimulants use, promotion programs should target younger age groups and those with higher SES status.
Reflections on Health Workforce Development Comment on "Health Professional Training and Capacity Strengthening Through International Academic Partnerships: The First Five Years of the Human Resources for Health Program in Rwanda"
Authors: Dussault Gilles
Published: March 2019

This commentary addresses the statement that "the authors believe that the HRH [Human Resources for Health] Program can serve as a model for other initiatives that seek to address the shortage of qualified health professionals in low-income countries and strengthen the long-term capacity of local academic institutions." I adopt the position of the devil’s advocate and ask whether a country, with a profile comparable to Rwanda’s, should adopt this twinning model. I suggest that the alignment with population and other capacity development needs should be the main criteria of decision.
Perspectives on Rebuilding Health System Governance in Opposition-Controlled Syria: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Douedari Yazan , Howard Natasha
Published: March 2019

Background: Ongoing conflict and systematic targeting of health facilities and personnel by the Syrian regime in opposition-controlled areas have contributed to health system and governance mechanisms collapse. Health directorates (HDs) were established in opposition-held areas in 2014 by the interim (opposition) Ministry of Health (MoH), to meet emerging needs. As the local health authorities responsible for health system governance in opposition-controlled areas in Syria, they face many challenges. This study explores ongoing health system governance efforts in 5 oppositioncontrolled areas in Syria. Methods: A qualitative study design was selected, using in-depth key informant interviews with 20 participants purposely sampled from HDs, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), donors, and service-users. Data were analysed thematically. Results: Health system governance elements (ie, strategic vision, participation, transparency, responsiveness, equity, effectiveness, accountability, information) were considered important, but not interpreted or addressed equally in opposition-controlled areas. Participants identified HDs as primarily responsible for health system governance in opposition-controlled areas. Main health system governance challenges identified were security (eg, targeting of health facilities and personnel), funding, and capacity. Suggested solutions included supporting HDs, addressing health-worker loss, and improving coordination. Conclusion: Rebuilding health system governance in opposition-controlled areas in Syria is already progressing, despite ongoing conflict. Local health authorities need support to overcome identified challenges and build sustainable health system governance mechanisms.
The Synergetic Effect of Hot Rolling and Heat Treatment on Mechanical Properties: AISI-1045 and JIS-SUP 9 Steel
Authors: Owais Muhammad , Mehdi Muhammad , Hassan Muhammad Aqib , Jokhio Muhammad Hayat , Raza Ghulam
Published: March 2019

Hot rolling and heat treatment are the two industrial metallurgical applications used with compatible steels to modify mechanical properties. In this article, we studied the combined effect of hot rolling and heat treatment at constant parameters on medium carbon steels with respect to reduced thickness. For this purpose, the precasted round billets (110-mm diameter) of AISI-1045 and the square billet (110 by 110 mm) of JIS-SUP 9 were hot rolled and the thickness was reduced up to 6, 8, and 12 mm and 18, 28, and 45 mm, respectively. The hot rolled billets were subjected to heat treatment. The chemical compositions of the steels were evaluated by optical emission spectroscopy, whereas the microstructures of the samples after hot rolling and heat treatment were observed through metallography. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of the samples were calculated through the tensile test. The results showed a fall in ductility and toughness with respect to reduced thickness and a rise in mechanical strength. It is noteworthy that breaking strength remained unaffected. The JIS-SUP 9 steel is a spring steel, which is the reason for its better mechanical properties (e.g., toughness and ductility) as compared with AISI-1045 steel.
Performance of Thin-Wall Synthetic Fiber–Reinforced Concrete Pipes under Short and Long-Term Loading
Authors: Al Rikabi Fouad T. , Sargand Shad M. , Kurdziel John , Khoury Issam
Published: March 2019

Synthetic fibers have been recently used as a replacement for conventional steel reinforcement in concrete pipes to enhance their durability, ductility, shear strength, and flexural strength. However, there is very limited understanding of the long-term performance of thin-wall synthetic fiber–reinforced concrete pipes, as synthetic fiber has material properties that may change with a sustained load over time. This research investigates the performance of polypropylene fiber–reinforced concrete pipe under short and long-term loads in terms of strength, deflection response, strain response, crack width, and crack patterns. Concrete pipes with diameters of 1,200 and 1,500 mm with respective wall thicknesses of 50 and 63 mm were subjected to the short-term three-edge bearing test. To ensure maximum fiber contribution to pipe strength, a 9 kg/m3 fiber dosage was used with different amounts of steel reinforcement. For the long-term three-edge bearing test, a pipe with a diameter of 1,200 mm reinforced with fiber dosage of 9 kg/m3 along with steel reinforcement with an area of 5.7 cm2/m was tested for 30 days at 40 % of the ultimate load (Load Stage 1) obtained from the short-term test, for another 30 days at 50 % ultimate load (Load Stage 2), and subsequently at 70 % ultimate load for a final 30 days (Load Stage 3). Short-term results showed that synthetic fiber was a viable replacement for the steel reinforcement cage, as some of the tested pipe achieved the strength requirement specified by ASTM C76-15a, Standard Specification for Reinforced Concrete Culvert, Storm Drain, and Sewer Pipe. In response to sustained load, the tested pipe initially exhibited a linear response, followed by a stable response with a slight increase in deflection over time. Fiber creep did not significantly increase the crack width or affect the time dependence of the strain, indicating that the fibers adequately transfer the stress in the pipe wall and limit the crack width. The cracks propagated longitudinally at the invert, crown, and springline, where there were high flexural tensile stresses.