bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prolonged fluconazole prophylaxis is associated with persistent protection against candidiasis-related death in allogeneic marrow transplant recipients: long-term follow-up of a randomized, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Marr Kieren A. , Seidel Kristy , Slavin Monica A. , Bowden Raleigh A. , Schoch H. Gary , Flowers Mary E. D. , Corey Lawrence , Boeckh Michael
Published: October 2019

Two randomized, placebo-controlled trials previously showed that fluconazole (400 mg/d) administered prophylactically decreases the incidence of candidiasis in blood and marrow transplant (BMT) recipients. However, there exists conflicting data regarding the optimal duration of fluconazole administration, specifically whether prophylaxis through acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) results in improved survival in allograft recipients. Reported here are the results of long-term follow-up and a detailed analysis of invasive candidiasis and candidiasis-related death in 300 patients who received fluconazole (400 mg/d) or placebo for 75 days after BMT at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Patients in both treatment arms were compared for survival, causes of death, and the incidence of invasive fungal infections early (less than 110 days) and late (more than 110 days) after BMT. After 8 years of follow-up, survival is significantly better in fluconazole recipients compared with placebo recipients (68 of 152 vs 41 of 148,P = .0001). The overall incidence of invasive candidiasis was increased in patients who received placebo compared with fluconazole (30 of 148 vs 4 of 152, P < .001). More patients who received placebo died with candidiasis early (13 of 148 vs 1 of 152, P = .001) and late (8 of 96 vs 1 of 121,P = .0068) after BMT. The incidence of severe GVHD involving the gut was higher in patients who did not receive fluconazole (20 of 143 vs 8 of 145, P = .02), and fewer patients who received fluconazole died with this complication. Thus, administration of fluconazole (400 mg/d) for 75 days after BMT appears to be associated with decreased gut GVHD, a persistent protection against disseminated candidal infections and candidiasis-related death, resulting in an overall survival benefit in allogeneic BMT recipients.
Bcl-2 rearrangement in patients with chronic hepatitis C associated with essential mixed cryoglobulinemia type II
Authors: Kitay-Cohen Yona , Amiel Aliza , Hilzenrat Nir , Buskila Dan , Ashur Yaffa , Fejgin Moshe , Gaber Elena , Safadi Rifaat , Tur-kaspa Ran , Lishner Michael
Published: October 2019

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is found in 80% to 90% of patients with essential mixed cryoglobulinemia (EMC) type II, which is associated with monoclonal IgMk produced by monoclonal B cells. It was investigated whether bcl-2 rearrangement is associated with the clonal B-cell proliferation of EMC induced by hepatitis C. The study groups were composed of 15 patients with HCV and EMC, 12 patients with HCV without EMC, and 7 patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) unrelated to HCV. Fluorescence in situ hybridization with probes was applied to JH and to bcl-2 to study whether JH/bcl-2 translocation was present in these patients. Thirteen of 15 (86%) of patients with HCV-related EMC had the JH/bcl-2 translocation, a significantly higher rate than in HCV patients without EMC (16%; P < .001). Bcl-2 rearrangement was not detected in the patients with CLD not related to HCV. The JH/bcl2 translocation may constitute a pathogenetic link for the development of NHL in patients with HCV infection.
Diagnostic value of dominant T-cell clones in peripheral blood in 363 patients presenting consecutively with a clinical suspicion of cutaneous lymphoma
Authors: Delfau-Larue Marie-Hélène , Laroche Liliane , Wechsler Janine , Lepage Eric , Lahet Chantal , Asso-Bonnet Marianne , Bagot Martine , Farcet Jean-Pierre
Published: October 2019

It is now widely accepted that polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of cutaneous T-cell clonality is of diagnostic value in cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs) and most helpful in the diagnosis of mycosis fungoides (MF). However, the diagnostic and prognostic value of circulating clonal T cells remains unclear. We studied T-cell clonality in the peripheral blood (PB) and the cutaneous lesion, sampled at the same time, in 363 consecutively seen patients with a clinical suspicion of cutaneous lymphoma. Using a PCR technique providing a specific imprint of T-cell clones (PCRγ–denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis), we found that detection of identical circulating and cutaneous T-cell clones was associated with the diagnosis of CTCL (P < .001). Detection of circulating tumor cells in patients with MF was infrequent (12.5%), except in those with erythrodermic MF (42%; P = .003). Moreover, among the 46 patients who had identical circulating and cutaneous T-cell clones, 25 (56%) had erythroderma. The finding of a dominant clone in the PB but not in the skin was frequent, regardless of the clinicohistologic classification; it occurred in 30% of patients with CTCL, 41% with non-CTCL malignant infiltrates, and 34% with benign infiltrates. This pattern was significantly more frequent in patients over 60 years of age (P < .002), even in the CTCL group (P < .01). In conclusion, dominant T-cell clones detected in the PB of patients with MF by using a routine PCR technique are rarely tumoral and are more often related to age. A multicenter prospective study is under way to establish the prognostic value of circulating tumor cells.
Allogeneic transplantation of CD34+selected cells from peripheral blood from human leukocyte antigen–identical siblings: detrimental effect of a high number of donor CD34+ cells?
Authors: Urbano-Ispizua Alvaro , Carreras Enric , Marı́n Pedro , Rovira Montserrat , Martı́nez Carmen , Fernández-Avilés Francesc , Xicoy Blanca , Hernández-Boluda Juan-Carlos , Montserrat Emili
Published: October 2019

Clinical results after T-cell–depleted allografts might be improved by modifying the graft content of progenitor and accessory cells. Although the association of the number of donor T cells with the clinical outcome has been studied extensively, the optimum number of progenitor cells that should be administered to patients is unknown. The characteristics of 84 consecutive human leukocyte antigen (HLA)–identical sibling transplants of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)–mobilized peripheral blood progenitor cells depleted of T cells by CD34+ positive selection (allo-PBT/CD34+) were analyzed for their effect on clinical outcome. After a median follow-up of 24 months (range, 1-70 months), 50 patients remain alive (59.5%) and 34 have died (21 [25%] as a result of the transplant and 13 [15.5%] due to disease relapse). The median number of CD34+ cells administered to the patients was 3.9 × 106/kg (range, 1.2-14.3 × 106/kg). A number of CD34+ cells in the inoculum of 1 × 106/kg to 3 × 106/kg was associated with increased survival: 21 of 28 (75%) patients are alive, as compared with 29 of 56 (52%) patients receiving more than 3 × 106/kg (actuarial probability 75% vs. 42%, respectively; P = .01). In the multivariate analysis, the independent prognostic variables for survival were CD34+cell dose 1 × 106/kg to 3 × 106/kg (RR = 4.8; P = .0008), sex-pairing match (RR = 3.2;P = .002), and early stage of disease (RR = 2.8;P = .007). From these results it appears that, in allo-PBT/CD34+ from HLA-identical siblings, a number of CD34+ cells in the inoculum between 1 × 106/kg to 3 × 106/kg is an important factor for better survival, and that higher CD34+ cell doses might be associated with a poorer outcome.
The growth of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is stimulated by immature dendritic cells
Authors: Berger Carole L. , Hanlon Douglas , Kanada Daniel , Dhodapkar Madhav , Lombillo Vivian , Wang Nianci , Christensen Inger , Howe Gregory , Crouch Jill , El-Fishawy Paul , Edelson Richard
Published: October 2019

In the initial stage of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), proliferating CTCL cells are concentrated in the epidermis in close association with an immature dendritic cell (DC), the Langerhans cell. Because long-term in vitro culture of CTCL cells has proven difficult, the in vivo association with the major antigen-presenting cell (APC) of the epidermis has been postulated to play a role in directly stimulating the clonal T-cell proliferation. We report that CTCL cells can be reproducibly grown in culture for 3 months when cocultured with immature DCs. CTCL cells retain the phenotype and genotype of the initial malignant clone, whereas the APCs are a mixture of immature and mature DCs. CTCL cell and DC survival was dependent on direct membrane contact. Growth was inhibited by antibodies that bound to the T-cell receptor (TCR) or interfered with the interaction of CD40 with its ligand on the CTCL cell. Addition of antibody to CD3 or the clonotypic TCR caused rapid CTCL cell apoptosis followed by engulfment by avidly phagocytic immature DCs and subsequent DC maturation. The opportunity to study CTCL cells and immature DCs for prolonged periods will facilitate studies of tumor cell biology and will allow investigation of the intriguing hypothesis that CTCL cell growth is driven through TCR recognition of class II–presented self-peptides. In addition, the culture of CTCL cells will permit evaluation of therapies in vitro before clinical intervention, thereby improving safety and efficacy.
Genetic diversity of trypanosome species in tsetse flies (Glossina spp.) in Nigeria
Authors: Weber Judith Sophie , Ngomtcho Sen Claudine Henriette , Shaida Stephen Saikiu , Chechet Gloria Dada , Gbem Thaddeus Terlumun , Nok Jonathan Andrew , Mamman Mohammed , Achukwi Daniel Mbunkah , Kelm Sørge
Published: October 2019

Background

Trypanosomes cause disease in humans and livestock in sub-Saharan Africa and rely on tsetse flies as their main insect vector. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa; however, only limited information about the occurrence and diversity of trypanosomes circulating in the country is available.

Methods

Tsetse flies were collected from five different locations in or adjacent to protected areas, i.e. national parks and game reserves, in Nigeria. Proboscis and gut samples were analysed for trypanosome DNA by molecular amplification of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region and part of the trypanosome specific glycosomal glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gGAPDH) gene.

Results

The most abundant Trypanosoma species found in the tsetse gut was T. grayi, a trypanosome infecting crocodiles. It was ubiquitously distributed throughout the country, accounting for over 90% of all cases involving trypanosomes. Trypanosoma congolense was detected in gut samples from all locations except Cross River National Park, but not in the proboscis, while T. brucei (sensu lato) was not detected at all. In proboscis samples, T. vivax was the most prominent. The sequence diversity of gGAPDH suggests that T. vivax and T. grayi represent genetically diverse species clusters. This implies that they are highly dynamic populations.

Conclusions

The prevalence of animal pathogenic trypanosomes throughout Nigeria emphasises the role of protected areas as reservoirs for livestock trypanosomes. The genetic diversity observed within T. vivax and T. grayi populations might be an indication for changing pathogenicity or host range and the origin and consequences of this diversity has to be further investigated.
Potential impact of climate change on the geographical distribution of two wild vectors of Chagas disease in Chile: Mepraia spinolai and Mepraia gajardoi
Authors: Garrido Rubén , Bacigalupo Antonella , Peña-Gómez Francisco , Bustamante Ramiro O. , Cattan Pedro E. , Gorla David E. , Botto-Mahan Carezza
Published: October 2019

Background

Mepraia gajardoiandMepraia spinolaiare endemic triatomine vector species ofTrypanosoma cruzi, a parasite that causes Chagas disease. These vectors inhabit arid, semiarid and Mediterranean areas of Chile.Mepraia gajardoioccurs from 18° to 25°S, andM. spinolaifrom 26° to 34°S. Even though both species are involved inT. cruzitransmission in the Pacific side of the Southern Cone of South America, no study has modelled their distributions at a regional scale. Therefore, the aim of this study is to estimate the potential geographical distribution ofM. spinolaiandM. gajardoiunder current and future climate scenarios.

Methods

We used the Maxent algorithm to model the ecological niche ofM. spinolaiandM. gajardoi, estimating their potential distributions from current climate information and projecting their distributions to future climatic conditions under representative concentration pathways (RCP) 2.6, 4.5, 6.0 and 8.5 scenarios. Future predictions of suitability were constructed considering both higher and lower public health risk situations.

Results

The current potential distributions of both species were broader than their known ranges. For both species, climate change projections for 2070 in RCP 2.6, 4.5, 6.0 and 8.5 scenarios showed different results depending on the methodology used. The higher risk situation showed new suitable areas, but the lower risk situation modelled a net reduction in the future potential distribution areas ofM. spinolaiandM. gajardoi.

Conclusions

The suitable areas for both species may be greater than currently known, generating new challenges in terms of vector control and prevention. Under future climate conditions, these species could modify their potential geographical range. Preventive measures to avoid accidental human vectorial transmission by wild vectors ofT. cruzibecome critical considering the uncertainty of future suitable areas projected in this study.
Commentary: seclusion and mechanical restraint of psychiatric patients in Israel - an update
Authors: Kohn Yoav , Barash Igor , Lubin Gadi
Published: October 2019

Recently, Miodownik et al. reported in this journal the results of a study on seclusion and mechanical restraint of psychiatric patients in Israel (Isr J Health Policy Res 8:9, 2019). The study was a retrospective examination over a year of one inpatient ward in a psychiatric hospital. They found negative associations between length of use of coercive measures and the diagnosis of schizophrenia, being single, and the presence of academic nurses. Positive associations were found between length of use of coercive measures and the use of antipsychotic medications, violence towards oneself, and the use of restraint compared to seclusion. Interesting and important as they are, these results were obtained from data gathered in 2014. As the authors note, since then there has been a dramatic change in the official policy of the Israeli Ministry of Health on this topic and in the practice of seclusion and mechanical restraint in Israel. This commentary reviews and comments on the current situation.
Profiling the unique protective properties of intracranial arterial endothelial cells
Authors: Hermkens Dorien M. A. , Stam Olga C. G. , de Wit Nienke M. , Fontijn Ruud D. , Jongejan Aldo , Moerland Perry D. , Mackaaij Claire , Waas Ingeborg S. E. , Daemen Mat J. A. P. , de Vries Helga E.
Published: October 2019

Cardiovascular disorders, like atherosclerosis and hypertension, are increasingly known to be associated with vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). In particular, intracranial atherosclerosis is one of the main causes of VCI, although plaque development occurs later in time and is structurally different compared to atherosclerosis in extracranial arteries. Recent data suggest that endothelial cells (ECs) that line the intracranial arteries may exert anti-atherosclerotic effects due to yet unidentified pathways. To gain insights into underlying mechanisms, we isolated post-mortem endothelial cells from both the intracranial basilar artery (BA) and the extracranial common carotid artery (CCA) from the same individual (total of 15 individuals) with laser capture microdissection. RNA sequencing revealed a distinct molecular signature of the two endothelial cell populations of which the most prominent ones were validated by means of qPCR. Our data reveal for the first time that intracranial artery ECs exert an immune quiescent phenotype. Secondly, genes known to be involved in the response of ECs to damage (inflammation, differentiation, adhesion, proliferation, permeability and oxidative stress) are differentially expressed in intracranial ECs compared to extracranial ECs. Finally, Desmoplakin (DSP) and Hop Homeobox (HOPX), two genes expressed at a higher level in intracranial ECs, and Sodium Voltage-Gated Channel Beta Subunit 3 (SCN3B), a gene expressed at a lower level in intracranial ECs compared to extracranial ECs, were shown to be responsive to shear stress and/or hypoxia. With our data we present a set of intracranial-specific endothelial genes that may contribute to its protective phenotype, thereby supporting proper perfusion and consequently may preserve cognitive function. Deciphering the molecular regulation of the vascular bed in the brain may lead to the identification of novel potential intervention strategies to halt vascular associated disorders, such as atherosclerosis and vascular cognitive dysfunction.
Patient involvement in cardiovascular research: a qualitative impact evaluation
Authors: Vroonland Eva , Schalkers Inge , Bloemkolk Daphne , Dedding Christine
Published: October 2019

Background & Objective

Involving patients in scientific research has been shown to improve the relevance of the research, as well as its quality and applicability. Harteraad, the Dutch patient organization for people with cardiovascular diseases, has a Committee of Experienced Experts (patients) advising researchers on the content of grant proposals prior to submission. Until now, the impact of the committee’s advice was unknown. This study, initiated by Harteraad, aimed to evaluate the impact of the provided advice on the content of grant proposals and investigate how to strengthen this impact.

Methods

Fourteen grant proposals both prior to and after receiving the committee’s advice were compared in order to analyse how the advice had been incorporated into the final proposal. Subsequently, 10 researchers who received the committee’s advice were interviewed. Moreover, a focus group discussion was conducted with five committee members.

Results

Document analysis showed that almost 40% of the advice was incorporated in the final grant proposals. Researchers made several changes to their proposals, such as increasing the extent of patient involvement throughout the research, use of simpler language, and/or adding information on the consequences of an intervention for patients. Advice requiring fundamental changes in the research design was most often not incorporated. This finding was confirmed by the interviewees, although some stressed to use the committee’s advice later on during the execution of the research. According to the interviewees and members of the committee, the impact of the committee’s advice could be strengthened in several ways, including 1) improving training/education for researchers and the committee, 2) organizing dialogues between patients and researchers, 3) aligning perspectives between funding bodies and patient organizations on what is expected from researchers, 4) making it obligatory for the researchers to clarify how the patient’s advice was incorporated, and 5) fostering researchers’ internal motivation for involvement. Committee members have contributed to implementing these recommendations.

Conclusion

The committee’s advice has considerable impact on the content of grant proposals. However, effort is required to increase the value that is currently attributed to patient involvement, and to support researchers in the required organizational and cultural changes to meaningfully involve patients in research.
Mental health in South East London general hospitals: using electronic patient records to explore associations between psychiatric diagnoses and length of stay in a patient cohort receiving liaison psychiatry input
Authors: Jones Abbeygail , Todman Helen , Husain Mujtaba
Published: October 2019

Background

Psychiatric illnesses are prevalent in general hospitals and associated with length of stay (LOS). Liaison psychiatry teams provide psychiatric care in acute hospitals and can improve mental health-related outcomes but, to achieve ambitious policy targets, services must understand local need.

Aims

Using electronic patient records, we investigate associations between psychiatric diagnoses and LOS in South East London hospitals.

Method

Patient records were extracted using the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust Biomedical Research Centre Case Register Interactive Search system. There were 6378 admissions seen by liaison psychiatry aged <65 years between 2011 and 2016. Linear mixed-effects models investigated the impact of psychiatric diagnoses on LOS. Potential confounders included medical diagnoses, gender, age, ethnicity, social deprivation, hospital site and investment per admission.

Results

According to marginal means, longer LOS is associated with primary diagnoses of organic disorders (mean: 23 days, 95% CI 20.39–25.61), depressive disorders (mean: 11.03 days, 95% CI 9.74–25.61) and psychotic disorders (mean: 10.63 days, 95% CI 8.75–12.51). Shorter LOS is associated with personality disorders (mean: 6.28 days, 95% CI 4.12–8.45), bipolar affective disorders (mean 6.81 days, 95% CI 3.49–10.14) and substance-related problems (mean 7.53 days, 95% CI 6.01–9.05).

Conclusions

Psychiatric diagnoses have differential associations with in-patient LOS. Liaison psychiatry teams aim to mitigate the impact of psychiatric illness on patient and hospital outcomes but understanding local need and the wider context of care provision is needed to maximise potential benefits.

Declaration of interest

M.H. is a consultant liaison psychiatrist for King's College Hospital adult liaison psychiatry team. At the time of writing, H.T. was senior business manager at SLaM psychological medicine and integrated care clinical academic group. These may be considered financial and/or non-financial interests given the implications of findings for service funding.
Suicide risk among refugees compared with non-refugee migrants and the Swedish-born majority population
Authors: Hollander Anna-Clara , Pitman Alexandra , Sjöqvist Hugo , Lewis Glyn , Magnusson Cecilia , Kirkbride James B , Dalman Christina
Published: October 2019

Background

It has been hypothesised that refugees have an increased risk of suicide.

Aims

To investigate whether risk of suicide is higher among refugees compared with non-refugee migrants from the same areas of origin and with the Swedish-born population, and to examine whether suicide rates among migrants converge to the Swedish-born population over time.

Method

A population-based cohort design using linked national registers to follow 1 457 898 people born between 1 January 1970 and 31 December 1984, classified by migrant status as refugees, non-refugee migrants or Swedish-born. Participants were followed from their 16th birthday or date of arrival in Sweden until death, emigration or 31 December 2015, whichever came first. Cox regression models estimated adjusted hazard ratios for suicide by migrant status, controlling for age, gender, region of origin and income.

Results

There were no significant differences in suicide risk between refugee and non-refugee migrants (hazard ratio 1.28, 95% CI 0.93–1.76) and both groups had a lower risk of suicide than Swedish born. During their first 5 years in Sweden no migrants died by suicide; however, after 21–31 years their suicide risk was equivalent to the Swedish-born population (hazard ratio 0.94, 95% CI 0.79–1.22). After adjustment for income this risk was significantly lower for migrants than the Swedish-born population.

Conclusions

Being a refugee was not an additional risk factor for suicide. Our findings regarding temporal changes in suicide risk suggest that acculturation and socioeconomic deprivation may account for a convergence of suicide risk between migrants and the host population over time.

Declaration of interest

None.
Communology:
Authors: Mattei Ugo , Mancall Mark
Published: October 2019

Against the spectacle of environmental, economic, social, and institutional crises spawned by capitalism, the authors advocate the urgency of a radically new social science: the nascent field of communology. As Marxism did in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, communology challenges orthodoxy. This article presents communology’s evolving terminology, historical perspective, and intersections with law, politics, technology, and social sciences. The commons are subversive to the status quo; they do not assume—as given—sovereignty, statehood, boundaries, or territorial or property structures. That is precisely why their study within the positivist approach dominant today is inadequate, often misleading, and even dangerous to projects of emancipation. Commoners constantly struggle for a different world, for a radically inclusive alternative to all patterns of capitalist exclusion, both private and public. Neither capitalism nor socialism, in any of their forms, constitutes “the end of history.”
Social Reproduction and the Transformation at the Edge of Chaos
Authors: De Angelis Massimo
Published: October 2019

In this article, I want to explore some complexities of a politics grounded on social reproduction. Among the many possible objectives of the commons, the most important for the purpose of thinking through a process of trans-formative social change are those that aim at reclaiming the conditions of social reproduction and subject these to new value practices. A politics based on social reproduction would imply the progressive subtraction of social and natural wealth and labor time from the control of capital, and their (re)production and circulation in the processes of the commons. The complexity of this progressive subtraction must of course be pointed out, because the power of capital is founded on a complex assemblage of social relations, resources, discourses and narratives, rights, state policies, and, ultimately, the institutionalized monopoly of violence that aims at protecting and increasing this power. For this reason, any viable strategy of postcapitalist transformation must rely on the disarticulation of these assemblages while at the same time reproducing bodies and ecosystems. Hence the focus on social reproduction.
Platform Cooperativism:
Authors: Nicoli Massimiliano , Paltrinieri Luca
Published: October 2019

This paper focalizes on the economic model of digital platforms as a new method of coordinating the production of value. We suggest that the advent of “platform capitalism” is symptomatic of a crisis of the model of the firm understood as a space separated from society and based on private ownership. This crisis appears, first, as an inadequacy of the instruments of theoretical economics to take the digital platform model into account, and subsequently as a crisis concerning the ownership of the means of production: ownership seems to be split into intellectual ownership (especially algorithms) and physical ownership of the means of production (which are the prerogative of the platform’s users/producers/consumers). This new proprietary model allows us to revisit the question of the ownership of the means of production and the governance of the firm itself. In this sense, we suggest that in the claims of platform cooperativism, the platform-firm no longer appears as a group of assets that are already owned, but as an institution in which ownership corresponds to governance. In other words, ownership is understood as an institutional arrangement intended to govern the resource itself, which allows us to fully rethink the ownership of the firm according to the model of “the philosophy of the commons.”
From Sacred to Public:
Authors: McAllister Shianna
Published: October 2019

This narrative essay discusses the transformative nature of colonialism in the creation of the Stein Valley Nlaka’pamux Heritage Park by highlighting how the creation of the park simultaneously tokenizes and erases Indigenous presence on the land and in the waters. Taking up themes of alienation and everyday violence, this essay considers the use of stereotypical notions of Indigeneity in the campaign to save the Stein and how this impacted the way that Nlaka’pamux communities relate to the park today. In doing so, this paper also brings into question the complexities of settler allyship and their potential cooptation of Indigenous assertions of jurisdiction when settlers recenter themselves in the struggle.
Effectiveness of a mobile health intervention on infant and young child feeding among children ≤ 24 months of age in rural Islamabad over six months duration
Authors: Akber Subhana , Mahmood Hana , Fatima Razia , Wali Ahmed , Alam Ashraful , Sheraz Syed Yahya , Yaqoob Aashifa , Najmi Hina , Abbasi Saleem , Mahmood Humaira , Dibley Michael J. , Hazir Tabish
Published: October 2019

Background: Childhood development is highly influenced by feeding practices at infancy and young age of the children. Unfortunately, according to the National Nutrition Survey (2011), the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in Pakistan was 21% at four months, and 13% at six months of age with 51.3% of mothers initiating semisolid foods to their children at the recommended 6-8 months of age. Pakistan Demographic & Health Survey (PDHS 2018) however; indicates that only 48% of infants are exclusively breastfed which has been improved from 38% as reported in the past five years but still more improvement is envisaged.

Methods: A quasi-experimental study design was employed for this post-intervention survey assessing effectiveness of mobile health (mhealth) regarding infant & young child feeding (IYCF) among pregnant and lactating mothers in Tarlai, Islamabad from May to June 2018. A total of 135 mothers who were earlier included in the intervention phase were recruited after obtaining verbal & written consent. The data was entered in EpiData (3.1) and analyzed in SPSS version 21.

Results: The mean age of these pregnant and lactating mothers was 30.5 years ± 4.5 SD with the majority of mothers in the age group of 25 to 29 years. After intervention, the overall knowledge of mothers regarding IYCF nutrition was raised among 94 mothers (69.6%) as compared to 74 (54.8%) mothers prior to the intervention. Overall attitude regarding IYCF was found to be positive among 86 (63.7%) of the mothers, whereas 88 (65.2%) of the mothers had good IYCF related practices.

Conclusion: Our post-intervention survey signifies the effectiveness of mhealth in raising knowledge, attitude, and practices of mothers regarding IYCF in rural Islamabad. However, implementation of mhealth in masses requires future research specifically to address cost-effectiveness of such interventions in maternal & child health programmes.
GeneDB and Wikidata
Authors: Manske Magnus , Böhme Ulrike , Püthe Christoph , Berriman Matt
Published: October 2019

Publishing authoritative genomic annotation data, keeping it up to date, linking it to related information, and allowing community annotation is difficult and hard to support with limited resources.

Here, we show how importing GeneDB annotation data into Wikidata allows for leveraging existing resources, integrating volunteer and scientific communities, and enriching the original information.
Introduce the Siberian Sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) to Turkish aquaculture industry: Duoculture possibility with Rainbow Trout
Authors: Ak Kübra , Kurtoğlu İlker Zeki , Serezli Ramazan , Kayış Şevki , Yandı İlhan
Published: October 2019

Duo culture response of Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baeri) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was evaluated in culture tank conditions. Triplicated culture groups were planned as: mono-culture sturgeon (M, n=10), duo-culture sturgeon (DM, n=10) and duo-culture trout (DA, n=10), and mono-culture trout (A, n=10). Examination of mono and duo culture of each species, showed neither sturgeon nor trout, was indicated any significance on specific growth rate (SGR) and condition factor (CF). As for final biomasses among groups, no significant differences were recorded (p<0.05).
Determination of antibiotic resistance sensitivity of Aeromonas sobria isolated from Green terror (Andinoacara rivulatus)
Authors: Şahin Ayşe Gül , San Ahmet Turan , Gürçay Selahattin , Alkan Serhat Murat
Published: October 2019

Motil Aeromonas species are responsible for the formation of significant hemorrhagic septicemia in freshwater fish. Aeromonas are characteristic freshwater bacteria. They are often found in the ecosystem due to their being mobile. It is pathogenic in water, in various water creatures and in humans. In this study, it was determined that the bacterial strains obtained from Green terror (Andinoacara rivulatus) were Gram-negative, rod-shaped. VITEK-2 compact system is used for identification. Species have been identified as Aeromonas sobria. Aeromonas isolates were evaluated by 12 different antimicrobial agents in antimicrobial activity against the disk diffusion method. While cefquinome was found to be the most effective in the tested antimicrobials, the lowest sensitivity was determined against trimethoprim / sulphamethoxazole.
Diversity and abundance of the family mugilidae in the New Calabar River, Nigeria
Authors: Dienye Henry Eyina , Olopade Olaniyi Alaba , Ogbonnaya Ike Joel
Published: October 2019

The study was conducted to determine the diversity and abundance of mullets (Mugilidae) in the New Calabar River, Nigeria. Fish samples were collected monthly between February to July 2018 at three landing stations: Choba: Station 1, Ogbogoro: Station 2 and Iwofe: Station 3. A total of 578 individuals belonging to three species (Sicklefin mullet (Neochelon falcipinnis Valenciennes, 1836), Largescaled mullet (Parachelon grandisquamis Valenciennes, 1836) and Flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus Linnaeus, 1758) of the family Mugilidae were sampled. N.falcipinus recorded the highest abundance (47.40%) followed by M.cephalus (36.85%) while P.grandisquamis recorded the least abundant (15.74%). The Simpson’s index of diversity had the highest value of 0.63 in Choba station and the least value of 0.59 in Iwofe station, while the Simpson’s reciprocal index highest value of 1.71 in Iwofe station and least value of 1.60 in Choba station. The Shannon- Weiner index and Pielou’s eveness index value also recorded highest values of 1.03 and 0.94 in Choba station with the least values of 0.96 and 0.87 in Iwofe station respectively. The diversity indices showed that the family Mugilidae is fairly distributed in the study area and it is therefore recommended that further research should be carried out to provide a complete examination of the biology and ecology of the mullets within the New Calabar River.
Head and neck cancer part 2: the patient journey
Authors: Hackett Stephanie , Jones Oliver , Chatzistavrianou Despoina , Newsum David
Published: October 2019

This is the second paper in a three-part series to discuss head and neck cancer diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. Following a confirmed diagnosis of head and neck cancer, patients will begin a long and often challenging pathway that will involve clinicians from a multidisciplinary team (MDT). This paper will summarize the role of individual MDT members involved in patient care, diagnostic and treatment phases for head and neck cancer and common side-effects encountered. By gaining an insight into this part of the patient's journey, dental practitioners should feel more comfortable and confident engaging in the care and support for head and neck cancer patients.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: This paper aims to provide readers with an insight into the journey that patients will undertake after being diagnosed with head and neck cancer.
Полыни Бурятии: анализ разнообразия, эколого-географических особенностей и хемотаксономии секции Abrotanum
Authors: Namzalov B.B. , Zhigzhitzhapova S.V. , Dubrovsky N.G. , Sakhyaeva A.B. , Radnaeva L.D.
Published: October 2019

Разнообразие полыней Бурятии включает 48 видов и подвидов, которые относятся к трем подродам и семи секциям (подрод Artemisia, секции – Artemisia, Abrotanum, Absinthium; подрод Dracunculus, секции – Dracunculus, Campestris, Psammophilae; подрод Seriphidium, секция – Halophilum). Большинство полыней региона ксеро- и мезоксерофиты, относящиеся к степной и лесостепной эколого-ценотическим группам (34 вида, 70,8 %), преимущественно из секций Artemisia, Abrotanum, Campestris. В эколого-географическом отношении преобладают центральноазиатские, южно-сибирские и североазиатские виды, составляющие 45,8 % общего видового состава при достаточном представительстве видов с широким евразийским ареалом (8 видов, 16,6 %). Эндемизм (3 вида, 6,25 %) свойственен видам псаммофитно-степного (Artemisia ledebouriana Besser, A. xylorhiza Krasch. ex Filatova) и горностепного (Artemisia subviscosa Turcz. ex Besser) генезиса. В систематическом отношении неоднозначны трактовки таксономического разнообразия по отдельным секциям, среди них Campestris, Absinthium, Abrotanum. В секции Abrotanum сложны дифференциации видов из родства Artemisia gmelinii. В результате детального исследования компонентного состава эфирного масла выявлены дополнительные хемотаксономические критерии видового статуса полыней Artemisia messerschmidtiana Besser, A. santolinifolia Turcz. ex Besser. Так, вид Artemisia santolinifolia отличается наличием даваноновых компонентов в составе его масла. В составе полыни Мессершмидта выявлены высокие содержания специфических компонентов, среди них транс-сабиненгидрат (2,4 %), γ-терпинен (2,0 %) и гермакрен D (1,6 %).
Adaptive Mesh Refinement in 2D – An Efficient Implementation in Matlab
Authors: Funken Stefan A. , Schmidt Anja
Published: October 2019

This paper deals with the efficient implementation of various adaptive mesh refinements in two dimensions in Matlab.
We give insights into different adaptive mesh refinement strategies allowing triangular and quadrilateral grids with and without hanging nodes.
Throughout, the focus is on an efficient implementation by utilization of reasonable data structure, use of Matlab built-in
functions and vectorization.
This paper shows the transition from theory to implementation in a clear way and thus is meant to serve educational purposes of how to implement a method while keeping the code as short as possible – an implementation of an efficient adaptive mesh refinement is possible within 71 lines of Matlab.
Numerical experiments underline the efficiency of the code and show the flexible deployment in different contexts where adaptive mesh refinement is in use.
Our implementation is accessible and easy-to-understand and thus considered to be a valuable tool in research and education.
Size Matters: The Impact of Training Size in Taxonomically-Enriched Word Embeddings
Authors: Maldonado Alfredo , Klubička Filip , Kelleher John
Published: October 2019

Word embeddings trained on natural corpora (e.g., newspaper collections, Wikipedia or the Web) excel in capturing thematic similarity (“topical relatedness”) on word pairs such as ‘coffee’ and ‘cup’ or ’bus’ and ‘road’. However, they are less successful on pairs showing taxonomic similarity, like ‘cup’ and ‘mug’ (near synonyms) or ‘bus’ and ‘train’ (types of public transport). Moreover, purely taxonomy-based embeddings (e.g. those trained on a random-walk of WordNet’s structure) outperform natural-corpus embeddings in taxonomic similarity but underperform them in thematic similarity. Previous work suggests that performance gains in both types of similarity can be achieved by enriching natural-corpus embeddings with taxonomic information from taxonomies like Word-Net. This taxonomic enrichment can be done by combining natural-corpus embeddings with taxonomic embeddings (e.g. those trained on a random-walk of WordNet’s structure). This paper conducts a deep analysis of this assumption and shows that both the size of the natural corpus and of the random-walk coverage of the WordNet structure play a crucial role in the performance of combined (enriched) vectors in both similarity tasks. Specifically, we show that embeddings trained on medium-sized natural corpora benefit the most from taxonomic enrichment whilst embeddings trained on large natural corpora only benefit from this enrichment when evaluated on taxonomic similarity tasks. The implication of this is that care has to be taken in controlling the size of the natural corpus and the size of the random-walk used to train vectors. In addition, we find that, whilst the WordNet structure is finite and it is possible to fully traverse it in a single pass, the repetition of well-connected WordNet concepts in extended random-walks effectively reinforces taxonomic relations in the learned embeddings.
A Common Fixed Point Theorem Connected to a Result of V. Popa and H. K. Pathak
Authors: Akkouchi Mohamed
Published: October 2019

In this paper, we prove a common fixed point theorem for two pairs of weakly compatible self-mappings of a complete metric space without requiring continuity. Our result generalizes a theorem obtained by V. Popa and H. K. Pathak in 1998 and a result obtained by B. Fisher and S. Sessa in 1986.
Solution of a Nonclassical Problem of Oscillation of Two-Component Mixtures
Authors: Giorgashvili Levan , Skhvitaridze Ketevan
Published: October 2019

A general representation of solutions by six metaharmonic functions is obtained for a system of homogeneous equations of oscillation of two-component mixtures. The boundary value problem of oscillation of two-component mixtures is investigated when the normal components of partial displacement vectors and the tangent components of partial rotation vectors are given on the boundary. Uniqueness theorems of the considered problem are proved. Solutions are obtained in terms of absolutely and uniformly convergent series.
Holomorphic Vector Bundles on Holomorphically Convex Complex Manifolds
Authors: Ballico Edoardo
Published: October 2019

Let 𝑋 be a holomorphically convex complex manifold and Exc(𝑋) ⊆ 𝑋 the union of all positive dimensional compact analytic subsets of 𝑋. We assume that Exc(𝑋) ≠ 𝑋 and 𝑋 is not a Stein manifold. Here we prove the existence of a holomorphic vector bundle 𝐸 on 𝑋 such that is not holomorphically trivial for every open neighborhood 𝑈 of Exc(𝑋) and every integer 𝑚 ≥ 0. Furthermore, we study the existence of holomorphic vector bundles on such a neighborhood 𝑈, which are not extendable across a 2-concave point of ∂(𝑈).
Removal of metoprolol from aqueous solutions by the activated carbon prepared from pine cones
Authors: Naghipour Dariush , Amouei Abdoliman , Taher Ghasemi Kamran , Taghavi Kamran
Published: October 2019

Background: Metoprolol (MTP) with its low biodegradability is one of the most dominant micropollutant in the effluent of wastewater treatment plants. The aim of this study was to investigate the removal of metoprolol from aqueous solutions by the activated carbon prepared from pine cones. Methods: The pine cones were activated using thermal activation method. Characteristics of the adsorbent were determined using Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In this study, the influent of different parameters such as pH, contact time, initial concentrations of metoprolol, adsorbent dose, temperature, adsorption isotherms, and kinetics were investigated. Results: The maximum removal efficiency of MTP (89.2%) was obtained at pH=8.5, adsorbent dose=1.5 g, contact time=60 min, and initial concentration=50 mg/L. By increasing the adsorbent dose, the removal efficiency also increased, but the adsorption capacity decreased, however, by increasing the initial concentration, the removal efficiency decreased, but the adsorption capacity increased. The isotherm experimental data for metoprolol was best fitted using the Langmuir model, and kinetic data were better described by pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The thermodynamic study indicated that the adsorption of MTP by the adsorbent was feasible, spontaneous, and endothermic. Conclusion: MTP removal by the activated carbon prepared from pine cones showed that this natural adsorbent is appropriate for removal of metoprolol from aqueous solutions regarding cost, efficiency, and production method.
Tracking of chloramphenicol, erythromycin, and sulfamethoxazole antibiotic-resistant bacteria from untreated wastewater effluents to receiving river
Authors: Aali Rahim , Baragh Sepideh , Asgari Esrafil , Fouladi Fard Reza , Izanloo Hassan , Hosseinpoor Saeed , Bagheri Hamzyan Olia Jalhe , Naseri Roya , Mehdipour Rabori Mohsen
Published: October 2019

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and type of bacteria resistant to chloramphenicol (CHL), erythromycin (E), and sulfamethoxazole (SXT) antibiotics from untreated wastewater effluents to receiving river. Methods: In total, 32 samples were taken from eight sites located in the raw wastewater to the downstream of the receiving Ghotor river in Khoy city. Resistant microorganisms were studied through modified HPC method and CLSI standards. Different and specific colonies were selected and re-cultured in R2A culture medium and enough colonies were used for DNA extraction. Bacterial 16sr RNA target gene was amplified and sequenced. Pseudomonas sp., Comamonas sp., and Thiobacillus sp. were predominant bacterial species identified in water samples. Also, antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) including sul1, ermB, and cmlA1 were tracked by PCR. Results: The average total number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) increased in the downstream (2.4×102 to 2.6×104 CFU/100 mL). The comparison of the results related to the river’s upstream and downstream also indicated a significant difference between ARB and ARGs contents (P<0.05). The average number of bacteria resistant to SXT, E, and CHL antibiotics was obtained to be 2.3×104 , 2.3×104 , and 3.4×104 CFU/mL, respectively. Finally, the evaluation of water revealed that only the aeration lagoon was able to decline the number of CHL-resistant bacteria (88.9%) while this process increased the number of SXT- (51%) and E- (16%) resistant bacteria. The lowest and highest percentages of the identified genes were related to ermB (12.5%) and sul1 (81.25%), respectively. Conclusion: According to the results, wastewaters play an important role in releasing ARB and their antibiotic resistance genes to downstream of Ghotor rivers in Khoy city.
Potential impact of global warming on river runoff coming to Jor reservoir, Malaysia by integration of LARS-WG with artificial neural networks
Authors: Tayebiyan Aida , Mohammad Thamer Ahmad , Malakootian Mohammad , Nasiri Alireza , Heidari Mohammad Reza , Yazdanpanah Ghazal
Published: October 2019

Background: Changes in temperature and precipitation pattern seriously affect the amount of river runoff coming into Dam Lake. These changes could influence the operating conditions of reservoir systems such as Jor hydropower reservoir system (Malaysia) with the total capacity of 150 MW. So, it is necessary to analyze the effect of changes in weather parameters on the river runoff and consequently, the hydropower production. Methods: In this research, LARS-WG was used to downscale the weather parameters such as daily minimum temperature, maximum temperature, and precipitation based on one of the general circulation sub-model (HADCM3) under three emission scenarios, namely, A1B, A2, and B1 for the next 50 years. Then, the artificial neural network (ANN) was constructed, while rainfall and evapotranspiration were used as input data and river runoff as output data to discover the relationship between climate parameters and runoff at the present and in the future time. Results: It was revealed that the monthly mean temperature will increase approximately between 0.3- 0.7°C, while the mean monthly precipitation will vary from -22% to +22% in the next 50 years. These changes could shift the dry and wet seasons and consequently, change the river runoff volume. In most months, the results of models integration showed reductions in river runoff. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the output of hydropower reservoir system is highly dependent on the river runoff. So, the impacts of climate changes should be considered by the reservoir operators/ managers to reduce these impacts and secure water supplies.