bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mapping genetic interactions in cancer: a road to rational combination therapies
Authors: Tutuncuoglu Beril , Krogan Nevan J.
Published: October 2019

The discovery of synthetic lethal interactions between poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors and BRCA genes, which are involved in homologous recombination, led to the approval of PARP inhibition as a monotherapy for patients with BRCA1/2-mutated breast or ovarian cancer. Studies following the initial observation of synthetic lethality demonstrated that the reach of PARP inhibitors is well beyond just BRCA1/2 mutants. Insights into the mechanisms of action of anticancer drugs are fundamental for the development of targeted monotherapies or rational combination treatments that will synergize to promote cancer cell death and overcome mechanisms of resistance. The development of targeted therapeutic agents is premised on mapping the physical and functional dependencies of mutated genes in cancer. An important part of this effort is the systematic screening of genetic interactions in a variety of cancer types. Until recently, genetic-interaction screens have relied either on the pairwise perturbations of two genes or on the perturbation of genes of interest combined with inhibition by commonly used anticancer drugs. Here, we summarize recent advances in mapping genetic interactions using targeted, genome-wide, and high-throughput genetic screens, and we discuss the therapeutic insights obtained through such screens. We further focus on factors that should be considered in order to develop a robust analysis pipeline. Finally, we discuss the integration of functional interaction data with orthogonal methods and suggest that such approaches will increase the reach of genetic-interaction screens for the development of rational combination therapies.
Molecular profiling of rheumatoid arthritis patients reveals an association between innate and adaptive cell populations and response to anti-tumor necrosis factor
Authors: Farutin Victor , Prod’homme Thomas , McConnell Kevin , Washburn Nathaniel , Halvey Patrick , Etzel Carol J. , Guess Jamey , Duffner Jay , Getchell Kristen , Meccariello Robin , Gutierrez Bryan , Honan Christopher , Zhao Ganlin , Cilfone Nicholas A. , Gunay Nur Sibel , Hillson Jan L. , DeLuca David S. , Saunders Katherine C. , Pappas Dimitrios A. , Greenberg Jeffrey D. , Kremer Joel M. , Manning Anthony M. , Ling Leona E. , Capila Ishan
Published: October 2019

Background

The goal of this study is to use comprehensive molecular profiling to characterize clinical response to anti-TNF therapy in a real-world setting and identify reproducible markers differentiating good responders and non-responders in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Whole-blood mRNA, plasma proteins, and glycopeptides were measured in two cohorts of biologic-naïve RA patients (n = 40 and n = 36) from the Corrona CERTAIN (Comparative Effectiveness Registry to study Therapies for Arthritis and Inflammatory coNditions) registry at baseline and after 3 months of anti-TNF treatment. Response to treatment was categorized by EULAR criteria. A cell type-specific data analysis was conducted to evaluate the involvement of the most common immune cell sub-populations. Findings concordant between the two cohorts were further assessed for reproducibility using selected NCBI-GEO datasets and clinical laboratory measurements available in the CERTAIN database.

Results

A treatment-related signature suggesting a reduction in neutrophils, independent of the status of response, was indicated by a high level of correlation (ρ = 0.62; p < 0.01) between the two cohorts. A baseline, response signature of increased innate cell types in responders compared to increased adaptive cell types in non-responders was identified in both cohorts. This result was further assessed by applying the cell type-specific analysis to five other publicly available RA datasets. Evaluation of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio at baseline in the remaining patients (n = 1962) from the CERTAIN database confirmed the observation (odds ratio of good/moderate response = 1.20 [95% CI = 1.03–1.41, p = 0.02]).

Conclusion

Differences in innate/adaptive immune cell type composition at baseline may be a major contributor to response to anti-TNF treatment within the first 3 months of therapy.
Prediction of protein architectures involved in the signaling-pathway initiating sporulation in Firmicutes
Authors: Martinez-Amador Paola , Castañeda Nori , Loza Antonio , Soto Lizeth , Merino Enrique , Gutierrez-Rios Rosa Maria
Published: October 2019

Objectives

Like many other proteins, those belonging to the signal transduction cascade initiating sporulation (Spo0 pathway) have conserved protein domains (Capra and Laub in Annu Rev Microbiol 66:325–47, 2012). Improvements in bioinformatics applications to discover proteins involved in the initiation of the sporulating cascade in newly sequenced genomes is an important task that requires rigorous comparative genomic methods and manual curation to identify endospore-forming bacteria. This note aims to present a collection of predicted proteins involved in the Spo0 pathway found in the proteomes of fully sequenced and manually curated endospore-forming Firmicutes species. This collection may serve as a guide to conduct future experiments in endospore formers in genomic and metagenomic projects.

Data description

Similar to the report of Davidson et al. (PLoS Genet 14:1–33, 2018), we used Pfam profiles (El-Gebali et al. in Nucleic Acids Res 47:D427–32, 2019) defining each protein and the genomic context surrounding the query gene to predict probable orthologs of the Spo0 pathway in Firmicutes. We present in this note a collection of 325 Firmicutes species organized by phylogenetic class and classified as spore formers, non-spore formers or unknown spore phenotype based on published literature, for which we predicted probable orthologs defining the signal transduction pathway initiating sporulation.
The relationship between addiction to mobile phone and sense of loneliness among students of medical sciences in Kermanshah, Iran
Authors: Jafari Hale , Aghaei Abas , khatony Alireza
Published: October 2019

Objective

Addiction to mobile phone is one of the negative consequences of excessive use of this device. This disorder may also be related to individuals’ loneliness and may reduce or increase the sense of loneliness. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between addiction to mobile phone and sense of loneliness among medical sciences students.

Results

In this descriptive-analytical study, 439 students entered the study by stratified random sampling. The study tool was the mobile phone addiction and SELSA’s sense of loneliness questionnaires. The average score of mobile phone addiction in boys and girls was 73.77 ± 11.48 and 74.64 ± 12.28 from 100, respectively. There was no significant difference between them. According to the rating of mobile phone addiction, 17.8% of the students were in the range of moderate dependency and 10.9% of them were in the range of extreme dependency. Also, 71.3% of the students were identified as mobile phone addicts. The average score of sense of loneliness in boys and girls was 43.22 ± 5.16 and 42.82 ± 5.30, out of 105, respectively. There was no significant difference between them. There was a significant and negative correlation between the scores of mobile phone addiction and sense of loneliness.
Investigation of stemness and multipotency of equine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) from different fat sources in comparison with lipoma
Authors: Arnhold Stefan , Elashry Mohamed I. , Klymiuk Michele C. , Geburek Florian
Published: October 2019

Background

Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) offer a promising cell source for therapeutic applications in musculoskeletal disorders. The appropriate selection of ASCs from various fat depots for cell-based therapy is challenging. The present study aims to compare stemness and multipotency of ASCs derived from retroperitoneal (RP), subcutaneous (SC), and lipoma (LP) fat to assess their usefulness for clinical application.

Methods

Equine ASCs from the three fat tissue sources were isolated and characterized. The cell viability, proliferation, and self-renewal were evaluated using MTT, sulforhodamine B, and colony forming unit (CFU) assays. Stem cell relative marker CD44, CD90, and CD105 and tumor marker CA9 and osteopontin (OPN) expression were quantified using RT-qPCR. Multipotency of ASCs for adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation was examined by quantifying Oil Red O and Alizarin Red S staining, alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), and expression of differentiation relative markers. All data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA.

Results

RP fat-derived ASCs showed a higher cell proliferation rate compared to SC and LP derived cells. In contrast, ASCs from lipoma displayed a lower proliferation rate and impaired CFU capacities. The expression of CD44, CD90, and CD105 was upregulated in RP and SC derived cells but not in LP cells. RP fat-derived cells displayed a higher adipogenic potential compared to SC and LP cells. Although ASCs from all fat sources showed enhanced ALP activity following osteogenic differentiation, SC fat-derived cells revealed upregulated ALP and bone morphogenetic protein-2 expression together with a higher calcium deposition. We found an enhanced chondrogenic potency of RP and SC fat-derived cells as shown by Alcian blue staining and upregulation of aggrecan (Aggre), cartilage oligomeric matrix protein precursor (COMP), and collagen 2a1 (Col2a1) expression compared to LP. The expression of OPN and CA9 was exclusively upregulated in the ASCs of LP.

Conclusions

The results provide evidence of variation in ASC performance not only between normal fat depots but also compared to LP cells which suggest a different molecular regulation controlling the cell fate. These data provided are useful when considering a source for cell replacement therapy in equine veterinary medicine.
A visual approach for analysis and inference of molecular activity spaces
Authors: Kausar Samina , Falcao Andre O.
Published: October 2019

Background

Molecular space visualization can help to explore the diversity of large heterogeneous chemical data, which ultimately may increase the understanding of structure-activity relationships (SAR) in drug discovery projects. Visual SAR analysis can therefore be useful for library design, chemical classification for their biological evaluation and virtual screening for the selection of compounds for synthesis or in vitro testing. As such, computational approaches for molecular space visualization have become an important issue in cheminformatics research. The proposed approach uses molecular similarity as the sole input for computing a probabilistic surface of molecular activity (PSMA). This similarity matrix is transformed in 2D using different dimension reduction algorithms (Principal Coordinates Analysis ( PCooA), Kruskal multidimensional scaling, Sammon mapping and t-SNE). From this projection, a kernel density function is applied to compute the probability of activity for each coordinate in the new projected space.

Results

This methodology was tested over four different quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) binary classification data sets and the PSMAs were computed for each. The generated maps showed internal consistency with active molecules grouped together for all data sets and all dimensionality reduction algorithms. To validate the quality of the generated maps, the 2D coordinates of test molecules were computed into the new reference space using a data transformation matrix. In total sixteen PSMAs were built, and their performance was assessed using the Area Under Curve (AUC) and the Matthews Coefficient Correlation (MCC). For the best projections for each data set, AUC testing results ranged from 0.87 to 0.98 and the MCC scores ranged from 0.33 to 0.77, suggesting this methodology can validly capture the complexities of the molecular activity space. All four mapping functions provided generally good results yet the overall performance of PCooA and t-SNE was slightly better than Sammon mapping and Kruskal multidimensional scaling.

Conclusions

Our result showed that by using an appropriate combination of metric space representation and dimensionality reduction applied over metric spaces it is possible to produce a visual PSMA for which its consistency has been validated by using this map as a classification model. The produced maps can be used as prediction tools as it is simple to project any molecule into this new reference space as long as the similarities to the molecules used to compute the initial similarity matrix can be computed.
Correction to: Joint rate control and power allocation for low-latency reliable D2D-based relay network
Authors: Wang Yahui , He Yanhua , Xu Chen , Zhou Zhenyu , Mumtaz Shahid , Rodriguez Jonathan , Pervaiz Haris
Published: October 2019

Please note that in the original article [1] an incorrect address has been provided for affiliation ‘2’.
On the integer part of the reciprocal of the Riemann zeta function tail at certain rational numbers in the critical strip
Authors: Hwang WonTae , Song Kyunghwan
Published: October 2019

We prove that the integer part of the reciprocal of the tail of $\zeta (s)$
ζ
(
s
)
at a rational number $s=\frac{1}{p}$
s
=

1
p

for any integer with $p \geq 5$
p
≥
5
or $s=\frac{2}{p}$
s
=

2
p

for any odd integer with $p \geq 5$
p
≥
5
can be described essentially as the integer part of an explicit quantity corresponding to it. To deal with the case when $s=\frac{2}{p}$
s
=

2
p

, we use a result on the finiteness of integral points of certain curves over $\mathbb{Q}$
Q
.
Optical soliton solutions to the $(2+1)$-dimensional Chaffee–Infante equation and the dimensionless form of the Zakharov equation
Authors: Akbar M. Ali , Ali Norhashidah Hj. Mohd. , Hussain Jobayer
Published: October 2019

The $(2+1)$
(
2
+
1
)
-dimensional Chaffee–Infante equation and the dimensionless form of the Zakharov equation have widespread scopes of function in science and engineering fields, such as in nonlinear fiber optics, the waves of electromagnetic field, plasma physics, the signal processing through optical fibers, fluid dynamics, coastal engineering and remarkable to model of the ion-acoustic waves in plasma, the sound waves. In this article, the first integral method has been assigned to search closed form solitary wave solutions to the previously proposed nonlinear evolution equations (NLEEs). We have constructed abundant soliton solutions and discussed the physical significance of the obtained solutions of its definite values of the included parameters through depicting figures and interpreted the physical phenomena. It has been shown that the first integral method is powerful, convenient, straightforward and provides further general wave solutions to diverse NLEEs in mathematical physics.
A yeast phenomic model for the influence of Warburg metabolism on genetic buffering of doxorubicin
Authors: Santos Sean M. , Hartman John L.
Published: October 2019

Background

The influence of the Warburg phenomenon on chemotherapy response is unknown.Saccharomyces cerevisiaemimics the Warburg effect, repressing respiration in the presence of adequate glucose. Yeast phenomic experiments were conducted to assess potential influences of Warburg metabolism on gene-drug interaction underlying the cellular response to doxorubicin. Homologous genes from yeast phenomic and cancer pharmacogenomics data were analyzed to infer evolutionary conservation of gene-drug interaction and predict therapeutic relevance.

Methods

Cell proliferation phenotypes (CPPs) of the yeast gene knockout/knockdown library were measured by quantitative high-throughput cell array phenotyping (Q-HTCP), treating with escalating doxorubicin concentrations under conditions of respiratory or glycolytic metabolism. Doxorubicin-gene interaction was quantified by departure of CPPs observed for the doxorubicin-treated mutant strain from that expected based on an interaction model. Recursive expectation-maximization clustering (REMc) and Gene Ontology (GO)-based analyses of interactions identified functional biological modules that differentially buffer or promote doxorubicin cytotoxicity with respect to Warburg metabolism. Yeast phenomic and cancer pharmacogenomics data were integrated to predict differential gene expression causally influencing doxorubicin anti-tumor efficacy.

Results

Yeast compromised for genes functioning in chromatin organization, and several other cellular processes are more resistant to doxorubicin under glycolytic conditions. Thus, the Warburg transition appears to alleviate requirements for cellular functions that buffer doxorubicin cytotoxicity in a respiratory context. We analyzed human homologs of yeast genes exhibiting gene-doxorubicin interaction in cancer pharmacogenomics data to predict causality for differential gene expression associated with doxorubicin cytotoxicity in cancer cells. This analysis suggested conserved cellular responses to doxorubicin due to influences of homologous recombination, sphingolipid homeostasis, telomere tethering at nuclear periphery, actin cortical patch localization, and other gene functions.

Conclusions

Warburg status alters the genetic network required for yeast to buffer doxorubicin toxicity. Integration of yeast phenomic and cancer pharmacogenomics data suggests evolutionary conservation of gene-drug interaction networks and provides a new experimental approach to model their influence on chemotherapy response. Thus, yeast phenomic models could aid the development of precision oncology algorithms to predict efficacious cytotoxic drugs for cancer, based on genetic and metabolic profiles of individual tumors.
Automatic detection of small PIT-tagged animals using wildlife crossings
Authors: Testud Guillaume , Vergnes Alan , Cordier Philippe , Labarraque Dorothée , Miaud Claude
Published: October 2019

Background

Mitigating the effect of linear transport infrastructure (LTI) on fauna is a crucial issue in road ecology. Wildlife crossing structures (tunnels or overpasses) are one solution that has been implemented to restore habitat connectivity and reduce wildlife mortality. Evaluating how these crossings function for small wildlife has often been recommended but, mainly due to technical limitations, is not often conducted in practice or only as short-term monitoring (less than 1 year). In this study, we developed and tested an automated device that records the detailed behaviour of animals when using wildlife tunnels. The method is based on marking and detecting individuals with RFID (radio-frequency identification) tags and allows small animals to be tracked. Composed of four antennas (detectors) placed at roughly 2 m intervals, the system was tested in a tunnel in northern France in the summer of 2017. One species of amphibian (the toad Bufo spinosus, n = 13) and two carabids (the ground beetles Carabus coriaceus and Carabus nemoralis, respectively, n = 3 and n = 4), marked beforehand with PIT (passive integrated transponder) tags, were recorded when they crossed these detectors. This allowed individual trajectories, including crossing speed, to be estimated.

Results

We found that 12 of the 13 toads and 3 of the 7 ground beetles successfully crossed the entire wildlife passage of 7 m long. The detection rate of each detector varied from 8.33 to 100%, with a mean of 52.08%. All individuals were recorded by at least one detector. We observed high variability in the crossing characteristics of toads (mean transit duration = 41 min and 15 s ± 25 min) and ground beetles (6 h 11 min ± 3 h 30 min). The system provided information on precise trajectories (e.g., crossing speed, U-turns, distance travelled in the tunnel, proportion of individuals reaching the exit, etc.) for each individual, in a context of tunnel crossing.

Conclusion

The system allowed us to record small animal behaviour in the context of tunnel crossing in which other types of tracking (e.g. radio-tracking) or detection (e.g. camera traps) are not effective. It also opens the possibility for a range of experiments that would contribute to a better understanding of the behaviour of small animals in tunnels, allowing a comparison of tunnel characteristics (such as size, building material, substrate, etc.) with the aim of increasing wildlife use of the tunnel and proposing guidelines for the construction and maintenance of these mitigation measures.
Chronic nigral neuromodulation aggravates behavioral deficits and synaptic changes in an α-synuclein based rat model for Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Torre-Muruzabal Teresa , Devoght Jens , Van den Haute Chris , Brône Bert , Van der Perren Anke , Baekelandt Veerle
Published: October 2019

Aggregation of alpha-synuclein (α-SYN) is the pathological hallmark of several diseases named synucleinopathies, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), which is the most common neurodegenerative motor disorder. Alpha-SYN has been linked to synaptic function both in physiological and pathological conditions. However, the exact link between neuronal activity, α-SYN toxicity and disease progression in PD is not clear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of chronic neuromodulation in an α-SYN-based rat model for PD using chemogenetics. To do this, we expressed excitatory Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs) combined with mutant A53T α-SYN, using two different recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors (serotypes 2/7 and 2/8) in rat substantia nigra (SN) and investigated the effect on motor behavior, synapses and neuropathology. We found that chronic neuromodulation aggravates motor deficits induced by α-SYN, without altering dopaminergic neurodegeneration. In addition, neuronal activation led to changes in post-translational modification and subcellular localization of α-SYN, linking neuronal activity to the pathophysiological role of α-SYN in PD.
Compositional and chemical characteristics of dissolved organic matter in various types of cropped and natural Chinese soils
Authors: Li Songyan , Li Meng , Wang Guoxi , Sun Xiaolei , Xi Beidou , Hu Zhengyi
Published: October 2019

Background

Exploration of composition and chemical characteristics of soil dissolved organic matter (DOM) is significant to understand its biogeochemical role in terrestrial ecosystems. A total of 43 cropped and 16 natural soils (0–20 cm) under four soil types (cinnamon, chernozem, red and paddy soils) across China were collected to investigate the spectral characteristics of DOM using UV–Vis and 3D-EEM spectroscopy.

Results

The chernozem soils exhibited the highest aromaticity and humification degree among the four soil types. Ranges of biological index (BIX, 0.53–1.17) and fluorescence index (FI, 1.55–2.10) were found in the investigated DOM, showing joint contribution from allochthonous and autochthonous sources. Higher BIX and FI in the DOM of the paddy and red soils indicated a greater reliance on autochthonous sources for these two soil types. The cropped soils showed no significant differences in chemical characteristics and sources from the natural soils for the cinnamon, chernozem and red soils. UVA (16.2–47.9%) and UVC fulvic-like substances (15.4–40.5%) were the prevailing DOM components, which were highest in the chernozem soils. Additionally, the cropped soils had a higher proportion of humic-like substances than the natural soils in the DOM.

Conclusions

Both soil type and land-use strongly affected the chemical characteristics of soil DOM, but only soil type had an impact on the DOM composition for the collected soils. These findings may contribute to the prediction of the biochemical behavior of soil DOM under different soil types and land-uses in terrestrial ecosystems.
Gravity gradient tensor analysis to an active fault: a case study at the Togi-gawa Nangan fault, Noto Peninsula, central Japan
Authors: Hiramatsu Yoshihiro , Sawada Akihiro , Kobayashi Wataru , Ishida Satoshi , Hamada Masaaki
Published: October 2019

Gravity gradient tensor analysis has been a powerful tool for investigating subsurface structures and recently its application to a two-dimensional fault structure has been developed. To elucidate the faulting type and spatial extent, specifically the continuity and the size, of the subsurface fault structure of an active fault through gravity gradient tensor analysis, we analyzed Bouguer anomalies, which were composed of dense gravity measurement data over the land and seafloor, and indices calculated from a gravity gradient tensor around the Togi-gawa Nangan fault (TNF), Noto Peninsula, central Japan. The features of Bouguer anomalies and their first horizontal and vertical derivatives demonstrate clearly that the TNF is a reverse fault dipping to the southeast. Furthermore, the combination of those derivatives and the dimensionality index revealed that the spatial extent of the subsurface fault structure is coincident with that of the surface fault trace and that it shows no evidence of connecting the TNF with surrounding active faults. Furthermore, the dip angle of the subsurface fault structure was estimated as 45°–60° from the minimum eigenvectors of the gravity gradient tensor. We confirmed that this result is coincident with the dip angle estimated using the two-dimensional Talwani’s method. This high dip angle as a reverse fault suggests that the TNF has experienced inversion tectonics.
Neuroscientific evidence in the courtroom: a review
Authors: Aono Darby , Yaffe Gideon , Kober Hedy
Published: October 2019

The use of neuroscience in the courtroom can be traced back to the early twentieth century. However, the use of neuroscientific evidence in criminal proceedings has increased significantly over the last two decades. This rapid increase has raised questions, among the media as well as the legal and scientific communities, regarding the effects that such evidence could have on legal decision makers. In this article, we first outline the history of neuroscientific evidence in courtrooms and then we provide a review of recent research investigating the effects of neuroscientific evidence on decision-making broadly, and on legal decisions specifically. In the latter case, we review studies that measure the effect of neuroscientific evidence (both imaging and nonimaging) on verdicts, sentencing recommendations, and beliefs of mock jurors and judges presented with a criminal case. Overall, the reviewed studies suggest mitigating effects of neuroscientific evidence on some legal decisions (e.g., the death penalty). Furthermore, factors such as mental disorder diagnoses and perceived dangerousness might moderate the mitigating effect of such evidence. Importantly, neuroscientific evidence that includes images of the brain does not appear to have an especially persuasive effect (compared with other neuroscientific evidence that does not include an image). Future directions for research are discussed, with a specific call for studies that vary defendant characteristics, the nature of the crime, and a juror’s perception of the defendant, in order to better understand the roles of moderating factors and cognitive mediators of persuasion.
Focused Cardiac Ultrasound in the Pediatric Perioperative Setting
Authors: Boretsky Karen R. , Kantor David B. , DiNardo James A. , Oren-Grinberg Achikam
Published: October 2019

Focused cardiac ultrasonography (FoCUS) has become an important diagnostic tool for acute care physicians. FoCUS allows real-time visualization of the heart and, in combination with the physical examination, acts as a hemodynamic monitor to manage patient care in acute situations. Most of the available perioperative literature has focused on adult patients. Little has been published on the perioperative application of FoCUS for pediatric patients. This article provides an overview of FoCUS used at the bedside by pediatric anesthesiologists. Variations in clinical applications, technical aspects, and interpretation of FoCUS findings in children are described. Discussion of training and competency is included. Barriers to implementation by pediatric intensivists and emergency medicine physicians include a lack of understanding of indications and training opportunities in pediatric FoCUS. It is likely that similar barriers exist in pediatric anesthesiology resulting in underutilization of FoCUS. The use of FoCUS in the pediatric operating room, however, may positively impact care of infants and children and should be encouraged.
A FITNESS PROFESSIONAL’S GUIDE TO RECOGNIZING AND COPING WITH JOB BURNOUT
Authors: Allen Cynthia
Published: October 2019

Apply It!
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Current Diagnostic and Treatment Considerations
Authors: Rand Scott E. , Basu Sumana , Khalid Shoaib
Published: October 2019

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is a severe complication of extremity fracture or other injury. Patients who develop this show marked hyperalgesia and allodynia, altered vasomotor, sudomotor and trophic changes. The condition affects women more than men and is most common in those between the ages of 50 and 70 years but can be seen in younger athletes. The diagnosis is made clinically, and treatment is directed at functional recovery using medications, occupational and physical therapy, and psychological interventions. Prognosis for complete recovery is variable and unpredictable.
Impact of different metal artifact reduction techniques on attenuation correction in 18F-FDG PET/CT examinations
Authors: Martin Ole , Aissa Joel , Boos Johannes , Wingendorf Katrin , Latz David , Buchbender Christian , Gaspers Susanne , Antke Christina , Sedlmair Martin , Antoch Gerald , Schaarschmidt Benedikt M.
Published: October 2019

Objective:

To evaluate the impact of different metal artifact reduction (MAR) algorithms on Hounsfield unit (HU) and standardized uptake values (SUV) in a phantom setting and verify these results in patients with metallic implants undergoing oncological PET/CT examinations.

Methods and materials:

In this prospective study, PET-CT examinations of 28 oncological patients (14 female, 14 male, mean age 69.5 ± 15.2y) with 38 different metal implants were included. CT datasets were reconstructed using standard weighted filtered back projection (WFBP) without MAR, MAR in image space (MARIS) and iterative MAR (iMAR, hip algorithm). The three datasets were used for PET attenuation correction. SUV and HU measurements were performed at the site of the most prominent bright and dark band artifacts. Differences between HU and SUV values across the different reconstructions were compared using paired t-tests. Bonferroni correction was used to prevent alpha-error accumulation (p < 0.017).

Results:

For bright band artifacts, MARIS led to a non-significant mean decrease of 12.0% (345 ± 315 HU) in comparison with WFBP (391 ± 293 HU), whereas iMAR led to a significant decrease of 68.3% (125 ± 185 HU, p < 0.017). For SUVmean, MARIS showed no significant effect in comparison with WFBP (WFBP: 0.99 ± 0.40, MARIS: 0.96 ± 0.39), while iMAR led to a significant decrease of 11.1% (0.88 ± 0.35, p < 0.017). Similar results were observed for dark band artifacts.

Conclusion:

iMAR significantly reduces artifacts caused by metal implants in CT and thus leads to a significant change of SUV measurements in bright and dark band artifacts compared with WFBP and MARIS, thus probably improving PET quantification.

Advances in knowledge:

The present work indicates that MAR algorithms such as iMAR algorithm in integrated PET/CT scanners are useful to improve CT image quality as well as PET quantification in the evaluation of tracer uptake adjacent to large metal implants. A detailed analysis of oncological patients with various large metal implants using different MAR algorithms in PET/CT has not been conducted yet.
Status and innovations in pre-treatment CT imaging for proton therapy
Authors: Wohlfahrt Patrick , Richter Christian
Published: October 2019

Pre-treatment CT imaging is a topic of growing importance in particle therapy. Improvements in the accuracy of stopping-power prediction are demanded to allow for a dose conformality that is not inferior to state-of-the-art image-guided photon therapy. Although range uncertainty has been kept practically constant over the last decades, recent technological and methodological developments, like the clinical application of dual-energy CT, have been introduced or arise at least on the horizon to improve the accuracy and precision of range prediction. This review gives an overview of the current status, summarizes the innovations in dual-energy CT and its potential impact on the field as well as potential alternative technologies for stopping-power prediction.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) versus single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT/CT) in painful total hip arthroplasty: a comparative multi-institutional analysis
Authors: Bäcker Henrik C. , Steurer-Dober Isabelle , Beck Martin , Agten Christoph A. , Decking Jens , Herzog Richard F. , Geller Jeffrey A. , Bhure Ujwal , Roos Justus E. , Strobel Klaus
Published: October 2019

Objective:

To investigate the value of MRI in comparison to single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT in patients with painful hip arthroplasties.

Methods:

A prospective, multi-institutional study was performed. Therefore, 35 consecutive patients (21 female, 14 male, mean age 61.8 ± 13.3 years) with 37-painful hip arthroplasties were included. A hip surgeon noted the most likely diagnosis based on clinical examination and hip radiographs. Then, MRI and SPECT/CT of the painful hips were acquired. MRI and SPECT/CT were assessed for loosening, infection, fracture, tendon pathology and other abnormalities. Final diagnosis and therapy was established by the hip surgeon after integration of MRI and SPECT/CT results. The value of MRI and SPECT/CT for diagnosis was assessed with a 3-point scale (1 = unimportant, 2 = helpful, 3 = essential).

Results:

Loosening was observed in 13/37 arthroplasties (6 shaft only, 6 cup only, 1 combined). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for loosening of MRI were 86%/88%/60%/100% and of SPECT/CT 93%/97%/90%/100%, respectively. MRI and SPECT/CT diagnosed infection correctly in two of three patients and fractures in two patients, which were missed by X-ray. MRI detected soft tissue abnormalities in 21 patients (6 bursitis, 14 tendon lesions, 1 pseudotumor), of which only 1 tendon abnormality was accurately detected with SPECT/CT. All 5 arthroplasties with polyethylene wear were correctly diagnosed clinically and with both imaging modalities. MRI and SPECT/CT were judged as not helpful in 0/0%, as helpful in 16%/49% and essential in 84%/51%.

Conclusion:

In patients with painful hip arthroplasty SPECT/CT is slightly superior to MR in the assessment of loosening. MRI is far superior in the detection of soft tissue, especially tendon pathologies.

Advances in knowledge:

To our knowledge this is the first prospective, multiinstitutional study which compares MRI with SPECT/CT in painful hip arthroplasties. We found that MRI is far superior in the detection of soft tissue pathologies, whereas SPECT/CT remains slightly superior regarding loosening.
Methodology of scientific research (in PhD and doctoral dissertations)
Authors: Боуш Галина , Boush Galina , Разумов Владимир , Razumov Vladimir
Published: October 2019

The textbook describes the theoretical and practical aspects of the methodology of scientific research in accordance with the sequence of stages of preparation and conduct of research in the framework of scientific qualification and dissertations.
It includes methodological approaches and technologies for choosing a research topic, substantiating its relevance, formulating a problem and hypothesis, developing a concept and a research program, forming a research methodology, applying scientific methods, interpreting the results, describing them in scientific texts and presenting them to experts in the form of reports and scientific papers of different formats. Several classes of categorical methods are described for the study of objects at the entity level.
It contains a description of the origin of the used methodological approaches, technologies and scientific methods, their schemes, basic concepts, conditions and logic of application, heuristics; examples and practical tasks; control questions; bibliography.
Meets the requirements of the Federal state educational standards of higher education of the last generation.
For post-graduate students of all areas of training; doctoral students, teachers of the course "Methodology of scientific research" and related disciplines ("methodology of writing a thesis", "culture of the researcher", "methodology of dissertation", etc.), researchers.
Analysis of the Problems Posed by Pre-Service Primary School Teachers in Terms of Type, Cognitive Structure and Content Knowledge
Authors: Serin Mehmet Koray
Published: October 2019

In the current study, the problems posed by pre-service primary school teachers within the context of semi-structured problem formation were analyzed according to their type, cognitive structure, and content knowledge. A total of 134 pre-service primary school teachers attending a state university in Turkey participated in the current study designed in line with the case study design. The pre-service teachers were presented with a table and they were asked to establish a problem suitable for the elementary level using the data given in the table. The data were collected through the established problem statements and written explanations of the participants. The collected data were analyzed by using both content and descriptive analyses. The findings have revealed that the pre-service teachers less preferred real-life problems than routine type of problems and the problems at the level of reasoning than the problems at the levels of knowing and applying. Moreover, nearly half of the pre-service teachers erroneously expressed the grade level for which they established their problem. The results have shown that the pre-service teachers do not adequately use real-life problems and problems at the level of reasoning and that there are deficiencies in their mathematical content knowledge depending on their knowledge of the curriculum.
The role of mitochondria-targeted antioxidant MitoQ in neurodegenerative disease
Authors: Zhang Linlin , Reyes Aurelio , Wang Xiangdong
Published: October 2019

Abstract: The discovery of charged molecules being able to cross the mitochondrial membrane has prompted many scholars to exploit this idea to find a way of preventing or slowing down aging. In this paper, we will focus on mitochondriatargeted antioxidants, which are cationic derivatives of plastoquinone, and in particular on the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant therapy of neurodegenerative diseases. It is well known that the accumulation of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) in mitochondria and its related mitochondrial dysfunction are critical signatures of Alzheimer’ s disease (AD). In another neurodegenerative disease, Parkinson’s disease (PD), the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and the production of Lewy bodies are among their pathological features. Pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease has been frequently linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Recent studies show that MitoQ, a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant, may possess therapeutic potential for Aβ-related and oxidative stress-associated neurodegenerative diseases, especially AD. Although MitoQ has been developed to the stage of clinical trials in PD, its true clinical effect still need further verification. This review aims to discuss the role of mitochondrial pathology in neurodegenerative diseases, as well as the recent development of mitochondrial targeted antioxidants as a potential treatment for these diseases by removing excess oxygen free radicals and inhibiting lipid peroxidation in order to improve mitochondrial function.
Fatores que Influenciam a Intenção de Investimento na Cooperativa
Authors: Mariano Farana de Oliveira , Nossa Silvania Neris , Teixeira Aridelmo , Da Cruz Poliano Bastos
Published: October 2019

Este estudo tem como objetivo identificar quais fatores influenciam a intenção do cooperado de investir em uma cooperativa. Para tal, investigou-se a Cooperativa de Crédito Sul Serrano do Espírito Santo (Sicoob) por meio de uma abordagem metodológica quantitativa. Os dados analisados foram coletados por meio de uma entrevista direta com os cooperados. Na pesquisa foram utilizados Alfa de Cronbach, coeficiente de correlação e análise de regressão Probit, ordenados para testar quais fatores influenciam a decisão/intenção de investimento do cooperado, mensurada como a intenção de contratar, ampliar ou manter serviços em uma cooperativa de crédito. Os resultados encontrados mostram que fatores como conhecimento sobre cooperativismo, interesses na cooperativa e gestão influenciam a decisão de investimento do cooperado na cooperativa.
Degrowth for transformational alternatives as radical social work practice
Authors: Powers Meredith C.F. , Rambaree Komalsingh , Peeters Jef
Published: October 2019

Historically, and in modern times, social workers have been culpable in perpetuating the very systems of oppression that we seek to eliminate. This happens as we are part of cultures and economies that operate out of the growth ideology. Acting in accordance with the growth ideology does not lead to the outcomes that we strive for as professional social workers. Rather, the growth ideology results in growing social inequalities and increasing ecological injustices around the world. Social work can, instead, embrace an ecosocial lens and promote degrowth approaches for transformational alternatives. Rather than reinforcing the existing systems of injustice and oppression, radical social work can take an activist role and bring about urgent and radical changes to promote ecological justice through social and ecological well-being. Examples from radical social work in local and international communities demonstrate the possibility of degrowth for transformational alternatives as radical social work practice.
Epistemic injustice, face-to-face encounters and caring institutions
Authors: Bourgault Sophie
Published: October 2019

Recent care ethics scholarship has reflected on how to render socio-political institutions more inclusive/democratic. This project resonates with that of Miranda Fricker, who proposes means to diminish exclusions and epistemic injustices in institutions. This article considers two of these remedies, which sit in tension: one entails the unveiling of particulars, whereas the other involves the veiling of particulars (for example, the concealing of names and bodily features). The article insists on the significance of time and contact in care delivery, and on the need to consider epistemic wrongs within an economy of attention and credibility.
Tourism and local identity generated by NHK’s morning drama: The intersection of memory and imagination in Kobe
Authors: Jang Kyungjae
Published: October 2019

This article shows how the interplay of local memories, the imagined worlds of media products and tourism can redefine the image of a particular place. Using the concepts of ‘places of memory’ (Nora) and ‘places of the imagination’ (Reijnders), the author analyses how NHK’s morning drama (asadora) Kazamidori (The Weather Vane) (1977–1978) had a significant impact on the development of Kobe’s Kitanochō district. The fusion of local memory and the world imagined in the series has resulted in the foreign settlers’ mansions (so-called Ijinkan) being developed into a tourism resource and declared a national cultural heritage. As the example of Kazamidori shows, certain aspects of local history are accentuated and others deliberately ignored in such processes of heritage building, while both the media and tourism can play an important role in placemaking.
Selling sex: what determines rates and popularity?\\ An analysis of 11.5 thousand online profiles
Authors: Mergenthaler Alicia , Yasseri Taha
Published: October 2019

Sex work, or the exchange of sexual services for money or goods, is ubiquitous across eras and cultures. However, the practice of selling sex is often hidden due to stigma and the varying legal status of sex work. Online platforms that sex workers use to advertise services have become an increasingly important tool in studying a market that is largely hidden. Although prior literature has primarily shed light on sex work from a public health or policy perspective (focusing largely on female sex workers), there are few studies that empirically research patterns of service provision in online sex work. Little research has been done on understanding pricing and popularity in the market for commercial sex work. This study investigates the determinants of pricing and popularity in the market for commercial sexual services online by using data from the largest UK network of online sexual services, a platform that is the "industry-standard" for sex workers. While the size of these influences vary across genders, nationality, age, and services provided are shown to be primary drivers of rates and popularity in sex work.
Expansão agropecuária e degradação ambiental na bacia hidrográfica do rio Sepotuba - Alto Paraguai, Mato Grosso - Brasil
Authors: Dos Santos Leandro Gustavo Roberto , Rocha Paulo Cesar
Published: October 2019

As diversas formas de apropriação geram importantes mudanças e impactos nas paisagens. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho objetivou analisar a evolução espaço-temporal da expansão agropecuária, bem como os índices de degradação ambiental na bacia hidrográfica do rio Sepotuba, Alto Paraguai - Mato Grosso. Para tanto, imagens de satélite foram georreferenciadas, classificadas e processadas para o período de 1986-2016. Os mapas temáticos foram validados com auxílio do índice Kappa e subsidiaram a avaliação das mudanças com o índice de Transformação Antrópica - ITA. Os resultados mostraram que há forte relação entre a agropecuária e a supressão de importantes extensões da cobertura nativa. No alto e médio curso, Tangará da Serra como polo tem importante papel em relação às monoculturas; e no baixo curso, Cáceres exerce sua influência com a predominância da pecuária. Importantes fitofisionomias que compõem a bacia hidrográfica do rio Sepotuba foram identificadas - resultado da convergência entre os biomas Amazônia, Cerrado e Pantanal. Os resultados obtidos indicam ainda diferentes graus de comprometimento da qualidade ambiental no sistema do rio Sepotuba, conforme a expansão dos usos e ocupação da terra em suas sub-bacias hidrográficas.
Pharmacological treatment options for osteoarthritis: focus on symptomatic slow-acting drugs for osteoarthritis (SYSADOA) and individual patient characteristics: Resolution of the International Expert Meeting
Authors: Lila A. M. , Alekseeva L. I. , Babaeva A. R. , Gaydukova I. Z. , Gandolini G. , Zonova E. V. , Capelli R. , Karateev A. E. , Kopenkin S. S. , Martusevich N. A. , Nesmeyanova O. B. , Otteva E. N. , Rannuе F. , Raskina T. A. , Sukhareva M. L. , Taskina E. A. , Chichasova N. V. , Yakupova S. P.
Published: October 2019

The paper presents the results of the Osteoarthritis (OA) Expert Council held on September 8, 2019, which was attended by Russian and foreign specialists. The experts considered pharmacological treatment options for OA. The expert meeting resolution states that the treatment of patients with OA should be based on an individual assessment of the patient and on a modern evidence base of therapy efficacy.

Treatment of patients with OA is based on the principles of evidence-based medicine that requires an integrated approach and the need of SYSADOAs prescription. Combined drugs with therapeutic dosages of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine in the early stages of the disease are available as basic agents. The place of paracetamol in the anesthetic therapy algorithm in OA needs to be clarified. It is also noted that when choosing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for OA treatment, it is important to take into account individual patient characteristics and the presence of comorbidities.