bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Model study of the leather degradation by oxidation and hydrolysis
Authors: Vyskočilová Gabriela , Ebersbach Matthäa , Kopecká Radka , Prokeš Lubomír , Příhoda Jiří
Published: May 2019

Many objects of culture heritage, comprised of leather, need to receive the right treatment to be restored and to elongate their lifespan. Determination of the degradation degree and even better the type of the degradation is a crucial knowledge for the way of subsequent conservation, exhibition and long-term storage. Collagen based materials are very sensitive to the deterioration and undergo, mainly hydrolysis and oxidation. Namely acid hydrolysis and photooxidation are the most often causes of the disintegration of leather. Contrary to the leather investigation, a few studies dedicated to parchment described some typical features of hydrolysis, oxidation and gelatinization observed applying Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) which is widely used in collagen degradation type research. Except of the collagen secondary structure, followed by IR spectroscopy, we determined the shrinkage temperature of the collagen substrate by Micro Hot Table method (MHT) to reach the degradation level. In this paper, artificially degraded leather samples as a theoretical representative of cultural heritage objects were examined. We discuss the use of both techniques (IR and MHT) as potential methods for fast assessment of oxidation and hydrolysis of vegetable tanned leathers and degradation level. New samples of leather tanned by various vegetable tannins were artificially degraded under controlled conditions. We simulated the photooxidation by means of the Xenon arc lamp exposure, oxidation using the soaking in hydrogen peroxide, acid hydrolysis by the soaking in hydrochloric acid and alkaline hydrolysis using the soaking in natrium hydroxide. ATR-FTIR spectra of reference and tested samples were compared. Oxidation causes increase of the distance between amide I (AI) and amide II (AII) wavenumbers (Δν) above 100 cm−1 and the intensity ratio between AI and AII bands (AI/AII) above 1.6. The AI/AII ratio depends on the type of hydrolysis. The increase above 1.8 proves acid hydrolysis while the decrease under 1 demonstrate alkaline hydrolysis. MHT results are not so obvious. Generally, mainly the hydrolysis causes the decrease of the temperatures. We have found out that knowledge of the whole shrinkage interval is important and provides more appropriate information about the leather disintegration.
Uterine Glands: Developmental Biology and Functional Roles in Pregnancy
Authors: Kelleher Andrew M , DeMayo Francesco J , Spencer Thomas E
Published: May 2019

All mammalian uteri contain glands in the endometrium that develop only or primarily after birth. Gland development or adenogenesis in the postnatal uterus is intrinsically regulated by proliferation, cell–cell interactions, growth factors and their inhibitors, as well as transcription factors, including forkhead box A2 (FOXA2) and estrogen receptor α (ESR1). Extrinsic factors regulating adenogenesis originate from other organs, including the ovary, pituitary, and mammary gland. The infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss observed in uterine gland knockout sheep and mouse models support a primary role for secretions and products of the glands in pregnancy success. Recent studies in mice revealed that uterine glandular epithelia govern postimplantation pregnancy establishment through effects on stromal cell decidualization and placental development. In humans, uterine glands and, by inference, their secretions and products are hypothesized to be critical for blastocyst survival and implantation as well as embryo and placental development during the first trimester before the onset of fetal–maternal circulation. A variety of hormones and other factors from the ovary, placenta, and stromal cells impact secretory function of the uterine glands during pregnancy. This review summarizes new information related to the developmental biology of uterine glands and discusses novel perspectives on their functional roles in pregnancy establishment and success.
Illicit Upregulation of Serotonin Signaling Pathway in Adrenals of Patients With High Plasma or Intra-Adrenal ACTH Levels
Authors: Le Mestre Julie , Duparc Céline , Reznik Yves , Bonnet-Serrano Fidéline , Touraine Philippe , Chabre Olivier , Young Jacques , Suzuki Mari , Sibony Mathilde , Gobet Françoise , Stratakis Constantine A , Raverot Gérald , Bertherat Jérôme , Lefebvre Hervé , Louiset Estelle
Published: May 2019

Context

In the human adrenal, serotonin (5-HT), released by mast cells stimulates corticosteroid secretion through activation of type 4 serotonin receptors (5-HT4R). In primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease cells, activation of the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) pathway by PRKAR1A mutations triggers upregulation of the 5-HT synthesizing enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) and the 5-HT4, 5-HT6, and 5-HT7 receptors. Because ACTH stimulates cortisol secretion through activation of PKA, adrenocortical tissues exposed to sustained stimulation by ACTH may harbor increased expression of TPH and 5-HT4/6/7 receptors.

Objective

To investigate the effects of long-term ACTH stimulation on the serotonergic pathway in adrenals of patients with high plasma or intra-adrenal ACTH levels.

Methods

Adrenal tissues were obtained from patients with Cushing disease, ectopic secretion of ACTH [paraneoplastic Cushing syndrome; (paraCS)], 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD), primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia with intra-adrenal ACTH presence, or cortisol-producing adenomas. TPH and 5-HT4/6/7 receptor expression was investigated using RT-PCR and immunochemistry in comparison with normal adrenals. Primary cultured adrenocortical cells originating from a patient with paraCS were incubated with 5-HT and 5-HTR agonists/antagonists.

Results

TPH and/or 5-HT4/6/7 receptors were overexpressed in the different types of tissues. In paraCS cultured cells, the cortisol response to 5-HT was exaggerated compared with normal adrenal cells and the stimulatory action of 5-HT was reduced by 5-HT4R antagonist.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that prolonged activation of the cAMP/PKA pathway by ACTH induces an aberrant serotonergic stimulatory loop in the adrenal cortex that likely participates in the pathogenesis of corticosteroid hypersecretion.
Impaired Glucose-Stimulated Proinsulin Secretion Is an Early Marker of β-Cell Impairment Before Prediabetes Stage
Authors: Yang Ying , Wang Min , Tong Jingzhi , Dong Zuoliang , Deng Min , Ren Xiaojun , Li Hui , Yang Jing , Meng Zhaowei , Sun Jinhong , He Qing , Liu Ming
Published: May 2019

Context

Evidence indicates that there is substantial impairment/loss of β-cell function/mass even before prediabetes. Elevated plasma proinsulin is a sign of β-cell dysfunction in patients with diabetes/prediabetes. However, the dynamic changes of glucose stimulated proinsulin secretion (GSPS) among nondiabetic individuals remain obscure.

Objective

To examine GSPS and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) among individuals with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and to evaluate whether impaired GSPS is an early biomarker of β-cell impairment in individuals with NGT who have subthreshold postprandial plasma glucose (PPG).

Design and Participants

We evaluated GSPS and GSIS in 116 Chinese adults without diabetes (mean age ± SD, 33.31 ± 9.10 years; mean BMI, 25.24 ± 4.20 kg/m2) with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) < 5.6 mmol/L. Based on 2hPPG, the participants were divided into three groups: NGT1 (2hPPG < 6.67 mmol/L), NGT2 (6.67 ≤ 2hPPG < 7.78 mmol/L), and IGT (7.78 ≤ 2hPPG<11.1 mmol/L). We analyzed the association of GSIS and GSPS with commonly used indexes of β-cell function, insulin resistance and family history of diabetes.

Results

Although not diagnosed with prediabetes, the individuals with NGT2 have clinical characteristics and high diabetes risk factors similar to those of the IGT group. However, unlike individuals with IGT, NGT2 participants did not exhibit a delayed GSIS. Instead, GSPS was impaired in NGT2 groups but not in NGT1 group.

Conclusions

This study suggests that impaired GSPS, but not impaired GSIS, may serve as an early biomarker to identify a subpopulation of NGT with a high risk of diabetes.
Somatic PRKAR1A Gene Mutation in a Nonsyndromic Metastatic Large Cell Calcifying Sertoli Cell Tumor
Authors: Tatsi Christina , Faucz Fabio R , Blavakis Emmanouil , Carneiro Benedito A , Lyssikatos Charalampos , Belyavskaya Elena , Quezado Martha , Stratakis Constantine A
Published: May 2019

Large cell calcifying Sertoli cell tumors (LCCSCTs) are rare testicular tumors, representing <1% of all testicular neoplasms. Almost 40% of patients with LCCSCTs will present in the context of an inherited tumor predisposition condition, such as Carney complex (CNC) or Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. We report the case of a 42-year-old man who had presented with a right testicular mass, and was diagnosed with metastatic LCCSCT. The patient underwent radical orchiectomy, achieving initial remission of his disease. However, lymph node and hepatic metastases were identified. He received chemotherapy without response, and he died of complications of his disease 4 years after the initial diagnosis. Genetic analysis of the tumor and a lymph node metastasis identified a somatic frameshift mutation in the PRKAR1A gene (c.319delG, p.E107fs*22). The mutation was predicted to result in premature termination of the PRKAR1A protein and, thus, not be expressed at the protein level, consistent with other PRKAR1A nonsense mutations. The patient was extensively screened for signs of CNC, but he had no stigmata of the complex. To the best of our knowledge, the present report is the first of a somatic mutation in the PRKAR1A gene shown to be associated with a seemingly sporadic case of LCCSCT. Somatic PRKAR1A mutations are rare in sporadic tumors, and it is unknown whether this mutation was causative of LCCSCT in our patient who did not have CNC, or contributed to the malignancy of the tumor, which might have been caused by additional mutations.
SUN-432 A Case of Sellar Plasmacytoma Masquerading as Pituitary Carcinoma with Hypopituitarism
Authors: Lee Christine , Tan Marilyn
Published: May 2019

Background: Sellar plasmacytomas are rare tumors arising from clonal plasma cells localized to the sellar/parasellar region. They may mimic other pituitary pathology such as pituitary adenomas, chordomas, meningiomas or metastatic carcinomas in both clinical manifestations and radiographic evidence. Certain features such as predominance of cranial nerve palsies and absence of hypopituitarism appear to be more common with sellar plasmacytomas. We present an interesting case of a sellar plasmacytoma, initially mistaken for pituitary carcinoma, with rapid development of hypopituitarism and systemic multiple myeloma. Case: A 75 year old healthy male presented with sudden onset left eye diplopia and retro-orbital pain. Left eye ptosis and diplopia with left lateral and upward gaze were noted on exam. Initial MRI brain revealed a 17mm soft tissue mass involving pituitary and clivus, extending into the left superior orbital fissure, concerning for pituitary carcinoma. With the exception of low LH (1.2) and testosterone (25), baseline pituitary hormone labs, complete blood count and metabolic panel were within normal limits. Within 1 month, he acutely presented with fever, confusion, weakness, and bony pains. Repeat pituitary labs showed low ACTH < 5, AM cortisol 4.3, TSH 0.07, FT4 0.5. New findings of acute renal injury, hypercalcemia, anemia with elevated Mspike, Kappa light chain 39.7 (0.3-2.0mg/dl), kappa/lamda ratio 66.2 (0.3-1.6) and beta2microglobulin 4484 were found. Repeat MRI brain noted multifocal osseous metastatic disease with left sellar and cavernous sinus lesion contiguous with clival osseous lesion displacing pituitary gland, concerning for plasmacytoma. PET/CT showed focal lytic lesions in clivus and posterior left iliac bone. Bone marrow biopsy confirmed 70% myeloma involvement with kappa monotypic plasma cell population. He was started on hydrocortisone, levothyroxine, chemotherapy and XRT. Conclusion: The rarity of plasmacytomas, combined with their clinical presentation and imaging characteristics similar to other sellar tumors, can often result in misdiagnosis. Accuracy of diagnosis is critical, as sellar plasmacytomas and underlying multiple myeloma (present in 50% of cases) require XRT and systemic chemotherapy respectively rather than surgery. Although pituitary function is usually preserved in plasmacytomas, our case shows that acute anterior pituitary dysfunction can be an early presenting sign.
Five Decades of HOPE
Authors: Giraud Yann
Published: May 2019

Newcomers to the history of economics are often exposed to several texts that try to define the subject, make a case for its usefulness, and present the various methods one can use to establish historical claims. Such pieces introduce a number of methodological divides, for instance the standard dichotomy between rational and historical reconstructions. Most of the time, authors of such pieces disclose their historiographic preferences and provide a rationale for them, pointing to the pitfalls of the methods they feel should be rejected. They may also address the issue of current economists’ lack of attention to their past, and accordingly offer their views on how historians of economics could strive to regain that lost attention or advocate the alternative strategy of addressing other audiences. These contributions, however, leave one question unaddressed: that of how history of economics has changed over time. My aim in this paper is to use the fiftieth anniversary of the History of Political Economy (HOPE) as an opportunity to reflect on that question. I survey articles published in HOPE in order to reconstruct historiographic changes. This paper has one central theme, which is that HOPE has always been more pluralistic than current members of the profession, who often see the journal as a stronghold for the historical reconstruction method, seem to acknowledge: while some individuals or groups of individuals have suggested bolder inflections for the field over the years, their attempts, while sparking debates and, at times, controversies, have had limited effect on a vast portion of the journal’s content, hinting at the inability to engage the larger community of historians of economics in adopting these new approaches.
Illustrated Connections
Authors: McWilliams Sally
Published: May 2019

In The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam, Ann Marie Fleming creates an illustrated memoir that highlights the connections between generations of diasporic Chinese subjects. Nominally a memoir about her great-grandfather, Fleming uses the politics of vaudeville and her great-grandfather’s career as entry points into an examination of gendered Orientalism, racial exclusion, and nationalism, counterbalanced with depictions of magic, love, family, and creative resistance. The memoir uses three feminist strategies to imaginatively open out the formal and narrative conventions of Chinese diasporic history: it plays with formal timelines and genealogies as memorializing tools to deconstruct history as chronological and teleological; it invents spatial histories to make visible familial relationships; and it explores the power of collaborative memory to open the way for new diasporic forms of history. From these strategies the memoir invokes a feminist interpretation of Chinese diasporic history that emphasizes new configurations of time, space, and bodies in the production of memories for the historical archive.
Making Democracy Real
Authors: Follet Joyce C.
Published: May 2019

This essay offers a historical overview of African American women’s efforts to gain access to contraception, from the early stirrings of the campaign to legalize birth control in the 1910s to the eve of mass movements for racial equality and women’s rights in the 1960s. The birth control struggle becomes a window on the racial, gender, and economic structures black women negotiated in pursuit of sexual and reproductive self-determination at that time. Taking us back a century, and with emphasis on resilience and resistance, their story reminds us of the deep roots and broad vision of black women’s leadership in what has become a women-of-color–led human rights movement for reproductive justice today.
New Frontiers of Electronic Textual Research in the Humanities: Investigating Classical Allusions in Chinese Poetry through Digital Methods
Authors: Huang Yi-Long , Zheng Bingyu
Published: May 2019

By investigating two literary allusions, chuzhi 蜍志 and lüdai 呂袋, found in poems from the Ming-Qing period, this article seeks to discover new ways to combine traditional philological techniques and digital research methodologies in the study of Chinese literature. The article illustrates several procedures through which scholars today can use digitized versions of large compendia such as the Peiwen yunfu 佩文韻府 (Thesaurus Arranged by Rhymes) to efficiently and rapidly find solutions to their questions regarding obscure historical or literary references. In addition, through a thorough study of one of the poems composed by Yiquan 宜泉, a close friend of Cao Xueqin 曹雪芹, and an individual called “Fourth Brother Li” that the poem was dedicated to, this article also shows the special power of electronic textual research to analyze the different ways social networks were formed and how they functioned during this era.
Molecular signatures identify immature mesenchymal progenitors in early mouse limb buds that respond differentially to morphogen signaling
Authors: Reinhardt Robert , Gullotta Fabiana , Nusspaumer Gretel , Ünal Erkan , Ivanek Robert , Zuniga Aimée , Zeller Rolf
Published: May 2019

The key molecular interactions governing vertebrate limb bud development are a paradigm to study the mechanisms controlling progenitor cell proliferation and specification during vertebrate organogenesis. However, little is known about the cellular heterogeneity of the mesenchymal progenitors in early limb buds that ultimately contribute to the chondrogenic condensations prefiguring the skeleton. We combined flow cytometric and transcriptome analyses to identify the molecular signatures of several distinct mesenchymal progenitor cell populations present in early mouse forelimb buds. In particular, JAGGED1 (JAG1)-positive cells located in the posterior-distal mesenchyme were identified as the most immature limb bud mesenchymal progenitors (LMPs), which critically depend on SHH and FGF signaling in culture. The analysis of Gremlin1 (Grem1)-deficient forelimb buds showed that JAG1-expressing LMPs are protected from apoptosis by GREM1-mediated BMP antagonism. At the same stage, the osteo-chondrogenic progenitors (OCPs) located in the core mesenchyme are already actively responding to BMP signaling. This analysis sheds light on the cellular heterogeneity of the early mouse limb bud mesenchyme and the distinct response of LMPs and OCPs to morphogen signaling.
The cancer-associated meprin β variant G32R provides an additional activation site and promotes cancer cell invasion
Authors: Schäffler Henning , Li Wenjia , Helm Ole , Krüger Sandra , Böger Christine , Peters Florian , Röcken Christoph , Sebens Susanne , Lucius Ralph , Becker-Pauly Christoph , Arnold Philipp
Published: May 2019

The extracellular metalloprotease meprin β is expressed as a homodimer and is primarily membrane bound. Meprin β can be released from the cell surface by its known sheddases ADAM10 and ADAM17. Activation of pro-meprin β at the cell surface prevents its shedding, thereby stabilizing its proteolytic activity at the plasma membrane. We show that a single amino acid exchange variant (G32R) of meprin β, identified in endometrium cancer, is more active against a peptide substrate and the IL-6 receptor than wild-type meprin β. We demonstrate that the change to an arginine residue at position 32 represents an additional activation site used by furin-like proteases in the Golgi, which consequently leads to reduced shedding by ADAM17. We investigated this meprin β G32R variant to assess cell proliferation, invasion through a collagen IV matrix and outgrowth from tumor spheroids. We found that increased meprin β G32R activity at the cell surface reduces cell proliferation, but increases cell invasion.
DLC3 suppresses MT1-MMP-dependent matrix degradation by controlling RhoB and actin remodeling at endosomal membranes
Authors: Noll Bettina , Benz David , Frey Yannick , Meyer Florian , Lauinger Manuel , Eisler Stephan A. , Schmid Simone , Hordijk Peter L. , Olayioye Monilola A.
Published: May 2019

Cancer cells degrade the extracellular matrix through actin-rich protrusions termed invadopodia. The formation of functional invadopodia requires polarized membrane trafficking driven by Rho GTPase-mediated cytoskeletal remodeling. We identify the Rho GTPase-activating protein deleted in liver cancer 3 (DLC3; also known as STARD8) as an integral component of the endosomal transport and sorting machinery. We provide evidence for the direct regulation of RhoB by DLC3 at endosomal membranes to which DLC3 is recruited by interacting with the sorting nexin SNX27. In TGF-β-treated MCF10A breast epithelial cells, DLC3 knockdown enhanced metalloproteinase-dependent matrix degradation, which was partially rescued by RhoB co-depletion. This was recapitulated in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells in which early endosomes demonstrated aberrantly enriched F-actin and accumulated the metalloproteinase MT1-MMP (also known as MMP14) upon DLC3 knockdown. Remarkably, Rab4 (herein referring to Rab4A) downregulation fully rescued the enhanced matrix degradation of TGF-β-treated MCF10A and MDA-MB-231 cells. In summary, our findings establish a novel role for DLC3 in the suppression of MT1-MMP-dependent matrix degradation by inactivating RhoB signaling at endosomal membranes. We propose that DLC3 function is required to limit endosomal actin polymerization, Rab4-dependent recycling of MT1-MMP and, consequently, matrix degradation mediated by invadopodial activity.
Peroxisomes control mitochondrial dynamics and the mitochondrion-dependent apoptosis pathway
Authors: Tanaka Hideaki , Okazaki Tomohiko , Aoyama Saeko , Yokota Mutsumi , Koike Masato , Okada Yasushi , Fujiki Yukio , Gotoh Yukiko
Published: May 2019

Peroxisomes cooperate with mitochondria in the performance of cellular metabolic functions, such as fatty acid oxidation and the maintenance of redox homeostasis. However, whether peroxisomes also regulate mitochondrial fission–fusion dynamics or mitochondrion-dependent apoptosis remained unclear. We now show that genetic ablation of the peroxins Pex3 or Pex5, which are essential for peroxisome biogenesis, results in mitochondrial fragmentation in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) in a manner dependent on Drp1 (also known as DNM1L). Conversely, treatment with 4-PBA, which results in peroxisome proliferation, resulted in mitochondrial elongation in wild-type MEFs, but not in Pex3-knockout MEFs. We further found that peroxisome deficiency increased the levels of cytosolic cytochrome c and caspase activity under basal conditions without inducing apoptosis. It also greatly enhanced etoposide-induced caspase activation and apoptosis, which is indicative of an enhanced cellular sensitivity to death signals. Taken together, our data unveil a previously unrecognized role for peroxisomes in the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics and mitochondrion-dependent apoptosis. Effects of peroxin gene mutations on mitochondrion-dependent apoptosis may contribute to pathogenesis of peroxisome biogenesis disorders.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
β1 integrin is a sensor of blood flow direction
Authors: Xanthis Ioannis , Souilhol Celine , Serbanovic-Canic Jovana , Roddie Hannah , Kalli Antreas C. , Fragiadaki Maria , Wong Raymond , Shah Dhruv R. , Askari Janet A. , Canham Lindsay , Akhtar Nasreen , Feng Shuang , Ridger Victoria , Waltho Jonathan , Pinteaux Emmanuel , Humphries Martin J. , Bryan Matthew T. , Evans Paul C.
Published: May 2019

Endothelial cell (EC) sensing of fluid shear stress direction is a critical determinant of vascular health and disease. Unidirectional flow induces EC alignment and vascular homeostasis, whereas bidirectional flow has pathophysiological effects. ECs express several mechanoreceptors that respond to flow, but the mechanism for sensing shear stress direction is poorly understood. We determined, by using in vitro flow systems and magnetic tweezers, that β1 integrin is a key sensor of force direction because it is activated by unidirectional, but not bidirectional, shearing forces. β1 integrin activation by unidirectional force was amplified in ECs that were pre-sheared in the same direction, indicating that alignment and β1 integrin activity has a feedforward interaction, which is a hallmark of system stability. En face staining and EC-specific genetic deletion studies in the murine aorta revealed that β1 integrin is activated and is essential for EC alignment at sites of unidirectional flow but is not activated at sites of bidirectional flow. In summary, β1 integrin sensing of unidirectional force is a key mechanism for decoding blood flow mechanics to promote vascular homeostasis.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
GGA2 and RAB13 promote activity-dependent β1-integrin recycling
Authors: Sahgal Pranshu , Alanko Jonna , Icha Jaroslav , Paatero Ilkka , Hamidi Hellyeh , Arjonen Antti , Pietilä Mika , Rokka Anne , Ivaska Johanna
Published: May 2019

β1-integrins mediate cell–matrix interactions and their trafficking is important in the dynamic regulation of cell adhesion, migration and malignant processes, including cancer cell invasion. Here, we employ an RNAi screen to characterize regulators of integrin traffic and identify the association of Golgi-localized gamma ear-containing Arf-binding protein 2 (GGA2) with β1-integrin, and its role in recycling of active but not inactive β1-integrin receptors. Silencing of GGA2 limits active β1-integrin levels in focal adhesions and decreases cancer cell migration and invasion, which is in agreement with its ability to regulate the dynamics of active integrins. By using the proximity-dependent biotin identification (BioID) method, we identified two RAB family small GTPases, i.e. RAB13 and RAB10, as novel interactors of GGA2. Functionally, RAB13 silencing triggers the intracellular accumulation of active β1-integrin, and reduces integrin activity in focal adhesions and cell migration similarly to GGA2 depletion, indicating that both facilitate active β1-integrin recycling to the plasma membrane. Thus, GGA2 and RAB13 are important specificity determinants for integrin activity-dependent traffic.
Developing an Indonesian fertility preservation questionnaire for health care providers treating patients with cancer: A preliminary pilot study
Authors: Harzif Achmad Kemal , Surya Raymond , Maidarti Mila , Mariana Ana , Lovita Bara Tracy , Wiweko Budi
Published: May 2019

Background: Early detection and advanced treatment increases the five-year survival rate of patients with cancer. However, long-term cancer therapy, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, can have negative effects, such as infertility. This study aimed to develop a standardized Indonesian questionnaire, which would be used to assess the quality of health care providers’ knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding fertility preservation in patients with cancer.

Methods: A pilot study was performed in January and February 2018 at Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia. An existing questionnaire was translated from English to Indonesian using forward translation, back translation, expert panel, pretesting, and cognitive interviewing. Ten subspecialists in the following departments made up an expert panel, who were involved in pretesting and cognitive interviewing: pediatric hematology-oncology, hematology-oncology/internal medicine, gynecologic oncology, gynecologic immune-endocrinology, radiology-oncology, and surgical oncology.

Results: The questionnaire was successfully translated. The ten respondents stated that the maximum age for women’s fertility preservation is 40 years of age (60%), 45 years of age (30%), or had no maximum age (10%). Additionally, the respondents stated that the maximum age for men’s fertility preservation is 40 years of age (30%), 50 years of age (20%), or had no maximum age (50%). The respondents’ knowledge stated that > 50% of them were aware but do not know enough about fertility preservation. The respondents stated that more than 50% of them give feedback agreeing to fertility preservation, and they always give advice about fertility preservation to their patients.

Conclusion: The translation of the questionnaire followed translation steps from the World Health Organization and was adjusted based on the expert panel’s comments concerning fertility preservation. This validated questionnaire tool in Indonesian can be used for research purposes and clinical evaluation of fertility preservation among health care providers in Indonesia.
The perceived benefit of a short-term service trip of students and participants while working in an HIV community center in Puerto Rico
Authors: Rosario Martin G. , Ewing Samantha , Foster Kaitlyn
Published: May 2019

Introduction: Puerto Rico is among the top five territories in the USA to be affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which is why our goal is to help the island with service trips. Studies have reported the professional and personal benefits students can gain by participating in service activities. However, the benefits obtained by the Hispanic-Latino participants living with HIV in Puerto Rico, have not been outlined. The purpose of this study was to discuss the perceived benefits of a short-term week-long service trip for the students, participants, and personnel.

Methods: A total of 11 physical therapy students and one professor travelled to Puerto Rico for a one-week service trip. The group partnered with an established organization named ‘La Perla de Gran Precio,’ which works with low-income Hispanic-Latino USA citizens participants that have been diagnosed with HIV. Students were involved in both academic and cultural components by providing physical therapy services to the participants. At the end of the week, surveys were given to all parties involved.

 Results: Students, personnel and participants reported the service trip as extremely positive. Students suggested that its integration should be considered in any physical therapy curriculum to improve the future of this profession further. Participants reported learning from this experience and have been able to implement the methods into their routine.

Conclusions: The Puerto Rico service trip enhanced the education of physical therapy students and their ability to increase cultural awareness, boost communication skills, provide opportunities to overcome challenges, and foster a sense of purpose. Also, the Puerto Rico service trip was a beneficial and positive experience for all people involved. Consideration should be made to incorporate this initiative a much larger scale in a population that is vastly underserved.
Rectal gonorrhoea and chlamydia among men who have sex with men in coastal Kenya
Authors: Ngetsa Caroline J. , Heymann Marc W. , Thiong'o Alex , Wahome Elizabeth , Mwambi John , Karani Clara , Menza Nelson C. , Mwashigadi Grace , Muturi Margaret W. , Graham Susan M. , Mugo Peter M. , Sanders Eduard J.
Published: May 2019

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) experience a high burden of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoea (NG) infections. These remain largely undiagnosed in the context of syndromic treatment. In Kenya, prevalence of rectal CT and NG infection and NG antimicrobial sensitivity are poorly described.

Methods: MSM who reported receptive anal intercourse (RAI) were recruited from an ongoing human immunodeficiency virus acquisition and treatment study in coastal Kenya in 2016-2017. Rectal swabs were collected at two time points 6 months apart to estimate prevalence of CT/NG using a molecular point-of-care assay. Participants positive for CT or NG were treated according to national guidelines. NG culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed. Participant and risk behaviour characteristics were collected and association with baseline CT/NG prevalence was assessed by multivariable regression analysis.

Results: Prevalence of CT/NG in 104 MSM was 21.2% (CT 13.5%, NG 9.6%, dual infection 1.9%) at baseline and 25% in 84 MSM at follow-up (CT 14.3%, NG 14.3%, dual infection 3.6%). Most CT/NG positive participants were asymptomatic: 95.5% at baseline and 100% at follow-up. CT/NG infection was associated with being paid for sex (aOR=6.2, 95%CI (1.7-22.9)) and being in formal employment (aOR=7.5, 95%CI (1.14-49.2)). Six NG isolates were obtained at follow-up; all isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone and cefixime (1st line treatment for NG) and all were resistant to penicillin, tetracycline and ciprofloxacin.

Conclusions: The high prevalence of asymptomatic rectal CT and NG in MSM reporting RAI demonstrates the need for frequent screening or presumptive treatment. MSM who were paid for sex or had formal employment were more likely to be infected with CT/NG, suggesting increased risk behaviour during transactional sex. Antimicrobial susceptibility results suggest that current antibiotic choices in Kenya are appropriate for NG treatment.
U-Shaped Conformity in Online Social Networks
Authors: Sun Monic , Zhang Xiaoquan (Michael) , Zhu Feng
Published: May 2019

Conformity toward the majority choice among a user’s friends on a social-networking site first decreases and then increases with the adoption rate of that choice.
Brand Positioning Based on Brand Image–Country Image Fit
Authors: Klein Kristina , Völckner Franziska , Bruno Hernán A. , Sattler Henrik , Bruno Pascal
Published: May 2019

This paper introduces the concept of brand image–country image (BICI) fit and demonstrates that it is positively associated with consumers’ brand evaluations.
Dynamics of Drug Resistance: Optimal Control of an Infectious Disease
Authors: Chehrazi Naveed , Cipriano Lauren E. , Enns Eva A.
Published: May 2019

Antimicrobial use contributes to the growing public health challenge of infectious diseases that are resistant to all but a few remaining treatments via natural selection. When few treatment options remain, should the last effective treatment be reserved for controlling larger outbreaks in the future? In “Dynamics of Drug Resistance: Optimal Control of an Infectious Disease,” N. Chehrazi, L. E. Cipriano, and E. A. Enns formulate this important policy question as a control problem with two state variables—disease prevalence and the level of treatment resistance—for an established family of SIS infectious disease models with resistance. They prove that when the disease transmission rate is constant, it is optimal to treat everyone until the level of resistance is so high that it is no longer economical to treat anyone. Public health policies and social distancing can cause a nonconstant disease transmission rate; in these cases, it may be optimal to preserve the drug for relatively larger outbreaks or to use the drug to treat some, but not all, infected individuals.
The role of orthopaedic surgery in haemophilia: current rationale, indications and results
Authors: Rodríguez-Merchán E. Carlos
Published: May 2019

The musculoskeletal problems of haemophilic patients begin in infancy when minor injuries lead to haemarthroses and haematomas. Early continuous haematological primary prophylaxis by means of the intravenous infusion of the deficient coagulation factor (ideally from cradle to grave) is of paramount importance because the immature skeleton is very sensitive to the complications of haemophilia: severe structural deficiencies may develop quickly. If primary haematological prophylaxis is not feasible due to expense or lack of venous access, joint bleeding will occur. Then, the orthopaedic surgeon must aggressively treat haemarthrosis (joint aspiration under factor coverage) to prevent progression to synovitis (that will require early radiosynovectomy or arthroscopic synovectomy), recurrent joint bleeds, and ultimately end-stage osteoarthritis (haemophilic arthropathy). Between the second and fourth decades, many haemophilic patients develop articular destruction. At this stage the main possible treatments include arthroscopic joint debridement (knee, ankle), articular fusion (ankle) and total joint arthroplasty (knee, hip, ankle, elbow).

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2019;4:165-173. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.4.180090
El contenido dinámico en las aplicaciones móviles. Un nuevo paradigma de desarrollo multicanal con modelo de negocio desconocido
Authors: Mateos-Abarca Juan-Pablo , Peinado-Miguel Fernando
Published: May 2019

Las aplicaciones móviles ocupan la pantalla de los dispositivos de millones de personas, pero solo un 1% generan rentabilidad y el usuario no utiliza con frecuencia más de seis aplicaciones ubicadas en el escritorio de su dispositivo. Una revisión documental nos permite reflexionar sobre la evolución y la situación actual de la industria cultural y como diferentes estudios predicen la importancia de la tecnología móvil, de la movilidad y de la conexión permanente, tendencias que en la actualidad son una realidad. Una realidad transformadora del mundo digital, donde los contenidos son un valor fundamental para las aplicaciones pero que no generan suficientes ingresos y muy pocas empresas logran alcanzar la estabilidad necesaria de facturación de una línea de negocio productiva y consolidada, y cuando lo hacen es de forma temporal.
Repensar la relación educativa desde la pedagogía de la alteridad
Authors: Vila Merino Eduardo Salvador
Published: May 2019

Este artículo se plantea realizar un recorrido por cómo se construyen las relaciones educativas desde la perspectiva de la pedagogía de la alteridad. Para ello comienza reflexionando en torno a cómo la relación educativa debe ser un tema central en la teoría de la educación y cuáles pueden ser algunos de sus elementos definitorios más importantes, partiendo del análisis de la bibliografía existente, fundamentalmente en el contexto español. A partir de ahí, trata de diseccionar los puntos más importantes de la relación educativa desde la configuración de una serie de disyuntivas y tensiones cuyo análisis resulta crucial para su desarrollo y puesta en práctica. Las mismas se definen desde estos siete pares conceptuales desde los cuales toman forma diversos aspectos muy significativos para la relación educativa: objeto-sujeto, intencionalidad-funcionalidad, influencia-autonomía, responsabilidad-libertad, autoridad-disciplina, confianza-respeto y singularidad-colectividad. Finalmente, profundiza en claves vinculadas a la relación educativa en el marco de la pedagogía de la alteridad, estableciendo una serie de dimensiones que se ponen en diálogo con las tensiones presentadas, apostando por desgranar la relación educativa desde una pedagogía de la relación sensible, una pedagogía de la escucha y una pedagogía de la invitación desde cuyas disyuntivas emerjan categorías que nos ayuden a entender más sustantivamente esas dimensiones relacionales desde la alteridad: representación, corporeidad, solicitud e interrogación, para la dimensión relacional sensible; comprensión, contexto, experiencia y proceso, para la dimensión de escucha; y encuentro, diálogo, acción y promoción, para la dimensión de invitación. Por último, tras desgranar estas ideas se avanzan unas reflexiones finales a modo de conclusión.
Using a visualisation-based and progressive learning environment as a cognitive tool for learning computer programming
Authors: Peng Jun , Wang Minhong , Sampson Demetrios , Van Merriënboer Jeroen J. G.
Published: May 2019

Project-based learning (PjBL) has been widely promoted in educational practice, for example, computer programming education. While PiBL may help learners to connect abstract knowledge with authentic practice, the complexity of completing an authentic project may overwhelm learners, making them unable to achieve the desired learning outcomes. This study proposes a visualisation-based and progressive learning environment as a cognitive tool to support PjBL of programming. The cognitive tool is designed to externalise the complex process of completing a realistic programming project. It aims to scaffold the complex project process, foster effective thinking and reflection, and allow the teacher to track and give feedback on individual performance throughout the project process. Moreover, simple-to-complex sequencing of whole-task projects is incorporated into the cognitive tool to support progressive learning with authentic projects. Senior college students participated in this study by completing a project-based programming learning module using the proposed cognitive tool. The results showed that after incorporating the simple-to-complex approach, the visualisation-based cognitive tool is more effective in improving students’ programming performance and better perceived by students in terms of its support for scaffolding and articulating the complex project process.
Intensification Functions of Phrasemes with the Base Words čert ‘devil’, král ‘king’, and drak ‘dragon’
Authors: Křivancová Michaela
Published: May 2019

This contribution focuses on phrasemes with an intensification function. The emphasis is laid on phrasemes with the so-called base word čert ‘devil’, král ‘king’, and drak ‘dragon’. We will attempt to show that the bearer of an intensification function is in some phrasemes the base word itself and in other cases the whole proposition. On several illustrative examples we will prove different formal types of phraseological units which perform an intensification function with the given base words. Furthermore, we will attempt to show that an identical or similar form of phraseological units differing only in the base word (although from one thematic unit) need not have an identical or similar semantic-functional structure.
Měšek nebo Dago, Dobrava nebo Doubravka – jména prvního polského vladce a jeho české manželky
Authors: Balowski Mieczysław
Published: May 2019

Autor analyzuje jména Mieszko a Dąbrówka/Doubravka v polských a českých historických pramenech. Odkazuje také na současné lingvistické studie, které zpochybňují existenci jména Mieczysław v desátém století a také jména Dąbrówka jako polské podoby českého jména Doubravka. Zatímco druhé je uváděno v českých textech a bylo použito v 10. století u českého knížecího dvora, první je známo pouze z prvních polských kronik. Není potvrzeno staršími latinskými nebo německými kronikami nebo jinými dokumenty z tohoto období.
Assessment of bioaerosols in tuberculosis high-risk areas of health care facilities in central Thailand
Authors: Sornboot Jarmmaree , Aekplakorn Wichai , Ramasoota Pongrama , Bualert Surat , Tumwasorn Somying , Jiamjarasrangsi Wiroj
Published: May 2019

Background

Long-term surveillance of airborne bioaerosols in health care facilities is required to protect the health of patients and health care workers. Feasible methods to measure airborne bioaerosol concentrations and determine associated environmental factors may help to avoid nosocomial tuberculosis (TB).

Objectives

To describe the concentrations and size of airborne bioaerosols and to identify the potential contributors to indoor airborne bioaerosols in TB high-risk areas in health care facilities.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study in 7 large health care facilities located in Bangkok and nearby in central Thailand using a 6-stage Andersen cascade impactor to collect viable airborne bioaerosols that were quantified using culture techniques. Environmental parameters were determined using a tracer gas technique with an indoor air quality meter. Other potential factors were assessed using a questionnaire.

Results

The mean indoor airborne bacterial and fungal concentrations were 596.1 and 521.2 colony-forming units (cfu)/m3, respectively, and the mean outdoor airborne bacterial and fungal concentrations were 496.5 and 650.1 cfu/m3, respectively. The majority of airborne bioaerosols were in respirable sizes. The indoor-to-outdoor ratios were 1.2 for bacteria and 0.8 for fungi. Air change rate was inversely correlated with indoor airborne bioaerosol concentrations, whereas emergency department central-type air conditioners and relative humidity were positively correlated with the indoor airborne bioaerosol concentrations (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

High indoor bioaerosol concentrations found in the health care facilities suggest that it is imperative to improve the indoor air quality. Improved air change rate and avoiding use of central-type air-conditioning systems may reduce bioaerosol concentrations.
Treatment outcomes for elderly patients in Thailand with pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Somsong Wilawan , Lawpoolsri Saranath , Kasetjaroen Yuthichai , Manosuthi Weerawat , Kaewkungwal Jaranit
Published: May 2019

Background

Elderly patients with pulmonary tuberculosis are less likely to achieve treatment success than younger patients, and patients aged ≥60 years have a substantial increase in mortality.

Objectives

To compare treatment outcomes over 2 periods during the transition of Thai national tuberculosis (TB) reporting systems and determine treatment success rates and mortality for elderly patients in TB treatment-care settings in Thailand.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of all records of elderly patients extracted from 2 national TB databases in Thailand: the TB Case Management (TBCM) database of the National TB Program (2014–2015) and the database of the National Health Security Office (NHSO; 2010–2011).

Results

There were 8,301 elderly patients with TB in the TBCM cohort and 11,869 in the NHSO cohort. Overall treatment success rates were 78.5% for patients in the TBCM cohort and 87.5% for patients in the NHSO cohort. High success rates for treatment were found for those aged 60–69 years: 91.1% in 2010–2011 and 85.0% in 2014–2015. High mortality was reported for patients aged ≥90 years: 34.6% in 2010–2011 and 50.0% in 2014–2015.

Conclusions

Compared with the NHSO historical cohort, success rates for treatment were lower and death rates were higher in the TBCM cohort. Because NHSO enforced intensive case monitoring and follow-up while TBCM has no such mechanism, the estimates from the TBCM database may be less accurate for TB circumstances in Thailand. Frequent routine home visits may ensure more complete treatment-care information and support, and increase the treatment success rate in the elderly.
Kicking the Philosophy Habit: Richard Rorty’s Clarion Call and the Cultural Politics of the Academic Left
Authors: Jones-Katz Gregory
Published: May 2019

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Richard Rorty advocated that his confréres kick the ‘philosophy habit’-that is, adopt a post-positivist, post-metaphysical style of interpretation. Philosophers largely ignored Rorty’s clarion call. Unburdened by the kind of Selbstverständnis of scholarly mission held by most analytics, members of departments of literature instead became the most important advocates for reading literature philosophically during the last two decades of the twentieth century. Though the academic Left, especially practitioners of ‘theory’, largely celebrated and encouraged this development, Rorty, in the late 1990s, came to view it as harmfully elevating ‘cultural politics’ above ‘real politics’, which would ultimately lead to the abandonment of civic responsibilities. While heavy-handed and partial, Rorty’s critique of the uses of philosophy by literary critics was not only perceptive, but can be helpful for understanding how the contemporary academic Left might move forward as well.