bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
XBP1 negatively regulates CENPF expression via recruiting ATF6α to the promoter during ER stress
Authors: Shen Tao , Li Yan , Liang Shuang , Chen Zhiguang
Published: September 2020

Background

Centromere protein F (CENPF) is a key component of the kinetochore complex involved in mitosis, cell differentiation and cellular response to stresses. However, the alteration of CENPF in response to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has not been well described. In the present study, we investigate CENPF regulation in response to ER stress.

Methods

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were used to determine CENPF expression under ER stress. Luciferase activity analysis was performed to investigate the promoter regions contributing to CENPF transcription in response to TG. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and ChIP Re-IP assays were used to determine if X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) and/or activating transcription factor 6α (ATF6α) bind in the CENPF promoter region. Cell apoptosis and proliferation were analyzed using TUNEL, cell growth and clonogenic assays.

Results

CENPF expression is dramatically reduced under ER stress induced by thapsigargin (TG), brefeldin A (BFA), or tunicamycin (TM) and this downregulation of CENPF expression was dependent on XBP1 and ATF6α. Luciferase activity analysis of the truncated CENPF promoter indicates that regions from bases − 679 to − 488 and from − 241 to − 78 in the CENPF promoter were sensitive to TG treatment. Additionally, ChIP and ChIP Re-IP assays reveal that XBP1 and ATF6α were assembled on the same regions of CENPF promoter. Notably, we identify two XBP1 binding sequences at positions − 567 and − 192, to which XBP1 binding was enhanced by TG. Finally, CENPF overexpression inhibits cell apoptosis and promotes cell proliferation in response to ER stress.

Conclusion

In summary, these results demonstrate that ER stress plays a crucial role in CENPF expression, and XBP1 may up-regulate DNA-binding affinities after TG treatment to the promoter of CENPF. These findings may contribute to the understanding of the molecular mechanism of CENPF regulation.
Impact of sugarcane irrigation on malaria vector Anopheles mosquito fauna, abundance and seasonality in Arjo-Didessa, Ethiopia
Authors: Demissew Assalif , Hawaria Dawit , Kibret Solomon , Animut Abebe , Tsegaye Arega , Lee Ming-Cheih , Yan Guiyun , Yewhalaw Delenasaw
Published: September 2020

Background

Despite extensive irrigation development in Ethiopia, limited studies assessed the impact of irrigation on malaria vector mosquito composition, abundance and seasonality. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of sugarcane irrigation on species composition, abundance and seasonality of malaria vectors.

Methods

Adult Anopheles mosquitoes were collected using CDC light traps from three irrigated and three non-irrigated clusters in and around Arjo-Didessa sugarcane irrigation scheme in southwestern Ethiopia. Mosquitoes were surveyed in four seasons: two wet and two dry, in 2018 and 2019. Mosquito species composition, abundance and seasonality were compared between irrigated and non-irrigated clusters. Anopheles mosquitoes were sorted out to species using morphological keys and molecular techniques. Chi square was used to test the relationships between Anopheles species occurrence, and environmental and seasonal parameters.

Results

Overall, 2108 female Anopheles mosquitoes comprising of six species were collected. Of these, 92.7% (n = 1954) were from irrigated clusters and 7.3% (n = 154) from the non-irrigated. The Anopheles gambiae complex was the most abundant (67.3%) followed by Anopheles coustani complex (25.3%) and Anopheles pharoensis (5.7%). PCR-based identification revealed that 74.7% (n = 168) of the An. gambiae complex were Anopheles arabiensis and 22.7% (n = 51) Anopheles amharicus. The density of An. gambiae complex (both indoor and outdoor) was higher in irrigated than non-irrigated clusters. The overall anopheline mosquito abundance during the wet seasons (87.2%; n = 1837) was higher than the dry seasons (12.8%; n = 271).

Conclusion

The ongoing sugarcane irrigation activities in Arjo-Didessa created conditions suitable for malaria transmitting Anopheles species diversity and abundance. This could drive malaria transmission in Arjo-Didessa and its environs in both dry and wet seasons. Currently practiced malaria vector interventions need to be strengthened by including larval source management to reduce vector abundance in the irrigated areas.
The role of postprandial very-low-density lipoprotein in the development of atrial remodeling in metabolic syndrome
Authors: Lee Hsiang-Chun , Shin Shyi-Jang , Huang Jih-Kai , Lin Ming-Yen , Lin Yu-Hsun , Ke Liang-Yin , Jiang He-Jiun , Tsai Wei-Chung , Chao Min-Fang , Lin Yi-Hsiung
Published: September 2020

Background

Negatively charged very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL-χ) in metabolic syndrome (MetS) patients exerts cytotoxic effects on endothelial cells and atrial myocytes. Atrial cardiomyopathy, manifested by atrial remodeling with a dilated diameter, contributes to atrial fibrillation pathogenesis and predicts atrial fibrillation development. The correlation of VLDL-χ with atrial remodeling is unknown. This study investigated the association between VLDL-χ and remodeling of left atrium.

Methods

Consecutively, 87 MetS and 80 non-MetS individuals between 23 and 74 years old (50.6% men) without overt cardiovascular diseases were included in the prospective cohort study. Blood samples were collected while fasting and postprandially (at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 h after a unified meal). VLDL was isolated by ultracentrifugation; the percentile concentration of VLDL-χ (%) was determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography. The correlations of left atrium diameter (LAD) with variables including VLDL-χ, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides, glucose, and blood pressure, were analyzed by multiple linear regression models. A hierarchical linear model was conducted to test the independencies of each variable’s correlation with LAD.

Results

The mean LAD was 3.4 ± 0.5 cm in non-MetS subjects and 3.9 ± 0.5 cm in MetS patients (P < 0.01). None of the fasting lipid profiles were associated with LAD. VLDL-χ, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, and blood pressure were positively correlated with LAD (all P < 0.05) after adjustment for age and sex. Significant interactions between VLDL-χ and blood pressure, waist circumference, and hip circumference were observed. When adjusted for obesity- and blood pressure-related variables, 2-h postprandial VLDL-χ (mean 1.30 ± 0.61%) showed a positive correlation with LAD in MetS patients. Each 1% VLDL-χ increase was estimated to increase LAD by 0.23 cm.

Conclusions

Postprandial VLDL-χ is associated with atrial remodeling particularly in the MetS group. VLDL-χ is a novel biomarker and may be a therapeutic target for atrial cardiomyopathy in MetS patients.

Trial registration

ISRCTN 69295295. Retrospectively registered 9 June 2020.
Assessment of the quality of end-of-life care: translation and validation of the German version of the “Care of the Dying Evaluation” (CODE-GER) - a questionnaire for bereaved relatives
Authors: Vogt Annika , Stiel Stephanie , Heckel Maria , Goebel Swantje , Mai Sandra Stephanie , Seifert Andreas , Gerlach Christina , Ostgathe Christoph , Weber Martin
Published: September 2020

Background

International studies indicate deficits in end-of-life care that can lead to distress for patients and their next-of-kin.

The aim of the study was to translate and validate the “Care of the Dying Evaluation” (CODE) into German (CODE-GER).

Methods

Translation according to EORTC (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer) guidelines was followed by data collection to evaluate psychometric properties of CODE-GER. Participants were next-of-kin of patients who had died an expected death in two hospitals. They were invited to participate at least eight, but not later than 16 weeks after the patient’s death. To calculate construct validity, the Palliative care Outcome Scale (POS) was assessed. Difficulty and perceived strain of answering the questionnaire were assessed by a numeric scale (0–10).

Results

Out of 1137 next-of-kin eligible, 317 completed the questionnaire (response rate: 27.9%). Data from 237 main sample participants, 38 interraters and 55 next-of-kin who participated for repeated measurement were analysed. Overall internal consistency, α = 0.86, interrater reliability, ICC (1) = 0.79, and retest-reliability, ICC (1, 2) = 0.85, were good. Convergent validity between POS and CODE-GER, r = −.46, was satisfactory. A principal component analysis with varimax rotation showed a 7-factor solution. Difficulty, M = 2.2; SD ± 2.4, and perceived strain, M = 4.1; SD ± 3.0, of completing the questionnaire were rather low.

Conclusion

The results from the present study confirm CODE-GER as a reliable and valid instrument to assess the quality of care of the dying person. More over our study adds value to the original questionnaire by proposing a deepened analysis of obtained data. The development of seven subscales increases its potential for further surveys and research.

Trial registration

This study was registered retrospectively on the 25th of January 2018 at the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00013916).
Long-term outcomes and safety of radical transmediastinal esophagectomy with preoperative docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil combination chemotherapy for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus
Authors: Yamagata Yukinori , Saito Kazuyuki , Hirano Kosuke , Oya Masatoshi
Published: September 2020

Background

It is unknown whether transmediastinal esophagectomy (TME) is an acceptable surgical procedure for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Therefore, we investigated the feasibility of long-term survival after TME with neoadjuvant docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil combination chemotherapy (DCF therapy).

Methods

This retrospective, observational study included locally advanced resectable ESCC. All patients received two cycles of preoperative DCF therapy (60 mg/m2 of docetaxel and cisplatin on day 1 and 700 mg/m2/day of 5-FU on days 1–5 in each cycle) followed by radical TME. The main outcomes were survival and the rate of adverse events of chemotherapy and surgery.

Results

Sixteen patients were included in this study. All patients received two cycles of DCF therapy, followed by surgery. The median follow-up duration of the 16 patients was 35.4 months. The 2-year overall survival (OS) was 93.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 61.3–99.0), and the 3-year OS was 78.8% (95% CI, 47.3–92.7). The 2-year and 3-year relapse-free survivals were both 73.3% (95% CI, 43.6–89.1). Leukopenia and neutropenia occurred in most patients; however, they were controllable. Fifteen patients completed TME, and one was converted to open transthoracic esophagectomy because of tracheal injury. Three-field dissection was performed for 12 of 16 patients (75%), and R0 resection was achieved in 15 of 16 patients (93.8%). Three cases of grade IIIb chylothorax were observed. There was no mortality in this study.

Conclusion

Combined neoadjuvant DCF and TME for locally advanced ESCC was safe and less invasive than traditional therapies and had a satisfactory long-term prognosis.
Cardiac radiation dose predicts survival in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma treated by definitive concurrent chemotherapy and intensity modulated radiotherapy
Authors: Pao Tzu-Hui , Chang Wei-Lun , Chiang Nai-Jung , Chang Jeffrey Shu-Ming , Lin Chia-Ying , Lai Wu-Wei , Tseng Yau-Lin , Yen Yi-Ting , Chung Ta-Jung , Lin Forn-Chia
Published: September 2020

Background

The prognostic significance of cardiac radiation dose in esophageal cancer after definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) remains largely unknown. We aimed to investigate the association between cardiac dose-volume parameters and overall survival (OS) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after definitive CCRT.

Methods

One hundred and twenty-one ESCC patients undergoing definitive CCRT with intensity modulated radiotherapy technique between 2008 and 2018 were reviewed. Cardiac dose-volume parameters were calculated. Survival of patients and cumulative incidence of adverse events were estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method and compared between groups by the log-rank test. The prognostic significance of cardiac dose-volume parameters was determined with multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.

Results

Median follow-up was 16.2 months (range, 4.3–109.3). Median OS was 18.4 months. Heart V5, V10, and V20 were independent prognostic factors of OS. Median OS was longer for patients with heart V5 ≤ 94.3% (24.7 vs. 16.3 months, p = 0.0025), heart V10 ≤ 86.4% (24.8 vs. 16.9 months, p = 0.0041), and heart V20 ≤ 76.9% (20.0 vs. 17.2 months, p = 0.047). Lower cumulative incidence of symptomatic cardiac adverse events was observed among patients with heart V5 ≤ 94.3% (p = 0.017), heart V10 ≤ 86.4% (p = 0.02), and heart V20 ≤ 76.9% (p = 0.0057). Patients without symptomatic cardiac adverse events had a higher 3-year OS rate (33.8% vs. 0%, p = 0.03).

Conclusions

Cardiac radiation dose inversely correlated with survival in ESCC after definitive CCRT. Radiation dose to the heart should be minimized.
The prognosis and prevention measures for mental health in COVID-19 patients: through the experience of SARS
Authors: Mo Guo Heng , Wang Zi Xuan , Chen Xiao Si , Jiang Qunguang
Published: September 2020

Due to the high pathogenicity and mortality, the COVID-19 disaster caused global panic and anxiety. At present, diagnosis and treatment are of great concern. As time progresses, however, the sequelae caused by many other organ system complications and treatments will become increasingly obvious, and psychosomatic symptoms are one of these changes with great potential impact. Studies have shown that symptoms like poor sleep quality, anxiety and even delirium are not uncommon in patients during isolation. By summarizing the follow-up study on mental and psychological health of SARS in the past 10 years, and combining the characteristics of the existing cases of COVID-19, we will provide suggestions for the prevention and treatment of psychological diseases in clinical practice.
Effects of a mental health promotion intervention on mental health of Iranian female adolescents: a school-based study
Authors: Heizomi Haleh , Allahverdipour Hamid , Jafarabadi Mohammad Asghari , Bhalla Devender , Nadrian Haidar
Published: September 2020

Background

Poor mental health is common among adolescents. Given the increasing burden of poor mental health among adolescents in developing countries, it seems necessary to identify the effective interventions. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a school-based mental health promotion program (SMHPP) on mental health parameters among female adolescents in Tabriz, Iran.

Method

In this experimental study, a random sample of female high-school students of grade nine was recruited. The subjects were then randomly allocated to intervention (n = 145) and control (n = 139) groups. The three-stage SMHPP was designed based on the shortages and unmet needs of the students as reported in the pretest stage. All subjects in the intervention group were provided with a stress management skill training program of six sessions using McNamara Model. Coincided with making environmental changes, a joyful intervention program was carried out. After 2 months, post-test data were collected.

Results

A total of 284 students completed their participation in the study. The groups did not differ in none of socio-demographic characteristics and mental health parameters, at baseline. The number of subjects reporting medium-level of happiness was increased by 32.6% among intervention group. Moreover, upon sign test and pre-post comparison, the group-wise distribution changed between the intervention and control groups for the parameters of life satisfaction (p ≤ 0.001) and psychological well-being (p ≤ 0.01).

Conclusion

The implementation of SMHPP as a low-cost, needs-based and multifaceted program, showed promise in promoting adolescents’ mental health, particularly in the parameters of happiness, life satisfaction and psychological well-being. This was an important evidence for the development and implementation of interventions and policies in the field of mental health promotion among adolescents. Our work provided means for reducing burden of poor mental health among adolescents in a non-western cultural context. Further larger studies are required to evaluate the effectiveness of such school-based mental health promotion interventions in students.
Universal NicE-seq for high-resolution accessible chromatin profiling for formaldehyde-fixed and FFPE tissues
Authors: Chin Hang Gyeong , Sun Zhiyi , Vishnu Udayakumar S. , Hao Pengying , Cejas Paloma , Spracklin George , Estève Pierre-Olivier , Xu Shuang-yong , Long Henry W. , Pradhan Sriharsa
Published: September 2020

Accessible chromatin plays a central role in gene expression and chromatin architecture. Current accessible chromatin approaches depend on limited digestion/cutting and pasting adaptors at the accessible DNA, thus requiring additional materials and time for optimization. Universal NicE-seq (UniNicE-seq) is an improved accessible chromatin profiling method that negates the optimization step and is suited to a variety of mammalian cells and tissues. Addition of 5-methyldeoxycytidine triphosphate during accessible chromatin labeling and an on-bead library making step substantially improved the signal to noise ratio while protecting the accessible regions from repeated nicking in cell lines, mouse T cells, mouse kidney, and human frozen tissue sections. We also demonstrate one tube UniNicE-seq for the FFPE tissue section for direct NGS library preparation without sonication and DNA purification steps. These refinements allowed reliable mapping of accessible chromatin for high-resolution genomic feature studies.
Age and APOE genotype affect the relationship between objectively measured physical activity and power in the alpha band, a marker of brain disease
Authors: de Frutos-Lucas Jaisalmer , Cuesta Pablo , Ramírez-Toraño Federico , Nebreda Alberto , Cuadrado-Soto Esther , Peral-Suárez África , Lopez-Sanz David , Bruña Ricardo , Marcos-de Pedro Silvia , Delgado-Losada María Luisa , López-Sobaler Ana María , Concepción Rodríguez-Rojo Inmaculada , Barabash Ana , Serrano Rodriguez Juan Manuel , Laws Simon M. , Dolado Alberto Marcos , López-Higes Ramón , Brown Belinda M. , Maestú Fernando
Published: September 2020

Background

Electrophysiological studies show that reductions in power within the alpha band are associated with the Alzheimer’s disease (AD) continuum. Physical activity (PA) is a protective factor that has proved to reduce AD risk and pathological brain burden. Previous research has confirmed that exercise increases power in the alpha range. However, little is known regarding whether other non-modifiable risk factors for AD, such as increased age or APOE ε4 carriage, alter the association between PA and power in the alpha band.

Methods

The relationship between PA and alpha band power was examined in a sample of 113 healthy adults using magnetoencephalography. Additionally, we explored whether ε4 carriage and age modulate this association. The correlations between alpha power and gray matter volumes and cognition were also investigated.

Results

We detected a parieto-occipital cluster in which PA positively correlated with alpha power. The association between PA and alpha power remained following stratification of the cohort by genotype. Younger and older adults were investigated separately, and only younger adults exhibited a positive relationship between PA and alpha power. Interestingly, when four groups were created based on age (younger-older adult) and APOE (E3/E3-E3/E4), only younger E3/E3 (least predicted risk) and older E3/E4 (greatest predicted risk) had associations between greater alpha power and higher PA. Among older E3/E4, greater alpha power in these regions was associated with improved memory and preserved brain structure.

Conclusion

PA could protect against the slowing of brain activity that characterizes the AD continuum, where it is of benefit for all individuals, especially E3/E4 older adults.
Noise power spectral density scaled SNR response estimation with restricted range search for sound source localisation using unmanned aerial vehicles
Authors: Yen Benjamin , Hioka Yusuke
Published: September 2020

A method to locate sound sources using an audio recording system mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is proposed. The method introduces extension algorithms to apply on top of a baseline approach, which performs localisation by estimating the peak signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) response in the time-frequency and angular spectra with the time difference of arrival information. The proposed extensions include a noise reduction and a post-processing algorithm to address the challenges in a UAV setting. The noise reduction algorithm reduces influences of UAV rotor noise on localisation performance, by scaling the SNR response using power spectral density of the UAV rotor noise, estimated using a denoising autoencoder. For the source tracking problem, an angular spectral range restricted peak search and link post-processing algorithm is also proposed to filter out incorrect location estimates along the localisation path. Experimental results show the proposed extensions yielded improvements in locating the target sound source correctly, with a 0.0064–0.175 decrease in mean haversine distance error across various UAV operating scenarios. The proposed method also shows a reduction in unexpected location estimations, with a 0.0037–0.185 decrease in the 0.75 quartile haversine distance error.
Low PAPR reference signal transceiver design for 3GPP 5G NR uplink
Authors: Khan M Sibgath Ali , Rao Koteswara , Amuru Saidhiraj , Kuchi Kiran
Published: September 2020

Low peak-to-average-power ratio (PAPR) transmissions significantly improve the cell coverage as they enable high power transmissions without saturating the power amplifier. To support the low PAPR transmissions, π/2-BPSK-based data and DMRS are introduced in the latest version of 5G NR specifications. In addition to that, the spatial multiplexing support is also extended to π/2-BPSK data transmissions. The DMRS sequences corresponding to these spatial streams (users) are frequency division multiplexed (FDM). However, the spectrum shaping process employed in the generation of π/2-BPSK waveforms is frequency selective and hence results in asymmetric spectrum shaping effect on DMRS sequences, when they are frequency multiplexed. This subsequently results in a non-uniform block error (BLER) and PAPR performances across the spatial users, which in turn may result in inter user interference across the spatial users. In this paper, we propose two transmitter architectures, namely method 1 and method 2, to generate low PAPR π/2-BPSK-based DMRS waveforms. The proposed architectures ensure that the spectrum shaping effect is uniform across all the spatial streams. We corroborate through simulations that the proposed architectures will result in identical block error and PAPR performances across all the spatial streams.
Green–Haar wavelets method for generalized fractional differential equations
Authors: ur Rehman Mujeeb , Baleanu Dumitru , Alzabut Jehad , Ismail Muhammad , Saeed Umer
Published: September 2020

The objective of this paper is to present two numerical techniques for solving generalized fractional differential equations. We develop Haar wavelets operational matrices to approximate the solution of generalized Caputo–Katugampola fractional differential equations. Moreover, we introduce Green–Haar approach for a family of generalized fractional boundary value problems and compare the method with the classical Haar wavelets technique. In the context of error analysis, an upper bound for error is established to show the convergence of the method. Results of numerical experiments have been documented in a tabular and graphical format to elaborate the accuracy and efficiency of addressed methods. Further, we conclude that accuracy-wise Green–Haar approach is better than the conventional Haar wavelets approach as it takes less computational time compared to the Haar wavelet method.
Numerical simulation for fractional-order differential system of a Glioblastoma Multiforme and Immune system
Authors: Al-Shomrani M. M. , Abdelkawy M. A.
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we present a numerical simulation to study a fractional-order differential system of a glioblastoma multiforme and immune system. This numerical simulation is based on spectral collocation method for tackling the fractional-order differential system of a glioblastoma multiforme and immune system. We introduce new shifted fractional-order Legendre orthogonal functions outputted by Legendre polynomials. Also, we state and derive some corollaries and theorems related to the new shifted fractional order Legendre orthogonal functions. The shifted fractional-order Legendre–Gauss–Radau collocation method is developed to approximate the fractional-order differential system of a glioblastoma multiforme and immune system. The basis of the shifted fractional-order Legendre orthogonal functions is adapted for temporal discretization. The solution of such an equation is approximated as a truncated series of shifted fractional-order Legendre orthogonal functions for temporal variable, and then we evaluate the residuals of the mentioned problem at the shifted fractionalorder Legendre–Gauss–Radau quadrature points. The accuracy of the novel method is demonstrated with several test problems.
Reversible data hiding with segmented secrets and smoothed samples in various audio genres
Authors: Ahmad Tohari , Samudra Yoga
Published: September 2020

In this age, information technology has grown significantly. Computer networks, which connect a device to others, have made it easier for people to transfer data than before. Moreover, smart devices have the capability of supporting this data transmission, including those in the cloud that may contain massive data. However, the security factor can be a severe issue if sensitive big data, such as military and medical data, do not have enough protection. Furthermore, an attacker may be able to disclose such data. Some algorithms have been introduced to solve that problem, one of which is the data hiding method. Nevertheless, some factors are still challenging, concerning the capacity of the secret data and the quality of the generated data, which are represented by bit and Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR), respectively. Besides, some techniques are not reversible, which means that they cannot reconstruct the carrier (cover). In this research, we investigate those problems by taking audio as the carrier. It is done by sampling the audio file before being interpolated to present spaces for accommodating the secret. Meanwhile, the secret is segmented before the embedding. Later, the embedded audio is smoothed according to the required level. The experimental result is obtained by using a public data set containing various audio genres and instruments, and 11 secret sizes, from 1 to 100 kb. It shows that the proposed method outperforms the others. This higher PSNR value means that the proposed method can generate more similar stego data; it also implies that at a certain quality level, the number of bits that can be hidden in the audio cover is higher than that of others.
Effect of atorvastatin on inflammatory markers in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Hussein Hussein S. , Mady Gamal E. , Shawky Sahar M. , Omran Noha A. , Teama Nahla M.
Published: September 2020

Background

Cardiovascular disease is the commonest cause of death in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) under maintenance hemodialysis. Dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, and low-grade inflammation with increased circulating cytokines are factors that increase the cardiovascular risk in patients with chronic kidney disease, in addition to traditional risk factors, such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. We aimed to investigate the possible anti-inflammatory effects of atorvastatin in prevalent hemodialysis patients. Fifty-three stable adult hemodialysis patients were assigned into two groups (a drug group and a control group). Patients in the drug group received 20 mg of atorvastatin daily for 6 months. Serum levels of highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured in both groups at baseline and at the end of the study period.

Results

Atorvastatin therapy caused a statistically significant decrease in levels of hs-CRP but no change in levels of IL-6 after 6 months of therapy.

Conclusions

In addition to its favorable effect on lipid profile parameters, atorvastatin therapy can be considered as an effective and safe modality to overcome the problem of chronic inflammation encountered in end-stage renal disease patients.
Characterizing the Clinical and Genetic Spectrum of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Electronic Health Records
Authors: Actkins Ky’Era V , Singh Kritika , Hucks Donald , Velez Edwards Digna R , Aldrich Melinda , Cha Jeeyeon , Wellons Melissa , Davis Lea K
Published: September 2020

Context

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the leading causes of infertility, yet current diagnostic criteria are ineffective at identifying patients whose symptoms reside outside strict diagnostic criteria. As a result, PCOS is underdiagnosed and its etiology is poorly understood.

Objective

We aim to characterize the phenotypic spectrum of PCOS clinical features within and across racial and ethnic groups.

Methods

We developed a strictly defined PCOS algorithm (PCOSkeyword-strict) using the International Classification of Diseases, ninth and tenth revisions and keywords mined from clinical notes in electronic health records (EHRs) data. We then systematically relaxed the inclusion criteria to evaluate the change in epidemiological and genetic associations resulting in 3 subsequent algorithms (PCOScoded-broad, PCOScoded-strict, and PCOSkeyword-broad). We evaluated the performance of each phenotyping approach and characterized prominent clinical features observed in racially and ethnically diverse PCOS patients.

Results

The best performance came from the PCOScoded-strict algorithm, with a positive predictive value of 98%. Individuals classified as cases by this algorithm had significantly higher body mass index (BMI), insulin levels, free testosterone values, and genetic risk scores for PCOS, compared to controls. Median BMI was higher in African American females with PCOS compared to White and Hispanic females with PCOS.

Conclusions

PCOS symptoms are observed across a severity spectrum that parallels the continuous genetic liability to PCOS in the general population. Racial and ethnic group differences exist in PCOS symptomology and metabolic health across different phenotyping strategies.
Hormone References for Ultrasound Breast Staging and Endocrine Profiling to Detect Female Onset of Puberty
Authors: Madsen Andre , Bruserud Ingvild S , Bertelsen Bjørn-Erik , Roelants Mathieu , Oehme Ninnie Helen Bakken , Viste Kristin , Bjerknes Robert , Almås Bjørg , Rosendahl Karen , Mellgren Gunnar , Sagen Jørn V , Juliusson Petur B
Published: September 2020

Context

Application of ultrasound (US) to evaluate attainment and morphology of glandular tissue provides a new rationale for evaluating onset and progression of female puberty, but currently no hormone references complement this method. Furthermore, previous studies have not explored the predictive value of endocrine profiling to determine female puberty onset.

Objective

To integrate US breast staging with hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal hormone references and test the predictive value of an endocrine profile to determine thelarche.

Design Setting and Participants

Cross-sectional sample of 601 healthy Norwegian girls, ages 6 to 16 years.

Main Outcome Measures

Clinical and ultrasound breast evaluations were performed for all included girls. Blood samples were analyzed by immunoassay and ultrasensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to quantify estradiol (E2) and estrone (E1) from the subpicomolar range.

Results

References for E2, E1, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and sex hormone–binding globulin were constructed in relation to chronological age, Tanner stages, and US breast stages. An endocrine profile index score derived from principal component analysis of these analytes was a better marker of puberty onset than age or any individual hormone, with receiver-operating characteristic area under the curve 0.91 (P < 0.001). Ultrasound detection of nonpalpable glandular tissue in 14 out of 264 (5.3%) girls with clinically prepubertal presentation was associated with significantly higher median serum levels of E2 (12.5 vs 4.9 pmol/L; P < 0.05) and a distinct endocrine profile (arbitrary units; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

We provide the first hormone references for use with US breast staging and demonstrate the application of endocrine profiling to improve detection of female puberty onset.
CORONAL JETS AS A CAUSE OF MICROWAVE NEGATIVE BURSTS
Authors: Kuzmenko Irina
Published: September 2020

We have investigated the cause of three “isolated” negative radio bursts recorded one after another at several frequencies in the 1–17 GHz range at the Nobeyama Radio Observatory, Ussuriysk Astrophysical Observatory, and Learmonth Solar Observatory on April 10–11, 2014. The cause of the rarely observed “isolated” negative bursts is the absorption of radio emission from the quiet Sun’s regions or a radio source in the material of a large eruptive filament. Analysis of observations in different spectral ranges using images from the Nobeyama radioheliograph and the Solar Dynamics Observatory/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly has shown that the cause of all the three radio emission depressions was the screening of the limb radio source by the material of recurrent coronal jets. Parameters of the absorbing material were estimated using a previously developed model. These estimates confirmed the absorption of solar radio emission in cold material with a temperature of ~104 K at the bottom of the jets.
The atmosphere below 200 km over Norilsk at solar minimum and maximum
Authors: Yakovleva Olga , Kushnarenko Galina , Kuznetsova Galina
Published: September 2020

We have obtained seasonal variations in relative values of the main thermospheric gas components [O]/[N₂] and [O₂]/[O] during solar maximum. We have used our method and measurements made with the Norilsk digisonde (69.4° N, 88.1° E) at heights of the ionospheric layer F1 (120–200 km) in quiet and disturbed geomagnetic conditions. We have compared [O]/[N₂] and [O₂]/[O] ratios during solar maximum with the corresponding values for the long period of solar minimum (2007–2009) in Norilsk. The relative content of atomic oxygen particles has been found to increase during solar maximum by more than 35 % in winter and autumn on quiet and disturbed days. In spring and summer, the atmosphere is enriched with molecular oxygen particles by 20 % both on quiet and disturbed days of solar maximum as compared to the conditions of solar minimum.
A Partially Ranked Choice Model for Large-Scale Data-Driven Assortment Optimization
Authors: Jena Sanjay Dominik , Lodi Andrea , Palmer Hugo , Sole Claudio
Published: September 2020

The assortment of products carried by a store has a crucial impact on its success. However, finding the right mix of products to attract a large portion of the customers is a challenging task. Several mathematical models have been proposed to optimize assortments. Most of them are based on discrete choice models that represent the buying behavior of the customers. Among them, rank-based choice models have been acknowledged for representing well high-dimensional product substitution effects and, therefore, reflect customer preferences in a reasonably realistic manner. In this work, we extend the concept of (strictly) fully ranked choice models to models with partial ranking that additionally allow for indifference among subsets of products, that is, on which the customer does not have a strict preference. We show that partially ranked choice models are theoretically equivalent to fully ranked choice models. We then propose an embedded column-generation procedure to efficiently estimate partially ranked choice models from historical transaction and assortment data. The subproblems involved can be efficiently solved by using a growing preference tree that represents partially ranked preferences, enabling us to learn preferences and optimize assortments for thousands of products. Computational experiments on artificially generated data and a case study on real industrial retail data suggest that our proposed methods outperform existing algorithms in terms of scalability, prediction accuracy, and quality of the obtained assortments.
“Eu segurei e ela nasceu!”: percepções do corpo em narrativas de parto
Authors: Barcellos Rezende Claudia
Published: September 2020

Analiso neste artigo como a experiência do corpo no parto é narrada por mulheres de camadas médias no Rio de Janeiro, tendo como  eixo central de análise o modo como falam da anestesia no parto. Nos relatos dos dois grupos etários estudados, cada parto traz uma constelação de elementos distintos, como o momento de vida da mulher, a equipe médica e o contexto hospitalar, que produzem uma experiência corporal particular. As referências ao corpo vão além da questão da dor, colocando em foco como ele se torna conhecido e manejado durante o parto.  O modo de falar sobre a anestesia destaca, portanto, o tema do controle e sensação do corpo.  Assim, busco examinar aqui a articulação entre corpo e subjetividade no modo de narrar o parto. Argumento que a vivência do corpo é mediada não apenas por ontologias sobre a relação entre corpo e subjetividade, como também pelas interações com as pessoas presentes no momento do parto, atravessadas por valores morais.
Urbanismo militar na "região olímpica": dinâmicas de produção do espaço para além dos megaeventos
Authors: Andrew Davies Frank
Published: September 2020

Este artigo explora parte dos resultados da investigação de doutorado realizada pelo autor dedicada às formas de governo e situações de disputa na preparação de Deodoro como uma das "regiões olímpicas" para os Jogos de 2016 sediados no Rio de Janeiro. Entre outras características, a localidade é marcada por intensa e dispersa presença das organizações do Exército Brasileiro, condensando ali o maior aquartelamento da América Latina. Em anos que antecederam o torneio, a proposta de criação de um "parque verde" em Realengo sob iniciativa de moradores organizados foi inviabilizada pelo comando militar responsável pela área pretendida, que, ao invés disso, apresentou um projeto de condomínio residencial a ser construído e vendido por fundação e bancos privados ligados ao Exército e geridos por superiores da corporação. De general para general, mudanças e disputas em torno do terreno revelaram dinâmicas possíveis de produção do espaço no contexto dos megaeventos, e que para além dele constituem parte da vida política brasileira contemporânea, marcada pela participação cada vez maior de agentes militares em posições de liderança na administração estatal.
Movimentos de contraconduta: o caso das beguinas
Authors: Carvalho Rosângela Tenório de
Published: September 2020

Este artigo analisa enunciados literários sobre mulheres que viveram no século XIII e estabeleceram formas de vida religiosa fora da estrutura da Igreja Católica no contexto das lutas antipastorais – as beguinas. O objetivo da análise é compreender como as lutas antipastorais dessas mulheres estão relacionadas a práticas conventuais que estão na gênese da pedagogia escolar. Sustentada nas noções de práticas disciplinares e práticas de contraconduta desenvolvidas por Michel Foucault  e de literatura como uma narrativa sobre a vida examinamos enunciados sobre essas mulheres em um corpus de textos literários. A análise desenvolvida sugere que elementos dos modos de vida dessas mulheres foram recontextualizadas ao longo do tempo e incorporadas a pedagogia na modernidade.
Entre capturas biopolíticas e estratégias de resistência LGBT: um ensaio sobre a lógica fármaco-moralizante na profilaxia pré-exposição – PrEP
Authors: Sierra Jamil Cabral , Meyer Dagmar Estermann
Published: September 2020

Apoiando-se nos estudos foucaultianos, este artigo discute processos de inclusão social da população LGBT, na interface educação e saúde, especialmente no que diz respeito às estratégias biopolíticas de controle das sexualidades LGBT. Para isso, tomamos como objeto de análise enunciados em torno da Profilaxia Pré-exposição – PrEP. Nossa aposta é a de que programas como a PrEP podem ser pensados em um duplo analítico. De um lado, tais programas ajustam-se ao contexto da governamentalidade biopolítica neoliberal, a partir de um deslocamento, na atualidade, na forma de prevenção de doenças: de uma lógica comportamental-moralizante, para uma outra lógica que chamamos de fármaco-moralizante. De outro lado, tais programas podem, concomitantemente, a partir dos modos pelos quais as pessoas subvertem o uso dessas últimas formas de prevenção, funcionar como estratégia de resistência criada no interior dos próprios dispositivos de controle.
Educação e Foucault: um debate sobre sexualidade no conto literário de chapeuzinho vermelho
Authors: Souza Ravelli Henrique de , Oliveira Marta Regina Furlan de , Calsa Geiva Carolina
Published: September 2020

Este artigo objetiva compreender sobre o conceito de sexualidade em Foucault a fim de identificar suas relações com o conto literário de Chapeuzinho Vermelho. O estudo se justifica pela necessidade do ensino do conceito de sexualidade em relação ao processo de como os corpos são normalizados na escola a partir da educação para infância, seja pela identificação e reprodução da repressão sexual e ou por intermédio de contos literários pré-estabelecidos. A metodologia é de cunho teórico em torno do referencial foucaultiano e, de autores que dialogam com a temática sobre a sexualidade e, ainda análise do conto literário infantil. Este texto é um recorte da dissertação de Mestrado apresentada ao Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação da Universidade Estadual de Londrina e da participação no Projeto de Pesquisa intitulado “Semiformação e educação no contexto da sociedade danificada” da respectiva universidade. Os resultados direcionam para a necessidade de uma melhor compreensão dos contos literários utilizados nas instituições educativas voltadas à infância, em específico o de Chapeuzinho Vermelho, no sentido de propiciar estratégias de ensino mobilizadoras para o desenvolvimento do pensar e agir crítico à luz da construção de subjetividades operantes e, ainda, ampliar o olhar e discussão acerca da diversidade sexual a partir do direito e da vontade de ser e saber nos espaços escolares.
Intolerância religiosa: o discurso etnocêntrico da Igreja Universal contra as religiões de matriz africana
Authors: Zanirati Giovani
Published: September 2020

A presente pesquisa tem como objetivo apresentar o discurso etnocêntrico da Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus, liderada pelo Bispo Edir Macedo, contra as religiões de matriz africana. Diante essa controvérsia questão existe, desde o período colonial, um histórico de opressão e de violência contra a população negra. Dessa forma, ao aproveitar este cenário, o Bispo Edir Macedo soube transformar a IURD em um dos maiores fenômenos religiosos do mundo, contribuindo para a desqualificação do imaginário social dos adeptos das religiões de origem africana no Brasil. Por fim, para realizar a pesquisa, utilizo fontes bibliográficas de grande valor para a compreensão do presente cenário.
Sider’s Puzzle and the Mormon Afterlife
Authors: Miller Taylor-Grey , Haderlie Derek
Published: September 2020

There is a puzzle about divine justice stemming from the fact that God seems required to judge on the basis of criteria that are vague. Justice is proportional, however, it seems God violates proportionality by sending those on the borderline of heaven to an eternity in hell. This is Ted Sider’s problem of Hell and Vagueness. On the face of things, this poses a challenge only to a narrow class of classical Christians, those that hold a retributive theory of divine punishment. We show that this puzzle can be extended to the picture of divine judgement and the afterlife found in Mormon theology. This is significant because at first glance, the Mormon picture of the afterlife looks like it fails to co-operate with Sider’s puzzle. In Mormon theology, there are not two afterlife states, but three: a low, a middle, and a high kingdom. There is no afterlife state quite like Hell, and the states that function similarly to Hell aren’t places of eternal suffering. We argue that appearances are misleading. While it may be true that no place in the Mormon afterlife is bad in the sense that its inhabitants suffer eternal bodily harm, it is true that many of the places in the Mormon afterlife are bad in the sense that their inhabitants lack access to significant goods. This allows Sider’s puzzle to re-engage as a puzzle about distributive Justice. After setting out this alternative version of the puzzle, we argue that Mormon theology has sufficient resources to reject proportionality as a constraint on divine judgment by adopting a nuanced version of universalism called escapism.
A Unified Account of Glory Concepts: Glory, Glorious, Glorified, Glorying-in, and Derivative Concepts
Authors: Silva Paul , Szerlip Brandon
Published: September 2020

The term ‘glory’ is notoriously difficult to characterize. In general, when theologians and philosophers have sought to characterize the term they do so in an imprecise and vague manner that leaves a variety of questions unanswered. In what follows we show how recent work in philosophy together with various historical and theological reflections about glory can be used to elucidate the wide range of concepts that tend to be expressed with the term ‘glory’ in theological thought.
Co-production in the recruitment of frontline public service employees
Authors: Trischler Jakob , Kaluza Johan
Published: September 2020

This article analyses whether involving public service users in the recruitment of frontline employees (FLEs) helps to identify candidates who have the skills needed to co-produce with citizens. It investigates user involvement in FLE recruitment in three public service organisations in Sweden – from the perspectives of service managers, service developers, Human Resource Managers, union representatives and frontline employees. It finds that involving users was perceived to be beneficial for attracting and identifying applicants with a user-centred mindset. User involvement was also seen useful for establishing realistic expectations of what public services can deliver. However, a perceived challenge was to ensure equality and equity of user contributions. This included finding users who were sufficiently informed but without resorting to ‘expert users’. Many users required preparation, which added to the complexity and cost of recruitment, and it was important to overcome internal resistance by involving staff in designing and trialling the process.