bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New Concept for a Thoracic Drainage System Using Magnetic Actuation
Authors: Taniguchi Daisuke , Matsumoto Keitaro , Kondo Yoshihiro , Tsuchiya Tomoshi , Yamamoto Ikuo , Nagayasu Takeshi
Published: June 2019

Objectives. Thoracic drainage is a common procedure to drain fluid, blood, or air from the pleural cavity. Some attempts to develop approaches to new thoracic drainage systems have been made; however, a simple tube is often currently used. The existing drain presupposes that it is placed correctly and that the tip does not require moving after insertion into the thoracic cavity. However, in some cases, the drain is not correctly placed and reinsertion of an additional drain is required, resulting in significant invasiveness to the patient. Therefore, a more effective drainage system is needed. This study aimed to develop and assess a new thoracic drain via a collaboration between medical and engineering personnel. Methods. We developed the concept of a controllable drain system using magnetic actuation. A dry laboratory trial and accompanying questionnaire assessment were performed by a group of thoracic and general surgeons. Objective mechanical measurements were obtained. Porcine experiments were also carried out. Results. In a dry laboratory trial, use of the controllable drain required significantly less time than that required by replacing the drain. The average satisfaction score of the new drainage system was 4.07 out of 5, indicating that most of the research participants were satisfied with the quality of the drain with a magnetic actuation. During the porcine experiment, the transfer of the tip of the drain was possible inside the thoracic cavity and abdominal cavity. Conclusion. This controllable thoracic drain could reduce the invasiveness for patients requiring thoracic or abdominal cavity drainage.
Choice of Corticosteroid Solution and Outcome After Injection for Trigger Finger
Authors: Roberts John M. , Behar Brittany J. , Siddique Laila M. , Brgoch Morgan S. , Taylor Kenneth F.
Published: June 2019

Background: Many techniques for injection of trigger fingers exist. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the type of steroid or technique used for trigger finger injection altered clinical outcomes. Methods: Six hand surgeons at a single institution were surveyed regarding their injection technique, preferred steroid used, and protocol for repeat injection or indication for surgery for symptomatic trigger finger. A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent trigger finger injections was performed by randomly selecting 35 patients for each surgeon between January 2013 and December 2015. Demographic data at the time of presentation were collected. Outcome data during follow-up appointments were also recorded. Results: A total of 210 patient charts were reviewed. Demographic data and initial presenting grade of triggering were similar among all groups. There was no significant difference in clinical course or eventual outcomes noted with injection technique. There were 70 patients in each steroid cohort. Patients receiving triamcinolone required additional injections compared with those receiving methylprednisolone and dexamethasone. Eventual surgical intervention was significantly higher in those patients receiving methylprednisolone. The methylprednisolone group also underwent operative release significantly earlier. Conclusions: Trigger finger injections with triamcinolone demonstrate a higher rate of additional injections when compared with dexamethasone and methylprednisolone. Patients who underwent methylprednisolone injection had surgical release performed earlier and more frequently than the other 2 groups. The choice of corticosteroid significantly affected clinical outcome in this study population. Clinicians performing steroid injections for trigger finger may wish to consider these results when selecting a specific agent.
Accuracy of Surgeon Diagnosis in Predicting Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Authors: D’Auria Jennifer L. , Montanez Anthony , Toirac Alexander , Goitz Robert J. , Fowler John R.
Published: June 2019

Background: The utility of electrodiagnostic studies (EDX) continues to be a point of debate in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). If surgeons can predict the results of EDX with high accuracy, it may suggest that ordering the test is unnecessary from a diagnostic standpoint. Methods: Two surgeons with subspecialty training in hand surgery were asked to classify hands into “definitely having or not having CTS” or into an “unclear category” when presented with patients having a chief complaint of hand paresthesias. Clinical diagnosis was compared against EDX, ordered after the initial patient visit, as the reference standard. Results: Of the 175 hands, 111 hands were predicted to have CTS, 37 hands were predicted not to have CTS, and 27 hands had an unclear diagnosis. Overall surgeon accuracy was 86% (124/148). Accuracy was improved when subdivided by a positive prediction of CTS (88%) compared with a negative prediction of CTS (70%) ( P = .03). Sensitivity was 90% and specificity was 67%. The senior surgeon had a higher accuracy at 90% than the more junior surgeon at 74% ( P = .02). Conclusions: Surgeons with sub-specialty training in hand surgery are able to accurately diagnose CTS without EDX. Surgeon experience is important and resulted in a higher accuracy in predicting EDX results.
Middle cerebral artery fenestration: Thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications
Authors: Abdalkader Mohamad , Raftopoulos Christian , Finet Patrice , Nguyen Thanh N , Goffette Pierre
Published: June 2019

Cerebral artery fenestrations are rare anatomical variants usually detected incidentally on cross-sectional imaging or cerebral angiography. Although considered benign findings, many reports have described their association with vascular abnormalities such as aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations, and to a lesser extent with ischemic or hemorrhagic complications. We report a case of middle cerebral artery fenestration associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage and middle cerebral artery thrombosis. To our knowledge, there has been no prior report of middle cerebral artery fenestration with a similar presentation.
The irreversible HCV-associated risk of gastric cancer following interferon-based therapy: a joint study of hospital-based cases and nationwide population-based cohorts
Authors: Chen Chun-Wei , Cheng Jur-Shan , Chen Tai-Di , Le Puo-Hsien , Ku Hsin-Ping , Chang Ming-Ling
Published: June 2019

Background:

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection causes many extrahepatic malignancies; whether it increases gastric cancer risk and the risk reverses after anti-HCV therapy remain elusive.

Method:

A nationwide population-based cohort study of Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (TNHIRD) was conducted. In parallel, the risk factors and HCV-core-protein expressions were surveyed in gastric cancer patients from a tertiary care center.

Results:

From 2003 to 2012, of 11,712,928 patients, three 1:4:4, propensity-score-matched TNHIRD cohorts including HCV-treated (7545 patients with interferon-based therapy ⩾ 6 months), HCV-untreated ( n = 30,180), and HCV-uninfected cohorts ( n = 30,180) were enrolled. The cumulative incidences of gastric cancer [HCV-treated: 0.452%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.149–1.136%; HCV-untreated: 0.472%; 95% CI: 0.274–0.776%; HCV-uninfected: 0.146%; 95% CI 0.071–0.280%] were lowest in HCV-uninfected cohort ( p = 0.0028), but indifferent between treated and untreated cohorts. HCV infection [hazards ratio (HR): 2.364; 95% CI: 1.337–4.181], male sex (HR: 1.823; 95% CI: 1.09–3.05) and age ⩾ 49 years (HR: 3.066; 95% CI: 1.56–6.026) were associated with incident gastric cancers. Among 887 (males: 68.4%; mean age: 66.5 ± 12.9 years, 2008–2018) hospitalized gastric cancer patients, HCV Ab-positive rate was 7.8%. None of the investigated factors exhibited different rates between HCV Ab-positive and Ab-negative patients. No HCV-core-positive cells were demonstrated in gastric cancer tissues.

Conclusions:

HCV infection, male sex and old age were risk factors for gastric cancer development. HCV-associated gastric cancer risk might be neither reversed by interferon-based therapy, nor associated with in situ HCV-core-related carcinogenesis.
Neuroimaging markers of clinical progression in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy
Authors: Pitarokoili Kalliopi , Sturm Dietrich , Labedi Adnan , Greiner Tineke , Eitner Lynn , Kumowski Nina , Enax-Krumova Elena K. , Fisse Anna Lena , Maier Christoph , Gold Ralf , Tegenthoff Martin , Schmidt-Wilcke Tobias , Yoon Min-Suk
Published: June 2019

Background:

One of the main goals of novel, noninvasive imaging techniques like high-resolution nerve ultrasound (HRUS) and corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) is the prediction of treatment response for patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP).

Methods:

A total of 17 patients with CIDP were examined prospectively at baseline and every 9 months over a period of 18 months using CCM to quantify corneal nerve degeneration markers and immune cell infiltration as well as HRUS to detect changes of the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the peripheral nerves. Additionally, skin biopsy of the distal and proximal leg as well as quantitative sensory testing were performed at the first follow-up visit.

Results:

A value of more than 30 total corneal cells/mm2 in CCM at baseline identified patients with clinical progression with a sensitivity/specificity of 100% in our cohort. Corneal nerve fiber density and length remained low and stable over the study period and intra-epidermal fiber density was markedly reduced in the majority of the patients. Furthermore, an increase in Bochum ultrasound score (BUS), which summarizes the CSA of the ulnar nerve in Guyons’ canal, the ulnar nerve in the upper arm, the radial nerve in the spiral groove and the sural nerve between the gastrocnemius muscle, and a maximum BUS of 4 at study initiation identified patients with disease progression (sensitivity 80%, specificity 88%).

Conclusions:

BUS and corneal total cell infiltration seem to represent early markers for clinical progression in CIDP, thus having the potential to identify at-risk patients and impact treatment decisions.
Molecular targeted therapy of BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer
Authors: Ducreux Michel , Chamseddine Ali , Laurent-Puig Pierre , Smolenschi Cristina , Hollebecque Antoine , Dartigues Peggy , Samallin Emmanuelle , Boige Valérie , Malka David , Gelli Maximiliano
Published: June 2019

Over the past two decades, the molecular characterization of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) has been revolutionized by the routine implementation of RAS and BRAF tests. As a result, it is now known that patients with mCRC harboring BRAF mutations experience a poor prognosis. Although it accounts for only 10% of mCRC, this group is heterogeneous; only the BRAF-V600E mutation, also observed in melanoma, is associated with a very poor prognosis. In terms of treatment, these patients do not benefit from therapeutics targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). In first-line chemotherapy, there are two main options; the first one is to use a triple chemotherapy combination of 5-fluorouracil, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin, with the addition of bevacizumab, because post hoc analysis of randomized trials have reported interesting results. The other option is to use double chemotherapy plus bevacizumab, since anti-EGFR seems to have modest activity in these patients. Only a small percentage of patients who experience failure of this first-line treatment receive second-line treatment. Monotherapy with BRAF inhibitors has failed in this setting, and different combinations have also been tested. Using the rationale that BRAF inhibitor monotherapy fails due to feedback activation of the EGFR pathway, BRAF inhibitors have been combined with anti-EGFR agents plus or minus MEK inhibitors; however, the results did not live up to the hopes raised by the concept. To date, the best results in second-line treatment have been obtained with a combination of vemurafenib, cetuximab, and irinotecan. Despite these advances, further improvements are needed.
Is a ‘new feminist visibility’ emerging in the UK PR industry? Senior women’s discourse and performativity within the neoliberal PR firm
Authors: Yeomans Liz
Published: June 2019

Despite persistent gender inequalities, the public relations (PR) industry in the United Kingdom has historically reflected unease with feminism. However, indications of a ‘new feminist visibility’ raise significant questions. Do these feminist moves reflect a blossoming of feminist practice in the PR industry? Or rather, in an occupation that is strongly intertwined with neoliberalism and promotional culture, is the PR industry emblematic of a highly individualised ‘neoliberal feminism’ and a postfeminist sensibility in which ‘multiple and contradictory ideas’ coexist? Adopting Edley’s discourse analysis framework, data drawn from interviews with seven senior female practitioners, supported by observational data, were critically explored in relation to the literature in gender sociology, cultural studies and feminist literature in PR. While the online presence of women’s networks in PR provide evidence of a feminist visibility to address inequalities, the ‘subject positions’ and ‘interpretative repertoires’ in the data were characteristic of neoliberal feminist individualism that calls upon women to provide for their own needs and aspirations through ‘self help’ measures. Furthermore, while sex discrimination in the PR industry featured prominently within the discursive repertoires of some participants, inequalities in everyday agency practice were either left unchallenged in response to client expectations or tackled through individual actions. Contradictory repertoires, including the repudiation of sexism, were indicative of entrepreneurial discourse and a postfeminist sensibility. Senior PR women providing client services appear to have limited scope beyond individualised, performative strategies to challenge the structures that perpetuate inequalities in PR and bring about transformative change. Although findings are limited to a small-scale study, this article contributes a unique perspective of the intersections between neoliberalism, third wave feminism, postfeminism and performativity within the UK PR industry.
‘PRi special edition: The intersections between public relations and neoliberalism’ – The road to nowhere: Re-examining activists’ role in civil societies
Authors: Wolf Katharina
Published: June 2019

The French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu argued that the presence of critical counter-voices and powers is a fundamental element of any genuine democracy. However, in Australia, these counter-voices are increasingly marginalized and threatened by controversial laws that would limit the legal standing of conservation groups and the use of overseas donations for advocacy purposes based on the argument that ‘systematic, well-funded’ environmental campaigns are threatening the nation’s economic prosperity. Drawing on social movement theory and Bourdieu’s theory of practice, this case study details the final months of the Save Beeliar Wetlands (SBW) campaign in the lead up to the 2017 West Australian state election. The author challenges three common assumptions in the extant PR activism literature: The existence of activists in opposition to organizations and governments, the presence of a ‘zone of compromise’ between activists and the organizations or governments whose actions they are opposing, and the conceptualization of activists as homogeneous entity. Evolving into a colorful collective of over 35 local groups, five local councils, and thousands of individuals, Beeliar Wetland Defenders (BWD) successfully created an alternative narrative to the State and Federal Governments’ neoliberal agenda. Activists thereby contributed significantly to a change in leadership and the termination of a $1.9 billion infrastructure project. This article argues that activist groups’ interventions in public debate perform a valuable societal voice as critical counter-voices in challenging established hierarchies and power relationships. However, in mounting and framing their arguments within the neoliberal framework, activist groups may also inadvertently reinforce this worldview.
Optimizing Ambulance Transport of Hemodialysis Patients to the Emergency Department: A Cohort Study
Authors: Vinson Amanda J. , Bartolacci John , Goldstein Judah , Swain Janel , Clark David , Kiberd Bryce , Tennankore Karthik K.
Published: June 2019

Background:

Dialysis patients who require ambulance transport to the emergency department (“ambulance-ED”) may subsequently require timely dialysis in a monitored setting (“urgent dialysis”).

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to develop and internally validate a risk prediction model for urgent dialysis based on patient characteristics at the time of paramedic assessment before ambulance-ED.

Design:

Cohort Study

Setting:

Region of Nova Scotia, Canada, covered by a single emergency medical services provider

Patients:

Thrice-weekly hemodialysis patients who initiated dialysis between 2009 and 2013 (follow-up to 2015) and experienced one or more ambulance-ED events.

Measurements:

The primary outcome (“urgent dialysis”) was defined as dialysis within 24 hours of an ambulance-ED in a monitored setting or dialysis within 24 hours of an ambulance-ED with an initial ED potassium of >6.5 mmol/L. Predictors of urgent dialysis based on paramedic assessment before ambulance-ED included presenting complaint, vital signs and time from last dialysis to ambulance dispatch.

Methods:

Associations with urgent dialysis were analyzed using logistic regression from which a risk prediction model was created. The model was internally validated using bootstrapping and model performance was assessed by discrimination and calibration.

Results:

Among 197 patients, there were 624 ambulance-ED events and 87 episodes of urgent dialysis. Weakness as a presenting complaint (odds ratio [OR]: 4.62, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23-17.29), >24 hours since last dialysis (OR: 2.09, 95% CI: 1.15-3.81), and vital signs, including heart rate <60 beats/minute (OR: 3.06, 95% CI: 1.09-8.61), oxygen saturation <90% (OR: 3.04, 95% CI: 1.55-5.94), elevated respiratory rate (≥20 breaths/min), and systolic blood pressure>160 mmHg, were associated with urgent dialysis after ambulance-ED. A risk prediction model incorporating these variables had very good discrimination (C-statistic: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.76-0.86). The negative predictive value was 93.6% using the optimal cut point. Of patients who were predicted to need urgent dialysis but were transported to a facility incapable of providing it, 31% were re-transported for urgent dialysis.

Limitations:

Findings of our study may not be generalizable to other centers where the practice of ambulance transfer and availability of monitored dialysis may differ, and data were lacking for potential missed dialysis sessions or changes in routine dialysis scheduling.

Conclusions:

Patient characteristics at the time of paramedic assessment are associated with urgent dialysis after ambulance-ED. This risk prediction model has the potential to guide dialysis patient transport to dialysis-capable facilities when needed.
The Effects of Controlled Tempo Manipulations on Cardiovascular Autonomic Function
Authors: Bretherton Beatrice , Deuchars Jim , Windsor W. Luke
Published: June 2019

Music has been associated with alterations in autonomic function. Tempo, the speed of music, is one of many musical parameters that may drive autonomic modulation. However, direct measures of sympathetic nervous system activity and control groups and/or control stimuli do not feature in prior work. This article therefore reports an investigation into the autonomic effects of increases and decreases in tempo. Fifty-eight healthy participants (age range: 22–80 years) were randomly allocated to either an experimental ( n = 29, tune) or control (rhythm of the same tune) group. All participants underwent five conditions: baseline, stable tempo (tune/rhythm repeatedly played at 120 bpm), tempo increase (tune/rhythm played at 60 bpm, 90 bpm, 120 bpm, 150 bpm, 180 bpm), tempo decrease (tune/rhythm played at 180 bpm, 150 bpm, 120 bpm, 90 bpm, 60 bpm) and recovery. Heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, and muscle sympathetic nerve activity were continuously recorded. The 60 bpm in the tempo decrease stimulus was associated with increases in measures of parasympathetic activity. The 180 bpm in the tempo increase stimulus was also associated with shifts towards parasympathetic predominance. Responses to the stimuli were predicted by baseline %LF. It is concluded that the individual tempi impacted upon autonomic function, despite the entire stimulus having little effect. The 60 bpm in an increasingly slower stimulus was associated with greater vagal modulations of heart rate than faster tempi. For the first time, this study shows that response direction and magnitude to tempo manipulations were predicted by resting values, suggesting that music responders may be autonomically distinct from non-responders.
The Relationship Between BMI and Stability of Intertrochanteric Fracture Following Low-Energy Falls. A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Irving Devan , Hinkley Jacob , Marquart Matthew
Published: June 2019

Introduction:

Intertrochanteric proximal femur fractures are common injuries in the elderly. Certain patterns are considered unstable and confer increased risks. Risk factors for these patterns are not well defined. We sought to determine whether increased body mass index (BMI) was associated with increased risk of sustaining an unstable pattern intertrochanteric (IT) fracture following low-energy trauma. Materials and methods: Retrospective case review of all patients presenting to a level-2 trauma center between October 2010 and August 2014 with Intertrochanteric fracture. Fracture pattern (stable or unstable) and BMI were analyzed using odds ratios and age was controlled for.

Results:

Four hundred fifty-two patients were identified. No difference was found between fracture stability when BMI of 25 was used as a cutoff. However, when a BMI of 30 was used as a cutoff, there was a trend of difference (relative difference 30%) in rates of fracture type favoring unstable patterns in the obese group. This difference approached but did not reach statistical significance ( P = .08). When adjusted for age, the difference remained but still did not reach statistical significance ( P = .11).

Discussion:

Unstable type IT fractures were found more frequently in the obese cohort (BMI >30) than those who were not obese.
Bootstrap Thompson Sampling and Sequential Decision Problems in the Behavioral Sciences
Authors: Eckles Dean , Kaptein Maurits
Published: June 2019

Behavioral scientists are increasingly able to conduct randomized experiments in settings that enable rapidly updating probabilities of assignment to treatments (i.e., arms). Thus, many behavioral science experiments can be usefully formulated as sequential decision problems. This article reviews versions of the multiarmed bandit problem with an emphasis on behavioral science applications. One popular method for such problems is Thompson sampling, which is appealing for randomizing assignment and being asymptoticly consistent in selecting the best arm. Here, we show the utility of bootstrap Thompson sampling (BTS), which replaces the posterior distribution with the bootstrap distribution. This often has computational and practical advantages. We illustrate its robustness to model misspecification, which is a common concern in behavioral science applications. We show how BTS can be readily adapted to be robust to dependent data, such as repeated observations of the same units, which is common in behavioral science applications. We use simulations to illustrate parametric Thompson sampling and BTS for Bernoulli bandits, factorial Gaussian bandits, and bandits with repeated observations of the same units.
Are Different Forms of Repetitive Negative Thinking Associated With Interpretation Bias in Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depression?
Authors: Krahé Charlotte , Whyte Jessica , Bridge Livia , Loizou Sofia , Hirsch Colette R.
Published: June 2019

Worry and rumination, two forms of repetitive negative thinking (RNT), are prevalent in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and depression. Cognitive processing biases, especially the tendency to draw negative conclusions from ambiguous information (interpretation bias), may maintain worry and rumination. Yet the relationship between interpretation bias and both forms of RNT has not been explored in clinical versus nonclinical samples. In this cross-sectional study, participants with GAD ( n = 72), depression ( n = 79), or neither disorder ( n = 71) completed two tasks assessing interpretation bias, measures of worry and rumination, and reported negative thought intrusions during a behavioral task. Interpretation bias was associated with higher levels of worry, rumination, and negative thought intrusions. Both clinical groups generated significantly more negative interpretations than healthy comparison participants. These findings link interpretation bias to worry and rumination and establish the need for research investigating the causal role of interpretation bias in maintaining RNT.
Facial paroxysmal hemicrania associated with the menstrual cycle
Authors: Ziegeler Christian , May Arne
Published: June 2019

Paroxysmal hemicrania (PH) is a rare trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia (TAC) which is usually not associated with the menstrual cycle and usually affects the first trigeminal branch. We present a 47-year-old female patient with a facial variant of PH. For over 11 years, the patient had suffered from 8 to 12 typical PH attacks per day localized in the left maxilla in bouts of 4–9 days solely during her menstruation and ovulation. Single dosages of indomethacin 25 mg showed good efficacy in the prevention of the attacks for several hours. However, the intake of indomethacin had to be ceased due to severe psychiatric side effects. Ibuprofen 400 mg also reliably reduces the attack frequency with the same effectiveness as indomethacin. Attacks of PH can occur solely in the facial region and can be associated with the menstrual cycle which can prove to be a diagnostic challenge. Also, the intake of indomethacin can be limited by psychiatric side effects but can be adequately substituted by ibuprofen.
Evaluation of orthotic insoles for people with diabetes who are at‐risk of first ulceration
Authors: Martinez‐Santos Ana , Preece Stephen , Nester Christopher J.
Published: June 2019

Objective

This study focussed on pressure relieving orthotic insoles designed for retail footwear and people with diabetes and at risk of first forefoot ulceration. The aim was to investigate whether the pressure relieving effects of a customised metatarsal bar and forefoot cushioning are sensitive to bar location and shape, and material choice.

Research design and methods

Patient‐specific foot shape was used to design an orthotic insole, with metatarsal bar location and shape customised according to plantar pressure data. Changes in forefoot plantar pressure were investigated when 60 people with diabetes and neuropathy walked in nine variants of the orthotic insole. These comprised three variations in proximal/distal location of the customised metatarsal bar and three different metatarsal head offloading materials.

Results & conclusions

The most frequent reductions in pressure occurred when the anterior edge of the metatarsal bar was placed at 77% of the peak pressure values, and its effects were independent of the choice of EVA or Poron offloading material. In the flat insole, 61% of participants had one or more metatarsal head areas with pressure above the 200 KPa, reducing to 58% when adopting generic orthotic design rules and 51% when using the best orthotic insole of the nine tested. Our results confirm that plantar pressure relief is sensitive to orthotic insole design decisions and individual patient feet.
Combination chemotherapy of valproic acid (VPA) and gemcitabine regulates STAT3/Bmi1 pathway to differentially potentiate the motility of pancreatic cancer cells
Authors: Li Hehe , Zhang Zhengle , Gao Chenggang , Wu Shihong , Duan Qingke , Wu Heshui , Wang Chunyou , Shen Qiang , Yin Tao
Published: June 2019

Background

Gemcitabine is the standard first-line chemotherapy regimen for pancreatic cancer. However, its therapeutic value is substantially limited in pancreatic cancer patients due to occurrence of resistance towards gemcitabine. A strategy of combined chemo-regimens is widely employed in clinical settings in attempt to reduce the chance of developing therapeutic resistance. Valproic acid (VPA) has been reported as a promising anticancer drug in various clinical trials and studies. However, the clinical value and potential dose–effect of VPA in combination with gemcitabine for pancreatic cancer treatment are under investigated.

Results

In this study, we determined the synergistic effect of VPA and gemcitabine and found that high-dose VPA significantly and dose-dependently enhanced the sensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells to gemcitabine. Intriguingly, low-dose VPA potentiated the migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells that already showed gemcitabine-induced motility. Moreover, low-dose VPA increased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which activated AKT to further stimulate the activation of STAT3, Bmi1 expression and eventually promoted the migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells induced by gemcitabine. Whereas high-dose VPA stimulated excessive ROS accumulation that promoted p38 activation, which suppressed the activation of STAT3 and Bmi1.

Conclusion

Pancreatic cancer cells respond differentially towards low- or high-dose of VPA in combination with gemcitabine, and a low VPA further potentiate pancreatic cancer cell to migrate and invade. Our results suggest that STAT3/Bmi1 signaling cascade, which is regulated by ROS-dependent, AKT- or p38-modulated pathways, primarily mediated the sensitivity and motility of pancreatic cancer cells towards combined gemcitabine and VPA regimen. These findings suggest a highly clinically relevant new mechanism of developing resistance against combined chemo-regimens, warranting further mechanistic and translational exploration for VPA in combination with gemcitabine and other chemotherapies.
Deletion of the Homeodomain Protein Six6 From GnRH Neurons Decreases GnRH Gene Expression, Resulting in Infertility
Authors: Pandolfi Erica C , Tonsfeldt Karen J , Hoffmann Hanne M , Mellon Pamela L
Published: June 2019

Hypothalamic GnRH (luteinizing hormone–releasing hormone) neurons are crucial for the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, which regulates mammalian fertility. Insufficient GnRH disrupts the HPG axis and is often associated with the genetic condition idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH). The homeodomain protein sine oculis–related homeobox 6 (Six6) is required for the development of GnRH neurons. Although it is known that Six6 is specifically expressed within a more mature GnRH neuronal cell line and that overexpression of Six6 induces GnRH transcription in these cells, the direct role of Six6 within the GnRH neuron in vivo is unknown. Here we find that global Six6 knockout (KO) embryos show apoptosis of GnRH neurons beginning at embryonic day 14.5 with 90% loss of GnRH neurons by postnatal day 1. We sought to determine whether the hypogonadism and infertility reported in the Six6KO mice are generated via actions within the GnRH neuron in vivo by creating a Six6-flox mouse and crossing it with the LHRHcre mouse. Loss of Six6 specifically within the GnRH neuron abolished GnRH expression in ∼0% of GnRH neurons. We further demonstrated that deletion of Six6 only within the GnRH neuron leads to infertility, hypogonadism, hypogonadotropism, and delayed puberty. We conclude that Six6 plays distinct roles in maintaining fertility in the GnRH neuron vs in the migratory environment of the GnRH neuron by maintaining expression of GnRH and survival of GnRH neurons, respectively. These results increase knowledge of the role of Six6 in the brain and may offer insight into the mechanism of IHH.
Photochromic Performance of 5-Heteroaryl-4-vinyl-2-phenylthiazole Derivatives
Authors: Takami Shizuka , Nishiyama Minori , Mizuno Masaki , Yamaguchi Tadatsugu , Hashimoto Yuichiro , Kawai Tsuyoshi
Published: June 2019

Compounds 5-(5-methyl-2-phenyl-4-thiazolyl)-4-(5-methyl-1-phenyl-1-propenyl)-2-phenylthiazole 1a and 5-(2-methyl-5-phenyl-3-thienyl)-4-(2-methyl-1-phenyl-1-propenyl)-2-phenylthiazole 2a having an S-N heteroatom-contact interaction and a CH-N hydrogen bonding were synthesized in an attempt to obtain new photochromic compounds having terarylene and 1-aryl-2-vinylcyclopentene backbones. The S-N interaction and CH-N hydrogen bonding of 1a and 2a can be explained by DFT calculation and temperature dependent 1H NMR spectra. The tethering interactions are expected to stabilize the reactive conformation of 1a and 2a, and to increase the photocyclization quantum yield. Two 5-heteroaryl-4-vinyl-2-phenylthiazoles 1 and 2 underwent reversible photocyclization reactions from the open-ring isomers 1a and 2a to the closed-ring isomers 1b and 2b, respectively. The photocyclization quantum yields of 1a and 2a are 0.57 and 0.63, which are 3 times larger than that of 1-thiazolyl-2-vinylcyclopentene derivatives (0.20). The number of photochromic cycles exhibited by 1b was 50 in the presence of air, which is higher than that of 2b.
Characterisation of oxide layers on technical copper based on visible hyperspectral imaging
Authors: Stiedl Jan , Azemtsop M. Georgette , Boldrini Barbara , Green Simon , Chassé Thomas , Rebner Karsten
Published: June 2019

The detection and characterisation of oxide layers on metallic copper samples plays an important role for power
electronic modules in the automotive industry. However, since precise identification of oxide layers by visual inspection is
difficult and time consuming due to inhomogeneous colour distribution, a reliable and efficient method for estimating their
thickness is needed. In this study, hyperspectral imaging in the visible wavelength range (425–725 nm) is proposed as an
in-line inspection method for analysing oxide layers in real-time during processing of copper components such as printed
circuit boards in the automotive industry. For implementation in the production line a partial least square regression (PLSR)
model was developed with a calibration set of n = 12 with about 13,000 spectra per sample to determine the oxide layer
thickness on top of the technical copper surfaces. The model shows a good prediction performance in the range of 0–30
nm compared to Auger electron spectroscopy depth profiles as a reference method. The root mean square error (RMSE)
is 1.75 nm for calibration and 2.70 nm for full cross-validation. Applied to an external dataset of four new samples with
about 13,000 spectra per sample the model provides an RMSE of 1.84 nm for prediction and demonstrates the robustness
of the model during real-time processing. The results of this study prove the ability and usefulness of the proposed method
to estimate the thickness of oxide layers on technical copper. Hence, the application of hyperspectral imaging for the
industrial process control of electronic devices is very promising.
The role of change in fertility desire on change in family planning use: A longitudinal investigation in urban Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Srivastava Ujjaval , Singh Anjali , Verma Prashant , Singh Kaushalendra Kumar
Published: June 2019

Background: Reproductive choice is one of the rights of any woman, but women are often ambivalent towards fertility desires and choice of contraception. Our study explores how the change in fertility desires influence the change in use of modern contraception over time in six cities of Uttar Pradesh, India.

Methods: Data for this study comes from the Measurement, Learning and Evaluation (MLE) Project for Urban Health Initiative in six cities of Uttar Pradesh. Our study sample consists of 8735 women (weighted n=8655) who were fertile, non-sterilized and non-pregnant at the time of baseline survey. Potential bias due to lost to follow up was addressed using inverse probability weighing and then generalized estimating equations were applied to get odds for change in use of modern contraceptives. 

Results: Contraceptive use increased by different magnitudes from baseline to endline across all six cities. At baseline and endline, women who desired no more children reported a higher use of modern contraception than those who desired more children over time. Women from all cities who desired no more children at baseline had higher odds of modern contraceptive use than that of women who desired more children. The tempo of change in use of modern contraception over time among women with different fertility desires differed across the considered cities.

Conclusion: Although there were city-wise differences observed, women’s fertility intentions have an impact on their use of modern contraceptives over the time period between baseline to endline. To obtain greater insight into city-level differences, mixed method studies will be more effective.
Immunolocalization of hexose transporters in ostriches' intestinal epithelial cells during their first postnatal week
Authors: Hussar Piret , Järveots Tõnu , Dūrītis Ilmārs
Published: June 2019

Although hexoses glucose and fructose serve as important energy sources of food, up to now, there is little information about hexose transporters in birds’ intestinal epithelium during their first postnatal week. The aim of the investigation was to carry out an immunohistochemical study of integral membrane proteins glucose transporter-2 and -5 (GLUT-2 and GLUT-5) on intestinal epithelial cells of ostrich chicks during their first postnatal week.

The material from duodenum and ileum was collected from 9 female ostriches (Struthio camelus var. Domesticus) divided into three age groups, three birds in each group: chicks immediately after hatching, 3-day-old ostriches and 7-day-old chicks. The material was fixed in 10% formalin, embedded into paraffin, slices 7μm thick were cut followed by immunohistochemical staining with polyclonal primary antibodies Rabbit anti- GLUT-2 and Rabbit anti-GLUT-5, carried out according to the manufacturer’s guidelines (IHC kit, Abcam, UK).

Immunohistochemical localization of GLUT-2 and -5 in the intestinal epithelial cells in ostriches of different age groups was determined. In the groups of chicks after hatching and 3-day-old ostriches, enterocytes in duodenal epithelium were mostly unstained and goblet cells stained weakly for both antibodies. Weak staining of enterocytes and goblet cells was also noted in the ileal epithelium of the chick after hatching. Moderate staining of goblet cells was noted in the 3-day-old chicks’ ileal epithelium. In 7-day-old ostriches, the expression of both antibodies was weak in duodenal but moderate in ileal epithelial cells.

The pattern of immunohistochemical expression of GLUT-2 and GLUT-5 in ostriches’ intestinal epithelial cells confirms our hypothesis that the intestinal tract of ostriches after hatching is not yet entirely capable of transportation of hexoses and showed that it is completing gradually during the first postnatal week.
Study on anthropometric measurements of school-aged boys in Pärnu city
Authors: Õun Kandela , Hallimäe Handreas , Saarnak Evert , Miglai Sirje
Published: June 2019

In 2018, a study on boys’ anthropometry was conducted in Pärnu Koidula Gymnasium (referred to as PKG) as a school research project. 214 highschool boys, aged 17–19 years, participated in the study. The young men of PKG have thicker but shorter legs than the boys measured by Juhan Aul 1932–1940. Compared to the norms developed in 2017 by Kaarma et al. [6], the 17-year-old boys of PKG are on average 3 cm taller and 5.1 kg heavier, the 18-year-old boys do not differ so much from the standards. The 17-yearolds’ trunk index mean value has a statistically significantly lower value compared to the 18-year-olds (mean difference –0.897, p=0.031). The somatotypes classification analysis showed that the number of 17-year-old boys in the LARGE class is three times higher compared to the 2017 norms. The number of 18-year-olds in pycnomorfs 3 (P3) class is twice as much as the number of boys reported in the norms. Some anthropometrical indexes are more related to the SD classifications than others are. Compared to earlier measurements, the current results reported similar acceleration as other researchers had.
Subjectivity And Truth
Authors: Brown Jason W
Published: June 2019

"NO ABSTRACT"
The Myth of Pluralism: An Exploration into the Metaphysical Vision of Panikkar And Whitehead
Authors: Cheranthuruthy Anto
Published: June 2019

"NO ABSTRACT"
God beyond the Garden Of Nama Ru Pa: An Indian Rosetta stone for Reframing Western Metaphysics
Authors: Amodio Barbara A
Published: June 2019

"NO ABSTRACT"
New in Securities Issue
Authors: Смирнов Е. , Smirnov E.
Published: June 2019

Th e fi nancial market of Russia is preparing for the entry into force on January 1, 2020 of the Federal Law No. 514-FZ of December 27, 2019, which made signifi cant changes to the legislation on the legal regulation of securities issuance procedures, taking into account the increasing demands of the time, world and national markets.
On the Specifi cs of the Organization of the Accounting of Small Business Enterprise
Authors: Поленова С. , Polenova S.
Published: June 2019

Th e article gives an analysis of the infl uence of specifi cs of small business subjects on building and accounting record-keeping, practice of its organization and legal and regulatory setting, specifying account process; an attempt was made to substantiate individual recommendations for their development and improvement.
Final qualifying work in professional educational organizations of the str
Authors: Рыжиков Сергей , Ryzhikov Sergey
Published: June 2019

The educational and methodical manual is developed on the basis of Federal state educational standards of secondary vocational education.
It presents the requirements for the state final certification in the professional educational organization of secondary vocational education.
The algorithm of the final qualifying work of a mid-level specialist is revealed, recommendations for its protection are given, the specificity of the scientific style of writing and speech is shown. The manual contains a variety of recommendations useful in the protection of the final qualifying work
Conflictology
Authors: Козырев Геннадий , Kozyryev Gyennadiy
Published: June 2019

The textbook has been prepared in accordance with the state educational standard for the discipline "Conflictology" and contains the necessary theoretical, methodical and practical materials for conducting classes with students and independently studying conflictology. Each topic has a clear problem orientation, methodological and applied software. Therefore, the textbook can be useful not only for students, but also for teachers, as well as for anyone interested in the problems of social conflicts.
At a glance: Understanding newborn skin
Authors: Tinsley Elizabeth
Published: June 2019

Many parents are unsure about how to care for their baby's skin following birth. They will also have questions about what is normal and what to do if they have any concerns. This article covers information health visitors can use when supporting parents who have questions or concerns about their baby's skincare.
Going strong
Authors: Garnett Helen
Published: June 2019

In an edited extract from her new book, Building a Resilient Workforce in the Early Years, Helen Garnett explains what resilience is and how staff can achieve it
LA TRANSICIÓN A LA VIDA ADULTA DE LOS JÓVENES EXTUTELADOS. UNA MIRADA HACIA LA DIMENSIÓN “VIDA RESIDENCIAL”
Authors: Goig Martínez Rosa , Martínez Sánchez Isabel
Published: June 2019

INTRODUCCIÓN. La publicación comprende un análisis sobre los riesgos y oportunidades que se generan para los jóvenes extutelados en su proceso de transición hacia la vida adulta, focalizándose sobre una dimensión: la vida residencial. El estudio se contextualiza en la Comunidad de Madrid. MÉTODO. Estudio cuantitativo descriptivo; se emplea como instrumento el cuestionario, con preguntas abiertas y cerradas distribuidas en ocho dimensiones: vivienda y alojamiento, relaciones familiares, sociales y afectivas, salud, formación, integración laboral y gestión económica y vida residencial. La muestra está comprendida por un grupo de jóvenes extutelados mayores de edad equivalente al 70% de la población total. RESULTADOS. Un porcentaje amplio de los encuestados participó en programas diseñados para favorecer la adaptación a la vida adulta (77,8%); entre estos, el 68,9% refiere que estos programas han contribuido positivamente para lograr que pudieran dar continuidad a sus estudios. El 77,8% refiere que ha incrementado su capacidad para encontrar un empleo y conservarlo. Para el 93,3% las fortalezas de estos programas residen en la influencia positiva sobre el estilo de vida y la adquisición de hábitos positivos. Para el 68,9% el programa les ayudó a mejorar su capacidad para gestionar sus ingresos y favorecer el ahorro. El 84,4% indica que el programa ha incrementado sus preocupaciones sobre la salud y las relaciones sociales. DISCUSIÓN. Se pone de manifiesto la existencia de una serie de riesgos específicos que condicionan a esta población sobre los que intervenir, tales como la falta de preparación a la vida adulta y la dificultad para obtener recursos sobre las que plantear futuras intervenciones.
EL ALUMNADO UNIVERSITARIO ANTE POLÍTICAS INSTITUCIONALES Y DE AULA SOBRE PLAGIO
Authors: Porto Castro Ana María , Espiñeira Bellón Eva María , Losada Puente Luisa , Gerpe Pérez Enelina María
Published: June 2019

INTRODUCCIÓN. El plagio se está convirtiendo en un tema de creciente interés en el ámbito universitario; sin embargo, apenas existen estudios que se centren en este tema desde la percepción del alumnado con respecto a políticas institucionales y de aula. Este trabajo pretende analizar la percepción del alumnado de las facultades de Ciencias de la Educación del Sistema Universitario de Galicia acerca del plagio en relación a la existencia de una normativa ética reguladora y de la actuación del profesorado en las aulas. MÉTODO. Se efectuó un estudio cuantitativo, de corte transversal, descriptivo, correlacional e inferencial. Se empleó una muestra de 2.331 estudiantes universitarios a la cual se aplica un cuestionario de atribuciones para la detección de coincidencias en trabajos académicos (Rebollo-Quintela, Espiñeira-Bellón y Muñoz-Cantero, 2017). RESULTADOS. Los datos muestran que el alumnado ofrece valoraciones generalmente negativas de las causas que pueden motivarle a cometer plagio, en contraposición con valoraciones ligeramente más elevadas sobre las actuaciones del profesorado en las aulas. Se evidencia la presencia de correlaciones estadísticamente significativas entre varios ítems, así como una tendencia a valorar en términos más negativos las causas y actuaciones del profesorado conforme aumentan de curso; es decir, a valorar más la información del docente sobre plagio que la normativa existente, a nivel informativo y sancionador, en los primeros cursos y viceversa. DISCUSIÓN. Se discuten los resultados teniendo en consideración estudios precedentes, así como en relación a la existencia de la normativa en las tres universidades gallegas, estableciendo conclusiones que redunden en la mejora de las medidas a considerar y aplicar para evitar el plagio en las aulas universitarias.