bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a fluorine-18 radiolabelled fluorescent chalcone: evaluated for detecting glycogen
Authors: Allott Louis , Brickute Diana , Chen Cen , Braga Marta , Barnes Chris , Wang Ning , Aboagye Eric O.
Published: June 2020

Background

Glycogen is a multibranched polysaccharide of glucose produced by cells to store energy and plays a key role in cancer. A previously reported fluorescent probe (CDg4) was shown to selectively bind glycogen in mouse embryonic stem cells, however the molecule was not evaluated in cancer cells. We report the synthesis and biological evaluation of a dual-modality imaging probe based on CDg4, for positron emission tomography (PET) and fluorescence microscopy.

Results

A fluorine-18 radiolabelled derivative of CDg4, ([18F]5) for in vivo quantification of total glycogen levels in cancer cells was developed and synthesised in 170 min with a non-decay corrected radiochemical yield (RCY n.d.c) of 5.1 ± 0.9% (n = 4) in > 98% radiochemical purity. Compound 5 and [18F]5 were evaluated in vitro for their potential to bind glycogen, but only 5 showed accumulation by fluorescence microscopy. The accumulation of 5 was determined to be specific as fluorescent signal diminished upon the digestion of carbohydrate polymers with α-amylase. PET imaging in non-tumour bearing mice highlighted rapid hepato-biliary-intestinal elimination of [18F]5 and almost complete metabolic degradation after 60 min in the liver, plasma and urine, confirmed by radioactive metabolite analysis.

Conclusions

Fluorescent compound 5 selectively accumulated in glycogen containing cancer cells, identified by fluorescence microscopy; however, rapid in vivo metabolic degradation precludes further investigation of [18F]5 as a PET radiopharmaceutical.
Randomized comparative study of child and caregiver responses to three software functions added to the Japanese version of the electronic Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (ePedsQL) questionnaire
Authors: Sato Iori , Sakka Mariko , Soejima Takafumi , Kita Sachiko , Kamibeppu Kiyoko
Published: June 2020

Background

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) refer to any report of the status of a patient’s health condition, health behavior, or experience with healthcare directly from the patient, without interpretation of the patient’s response by a clinician or any other external party. While many PROs, such as the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), were originally administered in paper-and-pencil format, these are now available as electronic versions (ePROs). Although ePROs might well have used the same structure as their paper versions, we developed an alternate ePedsQL incorporating three software functions: 1) a non-forcing non-response alert, 2) a conditional question branch of the School Functioning Scale that only displays for (pre) school children, and 3) a vertical item-by-item display for small-screen devices. This report evaluated the effect of these functions on item non-response rate, survey completion time, and user experience.

Methods

All surveys were conducted via the online/computer mode. We compared the dynamic format containing the three functions with the basic format in a randomized comparative study in 2803 children and 6289 caregivers in Japan.

Results

We found that the non-response alert lowered the item non-response rate (0.338% to 0.046%, t = − 4.411, p < 0.001 by generalized linear mixed model analysis). The conditional question branch had mixed effects on survey completion time depending on the respondents’ age. Surprisingly, respondents rated the vertical question display for handheld devices less legible than the matrix format. Further, multigroup structural equation modelling revealed that the same configuration for both formats showed an acceptable fit (CFI 0.933, RMSEA 0.060, SRMR 0.038) but the errors of observed variables were larger for the dynamic format than the basic format.

Conclusions

We confirmed the robustness of the ePedsQL in different formats. The non-response rate of ePedsQL was very low even in the absence of an alert. The branch and item-by-item display were effective but unnecessary for all populations. Our findings further understanding of how humans respond to special software functions and different digital survey formats and provide new insight on how the three tested functions might be most successfully implemented.
Ultrasound-guided injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in rotator cuff tendinopathy: effect on patients’ symptoms and supraspinatus tendon thickness
Authors: Niazi Gamal Eldine , Hassan Mohammed Sobhi , Elfawy Dalia M.
Published: June 2020

Background

Rotator cuff tendinopathy is considered a major cause of shoulder pain and disability that is increasing substantially with age affecting more than half of the general population by the age of 60 years. This study aims to assess the effect of ultrasound-guided injection of platelet-rich plasma on patient symptoms and supraspinatus tendon thickness in cases of rotator cuff tendinopathy.

Results

This was a single-arm interventional study conducted on 30 patients with age ranging between 27 and 54 years old. Following US-guided injection of PRP, patients were evaluated clinically using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) scoring system and radiologically using ultrasonographic supraspinatus tendon thickness measurements at 4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks. Our study showed remarkably noticeable changes when comparing the pre-injection and post-injection SPADI scoring system. There is highly statistically significant pain and disability score and percentage improvement, yet on the other hand, the radiological improvement shows no statistically significant difference found between baseline tendon thickness and its follow-up at 4, 8, and 12 weeks while only there was a statistically significant decrease in tendon thickness found at 24 weeks with P value = 0.043.

Conclusions

The ultrasound-guided PRP injection for supraspinatus tendinopathy cases is a safe, cheap, and easily prepared outpatient procedure which showed competitive, promising, and well-proved results when compared to other modality outcomes such as conventional surgeries, arthroscopic procedures, and physiotherapy.
In silico modeling of tetraoxane-8-aminoquinoline hybrids active against Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Mahmud Aliyu Wappah , Shallangwa Gideon Adamu , Uzairu Adamu
Published: June 2020

Background

Quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) is a technique that is used to produce a model that connects biological activities of compounds to their chemical structures, and molecular docking is a technique that reveals the binding mode and interactions between a drug and its target enzyme. These techniques have been successfully applied in the design and development of many drug candidates and herein were employed to build a model that could help in the development of more potent antimalaria drugs.

Results

Descriptors of the compounds were calculated using the PaDEL-Descriptor software, and Genetic Function Algorithm (GFA) was used to select descriptors and build the model. A robust and reliable model was generated and validated to have internal and external squared correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.9622 and 0.8191, respectively, adjusted squared correlation coefficient (Radj) of 0.9471, and leave-one-out (LOO) cross-validation coefficient (Q2cv) of 0.9223. The model revealed that the antiplasmodial activities of 1,2,4,5-tetraoxane-8-aminoquinoline hybrids depend on MATS3m, GATS8p, GATS8i, and RDF50s descriptors. MATS3m, GATS8i, and RDF50s influenced the antiplasmodial activities of the compounds positively while GATS8p negatively with the greatest influence. The docking result shows strong interactions between 1,2,4,5-tetraoxane-8-aminoquinoline hybrids andPlasmodium falciparumlactate dehydrogenase (pfLDH) with binding affinities ranging from − 6.3 to − 10.9 kcal/mol which were better than that of chloroquine (− 6.1 kcal/mol), suggesting that these compounds could be better inhibitors ofpfLDH than chloroquine.

Conclusion

The results of this study could serve as a model for designing new potent 1,2,4,5-tetraoxane-8-aminoquinolines with better antiplasmodial activities for the development of highly active antimalaria drugs.
Exploring different approaches to improve the success of drug discovery and development projects: a review
Authors: Kiriiri Geoffrey Kabue , Njogu Peter Mbugua , Mwangi Alex Njoroge
Published: June 2020

Background

There has been a significant increase in the cost and timeline of delivering new drugs for clinical use over the last three decades. Despite the increased investments in research infrastructure by pharmaceutical companies and technological advances in the scientific tools available, efforts to increase the number of molecules coming through the drug development pipeline have largely been unfruitful.

Main body

A non-systematic review of the current literature was undertaken to enumerate the various strategies employed to improve the success rates in the pharmaceutical research and development. The review covers the exploitation of genomics and proteomics, complementarity of target-based and phenotypic efficacy screening platforms, drug repurposing and repositioning, collaborative research, focusing on underserved therapeutic fields, outsourcing strategy, and pharmaceutical modeling and artificial intelligence. Examples of successful drug discoveries achieved through application of these strategies are highlighted and discussed herein.

Conclusions

Genomics and proteomics have uncovered a wide array of potential drug targets and are facilitative of enhanced scrupulous target identification and validation thus reducing efficacy-related drug attrition. When used complementarily, phenotypic and target-based screening platforms would likely allow serendipitous drug discovery while increasing rationality in drug design. Drug repurposing and repositioning reduces financial risks in drug development accompanied by cost and time savings, while prolonging patent exclusivity hence increased returns on investment to the innovator company. Equally important, collaborative research is facilitative of cross-fertilization and refinement of ideas, while sharing resources and expertise, hence reducing overhead costs in the early stages of drug discovery. Underserved therapeutic fields are niche drug discovery areas that may be used to experiment and launch novel drug targets, while exploiting incentivized benefits afforded by drug regulatory authorities. Outsourcing allows the pharma industries to focus on their core competencies while deriving greater efficiency of specialist contract research organizations. The existing and emerging pharmaceutical modeling and artificial intelligence softwares and tools allow for in silico computation enabling more efficient computer-aided drug design. Careful selection and application of these strategies, singly or in combination, may potentially harness pharmaceutical research and innovation.
Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Longitudinal Analysis of the German Hodgkin Study Group
Authors: Kreissl Stefanie , Müller Horst , Goergen Helen , Meissner Julia , Topp Max , Sökler Martin , Markova Jana , Bernhard Jürg , Greil Richard , von Tresckow Bastian , Behringer Karolin , Rüffer Jens-Ulrich , Flechtner Hans-Henning , Möstl Michaela , Fuchs Michael , Engert Andreas , Diehl Volker , Borchmann Peter
Published: June 2020

PURPOSE

Many important details of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after diagnosis and treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) are still unknown because large longitudinal studies of HRQoL are rare. Therefore, we analyzed a systematically assessed, comprehensive range of HRQoL domains in patients with HL of all stages from diagnosis up to 5 years of survivorship.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We included patients with HL age 18-60 years at diagnosis from the German Hodgkin Study Group trials HD13, HD14, and HD15. We analyzed HRQoL using all functional and symptom scales of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 including deviations from reference values. We estimated the effect of different disease, patient, and treatment characteristics using multiple regression and repeated measures analysis and computed correlations of HRQoL scores.

RESULTS

We analyzed 4,215 patients with any HRQoL assessment within 5 years after treatment. Higher tumor burden at diagnosis was associated with impaired baseline scores in many HRQoL domains. During survivorship, cognitive, emotional, role, and social functioning and fatigue, dyspnea, sleep, and financial problems were severely and persistently affected. From year 2 on, mean deviations from reference values ranged between 12 and 29 points, with 10 points being a commonly used margin of clinical relevance. In all 3 trials, HRQoL domains 2 and 5 years after therapy were significantly influenced by baseline scores and age but not by randomized treatments. Fatigue was most closely correlated with other symptoms and scales.

CONCLUSION

Our results show a high and persistent amount of different HRQoL deficits in survivors of HL that are largely independent of the applied chemotherapies. Our analysis underscores the high, unmet medical need of these rather young survivors of HL regarding the psychosocial adverse effects of the cancer experience.
Closing the Rural Cancer Care Gap: Three Institutional Approaches
Authors: Levit Laura A. , Byatt Leslie , Lyss Alan P. , Paskett Electra D. , Levit Kathryn , Kirkwood Kelsey , Schenkel Caroline , Schilsky Richard L.
Published: June 2020

Patients in rural areas face limited access to medical and oncology providers, long travel times, and low recruitment to clinical trials, all of which affect quality of care and health outcomes. Rural counties also have high rates of cancer-related mortality and other negative treatment outcomes. On April 10, 2019, ASCO hosted Closing the Rural Cancer Care Gap, the second event in its State of Cancer Care in America series. The event focused on two aspects of rural cancer care: a review of the major issues and concerns in delivering rural cancer care and a discussion of creative solutions to address rural-nonrural disparities. This article draws from the event and supporting literature to summarize the challenges to delivering high-quality care in rural communities, update ASCO’s workforce data on the geographic distribution of oncologists, and highlight 3 institutional approaches to addressing these challenges in diverse rural settings. The experience of the 3 institutions featured in the article suggests that increasing rural patients’ access to care requires expanding services and decreasing travel distances, mitigating financial burdens when insurance coverage is limited, opening avenues to clinical trial participation, and creating partnerships between providers and community leaders to address local gaps in care. Because the characteristics of rural communities, health care resources, and patient populations are not homogeneous, rural health disparities require local solutions that are based on community needs, available resources, and trusting and collaborative partnerships.
Assessing the Impact of the COVID-19 Outbreak on the Attitudes and Practice of Italian Oncologists Toward Breast Cancer Care and Related Research Activities
Authors: Poggio Francesca , Tagliamento Marco , Di Maio Massimo , Martelli Valentino , De Maria Andrea , Barisione Emanuela , Grosso Marco , Boccardo Francesco , Pronzato Paolo , Del Mastro Lucia , Lambertini Matteo
Published: June 2020

PURPOSE:

To investigate the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the attitudes and practice of Italian oncologists toward breast cancer care and related research activities.

METHODS:

A 29-question anonymous online survey was sent by e-mail to members of the Italian Association of Medical Oncology and the Italian Breast Cancer Study Group on April 3, 2020. Only medical oncologists (both those in training and specialists) were invited to complete the questionnaire.

RESULTS:

Out of 165 responding oncologists, 121 (73.3.%) worked in breast units. In the (neo)adjuvant setting, compared with before the emergency, fewer oncologists adopted weekly paclitaxel (68.5% v 93.9%) and a dose-dense schedule for anthracycline-based chemotherapy (43% v 58.8%) during the COVID-19 outbreak. In the metastatic setting, compared with before the emergency, fewer oncologists adopted first-line weekly paclitaxel for HER2-positive disease (41.8% v 53.9%) or CDK4/6 inhibitors for luminal tumors with less-aggressive characteristics (55.8% v 80.0%) during the COVID-19 outbreak. A significant change was also observed in delaying the timing for monitoring therapy with CDK4/6 inhibitors, assessing treatment response with imaging tests, and flushing central venous devices. Clinical research and scientific activities were reduced in 80.3% and 80.1% of respondents previously implicated in these activities, respectively.

CONCLUSION:

Medical oncologists face many challenges in providing cancer care during the COVID-19 outbreak. Although most of the changes in their attitudes and practice were reasonable responses to the current health care emergency without expected major negative impact on patient outcomes, some potentially alarming signals of undertreatment were observed.
Histone modification dynamics as revealed by multicolor immunofluorescence-based single-cell analysis
Authors: Hayashi-Takanaka Yoko , Kina Yuto , Nakamura Fumiaki , Becking Leontine E. , Nakao Yoichi , Nagase Takahiro , Nozaki Naohito , Kimura Hiroshi
Published: June 2020

Post-translational modifications on histones can be stable epigenetic marks or transient signals that can occur in response to internal and external stimuli. Levels of histone modifications fluctuate during the cell cycle and vary among different cell types. Here, we describe a simple system to monitor the levels of multiple histone modifications in single cells by multicolor immunofluorescence using directly labeled modification-specific antibodies. We analyzed histone H3 and H4 modifications during the cell cycle. Levels of active marks, such as acetylation and H3K4 methylation, were increased during the S phase, in association with chromatin duplication. By contrast, levels of some repressive modifications gradually increased during G2 and the next G1 phases. We applied this method to validate the target modifications of various histone demethylases in cells using a transient overexpression system. In extracts of marine organisms, we also screened chemical compounds that affect histone modifications and identified psammaplin A, which was previously reported to inhibit histone deacetylases. Thus, the method presented here is a powerful and convenient tool for analyzing the changes in histone modifications.
Radioactive Seed Versus Wire-Guided Localization for Ductal Carcinoma in Situ of the Breast: Comparable Resection Margins
Authors: Agahozo Marie Colombe , Berghuis Sofie A.M. , van den Broek Esther , Koppert Linetta B. , Obdeijn Inge-Marie , van Deurzen Carolien H. M.
Published: June 2020

Background

There are currently two widely used methods for preoperative localization of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast: wire-guided localization (WGL) and radioactive seed localization (RSL). Several studies compared these localization techniques in small cohorts.

Objective

The aim of this study was to compare the surgical resection margin status between RSL and WGL in a large national cohort of patients with DCIS.

Patients and Methods

We included patients from the Dutch Pathology Registry who underwent breast-conserving surgery for DCIS by either RSL (n = 1851) or WGL (n = 2187) between 2009 and 2019. Several clinicopathological characteristics were compared between these two groups, including resection margin status and number of re-excisions.

Results

Patients undergoing RSL were younger (p = 0.014) and were more often diagnosed with a large DCIS (p = 0.013), high grade DCIS (p < 0.001) and comedonecrosis (p < 0.001) compared with patients undergoing WGL. There was no significant difference in resection margin status between both groups (p = 0.089) and the number of re-excisions (p = 0.429). However, in case of re-excision, patients in the RSL group were more often treated with breast-conserving surgery (p = 0.029).

Conclusion

In this large national cohort study of patients with DCIS, we demonstrated that there was no difference in resection margin status between both procedures, or in the number of re-excisions, but patients in the RSL group were more often treated with breast-conserving therapy in case of a re-excision.
Esophageal compression by a common left pulmonary venous trunk
Authors: Mogel Daniel Z , Kotler Donald P , Guelfguat Mark
Published: June 2020

Dysphagia is a symptom with diverse etiologies including luminal narrowing of the esophagus and motility disorders. Arterial vessels are known to compress the esophagus and cause luminal narrowing. However, identifying a pulmonary venous compression of the esophagus rarely occurs in a patient with dysphagia. The technology available at the time of the few prior case reports published more than three decades ago limited the analysis of the pulmonary vessels. We report a case that utilized CT-angiography as well as multiplanar reconstructions and three-dimensional imaging to demonstrate that esophageal compression in the patient presenting with dysphagia was caused by a large left common pulmonary vein.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm and its association with duodenal obstruction: aortoduodenal syndrome
Authors: Parashar Kalind , Gandhi Darshan , Nepal Pankaj , Sapire Joshua , Ahuja Kriti , Siddiqui Imran
Published: June 2020

Proximal small bowel obstruction in the region of the duodenum is an uncommon clinical entity. Our case, which involves obstruction of the third portion of the duodenum due to an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), is even more unusual. A review of the relevant literature regarding duodenal obstruction due to extrinsic compression includes features that differentiate aortoduodenal syndrome from superior mesenteric artery syndrome. Management of these conditions range from conservative to surgical, of which now includes a more recent role of metallic stents in some instances.
Automatic diagnosis for cysts and tumors of both jaws on panoramic radiographs using a deep convolution neural network
Authors: Kwon Odeuk , Yong Tae-Hoon , Kang Se-Ryong , Kim Jo-Eun , Huh Kyung-Hoe , Heo Min-Suk , Lee Sam-Sun , Choi Soon-Chul , Yi Won-Jin
Published: June 2020

Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to automatically diagnose odontogenic cysts and tumors of both jaws on panoramic radiographs using deep learning. We proposed a novel framework of deep convolution neural network (CNN) with data augmentation for detection and classification of the multiple diseases.

Methods:

We developed a deep CNN modified from YOLOv3 for detecting and classifying odontogenic cysts and tumors of both jaws. Our data set of 1282 panoramic radiographs comprised 350 dentigerous cysts (DCs), 302 periapical cysts (PCs), 300 odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs), 230 ameloblastomas (ABs), and 100 normal jaws with no disease. In addition, the number of radiographs was augmented 12-fold by flip, rotation, and intensity changes. We evaluated the classification performance of the developed CNN by calculating sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under the curve (AUC) for diseases of both jaws.

Results:

The overall classification performance for the diseases improved from 78.2% sensitivity, 93.9% specificity,91.3% accuracy, and 0.86 AUC using the CNN with unaugmented data set to 88.9% sensitivity, 97.2% specificity, 95.6% accuracy, and 0.94 AUC using the CNN with augmented data set. CNN using augmented data set had the following sensitivities, specificities, accuracies, and AUCs: 91.4%, 99.2%, 97.8%, and 0.96 for DCs, 82.8%, 99.2%, 96.2%, and 0.92 for PCs, 98.4%,92.3%,94.0%, and 0.97 for OKCs, 71.7%, 100%, 94.3%, and 0.86 for ABs, and 100.0%, 95.1%, 96.0%, and 0.97 for normal jaws, respectively.

Conclusion:

The CNN method we developed for automatically diagnosing odontogenic cysts and tumors of both jaws on panoramic radiographs using data augmentation showed high sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and AUC despite the limited number of panoramic images involved.
Elevated Plasmodium sporozoite infection and multiple insecticide resistance in the principal malaria vectors Anopheles funestus and Anopheles gambiae in a forested locality close to the Yaoundé airport, Cameroon
Authors: Nkemngo Francis N. , Mugenzi Leon M. J. , Terence Ebai , Niang Abdoulaye , Wondji Murielle J. , Tchoupo Micareme , Nguete Nguiffo D. , Tchapga Williams , Irving Helen , Ntabi Jacques D. M. , Agonhossou Romuald , Boussougou-Sambe Terence S. , Akoton Romaric B. , Koukouikila-Koussounda Felix , Pinilla Yudi T. , Ntoumi Francine , Djogbenou Luc S. , Ghogomu Stephen M. , Ndo Cyrille , Adegnika Ayola A. , Borrmann Steffen , Wondji Charles S.
Published: June 2020

Background:Reducing the burden of malaria requires better understanding of vector populations, particularly in forested regions where the incidence remains elevated. Here, we characterized malaria vectors in a locality near the Yaoundé international airport, Cameroon, including species composition, abundance,Plasmodiuminfection rate, insecticide resistance profiles and underlying resistance mechanisms.

Methods:Blood-fed adult mosquitoes resting indoors were aspirated from houses in April 2019 at Elende, a village located 2 km from the Yaoundé-Nsimalen airport. Female mosquitoes were forced to lay eggs to generate F1adult progeny. Bioassays were performed to assess resistance profile to insecticides. The threshold of insecticide susceptibility was defined above 98% mortality rate and mortality rates below 90% were indicative of confirmed insecticide resistance. Furthermore, the molecular basis of resistance andPlasmodiuminfection rates were investigated.

Results:Anopheles funestuss.s. was most abundant species in Elende (85%) followed byAnopheles gambiaes.s. (15%) with both having a similar sporozoite rate. Both species exhibited high levels of resistance to pyrethroids (<40% mortality).An. gambiaes.s. was also resistant to DDT (9.9% mortality) and bendiocarb (54% mortality) while susceptible to organophosphate.An. funestuss.s. was resistant to dieldrin (1% mortality), DDT (86% mortality) but susceptible to carbamates and organophosphates. The L119F-GSTe2 resistance allele (8%) and G119Sace-1 resistance allele (15%) were detected inAn. funestuss.s. andAn. gambiaes.s., respectively.Furthermore, the high pyrethroid/DDT resistances inAn. gambiaes.s. corresponded with an increase frequency of 1014Fkdrallele (95%). Transcriptional profiling of candidate cytochrome P450 genes reveals the over-expression ofCYP6P5,CYP6P9aandCYP6P9b.

Conclusion:The resistance to multiple insecticide classes observed in these vector populations alongside the highPlasmodiumsporozoite rate highlights the challenges that vector control programs encounter in sustaining the regular benefits of contemporary insecticide-based control interventions in forested areas.
Age of peak performance of elite men in middle- and long-distance running in the Czech Republic between 1945–2019
Authors: Bahenský Petr , Tlustý Tomáš
Published: June 2020

Background: A peak performance age depends on several variables. Objective: The aim of our study was to identify the peak performance age of athletes in the Czech Republic in terms of middle- and long-distance running and to find out whether it has changed over the years that is between 1945 and 2019.Methods: We determined the peak performance age of top fifty, twenty and five runners each year. 22,350 available performances were analysed. Sources of our data were the yearbooks of the Czech Athletic Federation. We have also analysed the differences in peak performance ages across individual disciplines. To determine the statistical significance of the age difference of runners competing on individual tracks, we used the t-test, and through Cohen's d we determined the practical significance of these differences. Results: The peak performance age is significantly higher (p = .0015 and less) for longer tracks as each shorter track demonstrated lower peak performance age. The age of the best runners in Czech Republic: 800 m: 23.92±1.77 years, 1500 m: 24.97±1.65, 3000 m steeple: 26.07±2.26 years, 5000 m: 26.51±2.30 years, 10000 m: 27.91±4.03 years, marathon: 30.88±2.42 years. We have observed the lowest age of runners during the period starting in the late 1960s to the mid-1980s.Conclusions: The longer the track is, the higher the age of peak performance. This agrees with the physiological requirements of each disciplines, and it also corresponds with the maturity level of European athletes.
Particularities of hemodynamics and oxygen status in infants and preschool-age children with complicated community-acquired pneumonias
Authors: Horodkova Yuliia Viacheslavivna , Kurochkin Mykhailo Yurievich
Published: June 2020

Background:  The absence of the unanimity of views on the use of plasmapheresis, insufficiently studied issues of the course severity, hemodynamics disorders in children during intensive care (IC) of pneumonias with the use of efferent detoxication methods determine the rationale of the study.Methods: This was a retrospective-prospective study.  Group I included children with discrete plasmapheresis (DPР) in complex IC, group II – children who received baseline therapy (BT), group III – control group. Each of the groups were divided into subgroups: A – children aged 1-3 years old, B – children aged 3-7 years old.Results: Statistically significant differences in HR between the study group and the comparison group were revealed on the 1st day of BT in infants; during the ROC-analysis, the discrimination point was determined: HR>137 bpm, Se=65.2, Sp=82.4, p=0.004, AUC=0.74 and on the 2nd day of BT: HR>129 bpm, Se=73.3, Sp=70.6, p=0.014, AUC=0.73; arterial oxygen content (CaO2) ≤126 ml/100 ml, Se=54.5, Sp=93.7, AUC=0.724, p=0.033. The DPP performance contributes to the restoration of circulatory normodynamia (mainly due to tachycardia regression), does not cause arterial hypotension; after its performance, a tendency to a decrease in oxygen delivery and consumption is observed, as well as base deficit reduction; the discrete plasmapheresis performance is associated with more frequent need in red blood cell transfusions.Conclusion: In infants, the values of HR>137 bpm during Day 1 of BT or HR>129 bpm and/or CaO2≤126 ml/100 ml during Day 2 of baseline therapy may be considered to be the risk factors of DPР prescription. Study showed effectiveness of discrete plasmapheresis.
Detection of carbonates in water softeners
Authors: Andrusiewicz Kinga , Czapska Mirella , Nieradko-Iwanicka Barbara
Published: June 2020

The skin is one of the most important and the largest organ of human body. Skin hygiene requires use of water. Water can be hard. Hard water effectively hinders the washing process. The purpose of the work is to detect carbonates in bath salts and water softeners. Materials and methods A total of 80 samples were collected: micellar fluids-5, tonics-6, shampoos-17, shower gels-6, bath salts-13, soaps-11, washing gels-6, softeners-3, washing capsules-3, washing powders-4, dishwasher tablets-5, bathwatercolour-1. One gram of test substance was added to 10 cm3 of distilled water,heated until the precipitate dissolved and poured into a tube. A few drops of 3 mol / dm3 H2SO4 were added. The evolution of gas bubbles indicated the presence of carbonates. In our experiment we have found the presence of bicarbonate only in effervescent tablets for baby baths, Salt Iwonicka and in bathing balls. Conclusions: Not all products containing "bath salt" contain bicarbonate. Budget bath salts in the composition have sodium chloride or sodium lauryl sulphate, but they do not contain bicarbonate. Micellar liquids, shower gels, face wash gels, soaps, shampoos, powders and liquids for washing and rinsing fabrics, dishwasher products do not contain carbonates. The most bicarbonate salt contains Iwonicka Salt. Detergents such as washing powders, washing liquids and fabric rinses and dishwasher products contain phosphonates, which give off abundant foam.
Balast tradycji teologicznej w przekładach Ewangelii – próby nowych rozwiązań
Authors: Bardski Krzysztof
Published: June 2020

The Burden of the Theological Tradition in Gospel Translations – Suggestions for New Solutions The research problem of this article concerns the following phenomenon: the original meaning of a specific term appearing in the text of the Gospel, contextually conditioned by Judaism of the first century or culturally neutral, has been burdened over the centuries with a context of the Christian doctrine, which has evolved and developed a new religious and cultural background. To what extent, then, would it be justified, in translation, to refer to the original conditions? In conclusion, we state firstly that the proposals aimed at freeing the translation from the burden of interpretative traditions can, on the one hand, result in a more appropriate embedding of the text in the original context, while at the same time complicating its reception by modern readers. Secondly, they usually require descriptive translations. Thirdly, in reference to the text of the Scripture, they could be alternative suggestions rather than attempts of replacing existing translations.
En búsqueda de una doctrina contrasubversiva propia. Las tesis de ascenso de los oficiales guatemaltecos, 1975-1985
Authors: Sala Laura Yanina
Published: June 2020

Este artículo propone matizar la perspectiva dominante respecto de la Doctrina de Seguridad Nacional (DSN) en Guatemala según la cual el Ejército aparece como un mero apéndice receptor de ideas desde Estados Unidos. Parte del supuesto de que las doctrinas militares de los años setenta y ochenta han sido producto de un complejo proceso de elaboración que, si bien tuvo a Estados Unidos como actor clave, involucró aspectos socio-históricos particulares y actores locales, regionales e internacionales. A partir del análisis de Tesis de Ascenso de oficiales del Ejército de Guatemala mostramos que, en el período 1975-1985, se desató una preocupación por parte del Alto Mando, y de la oficialidad en general, por establecer una doctrina propia que guiara el accionar militar para enfrentar a “la subversión”. En segundo lugar, exponemos las diferencias de enfoques prevalecientes entre los oficiales. Finalmente, identificamos las referencias bibliográficas que nutrieron la elaboración doctrinaria local en la que se destacan textos de militares sudamericanos y taiwaneses.
Candidaturas presidenciales en Colombia 1974-2018. Factores condicionantes de su evolución
Authors: Duque Daza Javier
Published: June 2020

El artículo analiza la evolución del número de candidatos presidenciales en Colombia en el periodo 1974-2018. El punto de partida es un enfoque neoinstitucionalista contextualizado que considera que el número de candidatos varía en función de las reglas electorales y de las dinámicas sociopolíticas del periodo. Es un estudio de caso que analiza en detalle cómo estos dos factores inciden en el número de actores en competencia a lo largo de más de cuatro décadas. El estudio incluye un periodo de cuarenta y cuatro años y doce elecciones presidenciales y utiliza indicadores cuantittaivos para demostrar el argumento central. Las principales conclusiones del artículo son dos: la primera, hay más pluralismo y mayor competencia en las elecciones presidenciales, menos candidatos, pero estos son más relevantes. La segunda, en la evolución del número de candidatos inciden los cambios institucionales y las interacciones entre los actores en la competencia electoral; el descongelamiento de la política respecto al subperiodo 1974-1990; la posterior fragmentación con dominio bipartidista; y el desplazamiento de los partidos tradicionales de sus lugares de preeminencia.
Workforce Scheduling in the Era of Crowdsourced Delivery
Authors: Ulmer Marlin W. , Savelsbergh Martin
Published: June 2020

Using crowdsourced delivery capacity, that is, individuals offering their vehicle and their time to perform deliveries, can allow companies to provide faster delivery options and more easily accommodate fluctuations in demand. However, because of the uncertainty associated with crowdsourced delivery capacity, ensuring service quality is more challenging. To prevent or mitigate any negative effects of the uncertainty associated with crowdsourced delivery capacity, companies may choose to also have a scheduled delivery workforce that they can control more effectively. We investigate continuous approximation and value function approximation methods for scheduling this workforce, that is, deciding their shifts (start time and duration) to achieve a service level target at minimum cost. An extensive computational study demonstrates the efficacy of our methods and provides insights into the use of crowdsourced delivery capacity.
Year of the nurse and midwife 2020: interviews with mental health nurses
Authors: Williams Vicki , Guiney Vicki
Published: June 2020

2020 has been designated as the year of the nurse and midwife. Vicki Williams interviewed several nurses in the UK and overseas. This month, we hear from Vicki Guiney who works at the Scottish Nursing Guild and Thornbury Nursing Services.
Perceptions of the Role of a Charter Superintendent by Charter Board Members and Principals
Authors: Gawlik Marytza A. , Allen Ann
Published: June 2020

In this article, we extend and complement previous studies on self-descriptions of superintendents’ administrative work by examining the influential role of a relatively new actor in charter schools: the charter school district superintendent. In particular, we examine the influence of a charter district superintendent’s leadership on organizational factors such as mission, principal decision-making and school board involvement through interviews with the principals and board members in the district to identify how a charter school district superintendent exhibits leadership within an emerging context in the public school landscape. We use a qualitative case study approach to examine one charter school district superintendent and the perceptions of charter principals and charter school board members concerning his role and responsibility as a leader in the charter district. Three major themes emerged from the data: the superintendent’s role in the mission of an autonomous district; superintendent as an instructional leader; and the superintendent as a policy entrepreneur. The superintendent’s mission of the charter school district to operate as an autonomous entity, paved the way for the influence of the charter superintendent to employ and articulate instructional leadership strategies in his district, and spurred the superintendent toward action as a policy entrepreneur, establishing an LEA for his charter school district. The findings demonstrate that the superintendent has a significant, dynamic effect on the organizational mission and goals of the charter school district as well as influence on building principals and board members as the leader of the district.
Investigación clínica a pie de cama. Sepsis
Authors: Calizaya Milagros , Mancebo Jordi
Published: June 2020

La investigación clínica en sepsis es una prioridad y una obligación cuyo objetivo primordial ha de ser tanto el conocimiento de su compleja fisiopatología como la búsqueda de herramientas diagnósticas precoces y eficaces para mejorar el tratamiento y disminuir la tasa de mortalidad. Los principios éticos de la investigación biomédica ayudan a determinar el equilibrio entre el avance de la ciencia y la protección de los derechos y bienestar de los sujetos de la investigación.
El Documento de Voluntades Anticipadas como instrumento de planificación ético-jurídico: especial atención a la salud mental
Authors: Zaragoza Martí María Francisca , Julià-Sanchis Rocío , García-Sanjuán Sofía
Published: June 2020

La relación médico-paciente se encuentra en un proceso de cambio y evolución hacia un tratamiento más humano, sustentado sobre el principio de autonomía, con el objetivo de respetar los derechos del paciente y no sólo imponer la voluntad del médico. Un instrumento que salvaguarda esta situación es el Documento de Voluntades Anticipadas, como extensión del consentimiento informado. A pesar de su regulación internacional y nacional, en ciertos contextos, como el de la salud mental, el modelo hegemónico-paternalista sigue imperando y nos preguntamos por qué.
Noción y argumentos sobre la objeción de conciencia al aborto en Chile
Authors: Montero Vega Adela , Ramírez-Pereira Mirliana
Published: June 2020

Este artículo describe el discurso de actores relevantes sobre la noción y argumentos de la objeción de conciencia en el contexto del aborto en Chile. Los resultados dan cuenta de la complejidad para abordar esta temática. Hay actores que consideran la objeción de conciencia un derecho fundamental. Para otros, constituye un privilegio y una manifestación de desigualdad ante la ley. Los principales argumentos aluden a la libertad de conciencia y religión. Se considera contrastar la objeción de conciencia con el compromiso de conciencia, debiendo incorporarse la reflexión ética en la formación y capacitación de los equipos de salud. Deben generarse instancias de fiscalización y regulación, evitando vulnerar los derechos de las mujeres que puedan resultar afectadas por esta objeción.
La protección de la diversidad en el patrimonio genético: implicaciones bioéticas y jurídicas en el uso de CRISPR-Cas9 como herramienta de edición genómica en humanos
Authors: Dantas Carlos Henrique Félix , Ferraz Carolina Valença , Falcão Juliana Rocha de Moraes
Published: June 2020

El objetivo de este artículo es comprender cómo el CRISPR-Cas9 puede funcionar como una tecnología viable en la construcción del proyecto de parentalidad para promover el ejercicio de la libertad en el proceso de autonomía reproductiva. Sin embargo, a pesar de la posibilidad del uso en la línea germinal humana, se intentó investigar los límites y el alcance de esta percepción de libertad. Así, a través del uso de investigaciones documentales y bibliográficas, se buscaron datos sobre la viabilidad de la preservación del patrimonio genético como expresión de la diversidad en la humanidad. De esta forma, se percibió que es necesario superar pensamientos higienistas de limpiar “defectos”, considerando que toda vida es digna de ser vivida.
638. ¿Alternativa o adaptación? Los grupos de consumo de alimentos ecológicos en el área urbana de Alicante
Authors: Sánchez Hernández José Luis , Espinosa Seguí Ana
Published: June 2020

Los grupos de consumo ecológico constituyen una modalidad de coordinación entre productores y consumidores que suscriben los principios de la agroecología y la soberanía alimentaria. Aunque se trata de una opción minoritaria dentro del nicho de mercado de los alimentos ecológicos, algunos de ellos están creciendo en número de socios y volumen de actividad durante los últimos años. Esta expansión cuantitativa requiere la adopción de prácticas de gestión más profesionalizadas y se relaciona con la entrada de miembros más interesados por el cuidado de la salud a través de la alimentación que por los objetivos de transformación política y social que impulsaron la fundación de estos grupos de consumo. El artículo constata este proceso de neo-convencionalización de las prácticas alimentarias alternativas en el área metropolitana de Alicante (España).
Tunable narrowband shortwave-infrared absorber made of a nanodisk-based metasurface and a phase-change material Ge2Sb2Te5 layer
Authors: Zhang Shihao , Zhou Kun , Cheng Qiang , Lu Lu , Li Bowen , Song Jinlin , Luo Zixue
Published: June 2020

A tunable absorber made of a nanodisk-based metasurface is proposed to realize a narrowband shortwave-infrared (SWIR) perfect absorption. By introducing a phase-change material

G

e

2

S

b

2

T

e

5

(GST) layer, we produce a selective and active control of the optical response. It is found that the narrowband absorption of 99.9% can be achieved for amorphous GST (aGST) with a modulation depth of 54.6% at 1931 nm, which is attributed to the strong electric dipole resonance in the germanium nanodisks. Moreover, under the aGST state, the full width at half-maximum of 22 nm can be acquired for a normal TM-polarized wave, and such a nanodisk-based absorber enables a tunable operating wavelength by adjusting the geometrical parameters to realize the spectral selectivity. In addition, the nanodisk-based metasurface nanostructure, combined with a dielectric Bragg reflector with alternately stacked

S
i

O

2

and

T
i

O

2

layers, can realize the SWIR dual-band absorption for aGST and single-band absorption for crystalline GST through the adjustment of electric and magnetic resonances. The designed absorbers have the potential applications in tunable absorption filter, thermal sensing, and optical signal processing.
Quantitative study of electron tunneling dynamics in asymmetric coupled InGaN/GaN quantum wells
Authors: Weng Guoen , Liu Yuejun , Chen Shaoqiang , Ito Takashi , Hu Xiaobo , Zhao Chunhu , Liu Jianping , Chu Junhao , Akiyama Hidefumi
Published: June 2020

Electron tunneling dynamics in asymmetric coupled triple InGaN/GaN
quantum wells (ACQWs) with different well thicknesses of 3.0 nm (QW1),
2.5 nm (QW2), and 2.0 nm (QW3) were quantitatively investigated based
on the time- and spectrally-resolved photoluminescence (PL)
measurements and the rate-equation theory. Under weak excitation, only
the emission peak of the widest well was observed at room temperature
due to the effective electron tunneling from a wide to a narrow well,
while all three emission peaks of the distinct wells were obtained at
a high excitation level. The PL-intensity ratios of the wells in the
initial transient spectra differed from those in the time-integrated
spectra. With a set of rate equations and the experimental results of
PL ratios and decay times, a 2 ns tunneling time from QW2 to QW1 was
extracted and was decreased to 0.5 ns with increasing excitation,
while the one from QW3 to QW2 was extracted to be

∼

170

p
s

. The extracted tunneling times are in
good qualitative agreement with the data from the exponential fitting
of the PL decay traces, which can be interpreted by the energy
mismatches between relevant energy levels in the ACQWs. These results
provide not only a better understanding of the carrier recombination
and tunneling processes in the ACQW systems but also a useful guidance
for high-performance ACQW-based optoelectronic and functional
devices.
Ultrathin, polarization-insensitive multi-band absorbers based on graphene metasurface with THz sensing application
Authors: Barzegar-Parizi Saeedeh , Ebrahimi Amir
Published: June 2020

This article presents multi-band plasmonic absorbers based on a graphene array at terahertz frequencies. The absorbers are made of a very simple structure including a graphene disk array printed on the top surface of a dielectric spacer backed by a metallic ground plane. Multi-band performance is achieved with more than 90% absorption in the 1–8 THz frequency range by exciting surface plasmon polaritons of graphene. It is shown that the resonance frequencies of the proposed absorber can be tuned by varying the chemical potential between 0.8–1 eV for a triple-band absorber and 0.7–0.9 eV for a quad-band one, while keeping more than 80% absorption. The results obtained by means of full-wave simulation are verified with the results obtained by the analytical circuit model. The proposed absorbers are polarization-insensitive and provide stable absorption performance for both of the TE and TM polarizations. As an application, we designed a refractive index sensor based on the triple-band absorber. The results verify that the absorption bands are sensitive to the variations of the refractive index of the coating layer.