bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of genetic variants related to plasma fatty acids with type 2 diabetes mellitus and glycaemic traits: a Mendelian randomisation study
Authors: Yuan Shuai , Larsson Susanna C.
Published: November 2019

Aims/hypothesis

Epidemiological data on the associations of circulating fatty acid levels with type 2 diabetes are inconsistent. We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomisation study to explore the causal associations of plasma levels of ten fatty acids with type 2 diabetes and glycaemic traits.

Methods

Thirteen SNPs associated with circulating levels of ten individual fatty acids at the genome-wide significance level (p < 5 × 10−8) were selected as instrumental variables for the exposures. For the outcomes, summary-level data were obtained from the DIAbetes Genetics Replication And Meta-analysis (DIAGRAM) consortium for type 2 diabetes (898,130 individuals) and from the Meta-Analyses of Glucose and Insulin-related traits Consortium (MAGIC) for the glycaemic traits (up to 46,186 non-diabetic individuals). The inverse-variance weighted method was used for analyses.

Results

Genetic predisposition to higher plasma levels of eight of the ten fatty acids were statistically significantly associated with lower or higher odds of type 2 diabetes. The OR per one SD increment of each fatty acid was 0.93 (95% CI 0.90, 0.96; p = 2.21 × 10−5) for α-linolenic acid, 0.96 (95% CI 0.94, 0.98; p = 1.85 × 10−4) for linoleic acid, 0.86 (95% CI 0.81, 0.91; p = 6.68 × 10−7) for palmitoleic acid, 0.87 (95% CI 0.81, 0.93; p = 2.21 × 10−5) for oleic acid, 1.08 (95% CI 1.03, 1.12; p = 0.002) for eicosapentaenoic acid, 1.04 (95% CI 1.02, 1.07; p = 0.001) for docosapentaenoic acid, 1.03 (95% CI 1.02, 1.05; p = 2.51 × 10−5) for arachidonic acid and 1.09 (95% CI 1.03, 1.15; p = 0.003) for stearic acid. The same eight fatty acids were also associated with fasting glucose levels and HOMA-B. The associations, except that for palmitoleic acid, were driven by variants in FADS1/2.

Conclusions/interpretation

Genetic predisposition to higher circulating levels of eight out of ten fatty acids was associated with type 2 diabetes, fasting glucose and islet beta cell function. However, the associations, except that for palmitoleic acid, were driven by variants in FADS1/2, which encode enzymes with a key role in fatty acid metabolism.
Verwendung von Allografts
Authors: Scheffler S. , Pruß A. , Hackl W. , Waibl B.
Published: November 2019

Humanes Spendergewebe stellt einen integralen Bestandteil der Versorgung von muskuloskeletalen Erkrankungen des Menschen dar, wie beispielsweise die Rekonstruktion von Bandverletzungen, ausgedehnten osteochondralen Defekten oder ossären Defektaufbauten. Hierbei kommen verschiedene Gewebearten, Knochen, Sehnen, Bänder, Knorpel in zellfreier und vitaler zellbasierter Darreichungsform zur Anwendung. In vielen Ländern der Welt haben sich diese Verfahren als Standardtherapie in der rekonstruktiven arthroskopischen Chirurgie etabliert. In deutschsprachigen europäischen Ländern ist deren Anwendung jedoch limitiert, da hier Rechtsvorschriften existieren, die der Sicherheit des Patienten dienen, den Einsatz dieser Gewebe allerdings teilweise erschweren. Dieser Beitrag soll einen Überblick über die aktuellen Anforderungen und Voraussetzungen in Österreich, Deutschland und der Schweiz geben sowie dem Kliniker eine Anleitung für die aktuellen Möglichkeiten der rechtskonformen Nutzung von humanem Spendergewebe zu therapeutischen Zwecken bieten.
A Topological Approach to Indices of Geometric Operators on Manifolds with Fibered Boundaries
Authors: Yamashita Mayuko
Published: November 2019

In this paper, we investigate topological aspects of indices of twisted geometric operators on manifolds equipped with fibered boundaries. We define K-groups relative to the pushforward for boundary fibration, and show that indices of twisted geometric operators, defined by complete $$\Phi $$Φ or edge metrics, can be regarded as the index pairing over these K-groups. We also prove various properties of these indices using groupoid deformation techniques. Using these properties, we give an application to the localization problem of signature operators for singular fiber bundles.
Facing privacy in neuroimaging: removing facial features degrades performance of image analysis methods
Authors:   on behalf of the MAGNIMS Study Group and Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, de Sitter A. , Visser M. , Brouwer I. , Cover K. S. , van Schijndel R. A. , Eijgelaar R. S. , Müller D. M. J. , Ropele S. , Kappos L. , Rovira Á. , Filippi M. , Enzinger C. , Frederiksen J. , Ciccarelli O. , Guttmann C. R. G. , Wattjes M. P. , Witte M. G. , de Witt Hamer P. C. , Barkhof F. , Vrenken H.
Published: November 2019

Background

Recent studies have created awareness that facial features can be reconstructed from high-resolution MRI. Therefore, data sharing in neuroimaging requires special attention to protect participants’ privacy. Facial features removal (FFR) could alleviate these concerns. We assessed the impact of three FFR methods on subsequent automated image analysis to obtain clinically relevant outcome measurements in three clinical groups.

Methods

FFR was performed using QuickShear, FaceMasking, and Defacing. In 110 subjects of Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, normalized brain volumes (NBV) were measured by SIENAX. In 70 multiple sclerosis patients of the MAGNIMS Study Group, lesion volumes (WMLV) were measured by lesion prediction algorithm in lesion segmentation toolbox. In 84 glioblastoma patients of the PICTURE Study Group, tumor volumes (GBV) were measured by BraTumIA. Failed analyses on FFR-processed images were recorded. Only cases in which all image analyses completed successfully were analyzed. Differences between outcomes obtained from FFR-processed and full images were assessed, by quantifying the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) for absolute agreement and by testing for systematic differences using paired t tests.

Results

Automated analysis methods failed in 0–19% of cases in FFR-processed images versus 0–2% of cases in full images. ICC for absolute agreement ranged from 0.312 (GBV after FaceMasking) to 0.998 (WMLV after Defacing). FaceMasking yielded higher NBV (p = 0.003) and WMLV (p ≤ 0.001). GBV was lower after QuickShear and Defacing (both p < 0.001).

Conclusions

All three outcome measures were affected differently by FFR, including failure of analysis methods and both “random” variation and systematic differences. Further study is warranted to ensure high-quality neuroimaging research while protecting participants’ privacy.

Key Points

• Protecting participants’ privacy when sharing MRI data is important.

• Impact of three facial features removal methods on subsequent analysis was assessed in three clinical groups.

• Removing facial features degrades performance of image analysis methods.
Mean-field avalanche size exponent for sandpiles on Galton–Watson trees
Authors: Járai Antal A. , Ruszel Wioletta M. , Saada Ellen
Published: November 2019

We show that in Abelian sandpiles on infinite Galton–Watson trees, the probability that the total avalanche has more than t topplings decays as $$t^{-1/2}$$t-1/2. We prove both quenched and annealed bounds, under suitable moment conditions. Our proofs are based on an analysis of the conductance martingale of Morris (Probab Theory Relat Fields 125:259–265, 2003), that was previously used by Lyons et al. (Electron J Probab 13(58):1702–1725, 2008) to study uniform spanning forests on $${\mathbb {Z}^d}$$Zd, $$d\ge 3$$d≥3, and other transient graphs.
Correction to: Developing real-world comparators for clinical trials in chemotherapy-refractory patients with gastric cancer or gastroesophageal junction cancer
Authors: Chau Ian , Le Dung T. , Ott Patrick A. , Korytowsky Beata , Le Hannah , Le T. Kim , Zhang Ying , Sanchez Teresa , Maglinte Gregory A. , Laurie Melissa , Abraham Pranav , Patel Dhiren , Shangguan Tong
Published: November 2019

ping real-world comparators for
Turbulent Flow Measurements near the Discharge Port of a Screw Compressor
Authors: Nouri J. M. , Guerrato D. , Stosic N.
Published: November 2019

Mean flow and turbulence characteristics have been measured within the male and female rotors close to the discharge port of a double screw compressor at different radial positions, two axial positions from the exit port, Hp, and two radial planes, αp. Cycle-resolved axial and tangential mean flow measurements and their corresponding turbulent velocity fluctuations were made over a time window of 1° using a laser Doppler velocimetry, LDV, system. Measurements were performed through two transparent windows near the inlet of the discharge port inside the male and female working chambers. The results revealed a highly complex 3-D flow within the male and female working chambers, in particular, near the discharge port with two distinct flow zones 1 and 2 before and after the opening of the port, respectively. The flow in zone 1 was controlled by the rotor motion while in zone 2 was greatly influenced by the discharge process. In zone 2, both components of mean velocities were subjected to a sudden increase in velocity forming strong axial and tangential jet flows due to rapid change in pressure across the port as the flow is exposed into the discharge port. It was found that the flow structures have been affected considerably by the position of the discharge port, radial planes and radial positions. Axial and tangential RMS velocity distributions within both rotors were found to be relatively high and less affected by the flow changes of zones 1 and 2 with almost uniform distribution. The measured magnitudes of axial and tangential RMS velocities suggest it would be reasonable to assume the local turbulence to be isotropic for the modelling purposes. To authors’ knowledge, the results are unique, original and in great details not only to describe the flow structure, but also, they can be used in CFD codes to establish a reliable model of the flow and pressure distribution within twin screw machines.
M1 macrophage dependent-p53 regulates the intracellular survival of mycobacteria
Authors: Lim Yun-Ji , Lee Junghwan , Choi Ji-Ae , Cho Soo-Na , Son Sang-Hun , Kwon Sun-Jung , Son Ji-Woong , Song Chang-Hwa
Published: November 2019

Tumor suppressor p53 is not only affects immune responses but also contributes to antibacterial activity. However, its bactericidal function during mycobacterial infection remains unclear. In this study, we found that the p53-deficient macrophages failed to controlMycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb), manifested as a lower apoptotic cell death rate and enhanced intracellular survival. The expression levels of p53 during Mtb infection were stronger in M1 macrophages than in M2 macrophages. The TLR2/JNK signaling pathway plays an essential role in the modulation of M1 macrophage polarization upon Mtb infection. It facilitates p53-mediated apoptosis through the production of reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide and inflammatory cytokines in Mtb-infected M1 macrophages. In addition, nutlin-3 effectively abrogated the intracellular survival of mycobacteria in both TB patients and healthy controls after H37Ra infection for 24 h, indicating that the enhancement of p53 production effectively suppressed the intracellular survival of Mtb in hosts. These results suggest that p53 can be a new therapeutic target for TB therapy.
Sexual Attraction to Both Genders in Ambiphilic Men: Evidence from Implicit Cognitions
Authors: Snowden Robert J. , Fitton Ellen , McKinnon Aimee , Gray Nicola S.
Published: November 2019

Ambiphilic (or bisexual) men describe feelings of sexual attraction to both men and women. However, physiological measures of arousal have failed to show a consistent pattern of arousal to both genders. We measured men’s automatic associations between the concept of sex (represented by words) and the concepts of men versus women (represented by images) via the Implicit Association Test (IAT) and a priming task. On the IAT, gynephilic men (N = 32) were faster for women-sex pairings, androphilic men (N = 18) were faster for men-sex pairings, while ambiphilic men (N = 20) showed no bias toward either gender. We then isolated the concepts of “men” and “women” by comparing them separately against neutral images. In contrast to both the gynephilic or androphilic men, ambiphilic men showed sexual associations to both men and women. On the priming task, ambiphilic men showed faster responses to sex words, but slower responses to not-sex words, when primed with pictures of either men or women compared to when primed by neutral images. The results from all the experimental tasks suggest that ambiphilic men have a pattern of sexual association that is different from both gynephilic and androphilic men and represents a sexual attraction to both men and women.
Beyond participation: when citizen engagement leads to undesirable outcomes for nature-based solutions and climate change adaptation
Authors: Wamsler C. , Alkan-Olsson J. , Björn H. , Falck H. , Hanson H. , Oskarsson T. , Simonsson E. , Zelmerlow F.
Published: November 2019

Scholars and practitioners are increasingly promoting so-called nature-based approaches for urban climate change adaptation. There is widespread consensus that they both support and require transdisciplinary approaches, notably by involving citizens in the change process and finding innovative ways to unite different actors’ efforts and capacities. However, there is little empirical evidence regarding the actual value of citizen involvement to sustainability in this field. Against this background, this paper examines whether (or not) current forms and conditions of citizen involvement help to create a platform to support nature-based solutions and ensure a transformative adaptation process. The results show that under current conditions, citizen engagement often hampers sustainable outcomes. In fact, current structures and mechanisms for mainstreaming nature and climate considerations into sectoral planning are limited and, furthermore, neglect citizen involvement. In addition, there is a blind spot with respect to personal spheres of transformation toward sustainability regarding citizens, civil servants, and decision-makers. Key constraints are power structures and the lack of cognitive/emotional and relational capacities required for improved democratic governance. If we are to tap into the potential of nature-based solutions to increase climate adaptation governance, we need targeted financial and human resources, and greater capacity to overcome current constraints and support all levels and phases of mainstreaming, notably planning, implementation, monitoring, and learning.
Assessing the macroeconomic impacts of individual behavioral changes on carbon emissions
Authors: Niamir Leila , Kiesewetter Gregor , Wagner Fabian , Schöpp Wolfgang , Filatova Tatiana , Voinov Alexey , Bressers Hans
Published: November 2019

In the last decade, instigated by the Paris agreement and United Nations Climate Change Conferences (COP22 and COP23), the efforts to limit temperature increase to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels are expanding. The required reductions in greenhouse gas emissions imply a massive decarbonization worldwide with much involvement of regions, cities, businesses, and individuals in addition to the commitments at the national levels. Improving end-use efficiency is emphasized in previous IPCC reports (IPCC 2014). Serving as the primary ‘agents of change’ in the transformative process towards green economies, households have a key role in global emission reduction. Individual actions, especially when amplified through social dynamics, shape green energy demand and affect investments in new energy technologies that collectively can curb regional and national emissions. However, most energy-economics models—usually based on equilibrium and optimization assumptions—have a very limited representation of household heterogeneity and treat households as purely rational economic actors. This paper illustrates how computational social science models can complement traditional models by addressing this limitation. We demonstrate the usefulness of behaviorally rich agent-based computational models by simulating various behavioral and climate scenarios for residential electricity demand and compare them with the business as usual (SSP2) scenario. Our results show that residential energy demand is strongly linked to personal and social norms. Empirical evidence from surveys reveals that social norms have an essential role in shaping personal norms. When assessing the cumulative impacts of these behavioral processes, we quantify individual and combined effects of social dynamics and of carbon pricing on individual energy efficiency and on the aggregated regional energy demand and emissions. The intensity of social interactions and learning plays an equally important role for the uptake of green technologies as economic considerations, and therefore in addition to carbon-price policies (top-down approach), implementing policies on education, social and cultural practices can significantly reduce residential carbon emissions.
The Winners and the Losers: Tax Incidence of Gambling in Finland
Authors: Roukka Tomi , Salonen Anne H.
Published: November 2019

Gambling markets have grown rapidly for the last few decades. As a result, gambling is also a very important and common source of tax income for many governments these days. This raises a question about the overall fairness of the gambling taxation systems. In this paper, we aim to study the tax incidence of gambling in Finland. First, we analyse who are the expected payers of the gambling taxes and second, who are expected to be the receivers of the gambling-tax based contributions. In the first part of the study, we analyse the demographic incidence of gambling taxation by using the Finnish gambling 2015 population survey combined with registry based variables. Our data contains 3776 individuals. In the second part of the study, we use data of county level gambling-taxation based contributions to different organisations to analyse how the gambling expenditures are distributed back to citizens in a form of public spending. This study shows that different socio-demographic factors have diverse association with the decisions whether or how much to gamble. The results also suggest that more disadvantaged, i.e. lower income, less educated and rural area living, individuals are expected to be the “losers” of the Finnish gambling taxation system. In other words, the Finnish gambling system is found to be regressive by nature.
Martyrs for Free Speech? Disentangling the Effects of Legal Prosecution of Anti-immigration Politicians on their Electoral Support
Authors: Jacobs Laura , van Spanje Joost
Published: November 2019

Several anti-immigration politicians in Europe have been prosecuted for hate speech; some of these trials were highly mediatized. To what extent, and how, does hate speech prosecution of anti-immigration politicians affect voting for their party? We address this question by an experiment (N = 372) using manipulated versions of a television news story about a politician of the Dutch Party Forum for Democracy (FvD). We go beyond prior studies by disentangling the mechanisms driving the electoral ramifications of hate speech prosecution, assessing the moderating role of multiculturalist attitudes separately and in combination with six mediators (anti-establishment attitudes, issue salience immigration, perceived party’s effectiveness and legitimacy, support for free speech, and perceived party visibility). Among voters who are positive toward multiculturalism, exposure to a news story about prosecution boosts support for free speech and perceived visibility and support for the FvD. Both aspects are positively related to voting for FvD. This improves our understanding of the mechanisms of hate speech prosecution, informing public debates of how to react to controversial speech by politicians.
Hydrocracking process of fuel oil using halloysite modified by different methods
Authors: Hasanova Aisha , Alizade Arzu , Ahmadova Rana , Mukhtarova Gulbaniz , Abbasov Vagif
Published: November 2019

The presented article shows the studies of hydrocracking process of fuel oil with the purpose of obtaining light oil products (benzene and diesel fractions) from heavy oil residues (fuel oil), thus, deepening the refining of oil. The hydrocracking of fuel oil was conducted in the presence of halloysite modified with transition metals (Mo, Ni). Toward this end, halloysite was modified by two different methods—absorption and ion-exchange methods. It was shown that, at optimal conditions (430 °C, 4 MPa), 46.6% (wt.), 53.0% (wt.), 63.0% (wt.) and 83.0% (wt.) light oil products are obtained by the hydrocracking process of fuel oil carried out without catalyst, in the presence of unmodified halloysite, halloysite modified by absorption method and halloysite modified by ion-exchange method, respectively. The obtained benzene and diesel fractions after hydrorefining process can be added to fuels as components.
Effect of active and passive aeration on composting of household biodegradable wastes: a decentralized approach
Authors: Bhave Prashant P. , Kulkarni Bhargavi N.
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Present work aims at studying the influence of active (using external aerator) and passive (natural) aeration on composting of household biodegradable wastes.

Methods

To study the suitability of these reactors to household conditions, continuous loading was carried out for a period of 60 days. Both the reactors were loaded with cooked as well as raw vegetable and fruit waste. Physico-chemical parameters such as temperature, pH, C/N ratio, moisture content, total organic content, Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen and seed-germination parameters such as Germination Index (GI) and Root Length Index (RLI) of the mulch were analyzed at different stages of the composting process.

Results

Results confirmed that, although both types of aeration seem to have performed well under continuous loading, the maturation period required for actively aerated reactor was 37.30% lesser than that of naturally aerated reactor.

Conclusion

Active aeration found to be more suitable to household conditions as odor and fly nuisance was relatively less.
Developmental patterns of sexual identity, romantic attraction, and sexual behavior among adolescents over three years
Authors: Stewart J.L. , Spivey Leigh A. , Widman Laura , Choukas‐Bradley Sophia , Prinstein Mitchell J.
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Adolescents are heterogeneous in how they define and experience their sexual orientation, which can include specific identity labels, romantic attractions, and other‐ and/or same‐sex sexual behavior. These three components of sexual orientation are not always concordant, and studies suggest adolescents—particularly girls—are fluid in these dimensions of orientation over time. The current study examined: 1) fluidity in adolescent girls' and boys' self‐labeled identities and romantic attractions over time, and 2) patterns of adolescent girls' and boys’ self‐labeled identities and romantic attractions as they coincide with sexual behavior.

Methods

Surveys were administered to adolescents in three low‐income high schools in the rural Southeastern U.S. at three yearly intervals (n = 744; Mage = 15.0; 54.3% girls; 48% White, 24% Hispanic/Latinx, 21% Black/African American). Participants reported their self‐labeled sexual identity and romantic attraction at each time point and their lifetime sexual behavior with girls and boys at year 3.

Results

Results revealed 26% of girls and 11% of boys reported fluidity in identity and 31% of girls and 10% of boys reported fluidity in attractions. At each time point, up to 20% of girls and 6% of boys reported a sexual minority identity label with concurrent same‐sex attraction; the majority of these participants also reported same‐sex behavior. Among heterosexual‐identified participants reporting some degree of same‐sex attraction at year 3, approximately 66% of girls and 10% of boys reported same‐sex behavior.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that many adolescents are nuanced and dynamic in how they identify and experience their developing sexualities.
Subcommuting and comparable iterative roots of order preserving homeomorphisms
Authors: Murugan Veerapazham , Suresh Kumar Murugan
Published: November 2019

It is known that the iterative roots of continuous functions are not necessarily unique, if it exist. In this note, by introducing the set of points of coincidence, we study the iterative roots of order preserving homeomorphisms. In particular, we prove a characterization of identical iterative roots of an order preserving homeomorphism using the points of coincidence of functions.
Predictors for Low Frequencies of Patient-Physician Conversations Concerning Sexual Health at an Austrian University Hospital
Authors: Komlenac Nikola , Hochleitner Margarethe
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Studies concerning barriers to patient-physician conversations about sexual health or, specifically, sexual functioning fail to go beyond descriptive analyses of such barriers.

Aim

To identify barriers that predict the frequency of patient-physician conversations concerning sexual health or sexual functioning.

Methods

An online survey among physicians was conducted at an Austrian university hospital. Self-constructed questionnaires assessed physicians’ sociodemographic information, frequency of holding a discussion on sexual health or sexual dysfunctions with their patients, and self-perceived barriers to asking patients about sexual health. Stepwise logistic regression models determined barriers that predicted the frequency of patient-physician conversations concerning sexual health or sexual dysfunctions in everyday clinical practice.

Main Outcome Measure

The outcome variables in the structural equation models were frequency of patient-physician conversations concerning sexual health or sexual dysfunctions in everyday clinical practice.

Results

One hundred two physicians (53.9% women, 46.1% men; mean age = 41.3 years; SD = 10.6) provided full responses. Of these physicians, 61.8% reported having a discussion on sexual health or sexual dysfunctions with their patients at least rarely in their everyday clinical practice. The barriers most influencing the frequency of such patient-physician conversations were not feeling responsible for this health issue and expecting the patient to initiate such a conversation. Fear of offending the patient and the physician’s own feelings of shame and discomfort were additional factors influencing the frequency of these patient-physician conversations.

Clinical Implications

Future physician training should address physicians’ responsibilities that include sexual health. Future physician training should also help physicians in overcoming fears of offending a patient, and one’s own feelings of shame and discomfort when addressing patients’ sexual health.

Strengths & Limitations

This study included physicians across a range of disciplines, who may encounter patients with sexual problems and with their treatments influence a patient’s sexual health and sexual functioning. However, the low response rate and the limited number of participants prevented generalization of findings.

Conclusions

At an Austrian university hospital, patient-physician conversations concerning sexual health are seldom part of a physician’s everyday clinical practice. Future training for physicians should focus on demonstrating the relevance of sexual health in the physician’s medical discipline and should tackle a physician’s feelings of shame or how to handle patients’ negative reactions during patient-physician conversations concerning sexual health.
The first report of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Banjar Hanaa , Al-Qahtani Hend , Yasin Waseem , Al-wgait Waad , Al-Amer Hanan , raja Rawia , Al-Nakhli Ali , Karkour Kawthar
Published: November 2019

Introduction:

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections have been increasingly reported in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) who have progressive deterioration in their pulmonary function.

Objectives:

To determine the prevalence of MRSA infections in CF in a tertiary care center in Saudi Arabia.

Methodology:

This is a retrospective chart review conducted as part of the CF registry data from 1 January 2002 to 1 June 2016. All patients with confirmed CF of all age groups who had a respiratory culture positive for MRSA were included in the study.

Results:

Among 385 patients with CF who had respiratory samples, 43 (11%) were positive for MRSA at a mean age of 10.4 ± 7.2 years. Twenty-two patients out of the 43 (51%) were treated with different regimens: nasal Bactroban in 13/22 (59%); a combination of nasal Bactroban, oral vancomycin, and rifam- picin for 2 weeks in 5 patients (23%); Bactroban and linezolid in one patient (5%); and oral vancomycin and rifampicin in 3 patients (14%). Eight out of the 22 treated patients (36%) achieved MRSA eradication. Six out of the 22 treated (27%) had experienced MRSA recurrence within 3–6 months, and another 5/22 (23%) continued to have MRSA colonization up to 2–4 years of follow-up despite using a proper eradication protocol. Twelve out of the 43 (28%) patients with MRSA infection died.

Conclusion:

MRSA infection in our population with CF is common. Therefore, an eradication protocol should be instituted at an early stage to prevent chronic colonization. Children with persistent MRSA colonization have high morbidity and mortality rate.
Assessing surgical outcomes in boys with symptomatic urethral meatal stenosis and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)
Authors: Sawaqed Fadi , Al-Khitan Sayel , Suoub Mohammad , Tarabiah Obadah
Published: November 2019

ABSTRACT

Objective:

The study assesses the surgical outcomes in boys with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and symptomatic meatal urethral stenosis.

Methods:

This retrospective cohort study was conducted from July 2014 till December 2015. Thirty-two boys (aged 4–12 years) with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms were examined for the presence of urethral meatus stenosis. The collected data were statistically analysed using Univariate and Multivariate analyses.

Results:

A significant improvement of urinary stream, urgency incontinence, urgency, and frequency were found after using an objective assessment tool with p-value ≤ 0.001. The assessment of surgical outcomes, following uncomplicated meatoplasty with objective noninvasive uroflowmetry, has been reported in the pediatric population.

Conclusion:

It highlighted the importance of urethral meatal stenosis diagnosis in boys with lower urinary tract symptoms. The novel contribution was made by assessing surgical outcomes following meatoplasty. However, further research is needed with larger sample cohorts.

Highlights:
C99 selectively accumulates in vulnerable neurons in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Pulina Maria V. , Hopkins Maya , Haroutunian Vahram , Greengard Paul , Bustos Victor
Published: November 2019

Introduction

The levels and distribution of amyloid deposits in the brain does not correlate well with Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression. Therefore, it is likely that amyloid precursor protein and its proteolytic fragments other than amyloid b (Ab) contribute to the onset of AD.

Methods

We developed a sensitive assay adapted to the detection of C99, the direct precursor of b‐amyloid. Three postmortem groups were studied: control with normal and stable cognition; patients with moderate AD, and individuals with severe AD. The amount of C99 and Aβ was quantified and correlated with the severity of AD.

Results

C99 accumulates in vulnerable neurons, and its levels correlate with the degree of cognitive impairment in patients suffering from AD. In contrast, Aβ levels are increased in both vulnerable and resistant brain areas.

Discussion

These results raise the possibility that C99, rather than Aβ plaques, is responsible for the death of nerve cells in AD.
Epidemiological study on Fournier syndrome in a tertiary hospital in Jundiaí-SP from October 2016 to October 2018†
Authors: Inácio Mariana Fernandes , Lima Renato Pierre , Neto Sebastião Rizzo , Lopes Felipe Andrade , Pantaroto Mário , de Sousa Alexandre Venâncio
Published: November 2019

Introduction Fournier’s gangrene is a polymicrobial infection caused by aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms, which determine a fast and progressive necrotizing fasciitis, compromising mainly the perineal region and the genital region, being able to evolve to sepsis, multiple organ failure and death. Treatment consists of early surgical diagnosis and debridement, associated with broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Objective Compare the most prevalent epidemiological data of patients with Fournier's Syndrome with the data examined in the literature in order to evaluate the incidence in the analyzed service, treatment form and evolution of the patients with the disease.

Materials and methods Observational transversal study from the medical records of patients diagnosed with the disease at the São Vicente de Paulo Charity Hospital in Jundiaí, SP, from October 2016 to October 2018.

Results 23 patients with Fournier’s Syndrome, all included in the study, and were analyzed. The most prevalent epidemiological data on the disease, such as age, sex, association with other comorbidities, treatment performed, mortality and early surgical procedure, had obtained a similar data as compared as the medical literature that was in studied.

Conclusion Despite the recognized severity of Fournier’s Syndrome, early diagnosis combined with extensive surgical debridement, broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy and measures and oxygen therapy when available are important measures to contain the rapid progression of the disease, thus decreasing its levels of mortality.
Nutritional status and consumption of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory foods by patients with inflammatory bowel diseases
Authors: Dilly Rafaela dos Santos , Barretta Claiza , Matos Cristina Henschel , Piasecki Bárbara Tortato , Scolaro Bruno Lorenzo , Malluta Everson Fernando , Bobato Sueli , Specht Clarice Maria , de Mello Munique Kurtz , Kimura Matheus Copi , Miranda Clara Garcia
Published: November 2019

Objective Evaluation of nutritional status and consumption frequency of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory food by patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.

Methods An observational study of the patients assisted by the interdisciplinary inflammatory bowel diseases ambulatory of UNIVALI-SC. The nutritional status of patients was evaluated and each patient was categorized according to his/her body max index and also through a research questionnaire of the individual social-economy situation, life habits, and inflammatory and anti-inflammatory food consumption in a determinate period of time.

Results Out of the 65 patients, 57% had Crohn's disease and 43% had ulcerative colitis. According to the disease activity, 71% were in remission and 29% in activity. Of the sample, 57% were classified as overweight. It was not possible to correlate nutritional status and type of inflammatory bowel diseases, nutritional status and income or nutritional status and level of education. The most inflammatory foods were beef (65%) and coffee (60%), while the anti-inflammatory ones were garlic (75%), olive oil (54%), and sweet potatoes (23%). There was no association between the most consumed inflammatory and anti-inflammatory food and body max index.

Conclusion According to the results, most of the patients were overweight. The most commonly consumed inflammatory foods were beef and coffee and the anti-inflammatory ones were garlic, olive oil, and sweet potatoes.
Sexual Activity After Bariatric Surgery: A Prospective Monocentric Study Using the PISQ-IR Questionnaire
Authors: Treacy Patrick-Julien , Mazoyer Clementine , Falagario Ugo , Iannelli Antonio
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Obesity can lead to pelvic floor disorders, interfering with women’s sexual life; Prolapse/Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire-International Urogynecology Association–Revised (PISQ-IR) is a new instrument to measure sexual life in women with pelvic floor disorders.

Aims

To assess the utility of using PISQ-IR in morbidly obese women undergoing bariatric surgery and to show the improvement of bariatric surgery on sexuality.

Methods

This prospective monocentric study included all women who underwent bariatric surgery from June 2016–May 2017. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) was performed by 1 surgeon, and data were collected by 1 researcher. Demographics, medical history, number of deliveries, and type of bariatric surgery (SG or RYGB) were collected at baseline. At the 1-year follow-up consultation, postoperative complications, percentage of total body weight loss (TWL) and percentage excess weight loss were assessed. Questionnaires were given at baseline and at 1-year follow-up.

Main Outcome Measures

Postoperative complications and total weight loss were measured at the 1-year follow-up. Sexual activity, using the PISQ-IR, and pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, and anal incontinence, using the urinary symptom profile and PFDI (Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory) 20, were compared before surgery and at 1-year follow-up.

Results

72 patients were included at baseline, 54 (75%) were considered for final analysis (30 RYGB and 24 SG), and 51 patients were considered for PISQ-IR. The mean preoperative body mass index was 41 ± 5.4 kg/m2, and mean age was 43 ± 11.8 years. Both procedures induced an important weight loss (mean TWL of 33%) and had a similar percentage of TWL for each procedure: 31 (15–46) for SG vs 34 (9–51) for RYGB. 9 patients (17 [6%]) became sexually active 1 year after surgery. For the sexually inactive population after 1 year, there was no differences in the PISQ-IR in the follow-up. When body mass index loss was >13 kg/m2, a higher percentage of the sexually active population improved their different scores, and there were significant results for both global quality of life and desire (P = .026 and .046). The other questionnaires showed a significant decrease in urinary incontinence symptoms (P < .001) associated with weight loss, whereas there was no difference in terms of pelvic organ prolapse or anal incontinence.

Conclusion

PISQ-IR is a useful instrument to measure sexual function regarding pelvic floor disorders. Bariatric surgery improves sexual activity in obese women 1 year after surgery.
A Comparison of Medical Comorbidities, Psychosocial, and Sexual Well-being in an Online Cross-Sectional Sample of Women Experiencing Persistent Genital Arousal Symptoms and a Control Group
Authors: Jackowich Robyn A. , Poirier Évéline , Pukall Caroline F.
Published: November 2019

Background

Persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD) is characterized by symptoms of distressing physiological sexual arousal (Persistent genital arousal [PGA] symptoms such as genital vasocongestion, sensitivity, or both) that occur in the absence of sexual desire. There continues to be a lack of systematic research on this condition. Little is known about the common medical comorbidities and psychological, sexual, or relationship well-being of individuals who experience PGA symptoms.

Aims

To compare these biopsychosocial factors in an age-matched sample of women with and without symptoms of PGA. A secondary aim was to examine what symptom factors (associated distress, symptom severity) and cognitive factors (eg, catastrophizing of vulvar sensations) were associated with psychosocial outcomes in women with symptoms of PGA.

Methods

Age-matched samples of women with (n = 72) and without (n = 72) symptoms of PGA completed a comprehensive online survey.

Main Outcome Measures

Participants self-reported their medical histories and completed validated measures of psychosocial functioning (depressive and anxiety symptoms, catastrophizing of vulvar sensations, sexual functioning and distress, and relationship functioning).

Results

Women with symptoms of PGAD reported significantly greater depressive and anxiety symptoms, sexual distress, and suicidal ideation, as well as significantly poorer relationship functioning than women without PGA symptoms. Catastrophizing of vulvar sensations was related to PGA symptom ratings (greater severity, distress) and psychosocial outcomes (greater depression, anxiety, and sexual distress).

Clinical Implications

The results of this study highlight medical and psychosocial difficulties associated with PGA symptoms, which should be assessed and addressed as essential components of treatment.

Strengths & Limitations

This study seeks to address the paucity of research on the well-being of women with PGA symptoms by undertaking a comparison of age-matched samples using validated questionnaires. This study is limited by its self-report, cross-sectional design.

Conclusion

PGA symptoms are associated with significant health and psychological difficulties. These results highlight the need for continued research in this area to improve identification and treatment for this population.
Surgical Experience and Outcomes of Implantation of the ZSI 100 FtM Malleable Penile Implant in Transgender Men After Phalloplasty
Authors: Pigot Garry L.S. , Sigurjónsson Hannes , Ronkes Brechje , Al-Tamimi Muhammed , van der Sluis Wouter B.
Published: November 2019

Introduction

After free or pedicled flap phalloplasty, many transgender men need penile prosthesis implantation to successfully engage in penetrative sexual intercourse. Postoperative complications occur frequently. There is a choice between inflatable and malleable penile prostheses. Until recently, no prostheses were designed specifically for this population.

Aim

The aim of this study was to describe our preliminary experience with, and surgical outcomes of, implantation of the ZSI 100 FtM Malleable Penile Implant after phalloplasty in transgender men.

Methods

A retrospective chart study was conducted on surgical characteristics and postoperative complications after implantation of the ZSI Malleable Penile Implant in transgender men in 3 European centers for genital transgender surgery in Amsterdam, Stockholm, and Reykjavik.

Main Outcome Measure

The main outcomes measures were surgical outcome, complications, and reason of implant failure.

Results

25 patients were retrospectively identified, with a mean age of 36 ± 9 years at implantation. The mean time between prosthesis implantation and phalloplasty was 3.6 ± 2.5 years. 10 patients previously underwent free radial forearm flap phalloplasty, 6 patients had anterolateral thigh flap phalloplasty, 2 patients had superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator phalloplasty, 1 patient had groin flap phalloplasty, and 6 patients underwent combination flap phalloplasty. With a mean follow-up of 6.3 months, prosthesis explantation because of complications was performed in 8 patients (32%), because of infection (n = 3), protrusion (n = 4), or pubic pain (n = 1). In an additional 3 patients, the prosthesis was explanted due to difficulty living with the malleable prosthesis. Of those with the prosthesis in place, 13 of 14 patients (93%) were able to engage in penetrative sexual intercourse.

Clinical Implications

The current article provides advantages and disadvantages of this medical device.

Strength & Limitations

This is the first study on the ZSI Malleable Penile Implant prostheses in this patient group. It also provides information on the use of malleable prostheses; whereas current literature predominantly focusses on inflatable devices. Limitations comprise the small patient population, short follow-up time, and retrospective nature of the study.

Conclusion

Complication rates of the ZSI Malleable Penile Implant prosthesis seem high at the start of the learning curve. Although designed specifically for the transgender community, not all transgender patients will be eligible for this type of prosthesis. Patients need to be well counseled on specific (dis)advantages of the prosthesis.
Tool path generation of ultra-precision diamond turning: A state-of-the-art review
Authors: Gong Hu , Ao Shengjun , Huang Kuntao , Wang Yi , Yan Changya
Published: November 2019

With the increasing market demand for optical complex surface parts, the application of multi-axis ultra-precision single-point diamond turning is increasing. A tool path generation method is very important to decrease manufacturing time, enhance surface quality, and reduce cost. Compared with the tool path generation of the traditional multi-axis milling, that of the ultra-precision single-point diamond turning requires higher calculation accuracy and efficiency. This paper reviews the tool path generation of ultra-precision diamond turning, considering several key issues: cutter location (CL) points calculation, the topological form of tool path, interpolation mode, and G code optimization.
Russian stereotypes and myths of Ukraine and Ukrainians and why Novorossiya failed
Authors: Kuzio Taras
Published: November 2019

This article discusses two inter-related issues. Firstly, the factors lying behind Russia's fervent belief that its Novorossiya (New Russia) project, aimed to bring back to Russia eight oblasts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhhya, Odesa, Mykolayiv, and Kherson in eastern and southern Ukraine and launched during the 2014 “Russian Spring,” would be successful. Russian identity misunderstood, and continues to misunderstand, Ukraine and Ukrainians through stereotypes and myths of Ukraine as an “artificial state” and Ukraine's Russian speakers as “fraternal brothers” and Russians and Ukrainians as “one people” (odin narod). Secondly, why Ukrainian national identity was different than these Russian stereotypes and myths and how this led to the failure of the Novorossiya project. Russian stereotypes and myths of Ukraine and Ukrainians came face to face with the reality of Russian-speaking Ukrainian patriotism and their low support for the Russkij Mir (Russian World). The article compares Russian stereotypes and myths of Ukraine and Ukrainians with how Ukrainians see themselves to explain the roots of the 2014 crisis, “Russian Spring,” and failure of Russian President Vladimir Putin's Novorossiya project.
Globalized fears, localized securities: ‘Terrorism’ in political polarization in a one-party state
Authors: Guan Tianru , Liu Tianyang
Published: November 2019

Partisanship has become the dominant ideological incentive to political polarization. Likewise, the analytical association between polarization and the party system in electoral democracies has focused, in most of the existing literature, on political polarization, leaving aside authoritarian or semi-authoritarian contexts where a fair multi-party election is absent or dysfunctional. By collecting and analyzing online posts about international terrorism from Sina Weibo in China, between January 2011 and December 2016, this study proves the existence of opinion polarization on terrorism in China's digital media sphere. By categorizing the findings into two camps, ‘global war on terror discourse’ and ‘antiimperialist narrative’, the study elucidates these polarized attitudes in terms of their acceptance, denial and decomposition of the global discourse of fears about terrorism. Drawing on our case study, the study then proposes an alternative explanation for the motivation/driver of mass polarization in digitally networked communication in China, identified as the effect of globalization and localization.
Clinical Findings Associated with Ornithodoros brasiliensis Tick Parasitism in Travelers, Southern Brazil
Authors: Dall’Agnol Bruno , Schott Diogo , Padilha Thamiris , Antunes Paola , Souza Ugo A. , Webster Anelise , Souza Getúlio D. , Ferreira Carlos Alexandre S. , Reck José
Published: November 2019

We report a series of clinical cases associated with parasitism by the Ornithodoros brasiliensis tick in a group of travelers in the Caxias do Sul municipality, Southern Brazil. These cases draw attention to underdiagnosed noninfectious syndromes caused by ticks with restricted local distributions.