bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcriptomic Profiling of the Developing Cardiac Conduction System at Single-Cell Resolution
Authors: Goodyer William R. , Beyersdorf Benjamin M. , Paik David T. , Tian Lei , Li Guang , Buikema Jan W. , Chirikian Orlando , Choi Shannon , Venkatraman Sneha , Adams Eliza L. , Tessier-Lavigne Marc , Wu Joseph C. , Wu Sean M.
Published: July 2019

Rationale:

The cardiac conduction system (CCS) consists of distinct components including the sinoatrial node, atrioventricular node, His bundle, bundle branches, and Purkinje fibers. Despite an essential role for the CCS in heart development and function, the CCS has remained challenging to interrogate because of inherent obstacles including small cell numbers, large cell-type heterogeneity, complex anatomy, and difficulty in isolation. Single-cell RNA-sequencing allows for genome-wide analysis of gene expression at single-cell resolution.

Objective:

Assess the transcriptional landscape of the entire CCS at single-cell resolution by single-cell RNA-sequencing within the developing mouse heart.

Methods and Results:

Wild-type, embryonic day 16.5 mouse hearts (n=6 per zone) were harvested and 3 zones of microdissection were isolated, including: Zone I—sinoatrial node region; Zone II—atrioventricular node/His region; and Zone III—bundle branch/Purkinje fiber region. Tissue was digested into single-cell suspensions, cells isolated, mRNA reverse transcribed, and barcoded before high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analyses. Single-cell RNA-sequencing was performed on over 22 000 cells, and all major cell types of the murine heart were successfully captured including bona fide clusters of cells consistent with each major component of the CCS. Unsupervised weighted gene coexpression network analysis led to the discovery of a host of novel CCS genes, a subset of which were validated using fluorescent in situ hybridization as well as whole-mount immunolabeling with volume imaging (iDISCO+) in 3 dimensions on intact mouse hearts. Further, subcluster analysis unveiled isolation of distinct CCS cell subtypes, including the clinically relevant but poorly characterized transitional cells that bridge the CCS and surrounding myocardium.

Conclusions:

Our study represents the first comprehensive assessment of the transcriptional profiles from the entire CCS at single-cell resolution and provides a characterization in the context of development and disease.
Pregnancy and Parenting During Cardiology Fellowship
Authors: Mwakyanjala Edson J. , Cowart Jennifer B. , Hayes Sharonne N. , Blair Janis E. , Maniaci Michael J.
Published: July 2019

Background

An increasing number of residents and fellows have children during training. However, little is known about the specific experience of cardiology fellows who become parents during training.

Methods and Results

A 66‐question Internet‐based survey about experiences of pregnancy during graduate medical training was administered between May 1 and July 15, 2013, to all trainees (N=1516) in the Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education across 3 academic sites. Questions explored the experiences of new mothers, fathers, and their fellow trainees. There were 644 survey respondents overall (response rate, 42%), and of 73 cardiovascular trainees, 29 (10 women [35%]) completed the survey. Of those surveyed, 59% reported having children. All trainee mothers reported making alterations to their training schedule due to pregnancy and maternity leave. Twenty percent of trainee fathers also reported changing their training because of their partner's pregnancy. Of trainees with children, 41% reported difficulty completing research because of pregnancy and childcare obligations. Nontrainee mothers were significantly more likely to breastfeed beyond 6 months compared with trainee mothers (
P
=0.018). A perceived stigma attached to pregnancy was reported by 62% of trainees. Both male and female trainees felt that their programs did not promote pregnancy‐related schedule flexibility.

Conclusions

Our study shows that both men and women entering parenthood during cardiology training often have to change their schedule, research, and career path. Cardiology training programs should focus on curriculum design and supportive parenthood policies to both avoid negative stigma and optimize fellowship training during this time period.
Sphyrospermum grandiflorum (Ericaceae: Vaccinieae): a new epiphytic shrub from south eastern Ecuador
Authors: CORNEJO XAVIER , PEDRAZA-PEÑALOSA PAOLA
Published: July 2019

A new morphologically distinct species of Ericaceae (Vaccinieae) is here described and illustrated. Sphyrospermum grandiflorum, is an epiphytic shrub endemic to the environs of Cordillera del Cóndor, in southeastern Ecuador. It is characterized by its large yellow flowers.
Scolopsis igcarensis Mishra, Biswas, Russell, Satpathy & Selvanayagam, 2013, a junior synonym of S. vosmeri (Bloch, 1792) (Perciformes: Nemipteridae)
Authors: RUSSELL BARRY C. , HASAN MOHAMMAD EUSUF , DURAND JEAN-DOMINIQUE
Published: July 2019

Scolopsis igcarensis Mishra, Biswas, Russell, Satpathy & Selvanayagam, 2013 was described from specimens collected from coastal waters of southern India and Sri Lanka. A comparison of recently collected specimens from Bangladesh, initially identified as S. igcarensis, with Scolopsis vosmeri (Bloch, 1792) showed morphological differences between the two species are minor, and that specimens of S. igcarensis in fact represent juvenile and subadult colour forms of S. vosmeri. Underwater and aquarium observations, as well as molecular data based on the COI barcode region, support this conclusion. Accordingly, S. igcarensis is regarded as a junior synonym of S. vosmeri, which is redescribed herein. Phylogenetic analysis of COI barcodes of Scolopsis specimens produced in this study, together with those available from GenBank, indicate S. vosmeri is part of a species complex which includes two additional cryptic sister species that require further taxonomic investigation.
Erratum: Addendum to Zootaxa 4612 (3): On some new and old soft scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) from Africa, with description of a new Coccus species and introduction of a new genus by B. Łagowska and Chris J. Hodgson.
Authors: ŁAGOWSKA BOŻENA , HODGSON CHRIS J.
Published: July 2019

Due to an oversight, the depositories of the new species, Coccus giliomeei Łagowska & Hodgson, and of the new material of Coccus rhodesiensis (Hall) collected in the Transvaal, South Africa, was omitted from the manuscript.  Both lots of slides will be deposited in SANC, The South African National Collection of Insects, Pretoria, South Africa.
Factors Predicting Endoscopic Exposure of Zenker's Diverticulum
Authors: Bloom Jason D. , Bleier Benjamin S. , Mirza Natasha , Chalian Ara A. , Thaler Erica R.
Published: July 2019

Objectives

The objectives of this study were 1) to understand which anatomic variables are associated with failed endoscopic exposure of Zenker's diverticulum and 2) to enable preoperative selection of patients suitable for endoscopic repair of Zenker's diverticulum on the basis of anatomic variables.

Methods

We performed a prospective, Institutional Review Board-approved study of 30 patients undergoing attempted endoscopic repair of Zenker's diverticulum. Three categorical variables (sex, presence of maxillary dentition, and Mallampati score) and 6 continuous variables (age, neck circumference, hyomental distance, neck length, neck extension, and body mass index [BMI]) were collected before operation and then correlated to successful endoscopic exposure of the Zenker's pouch by use of a Fisher's exact test and Student's t-test, respectively.

Results

Exposure was unsuccessful in 9 of 30 patients (30%). Factors that correlated significantly with exposure failure included a shorter neck length (7.2 ± 1.2 cm; p = 0.047), a shorter hyomental distance (5.0 ± 1.1 cm; p = 0.004), and a higher BMI (27.2 ±4.0 kg/m2; p = 0.05). The presence of maxillary dentition did not reach significance in exposure failure, but did show a trend toward an association.

Conclusions

Surgical exposure in endoscopic repair of Zenker's diverticulum tends to be significantly less successful in patients with short necks, decreased hyomental distance, and/or a high BMI. An open approach should be considered in this patient population.
Using Latent Semantic Analysis to Score Short Answer Constructed Responses: Automated Scoring of the Consequences Test
Authors: LaVoie Noelle , Parker James , Legree Peter J. , Ardison Sharon , Kilcullen Robert N.
Published: July 2019

Automated scoring based on Latent Semantic Analysis (LSA) has been successfully used to score essays and constrained short answer responses. Scoring tests that capture open-ended, short answer responses poses some challenges for machine learning approaches. We used LSA techniques to score short answer responses to the Consequences Test, a measure of creativity and divergent thinking that encourages a wide range of potential responses. Analyses demonstrated that the LSA scores were highly correlated with conventional Consequence Test scores, reaching a correlation of .94 with human raters and were moderately correlated with performance criteria. This approach to scoring short answer constructed responses solves many practical problems including the time for humans to rate open-ended responses and the difficulty in achieving reliable scoring.
The Quick Test (QT): Provisional Manual,
Authors: Ammons R. B. , Ammons C. H.
Published: July 2019

A detailed account is given of the development, standardization, and evaluation of The Quick Test, a brief individual intelligence test based on perceptual-verbal performance. Three single forms, each consisting of 50 word-items based on one plate with four line drawings, cover abilities from the two-year level to the superior-adult level. Three to ten minutes are required to administer the QT to any person who can see the drawings, hear or read the word items, and give a yes-no signal. Standardization was based on the responses of 458 children and adults, a sample controlled on a simultaneous quota basis for age, sex, educational level and own or father's occupation. Single forms and combination forms (1+2, 2+3, 1+3, 1+2+3) were found to be highly reliable (.66 to .95). These estimates were corroborated in several independent studies ( N = 111), as were validity estimates (.77 to .96, correlations with the revised Stanford-Binet and the Wechslers). MA, IQ, and percentile norms are included as well as a discussion of practical problems in testing, suggestions for minimizing such problems, and ideas for further research. It is concluded that the QT is quite satisfactory for school, clinical, and research use, and since the QT shows strong correlation with the Full-Range Picture Vocabulary Test, the two tests can be used interchangeably.
Psychometric Instruments for Problematic Pornography Use: A Systematic Review
Authors: Fernandez David P. , Griffiths Mark D.
Published: July 2019

Despite a lack of consensus in the field about how best to conceptualize problematic pornography use, psychometric instruments have nonetheless been developed to assess the construct. The present systematic review aimed to (i) identify psychometric tools that have been developed to assess problematic pornography use; (ii) summarize key characteristics, psychometric properties, and strengths and limitations of instruments for problematic pornography use; (iii) compare the instruments’ theoretical conceptualizations of problematic pornography use; and (iv) evaluate each instrument on their ability to assess various core components of addiction. In this article, 22 instruments assessing problematic pornography use were reviewed. Results indicated that while the instruments had different conceptualizations of problematic pornography use, addiction still emerged as the most common theoretical framework used by the instruments. Five of the most commonly assessed addiction components across the different instruments were (1) impaired control, (2) salience, (3) mood modification, (4) interpersonal conflict, and (5) general life conflict. Contextual factors that may potentially affect the assessment of problematic pornography use and recommendations for researchers and clinicians are discussed.
Christian Defence of Free Will in Debate with Muslims in the Early Islamic Period
Authors: Beaumont Mark
Published: July 2019

Two Christian theologians writing in Arabic in the early ninth century argued that God had created humanity to freely choose good or evil actions, a belief shared universally by previous Christian writers in Greek and Syriac no matter the denomination they came from. They were debating with Muslim intellectuals who held that God created all human actions before they were acquired by humans, so that God had already decided which actions a particular human being would choose, whether good or evil. Theodore Abū Qurra and ʿAmmār al-Baṣrī developed dialogues with determinist Muslims in the hope that they might influence these determinist Muslims to adopt earlier Muslim beliefs that the Qurʾan taught that God would judge humans for the choices that they freely made for good or evil. However, the trend towards determinism was so strong that by the end of the ninth century the mainstream Sunni view would be that God decreed all human actions before they were acquired by humans.
A Passionate Patriarch at a Turning Point: Isho-yahbh II and His Letters of Rebuke and Ambiguity
Authors: Cochrane Steve
Published: July 2019

Three decades after Prophet Muhammed’s death in 632, the Patriarch of the Church of the East, Isho-yahbh III, was aware of the growing influence of the new faith of Islam and how many Christians were converting to it. In his letters, the sense of ambiguity and questions that many had about the nature of this faith was apparent and brought out the passionate struggle the Patriarch was feeling as he saw “so many thousands of men called Christians going into apostasy,” many not as the result of compulsion but for economic reasons. A sense of helplessness of the Christian leader comes through in his letters and perhaps contributes to a sense of an unpredictable future. This article explores some of Isho-yahbh’s letters, interacting with the context of Islam spreading further into the areas of Mesopotamia and Persia, yet with a vibrant and widespread Church of the East also spreading to India and China from its homelands in West Asia.
Contested marketplaces: Retail spaces at the global urban margins
Authors: González Sara
Published: July 2019

This paper argues that retail spaces, such as marketplaces, are increasingly becoming sites of urban contestation. The globalisation of retail, online shopping and the redevelopment of cities has pushed marketplaces to the margins, but they still serve millions of people, particularly the urban poor. Concurrently, marketplaces are branded as authentic consumption experiences for tourists and residents. Building on these contradictions, I propose a novel framework with three analytical lenses to reposition marketplaces as marginal city spaces that serve as productive sites for studying urban transformation processes across the Global North and South.
Depression: Latinx Adolescent Girls’ Perceived Triggers
Authors: Rodriguez Reyna , Rocha Izbieta , Barrera Alinne Z.
Published: July 2019

Research on depression among Latinx populations is increasing; however, a focus on what triggers depression among this community is lacking. This study aims to identify perceived triggers for depression through a secondary analysis of 28 adolescent girls who self-identified as Latinx (mean age = 17.07 years, SD = 0.77). Sixty-one percent of the girls reported being first generation (born in Mexico), having lived in Mexico an average of 8.95 years and the primary language at home being Spanish (63%). Of these, the associated triggers of 20 major depression episodes (MDE) and eight minor depressive episodes (i.e., two to four MDE criteria endorsed) were examined. Seventy-five triggers were identified with a majority reflecting family/parent relationships, romance/friendship issues, and self and others’ expectations/pressures. These findings suggest that certain life events and stressors precede depressive symptoms among Latinx adolescent girls.
Programmed Death 1 Inhibitor–Induced Hypothyroidism on the Palliative Care Unit: Case Report
Authors: Lou Kelvin , Nayar Shalini
Published: July 2019

Novel immune-based cancer therapies such as programmed death 1 (PD-1) inhibitors continue to emerge for both curative and palliative intent. Post-market data of PD-1 inhibitors indicate that there are a wide range of side effects associated with these drugs, including ones that have relevance to symptom control and represent a diagnostic challenge at the end of life. We present a case of pembrolizumab-induced hypothyroidism causing extreme fatigue and persistent hypoglycemia.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis access in federally qualified health centers across 11 United States metropolitan statistical areas
Authors: Tookes Hansel , Yao Kristiana , Chueng Teresa , Butts Stefani , Karsner Ryan , Duque Maria , Cardenas Gabriel , Feaster Daniel J , Doblecki-Lewis Susanne
Published: July 2019

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a promising tool for HIV prevention, but uptake has been slow in key demographics and geographic areas including racial and ethnic minorities. Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), serving those with heightened risk of contracting HIV, including low-income and minority patients regardless of ability to pay, are potential sites for PrEP delivery. This study aims to determine availability of PrEP at FQHCs in the US. FQHCs in the 11 largest U.S. metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) were included. The south included Atlanta, Dallas, District of Columbia, Houston, and Miami. Reference MSAs included Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. We randomly selected 360 FQHCs for phone calls in which investigators queried the availability of PrEP for HIV prevention at each center. The study was powered to determine a 10% difference in proportion of clinics with PrEP services by region. We used a bivariate logistic regression to compare cities and regions. The percentage of FQHCs providing PrEP generally was low within this sample, with 0–28.0% offering PrEP services in the southern and 14.0–33.3% in reference metropolitan areas. Overall, 19.3% of clinics sampled indicated that they offered PrEP. Logistic regression did not show any difference between southern and reference regions (p = 0.779). However, the total number of FQHCs was significantly lower in southern metropolitan areas (p = 0.014). FQHCs in all metropolitan areas provided limited access to PrEP. Interventions, including technical assistance to increase PrEP availability in these settings catering to underserved populations, could be beneficial.
Liquid fuel sloshing control of an automotive fuel tank
Authors: He Yirong , Zeng Zhixin , Yu Yanglei , Ruan Dengfang
Published: July 2019

In order to reduce the influence of fuel sloshing on the interior noise of a passenger car, the fuel tank sloshing noise was first evaluated with a subjective evaluation method to determine the driving cycle of the car and the fuel filling percentage of the fuel tank in which the fuel tank sloshing noise is serious, and then two anti-wave boards with different structural characteristics were designed to reduce the fuel sloshing. On this basis, fuel sloshing in the fuel tank equipped with the newly designed and original anti-wave boards was simulated numerically; then, the anti-wave board with the best effect of inhibiting fuel from sloshing was selected based on the numerical results; finally, the anti-sloshing effect of the selected board was evaluated through the car road test. The test results show that the vibration acceleration magnitude at each monitoring point of the tank with the selected anti-wave board is significantly reduced compared with the original fuel tank, which indicates that the selected anti-wave board inhibits fuel from sloshing greatly.
What Personality Scales Measure: A New Psychometrics and Its Implications for Theory and Assessment
Authors: McCrae Robert R. , Mõttus René
Published: July 2019

Classical psychometrics held that scores on a personality measure were determined by the trait assessed and random measurement error. A new view proposes a much richer and more complex model that includes trait variance at multiple levels of a hierarchy of traits and systematic biases shaped by the implicit personality theory of the respondent. The model has implications for the optimal length and content of scales and for the use of scales intended to correct for evaluative bias; further, it suggests that personality assessments should supplement self-reports with informant ratings. The model also has implications for the very nature of personality traits.
Empathy, compassion fatigue, guilt and secondary traumatic stress in nurses
Authors: Mottaghi Shekoofeh , Poursheikhali Hanieh , Shameli Leila
Published: July 2019

Background:

Nurses are often faced with many stressful situations in life, including personal life challenges, the nature of work that requires standing long and being focused, commitment to patient care, and dealing with patients who need help.

Research objective:

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between empathy and compassion fatigue in nurses due to the mediating role of feeling guilty and secondary traumatic stress.

Research design:

This is a descriptive-correlation study.

Participants:

The statistical population consisted of all the nurses in Kerman hospitals in 2017. Five hospitals were randomly selected from among the private and public hospitals in Kerman. The sample size was considered 360, but after the deletion of misleading questionnaires, the final sample of study consisted of 300 nurses.

Ethical considerations:

Approval from the researcher’s university Institutional Review Board for ethical review was obtained.

Findings:

The data analysis in this study was done through the path analysis method using the Amos software. The results showed the mediating role of omnipotent guilt between empathy and compassion fatigue in the nurses, the mediating role of survivor guilt between empathy and compassion fatigue in the nurses, and the mediating role of secondary traumatic stress between empathy and compassion fatigue in the nurses. Also, empathy could explain 77% of the nurses’ compassion fatigue through feelings of guilt and secondary traumatic stress.

Discussion:

Pathogenic empathy-based guilt and secondary traumatic stress may help explain some of the links between clinical empathy and symptoms of compassion fatigue.

Conclusion:

Interventions and training programs targeting pathogenic empathy-based guilt and empathic secondary traumatic stress may be particularly important to help reduce compassion fatigue.
Theoretical analysis and experimental studies on torque friction in magnetic fluid seals
Authors: Szczęch Marcin
Published: July 2019

Magnetic fluid seals are among the most common applications of ferrofluids. In such seals, the torque friction results only from the internal friction in the fluid and there is no direct contact between seal elements. Despite this, the heat generated during operation can be significant due to the low volume of the ferrofluid in the seal and high rotational speeds. The difficulty in calculating the torque friction is because the ferrofluid is a non-Newtonian fluid and changes its viscosity under the influence of a magnetic field. In order to measure torque friction in magnetic fluid seals, a special test stand was built. Tests were performed at different rotation speeds, different temperatures, and two seal stage geometries (rectangle and trapezoid). Numerical simulations were performed to determine the magnetic field distribution in the seal. Dynamic viscosity under the influence of the magnetic field was measured on a rotary rheometer. Mathematical models were compared with laboratory results. The results obtained from the calculations in some cases gave overstated values almost twice in value. An additional correction in the case of ferrofluid viscosity is proposed.
Antibody-mediated Remyelination: Relevance to Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Bieber A , Asakura K , Warrington A , Kaveri SV , Rodriguez M
Published: July 2019

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is widely used for treatment of autoimmune neurological disorders and is currently in clinical trials as a therapy for multiple sclerosis. We have previously demonstrated that certain mouse monoclonal antibodies of the IgM isotype, promote significant remyelination when administered to mice with chronic Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus-induced demyelinating disease. These IgM antibodies bind to antigens expressed on oligodendrocytes. We now demonstrate that polyclonal human IgG (IVIG) and polyclonal human IgM also promote remyelination in this system. Although both polyclonal human IgG and IgM promote remyelination, IgM is more potent Polyclonal human IgM also differs from human IgG in its ability to bind strongly to antigens expressed in the CNS and by oligodendrocytes. We propose that polyclonal IgG and polyclonal IgM may function to promote remyelination by different mechanisms. IVIG may function based on its immunomodulatory activity, while the activity of IgM is critically dependent upon its reactivity with CNS antigens. This possibility has clear relevance to the use of antibodies as a therapy for multiple sclerosis, suggesting that combined treatment with antibodies exerting immunomodulatory activity, in concert with antibodies that function through direct binding to CNS antigens, may synergize to enhance the efficacy of the therapy.
School actors’ enactment of a performative accountability scheme in Russia: Tensions, dilemmas and strategies
Authors: Gurova Galina , Camphuijsen Marjolein K
Published: July 2019

In European and global educational debates, performative or test-based accountability has become central to modernizing and raising the performance of education systems. However, despite the global popularity of performative accountability modalities, existing research finds contradictory evidence on its effects, which tend to be highly context-sensitive. With the aim of gaining a deeper understanding of the mechanisms and contextual factors that explain the effects of performative accountability, this study investigates the enactment of a performative accountability scheme adopted in the Russian school system. The analysis is based on interview and observation data collected during an in-depth qualitative study of two neighbouring schools with contrasting logics of action. Our findings illuminate the specific ways in which accountability policy outcomes are mediated and shaped by schools’ context and agency. We show how schools with different logics of action react to external pressures, and how different professional groups within schools experience policy pressures in dissimilar ways. We conclude that performative accountability mechanisms reinforce instrumental, and impede expressive, logics of action in schools. In both cases they produce tensions, particularly for schools in disadvantaged areas.
Introduction to the Special Topic Forum: Critical Discourse: Envisioning the Place and Future of Diversity and Inclusion in Organizations
Authors: Combs Gwendolyn M. , Milosevic Ivana , Bilimoria Diana
Published: July 2019

Management research has illustrated the critical importance of diversity and inclusion for organizational effectiveness. Although progress is evident towards building diverse and inclusive workplaces, challenges remain in both practical relevance and theoretical advancements. In this Special Topic Forum on the place and future of diversity and inclusion in organizations, we describe three important but often neglected areas of leadership and organizational studies: the multifaceted expressions of diversity, work relationships in diversity and inclusion, and diversity and inclusion at the organizational apex. In this introduction, we summarize the articles included in this Forum, and note that throughout the articles, the authors embark on an in-depth exploration of diversity and inclusion with a focus on these three under-developed areas of scholarship. To catalyze a critical discourse on the place and future of diversity and inclusion in contemporary organizations, here we review the important insights that the Forum’s authors provide. We then suggest opportunities for future theoretical and empirical work in the diversity and inclusion domain.
Research on reliability modeling of unmanned aircraft system avionics systems based on 5G
Authors: Zhou Qiang , Wei Yongan , Zhu Longjiang
Published: July 2019

With the development of technology, an unmanned aircraft system will play a significant role in Internet of things based on 5G. Avionics system is an important part of the unmanned aircraft system, and the reliability of the avionics system directly determines the ability to perform missions. This article deals with the problem of reliability modeling with unmanned aircraft system avionics systems built on Internet of things in the 5G scenario. First, based on the composition of the avionics system, the network structure of the unmanned aircraft system avionics system is presented. Then, to evaluate the reliability, a task model of the unmanned aircraft system avionics system is proposed. Finally, an illustration of unmanned aircraft system reliability performing reconnaissance is also presented. By analyzing the task performance, it is shown that redundancy design of the units can improve the reliability of the unmanned aircraft system avionics system.
A new norditerpenoid lactone from the seeds of Podocarpus nakaii
Authors: Chen Xiao-Xiao , Shan Wei-Guang , Ying You-Min , Ma Lie-Feng , Zhan Zha-Jun
Published: July 2019

A new norditerpenoid lactone, nakaiilactone A was isolated from the seeds of Podocarpus nakaii together with a known one, nagilactone C and a known bisnorditerpenoid lactone, inumakilactone B. The structure of the new compound was determined by detailed analyses of the spectroscopic data, especially 1D- and 2D-NMR and HR-ESI-MS.
Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of novel 4-azasteroidal-17-hydrazone derivatives
Authors: Chen Shao-Rui , Wu Hao , Zhao Hai-Yan , Zhang Yu-Mei , Li Peng-Qi , Zhao Lian-Mei
Published: July 2019

A new series of 4-azasteroidal-17-hydrazone derivatives have been synthesized from androstenedione. Their structures were characterized by analysis and spectroscopic data. The antiproliferative activity of synthesized compounds against three cancer cells (human lung adenocarcinoma, human oesophageal cervical cancer, human gastric adenocarcinoma) and a normal cell line (human gastric mucosal) was investigated. The studies show that the compound bearing a naphthyl group displayed the same antiproliferative activity in vitro against tested cells as cis-platin did (a positive control). Most of the compounds show very weak toxicity towards normal human gastric mucosal cell line.
Docking studies on an N4-donor Schiff base ligand and its Cu(II) complex supported by structural, spectral and theoretical studies
Authors: Hakimi Mohammad , Ahmadi Sheida , Mardani Zahra , Mohr Fabian
Published: July 2019

A new asymmetrical Schiff base ligand, N1-(3-((pyridin-2-ylmethylene)amino)propyl)ethane-1,2-diamine, and its copper(II) complex, [Cu(PPEA)Br]Br·H2O (1), have been prepared. The copper complex has an elongated square pyramidal geometry with a CuN4Br environment. The thermodynamic stability of the compounds and their charge distribution patterns were studied by Density Functional Theory and natural bond orbital analysis. The ability of the ligand and its copper complex to interact with 10 selected biomacromolecules (BRAF kinase, CatB, DNA gyrase, HDAC7, rHA, RNR, TrxR, TS, Top II and B-DNA) was investigated by docking studies and compared with that of doxorubicin.
A convenient method for the synthesis of 3,4-dihydroquinazolines from iminoester hydrochlorides via microwave irradiation
Authors: Karaali Nesrin
Published: July 2019

This work presents a simple and practical strategy for the synthesis of 2-substituted-3,4-dihydroquinazolines in which the ring closure reaction of 2-aminobenzylamine with corresponding iminoester hydrochlorides via microwave irradiation allows the formation of the target compounds. Also, the 3,4-quinazoline derivatives were synthesized by conventional heating procedures for comparison in terms of reaction time and yield.
CuO-catalyzed oxidation of aryl acetates with aqueous tert-butyl hydroperoxide for the synthesis of α-ketoesters
Authors: Jiang Jin
Published: July 2019

A practical method to access α-ketoesters from readily available aryl acetates is developed. In this approach, aqueous tert-butyl hydroperoxide and CuO are employed. No additional solvents are required and it was found that the peroxide side products in the reaction can be decomposed by pyridine.
Acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding: A population‐based five‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Hreinsson Johann P , Ægisdottir Silja , Bjornsson Einar S
Published: July 2019

Background

Data on the natural history of acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (ALGIB) are lacking. We evaluated five‐year bleeding risk and mortality in ALGIB patients and controls. Furthermore, we aimed to find predictors of rebleeding.

Methods

This was a population‐based retrospective case‐control study conducted at the National University Hospital of Iceland, and included every individual who underwent endoscopy in 2010–2011. ALGIB was defined as rectal bleeding leading to hospitalisation or occurring in a hospitalised patient. Controls were randomly selected from those who underwent endoscopy in the same time period but who did not have GIB, and were matched for sex and age. Patients were followed up five years after index bleeding. Rebleeding was defined as ALGIB >14 days after index bleeding.

Results

In total, 2294 patients underwent 2602 colonoscopies in 2010–2011. Of those, 319 (14%) had ALGIB. The mean age for cases and controls was 64 and 65 years (±19.3–20.7), respectively, and females accounted for 51–52% of the study population. For ALGIB patients, the five‐year risk of a bleeding was 20% (95% confidence interval (CI) 15–24%) compared to 3% (95% CI 1–5%) in controls (log rank < 0.0001; co‐morbidity‐adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 6.9 (95% CI 3.4–14)). Only 37% of bleeders had the same cause of index bleeding and rebleeding. In ALGIB patients, age and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) were predictors of rebleeding, with odds ratios per 10 years of 1.3 (95% CI 1.1–1.6) and 4.3 (95% CI 1.5–12), respectively. Bleeders did not have a higher risk of five‐year mortality compared to controls (HR = 1.2; 95% CI 0.87–1.6).

Conclusions

One fifth of ALGIB patients had rebleeding during follow‐up. Age and IBD were independent predictors of rebleeding. ALGIB was not associated with lower five‐year survival.
3-Step Charrette: A Framework for Teaching Students to Solve Complex Problems in a Real-World Environment
Authors: Bodine Paul Arthur , Mothapo Natasha Palesa , Reardon Karen
Published: July 2019

The 3-Step Charrette problem-solving methodology turns the classroom into a consulting firm. It trains participants to solve complex, real-world problems cooperatively and systematically. Participants identify needed information and perform several research cycles in teams to gain knowledge to examine the root causes of a presented problem. Participants then re-form into different groups to find solutions, ultimately consolidating their chosen solutions into a plan of action. The jigsaw transposition from research teams to solving groups ensures that participants acquire needed expertise and properly characterize the problem before attempts to fashion solutions even begin. As participants follow the procedure, the instructor guides them using in-stream debriefing. Designed for use with a live client, this experiential exercise is useful for capstone, strategy, consulting, design thinking, and business architecture courses.
Clinical and Radiological Evaluation of Subscapular Suture Integrity in Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty
Authors: Almeida Alexandre , Agostini Daniel C , Raymondi Cristiano , Guarise Pedro , de Almeida Nayvaldo Couto , Stangherlini Guilherme A
Published: July 2019

Objective

The aim was to establish a correlation between the integrity of a suture made in the subscapular tendon (SST), as assessed by an ultrasound examination, and its functionality, as assessed by clinical tests during the postoperative period following reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). A secondary goal is to evaluate the presence and viability of the sutured SST.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of 18 RSA patients in whom the SST was repositioned to the anterior face of the humeral osteotomy. The median time of the postoperative evaluation was 31 months. The clinical evaluation consisted of the Gerber lift-off test, the internal rotation (IR) lag sign test, and the abdominal compression test, as well as forward flexion (FF), external rotation (ER), and IR. All patients underwent shoulder ultrasounds to evaluate the SST presence and viability.

Results

The SST was visualized in 13 patients (72.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 51.5–92.9). Of these 13 patients, the SST presented an altered fibrillar pattern in 5 patients (38.4%; 95% CI, 12.0–64.9) and was considered nonviable. There were no associations between SST viability and a positive Gerber’s lift-off test ( P = .480), a positive IR lag sign test ( P = .480), or a positive abdominal compression test ( P = .618). There were no significant differences in FF ( P = .104), ER ( P = .196), or IR ( P = .374) mobility between patients with viable SSTs and those without viable SSTs.

Conclusion

It was not possible to demonstrate a correlation between the integrity of the SST repair based on the ultrasound and its functionality as assessed by clinical tests in the postoperative period following an RSA. The SST repair has a high failure rate, as demonstrated by the high incidence of nonviable or absent tendons.
Imaging of the B2 Glenoid: An Assessment of Glenoid Wear
Authors: Mahylis Jared M , Entezari Vahid , Jun Bong-Jae , Iannotti Joseph P , Ricchetti Eric T
Published: July 2019

Background

Glenohumeral osteoarthritis (OA) carries a spectrum of morphology and wear patterns of the glenoid surface exemplified by complex patterns such as glenoid biconcavity and acquired retroversion seen in the B2 glenoid. Multiple imaging methods are available for evaluation of the complex glenoid structure seen in B2 glenoids. The purpose of this article is to review imaging assessment of the type B2 glenoid.

Methods

The current literature on imaging of the B2 glenoid was reviewed to describe the unique anatomy of this OA variant and how to appropriately assess its characteristics.

Results

Plain radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging, and standard 2-dimensional computed tomography (CT) have all shown acceptable assessments of arthritic glenoids but lack the detailed and highly accurate evaluation of bone loss and retroversion seen with 3-dimensional CT.

Conclusion

Accurate preoperative identification of complex B2 pathology on imaging remains essential in planning and achieving precise implant placement at the time of shoulder arthroplasty.
TNAP limits TGF-β-dependent cardiac and skeletal muscle fibrosis by inactivating the SMAD2/3 transcription factors
Authors: Arnò Benedetta , Galli Francesco , Roostalu Urmas , Aldeiri Bashar M. , Miyake Tetsuaki , Albertini Alessandra , Bragg Laricia , Prehar Sukhpal , McDermott John C. , Cartwright Elizabeth J. , Cossu Giulio
Published: July 2019

Fibrosis is associated with almost all forms of chronic cardiac and skeletal muscle diseases. The accumulation of extracellular matrix impairs the contractility of muscle cells contributing to organ failure. Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) plays a pivotal role in fibrosis, activating pro-fibrotic gene programmes via phosphorylation of SMAD2/3 transcription factors. However, the mechanisms that control de-phosphorylation of SMAD2 and SMAD3 (SMAD2/3) have remained poorly characterized. Here, we show that tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP, also known as ALPL) is highly upregulated in hypertrophic hearts and in dystrophic skeletal muscles, and that the abrogation of TGF-β signalling in TNAP-positive cells reduces vascular and interstitial fibrosis. We show that TNAP colocalizes and interacts with SMAD2. The TNAP inhibitor MLS-0038949 increases SMAD2/3 phosphorylation, while TNAP overexpression reduces SMAD2/3 phosphorylation and the expression of downstream fibrotic genes. Overall our data demonstrate that TNAP negatively regulates TGF-β signalling and likely represents a mechanism to limit fibrosis.
Proton MR spectroscopy and the detection of malignancy in ovarian masses
Authors: Mansour Sahar Mahmoud , Gomma Mohammed Mohammed Mohammed , Shafik Peter Nashaat
Published: July 2019

Objective:

To assess the impact of MR spectroscopy (MRS) on the detection of malignancy in ovarian masses.

Methods:

This prospective work included 230 females that had 245 adnexal/ovarian masses. Tumours were spotted by preliminary pelvic ultrasound. Masses assessed by MRI, multi- or single-voxel spectroscopy. Patients’ spectra were assessed for peaks of lactate (Lac, 1.31 ppm), lipid (Lip, 1.33 ppm), N-acetyl aspartate (2.0 ppm), acetone (A, 2.05 ppm), choline (Cho, 3.23 ppm) and creatinine (Cr, 3.4 ppm) and the mean values of the (Cho/Cr) ratios were performed by a semi-quantitative approach. The operative pathology served as the standard of reference.

Results:

Cho peak twofold higher than the average noise level was detected in 72% of the malignant and only 5.4% of the benign masses with an accuracy of 83%. Adding lactate to the choline enhanced the accuracy to 93%. The mean Cho/Cr ratios of the malignant ovarian masses (2.8) were significantly higher than that of the benign ones (1.2) . We used a receiver operating characteristic curve to determine the best cut-off value (1.7) for the mean Cho/Cr ratio to discriminate malignancy with sensitivity: 81.2%, specificity: 93.3 %, positive-predictive value: 92.9 %, negative-predictive value: 82.4% and accuracy: 87.1%.

Conclusion:

The simultaneous presence of choline and lactate peaks in MRS examination of the ovarian masses minimizes the overlap between benign and malignant categories. N-acetyl aspartate and acetone are the metabolites for diagnosing complex cystic masses as benign teratoma, endomterioma and tubo- ovarian abscess.

Advances in knowledge:

MRS is a non-contrast based and fast MR sequence that gives an idea about tissue components could be used to improve the sensitivity and the accuracy of detecting malignancy in ovarian masses.
Development of Water-Surface Robotic Vehicle to Assist Communication Between Remotely Operated Vehicle Underwater Robot and Control Station
Authors: Tamam Badrut
Published: July 2019

This paper developed a water-surface robotic vehicle that act as repeater station to assist the communication between ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) underwater robot and control station. The key issue here is how the robot can relay the data communication between the ROV and the control station. The communication between repeater Station and control station is based on wireless, whereas the communication between repeater Station and ROV is based on wire. Data that have transmit from control station is received by Repeater Station and continued to the ROV through wire. The Power needed is suplied by photovoltaic (PV) to the Repeater Station and the ROV. The position of Repeater Station is controlled, so the position of Repeater Station and ROV always in parallel. In practices, there are two way directly communication between control station with ROV, that are based on wireless and through wire. Nevertheless, wireless communication system never used to observed on the ocean or the deep waters because there is a high attenuation of a signal when cross the air-water boundary. Based on these problems, we make a Repeater Station that used a buoyant communication system models. Communication from control station to Repeater Station in the form of motion control and data. Whereas, communication from Repeater Station to ROV in the form of motion control, data, and power supply. Communication frequency is at 5,8 GHz for audio video and 433 MHz for motion control and telemetry. The connection wire between Repeater Station and ROV can go along and shorten with automatically roll as feature. Electricity from PV is strorage to a battery in the Repeater Station. Charging of the battery occur when battery power is not full and will cease if battery power is being full. Power of the battery must be full if want to operated the Repeater Station. The availability of the Repeater Station is expected to assist the communication between ROV underwater robot with control station, so ROV can be controlled remotely and can increase range of the reach.
Esfingolipidoak eta kolesterola, egitura lipidoak baino gehiago
Authors: G. Monasterio Bingen , B. Garcia-Arribas Aritz , Alonso Alicia , Goñi Felix M.
Published: July 2019

Esfingolipidoek, beren buru polarrean dauzkaten talde polarren bidez, geruza bikoitzean existitzen diren beste lipido batzuekin sare konplexu bat eratzeko ahalmena daukate. Sare konplexu honen eraketa, -OH eta -NH- taldeekin hidrogeno-zubiak eratuz lortzen dute hain zuzen ere. Azken urteotan, lipido-urmaelaren hipotesiaren barruan, esfingomielinaren eta kolesterolaren arteko elkarrekintza espezifikoa asko ikertzen ari da, eta ikerketa honen emaitza da, estres-egoeren aurrean, zelulen mintzetan, esfingomielina-zeramida konplexuak sortzen direla proposatu izana. Gainera, kolesterol-zeramida elkarrekintzak ere gertatzen direla erakusten duten artikuluak gero eta ugariagoak dira. Existitzen diren esfingolipido moten inguruan jartzen ari den arretak gaiaren inguruko jakinduria handitzera garamatza. Izan ere, azkenaldian, deoxiesfingolipidoak bezalako esfingolipido aldakorren eta N-azil katearen luzerak edota lipidoen asegabetze-mailek daukaten efektuaren inguruko ikerketa gehiago egiten ari dira. Aldakortasun horiek garrantzitsuak izan daitezke zeramidarekin lotutako droga terapeutiko edota gaixotasun ezberdinen tratamenduak garatzeko; horien artetik garrantzitsuenak minbiziarekin lotutako terapiak dira.
intenção discursiva nos sistemas de interpretação automática
Authors: Esqueda Marileide Dias , Freitas Flávio de Sousa
Published: July 2019

A interpretação automática é uma tecnologia que realiza a tradução de trechos de fala de uma língua para outra através da integração de três tecnologias, a saber, reconhecimento automático de fala, tradução automática e síntese de voz (FREITAS; ESQUEDA, 2017). Para desenvolver sistemas desse tipo, vários pesquisadores, primeiramente, buscaram compreender a fala humana, suas características, como ela é processada pelo cérebro humano e produzida pelo aparelho fonador (LEE, 2015). Somente após tais investigações é que foi possível o desenvolvimento de técnicas e abordagens para processar, representar e reproduzir a fala humana através de sistemas computacionais. Diante das inconsistências dos primeiros resultados, que representavam interpretações muito literais e errôneas, os estudiosos argumentam a favor de uma abordagem que leve em consideração a intenção do falante, aludindo ao contexto e aos propósitos comunicativos dos diálogos (JEKAT; KLEIN, 1996). Assim, este estudo bibliográfico busca explorar as características gerais e a evolução da abordagem de captura da intenção discursiva em softwares de interpretação automática.