bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The influence of yoga therapy in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A single-center study
Authors: Jali Mallikarjun V. , Deginal Rajendra B. , Ghagane Shridhar C. , Jali Sujata M. , Shitole Ambika A.
Published: June 2017

Aims:

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of yoga therapy and its influence on blood glucose parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Materials and Method:

This was a prospective study conducted at Diabetes Centre, KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Centre, India, from January 2016 to December 2016. A total of 1000 type 2 diabetic patients were enrolled in the study with informed consent. We assessed the patients for pre- and post-assessment blood parameters after a period of 12 months for fasting blood sugar (FBS), postprandial blood sugar (PPBS) levels, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), cholesterol, and triglycerides. A qualitative in-depth interview of the participants and therapist was conducted at baseline, end of 6 months, and end of 12 months.

Statistical Analysis:

The observations were recorded and analyzed for significance using SPSS version 20.0 statistical tool.

Results:

During pre-assessment, the results revealed an increase in the level of FBS (181.75 ± 71.47), PPBS (262.04 ± 97.23), HbA1c (10.30 ± 5.3), cholesterol (180.13 ± 47.1), and triglycerides (159.77 ± 110.39). However, the participants who completed the yoga therapy had significantly lower FBS (133.01 ± 46.98) (p < 0.0001), PPBS (187.67 ± 68.61) (p < 0.0001), and HbA1c (7.89 ± 1.6) (p < 0.0001) at the end of the 12th month. There was statistically significant positive correlation observed in yoga group as compared to the control group during postassessment blood parameters.

Conclusions:

The results of the present study demonstrated that yoga is effective in reducing the blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Our study also showed positive benefits of yoga in the management of diabetes with real impact on glycemic control and lipid profile.
Psychophysiological responses across the menstrual cycle in low fit college women after yoga training
Authors: Bera Tushar Kanti , Shete Sanjay Uddhav , Verma Anita , Sharma Nirmala
Published: June 2017

Background:

Women of reproductive age suffer from menses-associated health problems such as premenstrual symptoms, menstrual pain, and irregular menstrual cycles. Research has proved that premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a psychophysiological and a stress-induced disorder and that stress is a cause of symptoms of PMS.

Objective:

This controlled experiment was conducted with a view to examine the effect of full course of yoga training (suggested by Swami Kuvalayananda) on psychophysiological responses across menstrual cycle in low fit college women.

Methods:

A total of 55 low fit college women, aged 20–30 years, with problems in menstrual cycle, volunteered in this study and were divided randomly into two groups, namely, yoga group (n
1= 27) and control group (n
2= 28). At the baseline and after completion of 12 weeks of yoga training, both the groups were assessed for menstrual status, pain tolerance, resting pulse rate, and blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) using standard tools. The yoga group practiced a set of full course of yoga for 1 h daily in the morning (6:30–7:30), 6 days in a week (except Sundays and holidays), for a total period of 12 weeks, whereas the control group did not participate in the said yoga program but were involved in some recreational activities and/or library reading during the tenure of experiment.

Results:

The result of factorial ANOVA followed by Scheffe's post hoc test indicates that yoga training could bring down pulse rate (CD = 0.43, p < 0.05) and blood pressure (CD = 0.47, p < 0.01) at a normal range, whereas it could bring a statistically significant improvement in the symptoms of menstrual problems (CD = 0.45, p < 0.01) and pain tolerance ability (CD = 0.40, p < 0.01).

Conclusion:

Yoga training could contribute to improvement in the psychophysiological responses across menstrual cycle among the low fit college women.
Behind the mirror
Authors: Huysentruyt Heleen
Published: June 2017

Reflexivity addresses both epistemological issues raised by the implication of the researcher in the production of knowledge and ethical issues that are appropriate for the research process (Finlay, 2002b; Stacey, 1988). This article proposes a reflexive academic knowledge practice that borrows from my own reflexive practice in social outreach work and a reflexive analysis of an ethnographic research process. Doing so, I contribute to a praxis of intersectional reflexivity that valorises identities as embodied and lived by people within particular historical and geopolitical contexts, without reducing them to abstract social categories (Yep, 2015). Through lessons learnt from both reflexive practices, I contribute to the expanding of a reflexive knowledge praxis that stays close to the lived experiences in the field and that takes into account the presence of the researcher and inequalities at play in every stage of the research process, without losing analytical rigor.
Spectral- and size-resolved mass absorption efficiency of mineral dust aerosols in the shortwave spectrum: a simulation chamber study
Authors: Caponi Lorenzo , Formenti Paola , Massabó Dario , Di Biagio Claudia , Cazaunau Mathieu , Pangui Edouard , Chevaillier Servanne , Landrot Gautier , Andreae Meinrat O. , Kandler Konrad , Piketh Stuart , Saeed Thuraya , Seibert Dave , Williams Earle , Balkanski Yves , Prati Paolo , Doussin Jean-François
Published: June 2017

Abstract. This paper presents new laboratory measurements of the mass absorption efficiency (MAE) between 375 and 850 nm for 12 individual samples of mineral dust from different source areas worldwide and in two size classes: PM10. 6 (mass fraction of particles of aerodynamic diameter lower than 10.6 µm) and PM2. 5 (mass fraction of particles of aerodynamic diameter lower than 2.5 µm). The experiments were performed in the CESAM simulation chamber using mineral dust generated from natural parent soils and included optical and gravimetric analyses. The results show that the MAE values are lower for the PM10. 6 mass fraction (range 37–135  ×  10−3 m2 g−1 at 375 nm) than for the PM2. 5 (range 95–711  ×  10−3 m2 g−1 at 375 nm) and decrease with increasing wavelength as λ−AAE, where the Ångström absorption exponent (AAE) averages between 3.3 and 3.5, regardless of size. The size independence of AAE suggests that, for a given size distribution, the dust composition did not vary with size for this set of samples. Because of its high atmospheric concentration, light absorption by mineral dust can be competitive with black and brown carbon even during atmospheric transport over heavy polluted regions, when dust concentrations are significantly lower than at emission. The AAE values of mineral dust are higher than for black carbon (∼ 1) but in the same range as light-absorbing organic (brown) carbon. As a result, depending on the environment, there can be some ambiguity in apportioning the aerosol absorption optical depth (AAOD) based on spectral dependence, which is relevant to the development of remote sensing of light-absorbing aerosols and their assimilation in climate models. We suggest that the sample-to-sample variability in our dataset of MAE values is related to regional differences in the mineralogical composition of the parent soils. Particularly in the PM2. 5 fraction, we found a strong linear correlation between the dust light-absorption properties and elemental iron rather than the iron oxide fraction, which could ease the application and the validation of climate models that now start to include the representation of the dust composition, as well as for remote sensing of dust absorption in the UV–vis spectral region.
A modified impulse-response representation of the global near-surface air temperature and atmospheric concentration response to carbon dioxide emissions
Authors: Millar Richard J. , Nicholls Zebedee R. , Friedlingstein Pierre , Allen Myles R.
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Projections of the response to anthropogenic emission scenarios, evaluation of some greenhouse gas metrics, and estimates of the social cost of carbon often require a simple model that links emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) to atmospheric concentrations and global temperature changes. An essential requirement of such a model is to reproduce typical global surface temperature and atmospheric CO2 responses displayed by more complex Earth system models (ESMs) under a range of emission scenarios, as well as an ability to sample the range of ESM response in a transparent, accessible and reproducible form. Here we adapt the simple model of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 5th Assessment Report (IPCC AR5) to explicitly represent the state dependence of the CO2 airborne fraction. Our adapted model (FAIR) reproduces the range of behaviour shown in full and intermediate complexity ESMs under several idealised carbon pulse and exponential concentration increase experiments. We find that the inclusion of a linear increase in 100-year integrated airborne fraction with cumulative carbon uptake and global temperature change substantially improves the representation of the response of the climate system to CO2 on a range of timescales and under a range of experimental designs.
HSRL-2 aerosol optical measurements and microphysical retrievals vs. airborne in situ measurements during DISCOVER-AQ 2013: an intercomparison study
Authors: Sawamura Patricia , Moore Richard H. , Burton Sharon P. , Chemyakin Eduard , Müller Detlef , Kolgotin Alexei , Ferrare Richard A. , Hostetler Chris A. , Ziemba Luke D. , Beyersdorf Andreas J. , Anderson Bruce E.
Published: June 2017

Abstract. We present a detailed evaluation of remotely sensed aerosol microphysical properties obtained from an advanced, multi-wavelength high-spectral-resolution lidar (HSRL-2) during the 2013 NASA DISCOVER-AQ field campaign. Vertically resolved retrievals of fine-mode aerosol number, surface-area, and volume concentration as well as aerosol effective radius are compared to 108 collocated, airborne in situ measurement profiles in the wintertime San Joaquin Valley, California, and in summertime Houston, Texas. An algorithm for relating the dry in situ aerosol properties to those obtained by the HSRL at ambient relative humidity is discussed. We show that the HSRL-2 retrievals of ambient fine-mode aerosol surface-area and volume concentrations agree with the in situ measurements to within 25 and 10 %, respectively, once hygroscopic growth adjustments have been applied to the dry in situ data. Despite this excellent agreement for the microphysical properties, extinction and backscatter coefficients at ambient relative humidity derived from the in situ aerosol measurements using Mie theory are consistently smaller than those measured by the HSRL, with average differences of 31 ± 5 % and 53 ± 11 % for California and Texas, respectively. This low bias in the in situ estimates is attributed to the presence of coarse-mode aerosol that are detected by HSRL-2 but that are too large to be well sampled by the in situ instrumentation. Since the retrieval of aerosol volume is most relevant to current regulatory efforts targeting fine particle mass (PM2. 5), these findings highlight the advantages of an advanced 3β + 2α HSRL for constraining the vertical distribution of the aerosol volume or mass loading relevant for air quality.
Insight into winter haze formation mechanisms based on aerosol hygroscopicity and effective density measurements
Authors: Xie Yuanyuan , Ye Xingnan , Ma Zhen , Tao Ye , Wang Ruyu , Zhang Ci , Yang Xin , Chen Jianmin , Chen Hong
Published: June 2017

Abstract. We characterize a representative particulate matter (PM) episode that occurred in Shanghai during winter 2014. Particle size distribution, hygroscopicity, effective density, and single particle mass spectrometry were determined online, along with offline analysis of water-soluble inorganic ions. The mass ratio of SNA ∕ PM1. 0 (sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium) fluctuated slightly around 0.28, suggesting that both secondary inorganic compounds and carbonaceous aerosols contributed substantially to the haze formation, regardless of pollution level. Nitrate was the most abundant ionic species during hazy periods, indicating that NOx contributed more to haze formation in Shanghai than did SO2. During the representative PM episode, the calculated PM was always consistent with the measured PM1. 0, indicating that the enhanced pollution level was attributable to the elevated number of larger particles. The number fraction of the near-hydrophobic group increased as the PM episode developed, indicating the accumulation of local emissions. Three banana-shaped particle evolutions were consistent with the rapid increase of PM1. 0 mass loading, indicating that the rapid size growth by the condensation of condensable materials was responsible for the severe haze formation. Both hygroscopicity and effective density of the particles increased considerably with growing particle size during the banana-shaped evolutions, indicating that the secondary transformation of NOx and SO2 was one of the most important contributors to the particle growth. Our results suggest that the accumulation of gas-phase and particulate pollutants under stagnant meteorological conditions and subsequent rapid particle growth by secondary processes were primarily responsible for the haze pollution in Shanghai during wintertime.
The effect of drought on dissolved organic carbon (DOC) release from peatland soil and vegetation sources
Authors: Ritson Jonathan P. , Brazier Richard E. , Graham Nigel J. D. , Freeman Chris , Templeton Michael R. , Clark Joanna M.
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Drought conditions are expected to increase in frequency and severity as the climate changes, representing a threat to carbon sequestered in peat soils. Downstream water treatment works are also at risk of regulatory compliance failures and higher treatment costs due to the increase in riverine dissolved organic carbon (DOC) often observed after droughts. More frequent droughts may also shift dominant vegetation in peatlands from Sphagnum moss to more drought-tolerant species. This paper examines the impact of drought on the production and treatability of DOC from four vegetation litters (Calluna vulgaris, Juncus effusus, Molinia caerulea and Sphagnum spp.) and a peat soil. We found that mild droughts caused a 39.6 % increase in DOC production from peat and that peat DOC that had been exposed to oxygen was harder to remove by conventional water treatment processes (coagulation/flocculation). Drought had no effect on the amount of DOC production from vegetation litters; however large variation was observed between typical peatland species (Sphagnum and Calluna) and drought-tolerant grassland species (Juncus and Molinia), with the latter producing more DOC per unit weight. This would therefore suggest the increase in riverine DOC often observed post-drought is due entirely to soil microbial processes and DOC solubility rather than litter layer effects. Long-term shifts in species diversity may, therefore, be the most important impact of drought on litter layer DOC flux, whereas pulses related to drought may be observed in peat soils and are likely to become more common in the future. These results provide evidence in support of catchment management which increases the resilience of peat soils to drought, such as ditch blocking to raise water tables.
Speleothem stable isotope reference records for East-Central
Europe – Resampling sedimentary proxy records to get evenly
spaced time-series with spectral control
Authors: Hatvani István Gábor , Kern Zoltán , Leél-Őssy Szabolcs , Demény Attila
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Uneven spacing is a common feature of sedimentary paleoclimate records, in many cases causing difficulties in the application of classical statistical and time series methods. Although special statistical tools do exist to assess unevenly spaced data directly, the transformation of such data to a temporarily equidistant time series applicable to commonly used statistical tools remains, however, an unachieved goal. The present paper, therefore, introduces an approach to obtain evenly spaced time series (using cubic spline fitting) from unevenly spaced speleothem records with the application of a spectral control to avoid spectral bias caused by interpolation and retain the original spectral characteristics of the data. The methodology was applied to stable carbon and oxygen isotope records derived from two stalagmites of the Baradla Cave (NE Hungary) dating back to the late 18th century; it was also applied to additional well-dated and high-resolution stable isotope records from the Han-sur-Lesse Cave (Belgium). To show the benefit of these equally spaced records to climate studies, their coherence with primary and complex climate indices is explored using wavelet transform coherence and discussed. The results shed light on clear relationships with climate and NAO indices, lending support to the approach utilized in this study. Moreover, these suggest that the Baradla composite stable isotope data can serve as regional reference records for the past ~200 years. The equally spaced time series obtained, are available at: https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.875917.
A 240-year history of avalanche risk in the Vosges Mountains based on non-conventional (re)sources
Authors: Giacona Florie , Eckert Nicolas , Martin Brice
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Despite the strong societal impact of mountain risks, their systematic documentation remains poor. Therefore, snow avalanche chronologies exceeding several decades are exceptional, especially in medium-high mountain ranges. This article implements a combination of historical and geographical methods leading to the reconstruction, at the scale of the entire Vosges Mountains (north-east of France), of more than 700 avalanches that have occurred since the late eighteenth century on 128 paths. The clearly episodic nature of the derived geo-chronology can be explained by three interrelated factors that have changed together over time: the body and reliability of sources, social practices conditioning the vulnerability and the natural hazard itself. Finally, the geo-chronology reflects the changes in the meaning of the hazard in social space. Specifically, the event which could be retrieved from the historical sources is an aspect of the interaction between society and its environment. These results confirm the role of the historian in contextualising and evaluating such data. It transforms these data into information that is relevant for mitigating risk and understanding its change over time. The work also demonstrates the usefulness of constructing an original database from a diverse suite of historical data and field investigations. This approach could be applied to other risk phenomena in the frequent situation in which archival data are sparse.
Transplanted Fibroblasts Proliferate in Host Bronchial Tissue and Enhance Bronchial Anastomotic Healing in a Rodent Model
Authors: Vitacolonna Mario , Doyon Fabian , Belharazem Djeda , Tsagogiorgas Charalambos , Hohenberger Peter , Roessner Eric D.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Healing of airway anastomoses after preoperative irradiation can be a significant clinical problem. The augmentation of bronchial anastomoses with a fibroblast-seeded human acellular dermis (hAD) was shown to be beneficial, although the underlying mechanism remained unclear. Therefore, in this study we investigated the fate of the fibroblasts transplanted to the scaffold covering the anastomosis.

Material and methods

32 Fisher rats underwent surgical anastomosis of the left main bronchus. In a 2 × 2 factorial design, they were randomized to receive preoperative irradiation of 20 Gy and augmentation of the anastomosis with a fibroblast-seeded transplant. Fibroblasts from subcutaneous fat of Fischer-344 rat were transduced retrovirally with tdTomato for cell tracking. After 7 and 14 days, animals were sacrificed and cell concentration of transplanted and nontransplanted fibroblasts in the hAD as well as in the bronchial tissue was measured using RT-PCR.

Results

Migration of transplanted fibroblasts from dermis to bronchus were demonstrated in both groups, irradiated and nonirradiated. In the irradiated groups, there was a cell count of 7 × 104 ± 1 × 104 tomato+-fibroblasts in the bronchial tissue at day 7, rising to 1 × 105 ± 1 × 104 on day 14 (p<0.0001). Tomato+-cell concentration in hAD increased from 6 × 103 ± 1 × 103 at day 7 to 6 × 104 ± 1 × 104 at day 14 (p<0.0001). In the nonirradiated groups, tomato+-cell concentration in bronchus was 4 × 103 ± 1 × 103 on day 7 and 4 × 103 ± 1 × 103 at day 14. In the hAD tomato+ cell concentration rising from 1 × 104 ± 1 × 103 at day 7 to 2 × 104 ± 3 × 103 cells at day 14 (p = 0.0028).

Conclusions

Transplanted fibroblasts in the irradiated groups proliferate and migrate into the irradiated host bronchial tissue, but not in the nonirradiated groups.
Increased AAA-TOB3 Correlates with Lymph Node Metastasis and Advanced Stage of Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Liu Yanfeng , Bu Lina , Li Wei , Wu Wei , Wang Shengyu , Diao Xin , Zhou Jing , Chen Guoan , Yang Shuanying
Published: June 2017

Background

This study was to investigate the differential mitochondrial protein expressions in human lung adenocarcinoma and provide preliminary data for further exploration of the carcinogenic mechanism.

Methods

Total proteins of A549 and 16HBE mitochondria were extracted through 2D polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-DE). The differential mitochondria proteins were identified by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and were further confirmed by Western blot, immunoelectron microscopy and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in A549 cells as well as lung adenocarcinoma tissues.

Results

A total of 41 differentially expressed protein spots were found in A549 mitochondria. Of them, 15 proteins were highly expressed and 26 proteins were lowly expressed in the mitochondria of A549 (by more than 1.5 times). Among the 15 more highly expressed proteins, AAA-TOB3 (by more than 3 times) was highly expressed in the mitochondria of A549 compared with the 16HBE, by LC-MS/MS identification. High electron density and clear circular colloidal gold-marked AAA-TOB3 particles were observed in the A549 cells via immunoelectron microscopy. Besides, AAA-TOB3 was confirmed to be elevated in lung adenocarcinoma by Western blot and IHC. Moreover, increased AAA-TOB3 correlated with lymph node metastasis and advanced stage of lung adenocarcinoma (p<0.05).

Conclusions

AAA-TOB3 was highly expressed in lung adenocarcinoma, and the up-regulation of AAA-TOB3 correlated with lymph node metastasis and advanced stage of lung adenocarcinoma, which suggested that it could serve as a potential molecular marker for lung adenocarcinoma.
PSMB5 is associated with proliferation and drug resistance in triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Wei Wensong , Zou Yufeng , Jiang Qihua , Zhou Zhibin , Ding Haolong , Yan Liping , Yang Shixin
Published: June 2017

Background:

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer, characterized by advanced disease stage and poor prognosis. Moreover, due to the lack of therapeutic markers, TNBC patients can’t benefit fully from currently available targeted therapies.

Methods:

To fully understand the molecular basis of TNBC, we used gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) to screen out the most altered functional module in TNBC, from publicly available microarray data and studied the association of the candidate gene with TNBC development.

Results:

We found that the proteasome was significantly activated in TNBC. As compared with other breast cancer subtypes and normal tissue, proteasome subunit beta 5 (PSMB5), the key regulator of proteasome function, was overexpressed in TNBC tissue and predictive of poor prognosis. Moreover, we also found that PSMB5 knockdown induced TNBC apoptosis and significantly enhanced cancer cell sensitivity to the chemotherapeutic agents bortezomib and paclitaxel.

Conclusions:

Our results suggest a potential role for PSMB5 as a biomarker and therapeutic target for TNBC.
EpCAM-Expressing Circulating Tumor Cells in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Nicolazzo Chiara , Raimondi Cristina , Francescangeli Federica , Ceccarelli Simona , Trenta Patrizia , Magri Valentina , Marchese Cinzia , Zeuner Ann , Gradilone Angela , Gazzaniga Paola
Published: June 2017

Background

Several studies have raised the issue of the inadequacy of CellSearch® to detect the entire pool of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from blood of cancer patients, suggesting that cells expressing low levels of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) are not recognized by the capture reagent. In this exploratory study, we aimed to evaluate the status of EpCAM in CTCs isolated from a group of metastatic colorectal cancer patients, in 40% of whom, CTC had been found to be undetected by the CellSearch® system.

Methods

CTCs were analyzed using both a microfiltration method (ScreenCell) and CellSearch® in parallel. Furthermore, since EpCAM exists in 2 different variants, we investigated the presence of both its intracellular domain (EpICD) and extracellular domain (EpEX) through immunofluorescence staining of CTCs on filters.

Results

Results from immunofluorescence experiments demonstrated that, overall, EpICD and/or EpEX was expressed in 176 CTCs detected by ScreenCell, while the CellSearch® system was able to capture only 10 CTCs.

Conclusions

This is the first demonstration that the low sensitivity of CellSearch® to detect CTCs in colorectal cancer patients is not due to the lack of EpCAM.
Effect of in Vitro Enzymatic Degradation on 3D Printed Poly(ε-Caprolactone) Scaffolds: Morphological, Chemical and Mechanical Properties
Authors: Ferreira Joana , Gloria Antonio , Cometa Stefania , Coelho Jorge F.J. , Domingos Marco
Published: June 2017

Background

In recent years, the tissue engineering (TE) field has significantly benefited from advanced techniques such as additive manufacturing (AM), for the design of customized 3D scaffolds with the aim of guided tissue repair. Among the wide range of materials available to biomanufacture 3D scaffolds, poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) clearly arises as the synthetic polymer with the greatest potential, due to its unique properties – namely, biocompatibility, biodegradability, thermal and chemical stability and processability. This study aimed for the first time to investigate the effect of pore geometry on the in vitro enzymatic chain cleavage mechanism of PCL scaffolds manufactured by the AM extrusion process.

Methods

Methods: Morphological properties of 3D printed PCL scaffolds before and after degradation were evaluated using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and micro-computed tomography (μ-CT). Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was employed to determine possible variations in the crystallinity of the scaffolds during the degradation period. The molecular weight was assessed using Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) while the mechanical properties were investigated under static compression conditions.

Results

Morphological results suggested a uniform reduction of filament diameter, while increasing the scaffolds’ porosity. DSC analysis revealed and increment in the crystallinity degree while the molecular weight, evaluated through SEC, remained almost constant during the incubation period (25 days). Mechanical analysis highlighted a decrease in the compressive modulus and maximum stress over time, probably related to the significant weight loss of the scaffolds.

Conclusions

All of these results suggest that PCL scaffolds undergo enzymatic degradation through a surface erosion mechanism, which leads to significant variations in mechanical, physical and chemical properties, but which has little influence on pore geometry.
A New Bioinspired Collagen-Hydroxyapatite Bone Graft Substitute in Adult Scoliosis Surgery: Results at 3-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Giorgi Pietro , Capitani Dario , Sprio Simone , Sandri Monica , Tampieri Anna , Canella Valentina , Nataloni Angelo , Schirò Giuseppe R.
Published: June 2017

Background

Spinal fusion is a common procedure used for surgical treatment of spinal deformity. In recent years, many bone graft substitutes (BGS) have been developed to provide good arthrodesis when the available autologous bone harvested from the patient is not enough. The aim of this study was to analyze the use of a new-generation composite material (RegenOss) made of Mg-hydroxyapatite nanoparticles nucleated on type I collagen to obtain long posterolateral fusion in adult scoliosis surgery.

Methods

A total of 41 patients who underwent spinal fusion for the treatment of adult scoliosis were retrospectively analyzed. According to Lenke classification, visual analog scale (VAS) score and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score, radiographic rates of bone union were evaluated before surgery and at 6, 12 and 36 months of follow-up. Fusion was considered to be successful when criteria for Lenke grade A or B were satisfied. Patient-related risk factors were considered for the evaluation of the final outcome.

Results

At 36-month follow-up, radiographic evidence of spinal fusion was present in the majority of patients (95.1%). A time-dependent statistically significant improvement was evidenced after surgery for all clinical outcomes evaluated. Based on the demographic data collected, there were no statistically significant factors determining fusion. The correction of deformity was maintained at different time points. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were recorded.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrated that RegenOss can safely be used to achieve good arthrodesis when associated with autologous bone graft to obtain long spinal fusion in the treatment of adult scoliosis.
Urokinase-Containing Locking Solution in the Prevention of Dialysis Catheter Dysfunction: A Double Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Bonkain Florence , Van Hulle Freya , Janssens Peter , Catalano Concetta , Allamani Mandelina , Stolear Jean-Claude , Vandervelde Dominique , Libertalis Mark , Treille Serge , Couttenye Marie M. , Dhondt Annemie , Van Biesen Wim , Fils Jean François , Tielemans Christian , Wissing Karl M.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

The prophylactic use of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator once weekly reduces the incidence rate of tunneled cuffed catheter (TCC) malfunction and bacteremia as compared to the exclusive use of heparin as locking solution. Restricting the use of prophylactic thrombolytic agents to patients with a history of thrombotic TCC malfunction could be more cost effective. We conduct a multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trial and test the hypothesis that weekly use of urokinase lock will reduce the incidence of thrombotic malfunction by 50% in prevalent hemodialysis patients with a history of thrombotic malfunction.

Methods

Patients with a history of at least two separate TCC thrombotic dysfunctions treated with urokinase lock during the 6 months preceding inclusion are recruited in eight Belgian dialysis units. Patients are randomized in two groups: the control group receiving Taurolock™-HEP500 (heparin 500 IU/mL, taurolidine, citrate 4%) after each hemodialysis session and the treatment group receiving Taurolock-U 25,000 (urokinase 25,000, taurolidine, citrate 4%) once a week and the standard Taurolock-HEP500 at the end of the two others sessions. The primary outcome is the incidence rate of TCC thrombotic dysfunction defined by the use of urokinase. The secondary outcomes are the incidence rate of TCC removal and systemic thrombolysis. For the study, both patients and healthcare staff are blinded to treatment allocation.

Conclusions

The present trial is the first to investigate the effect of Taurolock-U 25,000 catheter lock once a week as secondary prevention in hemodialysis patients with the highest risk of TCC-related thrombotic dysfunction.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02036255
Eleven-year Management of Prostate Cancer Patients on Active Surveillance: What have We Learned?
Authors: Marenghi Cristina , Alvisi Maria Francesca , Palorini Federica , Avuzzi Barbara , Badenchini Fabio , Bedini Nice , Bellardita Lara , Biasoni Davide , Bosetti Davide , Casale Alessandra , Catanzaro Mario , Colecchia Maurizio , De Luca Letizia , Donegani Simona , Dordoni Paola , Lanocita Rodolfo , Maffezzini Massimo , Magnani Tiziana , Menichetti Julia , Messina Antonella , Morlino Sara , Paolini Biagio , Rancati Tiziana , Stagni Silvia , Tesone Antonio , Torelli Tullio , Tulli Baldoin Edoardo , Vaiani Marta , Villa Sergio , Villa Silvia , Zaffaroni Nadia , Nicolai Nicola , Salvioni Roberto , Valdagni Riccardo
Published: June 2017

Purpose

To evaluate the outcomes of active surveillance (AS) on patients with low-risk prostate cancer (PCa) and to identify predictors of disease reclassification.

Methods

In 2005, we defined an institutional AS protocol (Sorveglianza Attiva Istituto Nazionale Tumori [SAINT]), and we joined the Prostate Cancer Research International: Active Surveillance (PRIAS) study in 2007. Eligibility criteria included clinical stage ≤T2a, initial prostate-specific antigen (PSA) <10 ng/mL, and Gleason Pattern Score (GPS) ≤3 + 3 (both protocols); ≤25% positive cores with a maximum core length containing cancer ≤50% (SAINT); and ≤2 positive cores and PSA density <0.2 ng/mL/cm3 (PRIAS). Switching to active treatment was advised for a worsening of GPS, increased positive cores, or PSA doubling time <3 years. Active treatment-free survival (ATFS) was assessed using the ­Kaplan-Meier method. Factors associated with ATFS were evaluated with a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

A total of 818 patients were included: 200 in SAINT, 530 in PRIAS, and 88 in personalized AS monitoring. Active treatment-free survival was 50% after a median follow-up of 60 months. A total of 404/818 patients (49.4%) discontinued AS: 274 for biopsy-related reclassification, 121/404 (30%) for off-protocol reasons, 9/404 (2.2%) because of anxiety. Biopsy reclassification was associated with PSA density (hazard ratio [HR] 1.8), maximum percentage of core involvement (HR 1.5), positive cores at diagnostic biopsy (HR 1.6), older age (HR 1.5), and prostate volume (HR 0.6) (all p<0.01). Patients from SAINT were significantly more likely to discontinue AS than were the patients from PRIAS (HR 1.65, p<0.0001).

Conclusions

Five years after diagnosis, 50% of patients with early PCa were spared from active treatment. Wide inclusion criteria are associated with lower ATFS. However, at preliminary analysis, this does not seem to affect the probability of unfavorable pathology.
Incorporating the Study of Knowledge into the IPE Mainstream, or, When Does a Trade Agreement Stop Being a Trade Agreement?
Authors: Haggart Blayne
Published: June 2017

The treatment of knowledge—most notably commodified knowledge—as a source and vector of power potentially is a key blind spot in our understanding of the global political economy. This article offers a theoretical framework, based on the work of Susan Strange, for considering the relationship between what she called the “knowledge structure” and the other key sources of political and economic power—security, production, and finance. This framework is applied to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, demonstrating how a direct focus on knowledge governance reveals power relations and economic effects that are otherwise obscured.
The Curious Case of Monopoly Rights as Free Trade: The TPP and Intellectual Property and Why It Still Matters
Authors: Halbert Debora J.
Published: June 2017

Using the framework of a knowledge structure as conceptualized by Susan Strange, this article addresses the loss of flexibilities in international intellectual property (IP) regimes and the corresponding global criminalization of IP as serious topics of concern. The knowledge structure of IP frames a very specific type of global political economy. First, Strange's approach to international political economy as it relates to IP is developed. Second, a brief history of global IP as a trade-related issue is discussed, including the current status of the Transpacific Partnership. Finally, some future trends that may suggest global shifts in the knowledge structure worth watching are investigated.
Gradient phonological relationships: Evidence from vowels in French
Authors: Stevenson Sophia , Zamuner Tania
Published: June 2017

The dichotomy of contrastive and allophonic phonological relationships has a long-standing tradition in phonology, but there is growing research that points to phonological relationships that fall between contrastive and allophonic. Measures of lexical distinction (minimal pair counts) and predictability of distribution were applied to Laurentian French vowels to quantify three degrees of contrast between pairs: high, mid, and low contrast. According to traditional definitions, both the high and mid contrast pairs are classified as phonologically contrastive, and low contrast pairs as allophonic. As such, a binary view of contrast (contrastive vs. non-contrastive) predicted that high and mid contrast pairs would pattern together on tasks of speech perception, and low contrast pairs would show a different pattern. The gradient view predicted all vowel pairs would fall along a continuum. Thirty-two speakers of Laurentian French participated in two experiments: an AX task and a similarity rating task. The results did not support a strict binary interpretation of contrast, since the high, mid, and low contrast vowel pairs pattern differently across the experiments. Instead, the results support a gradient view of phonological relationships. This article is part of the special collection: Marginal Contrasts
Carta de presentación Vol.7(1)
Authors: Editorial Consejo
Published: June 2017

Los cambios en el acontecer económico nacional no son aislados del contexto de la globalización en el mundo, las repercusiones de las manifestaciones económicas, sociales, políticas y ambientales inciden en todo el globo terráqueo, fenómenos como las crisis económicas globales, los cambios políticos, las fricciones de los mercados laborales, los cambios en los preciosde los commodities, de los carburantes, los desequilibrios ambientales por el cambio climático, las luchas armadas, la violencia, el terrorismo, la migración forzada y desplazamiento de refugiados, la conflictividad social, la lucha de territorios generada por disputa de tierras, construcción de represas y la minería, entre otros son reflejo de lo que acontece en el mundo que debe de investigarse, analizarse y vincular su estudio desde el ámbito académico, no solo con el fin de obtener conocimientos científicos, sino para contribuir en la orientación de la sociedad sobre las causas y efectos del comportamiento y evolución económica y social....
Comparación de opciones para inteligencia de negocios en los principales sistemas gestores de bases de datos del mercado
Authors: Aguilar Romero Marvin Josue , Rodríguez García José Luis
Published: June 2017

El tener información en tiempo y forma es una de las mayores exigencias de hoy en día en todos los ámbitos para la toma de decisiones esto lleva a las instituciones a tener que invertir en sistemas de información robustos para inteligencia de negocios los cuales a su vez requieren de diversas tecnologías dispuestas de manera eficiente para el procesamiento de la información, debido a las múltiples herramientas existentes en las organizaciones lograr unificar las estructuras de datos es tarea compleja y costosa, sin embargo el uso de un sistema gestor de bases de datos que preste la mayoría de los servicios necesarios para un modelo de inteligencia de negocios supone una disminución en el uso de los recursos. En la medida que el tiempo pasa se denota la influencia de la información al momento de tomar una decisión que afecte tanto el modelo de negocio así como la organización e interoperabilidad de una institución, así como también se denota cada vez más el acuñamiento y cimentación de la inteligencia de negocios dentro del diario vivir de las instituciones
Hipótesis sobre la convergencia económica: una revisión de los enfoques utilizados
Authors: Rabanal Cristian
Published: June 2017

El propósito de este artículo es realizar una diferenciación de las hipótesis alternativas que habitualmente se realizan sobre la convergencia, a partir de una revisión de los principales procedimientos metodológicos propuestos. Asimismo, se revisa la evidencia empírica que soporta a cada una de ellas. Si bien actualmente todas las metodologías continúan siendo ampliamente utilizadas, se observa un marcado interés por parte de los investigadores en el estudio de las técnicas espaciales que permitan incluir fenómenos derivados de la dependencia espacial, tales como efectos umbrales y externalidades.
The Influence of Three Variables on the Performance of Personnel in the Private Hospital in Indonesia
Authors: Hafizurrachman Muhammad
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUND: This study aims to look at the effect and its magnitude (value) of the variables: family health history, lifestyle behavior, and work environment on the performance of hospital personnel at the private hospital in Indonesia.METHODS: Cross sectional methods were used in this study and data were analyzed with the approach to SEM using Smart PLS Software. In this study, all services at the hospital were chosen as the unit of analysis with 87 hospital personnel being selected as the sample. Multistage random sampling was used. The research was conducted from January to February 2016.RESULTS: The results of the analysis showed the performance of hospital personnel in the private hospital was influenced by all the variables which meant that the theoretical model proposed in this study could be implemented. However, none of the variables in the research model showed critical influence, only 8.12 per cent, when compared to variables outside the model which was 91.88 per cent.CONCLUSION: This study concluded that the three variables studied were not large enough as variables that could be used for interventions in improving the performance of hospital personnel. Therefore, the hospital management needed to look for other variables as effort to improve the performance of hospital personnel.
Comportamientos de riesgo y abuso sexual en varones y mujeres con discapacidad visual o auditiva
Authors: Robles Montijo Silvia Susana , Guevara Benítez Carmen Yolanda
Published: June 2017

El propósito del estudio fue analizar las características sociodemográficas, familiares y de comportamientos de riesgo y de abuso sexual de una muestra de jóvenes mexicanos con discapacidad auditiva o visual, examinando las diferencias por sexo y tipo de discapacidad. Se trabajó con 128 jóvenes (64 con discapacidad auditiva y 64 con discapacidad visual) de los que un 53,2 % eran varones y un 86,6 % solteros. Los instrumentos fueron adaptados lingüísticamente para ser respondidos por jóvenes con discapacidad auditiva y traducidos al braille para los jóvenes con discapacidad visual. Los resultados muestran que los participantes mantienen una vida sexual activa con un perfil de riesgo que se distingue por el inicio temprano de las relaciones sexuales, la falta de planificación de su primer encuentro sexual, no usar el preservativo y haber sufrido algún tipo de abuso sexual. El riesgo fue mayor en las mujeres y en quienes presentan discapacidad visual.
MUSEUM OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR
– TWO STANCES
Authors: Kula Marcin , Majewski Piotr
Published: June 2017

Two stances of Polish historians present
a nuanced methodological view of the socially controversial
problem of the investment entitled the Museum
of the Second World War. Building the museum, the discussions
concerning the form of its permanent exhibition
– apart from their ad hoc political context – touched
on key issues for museology: the autonomy of cultural
institutions, the authorial rights of the team preparing
the exhibition, but most of all, the challenge posed by the
attempt to present the various social expectations typical
of communities with diverse historical sensitivities in
the exhibition. The two stances presented continue this
discussion which is being held on the basis of history and
museology.
New Political Entrepreneurs in Poland
Authors: Kosowska-Gąstoł Beata , Sobolewska-Myślik Katarzyna
Published: June 2017

Parties launched by political entrepreneurs are usually newcomers into more or less established party systems. Their ‘founding fathers’ act without specific external group support and the literature on new parties predicts that there is a low survival rate for entrepreneurial parties. In the case of Poland, the party system had been relatively stable from the 2001 until the 2011 parliamentary elections and subsequently some new parties entered into politics, tried to gain electoral support as well as political relevance. The most recent groupings in the Polish political system which are closest to the theoretical concept of entrepreneurial parties are the Palikot’s Movement (Ruch Palikota), Kukiz’15 and the Modern Party (Nowoczesna). The aim of the paper is to examine to what extent the leaders of these parties can be seen as political entrepreneurs and the parties as ‘entrepreneurial parties’. Another point we discuss is in which aspects the leaders of the parties examined are similar in their role of political entrepreneurs and in which they differ. In order to answer these questions, the previous careers of the leaders, the ways they entered politics and the strategies they used to achieve their goals will also be analyzed.
Koho volí vaši sousedé? Prostorové vzorce volebního chování na území Česka od roku 1920 do roku 2006, jejich změny a možné příčiny.
Authors: Sax Ondřej
Published: June 2017

Kostelecký, Tomáš; Mikešová, Renáta; Poláková, Markéta; Čermák, Daniel; Bernard, Josef; Šimon, Martin (2014). Koho volí vaši sousedé? Prostorové vzorce volebního chování na území Česka od roku 1920 do roku 2006, jejich změny a možné příčiny. Praha: Sociologické nakladatelství (SLON), 173 pages.
Motivating Boys to Read: Guys Read, a Summer Library Reading Program for Boys
Authors: Dillon Deborah R. , O’Brien David G. , Nichols-Besel Kristen
Published: June 2017

A 2013 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) report, How a Nation Engages with Art, illustrates that voluntary “literary” reading rates of adults have fallen1 compared to an applauded rise in 2008.2Prior to these two reports, other NEA research showed a serious decline in both literary and book reading by adults of all ages, races, incomes, and education levels.3 Other survey data measuring what youth do in their leisure time indicated that young men and women read fewer than twelve minutes per day.4 These reports show that boys’ frequency of reading lags behind that of girls and that boys are reading neither the number of books nor the range of genres they should read as they progress through the elementary grades.
Illustrator Extraordinaire: Bechtel Fellow Enthralled by Arthur Rackham
Authors: Mangan Bridgid
Published: June 2017

These are the words of a young C. S. Lewis, who was deeply impressed by the “tender, flickering light of imagination”2 conveyed in the watercolor images by Rackham, the late nineteenth-century artist. Upon entering the Baldwin Library of Historical Children’s Literature at the University of Florida, I felt the same anticipation and excitement. There was a shelf of first-edition books, some signed by Rackham himself, awaiting my perusal. As a recipient of the 2016 Louise Seaman Bechtel Fellowship, I had been awarded an exceptional opportunity to explore the works of one of the most admired and influential illustrators of all time.