bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polyp detection rate: does length matter?
Authors: Segal Jonathan P , Kanagasundaram Cynthia , Mills Philip , Bassett Paul , Greenfield Simon M
Published: July 2018

Introduction

Polyp detection rate is a surrogate marker for adenoma detection rate and therefore a surrogate marker of quality colonoscopy. To our knowledge, this is the first study that compares distance from the monitor to the endoscopist on polyp detection rate.

Methods

This was a retrospective study comparing polyp detection rate across two different endoscopy room set-ups. All colonoscopies performed between December 2013 and November 2014 were retrieved. The difference in the room set-up was the distance from the endoscopist to the endoscopy monitor. Room A had a distance of 219 cm and Room B had 147 cm. We used two identical rooms, C and D, as a control arm with a distance of 190 cm between the endoscopist and the monitor.

Results

There were significant differences in polyp detection rates between Room A and Room B in the bowel cancer screening lists. For these lists, the room with the closest distance from the endoscopist to the monitor (147 cm) had a statistically significant higher polyp detection rate than the room that had a further monitor to endoscopist distance of 219 cm (p<0.0006) and a trend towards a higher polyp detection rate compared with the room where the distance between the monitor and the endoscopist was 190 cm (p=0.08). This effect was not noticed across the service lists.

Conclusions

This study has suggested that the distance from the endoscopist to the monitor can affect polyp detection rate. It appears that for bowel cancer screening lists, the further the endoscopist from the monitor the lower their polyp detection rate.
Casimir effect and the uncertainty principle
Authors: Giné Jaume
Published: July 2018

The Casimir effect is one of the observable consequences of the vacuum fluctuations. The Casimir effect manifests itself as a force between two uncharged conductive plates in a vacuum placed a few nanometers apart. In this work, we try to deduce the Casimir effect directly from the uncertainty principle.
Unpacking Taiwan’s Presence in Southeast Asia: The International Socialization of the New Southbound Policy
Authors: YANG ALAN H.
Published: July 2018

Over the past three decades, Taiwan has been struggling to gain an advantage and develop its role in Asia. This island has strived to balance its asymmetric relationship with China by engaging in regional integration in Southeast Asia and beyond. In the 1990s, the Taiwan government initiated the first wave of its Go South Policy aimed at building links at business and government levels with that region. The institutional and social legacy of the Go South Policy contributed to the making of the New Southbound Policy (NSP) which was proposed toward the end of 2015. This paper will unpack Taiwan’s presence in Southeast Asia by highlighting the international socialization process of the NSP and Taiwan’s strategic interaction with the region. It consists of four sections: the first section introduces the concept of international socialization. The second section discusses the positioning of Taiwan’s previous Go South policies. Starting with the shift from a mentality of “Taiwanese Asia” (Taiwan de yazhou, 臺灣的亞洲) to one of “Asian Taiwan” (Yazhou de Taiwan, 亞洲的臺灣), it describes in detail how Taiwan’s successive southward engagement initiatives have blended into the international socialization processes in the region. The third section highlights the relationships the policy’s key actors and stakeholders, including transnational actors, are establishing with their counterparts in Southeast Asia and the new social linkages that are currently being promoted. This includes the activities of Taiwanese residents in Southeast Asia and Southeast Asian migrants in Taiwan. The paper concludes by summarizing Taiwan’s international socialization in Asia.
Aesthetic Highlight Detection in Movies Based on Synchronization of Spectators’ Reactions
Authors: Muszynski Michal , Kostoulas Theodoros , Lombardo Patrizia , Pun Thierry , Chanel Guillaume
Published: July 2018

Detection of aesthetic highlights is a challenge for understanding the affective processes taking place during movie watching. In this article, we study spectators’ responses to movie aesthetic stimuli in a social context. Moreover, we look for uncovering the emotional component of aesthetic highlights in movies. Our assumption is that synchronized spectators’ physiological and behavioral reactions occur during these highlights because: (
i
) aesthetic choices of filmmakers are made to elicit specific emotional reactions (e.g., special effects, empathy, and compassion toward a character) and (
ii
) watching a movie together causes spectators’ affective reactions to be synchronized through emotional contagion. We compare different approaches to estimation of synchronization among multiple spectators’ signals, such as pairwise, group, and overall synchronization measures to detect aesthetic highlights in movies. The results show that the unsupervised architecture relying on synchronization measures is able to capture different properties of spectators’ synchronization and detect aesthetic highlights based on both spectators’ electrodermal and acceleration signals. We discover that pairwise synchronization measures perform the most accurately independently of the category of the highlights and movie genres. Moreover, we observe that electrodermal signals have more discriminative power than acceleration signals for highlight detection.
Assessing responsibility for program output
Authors: Hill Robin K.
Published: July 2018

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We lack an easy way to indicate that algorithms do not make decisions and are not biased; programmers do, and are.
Every silver lining has a cloud
Authors: Neville-Neil George V.
Published: July 2018

Cache is king. And if your cache is cut, you are going to feel it.
Insulin-like growth factor-II in adipocyte regulation: depot-specific actions suggest a potential role limiting excess visceral adiposity
Authors: Alfares Maiadah N. , Perks Claire M. , Hamilton-Shield Julian P. , Holly Jeffrey M. P.
Published: July 2018

The IGF system has an important role in growth and development. IGF-II is a recognized fetal growth promoter. However, its physiological postnatal role remains uncertain, although it is maintained in the circulation at a substantially high level throughout life. IGF-II has been strongly linked to obesity in genetic studies, and more recent evidence suggests a metabolic role. We examined fat depot differences in IGF-II’s action on differentiation and metabolism. We speculate a specific effect on visceral adipocytes in relation to the differential distribution of insulin receptors between visceral and subcutaneous fat depots. We used a previously established adipocyte, cell culture system of matched pairs of visceral and subcutaneous fat biopsies from 20 normal weight children undergoing routine surgery for nonmalignant, nonseptic conditions. Preadipocytes were differentiated for 14 days in the presence or absence of IGF-II. Oil Red O staining, Western blotting, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction techniques were employed to assess levels of adipogenesis markers and levels of the insulin receptor and insulin receptor isoforms. Our data indicate that IGF-II promotes preadipocyte differentiation in subcutaneous preadipocytes but showed a protective, opposing effect restricting visceral preadipocyte differentiation, confirmed by reductions in the differentiation markers peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and adiponectin and in triglyceride staining. Additionally, IGF-II reduced mRNA expression of the insulin receptor in adipocytes and downregulated insulin receptor isoform A and glucose transporter 4 abundance and corresponding glucose uptake in visceral adipocytes. In conclusion, IGF-II is a regulator of preadipocyte differentiation and metabolism by acting as a differential modulator of fat accumulation favoring less visceral fat deposition in children.
Multiresolution Analysis of the Relationship of Solar Activity, Global Temperatures, and Global Warming
Authors: Li Zhen , Yue Jianping , Xiang Yunfei , Chen Jian , Bian Yankai , Chen Hanqing
Published: July 2018

Sunspot number is an important parameter for presenting the intensity of solar activity. Based on the sunspot number series, which has been replaced by a new improved version since 2015, we confirm that the sunspot number has significant variations at 11-year and 112-year periods. The sunspot number has also increased from 1700 to 2016 with 0.08 annual increments on the basis of wavelet analysis and least-square fitting. We further confirm that global temperatures are remarkable in 22-year and 64-year cycles. The result of wavelet transform coherence (WTC) analysis suggests that solar activity has a positive lag effect on global temperatures in the period band of 22 years with a 3-year lag. However, the linearly increasing global temperature has hampered WTC analysis since 1960. Aiming to solve this problem, we apply wavelet decomposition and cross correlation to determine whether the aforementioned lag effect in the period band of 22 years has a 2-year lag rather than a 3-year lag. We find that the 22-year magnetic field solar cycle plays a greater role in global climate change than the 11-year sunspot cycle. In addition, we notice that the solar activity is not a representation of the driving force of the upward trend of global temperature after the industrial age. The Granger causality test results demonstrate that the phenomenon of the global warming is caused by excessive CO2 emissions.
Cytotoxic and Apoptotic Effects of Govaniadine Isolated fromCorydalis govanianaWall. Roots on Human Breast Cancer (MCF-7) Cells
Authors: Sivakumaran Nivethika , Samarakoon Sameera R. , Adhikari Achyut , Ediriweera Meran K. , Tennekoon Kamani H. , Malavige Neelika , Thabrew Ira , Shrestha Ram Lal (Swagat)
Published: July 2018

Current breast cancer therapies have limitations in terms of increased drug resistance resulting in short-term efficacy, thus demanding the discovery of new therapeutic agents. In this study, cytotoxic activity and apoptotic effects of govaniadine isolated fromCorydalis govanianaWall. roots were determined on human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells. The SRB assay result revealed that govaniadine led to dose- and time-dependent cytotoxic effect in MCF-7 cells along with less cytotoxicity against MCF-10A cells. Govaniadine-induced apoptosis was also accompanied by upregulation ofBax,p53, andSurvivinmRNA expression as assessed by real time PCR analysis. Flow cytometric analysis with Annexin V and PI staining indicated that govaniadine is a potent inducer of apoptosis in MCF-7 cell lines. Distinctive morphological changes contributed to apoptosis and DNA laddering were observed in govaniadine-treated MCF-7 cells. Caspase-7 was significantly activated in treated MCF-7 cells. Govaniadine-treated MCF-7 cells also showed enhanced levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) and decreased levels of glutathione (GSH). The results indicate that govaniadine has potent and selective cytotoxic effects against MCF-7 cells and the potential to induce caspase 7 dependent apoptosis in MCF-7 cells by activation of pathways that lead to oxidative stress.
Reliability and Accuracy of Peri-Interventional Stenosis Grading in Peripheral Artery Disease Using Color-Coded Quantitative Fluoroscopy: A Phantom Study Comparing a Clinical and Scientific Postprocessing Software
Authors: Ghibes Patrick , Partovi Sasan , Grözinger Gerd , Martirosian Petros , Schick Fritz , Nikolaou Konstantin , Ketelsen Dominik , Syha Roland , Grosse Ulrich
Published: July 2018

Purpose. To assess quantitative stenosis grading by color-coded fluoroscopy using an in vitro pulsatile flow phantom. Methods. Three different stenotic tubes (80%, 60%, and 40% diameter restriction) and a nonstenotic reference tube were compared regarding their different flow behavior by using contrast-enhanced fluoroscopy with a flat-detector system for visualisation purposes. Time-density curves (TDC), area under the curve (AUC), time-to-peak (TTP), and different ROI sizes were analyzed in three independent measurements using two different postprocessing software solutions. In addition, exemplary TDCs of a patient with a high-grade stenosis before and after stent angioplasty were acquired. Results. Color-coded fluoroscopy enabled depiction of differences in AUC and TDC between high-grade (80%), middle (60%), low-grade (40%), and nonstenotic tubes. The best correlation between high-, middle-, and low-grade stenosis was appreciated in ROIs behind the stenosis. This effect was enhanced by using longer integration times (5s, 7s) and a maximum frame rate of image acquisition for analysis (correlation coefficient rho=0.9284 at 5s). TTP showed no significant differences between high- and low-grade stenosis. Conclusions. Various clinical studies in the literature already demonstrated reproducible and reliable stenosis grading by analyzing TDCs acquired with color-coded fluoroscopy. In contrast to TTP, AUC values derived in ROIs behind the stenosis proved to be reliable parameters for stenosis grading. However, our results also demonstrate that several factors are able to significantly impact the evaluation of AUC values. More precisely, accuracy of acquired AUC values can be improved by choosing longer integration times, a large ROI size adapted to the vessel diameter, and a higher frame rate of image acquisition.
Listeria monocytogenes Brain Abscess: Controversial Issues for the Treatment—Two Cases and Literature Review
Authors: Tiri Beatrice , Priante Giulia , Saraca Lavinia Maria , Martella Lucia Assunta , Cappanera Stefano , Francisci Daniela
Published: July 2018

Listeria monocytogenes (LM) is an opportunistic pathogen, and the most common central nervous system manifestation is meningitis while listerial brain abscesses are rare. We describe 2 cases of brain abscess due to LM and a literature review. Only 73 cases were reported in the literature from 1968 to 2017. The mean age was 51.9, and the mortality rate was 27.3%. In 19% of cases, no risk factors for neurolisteriosis were identified. Blood cultures were positive in 79.5% while CSF or brain abscess biopsy material was positive in 50.8%. In 40% was started a monotherapy regimen while in 60% a combination therapy without substantial differences in mortality. Fifty-two percent underwent neurosurgery while 45.3% has been treated only with medical therapy. The mortality rates were, respectively, 13% and 38.2%. Only 25% of patients who were treated for ≤6 weeks underwent neurosurgery, while 80% of those who were treated for ≥8 weeks were operated. The mortality rates were, respectively, 12.5% and 0%, suggesting that a combined approach of surgery and prolonged medical therapy would have an impact on mortality. We believe that it is essential to carry out this review as brain abscesses are rare, and there are no definitive indications on the optimal management, type, and duration of therapy.
Cardiac Involvement by HIV-Associated DLBCL
Authors: Mupamombe Charles T. , Noel Jude , Laskar Derek B. , Valdivia Liza
Published: July 2018

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is a common AIDS-defining malignancy among people living with HIV. Of the different types of NHLs, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common. Prognosis of DLBCL has improved over the years in the general population but remains relatively poor in HIV-positive individuals. Almost any organ system can be affected by DLBCL; however, cardiac involvement remains rare and suggests aggressive disease. We present a case of DLBCL in an HIV-positive patient, who had cardiac involvement, with the only clue to cardiac involvement being symptom being tachycardia and dysphagia.
Genetic Variant rs755622 Regulates Expression of the Multiple Sclerosis Severity Modifier D-Dopachrome Tautomerase in a Sex-Specific Way
Authors: Han Zhijie , Qu Jiaojiao , Zhao Jiehong , Zou Xiao
Published: July 2018

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a sex-specific autoimmune disease involving central nervous system. Previous studies determined that macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and its homologue D-dopachrome tautomerase (DDT) sex-specifically affect MS progression. Moreover, other studies reported that rs755622 polymorphism in promoter region of MIF gene is associated with risk of MS and affects the promoter activity to regulate MIF expression in a sex-specific way. Given that MIF and DDT share a part of promoter sequence, we surmise that rs755622 can also regulate DDT expression in a sex-specific way. However, this has not yet been studied. Here, we used five large-scale expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) and two RNA-seq datasets from brain and blood to assess the potential influence of rs755622 variant on expression of DDT in different genders by the linear regression and differential expression analysis. The results show that the minor allele frequency of rs755622 and expression of DDT are significantly increased in males for MS subjects and this minor allele variant can significantly upregulate DDT expression for males but not females, which suggests that the regulation of DDT expression level by rs755622 can affect MS progression in males. These findings further support and expand conclusions of previous studies and may help to better understand the mechanisms of MS.
Assessing Prone Areas to Heavy Rainfall and the Impaction of the Upper Warm Temperature Anomaly during March–May Rainfall Season in Tanzania
Authors: Mafuru Kantamla Biseke , Guirong Tan
Published: July 2018

This study analyses the spatial and temporal distribution of heavy rainfall events (HREs) and its associated circulation anomalies over Tanzania during March to May (MAM) rainfall season of 1980–2010. A total of 822 HREs were revealed, concentrated over the northern sector (NS) of the country. Years with anomalous HREs are associated with low-level westerly convergence, advection of moisture from both the Indian Ocean and Congo basin, an upper warm temperature anomaly (UWTA), intensified and well-positioned Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), and pronounced rising motion since the ascending limb of the Walker type of circulation is centered over Tanzania. The analysis of the UWTA in this study has brought a key factor in exploring the possible likely cause and improved early warning system for the HREs during the MAM rainfall season in Tanzania. Making use of the thermal wind equation and the velocity divergent form of the continuity equation (DFCE), we found that the UWTA results into an upper-level horizontal wind divergence which significantly accelerates vertical ascent, deepening the surface low pressure for an enhanced convective process and HREs formation.
Pseudohyperkalemia: Hyperkalemia Cocktail or Alternative Diagnosis
Authors: Neupane Sanjay Prakash , Sharma Pratibha , Dangal Mahesh Mani
Published: July 2018

Introduction. Hyperkalemia is a commonly encountered clinical problem. Pseudohyperkalemia is believed to be an in vitro phenomenon that does not reflect in vivo serum potassium and therefore should not be treated. Here, we present a case who unfortunately underwent unnecessary treatment because of failure to detect the common lab abnormality of pseudohyperkalemia. Case Presentation. A 91-year-old female with a history of chronic lymphocytic leukemia presented to the emergency with nausea and vomiting 24 hours after her first chemotherapy with chlorambucil. Physical examination was overall unremarkable. She had a leukocytosis of 210 × 103/µL with 96% lymphocytes along with chronic anemia with hemoglobin of 8.1 g/dL. Her initial sodium and potassium levels were normal. During the clinical course, her potassium progressively worsened and failed to improve despite standard medical treatment. Patient ultimately underwent dialysis. Conclusions. Differentiating true hyperkalemia from pseudohyperkalemia is very important in selected group of patients to avoid unnecessary medications, higher level of care, and unnecessary procedure including dialysis. We want to emphasize the importance of simple yet profound knowledge of technique of blood draws and basic metabolic panel processing for every clinician in day-to-day practice.
The Energy Density and Treatment Times Are the Main Factors That Affect the Efficacy of Long-Pulsed 1,064-nm Nd:YAG Laser Treatment for Onychomycosis Caused by Trichophyton rubrum
Authors: Liu Chao , Zhang Ling , Zeng Hai-Yan , Bei Hong , Chen Shi-Ping , Wu Yi-Xi , Luo Wen-Xia , Fang Qing , Liu Pin-Mei
Published: July 2018

Background: No optimal regimen exists for the LPNYL (long-pulsed 1,064-nm neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser) for treating onychomycosis. Objective: To establish an optimal LPNYL treatment regimen for onychomycosis caused by Trichophyton rubrum (OCTr). Patients and Methods: First, 511 infected nails of 177 patients were treated using LPNYL with orthogonally designed regimens according to various energy densities, spot sizes, pulse widths, and treatment times. The optimal treatment regimen was established by multivariate analysis. Next, 69 patients with 221 infected nails were randomized to receive oral itraconazole (drug group) and the optimal regimen of LPNYL treatment (laser group). The clinical efficacy (CE) and mycological efficacy (ME) were evaluated at 6 and 12 months following the start of treatment, and adverse reactions were recorded in both groups. Results: Both CE and ME were significantly correlated with the energy density (p < 0.05) and treatment times (p < 0.05), but not with the spot size (0.071 < p < 0.083) or pulse width (0.051 < p < 0.060), at 6 or 12 months. There were no significant differences at 6 or 12 months (p > 0.05), and no significant difference was observed in CE at 12 months between the two groups (p > 0.05). At 6 months, the CE in the laser group was significantly higher than that in the drug group (p < 0.001). Conclusions: LPNYL is effective and safe for treating OCTr. The energy density and treatment times are the main factors that affect the efficacy. The optimal regimen for LPNYL is an energy density of 45 J/cm2, pulse width of 35 ms, spot size of 4 mm, frequency of 1 Hz, and 6 treatments with 1-week intervals. Laser treatment has rapid clinical recovery.
The Contribution of the Basophil Activation Test to the Diagnosis of Hypersensitivity Reactions to Oxaliplatin
Authors: Ornelas Cristina , Caiado Joana , Campos Melo Alcinda , Pereira Barbosa Manuel , Castells Mariana C. , Pereira dos Santos Maria Conceição
Published: July 2018

Cytostatics, mainly oxaliplatin, are widely used to treat oncological diseases. There has been an increase in hypersensitivity reactions to these drugs, mostly IgE-mediated. Skin tests are the main diagnostic method used but they may induce irritant local reactions and contamination by health care professionals. The main goals of this work were to evaluate the contribution of the basophil activation test (BAT) as a diagnostic tool for hypersensitivity reactions to oxaliplatin, and to compare the expression of CD63 and CD203c molecules. BAT was performed with oxaliplatin in 6 oncological patients with previous documented hypersensitivity reactions to oxaliplatin and in 5 controls (4 oncological patients tolerant to oxaliplatin and 1 healthy control), assessing CD63 and CD203c expression on basophil population. We found higher values for the basophil activation percentage and mean stimulation index for CD203c expression with all oxaliplatin concentrations tested (most significant at 150 μg/mL: p = 0,0087; p = 0.0222) in the patients than in controls. The same did not occur, with statistical significance, for CD63 expression. When we compared the 2 activation markers in the patients, we observed a more enhanced expression of CD203c in both evaluations, with statistical significance at the 150-μg/mL concentration (p = 0,026; p = 0,0129). These data show a higher positivity of BAT with oxaliplatin in patients with previous hypersensitivity reactions, when compared to controls, suggesting that BAT may be a promising diagnostic method as an alternative to skin tests. CD203c appears to play a more prominent role than CD63, which is consistent with what is published in the literature.
Sulforaphane, a Chemopreventive Compound, Inhibits Cyclooxygenase-2 and Microsomal Prostaglandin E Synthase-1 Expression in Human HT-29 Colon Cancer Cells
Authors: Tafakh Maryam Sadat , Saidijam Massoud , Ranjbarnejad Tayebeh , Malih Sara , Mirzamohammadi Solmaz , Najafi Rezvan
Published: July 2018

Background: A high expression of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is found in colorectal cancer. Therefore, blocking of PGE2 generation has been identified as a promising approach for anticancer therapy. Sulforaphane (SFN), an isothiocyanate derived from glucosinolate, is used as the antioxidant and anticancer agents. Methods: HT-29 cells were treated with various concentrations of SFN and compared to untreated cells for the expression of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 at the mRNA level. The PGE2 level was measured by ELISA assay. Apoptosis was evaluated by the proportion of sub-G1 cells. The activity of caspase-3 was determined using an enzymatic assay. HT-29 cell migration was assessed using a scratch test. Results: SFN preconditioning decreased the expression of COX-2, mPGES-1, HIF-1, VEGF, CXCR4, MMP-2, and MMP-9. An apoptotic effect of SFN was preceded by the activation of caspase-3 as well as accumulation of cells in the sub-G1 phase of the cell cycle. SFN decreased PGE2 generation and inhibited the in vitro motility/wound-healing activity of HT-29 cells. Conclusions: SFN anticancer effects are associated with antiproliferative, antiangiogenic, and antimetastatic activities arising from the downregulation of the COX-2/ mPGES-1 axis.
Birth Mode-Related Differences in Gut Microbiota Colonization and Immune System Development
Authors: Francino M. Pilar
Published: July 2018

Background: The process of early gut colonization is extremely variable among individuals and is influenced by numerous factors. Among these, the mode of birth will strongly shape the early microbial exposure and immune environment of the neonate. Summary: Here, I review how the concomitant processes of microbiota and immune system development are altered by C-section delivery and the effects of such alterations on long-term health. Key messages: C-section delivery impinges on microbiota and immune system development through various means: (i) if labor is lacking, intrauterine immune responses dependent on this process will not occur, affecting the immune environment of the neonate; (ii) the lack of exposure to the vaginal and fecal microbes of the mother will alter the type and diversity of the microbes that colonize the gut at birth; (iii) the different starting points in terms of microbial exposure and immune environment will mark the course of microbiota and immune system development during the first months of life, generating multiple feedbacks between these 2 processes. Given that the first months of life represent a crucial time window in the ontogenesis of the immune system and the establishment of tolerance, C-section delivery will impact on the lifelong risk of developing immune disease.
Quantitative Mobility Assessment for Fall Risk Prediction in Dementia: A Systematic Review
Authors: Dolatabadi Elham , Van Ooteghem Karen , Taati Babak , Iaboni Andrea
Published: July 2018

Background: Impairments of gait and balance often progress through the course of dementia, and are associated with increased risk of falls. Summary: This systematic review provides a critical analysis of the evidence linking quantitative measures of gait and balance to fall risk in older adults with dementia. Various instrumented measures of gait and postural stability including gait speed and non-instrumented performance measures including Timed Up and Go were shown to be capable of distinguishing fallers from non-fallers. Key Messages: Existing reviews indicate that impairments of gait and balance are associated with increased risk of falls in cognitively intact older people. There are inconsistencies, however, regarding the characteristics most predictive of a fall. In order to advance fall prevention efforts, there is an important need to understand the relationship between gait, balance, and fall risk, particularly in high-risk populations such as individuals with dementia.
Epilepsia Partialis Continua as the First Presenting Symptom in Probable Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Yang Sheng-Hsiang , Yeh Poh-Shiow , Chen Tai-Yuan
Published: July 2018

We present the case of a middle-aged man suffering from epilepsia partialis continua 3 weeks before the start of cognition decline, visual disturbance, and pyramidal dysfunction. The epilepsia partialis continua was difficult to control, and the underlying cause was uncertain even after thorough surveys for infection, inflammation, autoimmunity, and neoplasm. However, progressive signal intensity changes were noted over the involved cortical gyri, bilateral caudate, and putamen on serial magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted images, which were compatible with sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease. Therefore, we tested for 14-3-3 protein in the cerebrospinal fluid, and the results were positive. Multifocal myoclonus jerks, severe mental decline, akinetic mutism, and typical periodic sharp wave complexes on electroencephalogram developed late in his disease course. He died under the hospice care, and his total disease duration was approximately 5 months. This case highlights that epilepsia partialis continua can be the first presenting symptoms of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease, and that magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities can be helpful to identify the disease.
LOC101930370/MiR-1471 Axis Modulates the Hedgehog Signaling Pathway in Breast Cancer
Authors: Liu Xin , Zhao Tong , Bai Xue , Li Mingqi , Ren Jingli , Wang Mengxue , Xu Ranchen , Zhang Shuqian , Li Huimin , Hu Yingying , Xie Liangjun , Zhang Ying , Yang Lida , Yan Chaoqi , Zhang Yong
Published: July 2018

Background/Aims: Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play vital regulatory roles in many tumors. However, the functional roles of these transcripts responsible for their dysregulation in breast cancer (BC) are not thoroughly understood. Methods: We examined the expression of microRNA miR-1471 in BC specimens. Online analysis tools predicted that lncRNA LOC101930370 might act as an endogenous ‘sponge’ by competing for miR-1471 binding targets. Luciferase assays were used to prove the interaction of LOC101930370, miR-1471 and SHH. Edu, wound-healing and transwell assays were used to verify the contribution of miR-1471 and LOC101930370 on MCF-7 cells proliferation and metastasis. Gain and loss of function studies were performed to evaluate the relevance of Hedgehog pathway with LOC101930370/miR-1471 regulating axis in MCF-7 cells. Results: The expression of miR-1471 was markedly downregulated in BC. Inhibition of miR-1471 by LOC101930370 was proved by luciferase assay. Knockdown of LOC101930370 suppressed BC cells progression. MiR-1471 inhibitor resulted in a more aggressive metastasis of MCF-7 cells. Moreover, SHH and Gli-1 expression were significantly suppressed by LOC101930370 knockdown, and upregulated by miR-1471 inhibitor transfection. Conclusions: Collectively, our study reveals the interaction between LOC101930370 and miR-1471 for the first time. LOC101930370 positively regulates the expression of SHH by sponging miR-1471, which sheds new light on lncRNA-directed diagnostics and therapeutics in BC.
Recomendações aos comitês de auditoria em empresas brasileiras
Authors: Silva Alini Da , Da Cunha Paulo Roberto , Teixeira Silvio Aparecido
Published: July 2018

O presente estudo analisa a relação entre as características do comitê de auditoria e as deficiências do controle interno em empresas brasileiras. A amostra do estudo envolveu cerca de 80 empresas que possuíam comitês de auditoria, no período de 2010 a 2015. Foram utilizadas a análise de entropia da informação, a estatística descritiva e a regressão linear múltipla. Os resultados demonstraram que empresas que possuem no mínimo três membros no comitê de auditoria, em relação àquelas que possuem menos que três membros, apresentaram menores deficiências no controle interno. Este resultado fortalece a prerrogativa de organismos regulatórios de ser adotado um mínimo de três membros para o comitê de auditoria para empresas brasileiras, contribuindo para a diminuição das deficiências do controle interno.
“Imagina a festa”: Comercial da Brahma e a paródia criadora de novo sentido
Authors: Ludovice Camila de Araújo Beraldo , Nogueira Layd Glauce Fontanezi
Published: July 2018

Este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar os discursos e as relações dialógicas da paródia e do anúncio publicitário da Brahma, que fez referência à Copa do Mundo de 2014 no Brasil. A dinâmica que organiza a sociedade só pode ser compreendida com um olhar atento em direção às articulações entre publicidade, mídia e consumo, uma vez que está constantemente impregnado o conteúdo da vida urbana. Assim, inspirada no comercial de TV, a paródia, que teve grande sucesso entre os internautas que acessam as redes e mídias sociais, consegue apresentar um novo ponto de vista sobre o mesmo tema. Dessa maneira, procura-se discutir a importância desses dois recursos para a constituição dos sentidos, já que o dialogismo permite a inserção de outras ideologias existentes e com a paródia é possível inferir que se ganha um sentido diferente do original, mas o conteúdo parodiado sempre é valorizado e perpetuado.
La Milagrosa: ensaio visual sobre rituais e estéticas de sincretismo afrocubano
Authors: Mourão Rui
Published: July 2018

Num cruzamento de videoarte e antropologia visual, o vídeo LA MILAGROSA foca-se no universo da Santería, sincretismo religioso entre divindades africanas e religiosidades católicas, que se gerou em populações afrodescendentes escravizadas em Cuba, segundo entrecruzados processos de assimilação e resistência face aos poderes coloniais, continuando a existir após a independência, inclusive num contexto oficialmente ateu. Testemunhando a perpetuação da mitologia Ioruba, o ensaio visual conduz-nos por rituais e altares domésticos de uma santera, revelando um simbólico e vasto panteão de deuses tribais africanos representado por santos, cantos, objetos e cores presentes em diversos elementos (ex: flores, tecidos, doces, velas, madeiras, colares de contas, etc). A narrativa abre-se posteriormente a espaços públicos de tipologia católica que se tornaram icónicos para práticas da Santería: o cemitério Cristóval Colón (Cristóvão Colombo) e o santuário de São Lázaro.
Vortex: uma crônica visual
Authors: Vicente Carlos Fadon
Published: July 2018

Formulado como um ensaio fotográfico, Vortex (2013-presente) tem seu eixo poético na cena/realidade imediata, operando o jogo e a mescla entre algo que se pressente e aquilo que se encontra. Seu substrato temático é o desarranjo sócio-cultural exposto no conflito, desgaste e desmanche — às vezes, na elevação — presentes na micro paisagem urbana, vista como janela, espelho e anteparo. São fantasmáticos ecos e sinais de um turbilhão em processo, daí seu título.
Fotografia e Império: paisagens para um Brasil Moderno
Authors: Elias Alexsânder Nakaóka
Published: July 2018

Em “Fotografia e Império: Paisagens para um Brasil Moderno”, Natalia Brizuela (2012) apresenta ao leitor um panorama do Brasil oitocentista a partir de fotografias, explicitando que estas imagens se fizeram intensamente presentes na construção do imaginário nacional. Assim, a autora ressalta a importante relação entre as fotografias desse período com a configuração do espaço e do território brasileiro. Seja com as paisagens (vistas) produzidas na corte imperial de D. Pedro II; as photographies ao mesmo tempo técnicas e mágicas de Hercule Florence, que narram uma história às margens do Império; os retratos (denominados cartes de visite) que estabeleceram o simbolismo da escravidão e da superioridade do branco; ou nas imagens de Flávio de Barros sobre a Guerra de Canudos, indício da formação da Nova República, o livro de Brizuela mostra a capacidade que a fotografia possui de, ao mesmo tempo, desencantar e reencantar a natureza e o mundo.
Bogart Duplo de Bogart: pistas da persona cinematográfica de Humprhrey Bogart, 1941-1946
Authors: Baroni Rodrigo Frare
Published: July 2018

No livro, Bogart duplo de Bogart, Luís Felipe Sobral centraliza sua análise na construção da persona cinematográfica de Humpfrey Bogart, ator hollywoodiano que iniciou sua carreira no teatro e em papéis secundários feitos por ele nos filmes de gângsteres da década de 1930, mas que ficou conhecido por seus papéis de protagonista de filmes de detetive na década de 1940.
Caveiras da performance, a ossada de uma filiação comum: John Dawsey entrevista Richard Schechner
Authors: Abreu Carolina de Camargo
Published: July 2018

Trechos de conversas, palestras e seminários que Richard Schechner realizou durante sua visita ao Brasil em meados do ano de 2012. O autor e pesquisador reflete sobre as condições da produção intelectual e artística contemporânea em seminário para o Departamento de Antropologia da FFLCH/ USP. Disserta sobre alguns dos seus conceitos produzidos na intersecção dos campos do teatro e da antropologia em diálogo frutífero junto ao Núcleo de Antropologia, Performance e Drama - NAPEDRA , coordenado pelo Professor John Dawsey; e ainda dança junto com o Núcleo de Artes Afro-Brasileiras.
Tempo Indígena (vídeo - Dossiê Olhares Cruzados)
Authors: Morasse Carl
Published: July 2018

Desde 2010, La Boîte Rouge Vif, Quebec, Canadá, vem compilando mais de 300 horas de material visual dos quatro cantos da província de Quebec, em colaboração com as dez nações indígenas e os Inuit. Apenas 1% desse material foi exibido em nossas realizações, em especial nos museus. A principal motivação da criação do filme “Tempo Indígena” é oferecer àqueles que testemunham, uma visão da riqueza da filmagem coletada, dando voz aos povos nativos e chamando atenção desse tema para o grande público.
TÜRK BANKACILIK SEKTÖRÜ YURTİÇİ KREDİ HACMİNDE BALON OLUŞUMUNU ETKİLEYEN FAKTÖRLERİN ANALİZİ
Authors: AKKAYA Murat
Published: July 2018

Finansal
piyasa katılımcılarından olan bankalar, topladıkları tasarrufları finansman
ihtiyacı olan kişi ve kurumlara kredi olarak vermektedir. Türk bankacılık
sektörünün Ocak 2002- Eylül 2017 döneminde yurtiçi kredi hacmi % 5.515,82
oranında artmıştır. Türk bankacılık sektörü yurtiçi kredi hacmindeki balonların
belirlenmesi ve bu balonların oluşumunda etkili olan değişkenlerin
araştırılması için Lojistik regresyon ve Granger nedensellik testi
kullanılmıştır. Türk bankacılık sektörü yurtiçi kredi hacminde balonların
oluştuğu ve bu balonlar ile ihracatın ithalatı karşılama oranı ve işsizlik
oranı arasında anlamlı ilişki bulunduğu görülmüştür. İlişkinin yönü ise kredi
hacmindeki balonlardan ihracatın ithalatı karşılama oranı, imalat kapasite
kullanım oranı ve net uluslararası rezervler yönüne tek taraflıdır.
Medical Martyrs: Nineteenth-Century Representations of Early Modern Inquisitorial Persecution of Spanish Physicians
Authors: Keitt Andrew
Published: July 2018

This essay examines the discourse on medicine and the Inquisition in nineteenth-century Spain. It traces how liberal reformers selectively appropriated aspects of the history of Spanish medicine in the service of their contemporary political and scientific agendas, and how in doing so they contributed to the formation of new professional and national identities.
“Speaking with the Fire”: The Inquisition Confronts Mesoamerican Divination to Treat Child Illness in Sixteenth-Century Guatemala
Authors: Few Martha
Published: July 2018

Indigenous midwives and female healers who treated infants and children in late-sixteenth-century Guatemala were medico-religious specialists who mediated the natural and supernatural realms to treat child illness. Their socially critical roles are examined through the lens of an Inquisition investigation in the tributary Maya town of Samayaq in colonial Central America into indigenous and mixed race women’s use of divination as a strategy to treat child illness, and in particular mollera caída, or fallen fontanel.
The genus Lepidaploa (Vernonieae, Asteraceae) in southern South America
Authors: MARQUES DANILO , FARCO GABRIELA ELIZABETH , NAKAJIMA JIMI NAOKI , DEMATTEIS MASSIMILIANO
Published: July 2018

A morphological analysis of the genus Lepidaploa (Vernonieae) of southern South America has been carried out. Until now, the information concerning the genus was fragmented and incomplete for this region. Altogether, 13 species are described and illustrated here. A comprehensive key to the species of southern South America is presented; in addition, we characterized and delimited the distributions of the species.
Centaurea kirmacii (Asteraceae), a new species from southwestern Anatolia, Turkey
Authors: ARMAĞAN METIN , UYSAL TUNA
Published: July 2018

A new species of Centaurea is described from Turkey. Centaurea kirmacii Uysal & Armağan occurs on limestone slopes in Pinus brutia forests of Gökçukur plateau of Kavaklıdere (Muğla). The new species belongs to C. sect. Pteracantha Wagenitz, and taxonomically its closest relative is C. odyssei Wagenitz. Diagnostic characters of the new species are provided, with an updated key that includes related species of C. sect. Pteracantha in Turkey. The geographical distributions of the new species and its relatives of the same section are mapped.
A new species of Dahlia (Asteraceae, Coreopsideae) from the state of Oaxaca, Mexico
Authors: VILLASEÑOR JOSÉ LUIS , REDONDA-MARTÍNEZ ROSARIO
Published: July 2018

Dahlia calzadana Villaseñor & Redonda-Mart. (Asteraceae, Coreopsideae), a new species from the district of Cuicatlan, state of Oaxaca is described and illustrated. It grows in the ecotone between the seasonal dry tropical forest and the Quercus forest. This new taxon differs from all other known species of Dahlia by its simple, conspicuously petiolate leaves and its white with pink tones ray florets.
Taxonomic revision of Ulva montana (Lightfoot 1777) and description of a new genus of Lightfootiella (Cyanophyceae, Chroococcaceae)
Authors: HAŠLER PETR , PENTECOST ALLAN , JAHODÁŘOVÁ EVA , DVOŘÁK PETR , POULÍČKOVÁ ALOISIE
Published: July 2018

We investigated type material of Ulva montana (Lightfoot 1777: 973) and compared it with the type material of Gloeocapsa magma Brébisson in Brébisson & Godey (1835: 40) and fresh material from nature. Our investigation indicates a separate evolutionary lineage of U. montana which possesses specific morphological features differing from the most closely related genera Gloeocapsa, Gloeocapsopsis and Chroococcus. We propose a new genus Lightfootiella gen. nov. based on the new combination Lightfootiella montana comb. nov. We revise the taxonomy of this entity and compare this species with Gloeocapsopsis magma sensu (Brébisson) Komárek & Anagnostidis 1986.
Phaeoclavulina pseudozippelii sp. nov. (Gomphales, Basidiomycota) from Northern Thailand
Authors: WANNATHES NOPPARAT , KAEWKETSRI RATTIKAN , SUWANNARACH NAKARIN , KUMLA JATURONG , LUMYONG SAISAMORN
Published: July 2018

Coral fungi in Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park, Thailand, were surveyed from June to September of 2011 and 2012. A novel species, Phaeoclavulina pseudozippelii is described together with illustrations, photographs, and a comparison with phenetically similar taxa. Its taxonomic position was confirmed through phylogenetic analyses of the large subunit and internal transcribed spacer (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) ribosomal DNA sequences.
Two new species of Billolivia (Gesneriaceae) with yellow flowers from Vietnam
Authors: TRƯỜNG LƯU HỒNG , ĐĂNG TRẦN HỮU , NHÂN PHẠM HỮU , TRUNG NGUYỄN TRẦN QUỐC , ĐẠT NGUYỂN QUỐC , LONG VŨ NGỌC
Published: July 2018

Billolivia citrina and B. yenhoae are described as new species of Gesneriaceae from Central Vietnam. They are the first taxa of the genus known to have yellow corolla lobes. A key to all eleven species of the genus is given.
Two new species of Garreta Janssens, 1940 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) from Southern Africa
Authors: DAVIS ADRIAN L.V. , DESCHODT CHRISTIAN M.
Published: July 2018

Two new, putative, closely-related species of dung beetles are described in the genus Garreta Janssens, 1940 (tribe Gymnopleurini). Garreta australugens new species, is known from various dung types in the southeast lowlands of Africa (validated for South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe with a probable record from Botswana). It is, here, separated at species level from its putative closest relative, Garreta lugens (Fairmaire, 1891), recorded from the lowlands of northeast Africa (validated for Kenya with additional records from Ethiopia, Somalia and Tanzania). These two taxa were formerly considered to comprise a single species. All specimens in the type series of Garreta namalugens new species, were recorded at low altitude in arid, rocky mountains from west central to northwest Namibia, mostly on dung in communal middens of the Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis (Pallas, 1766)).
A nomenclatural and taxonomic note on Micrella Punnett, 1901 (Nemertea: Heteronemertea)
Authors: KAJIHARA HIROSHI
Published: July 2018

I propose to synonymize the two monotypic heteronemertean genera Micrella Punnett, 1901 and Zygeupolia Thompson, 1900 in light of the morphological similarity between the two, based on available information from literature. My proposal not only results in a new combination, Zygeupolia rufa (Punnett, 1901) comb. nov., but also resolves homonymy of Micrella Punnett, 1901 with the ptiliid coleopteran Micrella Motschulsky, 1868 as well as the heterobranch gastropod Micrella Bergh, 1899.
Reviews of special issue
Authors: Gruffydd Jones Branwen
Published: July 2018

The following constitutes the referee reports for the original papers submitted for the special issue on Decentering the Study of International Interventions.
Intellectual Property Protection and Drug Plan Coverage: Evidence From Ontario
Authors: Grootendorst Paul , Shim Minsup , Falconi Adam , Robinson Tyler , Lexchin Joel
Published: July 2018

Canada has strengthened intellectual property (IP) protections for pharmaceutical drugs several times over the last 3 decades. This study investigates whether the IP changes had an effect on the market exclusivity time of brand products on the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) formulary. We constructed a database that included the first brand approval date for drugs launched between 1974 and 2012, the first ODB listing date of the brand drug, and the first ODB listing date of the generic form of the drug. We then calculated the time of formulary exclusivity to detect any changes in market exclusivity times associated with changes to Canada’s IP regimen. There were 595 drugs launched between 1974 and 2012 that were available for analysis. Exclusivity gradually declined from the late 1970s to 1990. Drugs approved in 2004 received 7.6 years of exclusivity, and drugs approved in 2005 received 5 years of exclusivity. Over the time period we analyzed, market exclusivity time of brand drugs experienced marked changes, but we did not detect any systematic effects of Canada’s stronger pharmaceutical IP laws on the market exclusivity.