bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of mhGAP training for primary healthcare workers in Mulanje, Malawi: a quasi-experimental and time series study
Authors: Kokota Demoubly , Lund Crick , Ahrens Jennifer , Breuer Erica , Gilfillan Sheila
Published: January 2020

Background

There has been a growing global movement championed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to integrate mental health into primary health care as the most effective way of reducing the mental health treatment gap. This study aimed to investigate the impact of WHO Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) training and supervision on primary health workers’ knowledge, confidence, attitudes and detection rate of major mental disorders in Mulanje, Malawi.

Method

The study used a quasi-experimental method (single cohort pre- and post-measures) with an interrupted time-series design. A 2 day mhGAP training was delivered to 43 primary healthcare workers (PHWs) working in 18 primary care clinics serving the entire population of Mulanje, Malawi (population 684,107). Modules covered were psychosis, moderate-severe depression, and alcohol & substance use disorders. The PHWs completed pre and post-tests to assess knowledge, confidence and attitudes. Number of diagnosed cases was obtained from clinic registers for 5 months prior to and 7 months following training. Data was analyzed using mean scores, t-test, one-way analysis of variance and linear regression.

Results

The mean knowledge score increased significantly from 11.8 (SD: 0.33) before training to 15.1 (SD: 0.38) immediately after training; t (42) = 7.79, p < 0.01. Similarly, mean knowledge score was significantly higher 6 months post training at 13.9 (SD: 2.52) compared to before; t (42) = 4.57, p < 0.01. The mean confidence score also increased significantly from 39.9 (SD: 7.68) before training to 49.6 (SD: 06.14) immediately after training; t (84) = 8.43, p < 0.01. It was also significantly higher 6 months post training 46.8, (SD: 6.03) compared to before; t (84) = 6.60, p < 0.01. One-way analysis of variance showed no significant difference in mean scores on all four components of the scale used to measure attitudes. A significant positive change in the trend in mental health service utilization after the intervention was demonstrated using a segmented linear regression (β = 2.43 (95% CI 1.02; 3.83) as compared to before (β = − 0.22 (95% CI − 2.67; 2.23) and immediately after (β = 1.63 (95% CI − 7.31; 10.57).

Conclusion

The findings of this study add to the growing evidence for policy makers of the effectiveness of mhGAP training and supervision in a resource-constrained country.
Pcdhβ deficiency affects hippocampal CA1 ensemble activity and contextual fear discrimination
Authors: Asai Hirotaka , Ohkawa Noriaki , Saitoh Yoshito , Ghandour Khaled , Murayama Emi , Nishizono Hirofumi , Matsuo Mina , Hirayama Teruyoshi , Kaneko Ryosuke , Muramatsu Shin-ichi , Yagi Takeshi , Inokuchi Kaoru
Published: January 2020

Clustered protocadherins (Pcdhs), a large group of adhesion molecules, are important for axonal projections and dendritic spread, but little is known about how they influence neuronal activity. The Pcdhβ cluster is strongly expressed in the hippocampus, and in vivo Ca2+ imaging in Pcdhβ-deficient mice revealed altered activity of neuronal ensembles but not of individual cells in this region in freely moving animals. Specifically, Pcdhβ deficiency increased the number of large-size neuronal ensembles and the proportion of cells shared between ensembles. Furthermore, Pcdhβ-deficient mice exhibited reduced repetitive neuronal population activity during exploration of a novel context and were less able to discriminate contexts in a contextual fear conditioning paradigm. These results suggest that one function of Pcdhβs is to modulate neural ensemble activity in the hippocampus to promote context discrimination.
Immunogold labeling of synaptic vesicle proteins in developing hippocampal neurons
Authors: Tao-Cheng Jung-Hwa
Published: January 2020

Synaptic vesicles (SV) contain high concentrations of specific proteins. How these proteins are transported from soma to synapses, and how they become concentrated at SV clusters at presynaptic terminals were examined by immunogold electron microscopy in dissociated rat hippocampal neurons at 3–6 days in culture, a developmental stage when axonal transport of SV proteins is robust. In neuronal somas, labels for the SV integral membrane proteins (synaptophysin, SV2, VAMP/synaptobrevin, and synaptotagmin) were localized at Golgi complexes and other membranous structures that were dispersed in the cytoplasm as individual vesicle/vacuoles. These vesicles/vacuoles became aggregated in axons, with the size of aggregates ranging from 0.2 to 2 μm in length. Pleomorphic vesicle/vacuoles within the aggregate were typically larger (50–300 nm) than SVs, which were uniform in size at ~ 40 nm. These pleomorphic vesicles/vacuoles are probably transport cargos carrying SV integral membrane proteins from the soma, and then are preferentially sorted into axons at early developmental stages. Serial thin sections of young axons indicated that many labeled aggregates were not synaptic, and in fact, some of these axons were without dendritic contacts. In contrast, labels for two SV-associated proteins, synapsin I and α-synuclein, were not localized at the Golgi complexes or associated with membranous structures in the soma, but were dispersed in the cytoplasm. However, these SV-associated proteins became highly concentrated on clusters of SV-like vesicles in axons, and such clusters were already distinctive in axons as early as 3 days in culture. These clusters consisted of ~ 4–30 vesicles in single thin sections, and the vesicles were of a uniform size (~ 40 nm). Serial sectioning analysis showed that these clusters could be part of nascent synapses or exist in axons without any dendritic contact. Importantly, the vesicles were intensely labeled for SV integral membrane proteins as well as SV-associated proteins. Thus, these EM observations reveal that the two groups of proteins, SV integral membrane and SV-associated, proceed through different routes of biosynthesis and axon transport, and are only sorted into the same final compartment, SV clusters, when they are in the axons.
ALS-linked TDP-43M337V knock-in mice exhibit splicing deregulation without neurodegeneration
Authors: Watanabe Seiji , Oiwa Kotaro , Murata Yuri , Komine Okiru , Sobue Akira , Endo Fumito , Takahashi Eiki , Yamanaka Koji
Published: January 2020

Abnormal accumulation of TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43), a DNA/RNA binding protein, is a pathological signature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Missense mutations in the TARDBP gene are also found in inherited and sporadic ALS, indicating that dysfunction in TDP-43 is causative for ALS. To model TDP-43-linked ALS in rodents, we generated TDP-43 knock-in mice with inherited ALS patient-derived TDP-43M337V mutation. Homozygous TDP-43M337V mice developed normally without exhibiting detectable motor dysfunction and neurodegeneration. However, splicing of mRNAs regulated by TDP-43 was deregulated in the spinal cords of TDP-43M337V mice. Together with the recently reported TDP-43 knock-in mice with ALS-linked mutations, our finding indicates that ALS patient-derived mutations in the TARDBP gene at a carboxyl-terminal domain of TDP-43 may cause a gain of splicing function by TDP-43, however, were insufficient to induce robust neurodegeneration in mice.
Up-regulated LINC01234 promotes non-small-cell lung cancer cell metastasis by activating VAV3 and repressing BTG2 expression
Authors: Chen Zhenyao , Chen Xin , Lu Binbin , Gu Yu , Chen Qinnan , Lei Tianyao , Nie Fengqi , Gu Jingyao , Huang Jiali , Wei Chenchen , Sun Ming , Wang Zhaoxia
Published: January 2020

Background

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are known to regulate tumorigenesis and cancer progression, but their contributions to non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) metastasis remain poorly understood. Our previous and other studies have revealed the involvement of upregulated LINC01234 in regulating gastric cancer and colon cancer cells proliferation, and we aimed to investigate whether LINC01234 overexpression also contribute to cancer cells metastasis in this study.

Methods

We collect the NSCLC tissues and adjacent non-tumor tissues and analyzed expression levels of LINC01234 by quantitative reverse-transcription PCR. LINC01234 were knocked down by using siRNAs or shRNAs, and overexpressed by transfection with overexpression vector; RNA levels of miRNA were downregulated or upregulated with inhibitors or mimics. Transwell assays were used to evaluate cell migration and invasive ability; in vivo metastasis experiments were performed to investigate the effect of LINC01234 on NSCLC cells metastasis. Luciferase reporter, RIP, and ChIP assays were used to determine the regulation of LINC01234 on its targets.

Results

LINC01234 expression is increased in NSCLC tissues, and its upregulation is associated with metastasis and shorter survival in NSCLC. Downregulation of LINC01234 impairs cell migration and invasion in vitro, and inhibits cells metastasis in vivo by acting as a competing endogenous RNA for the miR-340-5p and miR-27b-3p. LINC01234 also interacts with the RNA-binding proteins LSD1 and EZH2, leading to histone modification and transcriptional repression of the anti-proliferative genes BTG2.

Conclusions

Taken together, our findings identify two oncogenic regulatory axes in NSCLC centering on LINC01234: one involving miR-340-5p/miR-27b-3p in the cytoplasm and the second involving EZH2, LSD1, and BTG2 in the nucleus. Our study indicates that these genes may be targeted to reduce or prevent NSCLC metastasis.
Correction to: The impact of shoe flexibility on gait, pressure and muscle activity of young children. A systematic review
Authors: Cranage Simone , Perraton Luke , Bowles Kelly‐Ann , Williams Cylie
Published: January 2020

After publication of our article [1] we were notified that Figure 1 was incorrectly published as a duplicate of Table 1.
Testing non-inferiority of blended versus face-to-face cognitive behavioural therapy for severe fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis and the effectiveness of blended booster sessions aimed at improving long-term outcome following both therapies: study protocol for two observer-blinded randomized clinical trials
Authors: Houniet-de Gier Marieke , Beckerman Heleen , van Vliet Kimberley , Knoop Hans , de Groot Vincent
Published: January 2020

Background

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been found to be effective in reducing fatigue severity in MS patients directly following treatment. However, long-term effects are inconsistent leaving room for improvement. In addition, individual face-to-face CBT draws heavily on limited treatment capacity, and the travel distance to the treatment centre can be burdensome for patients. Therefore, we developed “MS Fit”, a blended CBT for MS-related fatigue, based on a face-to-face CBT protocol found effective in a previous study, and “MS Stay Fit”, internet-based booster sessions to improve long-term effectiveness of CBT for MS-related fatigue. This article presents the protocol of two randomised clinical trials (RCTs) conducted within one study investigating (1) the non-inferiority of MS Fit compared with evidence-based face-to-face CBT for MS-related fatigue and (2) the effectiveness of MS Stay Fit on the long-term outcome of fatigue compared with no booster sessions.

Methods/design

The first part of this study is an observer-blinded non-inferiority multicentre RCT, in which 166 severely fatigued MS patients will be randomly assigned (1:1 ratio, computer-generated sequence) to either face-to-face CBT or blended CBT (MS Fit) for fatigue. The primary endpoint is at 20 weeks after baseline. After this post-treatment assessment, patients will be randomly assigned again (1:1 ratio, computer generated sequence) to either MS Stay Fit consisting of two booster sessions at 2 and 4 months after end of treatment or no booster sessions. The primary endpoint of the second study is 52 weeks after baseline. Primary outcome measure in both studies is fatigue severity assessed with the fatigue severity subscale of the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS20r). Outcomes will be assessed at baseline (T0), at the end of treatment (T20), and after 39 and 52 weeks (T39 and T52).

Discussion

If MS Fit is found to be non-inferior to face-to-face CBT, it will improve the accessibility of this treatment. In addition, the study aims to test whether it is possible to improve long-term effectiveness of CBT for MS-related fatigue with MS Stay Fit.

Trial registration

Dutch Trial Register (NTR6966), registered 18 January 2018https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/6782

World Health Organization (WHO) Trial Registration Data Set

All items from the WHO Trial Registration Data Set can be found within the protocol.
A prospective randomized controlled study of auricular point acupressure to manage chronic low back pain in older adults: study protocol
Authors: Yeh Chao Hsing , Li Cuicui , Glick Ronald , Schlenk Elizabeth A. , Albers Kathryn , Suen Lorna Kwai-Ping , Lukkahatai Nada , Salen Nicole , Pandiri Sonaali , Ma Weixia , Perrin Nancy , Morone Natalia E. , Christo Paul J.
Published: January 2020

Background

Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is a major health problem and the most common pain condition among those aged 60 years or older in the US. Despite the development of pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions, cLBP outcomes have not improved and disability rates continue to rise. This study aims to test auricular point acupressure (APA) as a non-invasive, nonpharmacological self-management strategy to manage cLBP and to address current shortcomings of cLBP treatment.

Methods/design

For this prospective randomized controlled study, participants will be randomly assigned to three groups: (1)APAgroup (active points related to cLBP), (2) Comparison group-1 (non-active points, unrelated to cLBP), and (3) Comparison group-2 (enhanced educational control, an educational booklet on cLBP will be given and the treatment used by participants for their cLBP will be recorded). The ecological momentary assessment smartphone app will be used to collect real-time cLBP outcomes and adherence to APA practice. Treatment and nonspecific psychological placebo effects will be measured via questionnaires for all participants. This proposed trial will evaluate the APA sustained effects for cLBP at 12-month follow-up. Monthly telephone follow-up will be used to collect study outcomes. Blood will be collected during study visits at baseline, post APA treatment, and follow-up study visits at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months post completion of treatment for a total of seven assessments. Appointments will start between 9 and 11 am to control for circadian variation in cytokine levels.

Discussion

This study is expected to provide vital information on the efficacy, sustainability, and underlying mechanism of APA on cLBP necessary for APA to gain acceptance from both healthcare providers and patients, which would provide a strong impetus for including APA as part of cLBP management in clinical and home settings.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, ID:NCT03589703. Registered on 22 May 2018.
Distribution, genetic characteristics and public health implications of Triatoma rubrofasciata, the vector of Chagas disease in Guangxi, China
Authors: Shi Yunliang , Wei Yaobao , Feng Xiangyang , Liu Jianfeng , Jiang Zhihua , Ou Fangqi , Wei Haiyan , Lv Guoli , Wan Xiaoling , Wang Ziyue , Yang Yichao
Published: January 2020

Background

Triatomines are natural vectors of Chagas disease and are mainly prevalent in the Americas. In China, previous data from decades ago showed that there were two species of triatomine bugs, Triatoma rubrofasciata and T. sinica. However, the distribution, genetic characteristics and public health implications of triatomines in China are still relatively unknown. In order to gain knowledge on the distribution, genetic characteristics and public health implications of the triatomines in Guangxi, China, an entomological-epidemiological study and genetic research was conducted.

Methods

Different methods were used to elucidate the distribution of triatomines in Guangxi including consultations with county-level Center for Disease Prevention and Control staff and village doctors, the distribution of educational material on triatomines though the internet and social media apps such as Wechat and QQ, and conducting manual inspections and light trapping to collect triatomines. The morphological characteristics of the collected triatomines were identified under light microscopy. The mitochondrial 16S rRNA, cytochrome b (cytb) genes and nuclear 28S rRNA gene were amplified, sequenced and used in phylogenetic analyses.

Results

A total of 305 triatomines were captured from 54 different sites in 13 cities in Guangxi. All collected bugs were identified as T. rubrofasciata based on morphology. Most triatomine collection sites were around or inside houses. Four triatomines bite cases were observed during the investigation indicating that triatomine bites are common, the bites can cause serious anaphylaxis and skin papules and urticaria, suggesting a systemic skin response. The 16S rRNA, 28S rRNA and cytb sequence analyses of T. rubrofasciata from Guangxi and other countries showed that T. rubrofasciata sequences from different regions exhibit a high similarity, with no geographical differences. The phylogenetic tree based on the 16S rRNA and cytb genes showed that T. rubrofasciata sequences from different regions and continents were in the same cluster, indicating no differentiation among different geographical populations.

Conclusions

Our study showed that T. rubrofasciata is widely distributed in Guangxi and that people are commonly bitten by this insect in some regions. This highlights the need to enhance surveillance for and control of T. rubrofasciata and to strengthen the monitoring of imported Trypanosoma cruzi in China. The 16S rRNA, 28S rRNA and cytb sequence analyses of T. rubrofasciata from different regions and continents suggested that T. rubrofasciata populations exhibit high similarity, and the clustering in the phylogenetic analyses indicates that T. rubrofasciata has a close ancestor originating in the Americas.
The effects of bariatric surgery on clinical profile, DNA methylation, and ageing in severely obese patients
Authors: Fraszczyk Eliza , Luijten Mirjam , Spijkerman Annemieke M. W. , Snieder Harold , Wackers Paul F. K. , Bloks Vincent W. , Nicoletti Carolina F. , Nonino Carla B. , Crujeiras Ana B. , Buurman Wim A. , Greve Jan Willem , Rensen Sander S. , Wolffenbuttel Bruce H. R. , van Vliet-Ostaptchouk Jana V.
Published: January 2020

Background

Severe obesity is a growing, worldwide burden and conventional therapies including radical change of diet and/or increased physical activity have limited results. Bariatric surgery has been proposed as an alternative therapy showing promising results. It leads to substantial weight loss and improvement of comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes. Increased adiposity is associated with changes in epigenetic profile, including DNA methylation. We investigated the effect of bariatric surgery on clinical profile, DNA methylation, and biological age estimated using Horvath’s epigenetic clock.

Results

To determine the impact of bariatric surgery and subsequent weight loss on clinical traits, a cohort of 40 severely obese individuals (BMI = 30–73 kg/m2) was examined at the time of surgery and at three follow-up visits, i.e., 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. The majority of the individuals were women (65%) and the mean age at surgery was 45.1 ± 8.1 years. We observed a significant decrease over time in BMI, fasting glucose, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, insulin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and free fatty acids levels, and a significant small increase in HDL levels (all p values < 0.05). Epigenome-wide association analysis revealed 4857 differentially methylated CpG sites 12 months after surgery (at Bonferroni-corrected p value < 1.09 × 10−7). Including BMI change in the model decreased the number of significantly differentially methylated CpG sites by 51%. Gene set enrichment analysis identified overrepresentation of multiple processes including regulation of transcription, RNA metabolic, and biosynthetic processes in the cell. Bariatric surgery in severely obese patients resulted in a decrease in both biological age and epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) (mean = − 0.92, p value = 0.039).

Conclusions

Our study shows that bariatric surgery leads to substantial BMI decrease and improvement of clinical outcomes observed 12 months after surgery. These changes explained part of the association between bariatric surgery and DNA methylation. We also observed a small, but significant improvement of biological age. These epigenetic changes may be modifiable by environmental lifestyle factors and could be used as potential biomarkers for obesity and in the future for obesity related comorbidities.
Persistence and predictors of self-injurious behaviour in autism: a ten-year prospective cohort study
Authors: Laverty Catherine , Oliver Chris , Moss Jo , Nelson Lisa , Richards Caroline
Published: January 2020

Background

Self-injurious behaviours, such as head banging, hair pulling, skin picking and scratching, are common in individuals with autism. Despite high prevalence rates, there is a paucity of longitudinal research to refine models of risk and mechanism and inform service planning. In this longitudinal study, we investigated self-injury in a cohort of individuals with autism over 10 years to identify behavioural and demographic characteristics associated with persistent self-injury.

Methods

Carers of 67 individuals with autism completed questionnaires relating to the presence of self-injury and relevant risk markers at T1 (mean [SD] age in years 13.4 [7.7]) and T3 (mean [SD] age in years 23.9 [7.7]) 10 years later. Forty-six of these also took part at T2 (3 years after initial participation). Analysis assessed demographic and behavioural risk markers for self-injury, as well as the predictive value of items assessed at T1and T2.

Results

Self-injury was persistent in 44% of individuals over the 10-year period, with behavioural characteristics of impulsivity (p < .001) and overactivity (p = .002), identified as risk markers for persistence. A predictive model of self-injury was derived from LASSO analysis, with baseline impulsivity, interest and pleasure, stereotyped behaviour, social communication and adaptive functioning predicting self-injury over 10 years.

Conclusions

In this unique longitudinal investigation into the persistence of self-injury in a non-clinical sample of individuals with autism over a 10 year period, we have identified a novel, robust and stable profile of behavioural characteristics associated with persistent self-injury. Findings support an early intervention strategy targeted towards individuals identified to be at a higher risk of developing self-injurious behaviour.
A kind of non-zero sum mixed differential game of backward stochastic differential equation
Authors: Zhang Huanjun
Published: January 2020

This paper is concerned with a non-zero sum mixed differential game problem described by a backward stochastic differential equation. Here the term “mixed” means that this game problem contains a deterministic control $v_{1}$v1 of Player 1 and a random control process $v_{2}$v2 of Player 2. By virtue of the classical variational method, a necessary condition and an Arrow’s sufficient condition for the mixed stochastic differential game problem are presented. A linear–quadratic mixed differential game problem is discussed, and the corresponding Nash equilibrium point is explicitly expressed by the solution of mean-field forward–backward stochastic differential equation. The most distinguishing feature, compared with the existing literature, is that the optimal state process of the linear–quadratic game satisfies a linear mean-field backward stochastic differential equation. Finally, a home mortgage and wealth management problem is given to illustrate our theoretical results.
Pain level between clear aligners and fixed appliances: a systematic review
Authors: Cardoso Paula Coutinho , Espinosa Daybelis Gonzalez , Mecenas Paulo , Flores-Mir Carlos , Normando David
Published: January 2020

Objectives

To assess if there is any difference in pain levels between orthodontic treatment with clear aligners or fixed appliances.

Materials and methods

An electronic search was completed in PubMed, The Cochrane Database, Web of Science, Scopus, Lilacs, Google Scholar, Clinical Trials, and OpenGrey databases without any restrictions until February 2019. All comparative study types contrasting pain levels between clear aligners and fixed appliances were included. The risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, ROBINS-I-Tool, or ROB 2.0 according to the study design. The level of evidence was assessed through the GRADE tool.

Results

After removal of duplicates, exclusion by title and abstract, and reading the full text, only seven articles were included. Five were prospective non-randomized clinical trials (CCT), one was a cross-sectional study, and one was a randomized clinical trial (RCT). Two studies presented a high RoB, three a moderate RoB, and two a low RoB (including the RCT). A meta-analysis was not performed because of clinical, statistical, and methodological heterogeneity. Most of the studies found that pain levels in patients treated with Invisalign were lower than those treated with conventional fixed appliances during the first days of treatment. Differences disappeared thereafter. No evidence was identified for other brands of clear aligners.

Conclusions

Based on a moderate level of certainty, orthodontic patients treated with Invisalign appear to feel lower levels of pain than those treated with fixed appliances during the first few days of treatment. Thereafter (up to 3 months), differences were not noted. Malocclusion complexity level among included studies was mild. Pain is one of many considerations and predictability and technical outcome are more important, mainly considering that the difference does not seem to occur after the first months of the orthodontic treatment.
Tunable metasurfaces for visible and SWIR applications
Authors: Lee Chang-Won , Choi Hee Jin , Jeong Heejeong
Published: January 2020

Demand on optical or photonic applications in the visible or short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) spectra, such as vision, virtual or augmented displays, imaging, spectroscopy, remote sensing (LIDAR), chemical reaction sensing, microscopy, and photonic integrated circuits, has envisaged new type of subwavelength-featured materials and devices for controlling electromagnetic waves. The study on metasurfaces, of which the thickness is either comparable to or smaller than the wavelength of the considered incoming electromagnetic wave, has been grown rapidly to embrace the needs of developing sub 100-micron active photonic pixelated devices and their arrayed form. Meta-atoms in metasurfaces are now actively controlled under external stimuli to lead to a large phase shift upon the incident light, which has provided a huge potential for arrayed two-dimensional active optics. This short review summarizes actively tunable or reconfigurable metasurfaces for the visible or SWIR spectra, to account for the physical operating principles and the current issues to overcome.
The role of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated genes during gonadogenesis of albino rat
Authors: Aeshra Lina A. , Moustafa Maiada , Elmallah Mohammed I.Y. , Salih Said Abdelrahman , Abdel Kader Ibrahim Y.
Published: January 2020

Background

The epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a critical role in normal embryonic development as well as abnormal pathological events such as tumor formation and metastasis. One of these important events that may explain this phenomenon during embryogenesis is the migration of primordial germ cells (PGCs) from hindgut into the genital ridge during gonadogenesis. Yet, more studies are needed to explain the molecular changes underlying the role of EMT during gonadogenesis. Here, we aimed to study the molecular changes of four genes to determine whether the EMT occurs during gonadogenesis. These studied genes are alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as PGC marker, E-cadherin (CDH1) as epithelial marker, vimentin (VIM) as mesenchymal marker, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) as migration regulator and differentiation marker.

Results

The results showed a substantial decrease in the expression of ALP by the increase of the embryonic age. The expression of CDH1 is inversely proportional to the expression of VIM during the days of PGC migration. STAT3 expression related to the time of occurrence of migration and differentiation.

Conclusion

Taken together, our findings demonstrated the molecular changes of ALP, PGC, CDH1, and VIM during the process of gonadogenesis. Further studies are warranted to understand other molecular mechanisms associated with gonadogenesis.
Iron(II) Complexes Having Dinuclear Mesocate or Octanuclear Bicapped Trigonal Prism Structures Dependent on the Rigidity of Bis(bidentate) Schiff Base Ligands Containing Imidazole Groups
Authors: Tanaka Tsubasa , Sunatsuki Yukinari , Suzuki Takayoshi
Published: January 2020

Dinuclear complex, [Fe2(H2L1,Me)3](ClO4)4 (1Me, H2L1,Me = N,N′-(1,3-phenylene)bis(1-(5-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)methanimine)), and octanuclear complexes, [Fe8(H2L2,H)12](ClO4)16 (2HClO4: H2L2,H = N,N′-(1,3-phenylenebis(methylene))bis(1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)methanimine) and [Fe8(H2L2,Me)12](X)16 (2MeX: H2L2,Me = N,N′-(1,3-phenylenebis(methylene))bis(1-(5-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)methanimine), X = ClO4, BF4), were synthesized. It was revealed by X-ray analysis that 1Me has a dinuclear mesocate structure. On the other hand, 2HClO4 and 2MeX have novel octanuclear bicapped trigonal prism structures with six iron(II) sites having the meridional configuration on vertexes and two iron(II) sites having the facial one on the centers of each triangular base. Magnetic susceptibility studies indicated that these dinuclear and octanuclear complexes show gradual spin-crossover (SCO) behavior.
Noninvasive CT radiomic model for preoperative prediction of lymph node metastasis in early cervical carcinoma
Authors: Chen Jiaming , He Bingxi , Dong Di , Liu Ping , Duan Hui , Li Weili , Li Pengfei , Wang Lu , Fan Huijian , Wang Siwen , Zhang Liwen , Tian Jie , Huang Zhipei , Chen Chunlin
Published: January 2020

Objective:

To build and validate a CT radiomic model for pre-operatively predicting lymph node metastasis in early cervical carcinoma.

Methods and materials:

A data set of 150 patients with Stage IB1 to IIA2 cervical carcinoma was retrospectively collected from the Nanfang hospital and separated into a training cohort (n = 104) and test cohort (n = 46). A total of 348 radiomic features were extracted from the delay phase of CT images. Mann–Whitney U test, recursive feature elimination, and backward elimination were used to select key radiomic features. Ridge logistics regression was used to build a radiomic model for prediction of lymph node metastasis (LNM) status by combining radiomic and clinical features. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and κ test were applied to verify the model.

Results:

Two radiomic features from delay phase CT images and one clinical feature were associated with LNM status: log-sigma-2–0 mm-3D_glcm_Idn (p = 0.01937), wavelet-HL_firstorder_Median (p = 0.03592), and Stage IB (p = 0.03608). Radiomic model was built consisting of the three features, and the AUCs were 0.80 (95% confidence interval: 0.70 ~ 0.90) and 0.75 (95% confidence intervalI: 0.53 ~ 0.93) in training and test cohorts, respectively. The κ coefficient was 0.84, showing excellent consistency.

Conclusion:

A non-invasive radiomic model, combining two radiomic features and a International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, was built for prediction of LNM status in early cervical carcinoma. This model could serve as a pre-operative tool.

Advances in knowledge:

A noninvasive CT radiomic model, combining two radiomic features and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, was built for prediction of LNM status in early cervical carcinoma.
Biobtree: A tool to search and map bioinformatics identifiers and special keywords
Authors: Gur Tamer
Published: January 2020

Biobtree is a bioinformatics tool to search and map bioinformatics datasets via identifiers or special keywords such as species name. It processes large bioinformatics datasets using a specialized MapReduce-based solution with optimum computational and storage resource usage. It provides uniform and B+ tree-based database output, a web interface, web services and allows performing chain mapping queries between datasets. It can be used via a single executable file or alternatively it can be used via the R or Python-based wrapper packages which are additionally provided for easier integration into existing pipelines. Biobtree is open source and available at GitHub.
Serum levels of tau protein increase according to the severity of the injury in DAI rat model
Authors: Tomita Keisuke , Nakada Taka-aki , Oshima Taku , Kawaguchi Rui , Oda Shigeto
Published: January 2020

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the form of diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is difficult to diagnose in the early phase of the injury. Early diagnosis of DAI may provide opportunity for developing treatment and management strategies. Tau protein has been demonstrated to increase in the early phase of TBI with high diagnostic accuracy in patients with DAI. We tested the biological plausibility of tau protein using a rat DAI model by evaluating the association between serum tau levels and the severity of brain injury. DAI was induced in animals using the Marmarou model. After a survival of 60 minutes, rats were anesthetized and sacrificed after obtaining blood samples (5ml) from the heart. Eighteen rats were employed in the present study and were randomly subjected to sham-operated control (n=4), mild DAI (n=7), and severe DAI (n=7). Of seven severe DAI rats, two rats that had focal injury caused by skull fracture were excluded in the measurement of tau protein level. The serum levels of tau protein in the rat DAI model were found to increase significantly and consistently according to the severity of the injury. Rats with DAI showed significantly higher serum levels of tau protein compared to sham rats; the severe DAI rats had higher levels of tau than moderate DAI and sham rats (sham vs. mild, P=0.02; mild vs. severe, P=0.02). In conclusion, serum tau protein levels may be useful as a biomarker for diagnosing and estimating the severity of DAI in the early phase.
ОСОБЕННОСТИ МОТИВАЦИИ СТУДЕНТОВ
Authors: Preobrazhenskiy Andrey Petrovich , Choporov Oleg Nikolaevich
Published: January 2020

В данной статье рассмотрены возможности мотивации студентов в ходе их пребывания в учебных заведениях. Отмечены особенности учебной и внеучебной работы.
ФОРМИРОВАНИЕ УМЕНИЙ ПЕРЕДАЧИ ДВИЖЕНИЯ ЧЕЛОВЕКА НА ЗАНЯТИЯХ СКУЛЬПТУРОЙ В ОБЩЕОБРАЗОВАТЕЛЬНЫХ УЧРЕЖДЕНИЙ
Authors: Semenova Elizaveta Maksimovna , Mavshov Petr Vladimirovich
Published: January 2020

Статья посвящена поиску оптимальной методики обучения умений передачи движения человека на занятиях скульптурой в общеобразовательных учреждений. В исследовании определены фундаментальные основы обучения и серия упражнений, направленных на усвоение специальных умений.Методы проведения работы: изучение, анализ и обобщение искусствоведческих работ, методической и специальной литературы, учебных программ общеобразовательных учреждений.Результаты работы: выполнен отбор содержания учебного материала по формированию умений передачи движения на занятиях скульптурой, разработана серия упражнений для оптимального усвоения специальных умений учащимися общеобразовательного учреждения.Область применения результатов: детские художественные школы, общеобразовательные учреждения.Предлагаемая методика обучения формирование умений передачи движения человека на занятиях скульптурой в общеобразовательных учреждений позволяет учащимся общеобразовательных учреждений развивать творческое мышление, освоить процесс создания динамичной скульптуры.
LEARNED HELPLESSNESS OF MIGRANTS AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF ADAPTATION: STUDIES REVIEW
Authors: Ponomareva Irina Vladimirovna , Sizova Yana Nikolaevna
Published: January 2020

Цель. Успешная адаптация мигрантов – это глобальная социальная проблема. В статье представлен теоретический обзор исследований проблем выученной беспомощности при адаптации мигрантов.Методология. Теоретический обзор исследований по проблемам “выученной беспомощности” и “мигрантов”, перекрестные ссылки.Результаты. Выученная беспомощность мигрантов возникает как реакция на неконтролируемые события и культурный шок. Обострение симптомов выученной беспомощности происходит на начальном этапе адаптации и может привести к возвращению в страну происхождения.Область применения. Мотивационный, когнитивный и эмоциональный дефицит выученной беспомощности затрудняет адаптацию. Полученные результаты теоретически обосновывают гипотезу о культурно-этнических детерминантах психического здоровья мигрантов. Полученные результаты имеют важное значение для социально-психологической поддержки адаптации и интеграции мигрантов, а также для будущих исследований влияния миграционного опыта на ценности и более отдаленные процессы развития мигрантов в принимающих сообществах.
The death of narrative
Authors: Borzyh Stanislav
Published: January 2020

The monograph is devoted to the phenomenon as narrative, and all that it involves. The study is divided into five parts. The first dealt with the notion of narrative and its characteristics. Second, we study the way of life of the societies that practiced it. The third tells the story of societies that lost the narrative, but about the current situation. The fourth examines the causes of its decline and almost final loss. And fifth is building the assumption that awaits man in the future - the revival of the discourse or something else.
Is intended for specialists in different spheres of humanitarian knowledge and to a wider audience.
Ekstraksi Fitur Pengenalan Emosi Berdasarkan Ucapan Menggunakan Linear Predictor Ceptral Coeffecient Dan Mel Frequency Cepstrum Coefficients
Authors: Helmiyah Siti , Riadi Imam , Umar Rusydi , Hanif Abdullah
Published: January 2020

Ucapan suara memiliki informasi penting yang dapat diterima oleh otak melalui gelombang suara. Otak menerima gelombang suara melalui alat pendengaran dan menghasilkan suatu informasi berupa pesan, bahasa, dan emosi. Pengenalan emosi wicara merupakan teknologi yang dirancang untuk mengidentifikasi keadaan emosi seseorang dari sinyal ucapannya. Hal tersebut menarik untuk diteliti, karena berkaitan dengan teknologi zaman sekarang yaitu pada penggunaan smartphone di berbagai macam aktivitas sehari-hari. Penelitian ini membandingkan ekstraksi fitur Metode LPC dan Metode MFCC. Kedua metode ekstraksi tersebut diklasifikasi menggunakan Metode Jaringan Syaraf Tiruan (MLP) untuk pengenalan emosi. Masing-masing metode menggunakan data emosi marah, bosan, bahagia, netral, dan sedih. Data dibagi menjadi dua, yaitu data testing dan data data training dengan perbandingan 80:20. Arsitektur jaringan yang digunakan adalah tiga lapisan yaitu lapisan input, lapisan tersembunyi, dan lapisan output. Parameter MLP yang digunakan learning rate = 0.0001, epsilon = 1e-08, epoch = 500, dan Cross Validation = 5.Â Hasil akurasi pengenalan emosi dengan ekstraksi fitur LPC sebesar adalah 28%. Sedangkan hasil akurasi dengan ekstraksi fitur MFCC sebesar 61,33%. Hasil akurasi ini bisa ditingkatkan dengan menambahkan data yang lebih banyak lagi, terutama untuk data testing. Perlunya pengujian pada nilai parameter jaringan MLP, yaitu dengan mengubah nilai-nilai parameter, karena dapat mempengaruhi tingkat akurasi pengenalan. Selain itu penentuan ekstraksi fitur dan klasifikasi metode yang lain juga dapat digunakan untuk mencari nilai akurasi pengenalan emosi yang lebih baik lagi.
Teletrabajo: Gestión de la Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo en Colombia
Authors: Valero-Pacheco Ivonne Constanza , Riaño-Casallas Martha I.
Published: January 2020

Objetivo: Presentar las prácticas usadas por las empresas en la implementación del sistema de gestión en seguridad y salud cuando tienen teletrabajadores y plantear la adecuación de los elementos del sistema al teletrabajo. 

Métodos: La población de estudio está formada por empresas del sector servicios y sus teletrabajadores en la ciudad de Bogotá. Para establecer las prácticas utilizadas por las empresas se empleó una encuesta para los teletrabajadores y entrevista a los responsables seguridad y salud en el trabajo. La propuesta de adecuación de los elementos del sistema de gestión al teletrabajo se realizó a partir del análisis e integración del marco teórico y conceptual con las prácticas de las empresas con teletrabajadores. 

Resultados: Se estableció que las empresas continúan con las estrategias habituales de seguridad y salud en el trabajo, sin diferenciar la naturaleza del trabajo. De la síntesis entre lo teórico y conceptual con el diagnóstico de la gestión de los riesgos en las empresas, se identificó que los componentes del sistema susceptibles de ser modificados al teletrabajo son la organización y planeación, la aplicación y por último la evaluación. 

Conclusiones: Las prácticas habituales de las empresas con teletrabajadores para la gestión de los riesgos deben mejorar a través del ajuste de algunos de los componentes del sistema de gestión. Las principales adecuaciones para realizar implican la gestión de la información e innovación de tecnología aplicadas a la organización y planeación, aplicación y evaluación del sistema de gestión de seguridad y salud en el trabajo.
Estudio sobre las competencias profesionales de Enfermería del Trabajo en España
Authors: González Caballero Javier
Published: January 2020

Objetivo: Evaluar la importancia y el grado de desarrollo de las competencias profesionales de los/as Enfermeros/as del Trabajo descritas en la Orden SAS/1348/2009 en las áreas preventiva, asistencial, legal y pericial, gestión, docencia e investigación. 

Metodología: Investigación de carácter observacional, descriptivo y transversal que utilizó como población a estudio los especialistas en Enfermería del Trabajo vinculados a sociedades profesionales específicas y/o multidisciplinares. La recogida de datos se realizó en 2014 mediante un cuestionario diseñado por un panel de expertos. El análisis descriptivo incluyó el perfil sociodemográfico del colectivo, el análisis bivariado determinó la importancia y el grado de desarrollo de cada competencia según las variables independientes definidas, y finalmente el modelo de regresión lineal múltiple explica los factores determinantes.

Resultados: En el análisis descriptivo de competencias en cuanto a la importancia atribuida, tres son las competencias que destacan: gestionar un sistema de registro que asegure la confidencialidad de los datos; incrementar el nivel de salud del trabajador mediante la promoción y prevención de riesgos e identificar problemas de salud laboral reales o potenciales. En cuanto al mayor grado de desarrollo resaltan las siguientes: gestión de un sistema de registro de confidencialidad; prestar atención de urgencia y emergencia en el centro de trabajo e identificar problemas de salud laboral reales o potenciales.

Discusión: La adscripción a cada modalidad de servicio de prevención, el sector económico de la empresa y los años de experiencia profesional, resultan determinantes en la importancia y el grado de desarrollo de cada una de sus competencias.
¿Cómo prevenir las agresiones a los médicos?
Authors: Alvarez Agudelo Carlos Enrique
Published: January 2020

Este trabajo es un comentario del artículo: Raveel A, Schoenmakers B. Interventions to prevent aggression against doctors: a systematic review. BMJ Open. 2019;9:e028465. doi: 10.1136/ bmjopen-2018-028465.
Chester Step Test in patients with cardiovascular disease: practical applications in a cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation setting
Authors: Grove Tim
Published: January 2020

The Chester Step Test is a low-cost, sub-maximal exercise test, which is commonly used in the assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness in a cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation setting. This review discusses the practical applications of the Chester Step Test in the context of its validity, reliability and predictability in measuring cardiorespiratory fitness. The Chester Step Test has been compared to the ‘gold standard’ treadmill test for validity. There was a strong correlation (r=0.92) between predicted VO2 values in the test and actual measurements from the treadmill test. In addition, the Chester Step Test has good reliability, which eliminates the need for a practice test. Furthermore, the Chester Step Test can provide valuable information on the patient's exercise tolerance to specific levels of sub-maximal stress, risk stratification, and physical activity/exercise prescription.
Continuity and confidence in care
Authors: Smith Lowri
Published: January 2020

In the latest in the Patient Story series, Lowri Smith reflects on the challenges cardiac patients face when it comes to their care
Simple method for optimizing the DC bias of Kramers-Kronig receivers based on AC-coupled photodetectors
Authors: Luís Ruben S. , Rademacher Georg , Puttnam Benjamin J. , Antonelli Cristian , Shinada Satoshi , Furukawa Hideaki
Published: January 2020

We propose and evaluate a method to estimate the DC bias required for AC-coupled Kramers-Kronig receivers. The proposed method is based on a spectral analysis of the reconstructed signal without requiring an evaluation of the signal quality. The proposed method is described analytically and demonstrated experimentally using 12.5 GBaud 16-ary quadrature-amplitude modulated signals in back-to-back and after 100 km transmission.
High conversion efficiency of an optical parametric amplifier pumped by 1 kHz Ti:Sapphire laser pulses for tunable high-harmonic generation
Authors: Naumov A. Yu. , Villeneuve D. M. , Niikura Hiromichi
Published: January 2020

We report that high-conversion efficiency of nearly 50% has been realized by combining a commercially available Ti:Sapphire femtosecond, 1 kHz laser system and an optical parametric amplifier (OPA). For an input energy of 2.2 mJ/pulse at 1 kHz and 35 fs duration, the total OPA output energy of the signal plus idler pulses is 1.09 mJ/pulse at a signal wavelength of 1310 nm. We found that the output beam profile is almost flat-top due to high gain saturation in the OPA. Using the signal pulse, we generate high-harmonics in gases and measure the velocity map images of photoelectrons ionized from argon gas as a function of the signal wavelength. We observe that in a particular range of the high-harmonic photon energy, a four-fold photoelectron angular structure is observed in the low kinetic energy region. Our results indicate that the output pulses with the high-conversion efficiency OPA and super Gaussian beam profile can be used for experiments requiring generation of tunable high-harmonics in the extreme ultra-violet region.