bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sürdürülebilir Yerleşke Kavramı Farkındalığının Ege Üniversitesi Yerleşkesi Örneğinde İrdelenmesi
Authors: KARCI DEMİRKOL Ahenk , BİRİŞÇİ Tanay
Published: March 2020

Amaç: Sürdürülebilir bir yaşam tarzının geliştirilmesi ve toplum tarafından benimsenmesinin sağlanmasında yüksek öğrenim kurumlarındaki uygulamaların etkisi büyük önem taşıdığı düşünülmektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı Ege Üniversitesi Yerleşkesi’sinde çalışmakta olan akademik kadronun sürdürülebilirlik kavramı ve sürdürülebilir yerleşke hakkında temel bilgi seviyesini ve kişisel düşüncelerini irdelemektir.Materyal ve Metod: Bu çalışmada, üniversitenin yönetimi ve eğitiminde daha etkin olduğu düşünüldüğü için Ege Üniversitesi Yerleşkesindeki 215 akademik personelle yüz yüze görüşmelerle anket çalışması yapılarak, sürdürülebilir yerleşkeler hakkındaki temel bilgileri ve düşünceleri irdelenmiştir.Bulgular: Yapılan anket çalışması sonucunda, katılımcıların %44,3 oranında sürdürülebilir yerleşke hakkında bilgi sahibi olduğu, %83,8’nin sürdürülebilir yerleşke uygulamalarını desteklediği, %88,9’nun insan ve çevre için faydalı bulmaktadır. Katılımcıların %15,7’si sürdürülebilir yerleşke uygulamalarını yüksek maliyetli bulmakta ve %77,9 oranındaki katılımcılar bu uygulamaların uzun vadede ekonomik tasarruf sağlayacağını düşünmektedir. Katılımcıların %93,2’si Yeşil yerleşkelerde çalışmanın çalışma verimini artırdığını düşündüklerini belirtmişlerdir.  Katılımcıların verdikleri cevaplar cinsiyetlerine, yaşlarına, unvan ve kadrolarına, fakültelerine ve çalışma sürelerine göre gruplandırıldığında; yaş, fakülte dışında diğer gruplarda istatiksel olarak anlamlı bir fark görülmemiştir. Sonuç: Yapılan analizler sonucunda, katılımcıların sürdürülebilir yerleşke hakkında yeterli bilgiye sahip olmadıkları, konu ile ilgili bilgi düzeylerinin yaş ve fakültelerine bağlı olarak istatistiksel anlamda değişiklik gösterdiği saptanmıştır. Sürdürülebilirlik kavramı hakkında bilgilendirici çalışmalar yapılması gerektiği önerilmektedir.
Characterizing student engagement with hands-on, problem-based, and lecture activities in an introductory college course
Authors: Erickson MaryGrace , Marks Danielle , Karcher Elizabeth
Published: March 2020

This study examines the interest, motivation, and behavioral engagement of college students in an introductory course relative to three instructional formats used in the course: hands-on, problem-based laboratory stations; problem-based written case studies; and video lectures. Groups of five to seven students were assigned learning activities as treatments in a Latin Square design consisting of three experimental periods. At the beginning of selected laboratory sessions, students completed 10 minutes of the experimental activity immediately followed by a questionnaire. Students rated hands-on, problem-based laboratory stations as more challenging, novel, and attention-grabbing than they rated case studies or video lectures. Interest, intrinsic motivation, and behavioral engagement were greatest for groups completing laboratory stations followed by those completing case studies and lectures, respectively. Overall, the greater situational interest experienced during laboratory stations and case studies indicates that these activities can be leveraged to create learning environments that promote interest, engagement, and achievement.
Toward a borderless, decolonized, socially just, and inclusive Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
Authors: Behari-Leak Kasturi
Published: March 2020

In the context of global curriculum transformation and from a global South perspective, this article explores the imposed and self-created borders that continue to “discipline” us into reproducing scholarly processes, practices, and traditions that privilege dominant forms of knowledge making and knowing in teaching and learning. Drawing on Africa as a case study to explore a framework for thinking outside borders, the author invites the reader to embrace a global social imagination that disrupts and transcends the epistemic, social, and cultural borders designed to produce knowledge that is ahistorical and decontextualized. Using a social mapping of how we thrive on neatly delineated borders that detach the known from the knower by marginalizing or delegitimizing knowledges of the Other, this article, which draws on an earlier version presented as a keynote at the 16th annual conference of the International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, presents a theory of change geared toward borderless, decolonized, socially just, and inclusive pedagogy and scholarship.
Beyond the conference: Singing our SSONG
Authors: Green Corinne A. , Eady Michelle J. , McCarthy Marian , Akenson Ashley B. , Supple Briony , McKeon Jacinta , Cronin James G. R.
Published: March 2020

The International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (ISSOTL) annual conference presents an exciting opportunity to meet with international colleagues from diverse backgrounds and situations to commune on our common interest in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). As with every ISSOTL conference, the enthusiasm for SoTL was palpable in Los Angeles in 2016. Rich discussions took place, networks were formed, and promises to keep in touch were made. Unfortunately, previous conference experiences have taught us that these good intentions often fall short once the conference bubble has burst and the reality of daily life sets in once more. In an attempt to circumvent this phenomenon, we—seven colleagues from three different countries—embarked on a research project that enabled us to maintain the relationships and fruitful discussions we had initiated at ISSOTL16. We established Small, Significant Online Network Group, or SSONG, inspired by a conference workshop on small significant networks. As a group, we met regularly online using Adobe Connect© and engaged in significant conversations around SoTL that were private, trustful, and intellectually intriguing. This article reflects our experiences in establishing and maintaining the group. We discuss how the group was formed; its alignment with the concept of small, significant networks; and the benefits and challenges we encountered. Four key principles of the group that have emerged will also be discussed in detail, enabling readers to consider how they could adapt the concept for their own purposes.
The 4M framework as analytic lens for SoTL’s impact: A study of seven scholars
Authors: Simmons Nicola
Published: March 2020

The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) encompasses research on postsecondary teaching and learning across all disciplines. Why do scholars engage in the study of teaching and learning? What supports and challenges do they encounter? What is the impact of SoTL? Using a micro-meso-macro-mega (4M) framework, I explore these questions in interviews with seven SoTL scholars from various disciplines in one institution. Primarily, this article provides a case study illustration of the use of the micro-meso-macro-mega framework to explore SoTL. In addition to exploring participants’ reflections vis-à-vis the four levels, I reflect on possible connections to motivation theory as a lens for themes arising from the participants’ accounts of supports and barriers and the impact of their SoTL work.
To Understand the Meaning of Being an Emerging Adult From a Caring Science Perspective—A Phenomenologic Hermeneutic Study
Authors: Östman Lillemor , Nyman-Kurkiala Pia , Fischer Regina Santamäki
Published: March 2020

The aim of caring for emerging adults is to alleviate suffering and support their health, especially for those whose lifeworld seems to be challenging and may lead to health issues. This study illuminates the meaning of being a young adult. A phenomenological hermeneutical method was used. The essential meaning of being an emerging adult is having freedom and independence, but also being a part of a network of family of origin and friends. For emerging adults becoming in health, having both freedom and responsibility when managing life is essential.
Implementing Interprofessional Collaboration to Improve Patient Outcomes: A Caring and Social Approach to Integrated Nurse-Led Community Based-Care
Authors: Millender Eugenia , Valentine Kathleen , Eggenberger Terry , Lucier Cristina , Sandala Heather , Bruneau Derminga
Published: March 2020

Nurses have a history of providing compassionate care while caring for patients living with co-occurring medical and mental conditions. Therefore, it is reasonable to develop and implement nurse-led interprofessional (IP) models of care to address chronic illness. A nurse-led IP model of care was evaluated utilizing three selected patient outcomes. Results revealed an increase in mental health stability and access to care and successful completion of a treatment plan. Integrating caring theory and practice with social determinants of health and nurse-led IP models of care is a valuable approach to improving patient outcomes and addressing health disparity.
The Perception of Using Language in Gender Disparity: A Study on Tertiary Level Students
Authors: Munira Serajum , Hossain Amzad , Nessa Meherun
Published: March 2020

This study aims at exploring the extent of linguistic varieties which are issues of gender disparity in our society. Language is the most advanced form of communication possessed only by humans. Linguistic elements direct our expressions, feelings and thought, and languages even help us transmit knowledge, ideas and beliefs from one generation to another. In fact, language is systematic as it follows rules. However, it is believed that men and women have a strong natural tendency to use different patterns of a language. Connection between language and gender attracted many researchers’ attention, but some critics of mid-twentieth century considered such studies to be purely feministic. With the passage of time, our social structure met considerable changes which influenced our languages. The objective of this project is to give reasonable answers to the questions regarding the gender speech differences in today’s world. Survey method was applied in order to maintain high standards of research ethics and improve the research quality. This study managed to engage 384 respondents; among them 51% were male and 49% female. According to survey data, 68% of the participants reported that women always tend to use exaggerated expressions and words that can assist in building rapport. Further, it involves finding out whether there is any difference between speech patterns of different age groups coming from the same gender. By delving into both historic and contemporary documents, this experiment will lead us to widen the scope of research on various ways of communication.
Universal Scaling Law for the Velocity of Dominoes Toppling Motion
Authors: Sun Bohua
Published: March 2020

By using directed dimensional analysis and data fitting, an explicit universal scaling law for the velocity of dominoes toppling motion is formulated. The scaling law shows that domino propagational velocity is linearly proportional to the 1/2 power of domino separation and thickness, and -1/2 power of domino height and gravitation. The study also proved that dominoes width and mass have no influence on the domino wave traveling velocity. The scaling law obtained in this Letter is very useful to the dominoes game and will help the domino player to place the dominoes for fast speed and have a quick estimation on the speed without doing complicated multi-bodies dynamical simulation.
Case Analysis of Illegal Poaching on the Waterfowl under Highly Pathogenic Plague in China
Authors: MaMing Roller
Published: March 2020

China is one of the world’s most important countries for waterfowl because of the large amount of potential habitat and its position along major migratory routes. Waterfowl poaching in China is a serious threat, and for over twenty years colleagues and I have tracked waterfowl poaching in China including hunting methods, trade routes and prices involved. According to the latest survey of a NGO, 11.8% of Chinese people have participated in wildlife consumption, and about 32.0% of people have seen wildlife consumption (Not necessarily involved in killing and eating the wildlife). The survey results come from 100 000 internet questionnaires. The current report provides an update focusing on waterfowl poaching in Xinjiang Province of the northwest China, where is highly pathogenic area on the avian influenza, SARS and the Wuhan coronavirus pneumonia (such as COVID-19). The cases in 2011, 2012, and 2014 involved about 1816 to 2760 birds of more than 20 species, with an estimated total of 200 000 wild birds being hunted by a group per year in Xinjiang. Strangely, the poacher was not punished by any law. We know a few waterfowl species are protected as a list of Key Protected Species in China, and hopefully this report will draw attention to the scope of waterfowl poaching in China. China has made great progress with protecting other wildlife, and hopefully more can be done to protect migrating waterfowl.
LATE PERMIAN PALEOENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES IN THE XINGCHENG AREA, LIAONING PROVINCE, CHINA: SEDIMENTARY SUCCESSION AND ROOT SYSTEMS
Authors: LI XIAOBO , ZHONG WANXUAN , WANG YINI , REISZ ROBERT R.
Published: March 2020

During the late Permian, an alluvial environment prevailed along the northern margin of the North China Plate in the Xingcheng area, Liaoning Province, China. In this region, the middle–late Permian Shihhotse Formation and the late Permian Hamashan Formation record this transition from previous swamp-dominated settings. The two formations are mainly coarse-grained deposits and can be correlated with the Pingdingshan Sandstone, which developed as widespread alluvial facies in the central and southern parts of the North China Plate. Tectonic uplift around the plate due to Variscan orogenic activities probably contributed to the onset of alluvial prevalence, but the sedimentary characteristics in the Xingcheng area indicate that aridification was also an important driver. This is supported by the presence of root systems composed of rhizoliths in the Shihhotse Formation and Stigmaria fossils at the top of the alluvial conglomerate of the Hamashan Formation. Viewed at a larger scale, this basin-wide alluvial episode on the North China Plate was contemporaneous with the Wuchiapingian extreme aridity and followed a short humid interval. The overlying Changhsingian–Induan redbeds mark a paleoclimatic change to semiarid and arid again. The paleoenvironmental changes recorded in the upper Permian and Lower Triassic strata of the North China Plate, therefore, provide essential information for the understanding of late Paleozoic terrestrial evolution.
Influence of Liquid Viscosity and Geometry on Vertical Gas/Liquid Two-Phase Annular-Duct Flow
Authors: Colmanetti Alex Roger Almeida , de Castro Marcelo Souza , Barbosa Marcel Cavallini , Rodriguez Oscar Mauricio Hernandez
Published: March 2020

Two-phase flow in large annular ducts is very common in industrial applications. Nevertheless, many two-phase-flow phenomena in such a geometry have not been fully understood. This article addresses an investigation on the effects of duct geometry and liquid viscosity on vertical upward annular-duct two-phase flows. Compressed air and tap water or mineral oil were the working fluids. Three oil viscosity ranges were tested, from 30 to 400 mPa·s. A 10.0-m-long inclinable experimental setup was designed and built for the experiments conducted in two equivalent geometries. The first is made of a 95-mm-inner-diameter circular pipe (called the reference pipe), and the second is a concentric annular duct with 95-mm hydraulic diameter, the same diameter as the reference pipe. The radial geometries were similar to those observed in oil wells. Flow patterns, total pressure drop, and in-situ volumetric fractions were obtained. According to the results, the standard hydraulic diameter might not be appropriate for the modeling of vertical gas/liquid flow in large annular ducts.
Sugammadex Versus Neostigmine After Rocuronium Continuous Infusion in Patients Undergoing Liver Transplantation.
Authors: DEANA CRISTIAN , Barbariol Federico , D’Incà’ Stefano , Pompei Livia , Rocca Giorgio Della
Published: March 2020

Background: Rapid neuromuscular block reversal at the end of major abdominal surgery is recommended to avoid any postoperative residual block. To date, no study has evaluated sugammadex performance after rocuronium administration in patients undergoing liver transplantation.This is a randomized controlled trial with the primary objective of assessing the neuromuscular transmission recovery time obtained with sugammadex versus neostigmine after rocuronium induced neuromuscular blockade in patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation.Methods: The TOF-Watch SX®, calibrated and linked to a portable computer equipped with TOF-Watch SX Monitor Software®, was used to monitor and record intraoperative neuromuscular block maintained with a continuous infusion of rocuronium. Anaesthetic management was standardized as per our institution's internal protocol. At the end of surgery, neuromuscular moderate block reversal was obtained by administration of 2 mg/kg of sugammadex or 50 mcg/kg of neostigmine (plus 10 mcg/kg of atropine). Results: Data from 41 patients undergoing liver transplantation were analysed. In this population, recovery from neuromuscular block was faster following sugammadex administration than neostigmine administration, with mean times±SD of 9.4±4.6 min and 34.6±24.9 min, respectively (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Sugammadex is able to reverse neuromuscular block maintained by rocuronium continuous infusion in patients undergoing liver transplantation. The mean reversal time obtained with sugammadex was significantly faster than that for neostigmine. It is important to note that the sugammadex recovery time in this population was found to be considerably longer than in other surgical settings, and should be considered in clinical practice.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02697929 (registered 3rd March 2016).
Correlation Between Ischemia-Modified Albumin Level And Coronary Collateral Circulation
Authors: Chen Xin , Lin Yan , Tian Lihua , Wang Zhiquan
Published: March 2020

Objective: To investigate the correlation between ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels and coronary collateral circulation (CCC) in patients with chronic total occlusive (CTO). Methods: Coronary angiography was performed in the Department of Cardiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University from 2017-08 to 2019-02 to identify 128 patients with CTO lesions in at least one major coronary artery. According to the Rentrop evaluation criteria, the degree of CCC formation was divided into the poor CCC formation group (Rentrop0-1 grade,n=69) and the good CCC formation group(Rentrop2-3 grade,n=59). The IMA level of the patients was measured using an albumin-cobalt binding assay.The general data, routine blood panel, total bilirubin (TBIL), blood lipids, uric acid (UA), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and other indicators of the patients were recorded and analyzed while assessing the patients' blood vessels occlusion. Results: The proportion of platelet count and diabetes in the poor CCC group was higher than that in the good CCC group (P<0.05). The ratio of ischemia-modified albumin and total bilirubin in the poor CCC group was lower than that in the good CCC group (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that ischemia-modified albumin was positively correlated with CCC formation [OR=1.190,95% CI(1.092-1.297),P<0.001], while diabetes was negatively correlated with CCC formation [OR=0.285,95% CI(0.094-0.864),P<0.05].Ischemic modified albumin predicted good formation of CCC according to the ROC curve, and the area under the ROC curve was 0.769(95% CI:0.686-0.851，P＜0.001); the optimal cut-off value was 63.35 KU/L, and the sensitivity was 71.2%,specificity is 71%. Conclusion: The IMA level is closely related to good formation of CCC. Higher IMA levels can be used as an effective predictor of good CCC formation in patients with CTO.
Characteristics And Outcomes of Perforating Trauma With Intraorbital Foreign Body
Authors: Ren Hui , Hu Xiaobing , Zhou Min , Huang Yongheng , Guo Diwen , Jiang Rui , Qian Jiang
Published: March 2020

Background: To evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of patients with perforating trauma with intraorbital foreign body (IOrbFb). Methods: Retrospective chart review of 31 consecutive patients with perforating trauma and IOrbFb treated in Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University from 2014 to 2018. Results: 30 (96.8%) patients were male and 1 (3.2%) was female. The ocular trauma score (OTS) was 1 in 18 (58.1%) patients, 2 in 8 (25.8%) patients and 3 in 5 (16.1%) patients. At the time of the last follow-up, the visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 3 (9.7%) patients, between 20/50-20/200 in 6 (19.4%) patients, between 20/200 or worse in 6 (19.4%) patients, no light perception 16 (51.6%) patients and 14 (45.2%) patients underwent evisceration/enucleation. Conclusions: The visual prognosis of perforating trauma with IOrbFb is closely related to OTS. Removal of IOrbFbs is safe with current orbital surgery techniques.
Psychometric Validation of a Novel PRO MEASURE for Assessing Patient-reported Experience of Cognitive Impairment in Schizophrenia (PRECIS)
Authors: Rosen Raymond C. , Trudeau Jeremiah J. , Silverstein Steven , Henderson David C. , Smith Adam , Walling David P. , Garcia Miguel , Davis Bethany , Derogatis Leonard , Sand Michael
Published: March 2020

Background
Cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia (CIAS) can be a distressing feature that contributes to the burden of the disorder, as well as being a strong predictor of functional impairment. To fully assess the burden to patients living with this illness, there is a need to develop a specific measure of patient-reported outcomes .
Methods
Following initial development of the Patient-Reported Experience of Cognitive Impairment in Schizophrenia (PRECIS) instrument, the domain structure, reliability (inter-item consistency and test–retest reliability), and validity (discriminant validity, divergent, and convergent validity) of the tool were assessed in patients (aged 18–55 years) with CIAS participating in a 12-week, Phase II, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of BI 409306. Healthy control subjects were recruited separately. The PRECIS instrument was completed at baseline, Week 6, Week 9, and Week 12.
Results
The questionnaire responses of 410 patients with schizophrenia and 88 control subjects were compared. Of the original 35 items included in the draft PRECIS instrument, 11 were eliminated due to poor performance against pre-defined criteria, resulting in a 24-item questionnaire that loaded well onto 5 domains (Attention, Memory, Executive Function, Communication, and Bother). The revised 24-item PRECIS instrument demonstrated adequate discriminant validity between patient and control groups in each of the 5 domains (p<0.0001), convergent validity as shown by a significant correlation between PRECIS scores and the Schizophrenia Cognition Rating Scale (p<0.0001), good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha score: 0.942), and adequate test–retest reliability (intra-class correlation coefficient [ICC]: 0.78). A simplified, user-friendly scoring method was identified, which assigned scores to each of the 5 domains using a five-category Likert scale. PRECIS did not correlate with MATRICS or CANTAB composite scores.
Conclusions
PRECIS is a novel self-completed sensitive instrument designed to measure the subjective experience of cognitive impairment in patients with schizophrenia. The test development process included patient input, perceptions, and feedback, and strong evidence for the validity and reliability of the instrument was demonstrated. The scale provides a patient-based perspective to complement existing objective measures of cognition and serves to define key patient-based endpoints for use in future clinical studies.
Competing demands in postpartum care: A national survey of U.S. providers’ priorities and practice
Authors: Krishnamurti Tamar , Simhan Hyagriv N , Borrero Sonya
Published: March 2020

Background: A new movement towards improved postpartum care calls for restructuring how that care is provided. As professional guidelines evolve, understanding how providers prioritize and practice postpartum care can offer insights about elements of care that may be currently performed more routinely than providers deem a priority to do so, as well as those that may warrant more routine practice.
Methods: We surveyed 600 randomly-sampled U.S. postpartum care providers about their priorities for and the frequency with which specific elements of care are provided, as well as the feasibility of remote delivery of postpartum care provision (i.e., telemedicine).
Results: The survey response rate was 43% across medical specialties. Providers reported an average of only 24.4 ± 11.7 minutes available to spend on the postpartum visit. Certain types of postpartum care were highly prioritized and routinely performed, such as depression screening. Yet, there were also noted discrepancies between prioritized and performed care, revealing competing demands on providers’ time. For example, pelvic exams were performed more often than similarly prioritized care, whereas screening for intimate partner violence and substance use were performed less often than similarly-prioritized care. Certain types of care were identified as important that are not explicitly addressed by national practice guidelines (e.g. transitioning to parenthood). Approximately 25% of respondents regarded telemedicine as a feasible remote care delivery alternative to much of the care currently provided in-person.
Conclusions: The time providers have available to offer comprehensive postpartum care is constrained. Understanding how certain elements of care may be competing with one another at a single postpartum visit highlights those elements of care, which may be currently underperformed, as well as those elements of care that may warrant evaluation for future inclusion in standard care. For some providers experiencing time constraints, complementary remote care represents a potentially viable approach to implementing recommendations for transitioning the traditional visit to a more frequent, ongoing postpartum care process. In calling for a new approach to postpartum care delivery, professional organizations should consider the practices and priorities of their constituency as they revise guidelines and shape future research about the value of specific postpartum services.
Multi-HLA class II tetramer analyses of citrulline-reactive T cells and early treatment response in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Gerstner Christina , Turcinov Sara , Hensvold Aase H , Chemin Karine , Uchtenhagen Hannes , Ramwadhdoebe Tamara H , Dubnovitsky Anatoly , Kozhukh Genadiy , Rönnblom Lars , Kwok William W , Achour Adnane , Catrina Anca I , Baarsen Lisa G. M. van , Malmström Vivianne
Published: March 2020

Background: HLA class II tetramers can be used for ex vivo enumeration and phenotypic characterization of antigen-specific CD4+ T cells. They are increasingly applied in settings like allergy, vaccination and autoimmune diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder for which many autoantigens have been described.
Results: Using multi-parameter flow cytometry, we developed a multi-HLA class II tetramer approach to simultaneously study several antigen specificities in RA patient samples. We focused on previously described citrullinated HLA-DRB1*04:01-restricted T cell epitopes from α-enolase, fibrinogen-b, vimentin as well as cartilage intermediate layer protein (CILP).First, we examined inter-assay variability and the sensitivity of the assay in peripheral blood from healthy donors (n=7). Next, we confirmed the robustness and sensitivity in a cohort of RA patients with repeat blood draws (n=14). We then applied our method in two different settings. We assessed lymphoid tissue from seropositive arthralgia (n=5) and early RA patients (n=5) and could demonstrate autoreactive T cells in individuals at risk of developing RA. Lastly, we studied peripheral blood from early RA patients (n=10) and found that the group of patients achieving minimum disease activity (DAS28 <2.6) at 6 months follow-up displayed a decrease in the frequency of citrulline-specific T cells.
Conclusions: Our study demonstrates the development of a sensitive tetramer panel allowing simultaneous characterization of antigen-specific T cells in ex vivo patient samples including RA ‘at risk’ subjects. This multi-tetramer approach can be useful for longitudinal immune-monitoring in any disease with known HLA-restriction element and several candidate antigens.
Factors Associated With Low Handgrip Strength in Older People: Data of the Study of Chronic Diseases (EDOC-I)
Authors: Amaral Cledir de Araújo , Amaral Thatiana Lameira Maciel , Monteiro Gina Torres Rego , de Vasconcellos Mauricio Teixeira Leite , Portela Margareth Crisostomo
Published: March 2020

Background Handgrip strength (HGS) is an important health biomarker whose low scores have been shown to be associated with the morbimortality. This study aimed to analyze the factors associated with low HGS in older people in Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil. Methods The study was carried out with data from the Study of Chronic Diseases (EDOC-I) – Older People, a cross-sectional household PAPI probability sample survey performed with 1,016 people aged over 60 residing in Rio Branco in 2014. The low HGS was defined by the 20 th percentile of the maximum HGS by sex and age group. Associations between variables of health status (psychological and physical) and low HGS, by sex, were estimated using logistic regression, expressed by adjusted ORs (aOR). Results Older individuals had lower median HGS than younger individuals (-6.0 kg among men and -2.6 kg among women). Women aged over 80 had, on average, the lower quintile of HGS compared to women of the previous age groups. Factors independently associated with low HGS in men and women, respectively, were low weigh in body mass index [(aOR = 2.80; 95%CI: 1.19, 6.61) and (aOR = 2.61; 95%CI: 1.46, 4.66)], anemia [(aOR= 4.15; 95%CI: 2.09, 8.21) and (aOR = 1.80; 95%CI: 1.06, 3.06)] and diabetes as a risk factor in men (aOR 1.95; 95%CI: 1.00, 3.81). There was a higher chance of low HGS in men with partners (aOR = 2.44; 95%CI: 1.32, 4.51), smokers or former smokers (aOR = 3.25; 95%CI: 1.25, 8.44), with current self-assessment of health worse than the 12 previous months (aOR = 2.21; 95%CI: 1.14, 4.30) and dependence in activities of daily living (aOR = 2.92; 95%CI: 1.35, 6.30). Only among women, there was an increased chance of low HGS associated with altered waist-to-hip ratio (aOR = 1.79; 95%CI: 1.02, 3.12), insomnia (aOR = 1.83; 95%CI: 1.10, 3.03) and physical activity from displacement/occupation (aOR = 1.75; 95%CI: 1.08, 2.84). Conclusion Factors associated with low HGS are not the same between sexes, and the inclusion of HGS as a component of health assessment seems to be a promising strategy for disease prevention and health promotion.
Fear-avoidance beliefs are associated with exercise adherence: Secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) among female healthcare workers with recurrent low back pain
Authors: Taulaniemi Annika , Kankaanpää Markku , Rinne Marjo , Tokola Kari , Parkkari Jari , Suni Jaana Helena
Published: March 2020

Background: Exercise is recommended for the treatment and management of low back pain (LBP) and the prevention of chronicity. Exercise adherence has been only modest in intervention studies among people with musculoskeletal pain. Fear-avoidance beliefs (FABs) are known to affect exercise adherence.The purpose was twofold: to examine which bio-psycho-social factors contributed to exercise adherence during a 6-month neuromuscular exercise intervention among female healthcare workers with recurrent LBP, and to investigate how exercising affects FABs at 6 and 12 months’ follow-up. Methods: Some 219 healthcare workers aged 30–55 years with mild-to-moderate re-current non-specific LBP were originally allocated into: 1) exercise, 2) counselling, 3) combined exercise and counselling, and 4) control groups. In the present secondary analysis, groups 1 and 3 (exercise only and exercise+counselling) were merged to be exercisers and groups 2 and 4 were merged to be non-exercisers. Baseline variables of the exercise compliers (≥24 times over 24 weeks; n=58) were compared to those of the non-compliers (<1 time/week, 0–23 times; n=52). The effects of the exercise programme on FABs were analysed by a generalised linear mixed model according to the intention-to-treat principle (exercisers; n= 110 vs non-exercisers; n=109) at three measurement points (baseline, 6, and 12 months). A per-protocol analysis compared the more exercised to the less exercised and non-exercisers. Results: A low education level (p=0.026), shift work (p=0.023), low aerobic (p=0.048) and musculoskeletal (p=0.043) fitness, and high baseline physical activity-related FABs (p=0.019) were related to low exercise adherence. The exercise programme reduced levels of both physical activity- and work-related FABs, and there was a dose response: FABs reduced more in persons who exercised ≥24 times compared to those who exercised 0-23 times.Conclusion: Healthcare workers who had lower education and fitness levels, worked shifts, and had high physical activity-related FABs had a lower adherence to the 6-month neuromuscular exercise programme. Exercising with good adherence reduced levels of FABs, which have been shown to be linked with prolonged LBP. Motivational strategies should be targeted at persons with low education and fitness levels and high FABs in order to achieve better exercise adherence.
Manuscript Tittle: Women's Experiences of Rectovaginal Fistula: An Ethno- Religious Experience
Authors: Nezhad Fatemeh Touhidi , Jalali Rostam , Karimi Fozieh
Published: March 2020

Background: Obstetric fistulas are one of the most tragic injuries that occur after difficult, prolonged childbirth without timely intervention. These fistulas cause discomfort to patients and result in emotional, social, and even physical suffering. The present study aimed to explore the experiences of women with rectovaginal fistula in Kamyaran city, in Kurdestan province, west of Iran.Methods: In a phenomenological study, 16 patients, healthcare personnel and patients' families were investigated. Purposive sampling was performed and Study participants were interviewed in-depth semi-structured interviews. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim (word by word) and analyzed by Colaizzi's method. To determine the validity of the study, Lincoln and Guba’s criteria, which include credibility, dependability, transferability, and confirmability, was considered.Results: Five general themes and ten sub-themes emerged after investigating interviews. Themes include religious harassment the sub-theme of being defiled), fail (sub-themes of loss and negative attitudes, disrupted sex (the sub-theme of sexual dissatisfaction), consequence (three sub-themes of sleep disturbance, mental crisis, and isolation), and ultimately panic (three sub-themes of humiliation, secrecy, and fear).Conclusion: The rectovaginal fistula is a complex and multifaceted problem with social, individual, familial, religious, and ethnic-environmental dimensions, so there is no simple solution to interact with this problem and there is a need to find a solution, considering the dimensions of the problem and plan for help these patients cope with their disease, and take steps to fully treat it.
The independent indicators for differentiating renal cell carcinoma from renal angiomyolipoma by contrast-enhanced ultrasound
Authors: Author) Hongli Cao(Former Corresponding , Fang Liang , Author) Lin Chen(New Corresponding , Zhan Jia , Diao Xuehong , Liu Yingchun , Lu Chen , Zhang Zhengwang , Chen Yue
Published: March 2020

Background: The value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in differentiating between renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and angiomyolipoma (AML) was analyzed. The purpose of this study was to identify the independent indicators of CEUS for predicting RCC.
Methods: A total of 172 renal tumors (150 RCCs, 22 AMLs) in 165 patients underwent conventional ultrasound (CUS) and CEUS examinations before radical or partial nephrectomy, and the features on CUS and CEUS were analyzed.
Results: There were significant differences in echogenicity, blood flow signals in color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI), peak intensity, homogeneity of enhancement, wash in, wash out, and perilesional rim-like enhancement between RCC and AML ( P <0.05 for all). Multivariate analysis indicated that perilesional rim-like enhancement ( P =0.035, odds ratio [OR]=9.907, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.169-83.971) and fast wash out ( P =0.001, OR =9.755, 95%[CI]: 2.497-38.115) were independent indicators for predicting RCC. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) for perilesional rim-like enhancement was 0.838 (95% CI:0.774-0.890) with 76.7% sensitivity and 90.9% specificity, while the AUC of fast wash out was 0.833 (95% CI:0.768-0.885) with 74.7% sensitivity and 81.8% specificity.
Conclusions: This study indicated that CEUS has value in differentiating RCC and AML. Present perilesional rim-like enhancement and fast wash out may be important indicators for predicting RCC.
Key words: Renal cell carcinoma; angiomyolipoma; contrast-enhanced ultrasound; ultrasonography
The Application and Accuracy of Feature Matching on Automated Cephalometric Superimposition
Authors: Jiang Yiran , Song Guangying , Yu Xiaonan , Dou Yuanbo , Li Qingfeng , Liu Siqi , Han Bing , Xu Tianmin
Published: March 2020

Background: The aim of this study was to establish a computer-aided automated method for cephalometric superimposition and to evaluate the accuracy of this method based on free-hand tracing.
Methods: Twenty-eight pairs of pre-treatment (T1 ) and post-treatment (T2 ) cephalograms were selected. Structural superimpositions of the cranial base, maxilla and mandible were independently completed by three operators performing traditional hand tracing methods and by computerized automation using the feature matching algorithm. To quantitatively evaluate the differences between the two methods, the hand superimposed patterns were digitized. After automated and hand superimposition of T2 cephalograms to T1 cephalometric templates, landmark distances between paired automated and hand T2 cephalometric landmarks were measured. Differences in hand superimposition among the operators were also calculated.
Results: The T2 landmark differences in hand tracing between the operators ranged from 0.61 mm to 1.65 mm for the three types of superimposition. There were no significant differences in accuracy between hand and automated superimposition (p > 0.05).
Conclusions: Computer-aided cephalometric superimposition provides comparably accurate results to those of traditional hand tracing and will provide a powerful tool for academic research.
Keywords: Digital imaging/radiology, Orthodontic(s), Cephalometric superimposition, Feature Matching, Accuracy
Microglia depletion fails to abrogate inflammation-induced sicknessin mice and rats
Authors: Vichaya Elisabeth G. , Malik Sajida , Sominsky Luba , Ford Bianca G. , Spencer Sarah J. , Dantzer Robert
Published: March 2020

Background: Production of inflammatory mediators by reactive microglial cells in the brain is generally considered the primary mechanism underlying the development of symptoms of sickness in response to systemic inflammation.Methods: Depletion of microglia was achieved in C57BL/6 mice by chronic oral administration of PLX5622, a specific antagonist of colony stimulating factor-1 receptor, and in rats by a knock-in model in which the diphtheria toxin receptor was expressed under the control of the endogenous fractalkine receptor (Cx3cr1) promoter sequence. After successful microglia depletion, mice and rats were injected with a sickness-inducing dose of lipopolysaccharide according to a 2 (depletion versus control) x 2 (LPS versus saline) factorial design. Sickness was measured by body weight loss and decreased locomotor activity in rats and mice, and reduced voluntary wheel running in mice. Results: Chronic administration of PLX5622 in mice and administration of diphtheria toxin to knock-in rats depleted microglia and peripheral tissue macrophages. However, it did not abrogate the inducible expression of proinflammatory cytokines in the brain in response to LPS and even exacerbated it for some of the cytokines. In accordance with these neuroimmune effects, LPS-induced sickness was not abrogated, rather it was exacerbated when measured by running wheel activity in mice. Conclusions: These findings reveal that the sickness-inducing effects of acute inflammation can develop independently of microglia activation.
Association of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether (PBDE) Levels with Biomarkers of Placental Development and Disease during Mid-gestation
Authors: Varshavsky Julia , Robinson Joshua F. , Zhou Yan , Puckett Kenisha A. , Kwan Elaine , Buarpung Sirirak , Aburajab Rayyan , Gaw Stephanie L. , Sen Saunak , Smith Sabrina Crispo , Frankenfield Julie , Park June-Soo , Fisher Susan J. , Woodruff Tracey J.
Published: March 2020

Background

Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) exposures have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. A hypothesized mechanism is via alterations in placental development and function. However, we lack biomarkers that can be used as early indicators of maternal/fetal response to PBDE exposures and/or perturbations in placental development or function.

Methods

To evaluate the relationship between PBDE levels and placental biomarkers during mid-gestation of human pregnancy ( n = 62), we immunolocalized three molecules that play key roles in cytotrophoblast (CTB) differentiation and interstitial/endovascular uterine invasion—integrin alpha-1 ( ITGA1) , vascular endothelial-cadherin ( CDH5 ), and metalloproteinase-1 ( MMP1 )–and assessed three morphological parameters as potential indicators of pathological alterations using H&E-stained tissues–leukocyte infiltration, fibrinoid deposition, and CTB endovascular invasion. We evaluated associations between placental PBDE levels and of biomarkers of placental development and disease using censored Kendall’s tau correlation and linear regression methods.

Results

PBDEs were detected in all placental samples. We observed substantial variation in antigen expression and morphological endpoints across placental regions. We observed an association between PBDE levels and immunoreactivity of endovascular CTB staining with anti-ITGA1 (inverse) or interstitial CTBs staining with anti-CDH5 (positive).

Conclusions

We found several molecular markers that may be sensitive placental indicators of PBDE exposure. Further, this indicates that placental biomarkers of development and disease could be useful barometers of exposure to PBDEs, a paradigm that could be extended to other environmental chemicals and placental stage-specific antigens.
MiR-23a induced the activation of CDC42/PAK1 pathway and cell cycle arrest in human granulosa cells by targeting FGD4
Authors: Lin Ji , Huang Huijuan , Lin Liheng , Li Weiwei , Huang Jianfen
Published: March 2020

Background MiRNAs play important roles in the development of ovarian cancer, activation of primitive follicles, follicular development, oocyte maturation and ovulation. In the present study, we investigated the specific role of miR-23a in human granulosa cells. Results Downregulation of miR-23a was observed in in serum of PCOS patients compared with the healthy control, suggesting the inhibitory effect of miR-23a in PCOS. MiR-23a was positively correlated with Body Mass Index (BMI) and negatively correlated with Luteinizing hormone (LH), Testostrone (T), Glucose (Glu) and Insulin (INS) of PCOS patients. MiR-23a mimic inhibited the proliferation and promoted apoptosis of human granulosa cells. In addition, flow cytometry assay confirmed that miR-23a blocked cell cycle on G0/G1 phase. MiR-23a inhibitor showed opposite results. Furthermore, double luciferase reporter assay proved that miR-23a could bind to the 3’UTR of FGD4 directly through sites predicted on Target Scan. FGD4 level was significantly suppressed by miR-23a mimic, but was significantly enhanced by miR-23a inhibitor. We further proved that miR-23a increased the expression of activated CDC42 (GTP bround) and p-PAK-1, suggesting that miR-23a induced cell cycle arrest through CDC42/PAK1 pathway. Conclusions In conclusion, our study reveals that miR-23a participates in the regulation of proliferation and apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells through target FGD4, and may play a role in the pathophysiology of PCOS.
An interpretable machine learning method for detecting novel pathogens
Authors: Zhao Xiaoyong , Wang Ningning
Published: March 2020

Background: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), infectious diseases continue to one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Since the core microbiota flora of humans is largely diverse and horizontal gene transfer (HGT), it is very challenging to determine whether a particular bacterial strain is commensal or pathogenic to humans. With the latest advances in next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, bioinformatics tools and techniques using NGS data have increasingly been used for the diagnosis and monitoring of infectious diseases. Even if the biological background is not available, the machine learning method can still infer the pathogenic phenotype from the NGS readings, independent of the database of known organisms, and being studied intensively.However, previous methods have not considered opportunistic pathogenic and interpretability of black box model, are not well suited for clinical requirements. Results :In this study, we proposed a novel interpretable machine learning approach (IMLA) to identify the pathogenicity of bacterial genomes: human pathogens (HP), opportunistic pathogenicity (OHP) or non-pathogenicity(NHP), then use the following model-agnostic interpretation methods to interpret model: feature importance, accumulated local effects and Shapley values, due to the model interpretability is essential for healthcare applications. To our knowledge, our paper is the first attempt to infer opportunistic pathogenicity and explain the model. Conclusions: According to the simulation results, our approach IMLA can be a great addition to detect novel pathogens.