bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phytoconstituents of an ethanolic pod extract of Prosopis cineraria triggers the inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase and the regression of atherosclerotic plaque in hypercholesterolemic rabbits
Authors: Ram Heera , Jaipal Noopur , Charan Jaykaran , Kashyap Priya , Kumar Suresh , Tripathi Rashmi , Singh Bhim Pratap , Siddaiah Chandra Nayaka , Hashem Abeer , Tabassum Baby , Abd_Allah Elsayed Fathi
Published: January 2020

Background

The HMG-CoA reductase is key enzyme of cholesterol biosynthesis which potentially contributes in management of hypercholesterolemia. The present study was designed to assess the inhibitory effect of phytoconstituents of an ethanolic extract ofProsopis cinerariapods on HMG – CoA reductase and regression potential of atherosclerotic plaque.

Methods

Healthy, adult male, albino rabbits in which hypercholesterolemia was induced by supplying the high fat diet and a supplement of cholesterol powder with coconut oil (500 mg/5 ml/Day/kg body weight) for 15 days, were used as a disease model. Phytochemical analysis of an ethanolic extractProsopis cinerariapods was conducted using LCMS, GCMS and FTIR analysis. Further, in-vitro, in-vivo andin-silicoassessments were performed.

Results

The in-vitro assessment of HMG -CoA reductase activity indicated a 67.1 and 97.3% inhibition by the extract and a standard drug (Pravastatin), respectively. Additionally, anin-silicoevaluation was made using appropriate docking software and results also indicated as significant interactions of the identified compounds with the target enzyme. Treatment of rabbits with the ethanolic extract ofP. cinerariapod resulted in significant (P≤ 0.001) reductions in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, and triglyceride. Accordingly, reductions were occurred in atherosclerotic plaque, intima and media of aortal wall along with lumen volume of the aorta significantly increased (P≤ 0.001).

Conclusion

It can be illustrating that the ethanolic extract ofProsopis cinerariapod contains potent bioactive phytocompounds might be inhibit HMG – CoA reductase and have regression potential of atherosclerotic plaque.
Cyclophilin a signaling induces pericyte-associated blood-brain barrier disruption after subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Pan Pengyu , Zhao Hengli , Zhang Xuan , Li Qiang , Qu Jie , Zuo Shilun , Yang Fan , Liang Guobiao , Zhang John H. , Liu Xin , He Haiyang , Feng Hua , Chen Yujie
Published: January 2020

Objective

The potential roles and mechanisms of pericytes in maintaining blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity, which would be helpful for the development of therapeutic strategies for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), remain unclear. We sought to provide evidence on the potential role of pericytes in BBB disruption and possible involvement and mechanism of CypA signaling in both cultured pericytes and SAH models.

Methods

Three hundred fifty-three adult male C57B6J mice weighing 22 to 30 g, 29 CypA−/− mice, 30 CypA+/+ (flox/flox) mice, and 30 male neonatal C57B6J mice were used to investigate the time course of CypA expression in pericytes after SAH, the intrinsic function and mechanism of CypA in pericytes, and whether the known receptor CD147 mediates these effects.

Results

Our data demonstrated both intracellular CypA and CypA secretion increased after SAH and could activate CD147 receptor and downstream NF-κB pathway to induce MMP9 expression and proteolytic functions for degradation of endothelium tight junction proteins and basal membranes. CypA served as autocrine or paracrine ligand for its receptor, CD147. Although CypA could be endocytosed by pericytes, specific endocytosis inhibitor chlorpromazine did not have any effect on MMP9 activation. However, specific knockdown of CD147 could reverse the harmful effects of CypA expression in pericytes on the BBB integrity after SAH.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated for the first time that CypA mediated the harmful effects of pericytes on BBB disruption after SAH, which potentially mediated by CD147/NF-κB/MMP9 signal, and junction protein degradation in the brain. By targeting CypA and pericytes, this study may provide new insights on the management of SAH patients.
Should the ultrasound probe replace your stethoscope? A SICS-I sub-study comparing lung ultrasound and pulmonary auscultation in the critically ill
Authors:   SICS Study Group, Cox Eline G. M. , Koster Geert , Baron Aidan , Kaufmann Thomas , Eck Ruben J. , Veenstra T. Corien , Hiemstra Bart , Wong Adrian , Kwee Thomas C. , Tulleken Jaap E. , Keus Frederik , Wiersema Renske , van der Horst Iwan C. C.
Published: January 2020

Background

In critically ill patients, auscultation might be challenging as dorsal lung fields are difficult to reach in supine-positioned patients, and the environment is often noisy. In recent years, clinicians have started to consider lung ultrasound as a useful diagnostic tool for a variety of pulmonary pathologies, including pulmonary edema. The aim of this study was to compare lung ultrasound and pulmonary auscultation for detecting pulmonary edema in critically ill patients.

Methods

This study was a planned sub-study of the Simple Intensive Care Studies-I, a single-center, prospective observational study. All acutely admitted patients who were 18 years and older with an expected ICU stay of at least 24 h were eligible for inclusion. All patients underwent clinical examination combined with lung ultrasound, conducted by researchers not involved in patient care. Clinical examination included auscultation of the bilateral regions for crepitations and rhonchi. Lung ultrasound was conducted according to the Bedside Lung Ultrasound in Emergency protocol. Pulmonary edema was defined as three or more B lines in at least two (bilateral) scan sites. An agreement was described by using the Cohen κ coefficient, sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value, and overall accuracy. Subgroup analysis were performed in patients who were not mechanically ventilated.

Results

The Simple Intensive Care Studies-I cohort included 1075 patients, of whom 926 (86%) were eligible for inclusion in this analysis. Three hundred seven of the 926 patients (33%) fulfilled the criteria for pulmonary edema on lung ultrasound. In 156 (51%) of these patients, auscultation was normal. A total of 302 patients (32%) had audible crepitations or rhonchi upon auscultation. From 130 patients with crepitations, 86 patients (66%) had pulmonary edema on lung ultrasound, and from 209 patients with rhonchi, 96 patients (46%) had pulmonary edema on lung ultrasound. The agreement between auscultation findings and lung ultrasound diagnosis was poor (κ statistic 0.25). Subgroup analysis showed that the diagnostic accuracy of auscultation was better in non-ventilated than in ventilated patients.

Conclusion

The agreement between lung ultrasound and auscultation is poor.

Trial registration

NCT02912624. Registered on September 23, 2016.
New-onset atrial fibrillation and associated outcomes and resource use among critically ill adults—a multicenter retrospective cohort study
Authors: Fernando Shannon M. , Mathew Rebecca , Hibbert Benjamin , Rochwerg Bram , Munshi Laveena , Walkey Allan J. , Møller Morten Hylander , Simard Trevor , Di Santo Pietro , Ramirez F. Daniel , Tanuseputro Peter , Kyeremanteng Kwadwo
Published: January 2020

Background

New-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) is commonly encountered in critically ill adults. Evidence evaluating the association between NOAF and patient-important outcomes in this population is conflicting. Furthermore, little is known regarding the association between NOAF and resource use or hospital costs.

Methods

Retrospective analysis (2011–2016) of a prospectively collected registry from two Canadian hospitals of consecutive ICU patients aged ≥ 18 years. We excluded patients with a known history of AF prior to hospital admission. Any occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) was prospectively recorded by bedside nurses. The primary outcome was hospital mortality, and we used multivariable logistic regression to adjust for confounders. We used a generalized linear model to evaluate contributors to total cost.

Results

We included 15,014 patients, and 1541 (10.3%) had NOAF during their ICU admission. While NOAF was not associated with increased odds of hospital death among the entire cohort (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.02 [95% confidence interval [CI] 0.97–1.08]), an interaction was noted between NOAF and sepsis, and the presence of both was associated with higher odds of hospital mortality (aOR 1.28 [95% CI 1.09–1.36]) than either alone. Patients with NOAF had higher total costs (cost ratio [CR] 1.09 [95% CI 1.02–1.20]). Among patients with NOAF, treatment with a rhythm-control strategy was associated with higher costs (CR 1.24 [95% CI 1.07–1.40]).

Conclusions

While NOAF was not associated with death or requiring discharge to long-term care among critically ill patients, it was associated with increased length of stay in ICU and increased total costs.
Prevalence of Trypanosoma evansi in livestock in Palestine
Authors: Ereqat Suheir , Nasereddin Abdelmajeed , Al-Jawabreh Amer , Al-Jawabreh Hanan , Al-Laham Nahed , Abdeen Ziad
Published: January 2020

Background

Trypanosoma evansiis the causative agent of surra, a disease that occurs in many animal species. The disease is responsible for substantial losses in global production and can be fatal if not diagnosed early. This study aims to determine the prevalence ofT. evansiin livestock, equids and dromedary camels in Palestine.

Methods

Blood samples were collected during 2015–2017 from domesticated animals (n= 259 animals; 77% females and 23% males) including camels (n= 87), horses (n= 46), donkeys (n= 28), mules (n= 2), sheep (n= 49) and goats (n= 48) from eight districts: Ariha (Jericho), Nablus, Bethlehem, Deir Al Balah, Jenin, Rafah, Tubas, and Khan Yunis. Parasite prevalence was determined using PCR and blood smear microscopy. PCR-positive samples were further phylogenetically analyzed using DNA sequences of the18Sribosomal RNA gene.

Results

The overall infection prevalence was 18% (46/259). The positivity rates according to PCR and microscopy examination were 17% (45/259) and 2.7% (7/259), respectively. The infection rates were as follows: camels, 26/61 (30%); horses, 8/46 (17%); donkeys, 3/28 (11%); mules, 1/2 (50%); sheep, 2/42 (4%); and goats, 6/42 (13%). Phylogenetic analyses of the18SrRNA gene showed that 24 positiveT. evansisamples from Palestine formed a monophyletic cluster with sevenT. evansisequences from Africa, Asia and South America, and threeT. bruceisequences from Africa retrieved from GenBank. The spatial analysis showed three statistically significant foci ofT. evansiinfection in Jenin, Tubas (P= 0.02) and Ariha (Jericho) (P= 0.04). No statistically significant foci were detected in the Gaza Strip.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first confirmation of high levels of infection withT. evansias a causative agent of surra in Palestine. Our study emphasizes the need for a stringent surveillance system and risk assessment studies as prerequisites for control measures. Further investigations focusing on vectors and evaluation of risk factors are needed.
Epidemiological characteristics of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae collected from 17 hospitals in Nanjing district of China
Authors: Zhou Hui , Zhang Kui , Chen Wei , Chen Junhao , Zheng Jie , Liu Chang , Cheng Li , Zhou Wanqing , Shen Han , Cao Xiaoli
Published: January 2020

Objective

In total, 97 carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) were collected from 17 hospitals located in Nanjing, Southeast China, and analyzed for epidemiological characteristics.

Methods

Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined; followed by determination of the prevalence of resistance determinants, including extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBLs), plasmid-mediated AmpC enzyme (pAmpCs), plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes (PMQRs), fosfomycin resistance gene and exogenously acquired 16S rRNA methyltransferase (16S-RMTase) using PCR and DNA sequencing. The sequence types (STs) of CRE were determined by multi-locus sequence typing (MLST). The plasmid profiles were detected by PCR-based replicon typing (PBRT).

Results

All the CRE strains displayed high MIC50 and MIC90 for nearly all clinical available antibiotics, except for aztreonam/avibactam, minocycline, ceftazidime/avibactam, tigecycline, and colistin. KPC-2 (79.4%) and NDM (19.6%) were the main carbapenemases, CTX-M (76.3%) and SHV (60.8%) were the predominant ESBLs. In addition, oqxAB (70.1%) and qnr (63.9%) were the major PMQRs; rmtB (47.4%) was the main 16S-RMTase; fosA (76.3%) and fosA3 (37.1%) were the fosfomycin resistance gene. PBRT analysis showed presence of IncR (66.0%) and IncFII (64.9%) replicon types in the majority of the isolates, followed by IncFIB (46.4%) and IncX3 (16.5%). The IncFII and IncR replicon-types were found mainly in K. pneumoniae (68.8%), whereas the IncX3 replicons dominated in E. coli isolates (100.0%). The three dominating MLST-types ST11, ST15 and ST268 comprised 68.0% of the 77 K. pneumoniae. Seven distinct STs were identified among 8 E. coli.

Conclusions

The treatment for infections caused by CRE isolates is challenged by the presence of multiple resistance determinants and plasmid replicons. Our results highlighted the expansion of blaKPC-2 carrying K. pneumoniae ST11, the new emergency of single blaNDM-5 carrying K. oxytoca ST36, as well as blaIMP-4 and blaNDM-1 co-carrying E. cloacae ST418, which alert us on the urgency for antimicrobial resistant surveillance, to prevent dissemination of these highly transmissible and dangerous lineages.
Comparison of metamizole and paracetamol effects on colonic anastomosis and fibroblast activities in Wistar rats
Authors: Purnomo Eko , Nugrahaningsih Dwi Aris Agung , Agustriani Nunik , Gunadi
Published: January 2020

Background

Leakage following colorectal anastomosis surgery causes various complications associated with high morbidity and mortality, especially in pediatric patients. It might be caused by the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as postoperative analgesics. This study aimed to compare the effect of metamizole and paracetamol on colonic anastomosis and fibroblast activities, including proliferation, migration, and collagen synthesis, in Wistar rats.

Methods

Rats were divided into control, paracetamol and metamizole groups. The colonic anastomosis was evaluated by determining the integrity of the muscle layers, the formation of granulation tissue, and mucosal anastomosis. Fibroblast activities were analyzed by measuring the proliferation, migration, and collagen synthesis.

Results

Metamizole caused more damage to muscle layer integrity, more inhibition of granulation tissue formation in the anastomosis area and lower mucosal anastomosis compared with paracetamol and control groups. Metamizole had a higher cytotoxic effect than paracetamol, which suppressed the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts. Furthermore, both drugs did not affect the synthesis of collagen.

Conclusion

Metamizole shows worse effects on the integrity of muscle layers, inhibition of granulation tissue formation, mucosal anastomosis, fibroblast proliferation, and migration, but not collagen synthesis, than paracetamol in Wistar rat intestines following colonic anastomosis. These findings might indicate that paracetamol is safer than metamizole as analgesic following colonic anastomosis.
Low-cost and customizable inkjet printing for microelectrodes fabrication
Authors: da Costa Tallis H. , Choi Jin-Woo
Published: January 2020

Microelectrodes for detection of chemicals present several advantages over conventional sized electrodes. However, rapid and low-cost fabrication of microelectrodes is challenging due to high complexity of patterning equipment. We present the development of a low-cost, customizable inkjet printer for printing nanomaterials including carbon nanotubes for the fabrication of microelectrodes. The achieved spatial resolution of the inkjet printer is less than 20 µm, which is comparable to advanced commercially available inkjet printers, with the advantage of being low-cost and easily replicated.
On-chip cell manipulation and applications to deformability measurements
Authors: Ito Hiroaki , Kaneko Makoto
Published: January 2020

Active microfluidics for the applications to cellular deformability measurements is an emerging research field ranging from engineering to medicine. Here, we review conventional and microfluidic methods, and introduce an on-chip cell manipulation system with the design principle of fast and fine cell manipulation inside a microchannel. In the latter part of the review, we focus on the results of red blood cell (RBC) deformability measurements as one of the most frequently studied non-adherent cells by on-chip methods. The relationship between mechanical properties and biological structures/features, as well as medical/diagnostic applications, are also discussed.
The importance of grain and cut-off size in shaping tree beta diversity along an elevational gradient in the northwest of Colombia
Authors: Martínez-Villa Johanna Andrea , González-Caro Sebastián , Duque Álvaro
Published: January 2020

Background

Species turnover (β-diversity) along elevational gradients is one of the most important concepts in plant ecology. However, there is a lack of consensus about the main driving mechanisms of tree β-diversity at local scales in very diverse ecosystems (e.g., Andean mountains), as well as how the sampling effect can alter β-diversity estimations. Recently, it has been hypothesized that patterns of change in β-diversity at local scales along elevational gradients are driven by sampling effects stemming from differences in the size of the species pool rather than by underlying community assembly mechanisms. Thus, we aim to evaluate the relative extent to which sampling effects, such as species pool size, grain size, and tree size cut-off, determine species sorting, and thus, the variability of β-diversity at local scales along elevational gradients in the northwest of Colombia.

Results

Using 15 1-ha permanent plots spread out along a 3000 m elevational gradient, we used standardized β-deviation to assess the extent to which either sampling effects or the community assembly mechanisms determine the changes in species composition at local scales. Standardized β-deviation was measured as the difference between the observed and null β-diversity divided by the standard deviation of the null β-diversity. We found that the magnitude of change in local β-deviation along the elevational gradient was significant and dependent on the employed spatial grain size and tree size cut-off. However, β-deviation increased with elevation in all sampling designs, which suggests that underlying community assembly mechanisms play a key role in shaping local β-diversity along the elevational gradient.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that grain size enlargement and the inclusion of trees with small diameters will improve our ability to quantify the extent to which the community assembly mechanisms shape patterns of β-diversity along elevational gradients. Overall, we emphasize the scale-dependent nature of the assessment of β-diversity. Likewise, we call for the need of a new generation of enlarged forest inventory plots along gradients of elevation in tropical forests that include small individuals to improve our understanding about the likely response of diversity and function to global change.
Harmony or chaos? Beliefs and practices about conflicts among naturalized refugee children in Tanzania
Authors: Ndijuye Laurent Gabriel
Published: January 2020

The current study explored beliefs and practices on the main types and common causes of conflicts among naturalized refugee pre-primary children in rural Tanzania. A region with highest number of naturalized refugees in Tanzania was purposively selected. A total of 12 children were involved in the focus group discussion; nine classroom teachers, and three school principals from three pre-primary schools were individually interviewed. To gain insights on home contexts, six parents who had children in pre-primary classes were visited at their homes and interviewed on individual sessions. A number of policy and practical documents were critically analyzed. Findings revealed that the main types of conflicts among naturalized refugee children were teacher-induced and pupil-induced. Further, it was found that the main causes of conflicts among children of this group were related to scarcity of resources and social issues. These findings highlight that in order to ensure that naturalized refugee children are developing to their fullest potentials and integrated into a host Tanzanian society, deliberate efforts are much needed to understand common types and main causes of conflicts. This will help in devising appropriate strategies to develop children’s constructive conflict-resolution skills.
Nordic walking training in elderly, a randomized clinical trial. Part II: Biomechanical and metabolic adaptations
Authors: Gomeñuka Natalia Andrea , Oliveira Henrique Bianchi , da Silva Edson Soares , Passos-Monteiro Elren , da Rosa Rodrigo Gomes , Carvalho Alberito Rodrigo , Costa Rochelle Rocha , Rodríguez Paz Martín Cruz , Pellegrini Barbara , Peyré-Tartaruga Leonardo Alexandre
Published: January 2020

Background

Nordic walking is an attractive method of endurance training. Nevertheless, the biomechanic response due to the additional contribution of using poles in relation to free walking training has been less explored in the elderly. Purpose: This randomized parallel controlled trial aimed to assess the effects of 8 weeks of Nordic walking and free walking training on the walking economy, mechanical work, metabolically optimal speed, and electromyographic activation in elderly.

Methods

Thirty-three sedentary elderly were randomized into Nordic walking (n= 16) and free walking group (n= 17) with equalized loads. Submaximal walking tests were performed from 1 to 5 km h−1on the treadmill.

Results

Walking economy was improved in both free and Nordic walking groups (x24.91,p= 0.014) and the metabolically optimal speed was increased by approximately 0.5 km h−1changing the speed-cost profile. The electromyographic activation in lower and upper limbs, pendular recovery, and total, external, and internal mechanical work remained unchanged (p> 0.05). Interestingly, the internal mechanical work associated with arm movement was higher in the Nordic walking group than in the free walking group after training, while the co-contraction from upper limb muscles was reduced similarly to both groups.

Conclusions

Eight weeks of Nordic walking training effectively improved the walking economy and functionality as well as maintained the gait mechanics, similar to free walking training in elderly people. This enhancement in the metabolic economy may have been mediated by a reduction in the co-contraction from upper limb muscles.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrails.govNCT03096964
Do carrier expectations indicate industry structure in container shipping? An econometric analysis
Authors: Fusillo Michael , Haralambides Hercules
Published: January 2020

In the competitive environment of liner shipping, the ability to nimbly adjust shipping capacity to demand could mean the difference between a thriving shipping operation and one that will most likely fail. How quickly and effectively carriers adjust their capacity may depend on how their expectations regarding trade volumes and freight rates are formed. We find that if adaptive expectations prevail in the decision process, capacity deployment may suffer some degree of inertia but, compared to expectations that are formed rationally, capacity would be be relatively stable. On the other hand, if carrier expectations are rational, capacity deployment might be more likely to align closer and faster with demand. We seek to empirically test whether carriers’ expectations of demand, aiming at deploying the right amount of capacity, can be characterized as adaptive or rational. We find that a) in most cases, adaptive expectations is the paradigm in container shipping; b) the way expectations are formed and the market structure of the liner shipping industry are two things not totally unrelated; and c) rational expectations point to more competitive markets (such as that of the Pacific), while adaptive expectations indicate higher concentration and thus imperfect competition (as is the case in the North Atlantic). Our findings have important regulatory implications in the sense that, if one accepts, as we do, that adaptive expectations are consistent with concentrated industries, while rational expectations suggest more competition, then our paper suggests that the 2008 abolition of the liner conference system from European trades has failed to improve the level of competition in the Europe – US liner shipping markets.
Pathological Fracture and Prognosis of High-Grade Osteosarcoma of the Extremities: An Analysis of 2,847 Consecutive Cooperative Osteosarcoma Study Group (COSS) Patients
Authors: Kelley Lisa Marie , Schlegel Miriam , Hecker-Nolting Stefanie , Kevric Matthias , Haller Bernhard , Rössig Claudia , Reichardt Peter , Kager Leo , Kühne Thomas , Gosheger Georg , Windhager Reinhard , Specht Katja , Rechl Hans , Tunn Per-Ulf , Baumhoer Daniel , Wirth Thomas , Werner Mathias , von Kalle Thekla , Nathrath Michaela , Burdach Stefan , Bielack Stefan , von Lüttichau Irene
Published: January 2020

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to investigate potential correlations between pathologic fractures (PFs) and prognosis of patients with primary central high-grade osteosarcoma of the extremities.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 2,847 patients registered in the Consecutive Cooperative Osteosarcoma Study Group database with primary central high-grade osteosarcoma of the extremities, treated between 1980 and 2010. Intended treatment included pre- and postoperative chemotherapy and surgery. Univariable and multivariable survival analyses were performed for all patients and then differentiated for adult and pediatric (≤ 18 years at time of diagnosis) patients.

RESULTS

A total of 2,193 patients were ≤ 18 years of age; 11.3% of all patients had PFs. In the overall cohort, presence of PF correlated significantly with tumor site, histologic subtype, relative tumor size, and primary metastases, but not with body mass index or local surgical remission. In univariable analysis, 5-year overall survival (OAS) of patients with and without PF was 63% versus 71%, respectively ( P = .007), and 5-year event-free survival (EFS) was 51% versus 58% ( P = .026). In pediatric patients, OAS and EFS did not differ significantly between patients with and without PF. In adults, 5-year OAS in patients with and without PF was 46% versus 69% ( P < .001), and 5-year EFS was 36% versus 56% ( P < .001). In multivariable analysis, PF was not a statistically significant factor for OAS or EFS in the total cohort or in pediatric patients. In adult patients, PF remained an independent prognostic factor for OAS ( P = .013; hazard ratio [HR], 1.893). It was not a significant prognostic factor for EFS ( P = .263; HR, 1.312).

CONCLUSION

In this largest study to date with extremity osteosarcomas, we observed the occurrence of PF to correlate with inferior OAS expectancies in adult but not in pediatric patients.
Collection and Reporting of Indigenous Status Information in Cancer Registries Around the World
Authors: Diaz Abbey , Soerjomataram Isabelle , Moore Suzanne , Whop Lisa J. , Bray Freddie , Hoberg Hana , Garvey Gail
Published: January 2020

PURPOSE

Worldwide, Indigenous people often have disproportionally worse health and lower life expectancy than their non-Indigenous counterparts. Despite the impact of cancer on life expectancy, little is known about the burden of cancer for Indigenous people primarily because of the paucity of data. We investigated the collection and reporting of Indigenous status information among a global sample of population-based cancer registries (PBCRs).

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

An online survey was e-mailed to eligible registries using set inclusion criteria. Respondents were asked questions on the collection, reporting, and quality assessment of Indigenous status in their registers.

RESULTS

Eighty-three PBCRs from 25 countries were included. Of these, 66% reported that their registry collected Indigenous status data, although the quality of this variable had been assessed in less than half in terms of completeness (38%) and accuracy (47%). Two thirds of PBCRs who collected Indigenous status data (67%), from nine of 25 countries responded that cancer statistics for Indigenous people were reported using registry data. Key barriers to the collection of Indigenous status information included the lack of data collection at the point of care (79%), lack of transfer of Indigenous status to the cancer registry (46%), inadequate information systems (43%), and legislative limitations (32%). Important variations existed among world regions, although the lack of Indigenous status data collection at the point of care was commonly reported across all regions.

CONCLUSION

High-quality data collection is lacking for Indigenous peoples in many countries. To ensure the design and implementation of cancer control activities required to reduce disparities for Indigenous populations, health information systems, including cancer registries, need to be strengthened, and this must be done in dialogue with Indigenous leaders.
Unique and non-redundant function of csf1r paralogues in regulation and evolution of post-embryonic development of the zebrafish
Authors: Caetano-Lopes Joana , Henke Katrin , Urso Katia , Duryea Jeffrey , Charles Julia F. , Warman Matthew L. , Harris Matthew P.
Published: January 2020

Evolution is replete with reuse of genes in different contexts, leading to multifunctional roles of signaling factors during development. Here, we explore osteoclast regulation during skeletal development through analysis of colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (csf1r) function in the zebrafish. A primary role of Csf1r signaling is to regulate the proliferation, differentiation and function of myelomonocytic cells, including osteoclasts. We demonstrate the retention of two functional paralogues of csf1r in zebrafish. Mutant analysis indicates that the paralogues have shared, non-redundant roles in regulating osteoclast activity during the formation of the adult skeleton. csf1ra, however, has adopted unique roles in pigment cell patterning not seen in the second paralogue. We identify a unique noncoding element within csf1ra of fishes that is sufficient for controlling gene expression in pigment cells during development. As a role for Csf1r signaling in pigmentation is not observed in mammals or birds, it is likely that the overlapping roles of the two paralogues released functional constraints on csf1ra, allowing the signaling capacity of Csf1r to serve a novel function in the evolution of pigment pattern in fishes.
Ca2+-activated cleavage of ezrin visualised dynamically in living myeloid cells during cell surface area expansion
Authors: Roberts Rhiannon E. , Martin Marianne , Marion Sabrina , Elumalai Geetha L. , Lewis Kimberly , Hallett Maurice B.
Published: January 2020

The intracellular events underlying phagocytosis, a crucial event for innate immunity, are still unresolved. In order to test whether the reservoir of membrane required for the formation of the phagocytic pseudopodia is maintained by cortical ezrin, and that its cleavage is a key step in releasing this membrane, the cleavage of cortical ezrin was monitored within living phagocytes (the phagocytically competent cell line RAW264.7) through expressing two ezrin constructs with fluorescent protein tags located either inside the FERM or at the actin-binding domains. When ezrin is cleaved in the linker region by the Ca2+-activated protease calpain, separation of the two fluorophores would result. Experimentally induced Ca2+ influx triggered cleavage of peripherally located ezrin, which was temporally associated with cell expansion. Ezrin cleavage was also observed in the phagocytic pseudopodia during phagocytosis. Thus, our data demonstrates that peripheral ezrin is cleaved during Ca2+-influx-induced membrane expansion and locally within the extending pseudopodia during phagocytosis. This is consistent with a role for intact ezrin in maintaining folded membrane on the cell surface, which then becomes available for cell spreading and phagocytosis.
Capacitation-associated alkalization in human sperm is differentially controlled at the subcellular level
Authors: Matamoros-Volante Arturo , Treviño Claudia L.
Published: January 2020

Capacitation in mammalian sperm involves the accurate balance of intracellular pH (pHi), but the mechanisms controlling this process are not fully understood, particularly regarding the spatiotemporal regulation of the proteins involved in pHi modulation. Here, we employed an image-based flow cytometry technique combined with pharmacological approaches to study pHi dynamics at the subcellular level during capacitation. We found that, upon capacitation induction, sperm cells undergo intracellular alkalization in the head and principal piece regions. The observed localized pHi increases require the initial uptake of HCO3−, which is mediated by several proteins acting consistently with their subcellular localization. Hv1 proton channel (also known as HVCN1) and cAMP-activated protein kinase (protein kinase A, PKA) antagonists impair alkalization mainly in the principal piece. Na+/HCO3− cotransporter (NBC) and cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) antagonists impair alkalization only mildly, predominantly in the head. Motility measurements indicate that inhibition of alkalization in the principal piece prevents the development of hyperactivated motility. Altogether, our findings shed light on the complex control mechanisms of pHi and underscore their importance during human sperm capacitation.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Multidrug transporters: recent insights from cryo-electron microscopy-derived atomic structures and animal models
Authors: Lusvarghi Sabrina , Robey Robert W. , Gottesman Michael M. , Ambudkar Suresh V.
Published: January 2020

P-glycoprotein, ABCG2, and MRP1 are members of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily that utilize energy from ATP-binding and hydrolysis to efflux a broad range of chemically dissimilar substrates including anticancer drugs. As a consequence, they play an important role in the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of many drugs; in particular, their role in multidrug resistance in cancer cells as well as at the blood–brain barrier has been the subject of studies for decades. However, the atomic structures of these transporters in the presence of substrates or modulators and at different stages of the ATP-hydrolysis cycle have only recently been resolved by using cryo-electron microscopy. In addition, new animal models have shed new light on our understanding of the role of these transporters at the blood–brain barrier. This new information should open doors for the design of novel chemotherapeutics and treatments to bypass recognition by ABC drug pumps to overcome clinical drug resistance. In this review, we discuss the most recent advances in our understanding of ligand interactions and mechanistic aspects of drug transport based on atomic structures of these transporters as well as the development of new in vivo models to study their role in clinical drug resistance in cancer.
Gait parameters of individuals with Parkinson disease decline during one-year period
Authors: Medijainen Kadri , Pääsuke Mati , Lukmann Aet , Taba Pille
Published: January 2020

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease, influencing mainly elderly. The key motor factor affecting the level of participation in activities of daily living is the gait function, which is known to be progressively impaired in PD. However, gait characteristics also worsen due to normal aging. The main aim of this study was to investigate whether gait parameters decline in individuals with PD in an interval of one year compared to healthy elderly. Selected gait characteristics were recorded using 3-D optoelectronic movement analysis system ELITE in 13 patients with mild-to-moderate PD and 13 age- and gender-matched controls. Hoehn and Yahr Scale and Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale were used for clinical assessment. It was found that PD patients walk with significantly shorter steps and stride and reduced gait speed. In one year, the stride length initiated with right foot and stride walk ratio further decrease in PD patients. On re-evaluation the percentages of stance, swing and double support phase differed significantly between groups. In second measurement, control subjects walked with reduced step width. It was concluded that gait speed and stride length decline in patients with PD in a period of one year, whereas no indication of deterioration of gait function is evident in healthy controls.
Tasks of the Final Stage of the 2019 Republican Olympiad in Mathematics, Methods and Criteria for Evaluating Their Solution
Authors: Keldibekova Aida
Published: January 2020

The example of real problems of the final stage of the 2019 Republican Mathematics Olympiad in the Kyrgyz Republic shows the methods of solution and criteria for a 10-point assessment of each problem. The final stage of the mathematics Olympiad was held in two rounds on March 30-31, 2019. The set of tasks for each round contained three tasks, one of them of geometric content. Thus, a total of 6 problems were proposed to the participants of the Olympiad, 2 of them in geometry and 1 in combinatorics. In the final stage, 318 winners of the previous stage took part, competing in 10 school subjects. In the individual event, 73 students became winners of the Olympiad, i.e. 3.57% of the number of all participants, starting from the regional stage. An increase in the number of winners from the regional regions of Kyrgyzstan was noted.
Psychological Assistance in the Formation of Loyalty of Employees of Commercial Organizations
Authors: Prohorova M. , Lebedeva T.
Published: January 2020

The article presents the results of experimental work on testing a program of psychological assistance in the formation of loyalty of employees of commercial organizations. The paper presents a theoretical idea of the loyalty of employees of commercial companies, selects diagnostic tools to determine the level of loyalty, describes the results of testing the loyalty formation program. The presence of a correlation between the level of loyalty of employees of a commercial organization and the characteristics of labor motivation of employees, the degree of satisfaction with work and the attractiveness of the employer was confirmed. The effectiveness of the developed psychological assistance program for increasing the level of loyalty of company employees has been proved.
The Mechanisms of Socio-Psychological Adaptation Improving
Authors: Rodinova N. , Solodkova S. , Smirnova S.
Published: January 2020

The article presents the development of the program of psychological adaptation training for new employees, psychological tools of algorithmic type and the program of psychological cases.
Inter-Disciplinary Educational Games as a Way to Develop Researching Skills
Authors: Muratova A. , Muratova Lyudmila Vasil'evna , Rabadanova R.
Published: January 2020

The two models of the educational games are given in this article. The models were created by the students of the Municipal Budget Educational Institution Gymnasium № 5 Konakovo of Tver region to help their co-mates to remember the basic information about the elements in the periodic table by D.I. Mendeleev.
Geneza i początki Studium Słowiańskiego UJ
Authors: Skarżyński Mirosław
Published: January 2020

The Origin and Early Years of the Slavic Institute of the Jagiellonian UniversityIn 1925, the Slavic Institute was opened at the Jagiellonian University with a view to educate experts in Slavic studies. The intention was for the studies to be interdisciplinary, it was planned to create departments not only in literary studies and linguistics, but covering a possibly wide range of disciplines. The idea of the Study was born not in the academic milieu, but among politicians. The intention was to create an institution which, on the one hand, would educate Poles about Slavdom, and on the other, would win Poland sympathizers in other countries by inviting young people from Slavic countries and making it possible for them to study in Cracow. It was also planned that Polish graduates of the Institute would be given scholarships to various Slavic countries. Another goal of the Institute was to prevent Czechoslovakia from dominating Slavdom. Due to the economic situation of Poland in late 1920s and early 1930s, the project was implemented only partially. The contribution of the Institute to the development of Slavic studies in Poland, however, is unqestionable, especially in the field of personnel education. The Institute was closed in 1951, as part of the reform of higher education that was undertaken by the communist government and destroyed the academic milieu in Poland.
"Żydy" i "psy" w stadionowym języku nienawiści
Authors: Sikora Kazimierz
Published: January 2020

Żydy ‘Jews’ and Psy ‘Dogs’ in Stadium Hate SpeechThe paper discusses selected problems of the language of football fanatics who constitute the so- -called szalikowcy subculture (‘hooligans; lit. scarfers’). The author pays most attention to two (pejorative) personal expressions: żyd ‘Jew’ and pies ‘dog’ which, in the hate-saturated conflict between the fans of two clubs from Cracow, Cracovia and Wisła, are used as heavy insults and invectives serving to humiliate and depreciate the opponent. The paper analyses the sphere of negative semantic connotations of both words, their origin and fluctuations.
O jednej z jednostek "kompletny"
Authors: Kosek Iwona
Published: January 2020

On One of the Units kompletnyThe article is an attempt to describe the string kompletny (‘complete’) in some new usages. The main objective of the analysis is to determine the syntactic-functional properties of the string and to discuss its status in the language of sport and in general Polish. In a broader perspective, the paper can be viewed as a contribution to the syntactic-functional characterization of linguistic units (in the understanding of Bogusławski). The term characterization as it is used in the article encompasses both the level of a sentence and the level of an utterance, and includes such properties as: the positon of the string kompletny in the structure of a sentence, the slots it opens for other expressions, and its function in the thematic-rhematic structure. The analysis leads to the conclusion that in the sociolect of sport there is an adjectival unit kompletny which belongs to the object level of language and which is primarily rhematic. As an internal borrowing, it is spreading to general Polish. The examined unit is different from the lexemes kompletny, as identified in dictionaries of general Polish.
Zwierzęta domowe w trzech modelach ludowego opisu świata
Authors: Kielak Olga
Published: January 2020

Pets in Three Models of Folk Description of the WorldThe goal of the paper is to show how three models of the world co-exist in folk narrations about pets. Identified in accordance with the methodology of the Lublin Słownik stereotypów i symboli ludowych (‘A dictionary of folk stereotypes and symbols’), the three models are: the mythological (inherited from the Proto-Indo-European and Proto-Slavic past), the religious (biblical, Judaeo-Christian), and the colloquial (common-sense, pragmatic). The author also speculates whether it is possible to connect the individual models with specific genres of folklore. The basis for the analyses is the rich material covering contexts from the end of the 18th to the beginning of the 21st century, which comprises three types of data: lexicographic, folkloristic, and ethnographic.
Profesor Kazimierz Nitsch i jego językoznawcze środowisko we wspomnieniach studentki z lat 50. XX w.
Authors: Zieniukowa Jadwiga
Published: January 2020

Professor Kazimierz Nitsch and His Linguistic Milieu in the Memories of a Student from 1950sThe paper discusses the history of Polish and Slavic linguistics in Poland in the 20th century, with a special regard to dialectology. In the centre of its attention lies the Cracow (Cracow-Lviv) linguistic school of Professor Kazimierz Nitsch. The author describes it primarily on the basis of personal scientific contact (in the middle of the 20th century) with the father of Polish dialectology, Professor K. Nitsch, and a team of researchers from his Department of Atlas and Dictionary of Polish Dialects of the Polish Academy of Sciences (Cracow, Mikołajska street). She looks back at the seminar Nitsch held for researchers, which she attended as a Master’s student at the Jagiellonian University. She presents Professor as a researcher, organizer of team research, academic teacher, as well as a scientific guide, a scholar, and author of linguistic publications in various periods of the 20th century. She draws particular attention to Nitsch’s pioneering works on Kashubian and other Pomeranian dialects. The paper also talks about the long-term radiation of Professor Nitsch’s scientific school, and how his students from various generations – such as Zdzisław Stieber, Nitsch’s student from 1920s, his colleague, and later a creator of a linguistic school himself – as well as students of his students greatly contributed to the advancement of Polish linguistics in the 20th and early 21st century.
Kazimierz Nitsch i etnologia
Authors: Rak Maciej
Published: January 2020

Kazimierz Nitsch and EthnologyThe paper discusses a little known aspect of Kazimierz Nitsch’s work – his contribution to the development of Polish ethnology. It is shown that his influence had a dual character: organizational (work in the structures of the Polish Ethnological Society; creation of the Slavic Institute at the Jagiellonian University, which housed the Chair of Slavic Ethnography; foundation of the Lud Słowiański journal (‘The Slavic Folk’); support for ethnologist, e.g. Kazimierz Moszyński and Bronisław Piłsudski), as well as scientific (stimulation of ethnogeography; providing data for ethnologists in linguistic works).
W poszukiwaniu kontinuum gramatyki i leksyki: przykład gramatykalizacji
Authors: Łozowski Przemysław
Published: January 2020

In Search of the Continuum of Grammar and Lexis: An Example of Grammaticalization
We refer to the phenomenon of grammaticalization, and ask the question whether it is justified to talk about the continuum of grammar and lexis in language, and if it is, then in what sense and in what degree. In the case of grammaticalization, we follow Jerzy Kuryłowicz’s interpretation, and in the case of the notion of continuum, we refer to the findings of Ronald Langacker, and take into consideration a series of possible interpretations/models of his understanding of the continuity of grammar and lexis.