bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on post-surgical complications against the backdrop of the opioid crisis
Authors: Zhao-Fleming Hannah , Hand Audrey , Zhang Kelly , Polak Robert , Northcut Armand , Jacob Daron , Dissanaike Sharmila , Rumbaugh Kendra P.
Published: August 2018

The USA is currently going through an opioid crisis, associated with tremendous economic and societal impacts. In response to this crisis, healthcare professionals are looking for alternative pain management methods, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a sensible choice because of their effectiveness after surgical procedures. However, before surgeons start prescribing NSAIDs in place of opioids, it is crucial to first understand their potential post-surgical complications. The goal of this review is to summarize the data obtained through both animal and human studies, which suggest how a dramatic increase in NSAID use may affect these post-surgical complications. We first provide a short review outlining the mechanisms of action of NSAIDs, followed by a summary of animal studies, which show a trend towards the negative effects of NSAIDs on wound healing and an association between NSAID use and wound infections. Lastly, we present evidence from human studies on the association of NSAIDs with the following complications: anastomotic leaks, necrotizing soft tissue infections, bleeding complications, orthopedic injuries, wound healing, and cancer care. The human studies are much more variable in their conclusions as to whether NSAIDs are beneficial or not, with the only strong evidence showing that NSAIDs inhibit bone healing. This may partially be explained by male and female differences in response to NSAIDs as many animal studies showing the inhibitory effects of NSAIDs were performed on females, while all the human studies were performed with both sexes. We conclude that strong caution should be used in the prescription of NSAIDs, especially in female patients, but larger scale studies are warranted before solid recommendations can be made.
Spending Among Patients With Cancer in the First 2 Years of Accountable Care Organization Participation
Authors: Lam Miranda B. , Figueroa Jose F. , Zheng Jie , Orav E. John , Jha Ashish K.
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Spending on patients with cancer can be substantial and has continued to increase in recent years. Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) are arguably the most important national experiment to control health care spending, yet how ACOs are managing patients with cancer diagnoses is largely unknown. We aimed to determine whether practices that became ACOs had changes in overall or cancer-specific spending among patients with cancer.

Methods

Using 2011 to 2015 national Medicare claims, practices that became part of ACOs were identified and matched to non-ACO practices within the same geographic region. We calculated total and category-specific annual spending per beneficiary as well as spending for and utilization of emergency departments, inpatient admissions, hospice, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. A difference-in-differences model was used to examine changes in spending and utilization associated with ACO contracts in the Medicare Shared Savings Program for beneficiaries with cancer.

Results

We found that the introduction of ACOs had no meaningful impact on overall spending in patients with cancer (−$308 per beneficiary in ACOs v −$319 in non-ACOs; difference, $11; 95% CI, −$275 to $297; P = .94). We found no changes in total spending in patients within any of the 11 different cancer types examined. Finally, changes in spending and utilization did not meaningfully differ between ACO and non-ACO patients within various categories, including cancer-specific categories.

Conclusion

Compared with patients with cancer treated at non-ACO practices, being a patient with a cancer diagnosis in a Medicare ACO is not associated with significantly reduced spending or heath care utilization. The introduction of ACOs does not seem to have had any meaningful effect on spending or utilization for patients with a cancer diagnosis.
Fetal growth restriction in a genetic model of sporadic Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome
Authors: Tunster Simon J. , Van de Pette Mathew , Creeth Hugo D. J. , Lefebvre Louis , John Rosalind M.
Published: August 2018

Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is a complex imprinting disorder involving fetal overgrowth and placentomegaly, and is associated with a variety of genetic and epigenetic mutations affecting the expression of imprinted genes on human chromosome 11p15.5. Most BWS cases are linked to loss of methylation at the imprint control region 2 (ICR2) within this domain, which in mice regulates the silencing of several maternally expressed imprinted genes. Modelling this disorder in mice is confounded by the unique embryonic requirement for Ascl2, which is imprinted in mice but not in humans. To overcome this issue, we generated a novel model combining a truncation of distal chromosome 7 allele (DelTel7) with transgenic rescue of Ascl2 expression. This novel model recapitulated placentomegaly associated with BWS, but did not lead to fetal overgrowth.
The Drosophila Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor does not act in the nucleus
Authors: Courgeon Maximilien , He Dan Qing , Liu Hui Hua , Legent Kevin , Treisman Jessica E.
Published: August 2018

Mammalian members of the ErbB family, including the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), can regulate transcription, DNA replication and repair through nuclear entry of either the full-length proteins or their cleaved cytoplasmic domains. In cancer cells, these nuclear functions contribute to tumor progression and drug resistance. Here, we examined whether the single Drosophila EGFR can also localize to the nucleus. A chimeric EGFR protein fused at its cytoplasmic C-terminus to DNA-binding and transcriptional activation domains strongly activated transcriptional reporters when overexpressed in cultured cells or in vivo. However, this activity was independent of cleavage and endocytosis. Without an exogenous activation domain, EGFR fused to a DNA-binding domain did not activate or repress transcription. Addition of the same DNA-binding and transcriptional activation domains to the endogenous Egfr locus through genome editing led to no detectable reporter expression in wild-type or oncogenic contexts. These results show that, when expressed at physiological levels, the cytoplasmic domain of the Drosophila EGFR does not have access to the nucleus. Therefore, nuclear EGFR functions are likely to have evolved after vertebrates and invertebrates diverged.
Short term colour vision plasticity on the reef: Changes in opsin expression under varying light conditions differ between ecologically distinct reef fish species
Authors: Luehrmann Martin , Stieb Sara M. , Carleton Karen L. , Pietzker Alisa , Cheney Karen L. , Marshall N. Justin
Published: August 2018

Vision mediates important behavioural tasks such as mate choice, escape from predators and foraging. In fish, photoreceptors are generally tuned to specific visual tasks and/or to their light environment according to depth or water colour to ensure optimal performance. Evolutionary mechanisms acting on opsin genes, the protein component of the photopigment, can influence the spectral sensitivity of photoreceptors. Opsin genes are known to respond to environmental conditions on a number of time scales including shorter time frames due to seasonal variation, or through longer term evolutionary tuning. There is also evidence for ‘on-the-fly’ adaptations in adult fish in response to rapidly changing environmental conditions, however, results are contradictory. Here we investigated the ability of three reef fish species that belong to two ecologically distinct families, Yellow-striped cardinalfish, Ostorhinchus cyanosoma, Ambon damselfish, Pomacentrus amboinensis, and Lemon damselfish, Pomacentrus moluccensis, to alter opsin-gene expression as an adaptation to short-term (weeks to months) changes of environmental light conditions, and attempted to characterize the underlying expression regulation principles. We report the ability for all species to alter opsin gene expression within months and even a few weeks, suggesting that opsin expression in adult reef fish is not static. Furthermore, we found that opsin expression changes in single cones generally occurred more rapidly than in double cones, and identified different responses of RH2 opsin gene expression between the ecologically distinct reef fish families. Quantum catch correlation analysis suggested different regulation mechanisms for opsin expression dependent on gene class.
How temperature influences the viscosity of hornworm hemolymph
Authors: Kenny Melissa C. , Giarra Matthew N. , Granata Ellen , Socha John J.
Published: August 2018

Hemolymph is responsible for the transport of nutrients and metabolic waste within the insect circulatory system. Circulation of hemolymph is governed by viscosity, a physical property, which is well known to be influenced by temperature. However, the effect of temperature on hemolymph viscosity is unknown. We used Manduca sexta larvae to measure hemolymph viscosity across a range of physiologically relevant temperatures. Measurements were taken from 0 to 45°C using a cone and plate viscometer in a sealed environmental chamber. Hemolymph viscosity decreased with increasing temperature, showing a 6.4x change (11.08 to 1.74 cP) across the temperature range. Viscosity values exhibited two behaviors, changing rapidly from 0 to 15°C and slowly from 17.5 to 45°C. To test the effects of large particulates (e.g. cells) on viscosity, we also tested hemolymph plasma alone. Plasma viscosity also decreased as temperature increased, but did not exhibit two slope regimes, suggesting that particulates strongly influence low-temperature shifts in viscosity values. These results suggest that as environmental temperatures decrease, insects experience dramatic changes in hemolymph viscosity, leading to altered circulatory flows or increased energetic input to maintain similar flows. Such physical effects represent a previously unrecognized factor in the thermal biology of insects.
ArHsp40 and ArHsp40-2 contribute to stress tolerance and longevity in Artemia franciscana, but only ArHsp40 influences diapause entry
Authors: Rowarth Nathan M. , MacRae Thomas H.
Published: August 2018

Embryos of the crustacean, Artemia franciscana, develop either ovoviviparously or oviparously, respectively yielding swimming larvae (nauplii) or encysted gastrulae (cysts). Nauplii molt several times and become adults whereas cysts enter diapause, a state of dormancy characterized by exceptionally low metabolism and high stress tolerance. Synthesis of molecular chaperones such as the J-domain proteins, ArHsp40 and ArHsp40-2 occurs during embryo development and post-diapause growth of A. franciscana and they influence development and stress tolerance. To further investigate J-domain protein function ArHsp40 and ArHsp40-2 were each knocked down by RNA interference. Reductions in ArHsp40 and ArHsp40-2 had no effect on adult survival, time to release of cysts and nauplii from females and first brood size. However, knockdown of both A. franciscana J-domain proteins reduced the longevity and heat tolerance of nauplii with the loss of ArHsp40 having a greater effect. The knockdown of ArHsp40, but not of ArHsp40-2, caused approximately 50% of cysts to abort diapause entry and hatch without exposure to an exogenous signal such as low temperature and/or desiccation. Cysts lacking ArHsp40 that entered diapause exhibited decreased stress tolerance as did cysts with reduced ArHsp40-2, the latter to a lesser degree. The longevity of nauplii hatching prematurely from cysts was less than for nauplii arising by other means. The results expand our understanding of Hsp40 function during A. franciscana stress tolerance and development, especially during diapause, and they provide the first example of a molecular chaperone that influences diapause entry.
Endovascular therapy of acute ischemic stroke related to tandem occlusion: comparison of occlusion and severe stenosis of the proximal cervical internal carotid artery
Authors: Park Sung Eun , Choi Dae Seob , Baek Hye Jin , Kim Chang Hun , Choi Ho Cheol , Cho Soo Buem , Lee Sangmin , Ahn Jong-Hwa
Published: August 2018

Objective:

Strokes related to tandem occlusions of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and a major intracranial artery are associated with poor clinical outcome. We evaluated the clinical efficacy of endovascular approach for the management of these lesions. We also compared the clinical outcomes regarding the type of cervical ICA lesions; complete occlusion v  s severe stenosis.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed 42 patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent endovascular treatment for tandem lesions between January 2011 and April 2017. After dividing the patients into two groups according to lesion type of the proximal cervical ICA (complete occlusion and severe stenosis), we analyzed demographic data, angiographic findings and clinical outcomes. A modified Rankin Scale score ≤2 was defined as a favorable clinical outcome.

Results:

Of 42 patients, 27 patients (64.3%) had complete occlusion of the cervical ICA, and the remaining 15 had high-grade stenosis. Successful stenting was performed in all patients with favorable clinical outcomes (27/42, 64.3%). Successful reperfusion score (thrombolysis in cerebral infarction ≥2b) was 78.6%; occlusion group (18/27, 66.7%) vs stenosis group (15/15, 100%) of cases. Mean modified Rankin Scale score at 90 days was 2.36 ± 1.83. The rate of favorable clinical outcome was higher in stenosis group (11/15, 73.3%) than that of occlusion group (16/27, 59.3%) with no statistically significant difference (p = 0.506).

Conclusion:

Acute endovascular treatment of carotid artery tandem lesions is a technically feasible and clinically effective intervention regardless of the lesion type in proximal cervical ICA.

Advances in knowledge:

Our study supports the results of previous studies in which endovascular therapy has a favorable clinical outcome in carotid artery tandem occlusion.
The technical aspects of a feasible new technique for ipsilateral percutaneous transhepatic portal vein embolization
Authors: Tsurusaki Masakatsu , Oda Teruyoshi , Sofue Keitaro , Numoto Isao , Yagyu Yukinobu , Kashiwagi Nobuo , Murakami Takamichi
Published: August 2018

Objective:

To devise a simple new technique wherein absolute ethanol is injected via a sheath under proximal balloon occlusion of the right portal vein using a single-balloon catheter and to examine its feasibility and safety for ipsilateral portal vein embolization (PVE).

Methods:

Between 2010 and 2016, PVE was performed in 19 patients prior to undergoing extended right hepatectomy. PVE was performed via a percutaneous transhepatic ipsilateral approach, the right portal branch was embolized under ultrasound guidance, and a balloon catheter was placed in the proximal site of the main right portal branch. Absolute ethanol was injected through a sheath under proximal balloon occlusion of the right portal vein using a double-lumen catheter. We evaluated its technical success and complications following PVE and changes in liver enzyme levels. Furthermore, we calculated changes in future liver remnant (FLR) and FLR/total functional liver volume (TFLV) ratio and assessed complications following hepatic resection.

Results:

PVE was successfully performed in all patients. Mean FLR and FLR/TFLV significantly increased following PVE (p < 0.01). The change in the FLR and FLR/TFLV ratio was 39.6 ± 16.2%. One patient (6.5%) developed procedure-related complications following PVE (perihepatic hematoma).

Conclusion:

The new technique for ipsilateral right PVE is safe, effective, and convenient.

Advances in knowledge:

This is the first study to investigate the efficacy of injecting ethanol via a sheath under proximal balloon occlusion of the right portal vein using a single-balloon catheter.
Treatment of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBLs) infections: what have we learned until now?
Authors: Pana Zoi Dorothea , Zaoutis Theoklis
Published: August 2018

The spread of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) has dramatically increased worldwide, and this “evolving crisis” is currently regarded as one of the most important public health threats. The growing problem of ESBL-PE antimicrobial resistance seems to have a dual face between “Scylla and Charybdis”: on one hand the potential for rapid spread and dissemination of resistance mechanisms and on the other hand the injudicious overuse of antimicrobial agents and the inadequate infection control measures, especially in the health-care setting. Given the World Health Organization’s warning against a “post antibiotic era”, health-care providers are at a critical standpoint to find a “balance” between safe and effective ESBL-PE treatment and avoidance of inducing further resistance mechanisms. The aim of the review is to summarize the updated published knowledge in an attempt to answer basic everyday clinical questions on how to proceed to effective and the best ESBL-PE treatment options based on the existing published data.
Recent advances in understanding DNA replication: cell type–specific adaptation of the DNA replication program
Authors: Aze Antoine , Maiorano Domenico
Published: August 2018

DNA replication is an essential process occurring prior to cell division. Cell division coupled to proliferation ensures the growth and renewal of a large variety of specialized cell types generated during embryonic development. Changes in the DNA replication program occur during development. Embryonic undifferentiated cells show a high replication rate and fast proliferation, whereas more differentiated cells are characterized by reduced DNA synthesis and a low proliferation rate. Hence, the DNA replication program must adapt to the specific features of cells committed to different fates. Recent findings on DNA synthesis regulation in different cell types open new perspectives for developing efficient and more adapted therapies to treat various diseases such as genetic diseases and cancer. This review will put the emphasis on recent progress made in this field.
The Mega2R package: R tools for accessing and processing genetic data in common formats
Authors: Baron Robert V. , Stickel Justin R. , Weeks Daniel E.
Published: August 2018

The standalone C++ Mega2 program has been facilitating data-reformatting for linkage and association analysis programs since 2000. Support for more analysis programs has been added over time. Currently, Mega2 converts data from several different genetic data formats (including PLINK, VCF, BCF, and IMPUTE2) into the specific data requirements for over 40 commonly-used linkage and association analysis programs (including Mendel, Merlin, Morgan, SHAPEIT, ROADTRIPS, MaCH/minimac3). Recently, Mega2 has been enhanced to use a SQLite database as an intermediate data representation. Additionally, Mega2 now stores bialleleic genotype data in a highly compressed form, like that of the GenABEL R package and the PLINK binary format. Our new Mega2R package now makes it easy to load Mega2 SQLite databases directly into R as data frames. In addition, Mega2R is memory efficient, keeping its genotype data in a compressed format, portions of which are only expanded when needed. Mega2R has functions that ease the process of applying gene-based tests by looping over genes, efficiently pulling out genotypes for variants within the desired boundaries. We have also created several more functions that illustrate how to use the data frames: these permit one to run the pedgene package to carry out gene-based association tests on family data, to run the SKAT package to carry out gene-based association tests, to output the Mega2R data as a VCF file and related files (for phenotype and family data), and to convert the data frames into GenABEL format. The Mega2R package enhances GenABEL since it supports additional input data formats (such as PLINK, VCF, and IMPUTE2) not currently supported by GenABEL. The Mega2 program and the Mega2R R package are both open source and are freely available, along with extensive documentation, fromhttps://watson.hgen.pitt.edu/registerfor Mega2 andhttps://CRAN.R-project.org/package=Mega2Rfor Mega2R.
Long-term preservation of biomedical research data
Authors: Navale Vivek , McAuliffe Matthew
Published: August 2018

Genomics and molecular imaging, along with clinical and translational research have transformed biomedical science into a data-intensive scientific endeavor. For researchers to benefit from Big Data sets, developing long-term biomedical digital data preservation strategy is very important. In this opinion article, we discuss specific actions that researchers and institutions can take to make research data a continued resource even after research projects have reached the end of their lifecycle. The actions involve utilizing an Open Archival Information System model comprised of six functional entities: Ingest, Access, Data Management, Archival Storage, Administration and Preservation Planning.

We believe that involvement of data stewards early in the digital data life-cycle management process can significantly contribute towards long term preservation of biomedical data. Developing data collection strategies consistent with institutional policies, and encouraging the use of common data elements in clinical research, patient registries and other human subject research can be advantageous for data sharing and integration purposes. Specifically, data stewards at the onset of research program should engage with established repositories and curators to develop data sustainability plans for research data. Placing equal importance on the requirements for initial activities (e.g., collection, processing, storage) with subsequent activities (data analysis, sharing) can improve data quality, provide traceability and support reproducibility. Preparing and tracking data provenance, using common data elements and biomedical ontologies are important for standardizing the data description, making the interpretation and reuse of data easier.

The Big Data biomedical community requires scalable platform that can support the diversity and complexity of data ingest modes (e.g. machine, software or human entry modes). Secure virtual workspaces to integrate and manipulate data, with shared software programs (e.g., bioinformatics tools), can facilitate the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) use of data for near- and long-term research needs.
Comparative Evaluation of Antioxidant Properties and Isoflavones of Tempeh Fermented in Two Different Wrapping Materials
Authors: Hashim Normah , Woon Tai Chia Woon Tai , Xin Wen Hui Xin Wen , Ismail Amin , Kong Kin Weng
Published: August 2018

Tempeh is an Indonesian traditional fermented soybean food that is well known for its nutritional value and health benefit. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of two commonly used packaging materials in tempeh production, namely banana leaf and polyethylene bag, on the antioxidant properties. Isoflavones, include daidzein and genistein, of tempeh fermented in banana leaf (TBL) and polyethylene bag (TP) were analysed with high-performance liquid chromatography. Total phenolic content and antioxidant activities were evaluated using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, DPPH radical scavenging and β-carotene-linoleate bleaching assays, respectively. The changes of antioxidant properties of tempeh after different fermentation periods in both wrapping materials were observed, on day 0 (unfermented), day 1, day 2 and day 4. Total phenolic content, daidzein, genistein and the antioxidant activities were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in both TBL and TP as the fermentation progressed. A higher total phenolic content was found in TBL on day 1 and day 2 but TP exhibited the highest total phenolic content on day 4. Daidzein was the highest in TBL on day 2 but it was reduced on day 4 while genistein was the highest in TP on day 4. Antioxidant activities were positively (r = 0.272–0.969, p < 0.05) correlated to total phenolic content, daidzein and genistein. Although tempeh wrapped in banana leaf is a traditional way for tempeh packaging, it provided better antioxidant properties on day 1 and day 2, which is within the best period of tempeh consumption. Hence, the current findings provided useful information to manufacturer and consumer in selecting the suitable wrapping material for tempeh with optimal phytonutrients.
Inhibitory Potency of Indonesian Tamarillo (Solanum betaceum Cav) Crude Extract Against α-Glucosidase Enzyme Activity
Authors: Ayu Kadek Diah Puspawati Gusti , Marsono Yustinus , Armunanto Ria , Supriyadi Supriyadi
Published: August 2018

The aims of the research were to determine the inhibitory potency of the Indonesian Tamarillo crude extracts against the α-glucosidase activity and identify their major anthocyanin and carotenoid content using LC-MS. In vitroassay was used to treat Tamarillo crude extracts which consisted of four levels: (1) Acarbose, positive control; (2) Tamarillo anthocyanin crude extract; (3) Tamarillo carotenoid crude extract; and (4) combination of Tamarillo anthocyanin crude extract and Tamarillo carotenoid crude extract. The results showed that the three crude extracts:the Tamarillo anthocyanin crude extract, the Tamarillo carotenoid crude extract and combination of Tamarillo anthocyanin and carotenoid crude extract could inhibit α-glucosidase activity in 30.59%, 42.14% and 48.08% respectively. All of the Tamarillo crude extract inhibited mixed inhibition (noncompetitive and competitive inhibitor). Identification of the Tamarillo anthocyanin crude extracts showed six major compounds of anthocyanin type and four major compounds of carotenoid type. Threemajor anthocyanins type (pelargonidin-3-rutinoside, cyanidin-3-rutinoside and delphinidin-3-rutinoside) and three major carotenoids type (β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin)werea tentative component of Tamarillo which is thought to play a role in inhibitingα-glucosidaseenzyme activity. Tamarillo extract can be alternative to prevent the development of postprandial hyperglycemic in type 2 diabetes.
What a difference a year makes: the impact of the district nursing specialist practice programme
Authors: Green Julie
Published: August 2018

District nursing has a long history as a service that provides care for patients in their home environment. Demographic changes and a need to optimise out of hospital care has impacted on the acuity of patients supported and the complexity of caseload management. District nurses, in order to effectively manage such increased demands on their busy service, need to possess excellent, assertive case management skills. This study explores and evaluates the impact of the Specialist Practice Qualification in district nursing on the assertiveness and leadership skills of students. A mixed methods approach was adopted, utilising a quantitative assertiveness questionnaire at three points during the programme across the 12 participating higher education institutions, alongside qualitative semi-structured interviews. Statistical analysis of assertiveness scores demonstrated a statistically significant increase in scores across the duration of the programmes, with no difference related to the academic level of programme studied. Qualitative analysis demonstrated wide ranging positive impacts of the programme, including the acquisition of knowledge of underpinning theory, enhanced leadership skills and the development of a voice to truly advocate for the patient. The Specialist Practice Qualification has a dramatic impact on the professional performance of students selected to undertake the programme. The programme is frequently at risk as a result of cuts in post-registration funding. This study effectively demonstrates the substantial impact of the programme; a programme that should remain an option for future district nurses.
Diabetic wound management
Authors: Rekha Punchappady-Devasya , Rao Sneha S , Sahana Talanjeri Gopalakrishna , Prabhu Ashwini
Published: August 2018

Diabetes is a global disease, and its prevalence has increased rapidly in the last century. Many complications are associated with diabetes, and diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are common. There is a variety of different treatments for DFU, and the aim of this article is to discuss the factors responsible for delayed wound healing in patients with diabetes, and the treatment strategies that are available.
Hydrogel dressings and their application in burn wound care
Authors: Dhaliwal Kiran , Lopez Nicholas
Published: August 2018

After a burn injury, skin loses its protective properties, leaving the body open to a number of complications. The gold standard treatment for burn wounds is autologous skin grafting; however, this may not always be an option, due to insufficient amounts of donor skin. Wound dressings can be used as a primary treatment in those patients who are unsuitable for skin grafting. Many different materials are used to make the dressings; current materials include hydrocolloids, alginates, hydrogels, collagen and hyaluronic acid. There is currently no gold standard of burns dressing that is universally accepted. However, hydrogels have been shown to exhibit a great number of beneficial properties and are the most favourable for use in burns patients. We discuss the use of hydrogel dressings, including their properties and clinical application.
Retusenol Potentially Inhibits Putative Drug Targets for Tuberculosis, Cardiovascular Diseases, Cancer and HIV: (A Reverse Docking Study)
Authors: D. RARIZA PEÑAFRANCIA , B. BILLONES JUNIE
Published: August 2018

Retusenol is a new triterpene discovered from the leaf extracts of Atalantia retusa Merr., a Philippine endemic shrub. With the emergence of drug resistance and drug tolerance in certain pathological conditions, it is a worthwhile endeavor to find possible medicinal applications of this natural product. Molecular docking of retusenol was performed against proteins that are putative drug targets in diverse diseases. Four enzymes were found to exhibit stronger binding affinity to Retusenol compared to their known inhibitors, namely, enoyl-acp reductase, lanosterol synthase, polo-like kinase 1, and integrase. These enzymes are drug targets for tuberculosis, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and HIV, respectively.
Synthesis of Bioplastic-based Renewable Cellulose Acetate from Teak Wood (Tectona grandis) Biowaste Using Glycerol-Chitosan Plasticizer
Authors: Rohmawati Baiti , Atikah Nata Sya’idah Fatin , Rhismayanti Rhismayanti , Alighiri Dante , Tirza Eden Willy
Published: August 2018

Cellulose acetate was synthesized from cellulose which was isolated from teak wood (Tectona grandis) biowaste. The isolation process used an isolation method using nitric acid, sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfite and bleaching with calcium hypochlorite. Cellulose acetate was synthesized with acetic anhydride, toluene as a solvent, and sulphuric acid as a catalyst. Cellulose acetate reacted with acetic acid as a catalyst and glycerol-chitosan as a plasticizer. This product yielded a bioplastic. The synthesized products were characterized by using FTIR and SEM. The bioplastic’s mechanical properties were evaluated by ASTM D638 method. Based on the results of FTIR analysis, this result was successfully performed. This condition was shown by the sharpness of the hydroxyl group of cellulose acetate than the hydroxyl group in the cellulose and wood powder. The optimum result of bioplastic was obtained by composition of cellulose acetate: acetic acid: chitosan: glycerol is 0.8 gram: 15 mL: 0,4 gram: 1 mL.
Characterization of Bio-composite Apatite/Chitosan Cement and its Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Moncif N. , Gourri E. L. H. , Elouahli A. B. A. , Ezzahmouly M. , Nayme K. , Timinouni M. , Hatim Z.
Published: August 2018

In this work, we report the physico-chemical properties and antibacterial activity of apatite/chitosan composite cements. The biocomposite was prepared by reaction between dihydrated dicalcium phosphate and calcium hydroxide in the presence of chitosan. The characterization of cement was carried out by Infrared Spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Transmission Electron Microscopy and X-ray Scanner with computational image processing. The results show that the setting of the paste is due to the formation of a hydrated tri-calcium phosphate that evolves into a hard calcium-apatite. In the presence of chitosan, the fastness of setting time is attributed to the precipitation of chitosan that strengthens the cohesion between grains. The formed complex evolves into hard Apatite-chitosan composite. In an induced bone defect, the hard composite shows radiopaque homogenous microstructure and intimate contact bone/implant. The antibacterial tests of hard cements show a significant reduction in Staphylococci bacterial growth on the surface of composite grains. This reduction is highly dependent on the type of bacteria, and the percentage of the added antibacterial agent. Bio-composite cement shows total inhibition of Staphylococci aureus and low resistance to Staphylococci epidermidis. The apatite/chitosan composite prepared by the way of cements can have interesting applications as bone substitute material.
MRI in idiopathic, stable, slipped capital femoral epiphysis: Evaluation of contralateral pre-slip
Authors: Balch Samora J. , Adler B. , Druhan S. , Brown S. A. , Erickson J. , Samora W. P. , Klingele K. E.
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Early diagnosis and treatment of slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is important to prevent slip progression and avoid complications. We sought to determine if MRI findings in patients with unilateral SCFE could indicate ‘pre-slip’ or predict future SCFE in the contralateral hip.

Methods

A prospective study evaluated patients with unilateral SCFE over a two-year period. MRI of the asymptomatic hip was performed within the perioperative period. Patients were followed with radiographs until a contralateral slip occurred or until physeal closure. Demographics, clinical stability, severity, posterior slope angle (PSA), modified Oxford Bone Score (mOBS) and patency of the triradiate cartilage were recorded and statistical analysis performed.

Results

In all, 33 of 54 patients with unilateral SCFE were enrolled into the study. In all, 29 (87.8%) had complete follow-up. Five of the enrolled patients (15.2%) developed a sequential slip requiring in situ pinning. Six of 33 (18.2%) patients had positive MRI findings: four of which proceeded to sequential SCFE and two which did not. One sequential slip had a negative MRI. PSA predicted 1/11 sequential slips (sensitivity 9.09%, specificity 81.4%, positive predictive value (PPV) 11.1%, negative predictive value (NPV) 77.8%) and mOBS predicted 5/11 sequential slips (sensitivity 45.5%, specificity 93%, PPV 62.5%, NPV 87%). An open triradiate cartilage was present in 8/11 patients with sequential slips (sensitivity 72.7%, specificity 81.4%, PPV 50%, NPV 92.1%).

Conclusion

MRI findings consistent with ‘pre-slip’ were present in 66.7% of patients who developed a sequential SCFE. Further study on the utility/sensitivity of MRI in predicting sequential SCFE is warranted.

Level of Evidence

II, diagnostic
Outcomes after slipped capital femoral epiphysis: A population-based study with three-year follow-up
Authors: Herngren B. , Stenmarker M. , Enskär K. , Hägglund G.
Published: August 2018

Purpose

To evaluate outcomes three years after treatment for slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE): development of avascular necrosis (AVN), subsequent surgery, hip function and the contralateral hip.

Methods

This prospective cohort study included a total national population of 379 children treated for SCFE between 2007 and 2013. A total of 449 hips treated for SCFE and 151 hips treated with a prophylactic fixation were identified. The Barnhöft questionnaire, a valid patient-reported outcome measure (PROM), was used.

Results

In all, 90 hips had a severe slip, 61 of these were clinically unstable. AVN developed in 25 of the 449 hips. Six of 15 hips treated with capital realignment developed AVN. A peri-implant femur fracture occurred in three slipped hips and in two prophylactically pinned hips. In three of these five hips technical difficulties during surgery was identified. In 43 of 201 hips scheduled for regular follow-up a subsequent SCFE developed in the contralateral hip. Implant extraction after physeal closure was performed in 156 of 449 hips treated for SCFE and in 51 of 151 prophylactically fixed hips. Children with impaired hip function could be identified using the Barnhöft questionnaire.

Conclusion

Fixation in situ is justified to remain as the primary treatment of choice in SCFE. Overweight is more common in children with SCFE than in the average population. Prophylactic fixation is a safe procedure when performed using a correct technique. The number of patients who developed AVN after capital realignment is of concern. We recommend rigorous follow-up of both hips, including PROM evaluation, until physeal closure.

Level of Evidence

II - prospective cohort study
Plantar fasciopathy: a current concepts review
Authors: Monteagudo Manuel , de Albornoz Pilar Martínez , Gutierrez Borja , Tabuenca José , Álvarez Ignacio
Published: August 2018

Plantar fasciopathy is very prevalent, affecting one in ten people in their lifetime. Around 90% of cases will resolve within 12 months with conservative treatment. Gastrocnemius tightness has been associated with dorsiflexion stiffness of the ankle and plantar fascia injury. The use of eccentric calf stretching with additional stretches for the fascia is possibly the non-operative treatment of choice for chronic plantar fasciopathy. Medial open release of approximately the medial third of the fascia and release of the first branch of the lateral plantar nerve has been the most accepted surgical treatment for years. Isolated proximal medial gastrocnemius release has been reported for refractory plantar fasciopathy with excellent results and none of the complications of plantar fasciotomy.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2018;3:485-493. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.3.170080.
ON THE FACTORS AFFECTING THE PRODUCTIVITY OF THE SOUTHERN MAKASSAR STRAIT
Authors: Ilahude Abdul Gani
Published: August 2018

An investigation of the upwelling in the Southern Makassar Strait was conducted by LON (Lembaga Oseanologi Nasional) as part of its research program in ecology and oceanography of the Indonesian waters. It consists of observation on one monitoring station and two oceanographical cruises in the region. The result of the monitoring station indicates clearly the occurrence of upwelling and its effect on the hydrology of the region. During the southeast monsoon the upwelled water causes a decrease in temperature and dissolved oxygen and an increase in salinity, density and nitrate-nitrogen, particularly seen at the lower boundary of the homogeneous layer. During the northwest monsoon the upwelled water is replaced by the Jawa Sea water with high temperature, low oxygen, low salinity, low density, very high phosphate, and high silicate. The observation on the oceanographical cruises reveals the precence of two other types of surface waters in the region. They are the East Kalimantan Coastal Water and the South Sulawesi Coastal Water, each is formed by mixing process of sea water and land drainage along the coast of the two islands respectively. Originally they are characterized by low salinity, low oxygen, high temperature, high phosphate, low nitrate and high silicate. Their salinity and dissolved oxygen increase due to mixing with the upwelled water and the high activity of phytoplankton respectively.
Fortalecimiento de la competencia lectora
Authors: Piñeros Ramírez Leydy Cristina , Medina López Doris Mireya , Reyes Orjuela Luz Angélica
Published: August 2018

De acuerdo con los aspectos observados en la Institución Educativa La Candelaria (IELC), del municipio La Capilla (Boyacá), se puede afirmar que los estudiantes de este establecimiento educativo evidencian debilidad en el componente semántico de la competencia comunicativa lectora; por tanto, este aspecto es relevante para ser diagnosticado, pensado, intervenido y analizado. El estudio investigativo sigue un enfoque cualitativo (Casilimas, 2002), orientado por las cinco fases de la investigación acción participativa: problematización, diagnóstico, diseño de la propuesta, aplicación y evaluación (Elliot, 2001, 2005). De los 430 estudiantes  atendidos por la IELC se tomaron como muestra intencional 60 estudiantes de los grados tercero, quinto y noveno, para implementar la fase diagnóstica y obtener como resultado los aspectos con mayor oportunidad de mejoramiento en cada uno de los grados así: para el grado tercero, la recuperación de información explícita; para el grado quinto, la relación de textos entre sí y el uso de saberes previos para la ampliación de referentes; y para el grado noveno, la relación de textos entre sí y la movilización de saberes previos para ampliar referentes y contenidos ideológicos (ICFES, 2013, 2016).
Poslali nám to k posouzení
Authors: HRDLIČKA Milan
Published: August 2018

V předložkových spojeních s významem účelu (ADV Fin) se užívá celá řada primárních i sekundárních prepozic. Pravidla jejich řečové distribuce jsou složitá, zejména v případě původních prepozic, které prakticky postrádají sémantiku. Mezi nejčastěji užívané patří pro+Ak, na+Ak a k+D, které mohou být v určitých kontextech dokonce synonymní (materiál pro / na / k opravu/ě střechy). Předložka pro+Ak se mimo jiné uplatňuje při adresném určení (Přinesl to pro děti), na+Ak se užívá s deverbativy (Dal jim to na hraní, na psaní) i řadou jmen obecně (Jeli tam na rekreaci), k+D se pojí se jmény vyjadřujícími duševní aktivitu (Poslali jim to k rozboru), za+Instr uvozuje přemístění s cílem kontaktu (Vydal se do ciziny za zkušenostmi). Řada případů je ovšem uzuálních a pro cizince obtížně osvojitelných.
Nano-Mixture Coating and Geometrical Configuration Impact on Cantilever Based Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting System
Authors: Palikhel Dinesh R. , McCarty Tyrus A. , Sharma Jagdish P.
Published: August 2018

Vibrational energy from intermodal transport system can be recovered through the application of piezoelectric energy harvesting system. The intermodal vibration sources are passenger cars and freight trucks moving on streets and highways, trains moving on railway tracks and planes moving on airport runways. However, the primary limiting factor of the application of the piezoelectric energy harvesting system has been the insignificant power output for power storage or to directly power electrical device. A special nano-mixture coating is developed to enhance the energy harvesting capability of the conventional piezoelectric material. This research investigates the impact of the nano-mixture coating on the power output. The experimental results of the nano-mixture coated system show substantial and explicit improvement on the power output. Alternative geometrical designs, trapezoidal and triangular are explored in anticipation for improved power output. But the rectangular energy harvester demonstrates better power harvesting capability. The results presented in this paper show the potential of the nano-mixture coating in power harvesting from intermodal transport system.
Humor and Performing Gender on TV Cooking Shows
Authors: Matwick Keri , Matwick Kelsi
Published: August 2018

A central aspect of humor is its social function in relating to others and in performing gender. Drawing on insights from interactional sociolinguistics and gender studies, this article explores the relationship between humor and gender in the context of one US instructional tv cooking showThe Pioneer Woman. The gender element, while essential to performed humor, is often neglected in research on humor, language, and the media; therefore, this paper looks into how humor is signaled in the cooking show individually and jointly. Humorous joking of the female host Ree Drummond is discussed, specifically self-directed humor and teasing as expressed in personal stories and exaggeration. The ambiguity of the humorous messages reveals contradictory messages: on the one hand, self-deprecating humor reveals feelings of inadequacy for not meeting gendered status quo, and on the other hand, teasing and self-deprecation function as a persuasive strategy to promote the celebrity’s cooking and brand.
Investigation of Cross-Phase Modulation-Induced Crosstalk with Sub-Planck Higher-Order Dispersion Parameters in Optical Transmission Systems
Authors: Bhatia Richa
Published: August 2018

Cross-phase modulation (XPM) is one of the major limiting effects in wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical transmission systems. This paper mathematically investigates the impact of XPM-induced crosstalk with second (2OD), third (3OD) and combination of sub-planck higher-order dispersion (HOD) parameters for WDM systems at different combinations of effective core areas, optical powers, modulating frequencies and dispersion values. It has been observed that XPM-induced crosstalk increases with increase in optical powers, modulating frequencies and dispersion values, but it reduces for higher effective core areas. The results for 2OD, 3OD and combination of dispersion parameters up to eighth order (8OD) have been reported. For instance, with a transmission length of 50 km for different values of optical power ranging from 0.1 mW to 2 mW, crosstalk due to XPM was observed to vary from (−75 to −44 dB), (−172 to −144 dB) and (−275 to −250 dB) in the presence of 2OD, 3OD and

∑

n
=
4

8

n

O
D

\mathop \sum \limits_{n = 4}^8 n{\rm{OD}}

combination, respectively. On the basis of analysis, one can select the appropriate frequency as well as the value of dispersion or type of fibre to achieve minimum crosstalk.
An Optical Majority Gate Using Photonic Crystal Based Nonlinear Resonant Cavity
Authors: Yaghoobi Ramin , Javahernia Sahel
Published: August 2018

All optical majority gate is an optical logic structure with three input and one output ports. In this paper we designed an optical majority gate using a nonlinear resonant cavity based on photonic crystals. Plane wave expansion and finite difference time domain methods were used for calculating the band structure diagram and optical behavior of the optical majority gate, respectively. The proposed structure is ON, when two or three input ports are ON. The maximum time delay of our majority gate is about 5 ps.
On the Cost Minimization in Space Division Multiplexing Based Elastic Optical Networks
Authors: Iyer Sridhar
Published: August 2018

The required upgradation of the single-mode fibre (SMF)’s network capacity constrained by the non-linear Shannon’s limit, and the capacity provisioning which is needed by the future diverse Internet traffic can be resolved by the space division multiplexing (SDM) based elastic optical networks (EONs) (SDM-b-EONs). Recently, the multiple core fibre (MCF) technology has gained momentum over the current multi-fibre (MF) technology after laboratory experiments conducted on MCF models established much lower inter-core crosstalk values. In view of channel assignment, the spatial-super-channel (Spat-Sup-Chn) method has evolved as a prime candidate owing to its use of the joint switching (JoSw) mechanism which minimizes the cost. In the current work, in a JoSw based MCF enabled SDM-b-EON, for provisioning the demands; we aim at cost minimization while assigning both, the spectral and the spatial resources. Initially, we establish that in specific cases; use of the complete core allotment (CCA) technique, which uses all the MCF cores to provision the demands, leads to spectrum underutilization following which; we introduce a novel core adapting allotment (CAA) technique which adapts the cores amounts. We then investigate the possibility of using the CAA technique to provision the Spat-Sup-Chns simultaneously ensuring the same spectral requirements as needed when the CCA technique is used. For the performance evaluations, we consider the 37 core trench-assisted MCFs and our results show that by using the CAA technique, indeed there is a possibility of the transceivers amount being minimized in effect resulting in the Spat-Sup-Chn method being an economically practical solution.