bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
True Orthodontic Intrusion Using Three-Piece Intrusion Arch for Correcting Excessive Gingival Exposure
Authors: Marusamy Kavitha Odathurai , Ramasamy Saravanan , Akondi Butchi Raju , Cherackal George Jose
Published: October 2018

The combination of proclined upper anteriors with high gingival exposure is challenging for the orthodontist. Correction of proclined upper anteriors sometimes leads to deepening of the bite and loss of posterior anchorage resulting in worsening of gingival exposure. Routinely correction of high gingival exposure was done prior to space closure resulting in increased treatment duration. However, application of sound biomechanical strategies can help us overcome these challenges without compromising treatment time. This presentation will describe the meticulous orthodontic biomechanics using a 3-piece intrusion arch to simultaneously correct excessive gingival exposure as well as accomplish space closure. The patient presented with Class I malocclusion with proclined upper anterior teeth, crowding in upper and lower arches and an excessive gingival exposure. Fixed orthodontic therapy was initiated with first premolar extractions and the primary strategies after correcting of the crowding was the effective use of a 3-piece intrusion arch for simultaneous intrusion and retraction of proclined anterior teeth. Biomechanics strategies utilizing the 3 piece intrusion arch effectively aided in closure of spaces, correction of high gingival exposure, intrusion of the upper anteriors and controlling posterior anchorage. All desired treatment outcomes were achieved without prolonging treatment time. Proper biomechanics strategies can effectively bring about true intrusion of the upper anteriors as well as correct the upper incisor proclination without prolonging treatment time. The use of threepiece intrusion arch to achieve orthodontic correction assures the attainment of predictable treatment results. Loss of anchorage is seldom observed because of the tip back moment on the posterior teeth. Another advantage of intrusion mechanics is the control of the vertical dimension.
Measuring our investment in the future
Authors: De Witt Susan
Published: October 2018

Global consensus has been built around a few key issues, and there have been a slew of unifying declarations and commitments as a result. The climate is changing and those countries in the Paris Accord have committed to reducing carbon output in an attempt to slow it down. The world is inequitable and unstable, and those countries signed up to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals have identified 17 areas in which we need to address global development. It is also becoming clearer to the person on the street that capital markets are not as effective at allocating risk as believed and this is putting everyone in danger. The financial crises over the last few decades are examples of how large miscalculations affect billions of lives, especially those who are most vulnerable to begin with.
Gedagtes oor gekontroleerde eksegese
Authors: Loader J.A.
Published: October 2018

No abstract available.
Moderne Semantiek en formele Homiletiek
Authors: Van Aarde A.G.
Published: October 2018

No abstract available.
Die bybelse basis vir menseregte
Authors: Van der Westhuizen H.G.
Published: October 2018

No abstract available.
Releasing Higher Education from its elitist captivity: The change agency of Unisa’s Chance 2 Advance programme
Authors: James Genevieve
Published: October 2018

In South Africa, the majority of the population suffers from the inadequacy of learning opportunities and poor access to the higher education system. This causes the widening of the knowledge gap and increased socio-economic marginalisation, which threatens community agency. Critical knowledge created by academics at South African higher education institutions often culminates in access-controlled, costly scientific publications, thus limiting public access. On the other hand, because of the distance between universities and communities, community knowledge and intelligences are never fed back into the university to enrich scholarship and enhance relevance. This paper explores the need for higher education to be freed from its elitist captivity in order to widen access to knowledge that would enhance community agency and revitalise academic agency for social change. The paper starts with a discussion on the need for change in the elitist nature of higher education. I will recount how essential shifts in thinking and action created the Chance 2 Advance programme hosted by the largest provider of higher education on the continent, the University of South Africa. This programme was designed in an attempt to re-vision academic scholarship for the benefit of the poor. Chance 2 Advance is an engaged scholarship and community-learning programme designed to bring communities and academics closer, in a mutual and reciprocal process of knowledge creation and knowledge mobilisation for social change. The programme has been replicated in urban and rural areas with success. At the end of 2018, the programme is poised to reach 100 000 participants, since its inception in 2010.
Are the Canons of Dordt a true reflection of Calvin’s view of predestination?
Authors: Sinnema Donald W.
Published: October 2018

As the delegates to the Synod of Dordt were bound by oath to use only the Word of God and not human writings in deliberations about doctrine, in the documents of Dordt there are no references to Calvin as a source of specific ideas in the Canons. The approach of this article is thus to compare chapter I of the Canons on predestination with Calvin’s views in his various writings on predestination. This comparison focuses on the main themes relating to predestination as taught in chapter I – the starting point of the discussion, double predestination, election, election in Christ, reprobation, the causes of election and reprobation, the infralapsarian emphasis, the purpose of election and reprobation, assurance of election, and election of infants who die. On the basis of this comparison, the conclusion is that the Canons reflect Calvin’s views on some points relating to predestination and not on others. So, on this issue, the Canons are only a partial reflection of Calvin’s views, and he could only have been a modest influence on the Canons.
Business rescue: Adapt or die
Authors: Rajaram Rajendra , Singh Anesh M. , Sewpersadh Navitha S.
Published: October 2018

Background: The low success rate of business rescue has prompted debate relating to the effectiveness and continued suitability of business rescue as a mechanism to rehabilitate financially distressed companies. Although this legislation was implemented in May 2011, statistics indicate that the success rate for business rescues is only approximately 12%. A feature of the business rescue environment in South Africa is the lack of knowledge, necessitating more research in the field.Aim: This study focused on changes required to ensure the survival and increased success of the business rescue legislation.Setting: This research was undertaken in South Africa between 2015 and 2017.Methods: A mixed-methods research approach was utilised for the study. The approach entailed interviews with 7 of the top 10 business rescue practitioners to diagnose reasons for business rescue failure and establish factors that would contribute to successful business rescues. A survey was conducted with the membership of the Turnaround Management Association of Southern Africa.Results: The survey was mailed to 130 members and the response rate was 54%. This study found that the causes of business rescue failures are mainly attributable to the skills deficit of the business rescue practitioner or the practitioner’s abuse of legislation. There is also a negative impact of appointing a liquidator as a business rescue practitioner. Other factors contributing to the failure of business rescues are management’s delay in filing for business rescue, either due to the resistance of filing or their lack of awareness of their distressed status. This study also provided the ranking order for business rescue success factors with the accreditation of a business rescue practitioner being ranked as first.Conclusion: The study chiefly focused on diagnosing and understanding the reasons for business rescue failure. The original contribution of this study to knowledge is the ranking of an accreditation framework for practitioners as the most important factor that would contribute to a successful business rescue. This study not only explains the low success rate of business rescue but ways to improve and succeed in rescuing ailing businesses.
Chronic pain, opioids and addiction
Authors: Salduker Shaquir
Published: October 2018

This talk aims to make a distinction between the two growing epidemics in medicine and more especially in psychiatry-opioid dependence and functional pain syndromes (FPS). The distinction has been blurred in current literature, and often, patients with FPS are labelled addicts. Opioid addicts are not treated for the FPS which perpetuate their addiction. More importantly, the onset of both these syndromes is often iatrogenic in nature. Genetics, epigenetics, early childhood trauma and rejection, personality disorders as well as clinical depression and anxiety syndromes all have an intersecting role in this group of patients which makes it crucial for psychiatrists and registrars to be aware of how to recognise and treat them. The Durban pain clinic runs a multidisciplinary team approach towards helping patients with FPS and opioid addictions using the currently available information of the possible pathophysiology of the FPS group of diagnosis, and the basis of this programme will be elaborated and put forward as an alternative to what’s currently available. The clinic with the aid of an unrestricted grant from Cipla, South Africa, is putting together a think tank to come up with guidelines to be published which can be used nationally to manage patients with FPS. The talk proposes these guidelines to the audience and hopes to engender an awareness and level of interest in the field so that the word can be spread amongst other specialties and colleagues. There is no role for opioids in the management of chronic pain syndromes.
Recent advancesin the development of novel drug delivery systems for the prophylaxis of malaria
Authors: Kumar Sahil , Singh Kulvinder , Singh Rajesh K , Prasad DN , Bhardwaj TR
Published: October 2018

The present review high-lights the advancement in nanoparticles formulations for the prophylaxis of malaria. An attempt has been made to describe various novel drug delivery systems based on approaches such as polymeric, metallic, natural, chitosan/antisense (AS) and chitosan/sense (S) oligodeoxynucleotide based nanoparticles etc. for the treatment of malaria. The polymer such as chitosan, hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose and polyvinyl pyrrolidone; the metal like gold and silver and other carriers such as glyceryl-dilaurate, albumin etc. have been explored for the development of novel nanoparticles formulations. These developed nanoparticles formulation have improved the targeted drug delivey of various clinically used antimalarial therapeutic agents such as hydroxychloroquine, curcumin, artemisinin, artemether and lumefantrine etc.
Cytotoxic potential of Cissus quandrangularis on Allium cepa root meristem
Authors: Mattummal Rubeena , Thoppil John E
Published: October 2018

Apoptosis is a developmental and regulated process which may occur as a result of the cytogenetic changes in the cell. Cissus quandrangularis is a xerophytic plant that  belongs to the family Vitaceae, commonly distributed throughout the hotter parts of India and Sri Lanka. An attempt had been made to explore the apoptosis-mediated cytotoxic potential of C. quadrangularis on Allium cepa. Cytogenetic activities of the plant were revealed using DAPI staining and in situ visualization of cell death was carried out with the help of Evans blue staining. The presence  of clastogenic (nuclear lesions, chromosome bridges, chromosome breakage and pulverization of chromosomes) and non-clastogenic abberations (ball metaphase, stellate metaphase, chromosome clumping and early movement of chromosomes) observed under fluorescent microscope shows the cytotoxic effect of the plant extract. The quantification of cell death was measured by reading absorbance at 600 nm using the spectrophotometer.  The cytotoxic effects on Allium root tips shows the apoptotic potential of the plant extract and the present study enlightens the anticancer potential of the plant.

 

 

 

 
  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Employee and the Self-Employed Job Satisfaction: Similarities and Differences
Authors: Janicijevic Nebojsa , Ignjatović Paunović Katarina
Published: October 2018

Research question: This paper investigates if there are differences between employees and the self-employed job satisfaction levels. Motivation: The motive for this research was the desire to determine the validity of the assumption that the self-employed are more satisfied with their jobs than employees, and also to investigate for the first time in Serbia the differences in the self-employed and employee job satisfaction. The paper relies on earlier research works that have all shown that the self-employed are more satisfied with their jobs than employees (Blanchflower, 2004). This is due to the autonomy at work that the self-employed have, while employees experience it in a smaller degree. In addition, the selfemployed also have better opportunities to organize their work so that it can be interesting, a greater flexibility at work and larger income. Idea: In this perspective, the central hypothesis of this study is that in Serbia, and also other researched countries, the self-employed job satisfaction is higher than that of the employees in their firms. Therefore, the research has been directed to determine whether job satisfaction, as a dependent variable, is systematically different depending on the respondents’ status (self-employed – employee), as an independent variable. Data: The research included 127 employees in 15 different business firms run by the self-employed from different parts of Serbia. Of the total number of respondents, 52 were self-employed while 75 were employees. The respondents rated the importance of and their satisfaction with 12 job dimensions. Tools: While calculating the average importance and satisfaction rates of the self-employed and employees, as well as the statistical significance of the differences in their ratings by means of independent sample t test, significant results have been obtained. Findings: Just like in the earlier research, it has been confirmed that the self-employed show a higher level of total job satisfaction in comparison with employees. Statistically significant differences in the job dimensions’importance exist only in the job dimension “Work that does not require overtime”, which is significantly more important to employees than to the self-employed. With respect to job satisfaction, statistically significant differences exist in 6 out of 12 job dimensions, and in each of them the self-employed are more satisfied than the employees. Unlike in earlier research, the main source of the self-employed satisfaction is not autonomy at work, but personal responsibility in task completion, safe working conditions and friendly atmosphere at work. Contribution: The study has once again shown that the selfemployed are more satisfied with their job in comparison with the employees, and that this also applies in Serbia.
PDGFRα monoclonal antibody: Assessment of embryo‐fetal toxicity and time‐dependent placental transfer of a murine surrogate antibody of olaratumab in mice
Authors: Luffer‐Atlas Debra , Reddy Vijayapal R. , Hilbish Kim G. , Grace Curtis E. , Breslin William J
Published: October 2018

Background

Olaratumab (Lartruvo™) is a recombinant human IgG1 monoclonal antibody that specifically binds PDGFRα. The maternal and in utero embryo‐fetal toxicity and toxicokinetics of a human anti‐mouse PDGFRα antibody (LSN3338786) were investigated in pregnant mice.

Methods

A pilot study was used to set doses for the definitive study. In the definitive study, mice were administered vehicle, 5, 50, or 150 mg/kg LSN3338786 by intravenous injection on gestation days (GD) 6, 9, 12, and 15. Fetal tissues and/or serum samples were collected on GD 10, 12, 15, and 18 to evaluate exposure of antibody.

Results

There were no adverse maternal effects at 50 and 150 mg/kg although maternal deaths and adverse clinical signs were observed at 5 mg/kg. LSN3338786 crossed the placenta as early as GD 10 during organogenesis. Elimination half‐life of LSN3338786 in dams decreased between GD 6 and 15. On GD 18, fetal serum concentrations of antibody were substantially higher than maternal serum concentrations at all doses. Increased incidences of malformations consisting of open and partially open eye and increased incidences of skeletal variation frontal/parietal additional ossification site occurred in fetuses from mid‐ and high‐dose groups.

Conclusions

The majority of transplacental migration of antibody occurred in concert with rapid maternal serum clearance before parturition. The no‐observed effect level for teratogenicity of 5 mg/kg was associated with GD 15 maternal serum concentrations 3–11 times lower than clinical exposure of olaratumab, suggesting that olaratumab may cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women.
Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of gelsenicine in mice by UPLC–MS/MS
Authors: Li Jianbo , Jin Yue , Fu Huiyan , Huang Yihui , Wang Xianqin , Zhou Yunfang
Published: October 2018

Gelsenicine is an indole alkaloid isolated from Gelsemium elegans Benth. In recent years, the role of G. elegans Benth preparations in anti‐tumor, analgesic, dilatation and dermatological treatment has attracted attention, and it has been applied clinically, but it is easy to cause poisoning with its use. An UPLC–MS/MS method was established to determine the gelsenicine in mouse blood, and the pharmacokinetics of gelsenicine after intravenous (0.1 mg/kg) and intragastric (0.5 and 1 mg/kg) administration was studied. Deltalin was used as internal standard; a UPLC BEH C18 column was used for chromatographic separation. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and 10 mmol/L ammonium acetate (0.1% formic acid) with a gradient elution flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. Multiple reaction monitoring mode was used for quantitative analysis of gelsenicine in electrospray ionization positive interface. Proteins from mouse blood were removed by acetonitrile precipitation. A validation of this method was performed in accordance with the US Food and Drug Administration guidelines. In the concentration range of 0.05–100 ng/mL, the gelsenicine in the mouse blood was linear (r > 0.995), and the lower limit of quantification was 0.05 ng/mL. In the mouse blood, the intra‐day precision RSD was <12%, the inter‐day precision RSD was <15%, the accuracy ranged from 89.8 to 112.3%, the average recovery was >76.8%, and the matrix effect was between 103.7 and 108.4%, which meet the pharmacokinetic research requirements of gelsenicine. The UPLC–MS/MS method is sensitive, rapid and selective, and has been successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of gelsenicine in mice. The absolute bioavailability of gelsenicine is 1.13%.
Single‐cell RNA‐seq analysis reveals the platinum resistance gene COX7B and the surrogate marker CD63
Authors: Tanaka Nobuyuki , Katayama Shintaro , Reddy Aparna , Nishimura Kaneyasu , Niwa Naoya , Hongo Hiroshi , Ogihara Koichiro , Kosaka Takeo , Mizuno Ryuichi , Kikuchi Eiji , Mikami Shuji , Miyakawa Ayako , Arenas Ernest , Kere Juha , Oya Mototsugu , Uhlén Per
Published: October 2018

Cancers acquire resistance to systemic treatment with platinum‐based chemotherapy (eg, cisplatin [CDDP]) as a result of a dynamic intratumoral heterogeneity (ITH) and clonal repopulation. However, little is known about the influence of chemotherapy on ITH at the single‐cell level. Here, mapping the transcriptome of cancers treated with CDDP by scRNA‐seq, we uncovered a novel gene, COX7B, associated with platinum‐resistance, and surrogate marker, CD63. Knockdown of COX7B in cancer cells decreased the sensitivity of CDDP whereas overexpression recovered the sensitivity of CDDP. Low COX7B levels correlated with higher mortality rates in patients with various types of cancer and were significantly associated with poor response to chemotherapy in urinary bladder cancer. Tumor samples from patients, who underwent CDDP therapy, showed decreased COX7B protein levels after the treatment. Analyzing scRNA‐seq data from platinum‐naïve cancer cells demonstrated a low‐COX7B subclone that could be sorted out from bulk cancer cells by assaying CD63. This low‐COX7B subclone behaved as cells with acquired platinum‐resistance when challenged to CDDP. Our results offer a new transcriptome landscape of platinum‐resistance that provides valuable insights into chemosensitivity and drug resistance in cancers, and we identify a novel platinum resistance gene, COX7B, and a surrogate marker, CD63.
Patent foramen ovale in an elderly male with multiple embolic infarcts
Authors: Aarli Sander Johan , Kråkenes Jostein , Omdal Tom Roar , Waje‐Andreassen Ulrike
Published: October 2018

Key Clinical Message

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is associated with embolic stroke, particularly in younger patients. In older patients, atrial fibrillation is a more common cause of embolic stroke. A PFO may be considered culpable at higher age when other potential embolic sources are absent or after recurrent stroke despite prophylactic treatment.
Rare NF1 microdeletion syndrome in an Omani patient
Authors: Al‐Araimi Musallam , Hamza Nishath , Al Yahmadi Ali , Al Mazrooey Hiba , Elsheikh Afaf , Al Amri Amira , Al Harrasi Salma , Hausdorf Lena , Mula‐Abed Waad‐Allah
Published: October 2018

Key Clinical Message

Neurofibromatosis‐1 phenotype combined with webbed neck and short stature in a young Omani patient was revealed to be due to a de novo germ‐line heterozygous 1.7 Mb microdeletion at 17q11.2. This lead to the diagnosis of NF1 microdeletion syndrome.
Relationship of left ventricular thrombus formation and adverse outcomes in acute anterior myocardial infarction in patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Zhang Qian , Wang Chun‐Mei , Shi Shu‐Tian , Chen Hong , Zhou Yu‐Jie
Published: October 2018

Background

The incidence of left ventricular thrombus (LVT) is 4% to 15% in patients with anterior acute ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (ant‐AMI) in the era of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). And patients with LVT have higher in‐hospital mortality.

Hypothesis

There is a relationship between LVT formation and 1‐year major adverse cardio‐cerebrovascular events (MACCE) in patients with ant‐AMI treated by PPCI.

Methods

Our study population included 1488 consecutive patients with ant‐AMI. The primary endpoint was the incidence of MACCE within 1 year after AMI. The secondary endpoint was the thrombosis disappearance.

Results

A total of 106 (7.1%) patients were diagnosed with LVT and 1382 (92.9%) patients without LVT. Patients with LVT had a higher incidence of MACCE than in patients without LVT (21.7%vs10.3%; P < 0.001). Univariate analysis showed LVT was associated with an increase in MACCE risk (odds ratio [OR] = 2.40; 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.37‐4.21]; P < 0.001). When examining MACCE components individually, LVT was only associated with the incidence of congestive heart failure (OR = 2.41; 95% CI [1.29‐4.58]; P = 0.001). After adjustment for principal confounders, LVT remained an independent risk factor for MACCE (HR = 2.28; 95% CI [1.12‐6.38]; P = 0.020). Other independent predictors include 24‐hour LVEF, creatine kinase peak value, and age. Further analysis found patients with LVT in international normalized ratio (INR) ≥ 2 group had lower MACCE risk and higher thrombus disappearance than in INR < 2 group (13.5%vs29.6%; P = 0.044; 90.4%vs74.1%; P = 0.029).

Conclusion

For patients with ant‐AMI treated by PPCI, LVT is an independent predictor of 1‐year MACCE events. Treatment with vitamin K antagonist in the therapeutic range (INR ≥ 2) has the potential to reduce MACCE risk and promote disappearance of thrombus.
Development and validation of the Maxillary Canine Aesthetic Index
Authors: Grisar Koenraad , Claeys Gilles , Raes Margot , Albdour Emad Ali , Willems Guy , Politis Constantinus , Jacobs Reinhilde
Published: October 2018

Aesthetic appraisal is rarely included in the objective assessment of outcome studies of impacted maxillary canines treatment. The present study aimed to validate a new index for assessing the aesthetic appearance of maxillary canines and adjacent soft tissues. The Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at University Hospitals Leuven. Four oral‐maxillofacial surgeons, two orthodontists, two prosthodontists, and two lay persons rated 11 maxillary canines and adjacent soft tissues according to the new index. Each of the examiners repeated the examination three times with a 2‐week interval. Twelve relevant aesthetic variables were selected on the basis of the anatomic form, color, and surface characteristics of the canine crown and on the basis of the anatomic form, color, and surface characteristics of the adjacent soft tissues. Intraclass correlation (ICC) coefficient and Fleiss' kappa statistics were performed to analyze the intrarater and interrater agreement. The index proofed to be a reliable assessment tool. Considering the cumulative assessment of the Maxillary Canine Aesthetic Index (MCAI), the mean ICC value for the interrater agreement of the 10 examiners was 0.71, representing a good agreement. Intrarater agreement ranged from 0.10 to 0.91. Interrater agreement (Fleiss' kappa statistics) calculated for each variable ranged from 0.08 to 0.98. The MCAI is a tool in rating aesthetic outcome of impacted canine treatment and adjacent soft tissues. The MCAI can be used to evaluate the aesthetic outcome after surgical exposure or transalveolar transplantation of maxillary canines.
What color is your parachute?
Authors: Hodges Dawn Z.
Published: October 2018

In the summer of 1986, I found myself at yet another church camp for middle and high school kids. I was standing in a concrete shower that did not drain well, ankle‐deep in cool water. It was my job to travel around the country, especially in the summer, recruiting young people to consider matriculating at the faith‐based college at which I was employed.
Bush encroachment dynamics and rangeland management implications in southern Ethiopia
Authors: Liao Chuan , Clark Patrick E. , DeGloria Stephen D.
Published: October 2018

Rangelands in southern Ethiopia have been undergoing a rapid regime shift from herbaceous to woody plant dominance in the past decades, reducing indigenous plant biodiversity, altering ecosystem function, and threatening subsistence pastoralism. Despite significant rangeland management implications, quantification of spatial encroachment extent and transitional pathways that result in encroachment remain largely under‐explored. This paper develops a phenology‐based approach to map rangeland vegetation states in southern Ethiopia, and examines transition pathways among states using the state‐and‐transition model. The results indicate that nearly 80% of landscape was dominated by woody plants in 2013. While stable encroached states have been established in both high and low lands through different transition pathways between 2003 and 2013, we identified spatial locations where bush encroachment occurred rapidly. The multiplicity in the transition pathways indicates opportunities for positive transformation in the entire rangeland system in southern Ethiopia and other semi‐arid regions of Africa.
Cardiac expression of neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin in a model of cancer cachexia‐induced cardiomyopathy
Authors: Musolino Vincenzo , Palus Sandra , Latouche Celine , Gliozzi Micaela , Bosco Francesca , Scarano Federica , Nucera Saverio , Carresi Cristina , Scicchitano Miriam , von Haehling Stephan , Jaisser Frederic , Hasenfuss Gerd , Anker Stefan D. , Mollace Vincenzo , Springer Jochen
Published: October 2018

Aims

Cachexia is a severe consequence of cancer. Although cancer‐induced heart atrophy leads to cardiac dysfunction and heart failure (HF), biomarkers for their diagnosis have not been identified. Neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL) is an aldosterone‐responsive gene increased in HF. We studied NGAL and its association with aldosterone levels in a model of cancer cachexia‐induced cardiomyopathy.

Methods and results

Rats were injected with Yoshida 108 AH‐130 hepatoma cells to induce tumour. Cachectic rats were treated daily, for 16 days, with placebo or with 5 or 50 mg/kg/day of spironolactone. Cardiac function was analysed by echocardiography at baseline and at Day 11. Weight loss and atrophy of lean body and fat mass of cachectic rats were significantly attenuated by spironolactone. Cardiac dysfunction of tumour‐bearing rats was improved by spironolactone. Plasma aldosterone was up‐regulated from 337 ± 7 pg/mL in sham animals to 591 ± 31 pg/mL in the cachectic rats (P < 0.001 vs. sham). Treatment with 50 or 5 mg/kg/day of spironolactone reduced plasma aldosterone to 396 ± 22 and 391 ± 25 pg/mL (P < 0.01 vs. placebo). Plasma levels of NGAL were also increased in cachectic rats (1.462 ± 0.3603 μg/mL) than in controls (0.0936 ± 6 μg/mL, P < 0.001). Spironolactone treatment (50 mg/kg/day) significantly reduced cardiac mRNA and protein NGAL levels (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001 vs. placebo, respectively). NGAL mRNA and protein levels were overexpressed in cachectic animal hearts treated with placebo, compared with control (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 vs. sham). Spironolactone treatment at 50 mg/kg/day reduced significantly cardiac NGAL (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001 vs. placebo).

Conclusions

Cancer cachexia induced increased levels of aldosterone and NGAL, contributing to worsening cardiac damage in cancer cachexia‐induced cardiomyopathy. Spironolactone treatment may greatly attenuate cardiac dysfunction and lean mass atrophy associated with cancer cachexia.
Antecedents and consequences of autonomy‐ and dependency‐oriented help toward refugees
Authors: Becker Julia C. , Ksenofontov Inna , Siem Birte , Love Angelika
Published: October 2018

We tested antecedents (paternalistic beliefs; Study 1) and consequences (social change potential; Study 2) of autonomy‐ and dependency‐oriented help and developed scales assessing paternalistic beliefs and both forms of help. In Study 1 (N = 143 Germans), we focused on paternalistic beliefs as an antagonist to social change and a key distinguishing variable between engagement in both forms of help. As expected, paternalistic beliefs were positively related to dependency‐oriented help, mediated by concern for a positive national moral image, but negatively related to autonomy‐oriented help, mediated by perceived competence of refugees. In Study 2, both refugees (N = 80) and Germans (N = 94) perceived autonomy‐oriented help to have more potential for social change than dependency‐oriented help.
Directed functional connections underlying spontaneous brain activity
Authors: Coito Ana , Michel Christoph M. , Vulliemoz Serge , Plomp Gijs
Published: October 2018

Neuroimaging studies have shown that spontaneous brain activity is characterized as changing networks of coherent activity across multiple brain areas. However, the directionality of functional interactions between the most active regions in our brain at rest remains poorly understood. Here, we examined, at the whole‐brain scale, the main drivers and directionality of interactions that underlie spontaneous human brain activity by applying directed functional connectivity analysis to electroencephalography (EEG) source signals. We found that the main drivers of electrophysiological activity were the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), the medial temporal lobes (MTL), and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Among those regions, the PCC was the strongest driver and had both the highest integration and segregation importance, followed by the MTL regions. The driving role of the PCC and MTL resulted in an effective directed interaction directed from posterior toward anterior brain regions. Our results strongly suggest that the PCC and MTL structures are the main drivers of electrophysiological spontaneous activity throughout the brain and suggest that EEG‐based directed functional connectivity analysis is a promising tool to better understand the dynamics of spontaneous brain activity in healthy subjects and in various brain disorders.
Comparison of EEG microstates with resting state fMRI and FDG‐PET measures in the default mode network via simultaneously recorded trimodal (PET/MR/EEG) data
Authors: Rajkumar Ravichandran , Farrher Ezequiel , Mauler Jörg , Sripad Praveen , Régio Brambilla Cláudia , Rota Kops Elena , Scheins Jürgen , Dammers Jürgen , Lerche Christoph , Langen Karl‐Josef , Herzog Hans , Biswal Bharat , Shah N. Jon , Neuner Irene
Published: October 2018

Simultaneous trimodal positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging/electroencephalography (PET/MRI/EEG) resting state (rs) brain data were acquired from 10 healthy male volunteers. The rs‐functional MRI (fMRI) metrics, such as regional homogeneity (ReHo), degree centrality (DC) and fractional amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuations (fALFFs), as well as 2‐[18F]fluoro‐2‐desoxy‐d‐glucose (FDG)‐PET standardised uptake value (SUV), were calculated and the measures were extracted from the default mode network (DMN) regions of the brain. Similarly, four microstates for each subject, showing the diverse functional states of the whole brain via topographical variations due to global field power (GFP), were estimated from artefact‐corrected EEG signals. In this exploratory analysis, the GFP of microstates was nonparametrically compared to rs‐fMRI metrics and FDG‐PET SUV measured in the DMN of the brain. The rs‐fMRI metrics (ReHO, fALFF) and FDG‐PET SUV did not show any significant correlations with any of the microstates. The DC metric showed a significant positive correlation with microstate C (rs = 0.73, p = .01). FDG‐PET SUVs indicate a trend for a negative correlation with microstates A, B and C. The positive correlation of microstate C with DC metrics suggests a functional relationship between cortical hubs in the frontal and occipital lobes. The results of this study suggest further exploration of this method in a larger sample and in patients with neuropsychiatric disorders. The aim of this exploratory pilot study is to lay the foundation for the development of such multimodal measures to be applied as biomarkers for diagnosis, disease staging, treatment response and monitoring of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Reduced cortical thickness in Heschl's gyrus as an in vivo marker for human primary auditory cortex
Authors: Zoellner Simeon , Benner Jan , Zeidler Bettina , Seither‐Preisler Annemarie , Christiner Markus , Seitz Angelika , Goebel Rainer , Heinecke Armin , Wengenroth Martina , Blatow Maria , Schneider Peter
Published: October 2018

The primary auditory cortex (PAC) is located in the region of Heschl's gyrus (HG), as confirmed by histological, cytoarchitectonical, and neurofunctional studies. Applying cortical thickness (CTH) analysis based on high‐resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) in 60 primary school children and 60 adults, we investigated the CTH distribution of left and right auditory cortex (AC) and primary auditory source activity at the group and individual level. Both groups showed contoured regions of reduced auditory cortex (redAC) along the mediolateral extension of HG, illustrating large inter‐individual variability with respect to shape, localization, and lateralization. In the right hemisphere, redAC localized more within the medial portion of HG, extending typically across HG duplications. In the left hemisphere, redAC was distributed significantly more laterally, reaching toward the anterolateral portion of HG. In both hemispheres, redAC was found to be significantly thinner (mean CTH of 2.34 mm) as compared to surrounding areas (2.99 mm). This effect was more dominant in the right hemisphere rather than in the left one. Moreover, localization of the primary component of auditory evoked activity (P1), as measured by MEG in response to complex harmonic sounds, strictly co‐localized with redAC. This structure–function link was found consistently at the group and individual level, suggesting PAC to be represented by areas of reduced cortex in HG. Thus, we propose reduced CTH as an in vivo marker for identifying shape and localization of PAC in the individual brain.
Hippocampal subfields alterations in adolescents with post‐traumatic stress disorder
Authors: Postel Charlotte , Viard Armelle , André Claire , Guénolé Fabian , de Flores Robin , Baleyte Jean‐Marc , Gerardin Priscille , Eustache Francis , Dayan Jacques , Guillery‐Girard Bérengère
Published: October 2018

Reexperiencing symptoms in adolescent Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are characterized by the apparition of vivid intrusive images of the traumatic event. The emergence of these intrusions is thought to be related to a deficiency in context processing and could then be related to hippocampal alterations. The hippocampus is a complex structure which can be divided into several subfields, namely, the Cornu Ammonis (CA1, CA2, and CA3), the subiculum, and the dentate gyrus (DG). As each subfield presents different histological characteristics and functions, it appears more relevant to consider hippocampal subfields, instead of only assessing the whole hippocampus, to understand the neurobiology of PTSD. Hence, this study presents the first investigation of structural alterations within hippocampal subfields and their links to reexperiencing symptoms in adolescent PTSD. Hippocampal subfields were manually delineated on high‐resolution MRI images in 15 adolescents (13–18 years old) with PTSD and 24 age‐matched healthy controls. The volume of the region CA2‐3/DG region was significantly smaller in the PTSD group compared to controls in both hemispheres. No other significant difference was found for other subfields. Moreover, the volume of the left CA2‐3/DG was negatively correlated with the intrusion score (as measured by the Impact of Events Scale‐Revised) in the PTSD group. To conclude, an alteration in the hippocampal subregion CA2‐3/DG, known to resolve interferences between new and similar stored memories, could participate in the apparition of intrusive trauma memories in adolescents with PTSD.
Latex glove industry: Prevalence of heat‐related illness among Malaysian workers
Authors: Kassim Nurazirah , Karuppiah Karmegam , Abidin Emilia Zainal , Tamrin Shamsul Bahri M.
Published: October 2018

Glove production involves work processes with a high temperature. However, few studies have been conducted on the hazards of high temperature among workers. This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of heat‐related illness among glove industry workers under heat stress conditions. This cross‐sectional study was conducted in a glove factory at Selangor. The total number of workers (n = 82) were interviewed using adapted questionnaires. The highest prevalent heat‐related illnesses in respondents were dehydration (82.2%), followed by heat exhaustion (81.1%), heat cramps (23.2%), heat rashes (22.2%), heat stroke (5.6%), and heat syncope (4.4%). The workers are highly exposed to dehydration and heat exhaustion illness. Therefore, prevention of heat stress is very important in this industry. It is the duty of the employers to implement suitable prevention measures to protect the health and safety of their workers. As a recommendation, personal protective equipment such as a cool vest also helps in protection from the hot working environment. The cool vest has inserted frozen liquid placed between the fabrics and is worn on the upper trunk. This helps in giving workers freedom to move around, as it has no attached lines. This suit has a constant and steady cooling effect on the whole body. Besides this, training on heat stress and on the ways of controlling heat stress should be provided by employers. This training program can help in educating and creating awareness among workers on the symptoms of heat‐related illness, which can help in preventing any worst case of heat stress from occurring. The training program may include the description of heat stress, including the symptoms of heat‐related illness and the first‐aid measures for each disorder.
The moderating role of just‐in‐time on sociotechnical practices' effect over quality and workers' health
Authors: Tortorella Guilherme L. , Fettermann Diego C. , Piñeres Aurora , Gaiardelli Paolo
Published: October 2018

Sociotechnical (ST) theory emphasizes the notion that the design and performance of new systems can be improved, and can only work satisfactorily within an organization if the social and the technical aspects are brought together and treated as interdependent aspects of a work system. The implementation of lean manufacturing (LM) principles and practices has become popular, despite increasing demand on the current and emerging workforce to achieve higher levels of quality and flexibility with lower costs. Exploratory studies that investigate how LM practices influence the effect of ST practices on performance are still scarce, and a holistic view of such a relationship is needed. In this context, this study aims at verifying the moderating effect of just‐in‐time (JIT) practices on the relationship between ST practices and the performance of quality and workers' health. We carried out a survey with 144 different companies from Southern Brazil that are undergoing a lean implementation. Results indicate that ST practices have a positive significant relationship with such performance, and the concurrent adoption of JIT does not undermine quality and workers' health.
Examining the reliability, correlation, and validity of commonly used assessment tools to measure balance
Authors: Dawson Nicole , Dzurino Darcy , Karleskint Melissa , Tucker Jennifer
Published: October 2018

Objectives

The Biodex SD Stability System has been shown to be a reliable assessment tool for postural stability. However, its ability to provide an accurate representation of balance has not been compared with functional performance measures such as the four‐square step test (FSST) and timed‐up‐and‐go test (TUG). The purpose of this study was to investigate reliability, internal consistency, and construct validity of FSST, TUG, and Biodex SD (limits of stability [LOS] and modified Clinical Test of Sensory Organization and Balance [m‐CTSIB]).

Methods

An observational reliability and validity study was conducted. A convenience sample of 105 healthy adults, 77 females and 28 males, mean age 24.5 years old (± 4.66 SD) performed balance assessments including the FSST, TUG, Biodex SD LOS, and m‐CTSIB. For LOS, the overall percentage and test duration were recorded. For m‐CTSIB, the overall Sway Index was recorded. Condition 1 of the m‐CTSIB represented simple postural stability.

Results

The Biodex SD LOS overall percentage, TUG, and FSST showed strong to excellent test‐retest reliability (ICC [3, 1] = .83 [mean 1: 58.14, mean 2: 60.54], .88 [mean 1: 6.98 seconds, mean 2: 6.91 seconds], .92 [mean 1: 6.29 seconds, mean 2: 6.14 seconds], respectively), while the Biodex SD m‐CTSIB overall percentage demonstrated strong test‐retest reliability (ICC [3, 1] = .75 [mean 1: 1.18, mean 2: 1.18]). The LOS test duration showed moderate test‐retest reliability (ICC [3, 1] = .58 [mean 1: 38.55 seconds, mean 2: 37.10 seconds]), while the m‐CTSIB condition 1 showed poor test‐retest reliability (ICC [3, 1] = .24 [mean 1: 0.63, mean 2: 0.66]). Weak construct validity was found between TUG, FSST, and Biodex SD measures of LOS and m‐CTSIB (r values = −0.15‐0.22).

Conclusion

It is suggested that clinicians use more than one measure to assess different aspects of a patient's balance deficits to better guide treatment and intervention.
Plaque modification of severely calcified coronary lesions via orbital atherectomy: Single‐center observations from a complex Veterans Affairs cohort
Authors: Desai Rupak , Mirza Omer , Martinsen Brad J. , Kumar Gautam
Published: October 2018

Background

Orbital atherectomy (OA) is a known alternative to other atherectomy devices. However, some complex patient demographics (eg, left ventricular ejection fraction <25%) were excluded from the first‐in‐human trial (ORBIT I) and the pivotal FDA device approval trial (ORBIT II) which evaluated the safety and efficacy of OA in severely calcified de novo coronary lesions. This single‐operator cohort study aimed to examine the impact of OA on a real‐world complex Veterans Affairs patient subset.

Methods

Retrospective analysis was completed on 40 consecutive patients with severely calcified coronary lesions who underwent OA prior to drug‐eluting stent placement at the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center from January 2015 to June 2017.

Results

Orbital atherectomy plus drug‐eluting stent placement was successful in all 40 cases. Chocolate focal force balloon angioplasty was the most commonly used post‐atherectomy balloon (N = 34, 85%). Few complications were observed, including one case (2.5%) of perforation and one case (2.5%) of no‐reflow. Neither acute stent thrombosis nor emergent coronary artery bypass grafting was observed. The intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)‐determined median [IQR] pre‐procedure minimum lumen area and post‐procedure minimum stent area (MSA) were 2.8 [2.2, 3.0] mm2 and 8.7 [7.7, 10.0] mm2, respectively (P < 0.0001, Mann‐Whitney test). Major adverse cardiovascular events, including all‐cause mortality, at 30 days and at a median [IQR] follow‐up of 197.5 [35.5, 461.3] days, was 5% and 10%, respectively. During that period, one target vessel revascularization (2.5%) was observed.

Conclusions

This study indicates that OA is a useful tool in performing high‐risk percutaneous coronary intervention effectively in VA patients with severely calcified coronary lesions. OA plaque modification in combination with a high utilization rate of IVUS and Chocolate focal force angioplasty facilitates stent delivery and optimal stent expansion, resulting in a large MSA.
A numerical approach for a comparative study of laser drilling process under single and repetitive pulse
Authors: Sukumar Siladitya , Kar Satya Prakash
Published: October 2018

An axisymmetric model is developed to study laser drilling process under a single pulse as well as repetitive laser pulse. The laser pulse irradiated on the surface of the workpiece is volumetric and Gaussian in nature. The laser irradiated surface is subjected to convective‐radiative boundary condition while rest of the surfaces are insulated. Finite volume method is used to discretize the domain under consideration. The resulting algebraic equations are solved with the help of the tridiagonal matrix algorithm to find temperature distribution throughout the domain. The enthalpy‐porosity method is used to track the solid‐liquid interface generated during the laser melting process. Convective heat transfer occurs inside the generated melt pool. The current model is first used to validate the results of the existing literature and as the results agreed well, further studies are made to find out the advantages of using repetitive laser pulse over single pulse laser source for laser drilling process for the same laser energy and total heating duration. Vaporization has been avoided during the process and metal removal occurs through melting only. The present numerical model can provide some insight for practical laser drilling process.