bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Ferritin Photochemical Synthesis of Monodispersed Silver Nanoparticles That Possess Antimicrobial Properties
Authors: Petrucci Oscar D. , Hilton Robert J. , Farrer Jeffrey K. , Watt Richard K.
Published: February 2019

We previously reported that ferritin acts as a photocatalyst to form monodispersed gold nanoparticles. Because silver possesses a favorable reduction potential (+0.80 V), we postulated that the ferritin photochemical method could be used to reduce Ag(I) to Ag(0). Additionally, we postulated that similar to gold, the reduced silver should nucleate and form silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the external surface of ferritin. This study reports that Ag(I) can function as an electron acceptor to form monodispersed AgNPs using the ferritin photocatalytic method. The formation and growth of the AgNPs were monitored by following the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at 420 nm by spectrophotometry. The resulting monodispersed AgNPs were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Gel filtration chromatography demonstrated that the AgNPs comigrated with ferritin through the column suggesting a strong association with ferritin. AgNPs are known to possess antimicrobial properties. The antimicrobial properties of Ferritin-AgNPs were compared to commercially available AgNPs by testing the minimal growth inhibition ofStaphylococcus aureus. Commercially available AgNPs inhibited bacterial growth at 5 ppm AgNPs, and Ferritin-AgNPs inhibited growth at 20 ppm Ferritin-AgNPs.
Carcinosarcoma of the Gallbladder with Chondrosarcomatous Differentiation and Intracytoplasmic Eosinophilic Hyaline Globules (Thanatosomes): A Report of a Case and Review of the Literature
Authors: Alratroot Jumana A. , Joudeh Amani A. , Amr Samir S.
Published: February 2019

A 52-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain and vomiting. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen revealed a huge exophytic gallbladder mass displacing or invading the surrounding structures. The patient underwent radical cholecystectomy, transverse colectomy, distal gastrectomy, and liver bed resection. Histologically, the tumor showed both carcinomatous and sarcomatous components, with prominent chondrosarcomatous differentiation. In addition, several malignant cells showed intracytoplasmic eosinophilic hyaline globules (Thanatosomes). The tumor showed metastatic deposits to the omentum, the liver, and the peripancreatic lymph nodes. We report this unusual case and present a review of all cases of carcinosarcoma of the gallbladder with chondrosarcomatous differentiation.
Monthly Intramuscular Neridronate for the Treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: Results of a 6-Year Prospective Italian Study
Authors: Guiducci L. , Vassalle C. , Parchi P. , Maffei S.
Published: February 2019

Purpose. Oral bisphosphonates (BPs) are the most commonly used medications for osteoporosis (OP), but their poor gastrointestinal (GI) absorption and tolerance hamper compliance. Intramuscular (IM) neridronate (NE), an amino-BP, is an easy-to-administer, effective, and safe alternative to oral BPs. We assessed the 6-year effects of monthly IM NE on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover biomarkers (BMs) in postmenopausal OP. Methods. This single-center, prospective study enrolled postmenopausal osteoporotic outpatients with gastric intolerance to BPs (based on Tuscany Region’s law GRT n. 836 20/10/2008). They received 25 mg IM NE once a month (with vitamin D and calcium if necessary) for 6 years. BMD was evaluated at lumbar spine (L1-L4), femoral neck (FN), and total femur (TF) at baseline (BL) and every 12 months afterwards. At BL, month 3, and every 12 months after BL, total and ionized calcium, vitamin D, parathyroid hormone 1-84, bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), osteocalcin, and N- and C-terminal telopeptides were assayed. Results. Overall, 60 women (mean age: 62.3±7.5 years) received monthly IM NE for 6 years, with vitamin D and calcium supplementation in 81.3% of cases. Compared to BL, BMD increased significantly already after 1 year at all sites (4.5±0.9% for L1-L4, 4.5±0.8% for TF, and 2.1±0.6% for FN, P≤0.05), and the changes were maintained over time, whereas FN further improved up to year 3 and remained stable afterwards (P≤0.05). All BMs, except for total calcium and BALP, progressively decreased over time (P≤0.05). No fractures and significant adverse events were reported. Conclusion. The monthly administration of IM NE represents a manageable and effective option, in terms of BMD and bone BM improvement, for the long-term treatment of postmenopausal OP women with gastric intolerance to BPs. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03699150.
Stratifin Inhibits SCFFBW7 Formation and Blocks Ubiquitination of Oncoproteins during the Course of Lung Adenocarcinogenesis
Authors: Shiba-Ishii Aya , Hong Jeongmin , Hirokawa Takatsugu , Kim Yunjung , Nakagawa Tomoki , Sakashita Shingo , Sakamoto Noriaki , Kozuma Yukinori , Sato Yukio , Noguchi Masayuki
Published: February 2019

Purpose:

Aberrant overexpression of SFN (stratifin) plays an oncogenic role in lung adenocarcinoma. We have shown previously that SKP1, an adapter component of E3 ubiquitin ligase forming an SCF complex, is a unique SFN-binding protein in lung adenocarcinoma cells.

Experimental Design:

In silico simulation and in vitro mutagenesis analysis were performed to identify the SFN-binding domain on SKP1. We examined expression, localization, and stability of SKP1 after knockdown of SFN using lung adenocarcinoma cells including A549. In silico library screening and experimental validation were used for drug screening. Daily oral administration of each candidate drugs to A549-injected tumor-bearing mice was performed to evaluate their in vivo antitumor efficacy.

Results:

Suppression of SFN upregulated the stability of SKP1 and accelerated its cytoplasm-to-nucleus translocation. Consistently, IHC analysis revealed that cytoplasmic expression of SKP1 was significantly associated with SFN positivity, tumor malignancy, and poorer patient outcome. After SFN suppression, ubiquitination of oncoproteins, including p-cyclin E1, p-c-Myc, p-c-Jun, and cleaved Notch 1, which are target proteins of SCFFBW7, was strongly induced. These results indicate that SFN–SKP1 binding results in SCFFBW7 dysfunction and allows several oncoproteins to evade ubiquitination and subsequent degradation. Because inhibition of SFN-SKP1 binding was expected to have antitumor efficacy, we next searched for candidate SFN inhibitors. Aprepitant and ticagrelor were finally selected as potential SFN inhibitors that dose dependently reduced SFN-SKP1 binding and tumor progression in vivo.

Conclusions:

As overexpression of SFN is detectable in most adenocarcinoma, we believe that SFN inhibitors would be novel and promising antitumor drugs for lung adenocarcinoma.
Going through Changes: Surface IgM Levels during CLL Therapy with Ibrutinib
Authors: Burger Jan A.
Published: February 2019

Continuous B-cell receptor (BCR) stimulation by antigens in secondary lymphoid tissues is a key pathogenic mechanism in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Therapy with ibrutinib mobilizes tissue CLL cells into the peripheral blood (PB), away from tissue antigen. Consequently, mobilized antigen-deprived CLL cells upregulate surface immunoglobulin M (IgM), providing robust evidence for this mechanism of pathogenesis.

See related article by Drennan et al., p. 2503
Changes of Myelin Organization in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease Shown by q-Space Myelin Map Imaging
Authors: Ota Miho , Sato Noriko , Kimura Yukio , Shigemoto Yoko , Kunugi Hiroshi , Matsuda Hiroshi
Published: February 2019

Background: Recent studies detected the aberrant myelination of the central nervous system (CNS) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Here, we compared the change of myelination between patients with AD and controls by a novel magnetic resonance imaging modality, “q-space myelin map (MM) imaging.” Methods: Twenty patients with AD and 18 healthy subjects underwent MM imaging. We compared the MM metric between the 2 groups and examined the relationships between the metric and the clinical symptoms of AD. Results: AD patients showed a significant reduction of MM metric in the hippocampus, insula, precuneus, and anterior cingulate regions. There was also a significant negative correlation between the duration of illness and the MM metric in the temporoparietal region. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that MM imaging could be a clinically proper modality to estimate the myelination changes in AD patients.
Factors and Outcome of Renal Osteodystrophy-Associated Initial Fragility Fracture in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients
Authors: Li Cai , Chen Xue-mei , Li Yin , Zhou Yan-lin , Yan Jia-ni , Du Xiao-gang
Published: February 2019

Background: Renal osteodystrophy has caused increased risk of fragility fracture in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. However, risk factors and outcome of ESRD patients with fragility fracture remain uncharacterized. We aimed to assess these parameters in ESRD patients. Summary: This retrospective case-control study analyzed 354 ESRD patients (initial fragility fracture [FF] group, n = 59; control group, n = 295). Pre-dialysis blood hemoglobin, serum albumin, lipid, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) were collected. All procedures performed involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional committee of The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University (IRB approval number 216-82), and informed consent was obtained from all participants. There were higher prevalence rates of primary hypertension and diabetes, higher serum ALP, corrected calcium, and lower serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, lipoprotein-α, and iPTH in the FF group. Fractures were more likely to occur in the higher level of corrected calcium as well as in the lower iPTH group. High corrected calcium (p = 0.010, OR = 11.308, 95% CI: 1.770–72.242) and serum ALP (p = 0.000, OR = 1.007, 95% CI: 1.004–1.011) were independent risk factors of fragility fracture. The incidence of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular (CV) events in ESRD patients with fragility fracture was higher than in those without fracture. Key Messages: Patients with hypertension, diabetes, excessive suppression of PTH, and poor nutritional status are more prone to fractures. Serum corrected calcium and ALP were independent risk factors of fragility fracture. Patients with initial fragility fracture had more CV events and higher mortality.
Utility of Cardiac Biomarkers in the Setting of Kidney Disease
Authors: Savoj Javad , Becerra Brian , Kim Jin K. , Fusaro Maria , Gallieni Maurizio , Lombardo Dawn , Lau Wei Ling
Published: February 2019

Cardiovascular disease is prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and responsible for approximately half of all CKD-related deaths. Unfortunately, the presence of CKD can lead to a challenging interpretation of cardiac biomarkers essential in accurate diagnosis and prompt management of heart failure and acute coronary syndrome. There is growing interest in novel cardiac biomarkers that may improve diagnostic accuracy reflecting myocardial injury, inflammation, and remodeling. Interpretation of these biomarkers in CKD can be complicated, since elevated levels may not reflect myocardial injury or wall tension but rather decreased urinary clearance with retention of solutes and/or overall CKD-associated chronic inflammation. In this review, we discuss the latest data on major and emerging cardiac biomarkers including B-type natriuretic peptide, troponin, suppression of tumorigenicity 2, growth and differentiation factor-15, galectin-3, and matrix gla protein, and their diagnostic and prognostic utility in the CKD population.
Comparison of Active Substance Losses and Total Weight Losses of Tablets Administered Via Feeding Tube
Authors: Papiez Adriana , Odehnalova Klara , Sramek Vladimir , Suk Pavel
Published: February 2019

Background/Aims: Administration of tablets via feeding tube (FT) is often associated with significant drug losses, as was confirmed by weighing. The aim of this study was to measure the proportion of active substance losses (ASLs) in an in vitro model. Methods: A film-coated tablet (FilmCT) containing clopidogrel (Trombex®) and a tablet with enteric coating (EntericCT) containing pantoprazole (Controloc®) were crushed in a mortar and transferred by method A (tablet powder was transferred into the beaker, poured into the syringe and water added) and method B (water was added into the mortar, suspension drawn into the syringe) and administered via FT in an in vitro model. Total losses were measured with analytical balance and, simultaneously, ASL were analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography UV-detection (HPLC-UV). Results: ASL was different to weighing only in the case of EntericCT prepared by method B (2.0 ± 4.2 and 10.7 ± 0.8% for HPLC-UV and weighing, respectively; p = 0.004). HPLC-UV confirmed significantly lower ASL when method B was used for either EntericCT (34.3 ± 7.2 vs. 2.0 ± 4.2%; p < 0.001) or FilmCT (14.1 ± 2.2 vs. 7.7 ± 4.1%; p < 0.01). Conclusion: Drug loss analysis with analytical balance may overestimate ASL, as was proved for EntericCT in this study. ASL were significantly lower when method B was used.
Adalimumab Dose-Escalation Therapy Is Effective in Refractory Crohn’s Disease Patients with Loss of Response to Adalimumab, Especially in Cases without Previous Infliximab Treatment
Authors: Suzuki Taketo , Mizoshita Tsutomu , Sugiyama Tomoya , Hirata Yoshikazu , Kimura Yoshihide , Suzuki Yuka , Yamada Tomonori , Tsukamoto Hironobu , Mizushima Takashi , Sugimura Naomi , Katano Takahito , Tanida Satoshi , Kataoka Hiromi , Sasaki Makoto
Published: February 2019

Background/Aims: Adalimumab dose escalation is one of the most important options in refractory Crohn’s disease patients with loss of response to adalimumab. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of adalimumab dose escalation in Crohn’s disease patients with loss of response to adalimumab, since there are few reports of adalimumab dose escalation, especially in East Asia. Methods: The clinical response to adalimumab dose escalation in Crohn’s disease patients with loss of response to adalimumab was evaluated retrospectively, using the Crohn’s disease activity index score, serum C-reactive protein levels, and endoscopic analyses. Results: Of the 203 Crohn’s disease patients treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor, 14 refractory Crohn’s disease patients with loss of response to adalimumab received adalimumab dose-escalation therapy. The C-reactive protein level was significantly reduced from the start to weeks 12 and 52 of adalimumab dose escalation in the whole group, although there were no significant reductions of Crohn’s disease activity index scores. Both Crohn’s disease activity index scores and C-reactive protein levels were significantly reduced from the start to weeks 12 and 52 of adalimumab dose escalation in patients without previous infliximab treatment, although C-reactive protein levels were positive in all cases with previous infliximab exposure at weeks 12 and 52. Endoscopic mucosal healing was achieved with adalimumab dose escalation in 2 cases without previous infliximab treatment. Conclusions: Adalimumab dose-escalation therapy is effective in refractory Crohn’s disease patients with loss of response to adalimumab, especially in cases without previous infliximab treatment.
Unmet Medical Needs in Ulcerative Colitis: An Expert Group Consensus
Authors: Danese Silvio , Allez Matthieu , van Bodegraven Ad A. , Dotan Iris , Gisbert Javier P. , Hart Ailsa , Lakatos Peter L. , Magro Fernando , Peyrin-Biroulet Laurent , Schreiber Stefan , Tarabar Dino , Vavricka Stephan , Halfvarson Jonas , Vermeire Séverine
Published: February 2019

Background: The authors aimed to conduct an extensive literature review and consensus meeting to identify unmet needs in ulcerative colitis (UC) and ways to overcome them. UC is a relapsing and remitting inflammatory bowel disease with varied, and changing, incidence rates worldwide. UC has an unpredictable disease course and is associated with a high health economic burden. During 2016 and 2017, a panel of experts was convened to identify, discuss and address areas of unmet need in UC. Methods: PubMed and Cochrane Library databases were searched for relevant articles describing studies performed in patients with UC. These findings were used to generate a set of statements relating to unmet needs in UC. Consensus on these statements was then sought from a panel of 9 expert gastroenterologists using a modified Delphi review process that consisted of anonymous surveys followed by live meetings. Results: In 2 literature reviews, over 5,000 unique records were identified and a total of 138 articles were fully reviewed. These were used to consider 26 areas of unmet need, which were explored in 2 face-to-face meetings, in which the statements were debated and amended, resulting in consensus on 30 final statements. The unmet needs identified were categorised into 7 areas: impact of UC on patients’ daily life; importance of early diagnosis and treatment; drawbacks of existing treatments; urgent need for new treatments; and disease-, practice- or patient-focused unmet needs. Conclusions: These expert group meetings found a number of areas of unmet needs in UC, which is an important first step in tackling them in the future. Future research and development should be focused in these areas for the management of patients with UC.
Psychometric Properties of the AUDIT, AUDIT-C, CRAFFT and ASSIST-Y among Swedish Adolescents
Authors: Källmén Håkan , Berman Anne H. , Jayaram-Lindström Nitya , Hammarberg Anders , Elgán Tobias H.
Published: February 2019

Background/Aims: Not enough is known about the psychometric properties of screening instruments for problematic alcohol consumption among adolescents. The aim of the current study was to evaluate and compare the performance of the screening instruments: Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), AUDIT-C, CRAFFT, and the alcohol domain of Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test-Youth (ASSIST-Y) among adolescents and to suggest optimal cut-offs indicating problematic use. Methods: Data was collected from a general population sample (n = 1,421) and a treatment-seeking sample (n = 59) using electronic versions of the instruments. Results: The internal consistencies for the instruments were fair (alpha’s AUDIT 0.74, AUDIT-C 0.75, CRAFFT 0.67, ASSIST-Y 0.62), and test-retest reliabilities were good to excellent (intraclass correlation coefficients AUDIT 0.86, AUDIT-C 0.93, CRAFFT 0.77, ASSIST-Y 0.63). The CRAFFT and ASSIST-Y demonstrated reasonable construct validities while factor solutions for AUDIT and AUDIT-C could not be determined. The optimal cut-off score was 2 for both CRAFFT and ASSIST-Y (61 and 73% sensitivities and 79 and 65% specificities, respectively), while sensitivity scores were poor for AUDIT and AUDIT-C. Conclusion: Based on the current sample, ASSIST-Y and the CRAFFT performed better than AUDIT and AUDIT-C. Health-care clinics working with adolescents should carefully consider their choice of screening instruments.
Low Sodium Diet Decreases Stone Formation in Genetic Hypercalciuric Stone-Forming Rats
Authors: Krieger Nancy S. , Grynpas Marc , VandenEynde Amy , Asplin John R. , Frick Kevin K. , Kim Min Ho , Ramos Felix M. , Granja Ignacio , Bushinsky David A.
Published: February 2019

Background: Urine (u) calcium (Ca) excretion is directly dependent on dietary sodium (Na) intake leading to the recommendation for Na restriction in hypercalciuric kidney stone formers. However, there is no direct evidence that limiting Na intake will reduce recurrent stone formation. Materials and Methods: We used genetic hypercalciuric stone-forming (GHS) rats, which universally form Ca phosphate (P) kidney stones, fed either a low Na (LNa, 0.05%) or normal Na (NNa, 0.4%) Na diet (D) for 18 weeks. Urine was collected at 6-week intervals. Radiographic analysis for stone formation and bone analyses were done at the conclusion of the study. Results: Mean uCa was lower with LNaD than NNaD as was uP and LNaD decreased mean uNa and uChloride. There were no differences in urine supersaturation (SS) with respect to calcium phosphate (CaP) or Ca oxalate (CaOx). However, stone formation was markedly decreased with LNaD by radiographic analysis. The LNaD group had significantly lower femoral anterior-posterior diameter and volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), but no change in vertebral trabecular vBMD. There were no differences in the bone formation rate or osteoclastic bone resorption between groups. The LNaD group had significantly lower femoral stiffness; however, the ultimate load and energy to fail was not different. Conclusion: Thus, a low Na diet reduced uCa and stone formation in GHS rats, even though SS with respect to CaP and CaOx was unchanged and effects on bone were modest. These data, if confirmed in humans, support dietary Na restriction to prevent recurrent Ca nephrolithiasis.
Uremic Patients with Increased Vascular Calcification Score Have Serum with High Calcific Potential: Role of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Osteoblastic Differentiation and Apoptosis
Authors: Ciceri Paola , Galassi Andrea , Alfieri Carlo , Messa Piergiorgio , Cozzolino Mario
Published: February 2019

Background/Aims: Uremic patients experience premature vascular ageing that causes cardiovascular morbidity. In this study, we investigated the relationship between uremic serum calcific potential induced by high phosphate (Pi) and vascular calcification score (VCS). Methods: Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were cultured with 3.5 mM Na3PO4 (Pi) with 10% uremic serum and calcium deposition, markers of osteoblastic transformation, and apoptosis were evaluated. Results: Culture with uremic serum and high-Pi significantly induced calcification (0.21 ± 0.03 vs. 8.05 ± 0.6; ctr vs. Pi; OD/mg protein; p < 0.01). We next stratified patients with respect of the degree of VCS in 2 groups: absence of vascular calcification (VC) “no VC group” and presence of VC “VC group”. We found that there was a significant correlation between VCS and uremic serum calcific potential induced by high Pi in vitro (p < 0.01). Interestingly, uremic sera of the “VC group” were more effective than sera from the “no VC group”, in downregulating α-actin and SM22α, after treatment with high-Pi (41.3 ± 4.7 vs. 23.3 ± 2.9 and 25.6 ± 6.8 vs. 8.14 ± 2.3; VC vs. no VC group, α-actin and SM22α respectively; Δ intensity area; p < 0.01). Similarly, sera from “VC group” were more effective than sera from “no VC group” in adjuvanting the high-Pi effect of increasing osteoblastic markers, such as bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP2), osteocalcin (OC), and runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2; 39.1 ± 11.3 vs. 5.0 ± 2.6 BMP2; 12.2 ± 4.2 vs. 1.7 ± 0.3 OC; 2.9 ± 0.4 vs. 1.2 ± 0.2 RUNX2; VC vs. no VC group respectively; p < 0.05). We found a similar pattern with significantly higher apoptosis and necrosis induction by sera from the “VC group” compared to the “no VC group” (2.05 ± 0.33 vs. 1.29 ± 0.13 and 54.1 ± 19.5 vs. 27.4 ± 10.6; Pi; VC group vs. no VC group; enrichment factor of apoptotic or necrotic fragments, respectively; p < 0.05). Conclusions: We conclude that VCS of end-stage renal disease patients significantly correlates with serum-calcific potential induced by high Pi. In addition, uremic patients with higher VCS have sera with a higher potential to induce VSMC osteoblastic trans-differentiation, apoptosis, and necrosis.
Galectin-3 in Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Stanojevic Dragana , Apostolovic Svetlana , Stokanovic Dragana , Momčilović Stefan , Jevtovic-Stoimenov Tatjana , Salinger-Martinovic Sonja , Kostic Tomislav , Nikolic Valentina N.
Published: February 2019

Objective: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and galectin-3 is possibly involved in its occurrence. Galectin-3 has been shown to play a central role in fibrosis and tissue remodeling and has a role in inflammatory and proliferative responses. The aim of our study was to measure galectin-3 levels in patients with myocardial infarction and to compare its levels in patients with or without AF, in order to investigate the potential predictive role of galectin-3 in this setting. Subjects and Methods: The study included 51 consecutive AMI patients with AF; 27 AMI patients (52.9%) had permanent/persistent AF, and 24 patients (47.1%) had paroxysmal AF. Thirty-eight consecutive AMI patients without AF were used as a control group. Blood samples were obtained from venous blood on the third day after reperfusion. Results: Patients with AF had higher levels of C-reactive protein (p < 0.01) and galectin-3 (p < 0.05) than those without AF. Patients with high galectin-3 had 4.4 times greater odds of having AF. Galectin-3 levels were lower in patients without AF (p < 0.01) than in those with permanent/persistent AF. Conclusion: AMI patients with AF had higher levels of galectin-3 than those without this arrhythmia. This biomarker of inflammation and fibrosis could be a potential target for treating AMI patients at high risk.
КЛІНІКО-ЕПІДЕМІОЛОГІЧНІ ТА ЛАБОРАТОРНІ ОСОБЛИВОСТІ СУЧАСНОЇ БЕШИХИ
Authors: Chemych M. D. , Sayenko O. S.
Published: February 2019

Незважаючи на те, що бешиха є давно відомою хворобою, захворюваність залишається стабільно високою. Хвороба, як і раніше, характеризується схильністю до частих рецидивів, що призводить до тривалої непрацездатності пацієнтів.

Мета роботи – встановити особливості сучасної бешихи та якості життя залежно від частоти хвороби на підставі вивчення епідеміології, клініки, ступеня ендогенної інтоксикації, рівня реактивності організму.

Пацієнти і методи. Обстежено і опрацьовано медичні карти 75 хворих на бешиху. Розраховано інте­г­ративні показники ендогенної інтоксикації та імунореактивності. Для оцінки якості життя був використаний опитувальник SF-36. Групу порівняння склали 44 здорові людини.

Результати. Хворі були розділені на три групи: з первинною, з повторною, з рецидивною бешихою, по 25 осіб у кожній. Серед усіх хворих переважали жінки (78,7 %). Вік становив (54,2±4,1) роки. Найбільша кількість пацієнтів госпіталізована у серпні. Ступінь тяжкості хвороби у 90,0 % обстежуваних був середнім. Серед клінічних форм переважала еритематозна (54 хворих – 72,0 %). Індекси неспецифічної реактивності та активності запалення нижчі при рецидивній бешисі (р<0,05-0,001). Показник психологічного компонента здоров’я у пацієнтів з первинною (43,8±0,7 бала) та повторною (44,6±0,9 бала) формами бешихи на 12,0 % був вищим від осіб з рецидивною формою бешихи – (38,9±1,2) балів, р<0,01. Показники фізичного компонента у пацієнтів з первинною та повторною формами бешихи перебували на одному рівні (відповідно (46,1±0,5) бала та (47,4±1,0) бала, р>0,05), найнижчим він був у пацієнтів з рецидивною формою бешихи: (42,1±1,3) бала (р<0,05).

Висновки. Встановлено статистично достовірне підвищення індексів ендогенної інтоксикації та зниження індексів неспецифічної реактивності при рецидивній бешисі відносно первинної бешихи та контрольної груп. Найнижчі показники фізичного та психологічного компонентів здоров’я спостерігалися у пацієнтів з рецидивною формою бешихи.
Physical activity practice among older adults
Authors: Peixoto Sérgio Viana , Mambrini Juliana Vaz de Melo , Firmo Josélia Oliveira Araújo , Loyola Filho Antônio Ignácio de , Souza Junior Paulo Roberto Borges de , Andrade Fabíola Bof de , Lima-Costa Maria Fernanda
Published: February 2019

To describe the prevalence of the practice of physical activity (PA) among older Brazilian adults and associated factors. In addition, potential effect modifiers of the association between PA and age were investigated. METHODS: We have analyzed data from 8,736 participants (92.8%) aged 50 and older from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil). Physical activity was measured using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The outcome variable was defined as at least 150 minutes of weekly activities in all domains. The exploratory variables were age, sex, education, ethnicity, marital status, number of chronic diseases and medical appointments, and knowledge about or participation in public programs that encourage physical activity. Logistic regression and estimates of predicted probabilities were performed. RESULTS: The prevalence of recommended levels of physical activity was 67.0% (95%CI 64.3–69.5). Physical activity was associated with age [odds ratio (OR) = 0.97; 95%CI 0.96–0.98], higher educational level (OR = 1.27; 95%CI 1.11–1.45 for 4–7 years and OR = 1.52; 95%CI 1.28–1.81 for eight years or more), participants who were married/ in a long term relationship (OR = 1.22; 95%CI 1.08–1.38), and those who reported knowledge about (OR = 1.34; 95%CI 1.16–1.54) or participation in (OR = 1.78; 95%CI 1.34–2.36) a program aimed at the practice of physical activity. Women and those with lower educational level (p value for interaction < 0.05) reported lower physical activity levels. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the association with marital status and health promotion programs, there were significant sex and educational level inequalities in physical activity decline later in life. These findings help the identification of groups more vulnerable to decreased physical activity levels with aging, as well as the planning of health promotion strategies, especially in older groups.
Life course socioeconomic inequalities and oral health status in later life
Authors: Andrade Fabíola Bof de , Antunes José Leopoldo Ferreira , Souza Junior Paulo Roberto Borges de , Lima-Costa Maria Fernanda , Oliveira Cesar De
Published: February 2019

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between life course socioeconomic conditions and two oral health outcomes (edentulism and use of dental prostheses among individuals with severe tooth loss) among older Brazilian adults. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study with data from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil) which includes information on persons aged 50 years or older residing in 70 municipalities across the five great Brazilian regions. Regression models using life history information were used to investigate the relation between childhood (parental education) and adulthood (own education and wealth) socioeconomic circumstances and edentulism and use of dental prostheses. Slope index of inequality and relative index of inequality for edentulism and use of dental prostheses assessed socioeconomic inequalities in both outcomes. RESULTS: Approximately 28.8% of the individuals were edentulous and among those with severe tooth loss 80% used dental prostheses. Significant absolute and relative inequalities were found for edentulism and use of dental prostheses. The magnitude of edentulism was higher among individuals with lower levels of socioeconomic position during childhood, irrespective of their current socioeconomic position. Absolute and relative inequalities related to the use of dental prostheses were not related to childhood socioeconomic position. CONCLUSIONS: These findings substantiate the association between life course socioeconomic circumstances and oral health in older adulthood, although use of dental prostheses was not related to childhood socioeconomic position. The study also highlights the long-lasting relation between childhood socioeconomic inequalities and oral health through the life course.
Aspects of social participation and neighborhood perception
Authors: Ferreira Fabiane Ribeiro , César Cibele Comini , Andrade Fabíola Bof de , Souza Junior Paulo Roberto Borges de , Lima-Costa Maria Fernanda , Proietti Fernando Augusto
Published: February 2019

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of the physical and social surroundings of the neighborhood, which are presented as facilitators or barriers for the social participation of Brazilian older adults. METHODS: The study was conducted in a probabilistic representative sample of the Brazilian population aged 50 years and older and who lived in urban areas (n = 7,935). The response variable was social participation, which was defined from two questions about activities performed with other persons: visited friends or relatives in their homes in the last 12 months (yes, no); went out with other persons to public places, such as restaurant, movies, club, park, in the last 12 months (yes, no). The explanatory variables included fear of falling because of defects in sidewalks, concern about the difficulty to get on a bus, subway, or train, difficulty to cross streets, and perception of violence in the neighborhood. Potential confounding variables included age, marital status, education level, self-rated health, living in an asphalted or paved street, time living in the municipality, and socioeconomic position score. Prevalence ratios and respective confidence intervals were estimated using Poisson regression. RESULT: Difficulty to cross streets presented an independent association with restricted social participation (PR = 0.95; 95%CI 0.93–0.98) among both women (PR = 0.96; 95%CI 0.92–0.99) and men (PR = 0.94; 95%CI 0.90–0.99). Concern about the difficulty to get on a bus, subway, or train was associated with the outcome only among men (PR = 0.95; 95%CI 0.91–0.99). The fear of falling because of defects in sidewalks and the perception of violence in the neighborhood were not associated with social participation. CONCLUSIONS: Urban characteristics that hinder the crossing of streets and accessibility to public transport can be inferred as important barriers for the social participation of Brazilian older adults.
Life course and work ability among older adults
Authors: Castro Camila Menezes Sabino de , Lima-Costa Maria Fernanda , César Cibele Comini , Neves Jorge Alexandre Barbosa , Andrade Fabíola Bof de , Souza Junior Paulo Roberto Borges de , Sampaio Rosana Ferreira
Published: February 2019

OBJECTIVE: To examine factors associated with perception of work ability in a nationally representative sample of Brazilians aged 50 years and over. METHODS: We used data from 8,903 participants of the baseline survey of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil). The dependent variable was self-rated work ability (good or very good versus fair, poor, or very poor). Independent variables included factors that operate at the beginning, middle, and current stage of life. Multivariate analysis was based on prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) estimated by Poisson regression. RESULTS: Good work ability was reported by 49% of \ participants (49.4% among men and 48.6% among women). Results of the multivariate analysis showed that, for both men and women, good work ability showed positive and statistically significant associations (p < 0.05) with good health up to 15 years of age (PR = 1.22 and 1.18 , respectively), educational level ≥ 8 years (PR = 1.19 and 1.21, respectively), and current good self-rated health (PR = 1.88 and 1.94, respectively). Negative associations were observed for current age (PR = 0.99 for each increase of one year among men and women), medical diagnosis of depression (PR = 0.70 for men and PR = 0.87 for women), and having one or more at least chronic diseases (PR = 0.88 for men and 0.91 for women). Only for men, positive associations for the age at which they started working (PR = 1.14 and 1.12 for 11–17 and ≥ 18 years, respectively) and living with a spouse (PR = 1.09) were found. CONCLUSIONS: Work ability in older ages is built over the life course, particularly by the health conditions in childhood and adolescence, age at which men begin working, educational level, and health conditions in older ages. Policies aimed at increasing longevity in the labor market must take these factors into account.
Sex Effects on Development of Brain Structure and Executive Functions: Greater Variance than Mean Effects
Authors: Wierenga Lara M. , Bos Marieke G. N. , van Rossenberg Fabienne , Crone Eveline A.
Published: February 2019

Although male brains have consistently reported to be 8–10% larger than female brains, it remains not well understood whether there are differences between sexes (average or variance) in developmental trajectories. Furthermore, if sex differences in average brain growth or variance are observed, it is unknown whether these sex differences have behavioral relevance. The present longitudinal study aimed to unravel sex effects in cortical brain structure, development, and variance, in relation to the development of educationally relevant cognitive domains and executive functions (EFs). This was assessed with three experimental tasks including working memory, reading comprehension, and fluency. In addition, real-life aspects of EF were assessed with self- and parent-reported Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function scores. The full data set included 271 participants (54% female) aged between 8 and 29 years of which three waves were collected at 2-year intervals, resulting in 680 T1-weighted MRI scans and behavioral measures. Analyses of average trajectories confirmed general age-related patterns of brain development but did not support the hypothesis of sex differences in brain development trajectories, except for left banks STS where boys had a steeper decline in surface area than girls. Also, our brain age prediction model (including 270 brain measures) did not indicate delayed maturation in boys compared with girls. Interestingly, support was found for greater variance in male brains than female brains in both structure and development, consistent with prior cross-sectional studies. Behaviorally, boys performed on average better on a working memory task with a spatial aspect and girls performed better on a reading comprehension task, but there was no relation between brain development and cognitive performance, neither for average brain measures, brain age, or variance measures. Taken together, we confirmed the hypothesis of greater males within-group variance in brain structures compared with females, but these were not related to EF. The sex differences observed in EF were not related to brain development, possibly suggesting that these are related to experiences and strategies rather than biological development.
The Functional Consequences of Social Attention for Memory-guided Attention Orienting and Anticipatory Neural Dynamics
Authors: Doherty Brianna Ruth , van Ede Freek , Fraser Alexander , Patai Eva Zita , Nobre Anna Christina , Scerif Gaia
Published: February 2019

Social attention when viewing natural social (compared with nonsocial) images has functional consequences on contextual memory in healthy human adults. In addition to attention affecting memory performance, strong evidence suggests that memory, in turn, affects attentional orienting. Here, we ask whether the effects of social processing on memory alter subsequent memory-guided attention orienting and corresponding anticipatory dynamics of 8–12 Hz alpha-band oscillations as measured with EEG. Eighteen young adults searched for targets in scenes that contained either social or nonsocial distracters and their memory precision tested. Subsequently, RT was measured as participants oriented to targets appearing in those scenes at either valid (previously learned) locations or invalid (different) locations. Memory precision was poorer for target locations in social scenes. In addition, distractor type moderated the validity effect during memory-guided attentional orienting, with a larger cost in RT when targets appeared at invalid (different) locations within scenes with social distractors. The poorer memory performance was also marked by reduced anticipatory dynamics of spatially lateralized 8–12 Hz alpha-band oscillations for scenes with social distractors. The functional consequences of a social attention bias therefore extend from memory to memory-guided attention orienting, a bidirectional chain that may further reinforce attentional biases.
The orchid-bee fauna (Hymenoptera: Apidae) of a forest remnant in southern Bahia, Brazil, with new geographic records and an identification key to the known species of the area
Authors: NEMÉSIO ANDRÉ
Published: February 2019

The orchid bee fauna of Parque Estadual da Serra do Conduru, in the state of Bahia, one of the largest remnants of Atlantic Rain Forest in northeastern Brazil, was surveyed for orchid bees for the first time. Six hundred and twenty-two males belonging to 20 species were actively collected with insect nets during 40 hours from the 26 th to the 31 st of January, 2010. Euglossa cyanochlora Moure, 1996—a very rare species previously known only from the type locality—was found, the northernmost record for this species in the Atlantic Forest domain. Euglossa viridis (Perty, 1833) and Euglossa amazonica Dressler, 1982, this latter species recently recorded for the state of Alagoas, are also reported for the first time in the state of Bahia. An identification key for all species recorded in the area is also provided.
New species of Colyphus Spinola (Coleoptera: Cleridae: Clerinae) from Central America, with taxonomic and distributional notes on some others
Authors: RIFKIND JACQUES , BARR WILLIAM F.
Published: February 2019

Colyphus ska n. sp. is described from Costa Rica; Colyphus lamed n. sp. is described from Honduras. The following new combinations are proposed: Colyphus guatemalensis (Gorham), new combination, Colyphus pictus (Gorham), new com- bination, and Colyphus rutilus (Gorham), new combination.
Improving Harvey Forecasts with Next-Generation Weather Satellites: Advanced Hurricane Analysis and Prediction with Assimilation of GOES-R All-Sky Radiances
Authors: Zhang Fuqing , Minamide Masashi , Nystrom Robert G. , Chen Xingchao , Lin Shian-Jian , Harris Lucas M.
Published: February 2019

Hurricane Harvey brought catastrophic destruction and historical flooding to the Gulf Coast region in late August 2017. Guided by numerical weather prediction models, operational forecasters at NOAA provided outstanding forecasts of Harvey’s future path and potential for record flooding days in advance. These forecasts were valuable to the public and emergency managers in protecting lives and property. The current study shows the potential for further improving Harvey’s analysis and prediction through advanced ensemble assimilation of high-spatiotemporal all-sky infrared radiances from the newly launched, next-generation geostationary weather satellite, GOES-16. Although findings from this single-event study should be further evaluated, the results highlight the potential improvement in hurricane prediction that is possible via sustained investment in advanced observing systems, such as those from weather satellites, comprehensive data assimilation methodologies that can more effectively ingest existing and future observations, higher-resolution weather prediction models with more accurate numerics and physics, and high-performance computing facilities that can perform advanced analysis and forecasting in a timely manner.
Evaluation of Groundwater Simulations in Benin from the ALMIP2 Project
Authors: Rashid Mehnaz , Chien Rong-You , Ducharne Agnès , Kim Hyungjun , Yeh Pat J.-F. , Peugeot Christophe , Boone Aaron , He Xiaogang , Séguis Luc , Yabu Yutaro , Boukari Moussa , Lo Min-Hui
Published: February 2019

A comprehensive estimation of water budget components, particularly groundwater storage (GWS) and fluxes, is crucial. In this study, we evaluate the terrestrial water budget of the Donga basin (Benin, West Africa), as simulated by three land surface models (LSMs) used in the African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis Land Surface Model Intercomparison Project, phase 2 (ALMIP2): CLM4, Catchment LSM (CLSM), and Minimal Advanced Treatments of Surface Interaction and Runoff (MATSIRO). All three models include an unconfined groundwater component and are driven by the same ALMIP2 atmospheric forcing from 2005 to 2008. Results show that all three models simulate substantially shallower water table depth (WTD) with smaller seasonal variations, approximately 1–1.5 m compared to the observed values that range between 4 and 9.6 m, while the seasonal variations of GWS are overestimated by all the models. These seemingly contradictory simulation results can be explained by the overly high specific yield prescribed in all models. All models achieve similar GWS simulations but with different fractions of precipitation partitioning into surface runoff, base flow, and evapotranspiration (ET), suggesting high uncertainty and errors in the terrestrial and groundwater budgets among models. The poor performances of models can be attributed to bias in the hydrological partitioning (base flow vs surface runoff) and sparse subsurface data. This analysis confirms the importance of subsurface hydrological processes in the current generation of LSMs and calls for substantial improvement in both surface water budget (which controls groundwater recharge) and the groundwater system (hydrodynamic parameters, vertical geometry).
A delay-bounded low-cost multicast routing algorithm for mobile ad hoc networks
Authors: Miao Xuna , Wu Xiaobo
Published: February 2019

In this paper, we focus on developing delay-bounded low-cost multicast tree, linking a source to a set of multicast nodes in a mobile ad hoc network The problem of our concern is given a wireless ad hoc network and a multicast request, how to find a multicast tree such that the total cost of the multicast tree is minimized, the cost can be regarded as transmitting power, bandwidth, battery energy, and so on. We proposed a novel minimum-cost multicast routing heuristic algorithm (delay-bounded low-cost multicast routing algorithm) to solve this well-known hard problem, and this algorithm can be easily implemented in a distributed fashion. The algorithm guarantees the multicast tree, which satisfies the delay bound and has low cost if it exists. And finally, the performance of mobile ad hoc network scared from 50 to 200 nodes is evaluated. Simulations results show that the delay and tree cost of the proposed method are lower than well-known multicast ad hoc on-demand distance vector protocol and QoS Dependent Multicast Routing protocol.
Countermeasure to protect sensitive information stealthily in remote interchanges using steganography in educational environments
Authors: Babu I , Jose Deepa
Published: February 2019

Nowadays, students of electronics, electrical and computer science engineering are very much curious to know about the various security issues in wireless communication. Therefore, these students require a platform (i.e. by using Matlab software) that can fetch knowledge about the security issues in wireless communication. The Matlab software will give a perfect understanding about the mathematical concepts through a graphical representation. Therefore, students can understand the typical mathematical equation very easily. The main objective of our paper is to create a countermeasure environment that would protect the sensitive information passing through the multi-input and multi-output (MIMO)-OFDM channel. A novel remote steganography method is proposed, and the essential execution of the system was assessed. In this research work, a remote steganography utilizing the MIMO-OFDM structure, the sensitive information processing and also an Eigenbeam-space Division Multiplexing conveyance are proposed. Based on the Matlab simulation results, our proposed technique aims to reduce the bit error rate. In addition, SNR values for different modulation techniques successfully retrieved from the original information are analyzed. And finally, we make two project groups: one is related to the cryptography method and the second group is related to combining the cryptography and steganography methods, and we differentiate which group information is more secure in the wireless communication platform.