bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of Fluoroquinolones in Pharmaceutical Formulations by Extractive Spectrophotometric Methods Using Ion-Pair Complex Formation with Bromothymol Blue
Authors: Nguyen Trung Dung , Le Hoc Bau , Dong Thi Oanh , Pham Tien Duc
Published: October 2018

In this paper, we reported a new, simple, accurate, and precise extractive spectrophotometric method for the determination of fluoroquinolones (FQs) including ciprofloxacin (CFX), levofloxacin (LFX), and ofloxacin (OFX) in pharmaceutical formulations. The proposed method is based on the ion-pair formation complexes between FQs and an anionic dye, bromothymol blue (BTB), in acidic medium. The yellow-colored complexes which were extracted into chloroform were measured at the wavelengths of 420, 415, and 418 nm for CFX, LFX, and OFX, respectively. Some effective conditions such as pH, dye concentration, shaking time, and organic solvents were also systematically studied. Very good limit of detection (LOD) of 0.084 µg/mL, 0.101 µg/mL, and 0.105 µg/mL were found for CFX, LFX, and OFX, respectively. The stoichiometry of the complexes formed between FQs and BTB determined by Job’s method of continuous variation was 1 : 1. No interference was observed from common excipients occurred in pharmaceutical formulations. The proposed method has been successfully applied to determine the FQs in some pharmaceutical products. A good agreement between extractive spectrophotometric method with high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) for the determination of FQs in some real samples demonstrates that the proposed method is suitable to quantify FQs in pharmaceutical formulations.
Berberine Combined with Triple Therapy versus Triple Therapy for Helicobacter pylori Eradication: A Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Jiang Xiaotao , Jiang Chenguang , Huang Cihui , Chen Guoming , Jiang Kailin , Huang Baoyi , Liu Fengbin
Published: October 2018

Objective. To assess the effects and safety of berberine combined with triple therapy on Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication in adults. Methods. PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Chinese databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang data, Chinese Technology Journal Full‐text Database (VIP), and China biomedical literature database (CBM) were searched to obtain the eligible studies published up to October 10, 2017. The primary outcome was eradication rate of H. pylori. The secondary outcome was incidence of adverse effects. Data analysis was conducted by RevMan5.2 and Stata V.9.0 software. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was performed to assess the risk of random error and the validity of conclusion with TSA program version 0.9 beta. Results. The meta‐analysis results indicated berberine combined with triple therapy could improve the eradication rates of H. pylori (urea breath test subgroup: RR=1.18, 95%CI=(1.12,1.24), P < 0.00001, biopsy subgroup: RR=1.23, 95%CI=(1.13,1.34), P < 0.00001) and reduce the total occurrence of adverse effects (OR=0.59, 95%CI(0.46, 0.75), P < 0.0001) when compared with only using triple therapy. Besides, the incidence of nausea (OR=0.59, 95%CI(0.41, 0.86), P < 0.05) and diarrhea (OR=0.41, 95%CI(0.24, 0.71) was remarkably lower in experimental group while that of abdominal distention (OR=0.64, 95%CI(0.40,1.04), P > 0.05) and vomiting (OR=0.65, 95%CI(0.37, 1.15), P > 0.05) had no significant change. TSA of H. pylori eradication rates and adverse effects incidence illustrated that the cumulative value of Z‐curve went across the conventional boundary value, trial sequential monitoring boundary for benefit, and required information size, suggesting the results were stable. Conclusion. Evidence from meta‐analysis suggested that berberine combined with triple therapy can be an option for increasing H. pylori eradication rates and reducing overall therapy‐related adverse effects incidence, particularly nausea and diarrhea, whereas more randomized controlled trials designed according to CONSORT statement are demanded to support the efficacy in further studies.
Multiple Regression Analysis Reveals MicroRNA Regulatory Networks in Oryza sativa under Drought Stress
Authors: Chen Jiajia , Li Liangzhi
Published: October 2018

Drought is a major abiotic stress that reduces rice development and yield. miRNAs (microRNAs) are known to mediate posttranscriptional regulation under drought stress. Although the importance of individual miRNAs has been established, the crosstalks between miRNAs and mRNAs remain unearthed. Here we performed microarray analysis of miRNAs and matched mRNA expression profiles of drought-treated rice cultivar Nipponbare. Drought-responsive miRNA-mRNA regulations were identified by a combination of a partial least square (PLS) regression approach and sequence-based target prediction. A drought-induced network with 13 miRNAs and 58 target mRNAs was constructed, and four miRNA coregulatory modules were revealed. Functional analysis suggested that drought-response miRNA targets are enriched in hormone signaling, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, and antioxidant defense. 13 candidate miRNAs and target genes were validated by RT-qPCR, hierarchical clustering, and ROC analysis. Two target genes (DWARF-3 and P0651G05.2) of miRNA coregulatory modules were further verified by RLM-5′ RACE. Together, our integrative study of miRNA-mRNA interaction provided attractive candidates that will help elucidate the drought-response mechanisms in Oryza sativa.
Microvascular Invasion in HCC: The Molecular Imaging Perspective
Authors: Cuccurullo Vincenzo , Di Stasio Giuseppe Danilo , Mazzarella Giuseppe , Cascini Giuseppe Lucio
Published: October 2018

Hepatocellular carcinoma represents the most frequent primary liver tumor; curative options are only surgical resection and liver transplantation. From 1996, Milan Criteria are applied in consideration of patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular for liver transplantation; nonetheless, more recently, Milan Criteria have been criticized because they appear over conservative. Apart from number and size of lesions and biomarker levels, which already have been associated with poorer prognosis, overall survival and recurrence rates after transplantation are affected also by the presence of vascular invasion. Microvascular invasion suggests a poor prognosis but it is often hard to detect before transplant. Diagnostic imaging and tumor markers may play an important role and become the main tools to define microvascular invasion. In particular, a possible role could be found for computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography. In this paper, we analyze the possible role of positron emission tomography as a preoperative imaging biomarker capable of predicting microvascular invasion in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and thus selecting optimal candidates for liver transplantation.
Association between Early Neuroretinal Dysfunction and Peripheral Motor Unit Loss in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Picconi Fabiana , Mataluni Giorgia , Ziccardi Lucia , Parravano Mariacristina , Di Renzo Antonio , Ylli Dorina , Pasqualetti Patrizio , Studer Valeria , Chioma Laura , Marfia Girolama Alessandra , Frontoni Simona
Published: October 2018

Objectives. It has been already confirmed that retinal neurodegeneration has a predictive value in the development of microvascular alterations in diabetic retinopathy. However, no data are available on the association between neuroretinal dysfunction and peripheral motor unit loss. Our study, therefore, was aimed at investigating the hypothesis that retinal neurodegeneration could be considered an early marker of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Methods. 20 T1DM patients with no symptoms/signs of peripheral polyneuropathy, without DR or with very mild nonproliferative DR, and 14 healthy controls (C) age- and gender-matched were enrolled. The following electrophysiological tests were performed: standard nerve conduction studies (NCS) and incremental motor unit number estimation (MUNE) from the abductor hallux (AH) and abductor digiti minimi (ADM). Neuroretinal function was studied by multifocal electroretinogram (MfERG) recordings, measuring response amplitude density (RAD) and implicit time (IT) from rings and sectors of superior (S)/inferior (I)/temporal (T)/nasal (N) macular sectors up to 10 degrees of foveal eccentricity. Results. MfERG RADs from rings and sectors were significantly reduced in T1DM (p<0.05) vs. C. ADM MUNE and AH MUNE were significantly decreased in T1DM (p=0.039 and p<0.0001, respectively) vs. C. A positive correlation between mean MfERG RADs from the central 5 degrees of the four (S, I, T, and N) macular sectors and lower limb motor unit number (r=0.50, p=0.041; r=0.64, p=0.005; r=0.64, p=0.006; and r=0.61, p=0.010, respectively) was observed in T1DM patients. No abnormalities of NCS were found in any subject. Conclusions. The motor unit loss on the one hand and neuroretinal dysfunction on the other hand are already present in T1DM patients without DPN. The relationship between neuroretinal dysfunction and motor unit decline supports the hypothesis that neuroretina may represent a potential “window” to track the early neurogenic damage in diabetes.
Cell-Free DNA and Neuromediators in Detecting Aggressive Variant Prostate Cancer
Authors: von Hardenberg Jost , Worst Thomas S. , Westhoff Niklas , Erben Philipp , Fuxius Stefan , Müller Markus , Bolenz Christian , Weiss Christel , Heinrich Elmar
Published: October 2018

Background: Aggressive variant transformation in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) represents an under-recognized phenomenon. There is an urgent need for non-invasive biomarkers to detect these variants and identify treatment alternatives. Methods: A prospective observational pilot study in mCRPC patients receiving treatment with cabazitaxel (CAB) was conducted. Neuromediators were sequentially evaluated and their impact on disease endpoints calculated. Targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) was also performed in a highly pretreated subset of patients. Results: 23 patients were included. Estimated effects indicate that neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels at baseline may be correlated with overall survival (NSE unit 18.3 ng/ml: HR1.262 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.985-1.616)) and that chromogranin A (CGA) may be correlated with progression-free survival (CGA unit 98.1 ng/ml: HR1.341 (95% CI 1.011-1.778)). cfDNA analysis revealed mutations annotated in prostate cancer (PCA) and small cell cancers (SCC). 1 patient showed elevated neuromediators along with annotated mutations in PCA and SCC, potentially indicating aggressive variant cancer. In 3 patients KIT mutations (e.g. pM541L, pV654A) known to be tissue-based biomarkers with level 1 evidence for the treatment with imatinib and sunitinib were found. Conclusions: Sequential analysis of neuromediators and targeted NGS of cfDNA provide insight for the estimation of tumor heterogeneity under therapy with CAB.
A Challenging Prenatal QF-PCR Rapid Aneuploidy Test Result Caused by a Maternally Inherited Triplication within Chromosome Xq26.2
Authors: Inkster Amy , Thomas Mary Ann , Gamache Nadine S. , Chan Michael , Stenroos Pernilla , Chernos Judy E. , Argiropoulos Bob
Published: October 2018

The aim of this study was to investigate the origin of the biallelic trisomic amplification pattern of the X chromosome microsatellite marker DXS1187 in an otherwise normal male fetus, identified on routine rapid aneuploidy detection (RAD) testing by quantitative fluorescent-polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR). Amniocentesis was performed on a 35-year-old female at 15 weeks, 2 days gestation for a positive first trimester screen. QF-PCR, metaphase FISH, and chromosomal microarray were carried out on both maternal and fetal DNA. Fetal QF-PCR showed a biallelic trisomic pattern for the X chromosome microsatellite marker DXS1187, with an otherwise normal male amplification pattern at all other sex chromosome markers. Chromosome analysis performed on cultured amniocytes showed a normal male karyotype. Chromosome microarray analysis identified a maternally inherited 304-kb copy number triplication within chromosome Xq26.2 encompassing the DXS1187 marker. The maternally inherited X chromosome harbors an apparently tandem 304-kb triplication that overlaps the DXS1187 marker. As the triplicated region is devoid of clinically relevant genes, it was considered as likely benign in the fetus. Postnatal follow-up reported a healthy male newborn. To our knowledge, this is a unique case demonstrating a “benign” copy number imbalance involving the DXS1187 marker detected by prenatal QF-PCR RAD.
Radial Endobronchial Ultrasound Greyscale Texture Analysis Using Whole-Lesion Analysis Can Characterise Benign and Malignant Lesions without Region-of-Interest Selection Bias
Authors: Badiei Arash , Nguyen Phan , Jersmann Hubertus , Wong Michelle
Published: October 2018

Background: Radial-probe endobronchial ultrasound (RP-EBUS) is predominantly used clinically for the localisation of peripheral pulmonary lesions prior to biopsy. However, the RP-EBUS image itself contains information that can characterise the aetiology of lesions. Objectives: The aim of this study was to show the utility of RP-EBUS image analysis using unconstrained regions of interest (ROIs) that utilise more image information and eliminate ROI selection bias. Methods: We developed custom software to analyse RP-EBUS images digitally captured during clinical procedures. Unconstrained ROIs were mapped onto lesions. We computed first-order greyscale image statistics of minimum, maximum, mean, standard deviation and range of pixel intensities, and entropy. We also computed second-order greyscale texture features of contrast, correlation, energy and homogeneity. The results of image analysis were compared to gold-standard tissue diagnosis. Features from expert- and non-expert-defined ROIs were also compared. Results: Eighty-five images were analysed (38 benign and 47 malignant). Five greyscale features were significantly different between benign and malignant lesions. Benign lesions had higher mean (p < 0.01) and maximal (p < 0.001) intensity, greater range (p < 0.001) of pixel intensities and greater entropy (p < 0.01). The highest positive predictive values were associated with maximal (87.8%) and range of pixel (83.8%) intensities. There were no significant differences between expert- and non-expert-defined ROIs. Conclusion: RP-EBUS image analysis using unconstrained ROIs eliminates ROI selection bias and can characterise benign and malignant lesions with an accuracy of up to 85%.
Partial 5p Deletion and Partial 5q Duplication in a Patient with Multiple Congenital Anomalies: A Two-Step Mechanism in Chromosomal Rearrangement Mediated by Non-Allelic Homologous Recombination
Authors: Ou Zhishuo Z. , Kochmar Sally , Yatsenko Svetlana A. , Woerner Audrey C. , Acquaro Roxanne , Ortiz Damara , Surti Urvashi , Hu Jie
Published: October 2018

We describe a 5-month-old female who presented with clinical features of 5p deletion syndrome, including high-pitched cry, microcephaly, micrognathia, bilateral preauricular tags, bifid uvula, abnormal palmar creases, bilateral hypoplastic nipples, feeding difficulties, and developmental delay. In addition, the patient also had a cardiac defect, proximal esophageal atresia, and distal tracheoesophageal fistula. aCGH of the patient revealed a 22.9-Mb deletion of chromosome 5p15.33p14.3 and an 8.28-Mb duplication of chromosome 5q12.1q13.2. Parental chromosome analysis indicated that these alterations are de novo. Chromosome and FISH analysis demonstrated that the 5q12.1q13.2 duplicated segment was attached to the 5p14.3 region with the band 5q12.1 more distal to the centromere than the band 5q13.2. Based on the bioinformatic analysis, we postulate a mechanism for the formation of this complex rearrangement of chromosome 5 by 2-step-wise events mediate by nonallelic homologous recombination between low copy repeats. To the best of our knowledge this rearrangement found in our patient has not been reported in the literature. This report demonstrates the value of chromosome analysis in conjunction with FISH and aCGH for identification of complex rearrangements which cannot be revealed by array analysis alone.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: From Chronic Fatigue to More Specific Syndromes
Authors: Blitshteyn Svetlana , Chopra Pradeep
Published: October 2018

In the last decade, a group of chronic disorders associated with fatigue (CDAF) emerged as the leading cause of chronic fatigue, chronic pain, and functional impairment, all of which have been often labeled in clinical practice as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or fibromyalgia. While these chronic disorders arise from various pathophysiologic mechanisms, a shared autoimmune or immune-mediated etiology could shift the focus from symptomatic treatment of fatigue and pain to targeted immunomodulatory and biological therapy. A clinical paradigm shift is necessary to reevaluate CFS and fibromyalgia diagnoses and its relationship to the CDAF entities, which would ultimately lead to a change in diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for patients with chronic fatigue and chronic pain. Rather than uniformly apply the diagnoses of CFS or fibromyalgia to any patient presenting with unexplained chronic fatigue or chronic pain, it may be more beneficial and therapeutically effective to stratify these patients into more specific diagnoses in the CDAF group.
Current Therapeutic Options for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Bisht Savita , Brossart Peter , Feldmann Georg
Published: October 2018

Pancreatic cancer remains the fourth most common cause of cancer-related mortality and is a major health threat. The majority of cases are diagnosed at advanced disease stages, limiting the chances of long-term survival. Several new therapeutic regimens have been introduced into routine clinical practice in recent years and a plethora of novel approaches is currently undergoing preclinical and early clinical evaluation. This review discusses the current standards of care for systemic therapy of pancreatic cancer and gives a brief outlook on ongoing clinical trials.
Is Early Complement Activation in Renal Transplantation Associated with Later Graft Outcome?
Authors: Bobka Steffen , Ebert Nadja , Koertvely Eloed , Jacobi Johannes , Wiesener Michael , Büttner-Herold Maike , Amann Kerstin , Daniel Christoph
Published: October 2018

Background/Aims: Complement activation is important in post-transplantation renal injury, but data on its role as predictor of transplant outcome/complications when assessed in donor kidneys are lacking. Methods: In human renal transplant biopsies with delayed graft function (DGF, n=12), antibody mediated rejection (ABMR, n=8), T-cell mediated rejection (TCMR, n=11), 1 year protocol biopsies (control, n=10) and corresponding zero-biopsies we performed immunohistochemical analyses of 6 complement factors using FFPE sections and correlated the findings with kidney function, as assessed by serum creatinine, and morphological changes including interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IF/TA). Results: In DGF, TCMR and ABMR significant complement deposition was observed, which was less pronounced in corresponding zero-biopsies. Zero-biopsies with subsequent ABMR showed glomerular complement factor D and C3c expression. Moreover, glomerular C3c and C9 and tubular MASP-2 and Collectin-11 expression in zero-biopsies significantly correlated with serum creatinine at diagnosis of DGF, TCMR or ABMR. Glomerular C1q was significantly increased in ABMR, but not in DGF and TCMR. In contrast, peritubular C1q was significantly enhanced in DGF and TCMR compared to zero-biopsies. Using C3d as a surrogate marker for complement activity we could confirm that stained complement factors are frequently associated with complement activity. Conclusion: Complement deposition strongly correlated with histopathological changes observed in renal transplants. All 3 complement pathways were operational in biopsies with DGF, TCMR and ABMR albeit with differential abundance and localization. Since complement deposition in zero-biopsies correlated with graft function and morphological changes, early specific complement inhibition in renal transplantation may be a new therapeutic option to prevent graft loss.
MicroRNA-29a Inhibits Growth, Migration and Invasion of Melanoma A375 Cells in Vitro by Directly Targeting BMI1
Authors: Xiong Ying , Liu Liqian , Qiu Ying , Liu Lili 
Published: October 2018

Background/Aims: Melanoma is one of the most aggressive malignant tumors, with increasing incidence, poor prognosis, and lack of any effective targeted therapies. Abnormal expression of miR-29a has been found in several types of cancers, including melanoma. In this study, experiments were performed to investigate the role of miR-29a in melanoma, and the molecular mechanism by which miR-29a represses melanoma. Methods: miR-29 and Bmi1 expression was examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The cell viability, apoptosis, migration and invasion were respectively determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, Propidium iodide (PI) fluorescein isothiocynate (FITC)-Annexin V staining assay, wound healing assay and transwell assay. Luciferase reporter assay was performed to determine a target gene of miR-29a. Western blot was used to analyze protein expression of apoptosis-related proteins, Bmi1, Wnt/β-catenin and Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway target genes. Results: miR-29a was down-regulated in all tested melanoma cell lines. Up-regulation of miR-29a effectively inhibited cell viability, migration, and invasion, but promoted apoptosis in A375 cells. Bmi1 was a direct target gene of miR-29a. Transfection with miR-29a mimic decreased cell migration and invasion and Bmi1 expression in Malme-3M cells, SK-MEL-2, SK-MEL-5, and M14 cell lines. Moreover, miR-29a might suppress growth, migration and invasion of A375 cells by negatively regulating Bmi1. In addition, our results demonstrated that transfection with miR-29a mimic effectively blocked Wnt/β-catenin and NF-κB pathways via down-regulating Bmi1. Conclusion: miR-29a could be functioned as a potential tumor suppressor through direct regulation of Bmi1 in melanoma cells.
Tectonic Proteins Are Important Players in Non-Motile Ciliopathies
Authors: Gong Siyi , Ji Feng , Wang Bin , Zhang Yingying , Xu Xingshun , Sun Miao 
Published: October 2018

Primary cilium is a ubiquitous, tiny organelle on the apex of the mammalian cells. Non-motile (primary) ciliopathies are diseases caused by the dysfunction of the primary cilium and they are characterized by diverse clinical and genetic heterogeneity. To date, nearly 200 genes have been shown to be associated with primary ciliopathies. Among them, tectonic genes are the important causative genes of ciliopathies. Tectonic proteins including TCTN1, TCTN2, and TCTN3 are important component proteins residing at the transition zone of cilia. Indeed, many ciliopathies have been reported to involve tectonics mutations, highlighting a pivotal role for tectonic proteins in ciliary functions. However, the specific functions of tectonic proteins remain largely enigmatic. Herein, we discuss the recent advances on the localization and structure of tectonic proteins and the functions of tectonic proteins. The increasing line of evidences demonstrates that tectonic proteins are required for ciliogenesis and regulate ciliary membrane composition. More importantly, Tectonic proteins play a vital role in the regulation of the Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) pathway; Tectonic deficient mice show the Shh pathway-related developmental defects. Tectonic proteins share similar functions including neural patterning and Gli3 processing but also each has a unique and indispensable role in the ciliogenesis and signaling pathways. At the same time, the mutations of tectonic genes are the causes of a serial of primary ciliopathies including Meckel-Gruber syndrome, Oral-facial-digital syndrome, and Joubert syndrome. Therefore, full understanding of functions of tectonic proteins will help to crack ciliopathies and improve life quality of patients by future gene therapy.
Is Peritoneal Dialysis a Suitable Renal Replacement Therapy Option for Polycystic Kidney Disease Patients?
Authors: Zhang Tao , Dou Yitian , Wang Xuejun , Li Jing , Cao Shili
Published: October 2018

Background/Aims: Mounting clinical experience and evidence from scale observational studies have suggested that polycystic kidney disease (PKD) was not a contraindication for peritoneal dialysis (PD). Recent studies have reported that PD may be associated with a better prognosis in PKD than that of non-PKD patients. To solve the problem, we performed a systematic review and comprehensive meta-analysis to compare the outcomes between PKD and non-PKD patients on PD and the all-cause mortality between patients with PKD on PD and hemodialysis (HD). Methods: We conducted a systematic literature using electronic databases (PubMed, Ovid, Embase and Web of Science) to identify the studies reporting the endpoint events of PKD/non-PKD patients with PD and the all-cause mortality between patients with PKD on PD and HD, such as dialysis adequacy, technique failure, PD-related complications, the mode of RRT change, and all-cause mortality. We searched the literature published February 2018 or earlier. We used both fix-effects and random-effects models to calculate the overall effect estimate. A sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis were performed to find the origin of heterogeneity. Results: 12 studies with a total of 17,040 patients reported the endpoint events of PKD/non-PKD patients with PD. No significant difference was observed on dialysis adequacy (Kt/V, SMD: -0.02, 95%CI: -0.12–0.08; D: Pcr (4h), SMD: -0.10, 95% CI: -0.26–0.06), technique failure (RR: 0.97, 95%CI: 0.78-1.20), RRT change (RR: 0.96, 95%CI: 0.77-1.19), total PD-associated complications (RR: 1.0, 95%CI: 0.91-1.09) and all-cause mortality (RR: 0.40, 95%CI: 0.33–0.47) in PKD patients, compared with non-PKD subjects undergoing PD. However, the proportion of renal transplantation in PKD patients was higher than that of non-PKD patients (RR: 2.04, 95%CI: 1.88–2.20) with significant heterogeneity (I2 =82.7%, P=0.000). 4 studies with a total of 5,762 patients reported that the all-cause mortality did not differ between the PKD patients on PD and HD (RR: 0.87, 95%CI: 0.72-1.06). Conclusion: Our meta-analysis found that the outcomes of given population of PKD patients on PD were at least not inferior as compared to those with other primary kidney diseases, and suggested that PKD might be not absolutely a contraindication for PD. Given the limitations of the proposed, it needs further large-scale studies to assess whether PD is a suitable RRT option for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with PKD.
Detecting Clouds Associated with Jet Engine Ice Crystal Icing
Authors: Haggerty Julie , Defer Eric , De Laat Adrianus , Bedka Kristopher , Moisselin Jean-Marc , Potts Rodney , Delanoë Julien , Parol Frédéric , Grandin Alice , Divito Stephanie
Published: October 2018

In the past two decades, more than 150 jet engine power-loss and damage events have been attributed to a phenomenon known as ice crystal icing (ICI). Ingestion of large numbers of ice particles into the engine core are thought to be responsible for these events, which typically occur at high altitudes near large convective systems in tropical air masses. In recent years, scientists, engineers, aviation regulators, and airlines from around the world have collaborated to better understand the relevant meteorological processes associated with ICI events, solve critical engineering problems, develop new certification standards, and devise mitigation strategies for the aviation industry. One area of research is the development of nowcasting techniques based on available remote sensing technology and numerical weather prediction (NWP) models to identify areas of high ice water content (IWC) and enable the provision of alerts to the aviation industry. Multiple techniques have been developed using geostationary and polar-orbiting satellite products, NWP model fields, and ground-based radar data as the basis for high-IWC products. Targeted field experiments in tropical regions with high incidence of ICI events have provided data for product validation and refinement of these methods. Beginning in 2015, research teams have assembled at a series of annual workshops to exchange ideas and standardize methods for evaluating performance of high-IWC detection products. This paper provides an overview of the approaches used and the current skill for identifying high-IWC conditions. Recommendations for future work in this area are also presented.
The Societalization of Social Problems: Church Pedophilia, Phone Hacking, and the Financial Crisis
Authors: Alexander Jeffrey C.
Published: October 2018

This article develops a theory of “societalization,” demonstrating its plausibility through empirical analyses of church pedophilia, media phone-hacking, and the financial crisis. Although these strains were endemic for decades, they had failed to generate broad crises. Reactions were confined inside institutional boundaries and handled by intra-institutional elites according to the cultural logics of their particular spheres. The theory proposes that boundaries between spheres can be breached only if there is code switching. When strains become subject to the cultural logics of the civil sphere, widespread anguish emerges about social justice and concern for the future of democratic society. Once admired institutional elites come to be depicted as perpetrators, and the civil sphere becomes intrusive legally and organizationally, leading to repairs that aim for civil purification. Institutional elites soon engage in backlash efforts to resist reform, and a war of the spheres ensues. After developing this macro-institutional model, I conceptualize civil sphere agents, the journalists and legal investigators upon whose successful performances the actual unfolding of societalization depends. I also explore “limit conditions,” the structures that block societalization. I conclude by examining societalization, not in society but in social theory, contrasting the model with social constructionism, on the one hand, and broad traditions of macro-sociological theory, on the other.
Australia’s ‘Better Access’ scheme: Has it had an impact on population mental health?
Authors: Jorm Anthony F
Published: October 2018

Background:

Australia introduced the Better Access scheme in late 2006, which resulted in a large increase in the provision of mental health services by general practitioners (GPs), clinical psychologists, other psychologists and allied health professionals. It is unknown whether this increase in services has had an effect on the mental health of the population.

Methods:

The following data were examined: per capita use of mental health services provided by GPs, clinical psychologists, other psychologists, allied health professionals and psychiatrists from 2006 to 2015 according to the Australian Government Department of Human Services; prevalence of psychological distress in adults (as measured by the K10) from National Health Surveys in 2001, 2004–2005, 2007–2008, 2011–2012 and 2014–2015; and the annual suicide rate from 2001 to 2015 according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Results:

The large increase in the use of mental health services after the introduction of the Better Access scheme had no detectable effect on the prevalence of very high psychological distress or the suicide rate.

Conclusion:

Better Access has not had a detectable effect on the mental health of the Australian population.
Temporalities of class in Nepalese labour migration to South Korea
Authors: Seo Seonyoung
Published: October 2018

This article explores the ways in which Nepali migrants perceive, experience and rework their downward class mobilities within the processes of labour migration to South Korea (hereafter Korea). It focuses on the temporal dimension of the migration process in relation to the Korean labour migration regime in terms of three aspects: the temporariness of sojourn, temporal disjunctures and adaptations in workplaces, and temporal resynchronisation in transnational spaces. First, the article argues that the temporariness of their sojourn under the Employment Permit System (EPS) is perceived by migrants as a ‘liminal time’ or a ‘time-out’ from the life course, serving to make the precariousness of life and work bearable. Second, illustrating the subjective experiences of Nepali migrants as underclass workers in unfamiliar workplaces, the article argues that they experience their working-class positions through temporal disjunctures between time in Nepal and Korea, and heteronomous time as discipline under the EPS. Lastly, it is shown that their downward class identities are reworked by dividing working time and social time, with a further temporal resynchronisation between migrants and their homeland. The conceptual and empirical insights offered by this study aim to contribute to the discussions of temporalities of migration and class analysis of people on the move.
Increased Frontal Lobe Volume as a Neural Correlate of Gray-Collar Offending
Authors: Ling Shichun , Raine Adrian , Yang Yaling , Schug Robert A. , Portnoy Jill , Ho Moon-Ho Ringo
Published: October 2018

Objectives:

A process model of white-collar crime postulates that the etiology of this form of crime is incomplete without consideration of individual differences in neurobiology. Based on prior research, this study tests the primary hypothesis that “gray-collar crime” (GCC; offending on the margin of more serious white-collar crimes) would be associated with increased frontal lobe volume. Secondary analyses explored which frontal subregions, if any, would be associated with gray-collar offending.

Method:

Gray-collar offending and blue-collar criminal offending were assessed in 129 community males. Total frontal lobe, anterior cingulate, superior frontal, middle frontal, inferior frontal, and orbitofrontal volumes were assessed using magnetic resonance imaging.

Results:

Increased frontal volume was associated with increased gray-collar offending. Frontal volume remained significant after controlling for ethnicity, age, intelligence, whole brain volume, and blue-collar crime covariates, explaining 4.6 percent of the variance in GCC. Within the frontal lobe, findings were localized to superior frontal and anterior cingulate cortex, both before and after controlling for covariates.

Conclusions:

Findings provide preliminary evidence of increased frontal volume as a neural correlate of gray-collar offending and support a process model which hypothesizes that frontal lobe volume may provide some individuals with an advantage in perpetrating criminal offenses in occupational and avocational settings.
Exploring Contradictions in an EFL Teacher Professional Learning Community
Authors: Yan Yi , Yang Luxin
Published: October 2018

Guided by activity theory, this study examines the major contradictions in an English as a foreign language (EFL) teacher professional learning community (PLC) established in China through a university–district–school partnership. Multiple sources of data were collected, including interviews, observations, and documents. Data analyses revealed four levels of contradictions: the primary contradiction between the university researcher and school teachers, the secondary contradiction between imparting theory and teacher learning, the tertiary contradiction between existing practice and new design, and the quaternary contradiction between practical engagement and academic research. The community members took a series of strategic actions, including questioning and observation, analysis and proposal, examination and implementation, and reflection and resolution. The study may offer insights about nurturing language teacher PLCs and overcoming contradictions in similar joint activities.
Canadian religious trends: Secularization, polarization, or free-rider exclusion?
Authors: Dilmaghani Maryam
Published: October 2018

Religiously unaffiliated Canadians have been persistently more likely to reside in the western provinces. In parallel, the degree of religiosity of the affiliates has been generally higher in the low affiliation provinces of the west. This pattern has led some scholars to characterize Canada as religiously polarized. However, in the literature, a quantitative measure of polarization is lacking. Moreover, religious polarization, a rather vividly debated characterization, is not by itself an explanation for the patterns. The present article, using the Canadian General Social Surveys of 1985 to 2011, contributes to the debate in three ways. First, this article establishes the robustness of the geographic discrepancies in unaffiliation rates and the degree of religiosity in Canada. Second, this study proposes and computes a quantitative measure of polarization. Finally the article explores the role of free-rider exclusion as an explanation for the patterns.
How Accurate Are Self-reports of Voluntary Association Memberships?
Authors: Rap Robyn , Paxton Pamela
Published: October 2018

Questions on voluntary association memberships have been used extensively in social scientific research for decades. Researchers generally assume that these respondent self-reports are accurate, but their measurement has never been assessed. Respondent characteristics are known to influence the accuracy of other self-report variables such as self-reported health, voting, or test scores. In this article, we investigate whether measurement error occurs in self-reports of voluntary association memberships. We use the 2004 General Social Survey (GSS) questions on voluntary associations, which include a novel resource: the actual organization names listed by respondents. We find that this widely used voluntary association classification scheme contains significant amounts of measurement error overall, especially within certain categories. Using a multilevel logistic regression, we predict accuracy of response nested within respondents and interviewers. We find that certain respondent characteristics, including some used in research on voluntary associations, influence respondent accuracy. Inaccurate and/or incorrect measurement will affect the statistics and conclusions drawn from the data on voluntary associations.
A multiple motives theory of church and missionary relationships
Authors: Nehrbass Kenneth , Dunaetz David
Published: October 2018

This grounded theory study examines the motives for relationships between local churches and missionaries: What motivates churches to enter into a relationship with a missionary, to continue this relationship, and to end it? Similarly, what motivates missionaries to begin, continue, or end relationships with a local church? We used purposive stratified sampling to select 17 missionaries and church mission leaders to interview for this study. We performed semi-structured interviews with both groups to discover their understanding of why they form, maintain, and dissolve relationships with each other. Multiple motives influenced all participants. These motives can be broadly categorized as either relationship-focused motives or task-focused motives. Furthermore, the task-focused motives can either be centered on specific goals shared by churches and missionaries (e.g., starting a reproducing church among a specific people group) or on specific processes (e.g., evangelizing or feeding the poor). Although all participants had multiple motives, each participant emphasized some motives over others. The motives present in each party influence many aspects of their relationship, including their communication, financial involvement, and the purpose of the church’s short-term mission trips to the missionary’s setting. In contrast to social exchange theory which provides a framework to understand conditions under which a relationship will be maintained or ended, the multiple motive theory of church and missionary relationships goes further; it describes specific motives that exist which influence whether a relationship begins, continues, or ends.
Perceived Overqualification at Work: Implications for Extra-Role Behaviors and Advice Network Centrality
Authors: Erdogan Berrin , Karaeminogullari Aysegul , Bauer Talya N. , Ellis Allison M.
Published: October 2018

In this study, we hypothesized that perceived overqualification would interact with person-organization fit (P-O fit) to predict extra-role behaviors toward coworkers (organizational citizenship behaviors targeting others [OCBI] and voice) and indirectly relate to advice network centrality. We collected data from 332 municipality services employees reporting to 41 supervisors in Istanbul, Turkey, across three timepoints and from three different sources. Tests of our model provided partial support for our predictions. Results revealed that perceived overqualification had negative main effects on OCBI and interacted with P-O fit to affect voice. Further, P-O fit moderated the indirect effects of perceived overqualification on advice network centrality such that there were significant negative indirect effects via OCBI only when P-O fit is low. Implications for the overqualification, perceptions of fit, and social network literatures are discussed.
Review: Claudio Celis Bueno, The Attention Economy: Labour, Time and Power in Cognitive Capitalism
Authors: Turner Ben
Published: October 2018

How should we conceptualise the turn to attention as a means of producing surplus value? Claudio Celis Bueno answers this question through a consideration of the attention economy in the context of a rethinking of Marxist political economy. Bueno accounts for the development of the economisation of attention through the concepts of value, labour and time, but also investigates how the shift to attention requires us to rethink the basis of these terms. Using the attention economy as an example, he develops a method of immanent critique which rejects a-historical understandings of labour, in order to show how the core concepts of Marxist political economy transform across different economic systems. Despite the clarity of this argument, Bueno opens an interesting but unanswered question as to how one transitions from this insight to a positive political project that may not be compatible with immanent critique.
Surgical management of coincidental metastases to upper cervical spine and skull from hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report
Authors: Uei Hiroshi , Tokuhashi Yasuaki , Maseda Masafumi , Nakahashi Masahiro , Sawada Hirokatsu , Matsumoto Koji , Miyakata Yukihiro , Soma Hirotoki
Published: October 2018

Metastases to the skull or upper cervical spine from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are very rare. We herein report a unique case of two-site surgery for both skull and upper cervical spine metastases from HCC. The patient was a 64-year-old man with cervical pain. Computed tomography (CT) revealed osteolytic change related to metastatic cervical spine and occipital bone tumors. Two-stage surgery involving posterior occipitocervical fusion and occipital bone tumor resection was performed. The patient’s pain decreased in severity, and postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy could be conducted. The postoperative course was favorable, and the patient exhibited improvement in his activities of daily living. Neither cervical spine X-ray examination nor CT showed any instrumentation failure, such as screw loosening, before the patient died of liver failure 13 months after surgery. Patients with both skull and upper cervical spine metastases from liver cancer may have a markedly unfavorable prognosis. Even in these patients, however, surgery as an aggressive palliative treatment may prolong the survival period or maintain the quality of life as long as the patient’s general condition permits.
Treatment fidelity in Model of Human Occupation research
Authors: Bowyer Patricia , Tkach Melanie Morriss
Published: October 2018

Introduction

Treatment fidelity is an important consideration in occupational therapy efficacy research. It involves methodological strategies that enhance quantitative rigor and improves confidence in research outcomes. This study examines treatment fidelity in Model of Human Occupation efficacy literature because it is a widely used, occupation-focused theory with a substantial evidence base.

Method

Relevant articles ( n = 17) were coded for treatment fidelity with the Treatment Fidelity Measure. Percentages of articles reporting treatment fidelity strategies and mean adherence to fidelity strategies were calculated. One-way analysis of variance was used to examine fidelity over time.

Results

Only one study reported provider training strategies and measured nonspecific treatment effects. Overall mean adherence to treatment fidelity strategies for Model of Human Occupation research was 0.57; one study demonstrated high fidelity with a score of ≥0.80. Model of Human Occupation efficacy literature trends toward higher levels of treatment fidelity over time.

Conclusion

Model of Human Occupation research demonstrates a moderate level of treatment fidelity overall; it has stronger treatment fidelity from 2001 to the present. As the model progresses toward more outcomes studies, Model of Human Occupation scholars should report provider training and strategies that monitor treatment delivery to improve the quality and applicability of research outcomes.
Effect of Mixing Time and Temperature on the Homogeneity of Asphalt Mixtures Containing Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement Material
Authors: Wu Jiantao , Liu Quan , Wang Yu , Chen Jun , Wang Dawei , Xie Linlin , Ago Cadnel
Published: October 2018

Laboratory-produced reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) material, new aggregate, and tinted new binder were mixed (RAP proportion: 40%) with 12 different combinations of mixing temperatures and times, based on which circular specimens of various thicknesses were fabricated and then subjected to multi-direction indirect tensile stiffness modulus (ITSM) testing and color image analysis. Statistical calculations including average value, coefficient of variation, standard deviation, and range were carried out to investigate the effects of different mixing conditions on the homogeneity of asphalt mixtures containing RAP. The results show that the deterioration of homogeneity of asphalt mixtures containing RAP was mainly caused by the asynchronous breaking of clusters. The mixing temperature was decisive in determining the resistance of clusters to breaking, and for mixing conditions chosen in this study, the resistance increases with the increase of mixing temperature. Short mixing time might lead to a phenomenon of “momentary homogeneity,” in which clusters were not broken and the blending degree between aged and new binder was low.