bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supervised exercise therapy and revascularization: Single-center experience of intermittent claudication management
Authors: Bouwens Elke , Klaphake Sanne , Weststrate Karin J , Teijink Joep AW , Verhagen Hence JM , Hoeks Sanne E , Rouwet Ellen V
Published: February 2019

Guidelines recommend supervised exercise therapy (SET) as first-line treatment for intermittent claudication. However, the use of revascularization is widespread. We addressed the effectiveness of preventing (additional) invasive revascularization after primary SET or revascularization based on lesion and patient characteristics. In this single-center, retrospective, cohort study, 474 patients with intermittent claudication were included. Patients with occlusive disease of the aortoiliac tract and/or common femoral artery (inflow) were primarily considered for revascularization, while patients with more distal disease (outflow) were primarily considered for SET. In total, 232 patients were referred for SET and 242 patients received revascularization. The primary outcome was freedom from (additional) intervention, analyzed by Kaplan–Meier estimates. Secondary outcomes were survival, critical ischemia, freedom from target lesion revascularization (TLR), and an increase in maximum walking distance. In the SET-first strategy, 71% of patients had significant outflow lesions. Freedom from intervention was 0.90 ± 0.02 at 1-year and 0.82 ± 0.03 at 2-year follow-up. In the primary revascularization group, 90% of patients had inflow lesions. Freedom from additional intervention was 0.78 ± 0.03 at 1-year and only 0.65 ± 0.04 at 2-year follow-up, despite freedom from TLR of 0.91 ± 0.02 and 0.85 ± 0.03 at 1- and 2-year follow-up, respectively. In conclusion, SET was effective in preventing invasive treatment for patients with mainly outflow lesions. In contrast, secondary intervention rates following our strategy of primary revascularization for inflow lesions were unexpectedly high. These findings further support the guideline recommendations of SET as first-line treatment for all patients with intermittent claudication irrespective of level of disease.
Northern Pame-Spanish language acquisition in the context of incipient language loss
Authors: Pye Clifton , Berthiaume Scott , Pfeiler Barbara
Published: February 2019

Aims and Objectives/Purpose/Research Questions:

Northern Pame (autonym: Xi’iuy) is an Otopamean language situated in the Mexican state of San Luís Potosí. Today over 90% of the Pame population speaks Spanish, and two-year-old children only speak Northern Pame in two Northern Pame villages. The paper explores differences in two-year-old Pame children’s production of words in Northern Pame and Spanish in order to assess the possibility that developmental constraints and/or language shift influence the form and distribution of the children’s words in the two languages.

Design/Methodology/Approach:

The study is based on video recordings of five Northern Pame children around the age of 2;0. The adult speakers included one father and four mothers. Four hours of production data were analyzed from each of the five children.

Data and Analysis:

We analyzed the following: (1) the proportion of major lexical categories; (2) the use of the Spanish copula ser in Pame; (3) the mean segmental length of words in Pame and Spanish; and (4) the syllable structure of words in Pame and Spanish.

Findings/Conclusions:

The overall results demonstrate that the children’s Pame and Spanish words have distinct linguistic properties.

Originality:

The study is the first to report acquisition data for the Northern Pame language. Northern Pame differs from Spanish on a wide range of lexical and grammatical features. The analysis includes four lexical features. The outcomes for these four features produce a multi-dimensional measure of language differentiation.

Significance/Implications:

The study shows that Northern Pame parents are successfully passing their home language to their children despite pressure from the contact language. The children acquired the features of Pame words even though some mothers produced over 40% of their nouns in Spanish. The Spanish vocabulary does not inhibit the children’s developing Pame lexical structures.
Picturing luxury, producing value: The cultural labour of social media brand influencers in South Africa
Authors: Iqani Mehita
Published: February 2019

This article explores the cultural labour of social media influencers who market luxury brands on their Instagram profiles. Through an analysis of brand-relevant material posted by six social media ‘influencers’, this article provides insight into the aesthetic of their cultural labour. As context, a brief summary of literature on the concept of brand ambassadorship is offered alongside a discussion of critical scholarship that defines the work of social media influencers as a form of brand value creation. The article argues that there are three types of value creation evident in visuals created by the influencers: as attempts at celebritization, in telling the story of the brand, and as role of models of aspirational consumer-citizenship. It is argued that the visual work undertaken online by social media influencers contributes in significant ways to the production of the value of global brands, and that this should be contextualized within the unique socio-economic aspirations of consumers based in the global south.
The foreign and the familiar: Reading the China bag in South Africa
Authors: Huang Mingwei
Published: February 2019

This article explores the China bag, the iconic red-white-blue plaid bag, as a global commodity, material object, and art object in the context of racialized xenophobia in South Africa. With multiple meanings, the bag is simultaneously familiar and foreign, ubiquitous in its circulation and associated with migration. I consider the ways it is imbued with xenophobic sentiment and its agential capacity for marking racialized bodies as foreign. Through close readings of artworks by Nobukho Nqaba, Dan Halter, and Ronald Muchatuta, I show how artists deploy the China bag to critique xenophobia, and in so doing, make visible its agency.
The digital gift and aspirational mobility
Authors: Witteborn Saskia
Published: February 2019

This article discusses aspirational mobility and the digital gift in the context of forced migration in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It illustrates how gifting a mobile device and data enhances the aspirational mobility of forced migrants and intervenes into political codes, which promote social and technological isolation. Through the example of fieldwork with forced migrants and social media analysis, the article shows how participation, self-presentation, and social control were encouraged through the object and data gift. The migrants amplified their aspirational mobility by participating in urban life, presenting themselves in digital space, and maintaining romantic sociality with members of other marginalized migrant groups. The article elaborates on previous notions of technology as expanding social worlds for forced migrants while also highlighting the potential of technology for social control between migrant groups. The article also points to the potential dangers of social media use by asylum seekers for refugee status determination.
Precarity and Solidarity at Neoliberalism’s Twilight: The Potentials of Transnational Production Autoethnography
Authors: Dolber Brian
Published: February 2019

This essay uses autoethnography to illuminate the shifting conditions of global creative and academic labor. By reflecting on my experiences during a 2014 research trip to Manila, the Philippines, I, as a U.S. scholar, consider the different experiences of precarity in transnational cultural production, as academic and creative labor are both shaped by neoliberal structural forces. Through production autoethnography, I argue we may build forms of solidarity between cultural studies scholars and creative workers. Attending to the broader political changes that have occurred over the last several years, I conclude that as neoliberalism has lost its hegemonic authority, cultural producers, including cultural studies scholars, have the opportunity to help forge something better.
Feasibility and Potential Benefits of an Exercise Intervention in a Male With Down Syndrome Undergoing High-Dose Chemotherapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Case Report
Authors: Bühl Linda , Abel Thomas , Wolf Florian , Oberste Max , Bloch Wilhelm , Hallek Michael , Elter Thomas , Zimmer Philipp
Published: February 2019

In patients with hematological malignancies, exercise is studied as a supportive measure with potential benefits on therapy and disease-related side effects. However, clinical trials have not yet integrated people with Down syndrome (DS), although this disability is associated with an increased risk for hematological malignancies. Therefore, we examined safety and feasibility of a mixed-modality exercise intervention in a male with DS undergoing high-dose chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Furthermore, physical capacity and fatigue were assessed. Exercise sessions took place 3 times/wk over a 5-week period. Adherence to the exercise program was 100%, and no serious adverse events occurred. In contrast to the training sessions, applied endurance testing was not feasible. Furthermore, maintenance of fatigue level was observed. In conclusion, cancer patients with DS suffering from leukemia should not be excluded from physical activity or exercise programs.
A probabilistic consequence estimation model for collision accidents in the downstream of Yangtze River using Bayesian Networks
Authors: Wu Bing , Tian Huibin , Yan Xinping , Guedes Soares C.
Published: February 2019

Collision is a major type of accident in maritime transportation, which in the downstream of Yangtze River is even more pronounced due to specific features that have significant impact on the collision consequence, including a special lane for small-sized ships, traffic intensity variation with the tide period, many restricted areas, and emergency resources spread along the river. This article models the collision consequences in the downstream of Yangtze River using Bayesian Networks, considering the causation factors and including a novel approach for the emergency management of maritime accidents. The graphical structure lies on domain experts and on previous works, while the conditional probability tables are developed from historical data. Both the graphical structure and parameters are validated using the well-known methods, which reflects that the developed model is reasonable. The merits of the proposed consequence estimation model that considers emergency management includes (1) a detailed description of the collision accident development and (2) consequence estimation result with good accuracy.
IL-12/IL-23p40 identified as a downstream target of apremilast in ex vivo models of arthritis
Authors: Kragstrup Tue W. , Adams Mary , Lomholt Søren , Nielsen Morten A. , Heftdal Line D. , Schafer Peter , Deleuran Bent
Published: February 2019

Background:

Apremilast (Otezla®) is a phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor approved for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), but the reason why apremilast shows clinical effect is not fully understood. The objective of this study was to study the downstream effects of apremilast on cells of inflamed joints in immune-mediated inflammatory arthritis.

Methods:

Synovial fluid was obtained from patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA), PsA or peripheral spondyloarthritis (SpA; n = 18). The in vitro models consisted of synovial fluid mononuclear cells (SFMCs) or fibroblast-like synovial cells (FLSs) cultured for 48 h, SFMCs cultured for 21 days, an osteoclast pit formation assay, and a mineralization assay.

Results:

In SFMCs cultured for 48 h, apremilast decreased the production of interleukin (IL)-12/IL-23p40 (the shared subunit of IL-12 and IL-23), colony-stimulating factor 1, CD6, and CD40 and increased the production of C-X-C motif chemokine 5 dose-dependently. Apremilast had a very different response signature compared with the tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitor adalimumab with a substantially greater inhibition of IL-12/IL-23p40. In SFMCs cultured for 21 days, apremilast increased the secretion of IL-10. In FLS cultures, apremilast decreased matrix metalloproteinase-3 production. Apremilast decreased osteoclastogenesis but did not affect mineralization by human osteoblasts.

Conclusion:

This study reveals the downstream effects of apremilast in ex vivo models of arthritis with a strong inhibition of IL-12/IL-23p40 by SFMCs. Our findings could explain some of the efficacy of apremilast seen in IL-12/IL-23-driven immune-mediated inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis and PsA.
Online Ratings and Reviews of American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgeons
Authors: Velasco Brian T. , Chien Bonnie , Kwon John Y. , Miller Christopher P.
Published: February 2019

Background. Utilization of physician rating websites continues to expand. There is limited information on how these websites function and influence patient perception and physicians’ practices. No study to our knowledge has investigated online ratings and comments of orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons. We identified factors impacting online ratings and comments for this subset of surgeons. Methods. 210 orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons were selected from the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) website. Demographic information, ratings, and comments were reviewed on the 3 most visited public domain physician ratings websites: HealthGrades.com , Vitals.com, and Ratemds.com. Content differences between positive and negative comments were evaluated. Results. The mean review rating of 4.03 ± 0.57 out of 5 stars. 84% of the total number of ratings were either 1 star (17%) or 5 stars (67%). Most positive comments related to outcome, physician personality, and communication, whereas most negative comments related to outcome, bedside manner, and waiting time. χ2 Analyses revealed statistically significant proportions of positive comments pertaining to surgeon-dependent factors (eg, physician personality, knowledge, skills) and negative comments concerning surgeon-independent factors (eg, waiting time, logistics). Conclusion. This study examined online ratings and written comments of orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons. Surgeons had a generally favorable rating and were likely to have positive comments. Patients were likely to write positive comments about surgeon personality and communication, and negative comments pertaining to bedside manner and waiting time. Knowledge and management of online content may allow surgeons to improve patient satisfaction and online ratings.

Level of Evidence: Level IV
Who Learns in Information Rich Contexts? The Informative Effects of the 2015 Spanish Electoral Campaign
Authors: Ferrín Monica , Fraile Marta , García-Albacete Gema M.
Published: February 2019

This article analyzes the informative effects of an election campaign in a scenario where new political information entered the competition, given the emergence of two new parties. Using an exhaustive measure of political learning, and thanks to the use of panel data, it shows that at least some of the otherwise “inattentive citizens” were able to learn about politics during the Spanish general election campaign in December 2015. This group predominantly comprised women, the poorly educated, and especially those with low motivation. From all the media outlets analyzed here, we conclude that it was the information disseminated on TV infotainment that was most successful in promoting learning. Significantly, TV infotainment contributed the most to learning facts about the new political parties entering the electoral competition.
The response of precast concrete segmental columns subjected to near base impact
Authors: Zhang Xihong , Hao Hong
Published: February 2019

Precast concrete segmental column has attracted many attentions for the past decades due to its unique features especially in improving the construction quality and efficiency. However, the performance of precast segmental column under lateral impact loading has been less studied. Our previous studies performed laboratory pendulum impact tests on scaled segmental columns to investigate their behaviours when impacted at mid-span of the column. This article studies the response of segmental column when impacted near the column base, which generates different response modes and failure mechanisms compared to the columns subjected to the mid-span impact. Lateral impacts are applied either to segmental joint between the two bottom segments or directly onto the centre of the base concrete segment. A detailed three-dimensional numerical model is created and validated with laboratory impact testing results on scaled segmental columns. A full-scale 3-m tall segmental column is then numerically built to study the behaviour under near base impact. The column damage and failure modes are analysed. The influences of prestress level in the post-tensioning tendon and concrete strength on the performance of segmental column subjected to near base impacts are investigated through numerical simulations.
Mathematical and computational models for bone tissue engineering in bioreactor systems
Authors: Burova Iva , Wall Ivan , Shipley Rebecca J
Published: February 2019

Research into cellular engineered bone grafts offers a promising solution to problems associated with the currently used auto- and allografts. Bioreactor systems can facilitate the development of functional cellular bone grafts by augmenting mass transport through media convection and shear flow-induced mechanical stimulation. Developing successful and reproducible protocols for growing bone tissue in vitro is dependent on tuning the bioreactor operating conditions to the specific cell type and graft design. This process, largely reliant on a trial-and-error approach, is challenging, time-consuming and expensive. Modelling can streamline the process by providing further insight into the effect of the bioreactor environment on the cell culture, and by identifying a beneficial range of operational settings to stimulate tissue production. Models can explore the impact of changing flow speeds, scaffold properties, and nutrient and growth factor concentrations. Aiming to act as an introductory reference for bone tissue engineers looking to direct their experimental work, this article presents a comprehensive framework of mathematical models on various aspects of bioreactor bone cultures and overviews modelling case studies from literature.
Selfies in the wild: Studying selfie photography as a local practice
Authors: Weilenmann Alexandra , Hillman Thomas
Published: February 2019

Previous research on selfies has primarily focused on selfies as media products rather than as an activity. In this paper, we examine selfies as a situated practice, connecting the social media phenomenon to the local spaces where it is performed. Based on ethnographic studies of selfie photography, we present and discuss three aspects of selfies in the wild. First, we consider selfies as part of a larger photographic context and show how they are often taken in series with other genres of images. Second, we expand upon the notion of selfies as conversation and show how selfie photographers exchange messages with remote friends and followers while attending to the local environment. Third, we discuss socializing around selfies, examining how copresent friends socialize around the production of selfies. These findings show the importance of considering selfies beyond the online context, and highlight the many ways that selfies are interweaved with our everyday activities.
Demystifying Public Health Policy Through Service-Learning Pedagogy
Authors: Gakh Maxim
Published: February 2019

Policy shapes the health of communities by enabling and limiting public health practice. Major organizations that focus on public health systems, education, and training stress the importance of policy to population health. They also recognize that practitioners should learn, practice, and be able to deploy policy skills. However, despite the recognized role of policy in public health, some public health practitioners remain uncomfortable with policy. And although teaching policy in public health programs appears on the rise, public health policy pedagogy literature is limited and tends to define policy narrowly. Service learning, which is used to teach other skills critical for public health, exhibits great promise as a tool to teach public health policy. This article describes an interdisciplinary, graduate-level public health policy course that relies on a service-learning approach. The course aims to teach public health policy principles, theories, and concepts and to make students more comfortable with public health policy through applied learning.
Randomized Trial Based on the Common-Sense Model of Self-regulation to Increase Child Dental Visits
Authors: Nelson S. , Milgrom P. , Albert J.M. , Selvaraj D. , Cunha-Cruz J. , Curtan S. , Copeland T. , Heima M. , Rothen M. , Beck G. , Ferretti G. , Riedy C.
Published: February 2019

Introduction:

School screening and the note home (pinned to a backpack) informing parents/caregivers that their child needs to see a dentist have not been effective.

Objectives:

The Family Access to a Dentist Study (FADS) evaluated the effectiveness of school interventions based on the common-sense model of self-regulation (CSM) among K–4 children needing restorative treatment.

Methods:

FADS was a multisite double-blind randomized controlled trial with 5 arms. FADS tested a CSM-driven referral letter and dental information guide (DIG) to move caregivers from inaccurate to accurate perceptions of dental caries. Six school districts from Ohio and Washington (14 schools) participated in school years 2015 to 2016 and 2016 to 2017. A total of 611 caregivers were randomized, and 86% ( n = 597 children) completed the exit examination. The primary outcome was receipt of care based on a change in oral health status determined clinically within 1 school year.

Results:

In accordance with our primary aims, 5 arms were collapsed into 3: CSM letter and reduced CSM letter (combined), CSM letter + DIG and reduced CSM letter + reduced DIG (combined), and standard letter. Among all sites, 39.7% received restorative care (237 of 597). Combined analysis of sites revealed that the CSM referral letter (with and without the DIG) did not increase dental visits when compared with the standard letter. However, for combined sites (East Cleveland, Ohio; Washington), the CSM + DIG increased dental visits when compared with standard letter in univariate analysis (51.3% vs. 40.9%), indicating 1.6-times increased odds of a dental visit (95% CI, 0.97 to 2.58) after imputation and adjustment for covariates. The CSM + DIG group had 1.9-times increased odds (95% CI, 1.21 to 3.08) of care when compared the CSM letter alone.

Conclusion:

A CSM-driven approach to informing caregivers of the chronic nature of caries with resources in an illustrative manner can increase the benefit of school oral health screening (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02395120).

Knowledge Transfer Statement:

A school dental referral (note home) that tells a parent that the child has cavities has not been effective. In this trial, a referral based on the common-sense model of self-regulation increased follow-up care for children with restorative needs.
Antiretroviral activity of Pterois volitans (red lionfish) venom in the early development of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome antiretroviral alternative source
Authors: Sommeng Andy Noorsaman , Arya R. Muhammad Yusuf , Ginting Mikael Januardi , Pratami Diah Kartika , Hermansyah Heri , Sahlan Muhamad , Wijanarko Anondho
Published: February 2019

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the antiviral activity of Pterois volitans phospholipase A2 (PV-PLA2) from Indonesia to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Materials and Methods: Fresh venomous fin parts of wild PV specimens were collected from Java Sea waters. Then, it washed using phosphate buffer pH 7.0 and immersed in phosphate buffer pH 7.0 0.01 m containing CaCl2 0.001 m for 24 h. The immersed fin then allowed for extraction process by sonicating for 2×8 min with 80% pulse and 20 kHz output with temperature controlling to avoid denaturation. The crude venom (CV) extracted from the fin is allowed for purification by 80% ethanol (ET) precipitation and ammonium sulfate fractionation method. The purified PV-PLA2 then analyzed using Lowry's method, Marinette's method, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and 3-(4, 5-dimethyl thiazol-2yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. After determining the purest and safest sample of six samples analyzed, the chosen sample then tested into simian retrovirus-2 (SRV2)-A549 culture (48×104 cells/mL at 1-4 ppm), and compared to the CV sample (1-4 ppm) and lamivudine (100 ppm). The culture then is analyzed using a quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction to find out the copy number of SRV-2 virus in each culture.

Results: The protein's activity, concentration, and purity analysis revealed that the PV-PLA2 purified using ammonium sulfate fractionation has the highest activity (1.81 times higher than the CV at 80% fractionation) and has higher purity than the sample from ET fractionation. The testing of the sample purified using ammonium sulfate fractionation at 80% saturation level shown that it has a 97.78% inhibition level toward SRV2-A549 culture at 4 ppm. However, in comparison to lamivudine which has 99.55% inhibition level at 100 ppm, it needs much lower concentration to achieve the same result.

Conclusion: The significant inhibition of SRV2-A549 culture shown that the PV-PLA2 extracted from PV venom has the potential to become anti-HIV substances. It would be worthwhile to further evaluate the antiretroviral activity of PV-PLA2 in the in vivo studies.
Von Fritzlar nach Rom
Authors: Schmugge Ludwig
Published: February 2019

Riassunto

Numerosi chierici tedeschi tentarono la loro fortuna nella ricerca di benefici presso la chiesa romana, il maggiore datore di lavoro nel tardo medioevo, ricorrendo all’aiuto del papa a Roma. Le tracce che hanno lasciato nell’Archivio Segreto Vaticano sono raccolte nel „Repertorium Germanicum“ (RG) e nel „Repertorium Poenitentiariae Germanicum“ (RPG), nonché nella banca dati dell’Istituto Storico Germanico, dove possono essere consultati agevolmente. Insieme con le fonti, conservate negli archivi al di là delle Alpi, questi documenti formano talvolta un biogramma, permettendo così degli approfondimenti sulla provenienza di determinate persone, sulla loro carriera in Germania e presso la curia, sulla loro rete di contatti, come pure sul loro patrimonio di cui disponevano. Per Johannes Buren di Fritzlar (ca. 1467–1524) si dispone di una tale densa documentazione.
Immune system and new avenues in Parkinson’s disease research and treatment
Authors: Nasrolahi Ava , Safari Fatemeh , Farhoudi Mehdi , Khosravi Afra , Farajdokht Fereshteh , Bastaminejad Saiyad , Sandoghchian Shotorbani Siamak , Mahmoudi Javad
Published: February 2019

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder characterized by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. However, although 200 years have now passed since the primary clinical description of PD by James Parkinson, the etiology and mechanisms of neuronal loss in this disease are still not fully understood. In addition to genetic and environmental factors, activation of immunologic responses seems to have a crucial role in PD pathology. Intraneuronal accumulation of α-synuclein (α-Syn), as the main pathological hallmark of PD, potentially mediates initiation of the autoimmune and inflammatory events through, possibly, auto-reactive T cells. While current therapeutic regimens are mainly used to symptomatically suppress PD signs, application of the disease-modifying therapies including immunomodulatory strategies may slow down the progressive neurodegeneration process of PD. The aim of this review is to summarize knowledge regarding previous studies on the relationships between autoimmune reactions and PD pathology as well as to discuss current opportunities for immunomodulatory therapy.
Characterization of painful Restless Legs Syndrome sensations in an English-speaking South African population
Authors: Kerr Samantha , McKinon Warrick , Dafkin Chloe , Bentley Alison
Published: February 2019

Background and aims

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is characterised by unusual sensations in the legs which can be described as painful in up to 60% of RLS patients. The purpose of this study was to characterise and examine whether the presence of pain influenced the words used to describe the sensations of RLS in an English speaking population.

Methods

RLS participants (n=55) were divided according to whether or not painful RLS sensations were reported upon questioning. They completed the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), the International Restless Legs Syndrome Severity Scale (IRLS) and selected descriptors from a list of previously published RLS terms.

Results

Thirty-five percent of the RLS patients had painful sensations. The participants with painful RLS had higher Pain Rating Index (PRI) scores [median (interquartile range) 21 (17–28) vs. 14 (7.5–21) p=0.0008] and IRLS scores [23 (17–28) vs. 18 (11.5–22.5) p=0.0175] than the participants with non-painful RLS. Patients with painful RLS symptoms selected more pain-related literature terms, chose significantly different words in eight of the MPQ subclasses (both sensory and affective) and selected more intense descriptors from certain MPQ subclasses than the non-painful RLS group. The terms that characterised painful RLS were “aching”, “painful”, “cramping” and “unbearable”.

Conclusions

Descriptors of RLS sensations are changed by the presence of pain, which may indicate an aetiological difference in the patients who have painful RLS. Clinically, patients complaining of cramping and painful sensations may be diagnosed with a condition that mimics RLS. Thus, it is important that the most accurate set of descriptors for RLS are used to enable recognition of RLS and optimised treatment according to the RLS phenotype.

Implications

The diagnosis of RLS may be improved by overcoming language and cultural barriers and obtaining differential diagnostic terms for painful conditions mimicking RLS.
Decline of substance P levels after stress management with cognitive behaviour therapy in women with the fibromyalgia syndrome
Authors: Karlsson Bo , Burell Gunilla , Kristiansson Per , Björkegren Karin , Nyberg Fred , Svärdsudd Kurt
Published: February 2019

Background and aims

Substance P (CSF-SP) is known to be elevated in females with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). The aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) on plasma SP levels in women with FMS and to find possible clinical behavioural correlates to plasma SP level changes.

Methods

Forty-eight women with FMS were randomly allocated into two groups. Group 1 received the CBT treatment intervention over the course of 6 months while group 2 was waitlisted. CBT was given with a protocol developed to diminish stress and pain. After 6 months, group 2 was given the same CBT treatment as well. All were followed up 1 year after the start of CBT treatment. This approach allowed for two analytical designs – a randomised controlled trial (RCT) (n=24 vs. n=24) and a before-and-after treatment design (n=48). All women were repeatedly evaluated by the West Haven-Yale Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI) and three other psychometric questionnaires and plasma SP was analysed.

Results

In the RCT design, the plasma SP level was 8.79 fmol/mL in both groups at the start of the trial, after adjustment for initial differences. At the end of the RCT, the plasma SP level was 5.25 fmol/mL in the CBT intervention group compared to 8.39 fmol/mL in the control group (p=0.02). In the before-and-after design, the plasma SP was reduced by 33% (p<0.01) after CBT, but returned to the pre-treatment level at follow-up 1 year after the start of CBT treatment. Plasma SP was associated with the MPI dimensions experienced “support from spouses or significant others” and “life control”.

Conclusions

Plasma SP might be a marker of the effect of CBT in FMS associated with better coping strategies and reduced stress rather than a biochemical marker of pain.
High-speed laser interferometric distance sensor with reference mirror oscillating at ultrasonic frequencies
Authors: Hagemeier Sebastian , Tereschenko Stanislav , Lehmann Peter
Published: February 2019

Optical measurement systems are an important part of the portfolio of 3D topography sensors. By precise, contactless and rapid measurements these sensors constitute an alternative to tactile instruments. In this contribution the principle of a laser interferometric distance sensor is presented, which in combination with lateral scan axes acts as a topography sensor and also as distance sensor for the compensation of vibrations in a coherence scanning Linnik interferometer. An advantage of this distance sensor is its high acquisition rate of height values, which in case of working as a topography sensor enables high scan velocities as it is demonstrated at a chirp standard measured with a scan velocity of 80 mm/s. This is much higher than the scan velocity of tactile instruments, which are typically limited up to 1 mm/s. In addition, the compensation of vibration disturbances demonstrates the capability of the fast distance measurement.

In contrast to other existing high-speed point sensors the relevant components are mass products. This keeps the costs of the sensor setup in a limited range. Furthermore, the sensor shows potential of much higher measurement rates than 116 kHz provided by the sensor used here.
Anisotropic Strength Characteristics of Loess under Three-Dimensional Stress Conditions
Authors: Shao Shuai , Shao Sheng-jun , Xu Ping
Published: February 2019

To study the failure conditions of anisotropic loess in the principal stress space, a series of true triaxial tests were performed on loess sampled in the Bailu Plateau of Xi’an, as loess deposits have a strong cross-anisotropic structure. The cuboid specimens of the prepared samples were cut along the vertical and horizontal directions to enable testing in any sector of the three-dimensional principal stress space. The shear strength laws of the p–q planes with different intermediate principal stress ratios corresponding to different principal stress spaces were revealed. The failure surface was assumed to be symmetric with respect to the vertical axis of the principal stress space octahedral plane, which varies as a function of the Lode angle. On the same octahedral plane, the shear strength of a specimen, as the major stress, is applied along the vertical direction and is larger than that along the horizontal direction. Failure surfaces in all sectors are ellipses, which are symmetric with respect to the vertical axis, and the loess structure is not damaged under the stress conditions of true triaxial compression. Once the structure was damaged, the failure surface of the cross-anisotropic loess on the octahedral planes presented as a circle or a curved triangle as the average principal stress increased.
Shear Yield Stress of Magnetorheological Fluids between Characteristic Surfaces of Different Materials
Authors: Ji Meng , Luo Yiping , Ren Hongjuan , Wei Dan , Kang Lulu
Published: February 2019

Magnetorheological fluids (MRFs) have a wide range of applications in automotive and other industrial fields. As one of the main performance parameters of MRFs, static yield stress is the demarcation point of solid–liquid performance conversion. Therefore, yield stress is important to the study of MRFs. In this work, a new type of MRF testing device was designed. Three types of material blocks, namely, steel, copper, and aluminum, were tested to determine wall slippage using MRF-122E and MRF-132D. The results indicate that the best pulling blocks were the 1-mm copper rectangular channel and the 2-mm aluminum triangle channel. Identity distance was also tested, and the result indicated that the 1-mm copper pulling block and identity distance of 5-mm curve were nearest to the Lord Corporation yield curve with a maximum relative error within 5 %.
LİSANS ÖĞRENCİLERİNİN SÜT TÜKETİM ALIŞKANLIKLARININ VE DAVRANIŞLARININ BELİRLENMESİ
Authors: TERZİOĞLU Murat Emre , BAKIRCI İHSAN
Published: February 2019

Bu araştırmada, 2016-2017 eğitim-öğretim yılında
Erzincan Üniversitesi’nin Eğitim Fakültesi, Fen Edebiyat Fakültesi, İktisadi ve
İdari Bilimler Fakültesi, Mühendislik Fakültesi ve Sağlık Bilimleri
Fakültesinde öğrenim gören 400 öğrenciye anket uygulanarak elde edilen
verilerin kullanılmasıyla öğrencilerin süt tüketim alışkanlıkları ve
davranışları incelenmiştir. Araştırmaya katılan öğrenciler ana kitle oranlarına
dayalı kümelendirilmemiş tek aşamalı tesadüfi olasılık örnekleme yöntemi ile
belirlenmiştir. Anket sonucunda elde edilen veriler tablolar halinde
verilmiştir. Araştırmada öğrencilerin %67’sinin sütü sevdiği, haftalık kişi
başına yaklaşık 1.3 litre süt tükettiği, bunun gelişmiş ülkelere oranla yeterli
olmadığı belirlenmiştir. Öğrencilerin süt satın alırken bakkal ve pazarların
yerine genellikle marketleri tercih ettiği ve markaya, fiyata, üretim ve son
kullanma tarihine dikkat ettiği görülmüştür. Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi
öğrencileri haricinde diğer öğrencilerin genellikle süt ile bulaşan hastalıklar
konusunda yeterli bilgiye sahip olmadığı belirlenmiştir. Öğrencilerin süt
tüketmede ilk sebep olarak sütün besleyici özelliğini ön plana çıkardığı, genel
olarak süt tüketiminde herhangi bir sorunla karşılaşmadığı görülmüştür.
Hyperspectral Reflectance-Derived Relationship Matrices for Genomic Prediction of Grain Yield in Wheat
Authors: Krause Margaret R , González-Pérez Lorena , Crossa José , Pérez-Rodríguez Paulino , Montesinos-López Osval , Singh Ravi P , Dreisigacker Susanne , Poland Jesse , Rutkoski Jessica , Sorrells Mark , Gore Michael A , Mondal Suchismita
Published: February 2019

Hyperspectral reflectance phenotyping and genomic selection are two emerging technologies that have the potential to increase plant breeding efficiency by improving prediction accuracy for grain yield. Hyperspectral cameras quantify canopy reflectance across a wide range of wavelengths that are associated with numerous biophysical and biochemical processes in plants. Genomic selection models utilize genome-wide marker or pedigree information to predict the genetic values of breeding lines. In this study, we propose a multi-kernel GBLUP approach to genomic selection that uses genomic marker-, pedigree-, and hyperspectral reflectance-derived relationship matrices to model the genetic main effects and genotype × environment (G × E) interactions across environments within a bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) breeding program. We utilized an airplane equipped with a hyperspectral camera to phenotype five differentially managed treatments of the yield trials conducted by the Bread Wheat Improvement Program of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) at Ciudad Obregón, México over four breeding cycles. We observed that single-kernel models using hyperspectral reflectance-derived relationship matrices performed similarly or superior to marker- and pedigree-based genomic selection models when predicting within and across environments. Multi-kernel models combining marker/pedigree information with hyperspectral reflectance phentoypes had the highest prediction accuracies; however, improvements in accuracy over marker- and pedigree-based models were marginal when correcting for days to heading. Our results demonstrate the potential of using hyperspectral imaging to predict grain yield within a multi-environment context and also support further studies on the integration of hyperspectral reflectance phenotyping into breeding programs.
Musculoskeletal "don't touch" lesions: pictorial essay
Authors: Fonseca Eduardo Kaiser Ururahy Nunes , Castro Adham do Amaral e , Kubo Rafael Seiji , Miranda Frederico Celestino , Taneja Atul Kumar , Santos Durval do Carmo Barros , Rosemberg Laércio Alberto
Published: February 2019

Abstract Focal bone lesions are not uncommon findings in the daily practice of radiology. Therefore, it is essential to differentiate between lesions with aggressive, malignant potential that require action and those that have no clinical significance, many of which are variants or benign lesions, sometimes self-limited and related to reactive processes. In some cases, a diagnostic error can have catastrophic results. For example, a biopsy performed in a patient with myositis ossificans can lead to an incorrect diagnosis of sarcomatous lesions and consequently to mutilating surgical procedures. The present study reviews the main radiological aspects of the lesions that are most commonly seen in daily practice and have the potential to be confused with aggressive, malignant bone processes. We also illustrate these entities by presenting cases seen at our institution.
Is interim 18F-fluoride PET/CT a predictor of outcomes after radium-223 therapy?
Authors: Etchebehere Elba , Brito Ana Emília , Kairemo Kalevi , Rohren Eric , Araujo John , Macapinlac Homer
Published: February 2019

Abstract Objective: To determine whether an interim 18F-fluoride positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) study performed after the third cycle of radium-223 dichloride (223RaCl2) therapy is able to identify patients that will not respond to treatment. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 34 histologically confirmed cases of hormone-refractory prostate cancer with bone metastasis in patients submitted to 223RaCl2 therapy. All of the patients underwent baseline and interim 18F-fluoride PET/CT studies. The interim study was performed immediately prior to the fourth cycle of 223RaCl2. The skeletal tumor burden-expressed as the total lesion fluoride uptake above a maximum standardized uptake value of 10 (TLF10)-was calculated for the baseline and the interim studies. The percent change in TLF10 between the baseline and interim studies (%TFL10) was calculated as follows: %TFL10 = interim TLF10 - baseline TLF10 / baseline TLF10. End points were overall survival, progression-free survival, and skeletal-related events. Results: The mean age of the patients was 72.4 ± 10.2 years (range, 43.3-88.8 years). The %TLF10 was not able to predict overall survival (p = 0.6320; hazard ratio [HR] = 0.753; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.236-2.401), progression-free survival (p = 0.5908; HR = 1.248; 95% CI: 0.557-2.797) nor time to a bone event (p = 0.5114; HR = 1.588; 95% CI: 0.399-6.312). Conclusion: The skeletal tumor burden on an interim 18F-fluoride PET/CT, performed after three cycles of 223RaCl2, is not able to predict overall survival, progression-free survival, or time to bone event, and should not be performed to monitor response at this time.
Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiobiopsy
Authors: Nunes Thiago Franchi , Tibana Tiago Kojun , Santos Rômulo Florêncio Tristão , Faria Bernardo Bacelar de , Marchiori Edson
Published: February 2019

Abstract Most tumors of the biliary tract are too small to have specific imaging characteristics or for percutaneous puncture to provide sufficient material for diagnosis. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage, in addition to being a well-established technique in the treatment of obstructive jaundice, provides adequate access for sampling obstructive lesions. In cases of biliary lesions, percutaneous transhepatic biopsy of the biliary tract has proven to be a useful diagnostic technique, with a reported accuracy of over 90% at some referral centers.
18F-FDG PET/CT performed immediately after percutaneous ablation to evaluate outcomes of the procedure: preliminary results
Authors: Romanato Juliana , Menezes Marcos Roberto , Santos Allan de Oliveira , Bezerra Regis Otaviano Franca , Lima Mariana Cunha Lopes , Etchebehere Elba
Published: February 2019

Abstract Objective: To determine whether 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography performed immediately after percutaneous ablation (iPA18F-FDG PET/CT) is useful in evaluating the outcomes of the procedure. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of 20 patients (13 males, 7 females; mean age, 65.8 ± 12.1 years) submitted to percutaneous ablation of metastases. All of the lesions treated had shown focal uptake on a 18F-FDG PET/CT scan obtained at baseline. The primary tumors were mainly colorectal cancer (in 45%) or lung cancer (in 40%). iPA18F-FDG PET/CT was performed to identify any residual viable tumor cells. The treatment was considered a success (no viable tumor cells present) if no uptake of 18F-FDG was noted on the iPA18F-FDG PET/CT scan. Results: Twenty-six lesions were submitted to percutaneous ablation with either cryoablation (n = 7) or radiofrequency ablation (n = 19). The mean lesion diameter was 2.52 ± 1.49 cm. For the detection of viable tumor cells, iPA18F-FDG PET/CT had a sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 66.7%, 95%, 88.5%, 80%, and 90.5%, respectively. There was a significant correlation between the iPA18F-FDG PET/CT findings and the results of the follow-up studies (kappa = 0.66; p < 0.01). Conclusion: iPA18F-FDG PET/CT studies appear to constitute a useful means of evaluating the outcomes of percutaneous ablation. By detecting residual viable tumor cells, this strategy might allow early re-intervention, thus reducing morbidity. Studies involving larger numbers of patients are needed in order to confirm our findings.
The influence of a large reservoir on the reproductive activity of the white piranha, Serrasalmus brandtii (Lütken, 1875) in Southeast Brazil
Authors: Bazzoli Nilo , Silva Viviane Elizabeth de Souza , Marcon Lucas , Santiago Kleber Biana , Santos José Enemir dos , Rizzo Elizete
Published: February 2019

Abstract: In order to assess the influence of the Três Marias dam on the reproduction of the white piranha, Serrasalmus brandtii, 1569 specimens captured from June 2011 to May 2012 in three sections of the São Francisco River basin were analyzed: section 1 = Três Marias reservoir (TMR); section 2 = São Francisco River (SFR) segment immediately downstream of TMR; and section 3 = SFR segment at the confluence with the Abaeté River. Total length (TL), body weight (BW), gonadosomatic index (GSI), and gonadal maturation stages were determined for each specimen, while vitellogenic follicle diameter, and absolute (AF) and relative (RF) fecundities were also determined for females. Reproductive activity, including spawned females and spermed males, was recorded throughout the year in the three river segments. Higher frequencies of females and males at the maturing/mature stage were found in the November/December and January/February, which coincided with the period of higher temperature, rainfall, and dissolved oxygen concentration. Mean GSI and vitellogenic follicle diameter were higher in sections 1 and 3 than in section 2 (P <0.05), while AF and RF were higher in section 1 (P <0.05) than in sections 2 and 3. The results of the present study showed that S. brandtii had lower reproductive performance in section 2, probably due to thermal disturbances caused by the dam, thus confirming the influence of dams on the reproduction of fish downstream from hydroelectric plant reservoirs.