bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring and understanding the attitudes of Australian gay and bisexual men towards biomedical HIV prevention using cross-sectional data and factor analyses
Authors: Wilkinson Anna L , Draper Bridget L , Pedrana Alisa E , Asselin Jason , Holt Martin , Hellard Margaret E , Stoové Mark
Published: November 2017

Introduction

Contemporary responses to HIV embrace biomedical prevention, particularly treatment as prevention (TasP) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). However, large-scale implementation of biomedical prevention should be ideally preceded by assessments of their community acceptability. We aimed to understand contemporary attitudes of gay and bisexual men (GBM) in Australia towards biomedical-based HIV prevention and propose a framework for their measurement and ongoing monitoring.

Methods

A cross-sectional, online survey of GBM ≥18 years has been conducted annually in Victoria, Australia, since 2008. In 2016, 35 attitudinal items on biomedical HIV prevention were added. Items were scored on five-point Likert scales. We used principal factor analysis to identify key constructs related to GBM’s attitudes to biomedical HIV prevention and use these to characterise levels of support for TasP and PrEP.

Results

A total of 462 HIV-negative or HIV-status-unknown men, not using PrEP, provided valid responses for all 35 attitudinal items. We extracted four distinct and interpretable factors we named: ‘Confidence in PrEP’, ‘Judicious approach to PrEP’, ‘Treatment as prevention optimism’ and ‘Support for early treatment’. High levels of agreement were seen across PrEP-related items; 77.9% of men agreed that PrEP prevented HIV acquisition and 83.6% of men agreed that users were protecting themselves. However, the agreement levels for HIV TasP items were considerably lower, with <20% of men agreeing treatment (undetectable viral load) reduced HIV transmission risk.

Conclusions

Better understanding of community attitudes is crucial for shaping policy and informing initiatives that aim to improve knowledge, acceptance and uptake of biomedical prevention. Our analyses suggest confidence in, acceptability of and community support for PrEP among GBM. However, strategies to address scepticism towards HIV treatment when used for prevention may be needed to optimise combination biomedical HIV prevention.
Echocardiographic changes with non-invasive ventilation and CPAP in obesity hypoventilation syndrome
Authors: Corral Jaime , Mogollon Maria Victoria , Sánchez-Quiroga M-Ángeles , Gómez de Terreros Javier , Romero Auxiliadora , Caballero Candela , Teran-Santos Joaquin , Alonso-Álvarez María L , Gómez-García Teresa , González Mónica , López-Martínez Soledad , de Lucas Pilar , Marin José M , Romero Odile , Díaz-Cambriles Trinidad , Chiner Eusebi , Egea Carlos , Lang Roberto M , Mokhlesi Babak , Masa Juan F
Published: November 2017

Rationale

Despite a significant association between obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) and cardiac dysfunction, no randomised trials have assessed the impact of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) or CPAP on cardiac structure and function assessed by echocardiography.

Objectives

We performed a secondary analysis of the data from the largest multicentre randomised controlled trial of OHS (Pickwick project, n=221) to determine the comparative efficacy of 2 months of NIV (n=71), CPAP (n=80) and lifestyle modification (control group, n=70) on structural and functional echocardiographic changes.

Methods

Conventional transthoracic two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiograms were obtained at baseline and after 2 months. Echocardiographers at each site were blinded to the treatment arms. Statistical analysis was performed using intention-to-treat analysis.

Results

At baseline, 55% of patients had pulmonary hypertension and 51% had evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy. Treatment with NIV, but not CPAP, lowered systolic pulmonary artery pressure (−3.4 mm Hg, 95% CI −5.3 to –1.5; adjusted P=0.025 vs control and P=0.033 vs CPAP). The degree of improvement in systolic pulmonary artery pressure was greater in patients treated with NIV who had pulmonary hypertension at baseline (−6.4 mm Hg, 95% CI −9 to –3.8). Only NIV therapy decreased left ventricular hypertrophy with a significant reduction in left ventricular mass index (−5.7 g/m2; 95% CI −11.0 to –4.4). After adjusted analysis, NIV was superior to control group in improving left ventricular mass index (P=0.015). Only treatment with NIV led to a significant improvement in 6 min walk distance (32 m; 95% CI 19 to 46).

Conclusion

In patients with OHS, medium-term treatment with NIV is more effective than CPAP and lifestyle modification in improving pulmonary hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy and functional outcomes. Long-term studies are needed to confirm these results.

Trial registration number

Pre-results, NCT01405976 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/).
A question of scale: Replication and the effective evaluation of conservation interventions
Authors: Bennett Amanda M. , Steiner Jessica , Carstairs Sue , Gielens Andrea , Davy Christina M.
Published: November 2017

Conservation interventions can keep critically endangered species from going extinct and stabilize threatened populations. The species-specific, case-by-case approaches and small sample sizes inherent to applied conservation measures are not well suited to scientific evaluations of outcomes. Debates about whether a method “works” become entrenched in a vote-counting framework. Furthermore, population-level replication is rare but necessary for disentangling the effects of an intervention from other drivers of population change. Turtle headstarting is a conservation tool that has attracted strong opinions but little robust data. Logistical limitations, such as those imposed by the long lives of turtles, have slowed experimental evaluation and constrained the use of replication or experimental controls. Headstarting project goals vary among projects and stakeholders, and success is not always explicitly defined. To facilitate robust evaluations, we provide direction for data collection and reporting to guide the application of conservation interventions in logistically challenging systems. We offer recommendations for standardized data collection that allow their valuable results to contribute to the development of best practices, regardless of the magnitude of the project. An evidence-based and collaborative approach will lead to improved program design and reporting, and will facilitate constructive evaluation of interventions both within and among conservation programs.
Equations for secant varieties of Chow varieties
Authors: Guan Yonghui
Published: November 2017

The Chow variety of polynomials that decompose as a product of linear forms has been studied for more than 100 years. Finding equations in the ideal of secant varieties of Chow varieties would enable one to prove Valiant's conjecture [Formula: see text]. In this paper, I use the method of prolongation to obtain equations for secant varieties of Chow varieties as [Formula: see text]-modules.
Necessary condition and sufficient conditions for nonuniform wavelet frames in L2(K)
Authors: Younus Bhat M.
Published: November 2017

A constructive algorithm based on the theory of spectral pairs for constructing nonuniform wavelet basis in [Formula: see text] was considered by Gabardo and Nashed [Nonuniform multiresolution analysis and spectral pairs, J. Funct. Anal. 158 (1998) 209–241]. In this setting, the associated translation set is a spectrum [Formula: see text] which is not necessarily a group nor a uniform discrete set, given [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] (an integer) and [Formula: see text] is an odd integer with [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are relatively prime and [Formula: see text] is the set of all integers. The objective of this paper is to construct nonuniform wavelet frame on local fields. A necessary condition and four sufficient conditions for nonuniform wavelet frame on local fields are given.
Th17 cells contribute to pulmonary fibrosis and inflammation during chronic kidney disease progression after acute ischemia
Authors: Mehrotra Purvi , Collett Jason A. , Gunst Susan J. , Basile David P.
Published: November 2017

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with high mortality rates and predisposes development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Distant organ damage, particularly in the lung, may contribute to mortality in AKI patients. Animal models of AKI demonstrate an increase in pulmonary infiltration of lymphocytes and reveal an acute compromise of lung function, but the chronic effects of AKI on pulmonary inflammation are unknown. We hypothesized that in response to renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), there is a persistent systemic increase in Th17 cells with potential effects on pulmonary structure and function. Renal I/R injury was performed on rats, and CKD progression was hastened by unilateral nephrectomy and exposure to 4.0% sodium diet between 35 and 63 days post-I/R. Th17 cells in peripheral blood showed a progressive increase up to 63 days after recovery from I/R injury. Infiltration of leukocytes including Th17 cells was also elevated in bronchiolar lavage (BAL) fluid 7 days after I/R and remained elevated for up to 63 days. Lung histology demonstrated an increase in alveolar cellularity and a significant increase in picrosirius red staining. Suppression of lymphocytes with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or an IL-17 antagonist significantly reduced Th17 cell infiltration and fibrosis in lung. In addition, tracheal smooth muscle contraction to acetylcholine was significantly enhanced 63-days after I/R relative to sham-operated controls. These data suggest that AKI is associated with a persistent increase in circulating and lung Th17 cells which may promote pulmonary fibrosis and the potential alteration in airway contractility.
Acyloxyacyl hydrolase modulates pelvic pain severity
Authors: Yang Wenbin , Yaggie Ryan E. , Jiang Mingchen C. , Rudick Charles N. , Done Joseph , Heckman Charles J. , Rosen John M. , Schaeffer Anthony J. , Klumpp David J.
Published: November 2017

Chronic pelvic pain causes significant patient morbidity and is a challenge to clinicians. Using a murine neurogenic cystitis model that recapitulates key aspects of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC), we recently showed that pseudorabies virus (PRV) induces severe pelvic allodynia in BALB/c mice relative to C57BL/6 mice. Here, we report that a quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of PRV-induced allodynia in F2CxBprogeny identified a polymorphism on chromosome 13, rs6314295 , significantly associated with allodynia (logarithm of odds = 3.11). The nearby gene encoding acyloxyacyl hydrolase ( Aoah) was induced in the sacral spinal cord of PRV-infected mice. AOAH-deficient mice exhibited increased vesicomotor reflex in response to bladder distension, consistent with spontaneous bladder hypersensitivity, and increased pelvic allodynia in neurogenic cystitis and postbacterial chronic pain models. AOAH deficiency resulted in greater bladder pathology and tumor necrosis factor production in PRV neurogenic cystitis, markers of increased bladder mast cell activation. AOAH immunoreactivity was detectable along the bladder-brain axis, including in brain sites previously correlated with human chronic pelvic pain. Finally, AOAH-deficient mice had significantly higher levels of bladder vascular endothelial growth factor, an emerging marker of chronic pelvic pain in humans. These findings indicate that AOAH modulates pelvic pain severity, suggesting that allelic variation in Aoah influences pelvic pain in IC.
Effect of dietary palmitic and stearic acids on sucrose motivation and hypothalamic and striatal cell signals in the rat
Authors: Figlewicz Dianne P. , Jay Jennifer , West Constance H. , Zavosh Aryana , Hampe Christiane S. , Radtke Jared R. , Raskind Murray A. , Peskind Elaine R.
Published: November 2017

We have reported that motivation for sucrose is increased in rats fed a moderate (31%) mixed-fat diet for 4–6 wk. In this study, rats were fed diets containing 32% stearic (STEAR) or palmitic (PALM) acid, and behavior, metabolic profile, and cell signals were compared with those of rats fed a matched low-fat diet (LF; 11% fat) diet. Rats fed STEAR or PALM increased sucrose motivation relative to LF rats (one-way ANOVA for lever presses; P = 0.03). Diet did not change fasting glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, intravenous glucose tolerance test glucose profile, percent body fat, or total kilocalories, although kilocalories as fat were increased (ANOVA, P < 0.05). Cell signals were assessed in rats ranked from high to low sucrose motivation. Diet did not alter Thr and Ser phosphorylation of Akt in the medial hypothalamus (HYP) and striatum (STR). However, Ser phosphorylation of GSK3Β was decreased in HYP and STR from both high- and low-performer tertiles of STEAR and PALM rats (ANOVA within each brain region, P < 0.05). Two histone 3 (H3) modifications were also assessed. Although there was no effect of diet on the transcription-repressive H3 modification, H3K27me3, the transcription-permissive H3 modification, H3K4me3, was significantly decreased in the HYP of high performers fed PALM or STEAR (ANOVA, P = 0.013). There was no effect of diet on H3K4me3 levels in HYP of low performers, or in STR. Our findings suggest signal-specific and brain region-specific effects of PALM or STEAR diets and may link downstream signaling effects of GSK3Β activity and H3 modifications with enhanced motivational behavior.
Vector Extrapolation Based Landweber Method for Discrete Ill‐Posed Problems
Authors: Zhao Xi-Le , Huang Ting-Zhu , Gu Xian-Ming , Deng Liang-Jian
Published: November 2017

Landweber method is one of the classical iterative methods for solving linear discrete ill‐posed problems. However, Landweber method generally converges very slowly. In this paper, we present the vector extrapolation based Landweber method, which exhibits fast and stable convergence behavior. Moreover, a restarted version of the vector extrapolation based Landweber method is proposed for practical considerations. Numerical results are given to illustrate the benefits of the vector extrapolation based Landweber method.
Iron Oxide Nanoradiomaterials: Combining Nanoscale Properties with Radioisotopes for Enhanced Molecular Imaging
Authors: Pellico Juan , Llop Jordi , Fernández-Barahona Irene , Bhavesh Riju , Ruiz-Cabello Jesús , Herranz Fernando
Published: November 2017

The combination of the size-dependent properties of nanomaterials with radioisotopes is emerging as a novel tool for molecular imaging. There are numerous examples already showing how the controlled synthesis of nanoparticles and the incorporation of a radioisotope in the nanostructure offer new features beyond the simple addition of different components. Among the different nanomaterials, iron oxide-based nanoparticles are the most used in imaging because of their versatility. In this review, we will study the different radioisotopes for biomedical imaging, how to incorporate them within the nanoparticles, and what applications they can be used for. Our focus is directed towards what is new in this field, what the nanoparticles can offer to the field of nuclear imaging, and the radioisotopes hybridized with nanomaterials for use in molecular imaging.
Hybrid Algorithm of Particle Swarm Optimization and Grey Wolf Optimizer for Improving Convergence Performance
Authors: Singh Narinder , Singh S. B.
Published: November 2017

A newly hybrid nature inspired algorithm called HPSOGWO is presented with the combination of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO). The main idea is to improve the ability of exploitation in Particle Swarm Optimization with the ability of exploration in Grey Wolf Optimizer to produce both variants’ strength. Some unimodal, multimodal, and fixed-dimension multimodal test functions are used to check the solution quality and performance of HPSOGWO variant. The numerical and statistical solutions show that the hybrid variant outperforms significantly the PSO and GWO variants in terms of solution quality, solution stability, convergence speed, and ability to find the global optimum.
Male Involvement in Maternal Health Care at Anomabo, Central Region, Ghana
Authors: Craymah Joshua Panyin , Oppong Robert Kwame , Tuoyire Derek Anamaale
Published: November 2017

Background. Globally, male involvement in maternal health care services remains a challenge to effective maternal health care accessibility and utilization. Objective. This study assessed male involvement in maternal health care services and associated factors in Anomabo in the Central Region of Ghana. Methods. Random sampling procedures were employed in selecting 100 adult male respondents whose partners were pregnant or had given birth within twelve months preceding the study. Pearson Chi-Square and Fisher’s exact tests were conducted to assess the association of sociodemographic and enabling/disenabling factors with male involvement in maternal health care services. Results. Some 35%, 44%, and 20% of men accompanied their partners to antenatal care, delivery, and postnatal care services, respectively. Male involvement in antenatal care and delivery was influenced by sociodemographic (partner’s education, type of marriage, living arrangements, and number of children) and enabling/disenabling (distance to health facility, attitude of health workers, prohibitive cultural norms, unfavourable health policies, and gender roles) factors. Conclusion. The low male involvement in maternal health care services warrants interventions to improve the situation. Public health interventions should focus on designing messages to diffuse existing sociocultural perceptions and health care provider attitudes which influence male involvement in maternal health care services.
A Quantitative Rating System for Pollutant Emission Reduction of Asphalt Mixture
Authors: Wang Chaohui , Chen Qian , Li Qiang Joshua , Sun Xiaolong , Li Zhenxia
Published: November 2017

This study presents a comprehensive pollutant reduction rating system for hot mix asphalt (HMA) with three Level I indices and ten Level II indices, covering various aspects in HMA pollutant emissions, energy consumption, and exhausts from construction equipment. The pollutant emission reduction effects are investigated not only in the laboratory for modified asphalt mixtures with various mixture gradation and binder types but also in the field for several warm mix asphalt (WMA) projects. Furthermore, energy consumption and emission data during pavement construction are obtained from 58 in situ highway projects in 10 provinces of China. Based on the hierarchical clustering method and Bayesian discriminant analysis, individual ranking systems are developed to quantify pollutant emission reduction effects and energy consumption. Subsequently, a comprehensive reduction rating system is established based on the analytic hierarchy process and approximation methods. A case study is demonstrated to implement the proposed system for the assessment of emission reduction effects.
Computational Design Scheme for Wind Turbine Drive-Train Based on Lagrange Multipliers
Authors: Saleh Mohammed , Nada Ayman , El-Betar Ahmed , El-Assal Ahmed
Published: November 2017

The design optimization of wind turbines and their subsystems will make them competitive as an ideal alternative for energy. This paper proposed a design procedure for one of these subsystems, which is the Wind Turbine Drive-Train (WTDT). The design of the WTDT is based on the load assumptions and considered as the most significant parameter for increasing the efficiency of energy generation. In industry, these loads are supplemented by expert assumptions and manipulated to design the transmission elements. In contrary, in this work, the multibody system approach is used to estimate the static as well as dynamic loads based on the Lagrange multipliers. Lagrange multipliers are numerical parameters associated with the holonomic and nonholonomic constraints assigned in the drive-train model. The proposed scheme includes computational manipulations of kinematic constraints, mapping the generalized forces into Cartesian respective, and enactment of velocity-based constrains. Based on the dynamic model and the obtained forces, the design process of a planetary stage of WTDT is implemented with trade-off’s optimization in terms of gearing parameters. A wind turbine of 1.4 megawatts is introduced as an evaluation study of the proposed procedure, in which the main advantage is the systematic nature of designing complex systems in motion.
Network Intrusion Detection through Stacking Dilated Convolutional Autoencoders
Authors: Yu Yang , Long Jun , Cai Zhiping
Published: November 2017

Network intrusion detection is one of the most important parts for cyber security to protect computer systems against malicious attacks. With the emergence of numerous sophisticated and new attacks, however, network intrusion detection techniques are facing several significant challenges. The overall objective of this study is to learn useful feature representations automatically and efficiently from large amounts of unlabeled raw network traffic data by using deep learning approaches. We propose a novel network intrusion model by stacking dilated convolutional autoencoders and evaluate our method on two new intrusion detection datasets. Several experiments were carried out to check the effectiveness of our approach. The comparative experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model can achieve considerably high performance which meets the demand of high accuracy and adaptability of network intrusion detection systems (NIDSs). It is quite potential and promising to apply our model in the large-scale and real-world network environments.
Neural Mechanisms of Circadian Regulation of Natural and Drug Reward
Authors: DePoy Lauren M. , McClung Colleen A. , Logan Ryan W.
Published: November 2017

Circadian rhythms are endogenously generated near 24-hour variations of physiological and behavioral functions. In humans, disruptions to the circadian system are associated with negative health outcomes, including metabolic, immune, and psychiatric diseases, such as addiction. Animal models suggest bidirectional relationships between the circadian system and drugs of abuse, whereby desynchrony, misalignment, or disruption may promote vulnerability to drug use and the transition to addiction, while exposure to drugs of abuse may entrain, disrupt, or perturb the circadian timing system. Recent evidence suggests natural (i.e., food) and drug rewards may influence overlapping neural circuitry, and the circadian system may modulate the physiological and behavioral responses to these stimuli. Environmental disruptions, such as shifting schedules or shorter/longer days, influence food and drug intake, and certain mutations of circadian genes that control cellular rhythms are associated with altered behavioral reward. We highlight the more recent findings associating circadian rhythms to reward function, linking environmental and genetic evidence to natural and drug reward and related neural circuitry.
The Biology of Cancer Exosomes: Insights and New Perspectives
Authors: Ruivo Carolina F. , Adem Bárbara , Silva Miguel , Melo Sónia A.
Published: November 2017

Exosomes are a subclass of extracellular vesicles involved in intercellular communication that are released by all cell types, including cancer cells. Cancer exosomes carry malignant information in the form of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids that can reprogram recipient cells. Exosomes have emerged as putative biological mediators in cancer contributing to major steps of disease progression. A leading role exists for cancer exosomes in specific aspects of tumor progression: modulation of immune response, tumor microenvironment reprogramming, and metastasis. This review will address the functions attributed to cancer exosomes in these three aspects of cancer biology, highlighting recent advances and potential limitations. Finally, we explore alternative strategies to develop better models to study cancer exosomes biology. Cancer Res; 77(23); 6480–8. ©2017 AACR.
Association between Childhood Obesity and Neighbourhood Accessibility to Fast-Food Outlets: A Nationwide 6-Year Follow-Up Study of 944,487 Children
Authors: Hamano Tsuyoshi , Li Xinjun , Sundquist Jan , Sundquist Kristina
Published: November 2017

Objectives: The aim of this 6-year follow-up study was to examine whether neighbourhood accessibility to fast-food outlets was associated with diagnosed childhood obesity, after adjustment for neighbourhood- and individual-level socio-demographic factors. Methods: This 6-year follow-up study comprised 484,677 boys and 459,810 girls aged 0-14 years in Sweden. The follow-up period ran from January 1, 2005, until hospitalisation/out-patient treatment for obesity, death, emigration or the end of the study period on December 31, 2010. Multilevel logistic regression models (individual-level factors at the first level and neighbourhood-level factors at the second level) were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Results: We identified 6,968 obesity cases (3,878 boys and 3,090 girls) during the follow-up period. Higher odds of childhood obesity for those living in neighbourhoods with accessibility to fast-food outlets was observed (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.07-1.22) that remained significant after adjustments (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.00-1.13). Conclusions: This prospective nationwide study showed that the neighbourhood accessibility to fast-food outlets was independently associated with increased odds of diagnosed childhood obesity. This finding implicates that residential environments should be considered when developing health promotion programmes.
Study on Clinical Factors Involved in Helicobacter pylori-Uninfected, Undifferentiated-Type Early Gastric Cancer
Authors: Horiuchi Yusuke , Fujisaki Junko , Ishizuka Naoki , Omae Masami , Ishiyama Akiyoshi , Yoshio Toshiyuki , Hirasawa Toshiaki , Yamamoto Yorimasa , Nagahama Masatsugu , Takahashi Hiroshi , Tsuchida Tomohiro
Published: November 2017

Background: The factors associated with the pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori-uninfected undifferentiated-type early gastric cancer (HPUGC) remain unclear. This study compared patient characteristics, including medical history and alcohol/tobacco use, of HPUGC patients with characteristics of patients with H. pylori-positive undifferentiated-type early gastric cancer (HPPGC) to clarify and gain understanding on those differences that could play a role in the pathogenesis. Methods: This retrospective study included 282 patients who were treated endoscopically from March 2005 to March 2014. This cohort consisted of 232 patients with HPPGC (82.3%) and 50 patients with HPUGC (17.7%). Patient characteristics were analyzed by subgroups of HPUGC vs. HPPGC, with comparisons for age, gender, cancer history, comorbidity of lifestyle diseases requiring medication (hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia), cumulative amount of alcohol consumption, and smoking history (Brinkman index [BI]). Results: HPUGC patients were typically younger, had less frequent hypertension, and had higher BI values (p < 0.05 for all parameters). In a younger non-hypertensive subgroup, the OR for high BI (BI ≥340) in the HPUGC group vs. HPPGC group was 5.049 (95% CI 2.458–10.373, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The investigation of clinical factors identified smoking history as being possibly contributing to the pathogenesis of HPUGC. Future research is necessary at the cellular and genetic levels.
Cyclophosphamide Pulse Therapy in Severe Refractory Crohn's Disease: A Retrospective Multicenter Case Series
Authors: Bär Florian , Krause Thomas , Stallmach Andreas , Teich Niels , Maaser Christian , Maul Jochen , Helwig Ulf , Fellermann Klaus , Büning Jürgen ,   on behalf of the German IBD Study Group
Published: November 2017

Background and Aims: In Crohn's disease (CD) patients still remain refractory to current regimens, including biologicals. Previous data from small single-center studies indicated cyclophosphamide pulse therapy (CPT) to be effective for induction of remission at least in steroid-refractory cases. The aim of the present study was to study the efficacy and safety of CPT in mainly tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-refractory complicated CD patients. Methods: Patients with refractory CD undergoing CPT were identified in 13 centers of the German IBD Study Group and retrospectively registered. In total, 41 patients (12 male, 29 female, median age 36 years, range 18-72 years) were included for analysis. Seventy-eight percent of these had previously been treated with thiopurines and 90% had previously received anti-TNF antibodies. Former steroid treatment was found throughout the cohort. Results: Patients received a median number of 5 (1-13) pulses every 28 (13-54) days in a period of 120 (12-411) days. A median dose of 766 (600-1,200) mg and a median cumulative dose of 4,500 (750-9,750) mg was given. A clinical response (reduction in the Harvey-Bradshaw Index [HBI] ≥2 points) was found in 68% of the patients and clinical remission (HBI <5 points) in 32%. Steroids could be reduced from 31 to 12 mg per day over all patients. Side effects were recorded in 71% (n = 29) of the patients. Three patients terminated CPT due to side effects. No patient died. Conclusion: Our data point to CPT as a therapeutic alternative for induction of remission in patients with severe refractory courses of CD including TNF antagonists. CPT might serve as bridging for maintenance treatment.
MicroRNA Expression Profiling of Pancreatic Cancer Cell Line L3.6p1 Following B7-H4 Knockdown
Authors: Qian Yun , Feng Limin , Wu Weigen , Weng Tianhao , Hu Chenyu , Hong Bo , Wang Frederick X.C. , Shen Lingwei , Wang Qi , Jin Xin , Yao Hangping
Published: November 2017

Background/Aims: Co-stimulating molecule B7-H4 regulates T cell-mediated immune responses, participates in tumor immune escape, and promotes the proliferation and metastasis of pancreatic cancer cells. However, the specific mechanisms are unclear. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) participated in the pathogenesis and progression of cancer. Methods: In this study, a microarray technique was used to screen B7-H4-related differentially expressed miRNAs in a pancreatic cancer cell line find those associated with pancreatic cancer. Using a miRCURYTM LNA Array approach, we compared the miRNA expression profiles of L3.6p1 pancreatic cancer cells transfected with B7-H4 siRNA for 72 h with those transfected with non-target siRNAs. Results: B7-H4 siRNA significantly up-regulated 57 miRNAs and down-regulated 14 miRNAs. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) Pathway analysis of predicted miRNA targets showed that these genes were mainly involved in protein binding, pathways in cancer, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt (PI3K-Akt) signaling pathway. Conclusions: This is the first description of target genes of B7-H4, showing that miRNAs participate in the B7-H4 mediated regulation of oncogenicity and pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer. These results may help us better understand the role of B7-H4 in the progression of pancreatic cancer and its possible mechanisms. We also provide novel biomarkers for potential treatments of pancreatic cancer.
Relações de trabalho dos jogadores profissionais de poker: do cotidiano de trabalho à saúde do jogador
Authors: Silva Guilherme Elias da , Hashimoto Francisco
Published: November 2017

O objetivo geral da pesquisa foi compreender as relações de trabalho dos jogadores profissionais de poker, à luz da Psicossociologia, a partir de um paralelo com as políticas de gestão desenvolvidas nas organizações estratégicas. A coleta de dados foi composta por entrevistas individuais e análise de obras autobiográficas de jogadores profissionais de poker. A discussão apresentada proporcionou um alerta frente à profissão que se encontra em amplo desenvolvimento e merece total cobertura, tanto em seus aspectos jurídicos, administrativos e contábeis quanto no sentido dos saberes relativos à saúde do trabalhador (como a Psicologia, a Medicina, a Fisioterapia, entre outros), visando instrumentalizar o desenvolvimento de melhores estruturas em relação às condições e à organização do trabalho, a fim de que os jogadores, que se empenham cotidianamente nesse exercício profissional, possam gozar de qualidade de vida e saúde no trabalho.
A contribuição dos métodos de diagnóstico e mensuração para a Comunicação Corporativa
Authors: Figueiredo Suzel
Published: November 2017

A pesquisa de comunicação corporativa está se estruturando no Brasil e ocupando espaço importante no planejamento e na avaliação dos programas de comunicação. Como atividade ainda incipiente, padece de critérios estabelecidos, como demonstra pesquisa realizada pelo Instituto Aberje de Pesquisa junto a empresas, assessorias de comunicação e institutos de pesquisa. A autora comenta os resultados da pesquisa aplicada à luz da teoria mais recente sobre a mensuração de resultados de relacionamentos.
Comunicação digital: uma questão de estratégia e de relacionamento com públicos
Authors: Corrêa Elizabeth Saad
Published: November 2017

O artigo pretende discutir e delimitar o lugar da comunicação digital na estratégia de Comunicação Organizacional. Sugere ainda uma sistematização dos conceitos fundadores que norteiam as estratégias de Comunicação a partir do cenário das TICs e das mídias digitais. Por fim, apresenta o conceito de eficácia comunicacional e alguns exemplos de práxis brasileira, apontando rumos para a área.
Comunicação Política e Comunicação Pública
Authors: Matos Heloiza Helena Gomes de
Published: November 2017

O artigo analisa a Comunicação Pública como uma vertente da Comunicação Política, buscando discutir o conceito por sua natureza multipolar, comunicativa, política e de mercado. Embora a centralidade da mídia seja considerada determinante, o artigo também indica como as transformações na tecnologia e no mercado contribuíram para a emergência de novas formas de interação política.
Aberje 40 anos: uma história da Comunicação Organizacional brasileira
Authors: Nassar Paulo
Published: November 2017

A Comunicação Organizacional brasileira tem na fundação da Aberje, em 8 de outubro de 1967, um de seus marcos mais fortes. A história desse campo das Ciências Sociais Aplicadas evoluiu da atividade de difusão de informações para os trabalhadores industriais dos anos 1960 para um campo teórico e profissional abrangente que tem na atualidade interfaces importantes em Administração, Antropologia, Ciências Sociais, Direito, Psicologia, Tecnologia da Informação e História, entre outras áreas. Essa evolução da Comunicação Organizacional tem exigido um comunicador organizacional culto e político.
A presença da filosofia e da ética no contexto profissional
Authors: Rios Terezinha Azerêdo
Published: November 2017

Neste artigo, apresenta-se a tese de que há necessidade de trazer para o espaço das organizações e da prática dos profissionais que aí realizam seu trabalho a reflexão crítica que se dá no campo da filosofia. Também se apontam as diferentes dimensões da competência profissional, reconhecendo a ética como dimensão fundante do trabalho de boa qualidade.
Comunicação Organizacional e Relações Públicas no Brasil são singulares?
Authors: Reis Maria do Carmo
Published: November 2017

O artigo trata da posição da autora em relação à discussão identitária sobre Relações Públicas e Comunicação Organizacional no Brasil. Relata o contexto de emergência dessa discussão, as questões colocadas, identifica a abordagem mainstream e apresenta e defende o ponto de vista de que há sobre o assunto uma interpretação brasileira que é distintiva.
Comunicação Organizacional, a síntese. Relações Públicas, a gestão estratégica
Authors: Weber Maria Helena
Published: November 2017

Este texto integra o debate sobre Comunicação Organizacional e Relações Públicas a partir de argumentos que defendem a complementaridade das duas denominações, analisadas sob perspectivas teóricas e pragmáticas. Assim Comunicação Organizacional é o resultado de todas ações institucionais, promocionais e mercadológicas utilizadas pelas organizações para gerar comunicação, apoio, visibilidade e imagem pública. Na mesma linha, Relações Públicas é a principal profissão com habilidades e competência para administrar estrategicamente essas ações para a construção integrada da imagem pública das organizações.
Código de Defesa do Consumidor: o direito do cidadão alicerçado na informação
Authors: Guazzelli Denize Aparecida
Published: November 2017

Destacar o Código de Defesa do Consumidor (CDC) sob o prisma de sua motivação informativa e conscientizadora, estabelecendo paralelos com o instituto da ouvidoria e dos demais organismos e instrumentos que cumprem relevante papel na consolidação dos direitos conquistados pelos cidadãos e no estabelecimento de novos parâmetros nas relações de consumo é o propósito do presente artigo.
Gestão de relacionamento com líderes: desafio para o ouvidor
Authors: Lima Chussely Souza
Published: November 2017

Este trabalho procura refletir sobre a importância e a gestão dos relacionamentos por meio da comunicação dirigida para os resultados da ouvidora, dando ênfase àquele público constituído pelos líderes das áreas, responsáveis por responder as manifestações. Conclui-se que ainda não há evidência sobre o profissional ideal para a função de ouvidor, mas que o mercado de ouvidoria depende de habilidades comunicacionais.
Comunicação e saúde: interfaces e desafios
Authors: Nassar Maria Rosana Ferrari
Published: November 2017

Este artigo apresenta uma reflexão crítica sobre comunicação e saúde em uma sociedade na qual informação e conhecimento representam categorias amplamente valorizadas. Focalizando a formação médica, propõe a inserção da comunicação nos currículos de graduação e pós-graduação como modo de desenvolver competências para o exercício profissional humanizado, especificamente no que diz respeito ao relacionamento com o paciente.
Tabagismo em diálogo: olhares sobre o discurso do Ministério da Saúde
Authors: Carvalho Raphael Silva Souza Oliveira , Lopes Filho Boanerges Balbino
Published: November 2017

O tabagismo está em evidência. O debate sobre o tema envolve uma série de atores sociais, entre os quais as organizações, que se posicionam discursivamente como representação da própria identidade e da realidade. Por meio de estudos sobre identidade e estratégias de comunicação organizacional, além de revisões históricas, pudemos traçar uma contextualização para a análise de discurso. O trabalho busca por novos olhares sobre os textos institucionais do Ministério da Saúde.
Comunicar en escenarios cambiantes
Authors: Amado Adriana
Published: November 2017

Resenha do Livro: Relaciones públicas: naturaleza, función y gestión en las organizaciones contemporáneasAutores: Maria Aparecida Ferrari; Fabio França
Comunicação e sustentabilidade no esteio da cidadania: um estudo sobre a (des)articulação entre organizações na esfera pública
Authors: Viegas Daniela , Teodósio Armindo Dos Santos de Sousa
Published: November 2017

Para compreender os desafios da construção de ações e políticas capazes de renovar as práticas sustentáveis, problematizam-se neste artigo as respostas aos dilemas do consumo construídas por atores da sociedade civil, do estado e do mercado. Esse esforço sugeriria a construçãode articulações entre diferentes grupos para atender às demandas dos atores sociais, por meio da ação política e do exercício da cidadania. Percebe-se que a construção de discursos e práticas politicamente corretas nem sempre dá conta da complexa relação que envolve a comunicação e o meio ambiente na esfera pública.
O discurso da responsabilidade social e da sustentabilidade na comunicação organizacional da Vale
Authors: Reginato Gisele Dotto , Dalla Pozza Débora Flores
Published: November 2017

Este artigo analisa os efeitos de sentido de responsabilidade social e sustentabilidade nos releases institucionais da empresa Vale. Trabalhando com os preceitos teórico-metodológicos da análise de discurso de linha francesa, ele problematiza as memórias discursivas dos conceitos de responsabilidade social e sustentabilidade. A partir da análise, entendemos que tais temáticas são incorporadas à cultura organizacional por serem um diferencial competitivo no mercado, mas, apesar do caráter informativo, os textos não apresentam as contradições e os tensionamentos envolvidos na temática.
Mensurando a consciência ambiental do consumidor: um estudo comparativo entre as escalas NEP e ECCB
Authors: Freire Otávio , Quevedo-Silva Filipe , Frederico Elias
Published: November 2017

O presente estudo objetiva comparar e avaliar a adequação de duas escalas, para mensuração da consciência ambiental: New ecological paradigm (NEP) e Ecologically conscious consumer behavior (ECCB). O exame da literatura indicou que uma decorrência da consciência ambiental é a intenção de comportamento de consumo ambiental (ICCA). Para a operacionalização do estudo, foi aplicado um survey on-line com 538 consumidores brasileiros. Foram utilizadas técnicas estatísticas multivariadas para verificar a dimensionalidade das escalas, bem como para avaliar sua associação com a ICCA. Os resultados indicam que a escala ECCB é mais adequada para medir a ICCA.
A comunicação na responsabilidade social interna
Authors: Ballester María Carmen Carretón
Published: November 2017

De modo geral, os estudos sobre a eficácia das estratégias comunicativas internas das organizações se centra no uso das ferramentas, enquanto que os públicos e suas necessidades comunicativas são esquecidos. Estudar o estado da responsabilidade social na sua dimensão interna e como é gerida, analisando a comunicação como instrumento que contribui o alcance das boas práticas internas de responsabilidade social e aportando os indicadores do seu cumprimento, vão além das técnicas utilizadas. O trabalho apresentado argumenta que a conduta empresarial se comunica e que nas relações internas se reflete essa conduta.
Estratégias de relações públicas para as organizações em tempos de mídias sociais digitais
Authors: Dreyer Bianca Marder
Published: November 2017

Este é um artigo teórico que tem como objetivo apresentar as relações públicas no contexto digital. Para isso, mostraremosa evolução dessa atividade, indicando a relação determinante com a web e, para exemplificar, descreveremos dois modelosde comunicação contemporâneos. Esse percurso nos fornecerá indícios de quais são as estratégias indicadas para a gestãoda comunicação em tempos de mídias sociais digitais. A resposta nos levará à possibilidade de reflexão sobre uma futuraproposta de modelo de comunicação na contemporaneidade.
Rádio educativa e mídias sociais digitais: perspectivas e desafios da fanpage da Rádio Unesp FM
Authors: Vicente Maximiliano Martin , Versuti Christiane Delmondes
Published: November 2017

O artigo pretende discutir a utilização da fanpage pela Rádio Unesp FM, rádio pública de caráter cultural e educativo. Para tal,foram empreendidas leituras sobre rádios educativas, rádio e internet e organizações nas mídias sociais, e realizada análisedas publicações de janeiro a junho de 2014, utilizando dados gerados pelo Facebook Insights. Espera-se que trabalho apontecaminhos para aprimorar o uso dessa plataforma não só pela Rádio Unesp, mas também por outras emissoras educativas,para que obtenham êxito em seus objetivos de propagar conteúdos caros à educação, cultura e cidadania.
Pesquisa nas redes sociais da internet, à luz da perspectiva sistêmica
Authors: Pennini Anice Bezri , Hermont Arabie Bezri
Published: November 2017

O monitoramento de redes sociais na internet apresenta-se como uma possibilidade de pesquisa disponível aos comunicadores que atuam no contexto organizacional. Contudo, a análise das redes sociais não pode prescindir da reflexão sobre a convivência dos artefatos computacionais com o olhar dos pesquisadores envolvidos no processo. Este artigo analisa o monitoramento em redes sociais da internet à luz da perspectiva sistêmica, o que envolve a subjetividade dos pesquisadores, além da complexidade e da imprevisibilidade das dinâmicas sociais.
A influência do terceiro setor no Estado
Authors: Torres Vivian De Almeida Gregori
Published: November 2017

Este trabalho estuda o papel e a atuação do terceiro setor em ambiente democrático, dando-se ênfase à ampliação da cidadania promovida pelo terceiro setor e o papel desempenhado no cenário político no sentido de instrumento de aprimoramento democrático. Demonstrar-se-á que a atuação do terceiro setor tem viabilizado uma participação política de melhor qualidade e com real possibilidade de ingerência no Estado, em atendimento aos anseios do cidadão que vive numa sociedade complexa, onde a democracia representativa não mais o atende.
Prácticas comunicativas y perspectivas para el cambio social en las organizaciones no gubernamentales (ONGs), en España y Brasil
Authors: Esparcia Antonio Castillo , Kunsch Margarida Maria Krohling , Haswani Mariângela Furlan
Published: November 2017

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Prevenção e erradicação do trabalho infantil: mediações e comunicação pública
Authors: Silva Luíza Mônica Assis , Magalhães Daniella Rocha
Published: November 2017

Tivemos como objetivo compreender a natureza da comunicação realizada pelo Fórum Nacional de Prevenção e Erradicação do Trabalho Infantil (FNPETI) como instância de mediação. Buscamos articular os saberes do campo organizacional, das instituições da sociedade civil, com as abordagens dos estudos de recepção (Martín-Barbero, 1995, 2008, 2009) e da comunicação pública (Mainiere, 2016; López, 2011; Matos, 2011; Duarte, 2009). A metodologia foi qualitativa, realizando-se análise documental de texto institucional, entrevista semiestruturada e observação nãoparticipante. As categorias analíticas foram a institucionalidade e a relação comunicação/cultura/política. Avaliamos que o FNPETI, por ter como função articular atores em torno do interesse público, configura-se como ator de mediação da área infantojuvenil, tendo na comunicação pública sua principal referência.
Quando o desconhecimento gera descontentamento: o caso do Fundo Monetário Internacional
Authors: Ferreira Ivone , Andrade José Gabriel
Published: November 2017

Em setembro de 2016 a Associação Portuguesa para os Direitos do Consumidores (Deco) realizou um inquérito para aferir o conhecimento que os portugueses tinham sobre as principais organizações nacionais e internacionais. Em antepenúltimo lugar ficou o Fundo Monetário Internacional (FMI). Dada a proximidade temporal entre a vinda do FMI a Portugal e a elaboração desse inquérito, consideramos pertinente analisar a imagem que os portugueses têm sobre a organização que figura entre as instituições de que os portugueses mais ouviram falar, através dos media, nos últimos anos. O desconhecimento dos portugueses relativamente ao FMI é notório nas respostas aos inquéritos, em que apenas 5% dos inquiridos classificaram de forma correta todas as afirmações sobre a instituição: o valor mais baixo dos países em estudo.