bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RESENHAS
Authors: Kontic Sacha , Laporta Beatriz , Beserra Abel , Souza Gabriel
Published: January 2021

Trazemos nesta presente edição seis resenhas de livros de e sobre Descartes, abarcando diversos temas de suas obras, publicados entre 2016 e 2019. Embora não se pretenda exaustiva, ela busca traçar um retrato do estado atual dos estudos cartesianos no Brasil. Dos livros resenhados, há duas traduções: a primeira tradução integral do Discurso do método & Ensaios para o português, em uma tradução organizada por Pablo Rúben Mariconda, e a tradução inédita do clássico livro de Martial Gueroult, Descartes e a ordem das razões. Os demais são de pesquisadores brasileiros, e abordam os mais diversos temas da filosofia de Descartes, como a metafísica (Indiferença de Deus e o mundo dos humanos segundo Descartes, de Ethel Rocha), a física e a moral (Sobre a generosidade e A ciência em Descartes, ambos de Érico Andrade) e a escrita (Descartes e o ódio à escrita, de Ulysses Pinheiro). Essa coletânea pretende ser a primeira de uma série de coletâneas temáticas, constituídas por resenhas breves, que ambicionam divulgar a produção recente sobre a filosofia seiscentista publicada nos últimos anos em língua portuguesa. Esperamos que elas contribuam para fomentar o debate e a circulação das obras entre as pesquisadoras e os pesquisadores do pensamento do século XVII e para apresentá-las ao público em geral.
Renal Denervation and Celiac Ganglionectomy Decrease Mean Arterial Pressure Similarly in Genetically Hypertensive Schlager (BPH/2J) Mice
Authors: Asirvatham-Jeyaraj Ninitha , Gauthier Madeline M. , Banek Christopher T. , Ramesh Abhismitha , Garver Hannah , Fink Gregory D. , Osborn John W.
Published: January 2021

Renal denervation (RDNX) lowers mean arterial pressure (MAP) in patients with resistant hypertension. Less well studied is the effect of celiac ganglionectomy (CGX), a procedure which involves the removal of the nerves innervating the splanchnic vascular bed. We hypothesized that RDNX and CGX would both lower MAP in genetically hypertensive Schlager (BPH/2J) mice through a reduction in sympathetic tone. Telemeters were implanted into the femoral artery in mice to monitor MAP before and after RDNX (n=5), CGX (n=6), or SHAM (n=6). MAP, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate were recorded for 14 days postoperatively. The MAP response to hexamethonium (10 mg/kg, IP) was measured on control day 3 and postoperative day 10 as a measure of global neurogenic pressor activity. The efficacy of denervation was assessed by measurement of tissue norepinephrine. Control MAP was similar among the 3 groups before surgical treatments (≈130 mm Hg). On postoperative day 14, MAP was significantly lower in RDNX (−11±2 mm Hg) and CGX (−11±1 mm Hg) groups compared with their predenervation values. This was not the case in SHAM mice (−5±3 mm Hg). The depressor response to hexamethonium in the RDNX group was significantly smaller on postoperative day 10 (−10±5 mm Hg) compared with baseline control (−25±10 mm Hg). This was not the case in mice in the SHAM (day 10; −28±5 mm Hg) or CGX (day 10; −34±7 mm Hg) group. In conclusion, both renal and splanchnic nerves contribute to hypertension in BPH/2J mice, but likely through different mechanisms.
Adding Home and/or Ambulatory Blood Pressure to Office Blood Pressure for Cardiovascular Risk Prediction
Authors: Mancia Giuseppe , Facchetti Rita , Seravalle Gino , Cuspidi Cesare , Corrao Giovanni , Grassi Guido
Published: January 2021

Home and 24-hour blood pressure (BP
Home
and BP
24h
) are believed to improve the prognostic value of office BP (BP
Office
) alone, but the evidence has limitations such as that (1) these 3 BPs are characterized by multicollinearity and (2) the procedures adopted do not allow quantification of the prognostic advantage. One thousand eight hundred thirty-three individuals belonging to the PAMELA (Pressioni Arteriose Monitorate e Loro Associazioni) were followed for 16 years. Prediction of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality was determined via the goodness of fit of individual data (Cox model), the area underlying the receiving operator curves and the net reclassification improvement of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality risk. Calculations were made for BP
Office
alone and after addition of BP
Home
, BP
24h
, or both, limited to their residual portion which was found to be unexplained by, and thus independent on, BP
Office
. With all methods addition of residual out-of-office systolic or diastolic BP to BP
Office
significantly improved cardiovascular and all-cause mortality prediction. The improvement was more consistent when BP
Home
rather than BP
24h
was added to BP
Office
and, compared with BP
Office
plus BP
Home
, no better prediction was found when addition was extended to BP
24h
. With all additions, however, the improvement was quantitatively modest, which was the case also when data were separately analyzed in younger and older individuals or in dippers and nondippers. Thus, addition of out-of-office to BP
Office
improves prediction of cardiovascular risk, even when data analysis avoids previous limitations. The improvement appears to be limited, however, which raises the question of the advantage to recommend their extended use in clinical practice.
Promoting Swiss Graphic Design and Typography Abroad: The Case of Paris in the 1960s
Authors: Delamadeleine Constance
Published: January 2021

In the postwar period, the Swiss living abroad were considered as the vanguard of Swiss culture and as economic outposts of the country. Swiss graphic designers established in Paris were no exception. Through a close analysis of archival documents and visual material, this article sheds light on the ways the Swiss studio Hollenstein actively contributed to promote Swiss graphic design in the French capital supported by a set of economic and cultural Swiss actors.
Hydration and Ion-Pair Formation of NaNO3(aq): A Vibrational Spectroscopic and Density Functional Theory Study
Authors: Rudolph Wolfram W. , Fischer Dieter , Irmer Gert
Published: January 2021

Qualitative and quantitative Raman and infrared measurements on sodium nitrate (NaNO3) solutions have been carried out over a wide concentration range (5.56 × 10–6–7.946 mol/L) in water and heavy water. The Raman spectra were measured from 4000 cm–1 to low wavenumbers at 45 cm–1. Band fit analysis on the profile of the 1047 cm–1 band, ν1(a[Formula: see text]) [Formula: see text] measured at high resolution at 0.90 cm–1 produced a small contribution at 1027 cm–1 of the isotopomer N16O218O(aq). The effect of solute concentration on the Raman and infrared bands has been systematically recorded. Extrapolation of the experimental data resulted in values for all the nitrate bands of the “free”, i.e., fully hydrated [Formula: see text](aq). However, even in dilute solutions, the vibrational symmetry of the hydrated [Formula: see text](aq) is broken and the antisymmetric N–O stretch, which is degenerate for the isolated anion, is split by 56 cm–1. At concentrations >2.5 mol/L, direct contact between Na+ and [Formula: see text] was observed and accompanied by large band parameter changes. DFT calculations on [Formula: see text](H2O)n ( n = 1–3) led to optimized geometries and vibrational frequencies which reproduced the measured ones within an accuracy of 1%. A hydrated gas phase species Na+(H2O)10[Formula: see text] was optimized resulting in the geometry and symmetry of the nitrate, which is bound in an antisymmetric bidentate fashion with the nitrate possessing C1. The ν1 Na+(OH2) breathing mode in aqueous solution appears at 189 cm−1, whereas in heavy water, ν1 Na+(OD2) is shifted to 175.6 cm–1 due to the isotope effect. DFT calculations on hydrated Na+(OH2)n gas phase clusters provided realistic Na+ hydrate structures with n = 4 and 5, which resembled the measured frequency of ν1 Na+ OH2 mode quite well. Quantitative Raman analysis employing the symmetric stretching band, ν1(a[Formula: see text]) [Formula: see text], has been carried out down to concentrations as low as 5.56 × 10–6 mol/L. The in-plane deformation mode ν4(e′) in the Raman scattering at higher concentrations has been used as an indicator band for directly coordinated [Formula: see text].
Burmese Amber Compared Using Micro-Attenuated Total Reflection Infrared Spectroscopy and Ultraviolet Imaging
Authors: Musa Maya , Kaye Thomas G. , Bieri Willy , Peretti Adolf
Published: January 2021

Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) spectroscopy coupled with a microscope allows for the analysis of specimens without any preparation, spatially correlated with the morphology of the specimen. These characteristics make micro-ATR systems very useful for studying gemstones and in particular amber samples. Indeed, in this report, the micro-ATR technique was used to characterize three Burmite samples, as case studies. Particularly, focusing the ATR crystal spot on the amber surface where a difference in the Ultraviolet (UV) reaction was previously detected, thereby relative differences in the IR spectrum could be analyzed. Here we present a methodology combining the UV imaging technique with the micro-Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (micro-ATR/FT-IR) analyses, in order to correlate the fluorescence information with the molecular vibrational modes of amber and their relative spatial distribution. Finally, this work is intended as an initial methodology study and part of the amber characterization project, focused on characterizing the Burmese amber collection of the Peretti Museum Foundation from several disciplines (i.e., palaeoentomology, vibrational spectroscopy, neutron tomography, etc.).
Towards a Weberian sociology of intentional communities
Authors: Lallement Michel
Published: January 2021

Among the alternatives to contemporary capitalism being explored today, intentional communities merit particular attention. While German sociologist Max Weber is one of the most original theorists of community, his work has been used very unevenly in the analysis of intentional communities. However, a Weberian point of view on this subject can be developed. This article begins by discussing the status of communities in Weber’s writings, and goes on to make note of the very meagre use of these references in North American sociological work on intentional communities. Examining some foundational research carried out in France during the 1970s and 1980s, as well as the results of a survey conducted in North American intentional communities, the article deploys a Weberian sociology of religious institutions to broaden the scope of the analysis of community utopias.
Children as a new climate precariat: A conceptual proposition
Authors: Holmberg Arita , Alvinius Aida
Published: January 2021

This article proposes that children constitute a new climate precariat. This conceptualization contributes to a more comprehensive theoretical understanding of the vulnerability of children in relation to the climate crisis. Previous literature tends to treat climate change in an abstract fashion that renders today’s children invisible. Climate precarity consists of three main elements of vulnerability: temporality problems, insecurity and an identity vacuum. In relation to temporality and security, children are suffering from the potential loss of a sustainable future, which spurs the need for urgent action and constant consciousness – in the present. World leaders’ inaction creates an uncertainty regarding whom should be held responsible for taking action in guaranteeing children the future which climate change is at risk of depriving them. The concept of climate precarity could be used to explain children’s collective action in relation to the climate crisis. Children’s concerns in relation to the climate crisis suggest that agency and empowerment are spurred through their resistance towards these vulnerabilities.
Feminist Activism and YPAR: Privileged Girls Interrupt Rape Culture
Authors: Proweller Amira , Catlett Beth S. , Crabtree-Nelson Sonya
Published: January 2021

This research focuses on a community-based project that foregrounds youth-led participatory action research with privileged youth. The youth’s work involved interrogation of, and resistance strategies for, rape culture. Research findings demonstrate that youth came to see that rape culture has deep roots and disrupting it depends on naming its reality within their lives and its systemic foundations. Building on these emergent understandings, the youth took steps to educate their community about rape culture and gender-based violence, and the consequences of leaving it unexamined. They also created strategies to transform rape culture and facilitate social change within their own community.
Investigating farmer’s identity and efficiency of tourism-oriented farm diversification
Authors: Ohe Yasuo
Published: January 2021

Whether farm management in conducting tourism activity becomes more efficient or not is an important theoretical and empirical question for the promotion of tourism in agriculture. Thus, this study theoretically and empirically evaluated the efficiency of educational dairy farms that provide educational tourism by data envelopment analysis. The financial data were collected by the author’s survey of these farms located around the Tokyo Metropolitan area. Based on the theoretical framework that stipulates that the efficiency of farm activity is determined by a farmer’s identity, a bilateral slacks-based measure (SBM) model and Super SBM model were applied to empirically evaluate efficiency. The results revealed that those farmers who engage in processing milk products and direct selling have higher efficiency than those who do not. This is because having an enlarged identity that provides a wider perspective on farm activity enables these farmers to create demand and reduce marginal cost. This wider perspective was nurtured through the network of educational tourism activity. Thus, educational tourism activity by dairy farmers can nurture a new business opportunity and lead to efficient farm resource allocation. Identity can be a crucial factor in building rural entrepreneurship in tourism.
Does tourism promote economic growth? A fractionally integrated heterogeneous panel data analysis
Authors: Pérez-Rodríguez Jorge V , Rachinger Heiko , Santana-Gallego María
Published: January 2021

In this article, we analyse whether tourism promotes economic growth using a general dynamic panel data model that incorporates individual and interactive fixed effects and allows for contemporaneous correlation in model innovations. The empirical study is based on quarterly series of GDP and tourist arrivals for 14 European countries covering the period from 1995 to 2019. Results indicate that the case for a positive long-run relationship between tourism and economic growth is rather weak, being slightly stronger for the period prior to the global economic and financial crisis from 2007 to 2010. When applying panel fractional cointegration techniques, we find evidence in favour of the tourism-led growth hypothesis (TLGH) for the full sample mainly for North European countries. For the pre-crisis period, on the other hand, we find evidence in favour of the TLGH for the relevant tourist destinations Spain and France.
Enhancing Your Webside Manner: Optimizing Opportunities for Relationship-Centered Care in Virtual Visits
Authors: Modic Mary Beth , Neuendorf Katie , Windover Amy K
Published: January 2021

In the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019, virtual visits have become the primary means of delivering efficient, high-quality, and safe health care while Americans are instructed to stay at home until the rapid transmission of the virus abates. An important variable in the quality of any patient–clinician interaction, including virtual visits, is how adroit the clinician is at forming a relationship. This article offers a review of the research that exists on forming a relationship in a virtual visit and the outcomes of a quality improvement project which resulted in the refinement of a “Communication Tip Sheet” that can be used with virtual visits. It also offers several communication strategies predicated on the R.E.D.E. to Communicate model that can be used when providing care virtually.
Development of an adapted Clinical Global Impression scale for use in Angelman syndrome
Authors: Kolevzon Alexander , Ventola Pamela , Keary Christopher J. , Heimer Gali , Neul Jeffrey L. , Adera Mathews , Jaeger Judith
Published: January 2021

Background

The Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) and CGI-Improvement (CGI-I) scales are widely accepted tools that measure overall disease severity and change, synthesizing the clinician’s impression of the global state of an individual. Frequently employed in clinical trials for neuropsychiatric disorders, the CGI scales are typically used in conjunction with disease-specific rating scales. When no disease-specific rating scale is available, the CGI scales can be adapted to reflect the specific symptom domains that are relevant to the disorder. Angelman syndrome (AS) is a rare, clinically heterogeneous condition for which there is no disease-specific rating scale. This paper describes efforts to develop standardized, adapted CGI scales specific to AS for use in clinical trials.

Methods

In order to develop adapted CGI scales specific to AS, we (1) reviewed literature and interviewed caregivers and clinicians to determine the most impactful symptoms, (2) engaged expert panels to define and operationalize the symptom domains identified, (3) developed detailed rating anchors for each domain and for global severity and improvement ratings, (4) reviewed the anchors with expert clinicians and established minimally clinically meaningful change for each symptom domain, and (5) generated mock patient vignettes to test the reliability of the resulting scales and to standardize rater training. This systematic approach to developing, validating, and training raters on a standardized, adapted CGI scale specifically for AS is described herein.

Results

The resulting CGI-S/I-AS scales capture six critical domains (behavior, gross and fine motor function, expressive and receptive communication, and sleep) defined by caregivers and expert clinicians as the most challenging for patients with AS and their families.

Conclusions

Rigorous training and careful calibration for clinicians will allow the CGI-S/-I-AS scales to be reliable in the context of randomized controlled trials. The CGI-S/-I-AS scales are being utilized in a Phase 3 trial of gaboxadol for the treatment of AS.
Dynamics of limited neoplastic growth on Pongamia pinnata (L.) (Fabaceae) leaf, induced by Aceria pongamiae (Acari: Eriophyidae)
Authors: Anand P. P. , Ramani N.
Published: January 2021

Background

Galls or the neoplastic growth on plants result from a complex type of interaction between the inducers (Acari, Insects, Microbes and Nematodes) and plants. The present study sheds light on the gall inducing habit of a highly host specific eriophyid mite,Aceria pongamiae,on the leaves ofPongamia pinnataleading to the production of abnormal pouch like outgrowths on the adaxial and abaxial surfaces of the foliage. Each leaf gall is a highly complex, irregular massive structure, and the formation of which often leads to complete destruction of leaves, especially during heavy mite infestation, and thereby adversely affecting the physiology and growth of the host plant.

Results

The study was carried out by making comparative observations on FE-SEM histological sections of galls representing four different growth stages categorized on the basis of difference in age groups. Apart from variations in cell metaplasia, a dramatic change was observed in the abaxial-adaxial polarity of the laminar surfaces also throughout the developmental sequence of galls, in all the four growth stages. Significant variations could be observed in the anti-oxidative potency as well as elemental composition in the all the four age groups of galls, and also revealed ATR-FTIR pattern of gall formation.

Conclusion

Being the first attempt to unravel the mystery of gall induction by eriophyids in general and byA. pongamiaein particular, on its host plantP.pinnata,by shedding light on the structural and histological alterations taking place during leaf gall formation under the influence of the mite, the current study is to be treated as the model of plant-animal interactive system.
Effect of opium consumption on cardiovascular diseases – a cross- sectional study based on data of Rafsanjan cohort study
Authors: Khalili Parvin , Ayoobi Fatemeh , Mohamadi Maryam , Jamalizadeh Ahmad , La Vecchia Carlo , Esmaeili-nadimi Ali
Published: January 2021

Background

There are differences of opinion about the beneficial or detrimental effects of opium consumption on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). So, we aimed to study the association between opium use and CVDs.

Methods

We used data obtained from the Rafsanjan Cohort Study (RCS), as a part of the prospective epidemiological research studies in IrAN (PERSIAN), with detailed, validated data on opium consumption and some other exposures. A total of 10,000 adults were enrolled in the study. Logistic regression models were used to assess the possible relationships of opium consumption with the prevalence of ischemic heart diseases (IHD) and myocardial infarction (MI).

Results

In this study, 9990 participants in the baseline phase of the Rafsanjan adult cohort study were included according to their completed questionnaire. Among all participants, 870 and 296 individuals were found to suffer from IHD and MI, respectively. Opium consumption was found to be relatively high in the RCS participants, especially in men (men = 2150 and women = 228). Opium use was associated with a higher odds of IHD and MI, with the adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) of 1.51 (1.22–1.86) and 1.79 (1.31–2.45), respectively. Also, dose-response increases were observed with the highest odds ratios in the 4th quartile for MI and IHD (p-values for trend < 0.001). Increased odds were observed for the two main methods of opium consumption, i.e. oral and smoking, but oral administration had higher odds ratio.

Conclusions

Opium consumption is associated with the increased odds of both IHD and MI diseases.
Association between insulin resistance and left ventricular hypertrophy in asymptomatic, Black, sub-Saharan African, hypertensive patients: a case–control study
Authors: Kianu Phanzu Bernard , Nkodila Natuhoyila Aliocha , Kintoki Vita Eleuthère , M’Buyamba Kabangu Jean-René , Longo-Mbenza Benjamin
Published: January 2021

Background

Conflicting information exists regarding the association between insulin resistance (IR) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). We described the associations between obesity, fasting insulinemia, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and LVH in Black patients with essential hypertension.

Methods

A case–control study was conducted at the Centre Médical de Kinshasa (CMK), the Democratic Republic of the Congo, between January and December 2019. Cases and controls were hypertensive patients with and without LVH, respectively. The relationships between obesity indices, physical inactivity, glucose metabolism and lipid disorder parameters, and LVH were assessed using linear and logistic regression analyses in simple and univariate exploratory analyses, respectively. When differences were observed between LVH and independent variables, the effects of potential confounders were studied through the use of multiple linear regression and in conditional logistic regression in multivariate analyses. The coefficients of determination (R2), adjusted odds ratios (aORs), and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated to determine associations between LVH and the independent variables.

Results

Eighty-eight LVH cases (52 men) were compared against 132 controls (81 men). Variation in left ventricular mass (LVM) could be predicted by the following variables: age (19%), duration of hypertension (31.3%), body mass index (BMI, 44.4%), waist circumference (WC, 42.5%), glycemia (20%), insulinemia (44.8%), and HOMA-IR (43.7%). Hypertension duration, BMI, insulinemia, and HOMA-IR explained 68.3% of LVM variability in the multiple linear regression analysis. In the logistic regression model, obesity increased the risk of LVH by threefold [aOR 2.8; 95% CI (1.06–7.4); p = 0.038], and IR increased the risk of LVH by eightfold [aOR 8.4; 95 (3.7–15.7); p < 0.001].

Conclusion

Obesity and IR appear to be the primary predictors of LVH in Black sub-Saharan African hypertensive patients. The comprehensive management of cardiovascular risk factors should be emphasized, with particular attention paid to obesity and IR. A prospective population-based study of Black sub-Saharan individuals that includes the use of serial imaging remains essential to better understand subclinical LV deterioration over time and to confirm the role played by IR in Black sub-Saharan individuals with hypertension.
Influences of service characteristics and older people’s attributes on outcomes from direct payments
Authors: Davey Vanessa
Published: January 2021

Background

Direct payments (DPs) are cash-payments that eligible individuals can receive to purchase care services by themselves. DPs are central to current social care policy in England, but their advantages remain controversial. This controversy is partly due to their lack of historical visibility: DPs were deployed in stages, bundled with other policy instruments (first individual budgets, then personal budgets), and amidst increasing budgetary constraints. As a result, little unequivocal evidence is available about the effectiveness of DPs as an instrument for older people’s care. This study aims to partially fill that gap using data obtained during an early evaluation of DP’s that took place between 2005 and 07.

Methods

Semi-structured 81 face-to-face interviews with older people (and their proxies) using DPs are analyzed. DPs contribution to outcomes was measured using a standardized utility scale. Data on individual characteristics (dependency, unpaid care) and received services (types and amount of services) was also gathered. Multiple regression analyses were performed between measured outcome gains and individual and service characteristics. A Poisson log-functional form was selected to account for the low mean and positive skew of outcome gains.

Results

Levels of met need compared very favorably to average social care outcomes in the domains of social participation, control over daily living and safety, and user satisfaction was high. Benefit from DPs was particularly affected by the role and function of unpaid care and availability of recruitment support. The freedom to combine funded care packages with self-funded care enhanced the positive impact of the former. The ability to purchase care that deviated from standardized care inputs improved service benefits. Large discrepancies between total care input and that supported through DPs negatively affected outcomes.

Conclusions

The results offer clarity regarding the benefit derived from receiving DPs. They also clarify contested aspects of the policy such as the influence of unpaid care, types of care received, funding levels and the role of wider support arrangements. Tangible benefits may results from direct payments but those benefits are highly dependent on policy implementation practices. Implementation of DPs should pay special attention to the balance between DP funded care and unpaid care.
Surgical outcomes of the thoracic ossification of ligamentum flavum: a retrospective analysis of 61 cases
Authors: Yamada Tsuyoshi , Shindo Shigeo , Yoshii Toshitaka , Ushio Shuta , Kusano Kazuo , Miyake Norihiko , Arai Yoshiyasu , Otani Kazuyuki , Okawa Atsushi , Nakai Osamu
Published: January 2021

Background

Thoracic ossification of ligamentum flavum (T-OLF), as one of the causes of thoracic myelopathy, is often combined with other spinal disorders. Concurrent lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LCS) is often obscured by symptoms due to T-OLF, leading to difficulty in identifying the origin of these neurological findings. It is common to be misdiagnosed or delayed diagnosis due to the complicated nature. We evaluated the prevalence, distribution, and clinical characteristics of OLF, especially in patients with LCS.

Methods

The authors performed a retrospective analysis of the outcomes of 61 patients who underwent thoracic surgeries performed for symptomatic T-OLF. In all the patients, whole spine lesions were evaluated preoperatively. We examined the factors related to poor outcomes (the recovery rate of the Japanese Orthopedic Association score for thoracic myelopathy is less than 40%) following OLF surgeries. We compared the clinical outcomes according to whether there was concurrent LCS, and determined the optimal surgical approach.

Results

The occurrence of T-OLF increased with age. Forty-six cases (75.4%) were considered to be tandem T-OLF and LCS (LCS group). An advanced age, and concurrent LCS were associated with a poor outcome after the surgery. The LCS group significantly included a greater number of elderly, and more light-weighted patients with Modic change in thoracic spine and a greater sagittal vertical axis, resulting in the lower neurological recovery. Additional lumbar surgery (13cases) effectively improved both the T-JOA and L-JOA scores (from 6.5 ± 2.0 points to 8.0 ± 1.8 points, p = 0.0406, and from 14.5 ± 4.7 points to 20.7 ± 2.6 points, p = 0.001, respectively) in OLF patients with LCS.

Conclusions

T-OLF was highly associated with other spinal disorders. Poor outcomes in T-OLF surgery could be associated with age and concurrent LCS, and an additional surgery for another lumbar lesion significantly improved neurological findings in T-OLF patients.
Concomitant hepatic tuberculosis and hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Alsaif Hind S. , Hassan Ali , Refai Osamah , Awary Khaled , Kussaibi Haitham , Ismail Mona H. , Alghnimi Ibrahim
Published: January 2021

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy that is strongly associated with chronic liver disease. Isolated hepatic tuberculosis is an uncommon type of tuberculosis. Concomitant occurrence of both conditions is extremely rare.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 47-year-old man who presented with fever and abdominal pain for 3 months prior to presentation. He reported a history of anorexia and significant weight loss. Abdominal examination revealed a tender, enlarged liver. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a solid heterogeneous hepatic mass with peripheral arterial enhancement, but no venous washout, conferring a radiological impression of suspected cholangiocarcinoma. However, a CT-guided biopsy of the lesion resulted in the diagnosis of concomitant HCC and isolated hepatic tuberculosis.

Conclusion

A rapid increase in tumor size should draw attention to the possibility of a concomitant infectious process. Clinicians must have a high index of suspicion for tuberculosis, especially in patients from endemic areas, in order to initiate early and proper treatment.
Delphi consensus on strategies in the management of opioid-induced constipation in cancer patients
Authors:   Working Group ActEIO Project, Sarrió Regina Gironés , Calsina-Berna Agnès , García Adoración Gozalvo , Esparza-Miñana José Miguel , Ferrer Esther Falcó , Porta-Sales Josep
Published: January 2021

Background

Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is a frequent and bothersome adverse event related with opioid therapy in cancer patients. Despite the high prevalence, medical management of OIC is often uncertain. The current project aimed to investigate expert opinion on OIC management and provide practical recommendations to improve the clinical approach of OIC in cancer patient.

Methods

A modified Delphi method was conducted involving 46 different physicians experts in OIC. Using a structured questionnaire of 67 items this project intended to seek consensus on aspects related to diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life of cancer patients suffering with OIC.

Results

After two rounds, a consensus was reached in 91% of the items proposed, all in agreement. Agreement was obtained on OIC definition (95.7%). Objective and patient-reported outcomes included in that definition should be assessed routinely in clinical practice. Responsive to symptom changes and easy-to-use assessment tools were recommended (87.2%). Successful diagnosis of OIC requires increase clinicians awareness of OIC and proactivity to discuss symptoms with their patients (100%). Successful management of OIC requires individualization of the treatment (100%), regular revaluation once is established, and keeping it for the duration of opioid treatment (91.5%). Oral Peripherally Acting μ-Opioid Receptor Agonists (PAMORAs), were considered good alternatives for the treatment of OIC in cancer patients (97.9%). This drugs and laxatives can be co-prescribed if OIC coexist with functional constipation.

Conclusions

The panelists, based on their expert clinical practice, presented a set of recommendations for the management of OIC in cancer patients.
Factors associated with measures of sarcopenia in pre and postmenopausal women
Authors: Rathnayake Nirmala , Alwis Gayani , Lenora Janaka , Lekamwasam Sarath
Published: January 2021

Background

Menopause associated low serum estradiol marks varieties of derangements in muscle mass and functions leading to sarcopenia. This cross-sectional study was carried out to examine the factors associated with measures of sarcopenia; skeletal muscle mass (SMM), muscle strength and physical performance (PP) in a group of premenopausal (PrMW) and postmenopausal women (PMW) selected from Sri Lanka.

Methods

Randomly selected 184 PrMW and 166 PMW from Galle district, Sri Lanka were studied. SMM was measured with duel energy X ray absorptiometry and relative appendicular SMM index (RSMI; kg/m2) was calculated. Other measurements made include handgrip strength (HGS; kg) and gait speed (GS; m/s), anthropometric indices, consumption of macro and micronutrients, and pattern of physical activities (PA). A serum sample was analyzed for fasting insulin, serum estradiol and vitamin D. Variables which significantly correlated with RSMI, HGS and GS of PrMW and PMW were separately entered into multiple linear regression models to extract the associated factors.

Results

Mean (SD) age of PrMW and PMW were 42.4 (6.0) and 55.8 (3.8) years respectively. In the regression analysis, RSMI in PrMW showed significant associations with body mass index (BMI), HGS, total-body-fat-mass (TBFM) and weight (adjusted R2 = 0.85) and in PMW with BMI, weight, TBFM, hip-circumference and fasting insulin (adjusted R2 = 0.80). BMI showed the strongest association with RSMI in both PrMW (r = 0.87, R2 = 0.76) and in PMW (r = 0.87, R2 = 0.76). HGS in PrMW showed significant associations with appendicular SMM (ASMM), total-body-bone-mineral-content, vigorous PA score, age and weight (adjusted R2 = 0.33) and in PMW with ASMM and height (adjusted R2 = 0.23). ASMM showed the strongest association with HGS in both PrMW (r = 0.44, R2 = 0.20) and PMW (r = 0.44, R2 = 0.20). GS in PrMW showed significant associations with height, BMI and energy consumption (adjusted R2 = 0.13) while in PMW, with carbohydrate consumption and total-body-bone-mineral-density (adjusted R2 = 0.09). While in PrMW, height showed the strongest association with GS (r = 0.28, R2 = 0.08) in PMW, it was carbohydrate consumption (r = 0.24, R2 = 0.06).

Conclusions

Factors that are associated with different measures of sarcopenia are not uniform and vary widely from anthropometry to nutrient intake indicating that these measures are somewhat independent and are governed by different factors.
Comparison of the validity of bookmark and Angoff standard setting methods in medical performance tests
Authors: Yousefi Afrashteh Majid
Published: January 2021

Background

One of the main processes of determining the ability level at which a student should pass an assessment is standard setting. The current study aimed to compare the validity of Angoff and bookmark methods in standard-setting.

Method

190 individuals with an M.Sc. degree in laboratory science participated in the study. A test with 32 items, designed by a group of experts, was used to assess the laboratory skills of the participants. Moreover, two groups each containing 12 content specialists in laboratory sciences, voluntarily participated in the application of the Angoff and bookmark methods. To assess the process validity, a 5-item questionnaire was asked from two groups of panelists. To investigate the internal validity, the classification agreement was calculated using the kappa and Fleiss’s Kappa coefficient. External validity was assessed by using five indices (correlation with criterion score, specificity, sensitivity, and positive and negative predictive values of correlation test with criterion score).

Results

The results showed that the obtained cut-scores was 17.67 for Angoff and 18.8 for bookmark. The average total of items related to the quality of the execution process was 4.25 for the Angoff group and 4.79 for the bookmark group. Pass rates pass rates percentages for the Angoff and bookmark group were 55.78 and 41.36, respectively. Correlations of passing/failing, between employer ratings and test scores were 0.69 and 0.88 for Angoff and bookmark methods, respectively.

Conclusion

Based on the results, it can be concluded that the process and internal validities of the bookmark method were higher than the Angoff method. For evaluation of the external validity (concordance of the cut score with the criterion score), all five external validity indices supported the bookmark method.
Transcriptomic and proteomic profiling revealed reprogramming of carbon metabolism in acetate-grown human pathogen Candida glabrata
Authors: Chew Shu Yih , Brown Alistair J. P. , Lau Benjamin Yii Chung , Cheah Yoke Kqueen , Ho Kok Lian , Sandai Doblin , Yahaya Hassan , Than Leslie Thian Lung
Published: January 2021

Background

Emergence of Candida glabrata, which causes potential life-threatening invasive candidiasis, has been widely associated with high morbidity and mortality. In order to cause disease in vivo, a robust and highly efficient metabolic adaptation is crucial for the survival of this fungal pathogen in human host. In fact, reprogramming of the carbon metabolism is believed to be indispensable for phagocytosed C. glabrata within glucose deprivation condition during infection.

Methods

In this study, the metabolic responses of C. glabrata under acetate growth condition was explored using high-throughput transcriptomic and proteomic approaches.

Results

Collectively, a total of 1482 transcripts (26.96%) and 242 proteins (24.69%) were significantly up- or down-regulated. Both transcriptome and proteome data revealed that the regulation of alternative carbon metabolism in C. glabrata resembled other fungal pathogens such as Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans, with up-regulation of many proteins and transcripts from the glyoxylate cycle and gluconeogenesis, namely isocitrate lyase (ICL1), malate synthase (MLS1), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK1) and fructose 1,6-biphosphatase (FBP1). In the absence of glucose, C. glabrata shifted its metabolism from glucose catabolism to anabolism of glucose intermediates from the available carbon source. This observation essentially suggests that the glyoxylate cycle and gluconeogenesis are potentially critical for the survival of phagocytosed C. glabrata within the glucose-deficient macrophages.

Conclusion

Here, we presented the first global metabolic responses of C. glabrata to alternative carbon source using transcriptomic and proteomic approaches. These findings implicated that reprogramming of the alternative carbon metabolism during glucose deprivation could enhance the survival and persistence of C. glabrata within the host.
Menstrual hygiene management in schools: midway progress update on the “MHM in Ten” 2014–2024 global agenda
Authors: Sommer Marni , Caruso Bethany A. , Torondel Belen , Warren Elodie C. , Yamakoshi Brooke , Haver Jackie , Long Jeanne , Mahon Thérèse , Nalinponguit Ella , Okwaro Neville , Phillips-Howard Penelope A.
Published: January 2021

Progress has been made in recent years to bring attention to the challenges faced by school-aged girls around managing menstruation in educational settings that lack adequate physical environments and social support in low- and middle-income countries. To enable more synergistic and sustained progress on addressing menstruation-related needs while in school, an effort was undertaken in 2014 to map out a vision, priorities, and a ten-year agenda for transforming girls’ experiences, referred to as Menstrual Hygiene Management in Ten (MHM in Ten). The overarching vision is that girls have the information, support, and enabling school environment for managing menstruation with dignity, safety and comfort by 2024. This requires improved research evidence and translation for impactful national level policies. As 2019 marked the midway point, we assessed progress made on the five key priorities, and remaining work to be done, through global outreach to the growing network of academics, non-governmental organizations, advocates, social entrepreneurs, United Nations agencies, donors, and national governments. This paper delineates the key insights to inform and support the growing MHM commitment globally to maximize progress to reach our vision by 2024. Corresponding to the five priorities, we found that (priority 1) the evidence base for MHM in schools has strengthened considerably, (priority 2) global guidelines for MHM in schools have yet to be created, and (priority 3) numerous evidence-based advocacy platforms have emerged to support MHM efforts. We also identified (priority 4) a growing engagement, responsibility, and ownership of MHM in schools among governments globally, and that although MHM is beginning to be integrated into country-level education systems (priority 5), resources are lacking. Overall, progress is being made against identified priorities. We provide recommendations for advancing the MHM in Ten agenda. This includes continued building of the evidence, and expanding the number of countries with national level policies and the requisite funding and capacity to truly transform schools for all students and teachers who menstruate.
Onchocerciasis control in Ghana (1974–2016)
Authors: Biritwum Nana-Kwadwo , de Souza Dziedzom K. , Asiedu Odame , Marfo Benjamin , Amazigo Uche Veronica , Gyapong John Owusu
Published: January 2021

Background

The control of onchocerciasis in Ghana started in 1974 under the auspices of the Onchocerciasis Control Programme (OCP). Between 1974 and 2002, a combination of approaches including vector control, mobile community ivermectin treatment, and community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) were employed. From 1997, CDTI became the main control strategy employed by the Ghana OCP (GOCP). This review was undertaken to assess the impact of the control interventions on onchocerciasis in Ghana between 1974 and 2016, since which time the focus has changed from control to elimination.

Methods

In this paper, we review programme data from 1974 to 2016 to assess the impact of control activities on prevalence indicators of onchocerciasis. This review includes an evaluation of CDTI implementation, microfilaria (Mf) prevalence assessments and rapid epidemiological mapping of onchocerciasis results.

Results

This review indicates that the control of onchocerciasis in Ghana has been very successful, with a significant decrease in the prevalence of infection from 69.13% [95% confidence interval) CI 60.24–78.01] in 1975 to 0.72% (95% CI 0.19–1.26) in 2015. Similarly, the mean community Mf load decreased from 14.48 MF/skin snip in 1975 to 0.07 MF/skin snip (95% CI 0.00–0.19) in 2015. Between 1997 and 2016, the therapeutic coverage increased from 58.50 to 83.80%, with nearly 100 million ivermectin tablets distributed.

Conclusions

Despite the significant reduction in the prevalence of onchocerciasis in Ghana, there are still communities with MF prevalence above 1%. As the focus of the GOCP has changed from the control of onchocerciasis to its elimination, both guidance and financial support are required to ensure that the latter goal is met.

Graphical Abstract
Clinical implementation of PLANET® Dose for dosimetric assessment after [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE: comparison with Dosimetry Toolkit® and OLINDA/EXM® V1.0
Authors: Santoro Lore , Pitalot L. , Trauchessec D. , Mora-Ramirez E. , Kotzki P. O. , Bardiès M. , Deshayes E.
Published: January 2021

Background

The aim of this study was to compare a commercial dosimetry workstation (PLANET® Dose) and the dosimetry approach (GE Dosimetry Toolkit® and OLINDA/EXM® V1.0) currently used in our department for quantification of the absorbed dose (AD) to organs at risk after peptide receptor radionuclide therapy with [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE.

Methods

An evaluation on phantom was performed to determine the SPECT calibration factor variations over time and to compare the Time Integrated Activity Coefficients (TIACs) obtained with the two approaches. Then, dosimetry was carried out with the two tools in 21 patients with neuroendocrine tumours after the first and second injection of 7.2 ± 0.2 GBq of [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE (40 dosimetry analyses with each software). SPECT/CT images were acquired at 4 h, 24 h, 72 h and 192 h post-injection and were reconstructed using the Xeleris software (General Electric). The liver, spleen and kidneys masses and TIACs were determined using Dosimetry Toolkit® (DTK) and PLANET® Dose. The ADs were calculated using OLINDA/EXM® V1.0 and the Local Deposition Method (LDM) or Dose voxel-Kernel convolution (DK) on PLANET® Dose.

Results

With the phantom, the 3D calibration factors showed a slight variation (0.8% and 3.3%) over time, and TIACs of 225.19 h and 217.52 h were obtained with DTK and PLANET® Dose, respectively. In patients, the root mean square deviation value was 8.9% for the organ masses, 8.1% for the TIACs, and 9.1% and 7.8% for the ADs calculated with LDM and DK, respectively. The Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient was 0.99 and the Bland–Altman plot analysis estimated that the AD value difference between methods ranged from − 0.75 to 0.49 Gy, from − 0.20 to 0.64 Gy, and from − 0.43 to 1.03 Gy for 95% of the 40 liver, kidneys and spleen dosimetry analyses. The dosimetry method had a minor influence on AD differences compared with the image registration and organ segmentation steps.

Conclusions

The ADs to organs at risk obtained with the new workstation PLANET® Dose are concordant with those calculated with the currently used software and in agreement with the literature. These results validate the use of PLANET® Dose in clinical routine for patient dosimetry after targeted radiotherapy with [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE.