bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A qualitative exploration of the experiences of community health animation on malaria control in rural Malawi
Authors: Malenga Tumaini , Griffiths Frances E. , van den Berg Marrit , van den Berg Henk , van Vugt Michèle , Phiri Kamija Samuel , Manda-Taylor Lucinda , Umar Eric
Published: March 2020

Background

While great strides have been achieved in fighting malaria through the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) strategy, the recent world malaria report shows an increase in malaria-related deaths compared to previous years. Malaria control tools are efficacious and effective in preventing the disease; however, the human behaviour aspect of the intervention strategies is weak due to heavy reliance on positive human health behaviour. The challenge lies in adoption of control interventions by the target population which, to an extent, may include access to prevention and treatment tools. We present a qualitative assessment of the use of the Health Animator (HA) model for Information, Education and Communication (IEC) to improve adoption and use of malaria control by promoting positive health behaviours.

Results

We conducted 3 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and 23 individual in-depth interviews (IDIs) with HAs. Each FGD consisted of 8 participants. Data was analysed using QSR International NVivo 10 software. There are four main themes emerging regarding HA experiences. The perceptions include; collaborative work experience, personal motivation and growth, community participation with health animation and challenges with implementation. Results suggest that HAs were pleased with the training as they gained new information regarding malaria, which affected their use of malaria control interventions within their families. Knowledge was well assimilated from the trainings and influenced personal growth in becoming a community leader. Support from the leadership within the village and the health system was important in legitimising the main messages. The community responded positively to the workshops valued the information imparted. The voluntary nature of the work in a poverty-stricken community affected sustainability.

Conclusions

There is need to empower communities with strategies within their reach. Functioning traditional social support structures are a crucial element in sustainability. Voluntarism is also key for sustainability, especially for rural and remote communities with limited sources of income.
Mobile-bearing insert used with total knee arthroplasty does not rotate on the tibial tray during a squatting activity: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Hoshi Kenji , Watanabe Goro , Kurose Yasuo , Tanaka Ryuji , Fujii Jiro , Gamada Kazuyoshi
Published: March 2020

Background

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is commonly performed around the world. Implant designs include fixed-bearing and mobile-bearing. Mobile-bearing design was developed as a rotating platform that allows axial rotation of the insert around the longitudinal axis. This phenomenon may limit full exploitation of the characteristics of the mobile-bearing insert, which may cause wearing and reduce longevity. However, there is limited knowledge on rotational behavior of the polyethylene mobile-bearing insert under weight-bearing conditions. We aimed at determining the rotational motion of each component at full extension and flexed positions during a squatting activity after TKA.

Methods

This study was a cross-sectional study (level 4) involving patients with severe knee osteoarthritis scheduled to receive TKA. We examined 13 knees of 11 patients after mobile-bearing TKA (NexGen LPS-Flex, Zimmer Inc.) at 10 weeks and 1 year postoperatively. Four identical metallic beads were embedded into the insert. Wide-base squatting was chosen for analyses. Three-dimensional in vivo poses of the prostheses were created using a 3D-to-2D registration technique. During flexion, rotation of the femoral component relative to the insert (FEM/INS) and tibial component (FEM/TIB) as well as insert rotation relative to the tibial component (INS/TIB) were computed. Repeated measure 2-way ANOVA and post hoc test was used.

Results

In the fully extended position, FEM/INS was significantly smaller than INS/TIB both at 10 weeks (− 0.3° vs. 6.3°, p = .013) and 1 year (− 0.8° vs. 4.9°, p = .011), respectively. During the squatting activity, rotation motions of FEM/TIB, FEM/INS, INS/TIB were 5.7°, 5.9°, and 1.8° at 10 weeks and 6.3°, 5.5°, and 1.6° at 1 year, respectively. Rotation motion of FEM/INS was significantly greater than that of INS/TIB at both 10 weeks (p < .001) and 1 year (p < .001).

Conclusions

The mobile-bearing insert enhances the compatibility of FEM/INS in extension; the amount of INS/TIB rotation is significantly smaller than that of FEM/INS during a squatting activity. This information will inform surgeons to take caution to perform TKA with a fixed insert in which 6.3° of rotational offset would be added to the rotational alignment at FEM/INS at full extension.

Trial registration

UMIN-CTR, UMIN000024196. Retrospectively registered on 9 September 2016.
Treatment of vocal fold scarring with autologous bone marrow-derived human mesenchymal stromal cells—first phase I/II human clinical study
Authors: Hertegård Stellan , Nagubothu Srinivasa Rau , Malmström Emma , LeBlanc Katarina
Published: March 2020

Background

Vocal fold (VF) scarring, caused by surgery or inflammation, often results in severe voice problems or aphonia. Effective lasting treatment is lacking. Previous in vitro and in vivo animal studies reported positive effects on VF scar resolution with mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) implantation. The principal aim of this study was to examine safety aspects and secondly treatment efficacy vocal fold function in patients with VF scarring and severe voice problems.

Methods

In this open-label phase I/II study, 16 patients were treated with surgical scar resection followed by injection of autologous MSCs (0.5–2 × 106 MSCs/patient). Patients were monitored 1 year for serious adverse events (SAE) or minor complications. Therapeutic efficacy on treated VFs was evaluated by measurement of VF vibrations using high-speed laryngoscopy (HSL) and phonation pressure threshold (PTP) for elasticity and VF function. Patients self-reported voice change using the Voice Handicap Index (VHI).

Results

No SAE or minor side effects were reported. Video ratings of VF vibrations and digitized analysis of HSL and PTP were significantly improved for 62–75% of the patients (depending on parameter). Two patients showed deteriorated VF vibrations, but improved PTP. VHI was significantly improved in 8 patients, with the remaining experiencing no significant change.

Conclusions

The results indicate that local injection of autologous MSC into scarred VFs with severe voice problems may offer a safe and feasible therapeutic option. VF vibration and elasticity were improved in approximately two thirds of treated patients.

This clinical study is registered in clinicaltrials.gov (ID: NCT01981330). Retrospective registration of first patient (20130511). https//: register.clinicaltrials.gov/.
Administration of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells in lengthening phase accelerates early bone consolidation in rat distraction osteogenesis model
Authors: Yang Yanhua , Pan Qi , Zou Kaijie , Wang Haixing , Zhang Xiaoting , Yang Zhengmeng , Lee Wayne Yuk Wai , Wei Bo , Gu Weidong , Yang Yunzhi Peter , Lin Sien , Li Gang
Published: March 2020

Background

Distraction osteogenesis (DO) is a surgical technique to promote bone regeneration which may require long duration for bone consolidation. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been applied to accelerate bone formation in DO. However, the optimal time point for cell therapy in DO remains unknown. This study sought to determine the optimal time point of cell administration to achieve early bone consolidation in DO. We hypothesized that the ratio of circulating MSCs to peripheral mononuclear cells and the level of cytokines in serum might be indicators for cell administration in DO.

Methods

Unilateral tibial osteotomy with an external fixator was performed in adult Sprague Dawley rats. Three days after osteotomy, the tibia was lengthened at 0.5 mm/12 h for 5 days. At first, 5 rats were used to analyze the blood components at 6 different time points (3 days before lengthening, on the day lengthening began, or 3, 6, 10, or 14 days after lengthening began) by sorting circulating MSCs and measuring serum levels of stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) and interleukin 1β. Then, 40 rats were used for cell therapy study. A single dose of 5 × 105 allogeneic MSCs was locally injected at the lengthening site on day 3, 6, or 10 after lengthening began, or 3 doses of MSCs were injected at the three time points. Sequential X-ray radiographs were taken weekly. Endpoint examinations included micro-computed tomography analysis, mechanical testing, histomorphometry, and histology.

Results

The number of circulating MSCs and serum level of SDF-1 were significantly increased during lengthening, and then decreased afterwards. Single injection of MSCs during lengthening phase (on day 3, but not day 6 or 10) significantly increased bone volume fraction, mechanical maximum loading, and bone mineralization of the regenerate. Triple injections of MSCs at three time points also significantly increased bone volume and maximum loading of the regenerates.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that bone consolidation could be accelerated by a single injection of MSCs during lengthening when the ratio of peripheral MSCs to mononuclear cells and the serum SDF-1 presented at peak levels concurrently, suggesting that day 3 after lengthening began may be the optimal time point for cell therapy to promote early bone consolidation.
Hypoxia-preconditioned mesenchymal stem cells prevent renal fibrosis and inflammation in ischemia-reperfusion rats
Authors: Ishiuchi Naoki , Nakashima Ayumu , Doi Shigehiro , Yoshida Ken , Maeda Satoshi , Kanai Ryo , Yamada Yumi , Ike Takeshi , Doi Toshiki , Kato Yukio , Masaki Takao
Published: March 2020

Background

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been reported to promote the regeneration of injured tissue via their paracrine abilities, which are enhanced by hypoxic preconditioning. In this study, we examined the therapeutic efficacy of hypoxia-preconditioned MSCs on renal fibrosis and inflammation in rats with ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI).

Methods

MSCs derived from rats and humans were incubated in 1% O2conditions (1%O2MSCs) for 24 h. After IRI, 1%O2MSCs or MSCs cultured under normoxic conditions (21%O2MSCs) were injected through the abdominal aorta. At 7 or 21 days post-injection, the rats were sacrificed and their kidneys were analyzed. In in vitro experiments, we examined whether 1%O2MSCs enhanced the ability to produce anti-fibrotic humoral factors using transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-stimulated HK-2 cells incubated with conditioned medium from MSCs.

Results

Administration of rat 1%O2MSCs (1%O2rMSCs) attenuated renal fibrosis and inflammation more significantly than rat 21%O2MSCs. Notably, human 1%O2MSCs (1%O2hMSCs) also attenuated renal fibrosis to the same extent as 1%O2rMSCs. Flow cytometry showed that 1%O2hMSCs did not change human leukocyte antigen expression. Further in vitro experiments revealed that conditioned medium from 1%O2MSCs further suppressed TGF-β1-induced fibrotic changes in HK-2 cells compared with 21%O2MSCs. Hypoxic preconditioning enhanced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) secretion. Interestingly, VEGF knockdown in 1%O2MSCs attenuated HGF secretion and the inhibition of TGF-β1-induced fibrotic changes in HK-2 cells. In addition, VEGF knockdown in 1%O2hMSCs reduced the anti-fibrotic effect in IRI rats.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that hypoxia-preconditioned MSCs are useful as an allogeneic transplantation cell therapy to prevent renal fibrosis and inflammation.
Functional diversity and abundance of nitrogen cycle-related genes in paddy soil
Authors: Khanal Anamika , Lee Ji-Hoon
Published: March 2020

The nitrogen cycle and the associated microbes play an important role in natural ecosystems, including terrestrial habitats; they also have a major effect on climate change. The aim of this study was to explore microbial communities in rice paddy soil by detecting and quantifying some key functional genes involved in the nitrogen cycle using molecular techniques such as conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR), clone library construction, sequencing, phylogenetic analysis, and real-time PCR. The genes analyzed were as follows: nitrogenase reductase gene (nifH), hydrazine synthase gene (hzsA), nitrous oxide reductase gene (nosZ), copper-containing (nirK) and cytochrome cd1-containing (nirS) nitrite reductase genes, nitrite oxidoreductase gene (nxrB), and ammonium monooxygenase gene (amoA). The sequence assessment using the clone library targeting these genes revealed high diversity and dominance of bacterial communities. Furthermore, real-time PCR using SYBR green dye and some primers specific for each gene revealed the high abundance of nxrB (4.1 × 109 ± 0.4 × 109 copies g−1 soil) and low abundance of hzsA (4.0 × 105 ± 1.1 × 105 copies g−1 soil). The findings of our study will be useful to explore microbial communities in terrestrial habitats, such as agricultural paddy fields.
Where are we going and where have we been? Examining the effects of maps on spatial learning in an indoor guided navigation task
Authors: Stites Mallory C. , Matzen Laura E. , Gastelum Zoe N.
Published: March 2020

Background

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards inspectors are faced with the difficult task of learning the layout of complex nuclear facilities while being escorted through the facilities. This study addresses a gap in the literature regarding how to best support the development of inspectors’ spatial knowledge, given the constraint that they cannot bring digital devices into most nuclear facilities. We tested whether viewing a map before learning a guided route or carrying a map along the route enabled better spatial learning than having no exposure to a map. Moreover, we tested the impact of carrying maps with different levels of detail (simple 2D, simple 3D, or complex 2D maps) on spatial learning outcomes, as well as interactions between map type and individual differences in sense of direction.

Results

The results showed nearly opposite patterns of performance for participants with good and poor sense of direction scores. Participants with a good sense of direction showed higher levels of spatial knowledge when studying or carrying simple maps, whether 2D or 3D, but they did not benefit from using a complex map. Participants with a poor sense of direction showed lower levels of spatial knowledge when using a simple map relative to using no map or a complex map, suggesting that they did not attempt to use the complex map. For both groups of participants, referring to a simple map while learning a route decreased their awareness of their environment, as measured by response times on a memory test that included incidentally learned items.
China-UK partnership for global health: practices and implications of the Global Health Support Programme 2012–2019
Authors: Wang Xiaohua , Liu Peilong , Xu Tongwu , Chen Yan , Yu Yang , Chen Xun , Chen Jingyi , Zhang Zhaoyang
Published: March 2020

Background

Over the past few decades, a series of major challenges to global health have successively emerged, which call for China’s deeper engagement in global health governance. In this context, the China-UK Global Health Support Programme (GHSP) was launched in 2012 with about 12 million pounds funded by the United Kingdom.

Objectives

The GHSP was expected to explore a new type of China-UK partnership to strengthen the cooperation in global health, and enhance China’s capacity to engage in global health governance and provide effective development assistance in health (DAH), in order to jointly improve global health outcomes.

Programme design and implementation

The GHSP was programmed to support capacity building activities in Chinese experience distillation, DAH, global health governance and pilot partnership at national and institutional levels between October 2012 and March 2019. These activities were assigned to different project implementing agencies (PIAs) and their project cooperative agencies (PCAs) or pilot areas, and were then implemented under the guidance and management by the strategic oversight committee and the project management office of GHSP respectively.

Main achievements

At the national level, the GHSP held five rounds of China-UK high-level dialogues, conducted studies on China Global Health Strategies to provide robust evidence for developing and issuing relevant national policies, and supported the establishment of the China Global Health Network. At the institutional level, the GHSP funded a series of activities in research, training, international exchange and pilots etc., produced a large number of high-quality research outputs and policy briefings, cultivated a group of PIAs and individual researchers, facilitated the partnership building between the PIAs and PCAs, enhanced the practical ability of Chinese institutions to conduct overseas DAH, and improved the health service delivery and outcomes in pilot areas of three Asian and African countries.

Policy implications

In the GHSP, China and UK have established a good model for North-South Cooperation and the programme facilitated the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by building a new type of bilateral partnership and carrying out triangular cooperation practices. This model has demonstrated huge potential for cooperation through partnership and can also be referred to by other countries to develop bilateral partnerships.
Mature Versus Registration Studies of Immuno‐Oncology Agents: Does Value Improve With Time?
Authors: Ben-Aharon Omer , Magnezi Racheli , Leshno Moshe , Goldstein Daniel A.
Published: March 2020

PURPOSE:

A unique feature of immuno-oncology agents is the potential for durable survival for a subset of patients; however, this benefit usually cannot not be seen in the early published data used for regulatory approval. Value frameworks developed by ASCO and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) assess the clinical benefit demonstrated in clinical trials. Proven benefit may change with time as more mature data are available. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of mature data for immuno-oncology agents on ASCO and ESMO scores and to examine the concordance of these frameworks using more mature data.

METHODS:

We reviewed Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals for immuno-oncology agents between 2011 and 2017, calculated the ASCO-Net Health Benefit (NHB) score and ESMO-Magnitude of Clinical Benefit Score (MCBS), checked which agents fulfilled the criteria of being rewarded for durable survival, assessed the concordance between models using the Spearman correlation test, and compared the initial results of registration studies with mature follow-up data from the same studies.

RESULTS:

The FDA approved 27 solid tumor indications for immuno-oncology agents between 2011 and 2017. The correlation between ASCO-NHB score and ESMO-MCBS was high (0.88). Mature follow-up data were available for 13 of these indications, in which 6 studies were found to have improved in the grade of ASCO and/or ESMO value frameworks, whereas 2 cases were downgraded in the scale.

CONCLUSION:

Despite different approaches, the high concordance between ASCO and ESMO value frameworks indicates that both models reward treatments as beneficial for the same immuno-oncology agents. Mature data with longer follow-up reaffirmed most of the findings found in the evaluation in the initially published registration studies.
Familial Aggregation and Heritability of Aldosteronism with Cardiovascular Events
Authors: Wu Vin-Cent , Chueh Jeff S , Hsieh Mei-Yun , Hu Ya-Hui , Huang Kuo-How , Lin Yen-Hung , Yang Shao-Yu , Chu Tzong-Shinn , Kuo Chang-Fu
Published: March 2020

Context

To date, the effect of positive family history as a risk factor of primary aldosteronism (PA) is largely unknown. Studies have failed to distinguish the heritability of PA as well as the associations between positive family history of PA and clinical outcomes.

Objectives

We quantified the prevalence, the extent of familial aggregation, the heritability of PA among family members of patients with PA, and the association between positive PA family history and major cardiovascular events (MACE).

Design and Settings

Using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database, 30 245 077 National Health Insurance beneficiaries (both alive and those deceased between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2015) were identified.

Results

We identified 7902 PA patients. Forty-four had PA (0.3%) among 10 234 individuals with affected parents, 2298 with affected offspring, 1924 with affected siblings, and 22 with affected twins. A positive family history was associated with the adjusted relative risk (RR) (95% confidence interval [CI]) of 11.60 (7.63–17.63) for PA in people with an affected first-degree relative. In subgroup analysis, the risk for PA across all relationships (parent, siblings, offspring, and spouse) showed highly significant differences to PA without family history. The accountability for phenotypic variance of PA was 51.0% for genetic factors, 24.9% for shared environmental factors, and 24.1% for nonshared environmental factors. PA patients with an affected first-degree relative were associated with an increased risk for composite major cardiovascular events (RR 1.31; 95% CI 1.24–1.40, P < .001) compared with PA patients without family history.

Conclusion

Familial clustering of PA exists among a population-based study, supporting a genetic susceptibility leading to PA. There is increased coaggregation of MACE in first-degree relatives of PA patients. Our findings suggest a strong genetic component in the susceptibility of PA, involving different kinships.
Fatal Clostridium perfringens Meningitis Following Caudal Anesthesia in an Infant: A Case Report
Authors: Reutershan Jörg , Finckh Markus , Getto Rainer , Rauch Winfried , Schimanski Sven , Vieth Michael , Rupprecht Thomas
Published: March 2020

Caudal anesthesia is referred to as a simple and safe method to obtain analgesia in infants during various surgical procedures. Here, we present a fatal course of a premature infant that received caudal anesthesia for inguinal hernia repair. While anesthesia and surgery were uneventful, the child developed an acute bacterial meningoencephalitis within a few hours. Microbiology revealed the presence of Clostridium perfringens in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The infant died 17 days after surgery. Preoperative screening for C. perfringens and particular caution in infants with intracerebral hemorrhages are discussed as potential factors to be considered when anesthesia is planned.
Specification and regulation of vascular tissue identity in the Arabidopsis embryo
Authors: Smit Margot E. , Llavata-Peris Cristina I. , Roosjen Mark , van Beijnum Henriette , Novikova Daria , Levitsky Victor , Sevilem Iris , Roszak Pawel , Slane Daniel , Jürgens Gerd , Mironova Victoria , Brady Siobhan M. , Weijers Dolf
Published: March 2020

Development of plant vascular tissues involves tissue identity specification, growth, pattern formation and cell-type differentiation. Although later developmental steps are understood in some detail, it is still largely unknown how the tissue is initially specified. We used the early Arabidopsis embryo as a simple model to study this process. Using a large collection of marker genes, we found that vascular identity was specified in the 16-cell embryo. After a transient precursor state, however, there was no persistent uniform tissue identity. Auxin is intimately connected to vascular tissue development. We found that, although an AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR5/MONOPTEROS (ARF5/MP)-dependent auxin response was required, it was not sufficient for tissue specification. We therefore used a large-scale enhanced yeast one-hybrid assay to identify potential regulators of vascular identity. Network and functional analysis of candidate regulators suggest that vascular identity is under robust, complex control. We found that one candidate regulator, the G-class bZIP transcription factor GBF2, can modulate vascular gene expression by tuning MP output through direct interaction. Our work uncovers components of a gene regulatory network that controls the initial specification of vascular tissue identity.
Bosutinib prevents vascular leakage by reducing focal adhesion turnover and reinforcing junctional integrity
Authors: Botros Liza , Pronk Manon C. A. , Juschten Jenny , Liddle John , Morsing Sofia K. H. , van Buul Jaap D. , Bates Robert H. , Tuinman Pieter R. , van Bezu Jan S. M. , Huveneers Stephan , Bogaard Harm Jan , van Hinsbergh Victor W. M. , Hordijk Peter L. , Aman Jurjan
Published: March 2020

Endothelial barrier dysfunction leads to edema and vascular leak, causing high morbidity and mortality. Previously, Abl kinase inhibition has been shown to protect against vascular leak. Using the distinct inhibitory profiles of clinically available Abl kinase inhibitors, we aimed to provide a mechanistic basis for novel treatment strategies against vascular leakage syndromes. We found that the inhibitor bosutinib most potently protected against inflammation-induced endothelial barrier disruption. In vivo, bosutinib prevented lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced alveolar protein extravasation in an acute lung injury mice model. Mechanistically, mitogen-activated protein 4 kinase 4 (MAP4K4) was identified as important novel mediator of endothelial permeability, which signaled via ezrin, radixin and moesin proteins to increase turnover of integrin-based focal adhesions. The combined inhibition of MAP4K4 and Abl-related gene (Arg, also known as ABL2) by bosutinib preserved adherens junction integrity and reduced turnover of focal adhesions, which synergistically act to stabilize the endothelial barrier during inflammation. We conclude that MAP4K4 is an important regulator of endothelial barrier integrity, increasing focal adhesion turnover and disruption of cell–cell junctions during inflammation. Because it inhibits both Arg and MAP4K4, use of the clinically available drug bosutinib might form a viable strategy against vascular leakage syndromes.
Intertemporal Demand Spillover Effects on Video Game Platforms
Authors: Haviv Avery , Huang Yufeng , Li Nan
Published: March 2020

Many platform strategies focus on indirect network effects between sellers through platform expansion. In this paper, we show sellers on the console video game platform generate a positive intertemporal spillover effect and expand the demand for other sellers, holding the set of platform adopters fixed. We propose a novel identification strategy that leverages exogenous variation in the release timing of games exclusively available on a console platform, and examine how this variation affects the sales of games available on both platforms. We find a sizable intertemporal demand spillover effect between games: A 1% increase in total copies sold on a platform leads to a 0.153% increase in the sales of other games in the next month (i.e., an elasticity of 0.153). Additional analysis suggests this demand spillover effect is reminiscent of habit formation on the consumer side, in that past purchases keep end users active on the platform. Our finding provides a potential explanation for recent platform sales events and subscription services that provide free games to consumers every month.

This paper was accepted by Eric Anderson, marketing.
Air pollution impacts on human health and policies to reduce air pollution
Authors: Karliansyah M. R.
Published: March 2020

[No abstract available]
A randomized controlled trial of high parenteral protein feeding in septic children: the role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha-308 polymorphism
Authors: Yanni Gema Nazri , Madjid Amir Sjarifuddin , Hendarto Aryono , Jusman Sri Widia Azraki , Munasir Zakiudin , Satari Hindra Irawan , Setianingsih Iswari , Lubis Munar , Sastroasmoro Sudigdo
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND Septic children cause high protein degradation and inadequate nutritional intake would worsen the outcomes. In addition, there are conflicting results of association between tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFA)-308 polymorphism and poorer outcomes. This study was aimed to investigate the impact of high protein feeding in septic children and to examine the role of the TNFA-308 polymorphism in outcome of sepsis.

METHODS In this randomized controlled trial, septic children were randomly assigned to receive either high protein feeding (amino acid of 4 g/kg of body weight [kgBW]/day) or standard nutrient (amino acid of 2 g/kgBW/day) for three days in the pediatric intensive care unit of four hospitals in Indonesia. The patient’s enrollment was done between April 2016 and May 2017. The primary outcome was the pediatric logistic organ dysfunction (PELOD) score. TNFA-308 polymorphism was investigated using restriction fragment length polymorphism method in both groups. PELOD score was analyzed as mean differences and gene polymorphism was analyzed with mortality in a subgroup.

RESULTS There were 40 children in each group. PELOD score on day-1 (22.4 versus 20.5, p = 0.429), day-2 (20.5 versus 19.8, p = 0.815), and day-3 (18.8 versus 19.8, p = 0.772) were not lower in high protein feeding compared to standard feeding. TNFA-308 polymorphism had no role in mortality of both groups (high protein, p = 0.426; standard, p = 0.456).

CONCLUSIONS From this study, researchers concluded that a high protein intervention did not significantly decrease the PELOD score, length of stay, and duration of ventilator use in both groups.
Association between axillary lymph node involvement and clinicopathological features of breast cancer among Indonesian women
Authors: Novrial Dody , Nawangtantrini Gita , Sulistyo Hidayat , Sari Henida Dwi , Djatmiko Wahyu
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND Some clinicopathological features play roles in the spread of breast cancer to axillary lymph node (ALN). However, their roles as predictive factors are not well-established. This study was conducted to determine the correlation between the clinicopathological features of breast cancer and the risk of ALN involvement in Indonesian women. METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted in Margono Soekarjo Hospital using archival data from January 2017 to June 2018. All subjects with breast cancer who had undergone modified radical mastectomies without any evidence of distant metastasis were included. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were performed to assess the relationship between ALN involvement and age, menopausal status, laterality, tumor size, tumor stage, histological type, tumor grade, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), skin or nipple infiltration, perineural invasion, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status. The odds ratio of each variable was evaluated using ordinal regression analysis. RESULTS Stage 3 breast cancer had the worst status of ALN involvement compared with stage 1 (OR = 3.49; 95% CI = 1.51–8.08) and stage 2 (OR = 3.04; 95% CI = 1.32–6.98). Likewise, positive LVSI also had the worst status of ALN involvement compared with negative LVSI (OR = 8.68; 95% CI = 4.23–17.81). CONCLUSIONS Tumor stage and LVSI could be considered as independent predictive factors of ALN involvement in patients with breast cancer, especially among Indonesian women.
Prognosis of advanced stage non-small-cell lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: adenocarcinoma versus squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Soetandyo Noorwati , Hanafi Arif Riswahyudi , Agustini Sri , Sinulingga Dian Triana
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND In Indonesia, lung cancer is one of the most prevalent solid cancer with the highest mortality rate. However, studies to identify prognostic factors associated with mortality are lacking. Thus, this study was aimed to determine the association of histological subtypes and prognosis of advanced stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving chemotherapy.
METHODS This study focused on a retrospective cohort consisting of 60 patients with advanced stage NSCLC and treated with chemotherapy. Patients with NSCLC stage IIIB or stage IV, age ≥18 years, and good performance status were recruited. The outcomes were one-year mortality and treatment response. Gender, age, body mass index, staging, and performance status were evaluated. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used.
RESULTS Two common histological subtypes, adenocarcinoma (68.3%) and squamous cell carcinoma (31.7%), were observed among all subjects. Four patients (6.7%) died during one-year observation period. Mortality rate was higher in squamous cell carcinoma (10.5%) patients than in adenocarcinoma (4.9%). Underweight patients had higher risk of death (relative risk [RR] = 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.00–1.19) and disease progression (RR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.12–1.51). In adenocarcinoma, metastasis was a risk for progressive disease (RR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.09–1.66). In squamous cell carcinoma, men had a lower risk of disease progression (RR = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.03–0.41).
CONCLUSIONS Squamous cell carcinoma had comparable one-year mortality and disease progression rate with adenocarcinoma type in advanced stage NSCLC. However, underweight patients had a higher risk of mortality and disease progression.
Electrically modulated varifocal metalens combined with twisted nematic liquid crystals
Authors: Fan Chun-Yuan , Chuang Tsung-Jung , Wu Kuo-Hao , Su Guo-Dung J.
Published: March 2020

Focus-tunable lenses are indispensable to optical systems. This paper proposes an electrically modulated varifocal metalens combined with twisted nematic liquid crystals. In our design, a metalens is employed to focus on different points depending on the polarization state of incident light. We demonstrated that the varifocal metalens has a sub-millisecond response time. Furthermore, the numerical aperture of both the first and second focal points can be customized to achieve a wide range of 0.2–0.7. Moreover, the full width at half maximum approached the diffraction limit at multiple focal points. Because of the advantages of our proposed electrically modulated metalens, it has the potential for application in optical technology and biomedical science, both of which require high image quality and a rapid response time.
Simplified single-shot supercontinuum spectral interferometry
Authors: Patel Dhruvit , Jang Dogeun , Hancock Scott W. , Milchberg Howard M. , Kim Ki-Yong
Published: March 2020

We have experimentally demonstrated a simplified method for performing single-shot supercontinuum spectral interferometry (SSSI) that does not require pre-characterization of the probe pulse. The method, originally proposed by D. T. Vu, D. Jang, and K. Y. Kim, uses a genetic algorithm (GA) and as few as two time-delayed pump-probe shots to retrieve the pump-induced phase shift on the probe [Opt. Express 26, 20572 (2018)]. We show that the GA is able to successfully retrieve the transient modulations on the probe, and that the error in the retrieved modulation decreases dramatically with the number of shots used. In addition, we propose and demonstrate a practical method that allows SSSI to be done with a single pump-probe shot (again, without the need for pre-characterization of the probe). This simplified method can prove to be immensely useful when performing SSSI with a low-repetition-rate laser source.
Kilowatt-level tunable all-fiber narrowband superfluorescent fiber source with 40 nm tuning range
Authors: Li Zhe , Li Gang , Gao Qi , Wu Peng , She Shengfei , Wang Zhaolu , Huang Nan , Sun Chuandong , Gao Wei , Ju Pei , Liu Hongjun
Published: March 2020

In this study, we presented a high-power widely tunable all-fiber narrowband superfluorescent fiber source (SFS) by employing two tunable bandpass filters and three amplifier stages. More than 935 W output power is achieved, with a slope efficiency of >75% and a beam quality factor of M2=1.40. The tuning of the narrowband SFS ranges from ∼1045 nm to ∼1085 nm with a full width at half maximum linewidth of less than 0.71 nm. The tunable narrowband SFS stably operates without the influence of parasitic oscillation and self-pulsing effects under maximum power. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate a widely tunable all-fiber narrowband SFS around 1 µm wavelength region with output power reaching kilowatt-level.
Suppressing non-local effects due to Doppler frequency shifts in dynamic Brillouin fiber sensors
Authors: Murray Joseph B. , Redding Brandon
Published: March 2020

Brillouin fiber sensors have traditionally been limited to low-speed or static strain measurements due to the time-consuming frequency scans required. In the past decade, a number of novel high-speed measurement techniques have been proposed to enable Brillouin-based dynamic strain sensors. In this work, we present a new mechanism, which can limit the performance of high-speed dynamic Brillouin sensors. Specifically, we show that dynamic strain induced Doppler shifts can corrupt a distributed Brillouin strain measurement by introducing non-local signals throughout the fiber. We present a model showing that these non-local signals can introduce unacceptable levels of cross-talk or even exceed the local signal strength in reasonable operating conditions and experimentally observe these signals in a standard slope-assisted BOTDA sensor. Finally, we present a modified sensor architecture to address this issue and experimentally demonstrate low-noise (2.6 nε/Hz1/2), dynamic strain measurements with significantly reduced sensitivity to this type of non-local signal.
On-chip biochemical sensor using wide Gaussian beams in silicon waveguide-integrated plasmonic crystal
Authors: Han Xu , Ren Guanghui , Nguyen Thach G. , Xiao Huifu , Tian Yonghui , Mitchell Arnan
Published: March 2020

An on-chip biochemical sensor based on two-dimensional waveguide-integrated plasmonic crystal formed by a nanogap tile (NGT) array is realized. By using on-chip optical lenses, an ultra-wide collimated Gaussian beam is launched, coupled with surface plasmonic crystals and collected with relatively low additional insertion loss, allowing a large sensing area. The optical field enhancement and stop-band shift of the NGT device for biochemical sensing are numerically and experimentally demonstrated with sensitivity reaching up to

∼

260

n
m

/

R
I
U

. Our sensor is demonstrated with monolayer thiol molecules illustrating that it can be functionalized with this class of molecule which is commonly used with bulk surface plasmon resonance sensors.
Enhanced laser speckle optical sensor for in situ strain sensing and structural health monitoring
Authors: Pang Yong , Chen Bernard K. , Yu Siu Fung , Lingamanaik Siva N.
Published: March 2020

In this Letter, an enhanced laser speckle optical sensor (LSOS) for nondestructive, noncontact, and high-accuracy strain measurement has been developed. Subsystems of laser beam shaping and telecentric imaging were incorporated into the LSOS to achieve optimized speckle patterns, and a field-of-view (FOV) separation was introduced to extend sensor gauge length. Validation tests confirmed that the LSOS achieved consistent results with resistive strain gauges in laboratory conditions with maximum RMS error (RMSE) of

9.44

µ
ε

. Sensing practicality was demonstrated in field tests. The results showed that the LSOS is capable of achieving accurate strain measurements in an external environment with maximum RMSE of

13.34

µ
ε

.
Electric field vector measurements via nanosecond electric-field-induced second-harmonic generation
Authors: Chng Tat Loon , Naphade Maya , Goldberg Benjamin M. , Adamovich Igor V. , Starikovskaia Svetlana M.
Published: March 2020

Electric-field-induced second-harmonic generation, or E-FISH, has received renewed interest as a nonintrusive tool for probing electric fields in gas discharges and plasmas using ultrashort laser pulses. An important contribution of this work lies in establishing that the E-FISH method works effectively in the nanosecond regime, yielding field sensitivities of about a kV/cm at atmospheric pressure from a 16 ns pulse. This is expected to broaden its applicability within the plasma community, given the wider access to conventional nanosecond laser sources. A Pockels-cell-based pulse-slicing scheme, which may be readily integrated with such nanosecond laser systems, is shown to be a complementary and cost-effective option for improving the time resolution of the electric field measurement. Using this scheme, a time resolution of

∼
3
 
 
ns

is achieved, without any detriment to the signal sensitivity. This could prove invaluable for nonequilibrium plasma applications, where time resolution of a few nanoseconds or less is often critical. Finally, we take advantage of the field vector sensitivity of the E-FISH signal to demonstrate simultaneous measurements of both the horizontal and vertical components of the electric field.
Chip-scale full-Stokes spectropolarimeter in silicon photonic circuits
Authors: Lin Zhongjin , Dadalyan Tigran , Bélanger-de Villers Simon , Galstian Tigran , Shi Wei
Published: March 2020

Wavelength-dependent polarization state of light carries crucial information about light–matter interactions. However, its measurement is limited to bulky, high energy-consuming devices, which prohibits many modern, portable applications. Here, we propose and demonstrate a chip-scale spectropolarimeter implemented using a complementary metal oxide semiconductor compatible silicon photonics technology. Four compact Vernier microresonator spectrometers are monolithically integrated with a broadband polarimeter consisting of a 2D nanophotonic antenna and a polarimetric circuit to achieve full-Stokes spectropolarimetric analysis. The proposed device offers a solid-state spectropolarimetry solution with a small footprint of 1 mm × 0.6 mm and low power consumption of 360 mW. Full-Stokes spectral detection across a broad spectral range of 50 nm with a resolution of 1 nm is demonstrated in characterizing a material possessing structural chirality. The proposed device may enable a broader application of spectropolarimetry in the fields ranging from biomedical diagnostics and chemical analysis to observational astronomy.
Analysis of TM/TE mode enhancement and droop reduction by a nanoporous n-AlGaN underlayer in a 290  nm UV-LED
Authors: Li Yufeng , Wang Chenyu , Zhang Ye , Hu Peng , Zhang Shengnan , Du Mengqi , Su Xilin , Li Qiang , Yun Feng
Published: March 2020

A full structure 290-nm ultraviolet light-emitting diode (UV-LED) with a nanoporous n-AlGaN underlayer was fabricated by top via hole formation followed by high-voltage electrochemical etching. The 20 to 120 nm nanopores were prepared in regular doped n-AlGaN by adjusting the etching voltage. The comparison between the Raman spectrum and the photoluminescence wavelength shows that the biaxial stress in the nanoporous material is obviously relaxed. The photoluminescence enhancement was found to be highly dependent on the size of the pores. It not only improves the extraction efficiency of top-emitting transverse-electric (TE)-mode photons but also greatly improves the efficiency of side-emitting transverse-magnetic (TM)-mode photons. This leads to the polarization change of the side-emitting light from

−
0.08

to

−
0.242

. The intensity of the electroluminescence was increased by 36.5% at 100 mA, and the efficiency droop at high current was found to decrease from 61% to 31%.
Cavity-based photoconductive sources for real-time terahertz imaging
Authors: Hawecker J. , Pistore V. , Minasyan A. , Maussang K. , Palomo J. , Sagnes I. , Manceau J.-M. , Colombelli R. , Tignon J. , Mangeney J. , Dhillon S. S.
Published: March 2020

Optically driven photoconductive switches are one of the predominant sources currently used in terahertz imaging systems. However, owing to their low average powers, only raster-based images can be taken, resulting in slow acquisition. In this work, we show that by placing a photoconductive switch within a cavity, we are able to generate absolute average THz powers of 181 μW with the frequency of the THz emission centered at 1.5 THz—specifications ideally adapted to applications such as non-destructive imaging. The cavity is based on a metal–insulator–metal structure that permits an enhancement of the average power by almost 1 order of magnitude compared to a standard structure, while conserving a broadband spectral response. We demonstrate proof-of-principle real-time imaging using this source, with the broadband spectrum permitting to eliminate strong diffraction artifacts.
High-speed and high-efficiency three-dimensional shape measurement based on Gray-coded light
Authors: Wu Zhoujie , Guo Wenbo , Li Yueyang , Liu Yihang , Zhang Qican
Published: March 2020

Fringe projection profilometry has been increasingly sought and applied in dynamic three-dimensional (3D) shape measurement. In this work, a robust, high-efficiency 3D measurement based on Gray-coded light is proposed. Unlike the traditional method, a tripartite phase unwrapping method is proposed to avoid the jump errors on the boundary of code words, which are mainly caused by the defocusing of the projector and the motion of the tested object. Subsequently, the time-overlapping coding strategy is presented to greatly increase the coding efficiency, decreasing the projected number in each group from seven (i.e.,

3
+
4

) to four (i.e.,

3
+
1

) for one restored 3D frame. The combination of two proposed techniques allows the reconstruction of a pixel-wise and unambiguous 3D geometry of dynamic scenes with strong noise using every four projected patterns. To the best of our knowledge, the presented techniques for the first time preserve the high anti-noise ability of a method based on the Gray code while overcoming the drawbacks of jump errors and low coding efficiency. Experiments have demonstrated that the proposed method can achieve robust, high-efficiency 3D shape measurement of high-speed dynamic scenes even polluted by strong noise.
Il falso letterario dall’Antichità al Rinascimento
Authors: Monteiro Miguel
Published: March 2020

https://doi.org/10.14195/0870-4112_3-5_14
“Que lindo cenário!” Trasformazione della facciata nazionale durante l’Estado Novo
Authors: Soffritti Agnese
Published: March 2020

Con il presente studio si intende indagare i meccanismi di costruzione del paesaggio folclorico in epoca salazarista, mettendo in evidenza le continuità con i meccanismi di feticizzazione e compensazione già inaugurati sul finire del XIX secolo.
Na fonte do Danúbio
Authors: Monteiro Miguel
Published: March 2020

Na fonte do Danúbio
A Homero o que é de Homero
Authors: Letria José Jorge
Published: March 2020

A Homero o que é de Homero
A EPÍGRAFE LATINA COMO ELEMENTO DIDÁCTICO (XXXV): A APARENTE INOCÊNCIA DE UM EX-VOTO A FORTUNA
Authors: D'Encarnação José
Published: March 2020

Conclui-se a análise iniciada no Boletim de Estudos Clássicos de 2014, da inscrição IRCP 73. Vamos procurar enquadrar na história e na sociedade romanas da época os eventos que o sêxviro organizou: um barcarum certamen et pugilum, assim como a entrega de dinheiro aos cidadãos.