bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of ferric sodium edentate supplementation in children with lead poisoning
Authors: Salendu Praevilia , Masloman Nurhayati , Warouw Sarah M.
Published: January 2018

Background Lead is a harmful toxin that affects human health worldwide, especially in children. Lead poisoning remains a global problem both in developed and developing countries. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends nutritional intervention with iron supplementation to efficiently control high lead levels. Iron supplementation in the form of sodium ferric ethylene-diaminetera-acetic acid/ ferric sodium edentate (NaFeEDTA) is highly bioavailable.Objective To determine the effectiveness of ferric sodium edentate (NaFeEDTA) on lead levels in children woaj ;ead [pospmomg.Methods  This interventional, analytical study, had a one group pretest-posttest design, and was done on children in four elementary schools in the Talawaan District, North Minahasa Regency from August to November 2014. Inclusion criteria were elementary students aged 6-9 years with lead poisoning (lead levels ≥ 10 μg/dL) and good nutritional status. Subjects were  given NaFeEDTA 115.4 mg (15 mg elemental iron) at a dosage of 3 mg/kgBW/day elemental iron given between meal times. Iron supplementation was given daily per oral route for 12 weeks.  Descriptive analysis was used to analyze the characteristics of the study sample. Pre- and post-test analyses were done with paired T-tests. Significance level was P <0.05.Results In this study, 39 children met the inclusion criteria and consisted of 19 boys and 20 girls. Their mean age was 8.43 (SD 0.44) years. Pre-test and post-test blood lead levels was 36.18 μg/dL and 5.22 μg/dL, respectively.There was a significant reduction in mean blood lead levels after administration of NaFeEDTA (P <0.0001).Conclusion In children with lead poisoning, blood lead levels are significantly reduced after 12 weeks of NaFeEDTA supplementation.
Effects of Nigella sativa oil on Th1/Th2, cytokine balance, and improvement of asthma control in children
Authors: Barlianto Wisnu , Rachmawati Maria , Irawan Muhammad , Wulandari Desy
Published: January 2018

Background Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by involvement of a variety of inflammatory cells. Asthma is associated with imbalances between Th1/Th2 cells and their characteristic cytokine profiles. Nigella sativa is a plant that possesses immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties.Objective To investigate the potential anti-asthmatic effect of Nigella sativa oil on Th1/Th2 cells, IFN-ɣ/IL-4 cytokines, and improvement of asthma control.Methods Children aged 6-15 years with asthma in Dr. Saiful Anwar Hospital, Malang, were enrolled in this study. All patients were treated based on standard treatment guidelines for asthma. Nigella sativa oil (NSO) was given per oral as supplementary treatment at a dose of 15-30 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks, in a randomized, single-blind, controlled trial. Peripheral Th1 and Th2 cells were counted by flow cytometry and IFN-ɣ and IL-4 cytokines were measured by ELISA. Improvement of asthma control was assessed by the  asthma control test (ACT) score.Results Twenty-eight patients completed the study, 14 in the NSO treatment group and 14 in standard treatment group. No significant differences were found in the number of Th1 and Th2 cells, or in the Th1/Th2 ratio between groups after treatment (P=0.074, P=0.481, and P=0.265, respectively). Compared to the control, the NSO group showed a significant elevation of IFN-ɣ (P=0.046) and reduction of IL-4 (P=0.002). At the end of study, ACT score was not significantly different between groups (P=0.413).Conclusion Supplementation with Nigella sativa oil improves IFN-ɣ/IL-4 balance and asthma control in children with asthma.
Effect of community-based food supplementation on improving growth of underweight children under five years of age in West Nusa Tenggara
Authors: Pulungan Aman Bhakti , Mirasanti Dini A.
Published: January 2018

Background The prevalence of underweight children in West Nusa Tenggara is as high as 30%. This region had the third largest number of stunted children in the country. The local government has attempted to tackle this problem by providing supplementary food to underweight children.Objective To assess the success of the community-based food supplementation program onimproving children’s growth in West Nusa Tenggara.Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study for 10 months in Paruga District Primary Health Care Unit, Bima, West Nusa Tenggara, in year 2012. Children were given supplementary food according to the Ministry of Health’s guidelines, consisting of formula milk, high calorie biscuits, and a 60-day supply of eggs, estimated to be sufficient to normalize their weights, for their age and sex.  A child’s weight and height were measured every 3 months and the results plotted on WHO growth charts for weight-for-age, height-for-age, and weight-for-height (nutritional status). Z-score <-3 SD was classified as severely underweight, severely stunted, or severely wasted, respectively; Z-score between -2 and -3 SD was classified as underweight, stunted, or wasted, respectively; and Z–score >-2 SD was classified as normal for all three categories.Results Twenty-five children under five years of age participated in this study. Subjects’ median age was 29 months. None of the subjects had normal weight-for-age Z-score at the beginning of the study. Eighty-four percent (21/25) of the subjects were severely underweight. Only 8% (2/25) of the subjects had normal height-for-age Z-score and 88% (22/25) of them were severely stunted. However, 80% (20/25) of subjects had normal nutritional status (weight-for-height). Changes in weight-for-age Z-score varied throughout the study. The highest median score was in the tenth month of follow up (-3.82). The highest median height-for-age score and weight-for-height score were also in the last month of follow up. At the end of the study, only one subject had normal weight-for-age score (4%) and none of the subjects had normal height-for-age scores.  Conclusion The 10-month supplementary food program for under-five children in the Paruga District is not successful in improving body weight and height.
The quantity and quality of anti-PRP induced by the new Indonesian DTwP-HB-Hib vaccine compared to the Hib vaccine given with the DTwP-HB vaccine
Authors: Bachtiar Novilia Sjafri , Rusmil Kusnandi , Sudigdoadi Sunarjati , Sukandar Hadyana , Sari Rini Mulia , Kartasasmita Cissy B.
Published: January 2018

Background A phase II study of DTwP-HB-Hib vaccine compared to Hib (monovalent) vaccine given simultaneously with DTwP-HB vaccine has been done following the success of phase I study in infants, where the new DTwP-HB-Hib has excellent safety profiles and antibody responses in infants.Objective To evaluate the titer (quantity), avidity, and bactericidal capacity (quality of anti-polyribosylribitol phosphate/anti-PRP), of a new combined Bio Farma DTwP-HB-Hib (pentavalent) vaccine, compared to the Hib monovalent vaccine given simultaneously with the DTwP-HB vaccine (DTwP-HB+Hib).Methods The study was a prospective, randomized, open label, phase II trial. Subjects aged 6-11 weeks were allocated according to the randomization list. The pentavalent group received the DTwP-HB-Hib vaccine, while the monovalent group received the Hib monovalent and DTwP-HB vaccines separately. Immunizations were given in three doses with 28-day intervals. Blood specimens were taken before the first dose and 28 days after the last dose. We evaluated anti-PRP titers quantity (geometric mean antibody concentration/GMC) and seroprotection), followed by avidity and bactericidal (quality) testing. Titer and avidity of anti-PRP were tested using a modified version of the improved Phipps ELISA. Bactericidal capacity was evaluated using a Hib killing assay. Immune responses against other antigens in the vaccine were reported separately.Results One hundred five subjects in the pentavalent group and 106 subjects in the Hib monovalent group were tested for anti-PRP titers. Only 102 specimens for each group were available for bactericidal testing, due to insufficient volume for testing. Both vaccines induced similar anti-PRP titers, for GMC and seroprotection. Avidity increases were 82.9% and 76.4% in the pentavalent and Hib monovalent groups, respectively. Bactericidal activities were 94.1% and 89.2%, respectively. Both avidity and bactericidal activity were not significantly different between groups.Conclusion DTwP-HB-Hib vaccine induced anti-PRP quantity and quality comparable to those of the Hib monovalent vaccine given simultaneously with the DTwP-HB vaccine.
Plant growth promoting traits of psychrotolerant bacteria: A boon for agriculture in hilly terrains
Authors: Patni B , Panwar A S , Negi P , Joshi Gopal Krishna
Published: January 2018

Plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) are well known to promote plant growth in a number of ways. It is important to study plant growth promoting potential of bacteria capable of growing in extreme environments to establish their role in promoting agricultural yield under harsh conditions. Psychrophilic or psychrotolerant bacteria with plant growth promoting traits may improve the quality of agricultural practices in hilly terrain. The agricultural importance of such microbes stems from the fact that the world over temperate agro-ecosystems are characterized by low temperatures and short growing seasons that subject both plant and microbial life to cold temperature induced stress. Hence, there is a need to identify potential microbes that retain their functional traits under low temperature conditions. Such microbes can be used to enhance the agricultural yields in low temperature areas of the world. This review describes plant growth promoting activities identified in cold adapted bacteria.
Zjawisko lęku językowego w procesie nauki języka niemieckiego
Authors: Bawej Izabela
Published: January 2018

The article discusses the problem of language anxiety in foreign language learning. The author presents definitions and typologies anxiety,the biological symptoms of anxiety and their interpretation. A research study, conducted on a group of students of Applied Linguistics is described. The investigation included if they are afraid of speaking in German classes and during the exam, or if they are afraid of their German teacher. The results of the study show that communication apprehension, test anxiety, social anxiety, final grades, attitude to the teacher, and self-assessment are some of the reasons for language anxiety in the foreign language learning process.
INTRODUCTION TO SOCIETY REGISTER
Authors: Baranowski Mariusz , Odrowąż-Coates Anna
Published: January 2018

In this issue, one may find both theoretical and empirical papers, followed by three book reviews. The issue opens with papers in English, which is our target language, followed by papers in Polish. There are papers from authors based in Algeria, India, Iran, UK, USA, Vietnam, Turkey and Poland, who are all social researchers and active observers of social life at different stages of their academic and professional career.We present you with a selection of current social, educational, political and philosophical topics in a socio-historical context: intercultural issues, identity and resistance, social systems, social control and rehabilitation, communication, reflexivity, spirituality and religion, social justice, issues relevant to education and care, politics, language and even poetry.We aim to become an open forum of scientific thought exchange, inviting scholars with a wide range of experience within the rich field of social sciences, embracing subjects that are both central and peripheral to the further development of disciplines such as sociology, comparative pedagogy, social psychology, anthropology, education, social policy, international relations and philosophy.What makes us unique in Central Europe is that we wish to offer avenues to be heard and visible for early career scholars alongside established authorities in these fields of expertise. We would like to be comprehensive internationally and in order to do so we promote comparative studies.
WHO IS THE PEOPLE? NOTES ON SUBJECTIVITY AND THE ADIVASI RESISTANCE IN LALGARH, WEST BENGAL, INDIA
Authors: Sengupta Anubhav
Published: January 2018

In the last decade, India has witnessed a resurgence of Maoist movements. At the same time, the country’s polity has been rocked by various protests against displacement by local population. These protests have commonly been referred to as people’s movement. In some cases, both, Maoists and people’s movements have overlapped and thus raising the question about people’s agency and Maoists’ role in it. This essay posits the question: who is this people? The assumption is only by exploring the answer, questions pertaining to autonomy or agency can be answered. The essay takes the case of Lalgarh movement, West Bengal, where adivasis rose up against the state, police atrocities. Subsequently Maoists came into the picture. In exploring the debate, mentioned above in the context of Lalgarh, the essay studies a set of letters written to civil society, issued by an organization on behalf of adivasis. The essay finds that the issues of agency must be reconceptualised as subjectivity. Instead of finding a pure voice of adivasis, it is subjectivity as process that helps us to grasp politics of the people. The paper finally argues that the process of becoming people is congealing of adivasis as a political collective.
TOPOI DISCOURSES OF HIGHER EDUCATION - REFLECTIONS ON EMPIRICAL RESEARCH
Authors: Kokocińska Anna
Published: January 2018

The text serves as an attempt to summarise the analysis of public discourse which is a part of the research project which considered value of higher academic education in collective consciousness in Polish society. In the analysis of the collected empirical material, methodological directives of qualitative discourse analysis were applied. Main problem presented in the article are topoi that occur both in social and media discourse. It tries to answer the questions why are some ways of speaking about higher education more valid and sustainable than others and what are consequences of such an “use of language” for academic and non-academic worlds.
THE SIGNALS OF BEING OPPRESSED AND THE OPPRESSORS IN THE TEACHERS’ PERCEPTION OF EDUCATION. A CASE STUDY OF VIETNAM FROM CRITICAL THEORIES
Authors: Van Phan Thi Tuyet , Khang Nguyen Duy
Published: January 2018

In light of Freire Today, this paper aims to present the results from a case study in Vietnam about the teachers’ perception of education with the recognized signals of being oppressed and the oppressors in their teaching. This study was conducted to clarify the problems preventing education to be developed in this context with the participants from 3 provinces in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. The qualitative data was collected through using a mixture of 7 interviews and 10 opened-question surveys due to the geographical difficulties. The data collection was framed by using the Padilla’s (1994) techniques of unfolding matrix for data analysis. The findings show that the authoritarian education remains unchanged or slowly transformed with the signals of the teachers as both the oppressors to their learners and the oppressed in their working system. The findings would be meaningful during the ways to figure out the real challenges of current Vietnamese educational system in which critical theories could be considered as one of the possible solutions.
CHILD, EDUCATION AND LOVE. CHILD FOCUSSED REFLECTIONS FROM AN IRANIAN PRACTITIONER
Authors: Estemadi Sanaz
Published: January 2018

The following paper is dedicated to theories connecting children, their upbringing and their education with living and working praxis based on love and understanding of children. This is just the first of a series of updates about educational activities of Donya Children Research Institute, based in Tehran (Iran), that will occur as an ongoing feature in Society Register creating a window of communication between 'distant' lands, connected through common interest in children's wellbeing.
POLITICAL THEORY'S IMAGINATION. A FEW REMARKS ON WIKTOR MARZEC BOOK
Authors: Ozimek Magdalena
Published: January 2018

Social sciences, understood as critical and not neutral by nature, they should be equipped with specific competencies and sensivity. C.  W. Mills these comptence define as sociological imagination – which is study of the relationship of history and biography, Giddens interpreted it as three basic senses: historical, anthropological, critical. The translation into political science would be a political theories imagination, it consist,, among over things like a: historicity of political phenomena, antisubstansialism, research self-awareness. Definition of political theories imagination I propose in the context of Wiktor Marzec’s paper Rebelion and Reaction, which is a study from field of historical sociology, it’s in itself a lot of inspiration for theorists of politics: research, theoretical and methodological. It is worth considering – in this context – fundamental categories of political science, like political subjectivity and the political, also revalidate in their range.
WPROWADZENIE DO PEDAGOGIKI PORÓWNAWCZEJ. TEORIA I PRAKTYKA EUROPEJSKA
Authors: Śliwerski Bogusław
Published: January 2018

Recenzja książki autorstwa Jiř (2013). Wprowadzenie do pedagogiki porównawczej. Teoria i praktyka europejska. Warszawa: Instytut  Wydawniczy ERICA, ss. 282.
No additional value of conventional and high-sensitivity cardiac
troponin over clinical scoring systems in the differential diagnosis of type 1
vs. type 2 myocardial infarction
Authors: Consuegra-Sánchez Luciano , Martínez-Díaz Juan José , de Guadiana-Romualdo Luis García , Wasniewski Samantha , Esteban-Torrella Patricia , Clavel-Ruipérez Francisco Guillermo , Bardají Alfredo , Castillo-Moreno Juan Antonio , Kaski Juan Carlos
Published: January 2018

Background:

The distinction of type 1 and type 2 myocardial infarction (MI) is of major
clinical importance. Our aim was to evaluate the diagnostic ability of
absolute and relative conventional cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and
high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) in the distinction between
type 1 and type 2 MI in patients presenting at the emergency department with
non-ST-segment elevation acute chest pain within the first 12 h.

Methods:

We measured cTnI (Dimension Vista) and hs-cTnT (Cobas e601) concentrations at
presentation and after 4 h in 200 patients presenting with suspected acute
MI. The final diagnosis, based on standard criteria, was adjudicated by two
independent cardiologists.

Results:

One hundred and twenty-five patients (62.5%)were classified as type 1 MI and
75 (37.5%) were type 2 MI. In a multivariable setting, age (relative risk
[RR]=1.43, p=0.040), male gender (RR=2.22, p=0.040), T-wave inversion
(RR=8.51, p<0.001), ST-segment depression (RR=8.71, p<0.001)
and absolute delta hs-cTnT (RR=2.10, p=0.022) were independently associated
with type 1 MI. In a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the
discriminatory power of absolute delta cTnI and hs-cTnT was significantly
higher compared to relative c-TnI and hs-cTnT changes. The additive
information provided by cTnI and hs-cTnT over and above the information
provided by the “clinical” model was only marginal.

Conclusions:

The diagnostic information provided by serial measurements of conventional or
hs-cTnT is not better than that yielded by a simple clinical scoring model.
Absolute changes are more informative than relative troponin changes.
Short- and medium-term biological variation estimates of red blood cell and reticulocyte parameters in healthy subjects
Authors: Buoro Sabrina , Carobene Anna , Seghezzi Michela , Manenti Barbara , Dominoni Paola , Pacioni Aurelio , Ceriotti Ferruccio , Ottomano Cosimo , Lippi Giuseppe
Published: January 2018

Background:

The integrated evaluation of traditional and innovative red blood cell (RBC) and reticulocyte parameters is a rapid, inexpensive and non-invasive diagnostic tools for differential diagnosis and follow-up of anemia and other pathological conditions needing bone marrow erythropoiesis assessment. Therefore, estimating the biological variation (BV) of these parameters is essential for evaluating the analytical performance of hematological analyzers, and for enabling accurate data interpretation and appropriate clinical management. This study aims to define short- and medium-term BV estimates and reference change value (RCV) of RBC and reticulocyte parameters.

Methods:

Twenty-one healthy volunteers participated in the assessment of medium-term BV (blood sampling once/week, five consecutive weeks) and 22 volunteers in the assessment of short-term BV (blood sampling once/day, five consecutive days) using Sysmex XN. Outlier analysis was performed before CV-ANOVA, to determine BV estimates with confidence intervals (CI).

Results:

Medium- and short-term within-subject BV were between 0.3% and 16.4% and 0.2%–10.4% (MCH and IRF), respectively, whereas medium and short-term between-subjects BV ranged between 0.9% and 66.6% (MCHC and Micro-R) and 1.4%–43.6% (MCHC and IRF), respectively. The RCVs were similar for all parameters in both arms of the study, except for hemoglobin, RDW-CV and MCV.

Conclusions:

This study allowed for estimating the BV of many RBC and reticulocyte parameters, some of which have not been currently explored. For RBC, hemoglobin, RDW-CV and MCV it seems advisable to use RCV calculated according to monitoring time and/or differentiated by sex. As regards analytical goals, we suggest using the most stringent targets found in the short-term arm of this study.
Bishops, Baby-Killers and Broken Teeth: Psalm 58 and the Air War
Authors: Mein Andrew
Published: January 2018

Do the imprecatory psalms authorize reprisal attacks against civilian targets? This question was at the heart of a controversy that arose in Britain during July 1917, which brought together the unlikely combination of the German bombing campaign and the Church of England’s process of liturgical reform. When a meeting of the Canterbury Convocation approved the removal of Psalm 58 and several other imprecatory psalms, there was an immediate stir in the Press. This public debate about Convocation’s decision offers a valuable window through which we can discern the ongoing vitality of British biblical culture during the First World War.
Aortic aneurysm as a complication of myeloperoxidase-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis
Authors: Satomura Atsushi , Fujita Takayuki , Maruyama Takashi , Hamada Hiroaki , Nozawa Yukinari , Takayama Eiichi , Maruyama Toshiharu , Nakayama Tomohiro
Published: January 2018

Myeloperoxidase-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (MPO-AAV) does not usually involve large vessels, such as the aorta. However, we experienced three cases having an aortic aneurysm as a complication of MPO-AAV with renal insufficiency. In one patient it involved the onset of descending aortic dissection during treatment for MPO-AAV; another two patients had an abdominal aortic aneurysm at the time of our diagnosis of MPO-AAV. Although we found no pathological evidence in our patients, MPO-AAV might result in large vessel inflammation. Therefore, we suggest that patients with MPO-AAV should be examined by computed tomography scan to check for the presence of an aortic aneurysm.
Innovative data reduction and visualization strategy for hyperspectral imaging datasets using t-SNE approach
Authors: Pouyet Emeline , Rohani Neda , Katsaggelos Aggelos K. , Cossairt Oliver , Walton Marc
Published: January 2018

Visible hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is a fast and non-invasive imaging method that has been adapted by the field of conservation science to study painted surfaces. By collecting reflectance spectra from a 2D surface, the resulting 3D hyperspectral data cube contains millions of recorded spectra. While processing such large amounts of spectra poses an analytical and computational challenge, it also opens new opportunities to apply powerful methods of multivariate analysis for data evaluation. With the intent of expanding current data treatment of hyperspectral datasets, an innovative approach for data reduction and visualization is presented in this article. It uses a statistical embedding method known as t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) to provide a non-linear representation of spectral features in a lower 2D space. The efficiency of the proposed method for painted surfaces from cultural heritage is established through the study of laboratory prepared paint mock-ups, and medieval French illuminated manuscript.
High voltage RF-multiplexer for medical applications
Authors: Bieske Bjoern , Kirsten Dagmar
Published: January 2018

Ultrasound solutions are widely used in industrial and medical
applications for distance measurements and imaging. A multiplexing
switch unit is required to drive a piezoelectric transducer array for
imaging by a single ultrasound pulse source. Higher frequencies are
required for better image resolution. The necessary multiplexer has to
handle these high driving voltages up to 100 V at high frequencies up
to 100 MHz. The test environment and methodology for semiconductor
multiplexer circuits are described in this article. The main focus is
set on the generation of large test signals needed to drive the
multiplexer.
Empirical modelling of machining parameters for turning operations using multi-objective Taguchi method
Authors: Saha A.
Published: January 2018

This paper presents an effective approach for the optimisation of process parameters in the turning operation for machining ASTM A36 Mild Steel bar with multi-performance characteristics using multi-objective Taguchi method. Based on Taguchi orthogonal array, 27 experimental runs were performed to identify the optimal level of process parameters. The multiple performance characteristics including power consumption, surface roughness and frequency of tool vibration were the quality variables considered for the optimisation. An input-output inprocess parameter relationship model was developed using regression analysis for the power consumption, surface roughness and frequency of tool vibration. The optimum combination of machining parameters and their levels for the optimum multi-performance characteristics of the turning process was A1B1C1 (i.e. speed: 160 r.p.m, feed rate: 0.08 mm/rev and depth-of-cut: 0.1 mm). This study will be very useful to shop floor engineers in deciding the levels of the turning parameters for optimal performance characteristics.
Hybrid electric vehicle car body drag analysis using computational fluid dynamics
Authors: Ramasamy D. , Mohanesan K. , Kadirgama K. , Noor M. M. , Rahman M. M.
Published: January 2018

Aerodynamics drag was considered for giving better efficiency for a car on the road. The development of drag on a vehicle body was studied. The main objective was to determine the maximum drag occurring on the car body drag of the hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). The analysis was conducted on the car speed ranging between 40 km/h to 110 km/h using pressure points at various parts of the car. The car body was modelled in CAD using the mass and momentum equations discretized for an analysis. The technique to estimate the drag used was input of car body-drag (CFD) and exporting it to finite element analysis (FEA) to find the value of aerodynamics drag in terms of drag forces and drag coefficient. The values were validated with actual pressure reading from pressure probes on the car body. The result showed that contour and trajectories plots were also used to analyse the characteristics of streamlines flow or boundary layer occurred on the body of this model, especially for the forebody, upper body and rear body. The maximum rise of aerodynamics drag occurred between velocities of 80 km/h and 90 km/h which was about 5.04 % increase of drag coefficient. Further analysis is required with wind tunnels.
NIS expression in thyroid tumors, relation with prognosis clinicopathological and molecular features
Authors: Tavares Catarina , Coelho Maria João , Eloy Catarina , Melo Miguel , da Rocha Adriana Gaspar , Pestana Ana , Batista Rui , Ferreira Luciana Bueno , Rios Elisabete , Selmi-Ruby Samia , Cavadas Bruno , Pereira Luísa , Sobrinho Simões Manuel , Soares Paula
Published: January 2018

Thyroid cancer therapy is based on surgery followed by radioiodine treatment. The incorporation of radioiodine by cancer cells is mediated by sodium iodide symporter (NIS) (codified by theSLC5A5gene), that is functional only when targeted to the cell membrane. We aimed to evaluate if NIS expression in thyroid primary tumors would be helpful in predicting tumor behavior, response to therapy and prognosis. NIS expression was addressed by qPCR and immunohistochemistry. In order to validate our data, we also studiedSLC5A5expression on 378 primary papillary thyroid carcinomas from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. In our series,SLC5A5expression was lower in carcinomas with vascular invasion and with extrathyroidal extension and in those harboringBRAFV600E mutation. Analysis ofSLC5A5expression from TCGA database confirmed our results. Furthermore, it showed that larger tumors, with locoregional recurrences and/or distant metastases or harboringRAS,BRAFand/orTERTpromoter (TERTp) mutations presented significantly lessSLC5A5expression. Regarding immunohistochemistry, 12/211 of the cases demonstrated NIS in the membrane of tumor cells, those cases showed variable outcomes concerning therapy success, prognosis and all but one were wild type forBRAF,NRASandTERTp mutations.SLC5A5mRNA lower expression is associated with features of aggressiveness and with key genetic alterations involvingBRAF,RASandTERTp. Mutations in these genes seem to decrease protein expression and its targeting to the cell membrane.SLC5A5mRNA expression is more informative than NIS immunohistochemical expression regarding tumor aggressiveness and prognostic features.
Effect of autotransplantation of a parathyroid gland on hypoparathyroidism after total thyroidectomy
Authors: Su Anping , Gong Yanping , Wu Wenshuang , Gong Rixiang , Li Zhihui , Zhu Jingqiang
Published: January 2018

Background

The effect of parathyroid autotransplantation on hypoparathyroidism is not fully understood. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of autotransplantation of a parathyroid gland on the incidence of hypoparathyroidism and recovery of parathyroid function at 6 months after total thyroidectomy with central neck dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Methods

All patients with autotransplantation of a parathyroid gland (no inadvertent parathyroidectomy) (group A), in situ preservation of all parathyroid glands (no autotransplantation and inadvertent parathyroidectomy) (group B) or inadvertent removal of a parathyroid gland (no autotransplantation) (group C) who underwent first-time total thyroidectomy with central neck dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma between January 2013 and June 2016 were included retrospectively.

Results

Of the 702 patients, 383, 297 and 22 were respectively included in the groups A, B and C. The overall rates of transient and permanent hypoparathyroidism were 37.6% and 1.0%. The incidence of transient hypoparathyroidism was 43.9, 29.0 and 45.5% (A vs B, P = 0.000; A vs C, P = 1.000), and the incidence of permanent hypoparathyroidism was 1.0, 0.7 and 4.5% (P > 0.05). The recovery rates of serum parathyroid hormone levels were 71.4, 72.2 and 66.0% at 6-month follow-up (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Autotransplantation of a parathyroid gland does not affect the incidence of permanent hypoparathyroidism, but increases the risk of transient hypoparathyroidism when the rest of parathyroid glands are preserved in situ. At least 2 parathyroid glands should be preserved during total thyroidectomy with central neck dissection to prevent permanent hypoparathyroidism.
Multiple Origin but Single Domestication Led to Oryza sativa
Authors: Choi Jae Young , Purugganan Michael D
Published: January 2018

The domestication scenario that led to Asian rice (Oryza sativa) is a contentious topic. Here, we have reanalyzed a previously published large-scale wild and domesticated rice data set, which was also analyzed by two studies but resulted in two contrasting domestication models. We suggest that the analysis of false-positive selective sweep regions and phylogenetic analysis of concatenated genomic regions may have been the sources that contributed to the different results. In the end, our result indicates that Asian rice originated from multiple wild progenitor subpopulations; however, de novo domestication appears to have occurred only once and the domestication alleles were transferred between rice subpopulations through introgression.
Ankle fracture associated with a tillaux fracture in adults - A case report
Authors: Boussakri Hassan , Elidrissi Mohammed , Elibrahimi Abdelhalim , El Mrini Abdelmajid
Published: January 2018

We report a particular case of a rare lesion association of ankle fracture occurring after an open trauma of the right ankle, and which associates a bimalleolar fracture, a Tillaux fracture and an interposition of the posterior tibial tendon in syndesmosis. We treated it surgically with a good clinical and radiological evolution. The objective of this study is to draw attention to this clinical and radiological variety.
Pregnancy and Pregnancy Tumour – Is there any relation? A Report of two cases and its pathogenesis
Authors: KSV Ramesh , P Swetha , ASS Sameera
Published: January 2018

Granuloma pyogenicum is the second most common oral lesion, which does not produce pus. This is a smooth, painless, non neoplastic and lobulated or cauliflower like growth of the connective tissue seen commonly on gingiva and in young females comparing to males. Pyogenic granuloma seems to contribute 19.76-25% of all reactive lesions. Pyogenic granuloma being benign in nature this may attain an alarming size causing pain and discomfort. Thus early intervention through reinforcement of adequate oral hygiene measures along with surgical excision down to the periosteum is necessary to minimize the recurrence.
Prevalence and Risk Factors for Microcephaly at Birth in Brazil in 2010
Authors: Silva Antônio A. , Barbieri Marco A. , Alves Maria T. , Carvalho Carolina A. , Batista Rosângela F. , Ribeiro Marizélia R. , Lamy-Filho Fernando , Lamy Zeni C. , Cardoso Viviane C. , Cavalli Ricardo C. , Simões Vanda M. , Bettiol Heloisa
Published: January 2018

OBJECTIVES:

To estimate the baseline prevalence and risk factors for microcephaly at birth before the Zika virus epidemic in 2 Brazilian cities.

METHODS:

We used population-based data from the Brazilian Ribeirão Preto (RP) and São Luís (SL) birth cohort studies of 2010 that included hospital deliveries by resident mothers. The final sample was 7376 live births in RP and 4220 in SL. Gestational age was based on the date of the mother’s last normal menstrual period or obstetric ultrasonography, if available. Microcephaly at birth was classified according to the criteria of the International Fetal and Newborn Growth Consortium for the 21st Century and the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Risk factors for microcephaly, proportionate and disproportionate microcephaly, and severe microcephaly were estimated in a hierarchized logistic regression model.

RESULTS:

According to the International Fetal and Newborn Growth Consortium for the 21st Century definition, the prevalence of microcephaly (>2 SDs below the mean for gestational age and sex) was higher in SL (3.5%) than in RP (2.5%). The prevalence of severe microcephaly (>3 SDs below the mean) was higher in SL (0.7%) than in RP (0.5%). Low maternal schooling, living in consensual union or without a companion, maternal smoking during pregnancy, primiparity, vaginal delivery, and intrauterine growth restriction were consistently associated with microcephaly. The number of cases of microcephaly is grossly underestimated, with an underreporting rate of ∼90%.

CONCLUSIONS:

The prevalence of severe microcephaly was much higher than expected in both cities. Our findings suggest that microcephaly was endemic in both municipalities before the circulation of the Zika virus.
The Responsibilities of Muslim Women in Dealing with Security Challenges in Nigeria
Authors: Abdulhamid Rafatu
Published: January 2018

The issue of insecurity has remained the most challenging problem in the world including Nigeria. In Nigeria, reports of kidnapping, armed robbery, assassination and killing/bombing which lead to lost of lives and destruction of properties kept on featuring in our media channels. In addition, women are the most vulnerable of this insurgency. They have been killed, widowed, raped or kidnapped etc. It is however to be noted that given the broader perspective of national security, government security agencies, nongovernmental organizations, Muslims both men and women, Islamic Scholars, youths etc. All should play the vital role of maintaining peace and curtailing insecurity in Nigeria. Therefore, everybody has a role to play at enhancing the national security. Islam being a comprehensive system of life provides preventive measures to curb insecurity in human society. This paper therefore examines the responsibility of the Muslim women in curbing insecurity in Nigeria. The paper observes that the causes of insecurity in Nigeria include; corruption, erosion of virtues and moralities values, youth unemployment, ignorance misuse of Islamic knowledge, globalization etc. This study uses the librarian research in which both primary and secondary sources were utilized for the work. These comprise of Qur’an, Hadith and other literatures. The result of  research found that Muslim women by their pedigree and character have the potential to ensure security in the society through good child upbringing, God consciousness, acquiring true Islamic knowledge to mention a few. It concludes that if these measures are implemented, they will go a long way in arresting this quagmire of insecurity in our society.
Re-establishment of Biocompatibility of the In Vitro Contaminated Titanium Surface Using Osteoconductive Powders With Air-Abrasive Treatment
Authors: Tastepe Ceylin S. , Lin Xingnan , Donnet Marcel , Doulabi Behrouz Zandieh , Wismeijer Daniel , Liu Yuelian
Published: January 2018

To achieve re-osseointegration on implant surfaces exposed to peri-implant infections, treatment should re-establish biocompatibility. The aim of this study was to test whether air powder abrasive treatment (APA) using osteoconductive powders can, in addition to cleaning, increase the biocompatibility of the contaminated implant surface. Ninety-six in vitro Ca-precipitated, organic film layer–coated sandblasted and acid-etched titanium discs were treated by APA using erythritol, hydroxylapatite (HA), and biocalcium phosphate (BioCaP) powders (n = 16 per group). Six treatment modalities were created (HA or erythritol cleaning with/without BioCaP coating). MC3T3-E1cells were seeded on discs, and cell attachment, viability, proliferation, and differentiation were evaluated. Pristine discs were used as control (control 1). Contaminated and nontreated discs were used as control (control 2). The cells were stretched and attached in all test groups. The cell viability and proliferation (DNA amount) in all test groups were significantly higher than in the pristine and contaminated disc groups. There was no significant difference between the test groups. The differentiation (alkaline phosphatase activity) of the cells on treated discs was significantly higher than on the contaminated discs but lower than in the pristine group. The cell viability in control 2 was significantly lower than the control 1. The APA with osteoconductive powder on contaminated titanium surfaces promoted the cell viability, proliferation, and differentiation of the MC3T3-E1 cells. The biocompatibility of the surface was higher than that of the contaminated discs. The tested aspects of cell response, with the exception of differentiation, reached to the level of the pristine surface. The in vitro results showed that APA with osteoconductive powders could be a promising method for implant surface treatment.
A (RE)ESTRUTURAÇÃO CURRICULAR DO ENSINO MÉDIO NO RIO GRANDE DO SUL: desafios de realizar práticas interdisciplinares em contextos disciplinares
Authors: Araujo Hellen Gregol
Published: January 2018

O presente artigo é resultado da investigação da reestruturação curricular no Ensino Médio no Rio Grande do Sul por meio de relatos produzidos por professores de Ciências da Natureza e Matemática nos dois primeiros anos de implantação da proposta. Objetivamos compreender os sentidos atribuídos à interdisciplinaridade na sala de aula do Seminário Integrado. Com uma abordagem fenomenológico-hermenêutica, analisamos relatos produzidos por professores em um processo de formação e utilizamos como ferramenta de análise a Análise Textual Discursiva, proposta por Moraes e Galiazzi. Pudemos constatar que a interdisciplinaridade realizada pela maioria dos professores não configura o que os teóricos entendem por interdisciplinaridade, mas sim outras possibilidades, a primeira é baseada nos professores que abordam o tema proposto no Seminário Integrado (SI) em suas disciplinas, a segunda é quando os alunos ficam responsáveis por procurar os conteúdos do tema principal de acordo com as disciplinas. Por fim, consideramos que a compreensão da proposta pode ser facilitada à medida que investimos em formação cotidiana, pois, por meio da formação, conseguimos lidar com as dificuldades do dia a dia, trocamos experiência, dialogamos com o outro e nos encontramos enquanto seres inacabados que somos.
Desafios da integração curricular frente à violência e a indiscplina escolar
Authors: Siqueira Silvia De , Brittes Leticia Ramalho
Published: January 2018

Considerando que indisciplina e violência nas escolas não é um tema “novo”, mas sim algo que faz parte do cenário educacional, muito tem a considerar ao que se refere a esta abordagem. As políticas educacionais, fazendo um breve recorte temporal, nas quais o currículo é de integração, hora de desintegração. Nesse sentido, indaga-se: como unificar um currículo, se cada região e comunidade escolar são distintas com suas peculiaridades específicas? Ao encontro desta discussão, este estudo de cunho bibliográfico tem por objetivo contemplar a discussão em torno da relação entre violência e indisciplina com a estrutura curricular vigente nas escolas. Entendendo-se que tal como posto, o currículo escolar, historicamente, não tem correspondido às reais necessidades dos docentes e estudantes e tem excluído na grande maioria dos contextos o debate sobre essa temática tão corriqueira e presente no cotidiano escolar. Muito tem se insistido na formação continuada de professores, no entanto, observa-se que esta tem acontecido de forma burocrática a fim de gerar certificações numéricas aos profissionais envolvidos, no entanto, as temáticas debatidas nesses momentos formativos, na maioria das vezes, são ações pontuais definidas por entes externos à instituição, que nada têm a ver com a realidade da escola. Estas inquietações incitaram o desenvolvimento do presente estudo a fim de refletir sobre o porquê tais práticas estão tão dissociadas das demandas da comunidade escolar reforçando os mecanismos de indisciplina e violência no interior das escolas. É necessário, refletir a estrutura curricular que se apresenta engessada com disciplinas totalmente segregadas.
A inquietante noção de risco: dissenso, dissonância e o fazer sentido para aprendizagem com estudantes
Authors: Gershon Walter S.
Published: January 2018

Este artigo problematiza a produção de estudantes em risco. Utilizando a discussão de Rancière sobre dissenso, o autor argumenta que o que está em risco não são os estudantes, mas as noções contemporâneas de senso comum sobre escola. Partindo desta perspectiva, os jeitos de conhecer e de ser dos estudantes rotulados como em risco provocam a descontinuidade nas ideias e ideais sobre o propósito e função da educação escolar. Para criar este argumento, o autor conecta Rancière e outras discussões sobre a importância do dissenso para questionar a produção de sentidos, os perigos da ressonância no consenso e nas possibilidades de dissonância no dissenso. Essas declarações são ainda seguidamente complicadas pela afirmação de que a educação é um esforço necessariamente arriscado e que todos os estudantes devem reconhecer-se em risco de aprender. O entendimento de que todos os estudantes estão em risco é significativo pois fornece simultaneamente um espaço para as constelações complexas de identidade dos estudantes serem negociadas com dignidade em experiências de aprendizagem e cria um contexto menos punitivo em que as diferenças são menos propensas a serem conceituadas como déficit.
Using the Smiley Faces task to teach the fundamentals for good clinical trials
Authors: McAneney Helen , Maguire Lisa , Clarke Mike
Published: January 2018

This article was migrated. The article was not marked as recommended. Background: Many factors need to be considered when designing a clinical trial. Although structures such as PICOT (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome, Timeline) are helpful, people with little or no prior knowledge can find designing and implementing a trial to be overly complicated. We developed a simple exercise to illustrate key features of trials: the Smiley Faces task. Aim: We describe how the Smiley Faces task can demonstrate the importance of good planning of trials and highlight pitfalls. Method and Results: The Smiley Faces task is centred on the simple, intuitive task to "draw a smiley face". It requires no existing knowledge about trials or research generally, but can be used to highlight key features of a trial; such as formulating the research question; planning for coding, collection and analysis of data; handling of missing data and drawing of conclusions. We present insights from conducting the exercise dozens of times and collecting hundreds of smiley face drawings in a range of educational settings. Conclusion: The simplicity and accessibility of the task makes it relatively easy to demonstrate key points for careful planning of clinical trials. The approach is generalizable and applicable to researchers and teachers in a variety of medical settings.
Dealing with a Trauma Burdened Past: between Remembering and Forgetting
Authors:   University of Opole (Poland), Kulska Joanna
Published: January 2018

Recognition that societies will not be able to build a future as long as they do not face the ‘demons of the past’ has become a kind of universal truth over the last decades of the 20th Century (Gibney et al., 2008, p. 1). This view, though challenging and ambiguous, is reflected in the globally present attempts to improve or rebuild relations within and between different communities at the domestic and international level. The question concerning, on the one hand, the essence and most essential elements and, on the other hand, the instruments and the limitations of rebuilding relations, as well as the political implications of those processes have become the broad area of interest and the discourse leading to significantly different ideas and solutions. The article aims at presenting different approaches referring to dealing with the conflicted and traumatized past both at the domestic and international level. Some selected instruments and methods which enable movement from a divided past towards a common future are discussed namely the strategy of engagement with the past versus the strategy of avoidance of the past. The special attention is paid to the notion of reconciliation understood as a process of rebuilding of relations through the multi-dimensional transformation of former adversaries after the period of violence and repression.