bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Associations of Smoking, Moderate Alcohol Use, and Function: A 20-Year Cohort Study of Older Women
Authors: Nelson Heidi D. , Lui Lily , Ensrud Kris , Cummings Stephen R. , Cauley Jane A. , Hillier Teresa A.
Published: March 2018

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine whether the health effects of smoking and moderate alcohol use persist with aging. Method: Smoking status, alcohol use, and measures of function and health were obtained from 9,704 women aged ≥65 years at baseline and over 10- and 20-year follow-up periods. Adjusted multiple linear and logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models estimated associations. Results: Current versus never smokers had worse walking speed, self-reported health, difficulty with instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), and depression at 10 years and higher death rates at 10 and 20 years. Moderate versus never drinkers had better grip strength, walking speed, self-reported health, and less difficulty with IADLs and were less likely to live in nursing homes at 10 years and die at 10 and 20 years. Discussion: Among aging women over 20 years, smoking is associated with worse physical function, including death, while moderate alcohol use is associated with better outcomes.
Tracking Active Learning in the Medical School Curriculum: A Learning-Centered Approach
Authors: McCoy Lise , Pettit Robin K , Kellar Charlyn , Morgan Christine
Published: March 2018

Background:

Medical education is moving toward active learning during large group lecture sessions. This study investigated the saturation and breadth of active learning techniques implemented in first year medical school large group sessions.

Methods:

Data collection involved retrospective curriculum review and semistructured interviews with 20 faculty. The authors piloted a taxonomy of active learning techniques and mapped learning techniques to attributes of learning-centered instruction.

Results:

Faculty implemented 25 different active learning techniques over the course of 9 first year courses. Of 646 hours of large group instruction, 476 (74%) involved at least 1 active learning component.

Conclusions:

The frequency and variety of active learning components integrated throughout the year 1 curriculum reflect faculty familiarity with active learning methods and their support of an active learning culture. This project has sparked reflection on teaching practices and facilitated an evolution from teacher-centered to learning-centered instruction.
Automated classification metrics for energy modelling of residential buildings in the UK with open algorithms
Authors: Beck Anthony , Long Gavin , Boyd Doreen S , Rosser Julian F , Morley Jeremy , Duffield Richard , Sanderson Mike , Robinson Darren
Published: March 2018

Estimating residential building energy use across large spatial extents is vital for identifying and testing effective strategies to reduce carbon emissions and improve urban sustainability. This task is underpinned by the availability of accurate models of building stock from which appropriate parameters may be extracted. For example, the form of a building, such as whether it is detached, semi-detached, terraced etc. and its shape may be used as part of a typology for defining its likely energy use. When these details are combined with information on building construction materials or glazing ratio, it can be used to infer the heat transfer characteristics of different properties. However, these data are not readily available for energy modelling or urban simulation. Although this is not a problem when the geographic scope corresponds to a small area and can be hand-collected, such manual approaches cannot be easily applied at the city or national scale. In this article, we demonstrate an approach that can automatically extract this information at the city scale using off-the-shelf products supplied by a National Mapping Agency. We present two novel techniques to create this knowledge directly from input geometry. The first technique is used to identify built form based upon the physical relationships between buildings. The second technique is used to determine a more refined internal/external wall measurement and ratio. The second technique has greater metric accuracy and can also be used to address problems identified in extracting the built form. A case study is presented for the City of Nottingham in the United Kingdom using two data products provided by the Ordnance Survey of Great Britain: MasterMap and AddressBase. This is followed by a discussion of a new categorisation approach for housing form for urban energy assessment.
Mental health: taking its place as an essential element of sustainable global development
Authors: Scorza Pamela , Poku Ohemaa , Pike Kathleen M.
Published: March 2018

As of 2015, with the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nations has a new roadmap for development that will guide global and national agendas for the next 15 years. Mental health was explicitly included in the SDGs, for the first time being recognised as an essential component of development. This is a major achievement that has taken decades of unrelenting advocacy. Still, mental health lacks clear, measurable indicators within the SDGs, threatening its progress in the realm of global development. The task now is for the global mental health community to actively work within health systems, and with other sectors, to integrate mental health interventions and indicators into programmes aimed at other goals and targets. In this way, the direct impact of mental health on development and the impact of mental health on other development goals will be recognised and quantified.
Neural Invasion Spreads Macrophage-Related Allodynia via Neural Root in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Miura Tomofumi , Mitsunaga Shuichi , Ikeda Masafumi , Ohno Izumi , Takahashi Hideaki , Kuwata Takeshi , Ochiai Atsushi
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND:

Neural invasion (N-inv) induces the neural damage and pain in pancreatic cancer (PCa). Benign nerve injury evokes allodynia through neuroinflammation in the neural root, which might be seen in PCa. Macrophages have the potential to release excitatory cytokines after nerve injury and so may play a role in the generation of chronic neuropathic pain. The aim of this study is to represent N-inv–induced allodynia in patients with PCa and to characterize allodynia-related neuroinflammation as macrophage accumulation on dorsal root ganglion (DRG) in the N-inv animal model (N-inv model).

METHODS:

Treatment-naïve patients with advanced PCa with no opioid use were enrolled in the clinical study. To evaluate allodynia, the current perception threshold on epigastric skin and pain score from questionnaire were measured. The association between the degrees of radiological N-inv and allodynia was evaluated. In the animal experiments, we used the N-inv model, which is established by the inoculation of the human PCa cell line into the left sciatic nerve of mice and mimics the invasion behavior of human PCa. The change of sensation was weekly measured at right hind paw, and the expressions of mRNA and protein were investigated on DRG at 6 weeks in the N-inv and sham models. The effect of macrophage depletion using liposome-encapsulated clodronate (Lp-CLD) was evaluated in the N-inv model. Tumor size and the degree of macrophage accumulation on DRG or around the tumor were investigated.

RESULTS:

In the clinical study, 43 patients were analyzed. The threshold of epigastric skin at 2000 Hz touch and pressure sensation was decreased in patients with severe N-inv, compared to patients without severe N-inv. Patients with severe N-inv showed a high pain score. In the animal experiments, the N-inv model decreased the threshold of right hind paw at 5 and 6 weeks. The macrophage-related gene expression and F4/80-positive macrophages were increased in the left DRG. Lp-CLD–induced macrophage depletion induced an increase of the threshold in the right hind paw and a decrease of CD206-positive macrophages accumulation in the left DRG. Lp-CLD had no effect for tumor size.

CONCLUSIONS:

The present study first showed that the N-inv–induced allodynia was spread in patients with PCa and in the N-inv model. Allodynia was related to the amount of macrophages at DRG in the N-inv model. The neuroinflammation may be a target for researching the N-inv-induced pain mechanism and developing novel analgesics.
Opioid Use Disorders and the Risk of Postoperative Pulmonary Complications
Authors: Sayal Puneet , Bateman Brian T. , Menendez Mariano , Eikermann Matthias , Ladha Karim S.
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND:

As the rate of opioid use disorders continues to rise, perioperative physicians are increasingly faced with the challenge of providing analgesia to these patients after surgery. Due to the likelihood of opioid dose escalation in the perioperative period, we hypothesized that opioid-dependent patients would be at increased risk for postoperative pulmonary complications.

METHODS:

A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of patients undergoing 6 representative elective surgical procedures was performed using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2002 to 2011. The primary outcome was a composite including prolonged mechanical ventilation, reintubation, and acute respiratory failure. Secondary outcomes were length of stay, in-hospital mortality, and total hospital costs. Both multivariable logistic regression and propensity score matching were used to determine the impact of opioid use disorder on outcomes.

RESULTS:

The total sample-weighted cohort consisted of 7,533,050 patients. Patients with opioid use disorders were more likely to suffer pulmonary complications, with a frequency of 4.2% compared to 1.6% in the nonopioid-dependent group (P < .001), and had a 1.62 times higher odds (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16–2.27) in multivariable regression analysis. In a secondary subgroup analysis, only patients undergoing a colectomy had a greater odds of suffering pulmonary complications (odds ratio, 2.64; 95% CI, 1.42–4.91; P = .0021). Additionally, patients with an opioid use disorder had a longer length of stay (0.84 days [95% CI, 0.52–1.16; P < .001]) and greater costs ($1816 [95% CI, 935–2698; P < .001]).

CONCLUSIONS:

This study demonstrates that patients with opioid use disorders are at increased risk for postoperative pulmonary complications, and have prolonged length of stay and resource utilization. Further research is needed regarding interventions to reduce the risk of complications in this subset of patients.
Control of the proportion of inner cells by asymmetric divisions and the ensuing resilience of cloned rabbit embryos
Authors: Fabrèges Dimitri , Daniel Nathalie , Duranthon Véronique , Peyriéras Nadine
Published: March 2018

Mammalian embryo cloning by nuclear transfer has a low success rate. This is hypothesized to correlate with a high variability of early developmental steps that segregate outer cells, which are fated to extra-embryonic tissues, from inner cells, which give rise to the embryo proper. Exploring the cell lineage of wild-type embryos and clones, imaged in toto until hatching, highlights the respective contributions of cell proliferation, death and asymmetric divisions to phenotypic variability. Preferential cell death of inner cells in clones, probably pertaining to the epigenetic plasticity of the transferred nucleus, is identified as a major difference with effects on the proportion of inner cell. In wild type and clones, similar patterns of outer cell asymmetric divisions are shown to be essential to the robust proportion of inner cells observed in wild type. Asymmetric inner cell division, which is not described in mice, is identified as a regulator of the proportion of inner cells and likely gives rise to resilient clones.
Origin and specification of type II neuroblasts in the Drosophila embryo
Authors: Álvarez José-Andrés , Díaz-Benjumea Fernando J.
Published: March 2018

In Drosophila, neural stem cells or neuroblasts (NBs) acquire different identities according to their site of origin in the embryonic neuroectoderm. Their identity determines the number of times they will divide and the types of daughter cells they will generate. All NBs divide asymmetrically, with type I NBs undergoing self-renewal and generating another cell that will divide only once more. By contrast, a small set of NBs in the larval brain, type II NBs, divides differently, undergoing self-renewal and generating an intermediate neural progenitor (INP) that continues to divide asymmetrically several more times, generating larger lineages. In this study, we have analysed the origin of type II NBs and how they are specified. Our results indicate that these cells originate in three distinct clusters in the dorsal protocerebrum during stage 12 of embryonic development. Moreover, it appears that their specification requires the combined action of EGFR signalling and the activity of the related genes buttonhead and Drosophila Sp1. In addition, we also show that the INPs generated in the embryo enter quiescence at the end of embryogenesis, resuming proliferation during the larval stage.
The influence of bat echolocation call duration and timing on auditory encoding of predator distance in noctuoid moths
Authors: Gordon Shira D. , ter Hofstede Hannah M.
Published: March 2018

Animals co-occur with multiple predators, making sensory systems that can encode information about diverse predators advantageous. Moths in the families Noctuidae and Erebidae have ears with two auditory receptor cells (A1 and A2) used to detect the echolocation calls of predatory bats. Bat communities contain species that vary in echolocation call duration, and the dynamic range of A1 is limited by the duration of sound, suggesting that A1 provides less information about bats with shorter echolocation calls. To test this hypothesis, we obtained intensity–response functions for both receptor cells across many moth species for sound pulse durations representing the range of echolocation call durations produced by bat species in northeastern North America. We found that the threshold and dynamic range of both cells varied with sound pulse duration. The number of A1 action potentials per sound pulse increases linearly with increasing amplitude for long-duration pulses, saturating near the A2 threshold. For short sound pulses, however, A1 saturates with only a few action potentials per pulse at amplitudes far lower than the A2 threshold for both single sound pulses and pulse sequences typical of searching or approaching bats. Neural adaptation was only evident in response to approaching bat sequences at high amplitudes, not search-phase sequences. These results show that, for short echolocation calls, a large range of sound levels cannot be coded by moth auditory receptor activity, resulting in no information about the distance of a bat, although differences in activity between ears might provide information about direction.
Risk factors for radiation pneumonitis after stereotactic radiation therapy for lung tumours: clinical usefulness of the planning target volume to total lung volume ratio
Authors: Ueyama Tomoko , Arimura Takeshi , Takumi Koji , Nakamura Fumihiko , Higashi Ryutaro , Ito Soichiro , Fukukura Yoshihiko , Umanodan Tomokazu , Nakajo Masanori , Koriyama Chihaya , Yoshiura Takashi
Published: March 2018

Objective:

To identify risk factors for symptomatic radiation pneumonitis (RP) after stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT) for lung tumours.

Methods:

We retrospectively evaluated 68 lung tumours in 63 patients treated with SRT between 2011 and 2015. RP was graded according to the National Cancer Institute—Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0. SRT was delivered at 7.0–12.0 Gy per each fraction, once daily, to a total of 48–64 Gy (median, 50 Gy). Univariate analysis was performed to assess patient- and treatment-related factors, including age, sex, smoking index (SI), pulmonary function, tumour location, serum Krebs von den Lungen-6 value (KL-6), dose-volume metrics (V5, V10, V20, V30, V40 and VS5), homogeneity index of the planning target volume (PTV), PTV dose, mean lung dose (MLD), contralateral MLD and V2, PTV volume, lung volume and the PTV/lung volume ratio (PTV/Lung). Performance of PTV/Lung in predicting symptomatic RP was also analysed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results:

The median follow-up period was 21 months. 10 of 63 patients (15.9%) developed symptomatic RP after SRT. On univariate analysis, V10, V20, PTV volume and PTV/Lung were significantly associated with occurrence of RP  ≥Grade 2. ROC curves indicated that symptomatic RP could be predicted using PTV/Lung [area under curve (AUC): 0.88, confidence interval (CI: 0.78–0.95), cut-off value: 1.09, sensitivity: 90.0% and specificity: 72.4%].

Conclusion:

PTV/Lung is a good predictor of symptomatic RP after SRT.

Advances in knowledge:

The cases with high PTV/Lung should be carefully monitored with caution for the occurrence of RP after SRT.
Czy quasi-państwo to też państwo? Refleksja nad analizą pojęciową wybranych aspektów istnienia państwa i quasi-państwa
Authors: Tomczyk Agnieszka
Published: March 2018

Is Quasi-state still a State? A Theoretical Reflection on Selected Aspects of the Existence of State and Quasi-state
The following paper attempts to set together and analyze the concept of the state and the quasi-state. On the one hand the purpose is to grasp the nature and specifics of functioning of these political units. On the other, the aim is to indicate the differences between them and premises for non-recognition of the legitimacy of quasi-state statehood. In that respect, characteristics typical for states such as the people, territory, government and the ability to maintain contacts with other actors of the international community were attributed to the breakaway units. The bodies of state power in quasi-states have the institutional framework. The issue of status of the quasi-states was considered from the perspective of thedeterminants for their survival. Quasi-states set up their own parliaments, and the executive power is wielded by the president and the government. The paper refers to the issue of the right to self-determination, sovereignty and recognitionof the independence of these entities. Despite material sovereignty, they are deprived of both the formal sovereignty and the status of a state and international recognition. On the legal footing, quasi-states are still the part of a country fromwhich they have been separated.
Czy o to walczyliśmy?
Authors: Dulęba Łukasz
Published: March 2018

Have We Fought for This? American Dispute over History: Between Republican and Liberal Narrative in the Studies of Political Thought Modern reading of political thought of the American Revolution is very diverse. The aim of the article is twofold. Firstly, it is to present interpretations which form the canon of modern political thought. Secondly, I intend to confront these perspectives. The authors who represent the republican view (B. Bailyn, G.S. Wood, J.G.A. Pocock) aim to present pre‑revolutionary era as a time deeply rooted in classic republican pattern. An ideological end of republican vision fall during the boost of commercial relations, which in the meantime had changed the hierarchy of values. The liberal myth, which had one of its most important propagators in Louis Hartz, has aimed to prove the strength and continuity, which was called “possessive individualism”. The paper attempts to disprove the idea of domination of liberal values during the beginnings of the United States.
Geoekonomika głodu i sytości. Pułapka rozwojowa państwa narodowego w erze przejścia żywieniowego
Authors: Węsierski Michał R.
Published: March 2018

Geoeconomics of Hunger and Repletion. Development Pitfall of National State in the Era of the Nutrition Transition The article is devoted to the influence of the phenomenon of the nutritional transition, and the epiphenomenon causally connected with it – the socio‑economic development and institutional changes taking place in contemporary nation‑states.This paper discusses the most important political, economic and natural costs combined with nutritional transition. The author tries to show the main obstacles to the effective implementation of political decisions on particular areas of social reality, and taken in the situation of rising costs (as a consequence of the deteriorating health condition of citizens and ways of industrial food production) to maintain healthcare systems, pension systems and the protection of the natural environment. The current eating habits and the epidemic of obesity were recognized as a new, yet usually omitted in political science, factor defining long term potential and capability of states and indirectly their position as a subjective actors in international relations.
Kryzys modelu zarządzania RAI i jego polityczne uwarunkowania
Authors: Miżejewski Maciej
Published: March 2018

The crisis of the RAI’s governance model and its political circumstances

The political consequence of the RAI (Radiotelevisione Italiana) reform, made by Matteo Renzi’s outgoing government, was the legitimacy of the government and, consequently, the loss of credibility of the public broadcaster. The opposition, criticizing the law, saw in it a serious threat to media pluralism and constitutional guarantees freedom of expression. When the ruling coalitions controlled the RAI, the credibility of the broadcaster, raised by the opposition, was only a component of political rhetoric. According to her, the new media law was designed to subdue the RAI’s full control of the government and create the ground for future parliamentary elections. As a result, the RAI has been deprived of parliamentary scrutiny, so far held by a special parliamentary commission (Commisione Vigilanza RAI), whose influence has been significantly reduced. For many years the polemics of the Italian media system, the so-called duopoly, the dominant position of RAI and Mediaset, are of major importance in the political struggle in Italy.
Learning to care: work experiences and identity formation among African immigrant care workers in the US
Authors: Showers Fumilayo
Published: March 2018

Drawing from ethnographic data, this article investigates the work experiences of a group of African immigrants in the US care industry. By highlighting their strategies for coping with their entry into care work, this article presents the realities of professional, yet downwardly mobile, immigrants who care for vulnerable, minority ethnic populations. It extends the focus on gender, which has been central to the literature on migration and care work, to argue that the identity-formation processes of migrant care workers are shaped by their racial/class location, the contexts within which the work occurs and the specific care needs of care recipients.
Practitioners’ understanding of barriers to accessing specialist support by family carers of people with dementia in distress
Authors: Manthorpe Jill , Hart Cathryn , Watts Sue , Goudie Fiona , Charlesworth Georgina , Fossey Jane , Moniz-Cook Esme
Published: March 2018

Distressing symptoms in dementia are hard to manage for many family carers. This article explores practitioners’ perceptions of the barriers to accessing skilled behaviour management support encountered by carers. A survey of cases referred to the English National Health Service (n = 5,360) was followed by in-depth group discussions and practitioner interviews. Data revealed that practitioners focused on care home residents or older people with mental health problems other than dementia, rather than community-dwelling people with dementia and families. Barriers to access included misperceptions about the nature of distressing behaviour affecting carers and structural limitations in the capacity of specialist services to respond to carers.
Quality Control of Serum and Plasma by Quantification of (4E,14Z)-Sphingadienine-C18-1-Phosphate Uncovers Common Preanalytical Errors During Handling of Whole Blood
Authors: Liu Xinyu , Hoene Miriam , Yin Peiyuan , Fritsche Louise , Plomgaard Peter , Hansen Jakob S , Nakas Christos T , Niess Andreas M , Hudemann Jens , Haap Michael , Mendy Maimuna , Weigert Cora , Wang Xiaolin , Fritsche Andreas , Peter Andreas , Häring Hans-Ulrich , Xu Guowang , Lehmann Rainer
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

Nonadherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) during handling and processing of whole blood is one of the most frequent causes affecting the quality of serum and plasma. Yet, the quality of blood samples is of the utmost importance for reliable, conclusive research findings, valid diagnostics, and appropriate therapeutic decisions.

METHODS

UHPLC-MS-driven nontargeted metabolomics was applied to identify biomarkers that reflected time to processing of blood samples, and a targeted UHPLC-MS analysis was used to quantify and validate these biomarkers.

RESULTS

We found that (4E,14Z)-sphingadienine-C18-1-phosphate (S1P-d18:2) was suitable for the reliable assessment of the pronounced changes in the quality of serum and plasma caused by errors in the phase between collection and centrifugation of whole blood samples. We rigorously validated S1P-d18:2, which included the use of practicality tests on >1400 randomly selected serum and plasma samples that were originally collected during single- and multicenter trials and then stored in 11 biobanks in 3 countries. Neither life-threatening disease states nor strenuous metabolic challenges (i.e., high-intensity exercise) affected the concentration of S1P-d18:2. Cutoff values for sample assessment were defined (plasma, ≤0.085 μg/mL; serum, ≤0.154 μg/mL).

CONCLUSIONS

Unbiased valid monitoring to check for adherence to SOP-dictated time for processing to plasma or serum and/or time to storage of whole blood at 4 °C is now feasible. This novel quality assessment step could enable scientists to uncover common preanalytical errors, allowing for identification of serum and plasma samples that should be excluded from certain investigations. It should also allow control of samples before long-term storage in biobanks.
Noninvasive Detection of Cocaine and Heroin Use with Single Fingerprints: Determination of an Environmental Cutoff
Authors: Ismail Mahado , Stevenson Derek , Costa Catia , Webb Roger , de Puit Marcel , Bailey Melanie
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

Recent publications have explored the possibility of using fingerprints to confirm drug use, but none has yet dealt with environmental contamination from fingertips. Here we explored the possibility of establishing an environmental cutoff for drug testing from a single fingerprint.

METHODS

Fingerprint samples (n = 100) were collected from the hands of 50 nondrug users before and after handwashing to establish separate environmental cutoff values and testing protocols for cocaine, benzoylecgonine, heroin, and 6-monoacetylmorphine. The cutoff was challenged by testing the fingerprints of drug-free volunteers after shaking hands with drug users. Fingerprints from patients who testified to taking cocaine (n = 32) and heroin (n = 24) were also collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

A different cutoff value needed to be applied, depending on whether the fingerprints were collected as presented or after handwashing. Applying these cutoffs gave a 0% false-positive rate from the drug-free volunteers. After application of the cutoff, the detection rate (compared to patient testimony) for washed hands of patients was 87.5% for cocaine use and 100% for heroin use.

CONCLUSIONS

Fingerprints show enhanced levels of cocaine, heroin, and their respective metabolites in patients who testified to taking the substances, compared with the population of naïve drug users surveyed, and a cutoff (decision level) can be established. The cutoff is robust enough to account for small increases in analyte observed after secondary transfer.
Kinetics and Thermodynamics of Silk Dyeing with Turmeric Extract
Authors: Haque A. N. M. A. , Farzana N. , Smriti S. A. , Islam M. A.
Published: March 2018

A kinetics and thermodynamics study of turmeric extract dyeing on Bombyx mori silk fabric was conducted with 1 g/L initial dye concentration at three temperatures (70 °C, 85 °C, and 100 °C). The fabric was pre-mordanted with FeSO4 and dyed with the turmeric extract at pH 7 and a material liquor ratio (MLR) of 1:20. Pseudo first-order and pseudo second-order kinetics were tested. The adsorption kinetics of turmeric extract dyeing on silk fit the pseudo second-order kinetic model. The activation energy was 94.9 kJ/mol. The enthalpy and entropy of activation were 91.93 kJ/mol and –14.47 J/mol·K, respectively.
Phthalate exposure in Thai children and adolescents
Authors: Sedtasiriphokin Nuttanun , Supornsilchai Vichit , Jantarat Chutima , Nosoongnoen Wichit
Published: March 2018

Background

Phthalates are found in products made of plastic. Because of concerns regarding the hazards of phthalate exposure, including endocrine disruption, many countries have regulations to restrict their use in products used by children. However, in Thailand, no such restrictions exist, and data relating to phthalate exposure are scarce.

Objectives

To determine the level of exposure of Thai children and adolescents to phthalates, and study its associations with sociodemographic data and the exposure to potential sources of phthalates.

Methods

Healthy children aged 2–18 y were enrolled into the present cross-sectional study between January 2016 and December 2016 inclusive. Their anthropometric indices and Tanner staging were determined. Urinary concentrations of the phthalate metabolites, monomethyl phthalate (MMP) and mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP), were determined in spot samples by high-performance liquid chromatography to estimate the level of phthalate exposure. Associations between sociodemographic data, exposure to potential sources of phthalates, and phthalate metabolite concentrations were analyzed.

Results

We included 103 boys and 118 girls with a mean age of 9.4 ± 3.64 (range 2.8–17.1) y and detected MMP in 28.5% and MBP in 88.6%. The geometric means (interquartile range) of urinary MMP and MBP were 3400 (2489, 4642) and 214.4 (164, 279) μg/g creatinine (Cr), respectively. Significant associations were found between exposure to floor cleaning products and Cr-adjusted urinary MMP level (P < 0.05), and paint and Cr-adjusted urinary MMP and MBP levels (P < 0.05). Prepuberty was significantly associated with urinary Cr-adjusted MMP level.

Conclusion

Urinary phthalate metabolite levels were high in a proportion of Thai children and adolescents. Exposure to floor cleaning products and paint is associated with phthalate exposure, and advanced Tanner stage is negatively associated with urinary Cr-adjusted MBP.
Two decades’ contribution of occupational medicine training in Thailand: experience from the foundation with a view toward the future
Authors: Ratanachina Jate , Sithisarankul Pornchai
Published: March 2018

For 2 decades, the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, has served the Occupational Medicine Residency training program in Thailand. Graduates of this program undertake to work in occupational medicine to promote health and prevent morbidity and mortality in the workplace and provide occupational medical services for the working population in Thailand. Qualifying for a Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Medicine in Thailand can be achieved in 2 ways: through a 3-year residency training or 5 years of working experience in the field of occupational medicine combined with an elective 2-month short course. There are currently 159 Thai board-certified occupational medicine physicians. Occupational medicine physicians in Thailand work in both public and private healthcare facilities. A number of certified occupational physicians occupy leading national health positions in various government and academic organizations. Knowledge of occupational medicine is currently essential for undergraduate medical students as specified in the medical competency assessment criteria of the Thai Medical Council. Updating content and incorporating needs of employers are keys to success for Thailand, as a country with an occupational medicine training program in its initial stages. In Thailand, the supply of occupational medicine physicians is still less than the increasing demand. Advancement of health research schemes would contribute to the curriculum. Occupational medicine development in Thailand needs to address challenges in local issues including work in the informal sector, particularly in agriculture, and incorporate standardization and international consistency into the training curriculum and qualifying management.
Innovation, specialization and growth in a model of structural change
Authors: Andergassen Rainer , Nardini Franco , Ricottilli Massimo
Published: March 2018

In this paper we investigate the process of creation and destruction of industries as it stems from productivity increasing innovations and from the induced changes of consumption patterns. In our model industries whose demand increases experience an expansion of the number of intermediate goods and hence of their research effort, while those whose demand declines undergo a cost-cutting restructuring with a corresponding reduction of the number of intermediates. We show that if aggregate consumption is concentrated on high (low) priority goods in the early (later) stages of the economy’s development and spread out more evenly in an intermediate stage, then the diversification of the economy over the development path is inversely U-shaped: a result that is consistent with the empirical evidence in Imbs and Wacziarg 2003 “Stages of Diversification.” American Economic Review 93: 63–86.
Discovering novel enzymes from marine ecosystems: a metagenomic approach
Authors: Kamble Priyanka , Vavilala Sirisha L.
Published: March 2018

There exists a massive pool of biodiversity in marine ecosystems. This biodiversity is an excellent source for acquiring an inventory of enzymes that can be used for a variety of biotech applications. This diversity has, to date, not been fully exploited. One major reason being the difficulties that arise in culturing many microorganisms in the laboratory, as opposed to natural conditions. However, advents of newer omics techniques, such as metagenomics have greatly enhanced the opportunity for sustainable resource management. It is in this context that metagenomics is rapidly emerging as an alternative approach to conventional microbial screening. Metagenomics allows for exhaustive screening of microbial genomes in their natural environments. In this review, an overview of work that uses genomic strategies to examine the biotechnological potential of the marine reservoir was explored. These genomic strategies include homology-driven screening of enormous amounts of sequence data and activity-based functional screening of genomic and metagenomic libraries. Finally, the review concludes with an overview of some of the potential challenges and future prospects of metagenomics in bioprospecting novel biocatalysts and bioactive compounds from marine sources.
Antibodies to phosphatidylserine/prothrombin (aPS/PT) enhanced the diagnostic performance in Chinese patients with antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: Zhang Shulan , Wu Ziyan , Zhang Wen , Zhao Jiuliang , Norman Gary L. , Zeng Xiaofeng , Zhang Fengchun , Li Yongzhe
Published: March 2018

Background:

Increasing evidence has highlighted the role of non-criteria antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) as important supplements to the current criteria aPLs for the diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). In this retrospective study, we evaluated the clinical relevance of antibodies to phosphatidylserine/prothrombin (aPS/PT) in Chinese patients with APS.

Methods:

A total of 441 subjects were tested, including 101 patients with primary APS (PAPS), 140 patients with secondary APS (SAPS), 161 disease controls (DCs) and 39 healthy controls (HCs). Serum IgG/IgM aPS/PT was determined by ELISA.

Results:

The levels of IgG/IgM aPS/PT were significantly increased in patients with APS compared with DCs and HCs. IgG and IgM aPS/PT were present in 29.7% and 54.5% of PAPS, and 42.1% and 53.6% of SAPS, respectively. For diagnosis of APS, IgG aCL exhibited the highest positive likelihood ratio (LR+) of 21.60, followed by LA (13.84), IgG aβ2GP1 (9.19) and IgG aPS/PT (8.49). aPS/PT was detected in 13.3% of seronegative PAPS patients and 31.3% of seronegative SAPS patients. LA exhibited the highest OR of 3.64 in identifying patients with thrombosis, followed by IgG aCL (OR, 2.63), IgG aPS/PT (OR, 2.55) and IgG aβ2GP1 (OR, 2.33). LA and IgG aCL were correlated with both arterial and venous thrombosis, whereas IgG aPS/PT and IgG aβ2GP1 correlated with venous or arterial thrombosis, respectively.

Conclusions:

Our findings suggest that the inclusion of IgG/IgM aPS/PT may enhance the diagnostic performance for APS, especially in those in whom APS is highly suspected, but conventional aPLs are repeatedly negative. In addition, IgG aPS/PT may contribute to identify patients at risk of thrombosis.
Airbnb and the Hotel Industry in Warsaw: An Example of the Sharing Economy?
Authors: Gyódi Kristóf
Published: March 2018

The aim of this analysis is to examine the characteristics of the Airbnb network, to verify the share of Airbnb offers that belong to the sharing economy and to identify the differences between the spatial distribution of the Airbnb network and the traditional hotel industry. The article is based on a unique dataset of web-scraped data on Airbnb listings in Warsaw (Poland), combined with district-level official statistics on the hotel industry. The analysis shows that only approximately 11% of offers belong to the sharing economy (“individuals granting each other temporary access to their under-utilised assets”), while at least one third of offers are provided by professional firms. The Airbnb network shows a strong centre-periphery pattern, with 75% of offers located within a range of 4.3 kilometres from the centre. The spatial concentration of Airbnb offers is strongly driven by their distance from metro lines, while it is weakly related to the amount of living space. On the district-level, the spatial distribution of Airbnb listings is correlated with that of the hotel industry, although Airbnb contributes to a more even spread of tourism in the city. The major contribution of this analysis is its presentation of the size and characteristics of the platform, which is essential for data-driven policy making.
The Determinants of Export Performance of Firms in Selected MENA Countries: Comparison with CEE Countries, Israel and Turkey
Authors: Cieślik Andrzej , Michałek Jan Jakub , Tovias Alfred
Published: March 2018

In this paper, we study the export performance determinants of firms in selected MENA countries, both jointly and separately, as well as compare them with the performance of firms from countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). The analysis is based on information about individual firms found in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and World Bank Business Environment and Enterprise Performance Survey (BEEPS) V database, covering the period 2011-2014. We estimate the probability of exports, while controlling for country- and sector-specific effects, using the probit model. We find that, in both groups of countries, similar variables affect firm export performance. Our empirical results obtained for Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and CEE countries indicate that the probability of exporting is positively related to the level of productivity, firm size, spending on research and development (R&D), the share of university graduates in productive employment and the internationalization of firms. State ownership and the perception of corruption by firms are mostly not statistically significant. The results obtained for the two groups of countries are statistically not very different, but enough to have some policy implications, while results for particular countries and subgroups of countries reveal a large degree of heterogeneity.
DSC, FT-IR, NIR, NIR-PCA and NIR-ANOVA for determination of chemical stability of diuretic drugs: impact of excipients
Authors: Gumieniczek Anna , Trębacz Hanna , Komsta Łukasz , Atras Agnieszka , Jopa Beata , Szumiło Michał , Popiołek Łukasz
Published: March 2018

It is well known that drugs can directly react with excipients. In addition, excipients can be a source of impurities that either directly react with drugs or catalyze their degradation. Thus, binary mixtures of three diuretics, torasemide, furosemide and amiloride with different excipients, i.e. citric acid anhydrous, povidone K25 (PVP), magnesium stearate (Mg stearate), lactose, D-mannitol, glycine, calcium hydrogen phosphate anhydrous (CaHPO4) and starch, were examined to detect interactions. High temperature and humidity or UV/VIS irradiation were applied as stressing conditions. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), FT-IR and NIR were used to adequately collect information. In addition, chemometric assessments of NIR signals with principal component analysis (PCA) and ANOVA were applied.

Between the excipients examined, lactose and starch did not show any interactions while citric acid, PVP, Mg stearate and glycine were peculiarly operative. Some of these interactions were shown without any stress, while others were caused or accelerated by high temperature and humidity, and less by UV/VIS light. Based on these results, potential mechanisms for the observed interactions were proposed Finally, we conclude that selection of appropriate excipients for torasemide, furosemide and amiloride is an important question to minimize their degradation processes, especially when new types of formulations are being manufactured.
Repellent activity of monoterpenoid esters with neurotransmitter amino acids against yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti
Authors: Nesterkina Mariia , Bernier Ulrich R. , Tabanca Nurhayat , Kravchenko Iryna
Published: March 2018

Repellent activity of monoterpenoid esters (1-6) with neurotransmitter amino acids (GABA and glycine) was investigated against Aedes aegypti by using a “cloth-patch” assay and compared to reference standard N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET). Monoterpenoid esters showed repellent activity with minimum effective dosages (MED) in the range of 0.031-0.469 mg/cm2. The carvacrol ester of GABA (2, MED of 0.031 ± 0.008 mg/cm2) exhibited the highest repellency of six monoterpenoid esters tested in comparison to the standard repellent DEET (MED of 0.009 ± 0.002 mg/cm2); however, the repellent activity of carvacrol-glycine ester (5) decreased 4-fold compared to the carvacrol-GABA derivative (2). The repellent activities of menthol GABA (1, MED= 0.375 ± 0.000 mg/cm2) and glycine ester (4, MED=0.312 ± 0.063 mg/cm2) were similar The guaiacol-glycine ester (6) was 3.75-fold more efficacious than the guaiacol ester of GABA (3). In the present study, we report repellent efficacy of prolonged exposure to GABA and glycine esters of menthol, carvacrol, guaiacol (1-6) as compared to the repellent activities of their monoterpene moieties alone.
Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Effects of Methanolic Extracts of Zilla spinosa and Hammada elegans Against Carbon Tetrachlorideinduced Hepatotoxicity in Rats
Authors: Ullah Riaz , Alsaid Mansour S. , Shahat Abdelaaty A. , Naser Almoqbil Abdulaziz , Al-Mishari Abdullah A. , Adnan Muhammad , Tariq Akash
Published: March 2018

The detoxification, metabolism, and excretion of various endogenous and exogenous materials occur mainly in the liver. Liver diseases are a global concern, and classified as chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatosis. The development of safe hepatoprotective agents remains an unmet need. Therefore, we investigated the antioxidant effects of methanolic and n-hexane fractions of Zilla spinosa (ZSM and ZSH, respectively) and Hammada elegans (HEM and HEH, respectively) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver toxicity in rats. Antioxidant activity was studied by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The rats were divided into 11 groups (n=6)–group, 1 (control), group 2 (CCl4 only), group 3 (CCl4+silymarin 10 mg/kg), group 4 (CCl4+HEM 250 mg/kg), group 5 (CC14+HEM 500 mg/kg), group 6 (CCl4+HEH 250 mg/kg), group, 7 (CCl4+HEH 500 mg/kg), group, 8 (CCl4+ZSM 250 mg/kg), group 9 (CCl4+ZSM 500 mg/kg), group 10 (CCl4+ZSH 250 mg/kg), and group 11 (CCl4+ZSH 500 mg/kg). Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase, and total bilirubin were measured. The extent of hepatic injury was histopathologically assessed. Treatment with ZSM and ZSH at 250 and 500 mg/kg did not significantly affect biochemical results compared with the CCl4 only group. However, treatment with both HEM and HEH at 250 and 500 mg/kg provided significant (p<0.001) results compared with the CCl4 only group. These results were consistent with histological findings. HEM and HEH at 250 μg/mL significantly inhibited DPPH radical formation by 38.E6 and 35.65%, rerpectively. However antioxidant effects of ZSM and ZSH were insignificant.
Exploring Self-Perceptions of Anxiety among Nursing Students in the Clinical Setting and Select Demographics
Authors: Villeneuve Pamela , Heale Roberta , Rietze Lori , Carter Lorraine
Published: March 2018

Clinical learning experiences are essential in nursing education but they are often anxiety provoking for learners. Understanding the factors associated with the anxiety levels of nursing students in clinical placements has become more complex over the years with increasing heterogeneity within the nursing population. A correlational study was conducted to examine the relationships between nursing students’ self-perceived anxiety levels, as measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the students’ age, gender, previous employment, and previous education. The findings revealed that nursing students have a higher than average level of anxiety and that male nursing students reported higher levels of anxiety compared to female nursing students. No significant correlations were found between age, previous education, previous employment, and self-perceived anxiety levels. Findings from this study provide an opportunity for discussion by nursing educators and identify a need for future research and practice.
Shaken and stirred: Social representations, social media, and community empowerment in emergency contexts
Authors: Sarrica Mauro , Farinosi Manuela , Comunello Francesca , Brondi Sonia , Parisi Lorenza , Fortunati Leopoldina
Published: March 2018

In this paper we examine the use of Twitter and Facebook in two dramatic earthquakes that hit Italy: L’Aquila (in 2009) and Emilia (in 2012). Indeed, disasters disrupt everyday life and engage people in meaning-making processes aimed at recovering meaning and control of their world. In these cases, we argue that the use of social media may contribute to social representations processes and functions: cognitive coping, social sharing of emotions, preserving self-efficacy, boosting identity, and community empowerment. Different methods were adopted to examine the use of social media in the immediate aftermath, a few days after, and in the medium-long term. Differences between the events, combined with the differences between Twitter and Facebook, entailed a multiplicity of uses. Nevertheless, the analyses point to the same conclusions: by fostering new forms of communication and encounters, social media played an increasingly important role during and after the earthquakes. First, they were used for providing information and material coping, then they favored the social sharing of emotions and joint remembering, and finally they contributed to claiming voice and control. Results thus suggest that the use of social media favored different representational functions, which progressively contributed to community empowerment.