bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TLC388 Induces DNA Damage and G2 Phase Cell Cycle Arrest in Human Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells
Authors: Wu Kun-Ming , Chi Chih-Wen , Lai Jerry Cheng-Yen , Chen Yu-Jen , Kou Yu Ru
Published: April 2020

TLC388, a camptothecin-derivative targeting topoisomerase I, is a potential anticancer drug. In this study, its effect on A549 and H838 human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells was investigated. Cell viability and proliferation were determined by thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide and clonogenic assays, respectively, and cell cycle analysis and detection of phosphorylated histone H3 (Ser10) were performed by flow cytometry. γ-H2AX protein; G2/M phase-associated molecules ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM), CHK1, CHK2, CDC25C, CDC2, and cyclin B1; and apoptosis were assessed with immunofluorescence staining, immunoblotting, and an annexin V assay, respectively. The effect of co-treatment with CHIR124 (a checkpoint kinase 1 [CHK1] inhibitor) was also studied. TLC388 decreased the viability and proliferation of cells of both NSCLC lines in a dose-dependent manner. TLC388 inhibited the viability of NSCLC cell lines with an estimated concentration of 50% inhibition (IC50), which was 4.4 and 4.1 μM for A549 and H838 cells, respectively, after 24 hours. Moreover, it resulted in the accumulation of cells at the G2/M phase and increased γ-H2AX levels in A549 cells. Levels of the G2 phase–related molecules phosphorylated ATM, CHK1, CHK2, CDC25C, and cyclin B1 were increased in TLC388-treated cells. CHIR124 enhanced the cytotoxicity of TLC388 toward A549 and H838 cells and induced apoptosis of the former. TLC388 inhibits NSCLC cell growth by inflicting DNA damage and activating G2/M checkpoint proteins that trigger G2 phase cell cycle arrest to enable DNA repair. CHIR124 enhanced the cytotoxic effect of TLC388 and induced apoptosis.
A linear matrix inequality–based proportional-derivative sliding mode control tuning method in robotic systems subjected to external disturbance
Authors: Ghaffari Valiollah
Published: April 2020

The proportional-derivative sliding-mode control will be designed and tuned in the trajectory tracking of a robot manipulator which operates on uncertain dynamic environments. For achieving these goals, first, a linear matrix inequality–based framework is suggested to design a robust proportional-derivative sliding-mode control in the presence of external disturbances. Next, the parameters of the proportional-derivative sliding-mode control law will be tuned via another minimization problem subjected to some linear matrix inequality constraints. Thus, the controller parameters can be automatically updated via the solution of the optimization problem. The results are successfully used in the robot manipulator with considering two reference paths and some different loads. The simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed method in comparison with the same technique.
Sound transmission through a stiff double-panel structure periodically stabilized by negative stiffness module: Theoretical modeling
Authors: Oyelade Akintoye O
Published: April 2020

Analytic expressions are derived for models predicting the influence of periodically spaced structural links on sound transmission through a double-panel structure. The double panel has been configured to have two sets of structural links: a rib stiffener and negative stiffness component. The stiffener is identical and is spaced periodically at a distance. However, the negative element component is shifted by an amount q from the other set. The dynamic equation of the vibroacoustic of the system is formulated in terms of the space harmonics and by the principle of virtual work. The model is validated by comparing the model predictions with the existing result from the literature. Then, influences of the negative element, engineering safety, offset, and elevation angle are investigated. A new antiresonance with a huge sound transmission loss value can be engineered at the low-frequency region when these parameters are varied. In addition, the application of the stiff model is implemented for a periodic acoustic metamaterial structure. The negative stiffness inclusion can prevent wave propagation at low frequency. The periodic structure can be designed to obtain more and wider frequency bandgaps.
Evaluating Emergency Department Utilization for Mobile Mental Health Patients: A Correlational Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Weissinger Alyssa C. , Burns Rachel , Campbell Nancy J.
Published: April 2020

Background:

Patients who have barriers to attending traditional mental health clinics are at risk for psychiatric decompensation, which can lead to inappropriate utilization of emergency departments (EDs). Mobile health clinics have the potential to reduce avoidable ED visits by providing easily accessible care.

Aims:

To determine whether psychiatric patients have a significant reduction in ED visits after admission to the mobile mental health clinic (MMHC).

Method:

This study is a replication of a pilot study on the first 43 patients admitted to the MMHC that was conducted soon after the opening. Results of that study were promising. In the current study, health records from a sample of 265 patients from the MMHC were reviewed retrospectively to determine the number of ED visits post admission to the MMHC. ED visits were examined 8 months prior to admission to the MMHC and 8 months after. Descriptive statistics and paired t-tests were used to analyze demographics and determine differences in ED visits pre- and post admission to the MMHC.

Results:

Findings demonstrated that patients admitted to the MMHC had a significant reduction ( p < .05) in ED utilization. There was also a decrease in mean ED visits in patients who received combined treatment, which included medication management and counseling.

Conclusion:

The MMHC is an effective initiative to reduce ED overutilization, thereby decreasing Medicaid costs. Psychiatric care provided directly in the home can promote health and prevent destabilization.
Police Productivity and Performance Over the Career Course: A Latent Class Growth Analysis of the First 10 Years of Law Enforcement
Authors: Desmond Jillian S. , Reyns Bradford W. , Frank James , Klahm IV Charles F. , Henson Billy
Published: April 2020

The present research investigates the productivity and performance of a large sample of police officers, beginning in the police academy and through their first 10 years of policing. Using longitudinal data and latent class growth analyses, we examine measures of productivity and performance over this time. Findings indicate that officers’ academy performance did not influence officer trajectories, but selected demographic variables were significantly related to performance across the career course. Among these, female and non-White officers were consistently rated lower in their performance evaluations. Overall, results suggest that factors predicting productivity and performance are dynamic, and there is no single combination of characteristics that predicts who will be a “good” officer.
Exploring Gendered Environments in Policing: Workplace Incivilities and Fit Perceptions in Men and Women Officers
Authors: Rief Rachael M. , Clinkinbeard Samantha S.
Published: April 2020

Research indicates that women are still underrepresented in policing and that police culture is not fully accepting of its sisters in blue. As police organizations strive toward building an inclusive workforce, we must understand how women, already in the field, view their place and experiences within their jobs, organizations, and workgroups. Thus, in the current research, we use a comparative sample ( n = 832) of male and female officers to examine perceptions of fit in the job, organization, and workgroup, and how these perceptions relate to reports of workplace incivilities. Findings indicate that women "fit in "with the job and the broader agency, but they are less likely than men to feel they belong within their workgroup. This relationship was partially mediated by workplace incivilities, indicating that women’s experience of subtle forms of discrimination partially explains their lower levels of fit in their workgroup.
Spontaneous unilateral exophthalmos after a vaginal delivery
Authors: Różańska-Walędziak Anna , Szewczuk Oksana , Walędziak Maciej , Czajkowski Krzysztof
Published: April 2020

Introduction:

Spontaneous orbital exophthalmos is an extremely rare incident during a vaginal delivery. In most cases, it is associated with venous malformations and presents spontaneous resolution.

Case description:

We report a case of orbital hematoma after vaginal delivery due to a superior ophthalmic vein rupture. The patient presented proptosis of the right eye and diplopia immediately after the delivery and was diagnosed with unilateral orbital hematoma. The patient was given conservative treatment with complete resolution of clinical symptoms 4 weeks after the delivery.

Conclusion:

Increased abdominal pressure during a vaginal delivery may lead to a spontaneous orbital hemorrhage.
Partisanship and perceived threats about immigration
Authors: Homola Jonathan
Published: April 2020

What types of fears does immigration trigger in individuals and how do these fears differ across partisan lines? Prior research explores this question indirectly by linking immigration attitudes to respondents’ demographics or to different threat frames. This research note offers a more direct test by designing a randomized experiment on a nationally representative sample of US citizens. I provide one half of the respondents with neutral information about immigration, while the other half serves as the control group. I find that respondents for whom the immigration issue is made salient (i.e. the treatment group) are more fearful of both their personal as well as national economic situation and about crime in their community than respondents in the control group. I further find that the overall effects are mainly driven by those respondents who self-identify as Republicans.
The Selective Mutism Questionnaire: Data from typically developing children and children with selective mutism
Authors: Oerbeck Beate , Overgaard Kristin Romvig , Bergman R. Lindsey , Pripp Are Hugo , Kristensen Hanne
Published: April 2020

The core symptom of the anxiety disorder selective mutism (SM) is absence of speech in specific situations, such as at school. The most commonly used standardized instruments to assess speaking behavior are the parent-rated Selective Mutism Questionnaire (SMQ) and the teacher-rated School Speech Questionnaire (SSQ), scored from 0 to 3, indicating that speaking behavior never, seldom, often, and always occur. They were developed to assess severity of mutism and potential effects of treatment. However, prospective data on speaking behavior in typically developing children (TDs) are missing in the literature. The main aim of this study was to present data from TDs over time with previously reported data from children treated for SM, as a comparison. Participants were 64 children aged 3–9 years, 32 TDs who were a matched control group to 32 children with SM. At baseline, the mean SMQ and SSQ scores were ⩾2.5 in TDs and 0.5 in children with SM. The TDs did not show significant changes over time, while significantly increased speech was found in children with SM after treatment. Thus, our findings support the use of the SMQ/SSQ to assess baseline SM severity and to evaluate potential treatment effects in future studies.
“You’re still an angry man”: Parole boards and logics of criminalized masculinity
Authors: Greene Joss , Dalke Isaac
Published: April 2020

Scholars have theorized “criminalized masculinity” as performances of criminalized men. We refigure the concept to identify narratives that facilitate and legitimize control of criminalized populations. Drawing on 109 California parole hearings, we show how parole commissioners use logics of deserving and dangerous masculinity to assert a boundary between men deemed ready for social reintegration and men relegated to captivity. Commissioners articulate criminalized masculinity along three dimensions: relationship to self; relationship to male peers; and relationship to subordinate others like women and children. These gender logics are materially significant because they justify parole grants and denials. Symbolically, narratives of masculinity legitimize the prison’s work of racialized social exclusion and obscure structural dynamics of punishment under accounts of individual difference.
A simplified method for calculating load distribution and rail deflections in track, incorporating the influence of sleeper stiffness
Authors: van Belkom Aran
Published: April 2020

When performing railway track stiffness analyses, in current standards sleepers are often regarded as a rigid member. For flexible sleeper materials like timber or polymers, this may lead to underestimating rail deflections up to a factor two and overestimating rail seat loads up to 20%. Calculations incorporating sleeper bending can currently be performed analytically by a two-layer beam-on-elastic-foundation calculation, or by finite element analyses, but a simple approach does not yet exist. This article introduces a simple calculation method to establish rail deflections, track stiffness and rail seat loads, incorporating the effects of both bending and shear stiffness of the sleeper, applicable to new or tamped track. A sleeper flexibility factor fS is introduced as a deformation multiplication factor compared with a rigid sleeper. Validation against current calculation models shows a deformation accuracy within 6% and a load accuracy within 2%. When a track is not maintained, a gap will develop under the sleeper at the rail seat. The size of this gap correlates to the stiffness of the sleeper. Eventually a uniform load distribution can develop under the sleeper. A calculation method is introduced to estimate the gap and the track behaviour at uniform load distribution. When for flexible sleepers the track deflection due to the gap can develop outside of the desired range, timely track maintenance or monitoring is advised.
Seismic fragility analysis of two-story ultra-high ductile cementitious composites frame without steel reinforcement
Authors: Dong Fangyuan , Yu Jiangtao , Zhan Kaili , Li Zhanhong
Published: April 2020

This article numerically studies the seismic vulnerability of the frame structure made of ultra-high ductile cementitious composites without longitudinal and transverse reinforcement. A non-linear finite element model is established with the help of Open System for Earthquake Engineering Simulation and calibrated by shaking table test results on an ultra-high ductile cementitious composite-RC frame whose seismic vulnerable parts were replaced by ultra-high ductile cementitious composites without steel reinforcement. Subsequently, an analysis on the structural seismic vulnerability is performed on pure ultra-high ductile cementitious composite frame structure based on the incremental dynamic analysis method. Finally, a seismic vulnerability matrix of the ultra-high ductile cementitious composite frame under various structural limit states is obtained from seismic fragility curves. Under the major earthquake of magnitude 7.5, the probability of ultra-high ductile cementitious composite frame structure under basically intact, slight damage, moderate damage, serious damage, and collapse is 14.2%, 48.1%, 31.7%, 5.3%, and 0.7%, respectively. The achieved results also demonstrate that the ultra-high ductile cementitious composite frame can satisfy the objectivity of “No collapsed under major earthquake” at least for major earthquakes of magnitude 8. It is demonstrated that the ultra-high ductile cementitious composite frame satisfies three-level performance objectivity stipulated in GB 50011-2010 and, thus, preliminarily verifying the feasibility for constructing structures just using high-performance concrete.
Opioid maintenance treatment of pregnant women in the Scandinavian countries
Authors: Handal Marte , Skurtveit Svetlana , Mahic Milada , Øhman Inger , Wikner Birgitta Norstedt , Tjagvad Christian , Kieler Helle , Halmesmäki Erja , Lund Ingunn Olea
Published: April 2020

Background:

WHO guidelines emphasise the need for descriptions of clinical practice and observational studies on risk and benefits of pharmacotherapies in pregnancy. The aims of the present study were to: (1) Describe opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) in the Scandinavian countries in general, and specifically for pregnant women, (2) Describe a project which utilises a new approach using registry-linkage data to examine associations between prenatal exposure to OMT and child outcomes: a Scandinavian cohort study of pregnant women in OMT during pregnancy (ScopeOMT).

Data:

Guidelines describing the treatment of persons with opioid use disorders in general, and specifically for pregnant women. Scandinavian registry-linkage data from ScopeOMT.

Results:

Registry data show that approximately 800 pregnant women received OMT during pregnancy in the period of the ScopeOMT study. Similarities across the Scandinavian countries include access to free healthcare and treatment; multidisciplinary teams trained to support pregnant women in OMT; buprenorphine as the recommended drug when initiating therapy; and a holistic focus on the patients’ lives. An important difference is that Norwegian women who use illegal substances that may harm the foetus may be admitted – voluntarily, or against their will – for parts of, or the remainder of the pregnancy to inpatient treatment at specialised clinics.

Conclusion:

Many similarities in the treatment provided to opioid-dependent persons in the Scandinavian countries place this area in an excellent position to combine the efforts and carry out observational studies concerning the safety of OMT during pregnancy.
Intercultural adjustment challenges of Korean and Canadian self-initiated expatriates in the workplace: An exploratory bidirectional investigation
Authors: Arseneault Rene
Published: April 2020

This study uses a qualitative approach and bidirectional design to explore the unique intercultural adjustment challenges that Korean and Canadian self-initiated expatriates (SIEs) experience in each other’s workplace. Through semi-structured interviews we draw upon thematic analysis to surface unique cross-cultural challenges finding that a ‘one-size’ fits all approach to understanding SIE adjustment is overly simplified and omits contextual considerations. Canadian SIEs struggled with issues related to power distance, collectivism and communication styles, whereas language barriers, individualism and hierarchical differences were major challenges for Korean SIEs. We apply our findings to previous conceptual models of cross-cultural adjustment and discuss three criteria: size of cultural gap, direction of immigration and unique contextual factors as necessary for understanding the intricate dynamics of SIE and host-country national relationships. Implications and limitations of this study are followed by recommendations for future research.
The Impact of Learning on Student Persistence in Higher Education
Authors: Andrade Maureen Snow , Miller Ronald Mellado , McArthur David , Ogden Morgan
Published: April 2020

The private economic benefits of persistence in higher education include better salaries and benefits, higher employment rates, greater savings, superior working conditions, and increased personal and professional mobility. Democratizing higher education is a first step to extending these benefits to a range of individuals. However, universities must also help an increasingly diverse body of students be successful and persist to graduation. This study explores a new aspect of persistence research, specifically, the views of graduating students and alumni regarding factors that influence whether or not they would return to the same institution, go to another institution, or not attend university at all if they were to make the choice again. Findings indicate that those who would not pursue higher education at all scored significantly lower on ratings reflective of learning, specifically essential learning outcomes and various aspects of academic engagement, suggesting that the learning experience is key to higher education persistence.
How One Social Marketing Organization Is Transitioning From Charity to Social Enterprise
Authors: Purdy Christopher
Published: April 2020

The financing model of the U.S. non-profit social marketing organization DKT International has changed dramatically since it was founded 31 years ago. In the early days, DKT was reliant on donor funding, and most of its products were heavily subsidized in order to reach low-income and marginalized populations. However, over the last three decades, DKT has become increasingly financially sustainable due to a fortuitous combination of clever marketing, rising incomes, and the stable and often declining cost of procuring contraceptives. This has been especially true in middle-income countries like Indonesia, Brazil, and Ghana but also in lower-income countries and regions like Ethiopia and Bihar, India. Because all DKT programs sell products, they earn revenue. Through a mixture of cost recovery and cross-subsidization strategies, DKT has been able to simultaneously serve a wide range of income segments while generating sales revenue that can offset costs and even turn a profit in some countries. Such profits are reinvested in activities that educate and shift behavior or deployed to other countries to start up new ventures. This article describes the transition experienced by DKT, from charity to social enterprise, and profiles country examples in three different stages of financial sustainability, providing potential lessons for other non-profits. As generating resources for non-profits becomes more challenging, organizations may wish to explore ways to generate revenues and increase cost recovery by monetizing the products and services they provide.
Development of an E-Cigarettes Education and Cessation Program: A South Texas Oral Health Network Study
Authors: Mungia Rahma , Case Kathleen , Valerio Melissa A. , Mendoza Marissa , Taverna Melanie , de la Rosa Elisabeth M. , Nguyen Thi , Saenz Gianna , Winkler Paula , Tsevat Joel
Published: April 2020

Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use, or vaping, among youth and young adults has become a major public health concern. The prevalence of vaping has grown an astounding 900% among high school students from 2011 to 2015, and e-cigarette use among high school students has increased by 78% from 2017 to 2018, largely due to the rise in popularity of the high-dose nicotine product, JUUL. To date, there are few evidence-based e-cigarette cessation programs. To address this need, the South Texas Oral Health Network collaborated with dental practitioners and community members to conduct focus groups assessing knowledge and awareness of e-cigarette use. Based on this feedback, we developed a dental practitioner–based e-cigarette cessation program. The next step will be to utilize this program in a practice-based research network, a “real-world” practice setting that has the potential to increase the number of dental practitioners who counsel their patients about ecigarettes.
The Role of Public Service Media in Sustaining TV Drama in Small Markets
Authors: Raats Tim , Jensen Pia Majbritt
Published: April 2020

Via a comparative case study of VRT/Flanders and DR/Denmark, we investigate the role of public service media in sustaining the expensive but important genre of TV drama in small markets in the face of recent cutbacks, shifting revenues, and global competition. Although the study shows some similarities, there are notable differences between the two. VRT has significantly higher production volume and commissions most productions externally, thus supporting the sustainability of the wider Flemish TV production market. DR has lower production volume and produces largely in-house, enabling larger budgets per series and, hence, higher production values, which in turn has contributed to an upward global export spiral for DR, thus supporting the sustainability of DR’s drama content itself.
The Impact of Electoral Rules and Reforms on Election Outcomes
Authors: Sievert Joel
Published: April 2020

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, American elections underwent a series of reforms that weakened partisan control over elections. The variation in the electoral rules during this period offers scholars a unique opportunity to examine how electoral institutions and reforms structure election outcomes. In this article, I examine how electoral rules translated voter preferences into outcomes for the selection of two prominent positions, governors and U.S. senators. These two elected positions offer an interesting comparison because while they are chosen to represent the same geographic constituency, there is notable variation in the rules used to elect each office. Based on analysis of more than 350 senate-gubernatorial election pairs, I find that varying levels of partisan control over elections throughout time conditioned the likelihood that the partisan outcome of these elections mirrors one another.
Inhibition of PTEN Gene Expression by Small Interfering RNA on PI3K/Akt/FoxO3a Signaling Pathway in Human Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Yao Liang Zhong , Zhu Yan Li , Liu Jun Jie
Published: April 2020

The objective of this article is to study the effect of inhibiting phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted chromatosome 10 gene on phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B ( Akt)/Forkhead homeobox O3a signaling pathway in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma HK-1 cells. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma HK-1 cell lines were divided into PTEN gene interference group (siPTEN), nonspecific small interfering RNA group (siNC), empty vector group (Vector), and no transfection control group (Normal). The mRNA and protein expression levels of PTEN, PI3K, p-Akt, and FoxO3a were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the subcellular localization of PTEN, PI3K, p-Akt, and FoxO3a in HK-1 cells. The proliferation of HK-1 cells was detected by MTT assay, and the apoptosis of HK-1 cells was detected by flow cytometry. Compared with the siNC group, the expression levels of PTEN, FoxO3a messenger RNA, and protein in the siPTEN group were significantly decreased ( P < .05), while the expression levels of PI3K, p-Akt messenger RNA, and protein were significantly increased ( P < .05). The growth rate of HK-1 cells in the siPTEN group was significantly higher than the siNC group ( P < .05), while the apoptosis rate was significantly lower than that of the siNC group ( P < .05). Small interfering RNA can inhibit the expression of PTEN in HK-1 cells, and PTEN can participate in the development of NPC by affecting PI3K/Akt/FoxO3a signaling pathway.
Task-Specific Interictal Spiking: Adding to the Complexity
Authors: Barr William B.
Published: April 2020

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Translumbar Embolization of Type II Endoleaks: 12 Years of Experience at a Regional Vascular Centre
Authors: Thomas Wiliam Rhodri , Karkhanis Salil , Hopkins Jonathan , Duddy Martin
Published: April 2020

Background and Aims:

The management of persistent type II endoleaks (T2E) is often problematic for the endovascular specialist, with a lack of clear evidence for the best approach for embolization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of translumbar embolization (TLE) for T2E following endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR).

Methods:

This retrospective review included 27 embolizations performed on 23 patients with a median age of 78 (range 67-94 years; male: female 15:9), during the period September 2006 to July 2018. Primary outcome was freedom from aneurysm sac growth defined as <2 mm sac diameter increase on subsequent computed tomography.

Results:

The initial technical success rate was 100%, with complete “on table” embolization of the T2E on fluoroscopy; however, 4 (15%) patients needed repeat TLE due to persistent endoleak identified on follow-up computed tomography or because of further sac expansion. Satisfactory stasis was achieved in these 4 cases following a second embolization. The mean volume of embolic injected was 7.4 mL per case. Feeding vessels were identified on angiography in all cases; the nidus was supplied by lumbar branches in 21 cases, by the inferior mesenteric artery in 1 case and by both in a further 5 cases. Freedom from aneurysm sac growth (defined as < 2 mm) following 1 or 2 separate TLE was achieved in 18 (78%) and 20 (86%) patients, respectively. The major complication rate was <5% with one case of psoas abscess presenting 7 months following embolization; there were 2 minor complications in the form of intraprocedural transient abdominal pain.

Conclusion:

The translumbar approach is a safe and effective technique to treat T2E, as evidenced by the low complication and reintervention rate.
Effects of Peer-Mediated Instruction With AAC on Science Learning and Communitive Responses of Students With Significant Cognitive Disabilities in Taiwan
Authors: Wu Ya-ping , Chen Ming-chung , Lo Ya-yu , Chiang Chun-han
Published: April 2020

This study examined the effects of an intervention that integrated peer-mediated instruction (PMI) with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) using speech-generating devices (SGDs). Nine trained peer tutors without disabilities taught science concepts and modeled use of SGDs following a script to three elementary school students with significant cognitive disabilities in Taiwan. Using a multiple baseline across participants design, results showed the PMI with AAC intervention was effective in improving participants’ targeted science knowledge. In addition, participants increased their communicative interactions with peers and increased the use of different communication modes during the science experiment activities with the implementation of PMI with AAC, when compared to the communication responses during the general teaching strategy.
Association Between Acid-Suppressive Agents’ Use and Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Lin Hsiu C. , Hsu Huan Y. , Lin Hsiu L. , Uang Yow S. , Ho Yi , Wang Li H.
Published: April 2020

Background:

Acid-suppressive agents (ASAs), which are mostly used in patients with upper gastrointestinal diseases (UGIDs), may influence the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods:

A population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted. Patients with UGID who used ASAs and those who did not receive ASAs were identified. Patients without UGIDs were randomly selected and matched (comparison group). All groups were followed up for 6 years. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to estimate the risk of HCC among the different groups.

Results:

Patients with UGID who used ASAs had a significantly elevated HCC risk (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.32-1.76] compared to those who did not use ASAs. Patients with UGID who used more than 540 defined daily doses of ASAs had a significantly higher risk of HCC (adjusted HR 2.04; 95% CI, 1.62-2.58). Moreover, the dose effect on HCC risk exhibited a significant increasing trend ( P < .01). Furthermore, patients with UGID who did not use ASAs had a significantly elevated HCC risk (adjusted HR 1.94; 95% CI, 1.59-2.36) compared to the comparison group.

Conclusion:

The use of ASAs increased the risk of HCC in patients with UGIDs, and the effect of ASAs was dose dependent. In addition, UGIDs alone increased the risk of HCC.
Effect of Repaglinide on Blood Glucose, Endothelial Function, Lipid Metabolism, and Inflammatory Reaction in a Rat Model of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Chang Jie , Liu Bing , Cheng Yan-xia , Zhang Jin-guang , Tao Shuo , Yan Hong-ling
Published: April 2020

Objective:

To investigate the protective effect of repaglinide on rat with atherosclerosis.

Methods:

Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were divided into control, model, repaglinide, and metformin groups. In addition to the normal group, rats were given intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin and high-fat diet (HFD). Meanwhile, repaglinide or metformin was administrated to the treatment rats, respectively, for 4 weeks. Serum, plasma, liver, epididymal fat, and aorta thoracica were obtained to observe the protective effect of repaglinide on rat with atherosclerosis.

Results:

Compared to the control group, blood glucose was increased in the model group ( P < .05), while it was decreased in the drug-administered groups. In addition, the levels of endothelin 1, TG, TC, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, atherogenic index, liver index, and epididymal fat index were significantly increased, but the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, and antiatherogenic index were decreased significantly in the model group compared to the control group ( P < .05, respectively). And these effects were reversed by treatment with repaglinide ( P < .05, respectively).

Conclusion:

Our results suggested that repaglinide may regulate the formation of early atherosclerosis through the abovementioned mechanisms.
Quality Assurance of Commercial Insulin Formulations: Novel Assay Using Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Delbeck Sven , Heise H. Michael
Published: April 2020

Background:

For insulins in commercial formulations, degradation can be observed within the certified shelf life when not stored at recommended conditions. Elevated temperatures and exposure to shear forces can cause changes in the secondary structure of the hormone, leading to a decrease in pharmaceutical potency. International pharmacopoeia recommendations for insulin quality monitoring assays mainly rely on liquid chromatography methods. These methods are unable to distinguish between active and inactive forms, both of which may exist in pharmaceutical insulins exposed to stress conditions.

Method:

Infrared attenuated total reflection spectroscopy has been used for the analysis of insulin dry film preparations using affordable instrumentation. This method can be applied to either formulated insulin specimens or pure insulins obtained by ultrafiltration. Such samples have been stored under different temperatures (0°C, 20°C, and 37°C), and degradation processes have been monitored up to a period of a few months.

Results:

By analyzing specific shifts of absorption bands in the infrared spectra, which are sensitive to the protein secondary structure, even small structural changes in the hormone become evident. Another option is amide I band deconvolution into individual bands, which can be attributed to secondary structure subunits that are part of the insulin tertiary structure.

Conclusion:

A novel and innovative method based on infrared attenuated total reflection spectroscopy of insulin dry films is a promising analytical tool for quantifying the degree of insulin degradation, as it provides information on indicating a decrease in biological potency. The established methods for insulin potency assays require animal testing or clamp experiments on people with diabetes.
“Fundamental British Values”
Authors: Stronach Ian , Frankham Jo
Published: April 2020

Here we give shallow answers to the ‘deep’ questions raised in the title of this piece. We slight the question of ‘value’ as mainly ‘interested commodities’ and throw darkness rather than light on the now increasingly troubled question of ‘British’ identity. Our approach is not to define “Fundamental British Values” (FBV) (as we will show, that proved impossible) but to represent the multiplicity of contradictory contents that invest its form. In such a “performative agonistics”, we anticipate a dissemination rather than an insemination of meaning in contrast with the ongoing neoliberal “rage for certainty”. “Fundamental British Values,” in Badiou’s terms, is a polysemous “event,” whose performances and contexts should be regarded within a series of theatrical metaphors—an “amphitheatre” of meanings, perhaps, in a “post-truth” world. Thus, these deconstructions should be seen as part of a more generic critique of neoliberal enclosures that seek for definitions, essences, identities, and quantifications.
Muslim Home Educators in the Time of Prevent
Authors: Pattison Harriet
Published: April 2020

Following the implementation of the Prevent strategy in the United Kingdom and the public linking of Muslim home education with radicalization, this research explores the perspectives of Muslim home educators. Using the concept of moral panics, this paper synthesizes work on Muslim identity with that of folk devil reactions to stigmatization. Data are drawn from three case study families via questionnaires and interviews and analyzed thematically within a symbolic interactionist framework, using an adaptation of Griffiths “folk devil reaction model” as an interpretative guide. Following an exploration of participants’ reflective self-appraisals, two categories of response are identified: retreat and resistance. Both of these are further subdivided, respectively, into reactions of blending in and withdrawing and reactions of drawing on resources and contestation. The paper argues that a legal and increasingly popular educational choice has been co-opted from being an individual family decision into a political narrative of danger, radicalization, and security implications. In a climate where prejudice about home education and Islam already abundantly exist, such a narrative may contribute to an increasingly intolerant society. Recognition of the situation of Muslim home educators may go some way toward tempering this.
The Use of a Novel CAD-CAM Splint to Simplify Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Mandibular Angle Fracture: A Technical Note
Authors: Ramanathan Mrunalini , Panneerselvam Elavenil , Ganesh Sriraam Kasi , Raja Krishna Kumar
Published: April 2020

Mandibular angle fractures are frequently encountered as they constitute an area of weakness. Complications after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of angle fractures commonly arise due to improper reduction and fixation methods that fail to counteract the dynamic muscle forces present in this region. Conventional reduction methods such as digital manipulation, intermaxillary fixation, towel clip traction, and wiring are associated with various limitations. This technical note highlights the fabrication and use of a computer-aided designing/computer-aided manufacturing–generated splint for ORIF of a superiorly displaced mandibular angle fracture. The splint consisted of 2 components: (1) a distal tooth-borne component to guide the teeth into maximum intercuspation and (2) a proximal bone-borne component to reduce the angle fracture. This composite splint facilitates simultaneous restoration of occlusion as well as reduction of mandibular angle fractures. The advantages of this technique include the following: (1) easy fabrication of splint, (2) easy and precise anatomical reduction of angle fracture, and (3) less operative time.
Progression of Ossification of the Anterior Longitudinal Ligament Associated With Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis by Age: A Study of Computed Tomography Findings Over 5 Years
Authors: Murakami Yusuke , Morino Tadao , Hino Masayuki , Misaki Hiroshi , Miura Hiromasa
Published: April 2020

Study Design:

Observational study.

Objective:

To investigate whether the progression of anterior longitudinal ligament ossification varies by age among patients with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH).

Methods:

Of the patients who underwent computed tomography (CT) of the thoracic to pelvic region at least twice from 2009 to 2018, 191 who underwent CT at an interval of 5 years and 0 months to 5 years and 2 months were enrolled (87 men and 104 women). Sex, age at the time of the first CT scan, the presence/absence of DISH, level of complete vertebral body fusion associated with DISH, and extent of ligament ossification using the modified Mata scoring system were investigated.

Results:

DISHs were detected in 53 (27.7%) of 191 patients. The score of ligament ossification increased over time in 35 (66%) of 53 patients; 93 intervertebral spaces were affected. The percentage of completely fused intervertebral spaces increased by 6.7% from 31.3% to 38.0% over time. The increase in score for all intervertebral spaces in individual patients was significantly greater in the ≤70 years old group (2.7 ± 2.8 points, n = 28) than in the ≥71 years old group (1.2 ± 1.4 points; n = 25; P = .028). The mean age of patients with a recorded score that increased by ≥1 point was 67.4 years and that of patients without any change in the score was 73.3 years ( P = .036). Thus, patients with recorded changes in the score were younger.

Conclusion:

During the approximately 5-year period, ossification progressed more in younger patients than in older patients.
Independent Reliability Analysis of a New Classification for Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis
Authors: Camino Willhuber Gaston , Guiroy Alfredo , Zamorano Juan , Astur Nelson , Valacco Marcelo
Published: April 2020

Study Design:

Diagnostic study, level of evidence III.

Objective:

Pyogenic spondylodiscitis can cause deformity, neurological compromise, disability, and death. Recently, a new classification of spondylodiscitis based on magnetic resonance imaging was published. The objective of this study is to perform an independent reliability analysis of this new classification.

Methods:

We selected 35 cases from our database of different spine centers in Latin America and from the literature; 8 observers evaluated the classification and graded the scenarios according to the methodological grading of the classification developed by Pola et al. Cases were sent to the observers in a random sequence after 3 weeks to assess intraobserver reliability. The interobserver and intraobserver reliabilities were performed with Fleiss and Cohen statistics, respectively.

Results:

The overall Fleiss κ value for interobserver agreement was substantial, with 0.67 (95% CI = 0.43-0.91) in the first reading and 0.67 (95% CI = 0.45-0.89) in second reading for the main types of classification. The Cohen κ value for intraobserver agreement was also substantial, with 0.68 (95% CI = 0.45-0.92). The interobserver agreement analysis for the subtypes of this classification was overall substantial, with 0.60 (95% CI = 0.37-0.83) in the first reading and 0.61 (95% CI = 0.41-0.81) in the second reading. The overall intraobserver agreement for subtypes of the classification was also substantial, with 0.63 (95% CI = 0.34-0.93).

Conclusion:

The new classification developed by Pola et al showed substantial interobserver and intraobserver agreements. More studies are required to validate the usefulness of this classification especially in clinical practice.
Seeing Colleagues as Learning Resources: The Influence of Mathematics Teacher Meetings on Advice-Seeking Social Networks
Authors: Horn Ilana , Garner Brette , Chen I-Chien , Frank Kenneth A.
Published: April 2020

Teacher collaboration is often assumed to support school’s ongoing improvement, but it is unclear how formal learning opportunities in teacher workgroups shape informal ones. In this mixed methods study, we examined 77 teacher collaborative meetings from 24 schools representing 116 teacher pairs. We coupled qualitative analysis of the learning opportunities in formal meetings with quantitative analysis of teachers’ advice-seeking ties in informal social networks. We found that teachers’ coparticipation in learning-rich, high-depth meetings strongly predicted the formation of new advice-seeking ties. What is more, these new informal ties were linked to growth in teachers’ expertise, pointing to added value of teachers’ participation in high-depth teacher collaboration.
Independence of Coping Styles With the Patient–Doctor Relationship and Shared Decision-Making in People With Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Sarabia-Tapia Cynthia , Corona Teresa , Lopez-Alamillo Susana , Resendiz-Henriquez Etienne , Cervantes-Arriaga Amin , Rodríguez-Violante Mayela
Published: April 2020

Introduction:

Coping styles have a mediating effect on several clinical outcomes. The patient–doctor relationship and the patient’s role in decision-making process might be influenced by the way the patient reacts to certain stressors or problems due to the evolution of their disease.

Objective:

To assess the role of coping strategies on the patient–doctor relationship and the patient’s role in decision-making in a group of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was carried out. The Coping Style Questionnaire (CSQ-40), the 9-item Patient–Doctor Relationship Questionnaire (PDRQ-9), and the 9-item Shared Decision-Making Questionnaire (SDM-Q-9) were applied.

Results:

A total of 36 women and 64 men with PD were included. The predominant coping style in women was rational. In men, the detachment style was more frequent. The SDM-Q-9 mean score was 33.2 ± 11.2 (transformed median score of 80). The PDRQ-9 average score was 2.9 ± 1 (sum score of 26.1 ± 8.7). No association was found between the CSQ-40 with the PDRQ-9 or SDM-Q-9. On the other hand, the PDRQ-9 mean score and the transformed SDM-Q-9 score highly correlated ( r = 0.62, P < .001).

Conclusion:

Patient–doctor relationship and shared decision-making are independent of the coping style in people with PD.
The Lilypond: An integrated model of Safety II principles in the workplace. A quantum shift in patient safety thinking
Authors: Stretton Paul
Published: April 2020

The Lilypond is a new conceptual model to describe patient safety performance. It radically diverges from established patient safety models to develop the reality of complexity within the healthcare systems as well as incorporating Safety II principles. There are two viewpoints of the Lilypond that provide insight into patient safety performance. From above, we are able to observe the organisational outcomes. This supersedes the widely used Safety Triangle and provides a more accurate conceptual model for understanding what outcomes are generated within healthcare. From a cross-sectional view, we are able to gain insights into how these outcomes come to manifest. This includes recognition of the complexity of our workplace, the impact of micro-interactions, effective leadership behaviours as well as patterns of behaviour that all provide learning. This replaces the simple, linear approach of The Swiss Cheese Model when analysing outcome causation. By applying the principles of Safety II and replacing outdated models for understanding patient safety performance, a more accurate, beneficial and respectful understanding of safety outcomes is possible.