bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
European trade union cooperation, union density and employee attitudes to unions
Authors: Furåker Bengt
Published: July 2020

European trade unions have much to gain from cooperating with each other. Such cooperation does exist, but it is still fairly limited and many obstacles need to be overcome if cooperation is to be improved. According to our survey data, higher-level union officials regard differences concerning financial resources and national labour market regulations to be particularly substantial barriers to cooperation. The enormously varying union density across Europe, and its general decrease, also creates barriers. Therefore, employee attitudes to unions are examined using data from the International Social Survey Programme. As expected, union members tend to be more positive about trade unions than non-members. The most interesting finding, however, is that employees in some countries with low union density exhibit fairly positive views or at least views that are not less positive than what we find among employees in many countries with higher density rates. This suggests that there is potential for recruiting members.
Multi-objective optimisation of user experience in mobile application design via a grey-fuzzy-based Taguchi approach
Authors: Li Yongfeng , Zhu Liping
Published: July 2020

User experience is a key quality of mobile application design. It involves all aspects of human–computer interactions, and thus the optimisation of user experience is a multi-objective optimisation problem. User experience is subjective and uncertain; however, very little attention has been directed toward this issue when optimising user experience. In this article, a grey-fuzzy-based Taguchi approach is proposed to optimise user experience in mobile application design. Design analysis is first conducted to determine mobile design patterns and user experience characteristics. Next, a Taguchi experiment is executed, and then the signal-to-noise ratios are computed. After that, the signal-to-noise ratios are transformed into a multi-response performance index via a grey-fuzzy-based analysis. Finally, based on the multi-response performance index, the optimal design is achieved by using statistical analysis. A mobile health application design was employed to illustrate the proposed approach. The results indicate that this approach can effectively manage the subjectivity and uncertainty concerning user experience characteristics, and can be used as a general robust design approach for optimising user experience of mobile application design.
Opportunities and Challenges: Professional Development Programming in Media and Communication Education
Authors: Crawford Jerry , Boyles Jan Lauren , Hernandez Terri , Lou Chen , Cheng Hong , Perlmutter David
Published: July 2020

The Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) leadership charged a 13-member Presidential Task Force on Careers to obtain membership’s thoughts on preferences and needs regarding career-assistance programming and activities. This Spring 2019 report details a survey of the interest of educators, of all ranks, in current AEJMC efforts and the need for more targeted and accessible opportunities, both at annual conferences and online modules. Results included members’ thoughts on professional development, burnout, tenure and posttenure processes, academic culture, and the importance of being forward thinking regarding news and strategic communications industries outside of academia.
The Impact of Alternative Audiovisual Products on the Socialization of the Sexual-Affective Desires of Teenagers
Authors: Villarejo Beatriz , López Garazi , Cortés Marta
Published: July 2020

In the theories of communication and information, the way in which many audiovisual products have linked violence to sexual-affective relationships has been analyzed, especially using quantitative methodologies. The way in which such audiovisual products, which are a key socializing agent for teenagers, have an influence on teenagers’ sexual-affective relationships has also been analyzed. However, alternative audiovisual products also exist; such products mostly link attraction to egalitarian and nonviolent relationships. The present study aims at contributing to overcoming the attraction to violence that some audiovisual products might generate, therefore preventing gender violence among teenagers. With this purpose, this article provides a way of analyzing the impact that alternative audiovisual products have on teenagers’ sexual-affective desires using communicative methodology.
Wear behavior of pits textured grey cast iron rings with Zr/ZrN coatings under dry sliding
Authors: Long Risheng , Sun Shaoni , Zhang Youwei
Published: July 2020

This study presents the influence of Zr/ZrN coatings on the tribological performance of pits textured grey cast iron parts under dry sliding. A laser marking system and a physical vapor deposition equipment were applied to manufacture pits textured grey cast iron rings combined with Zr/ZrN coatings. A pin-on-disc wear test rig was used to reveal the wear behavior of samples under dry wear condition, at a rotating speed of 200 r/min, with a normal load of 70 N. The wear losses and the worn surfaces of all rings were obtained by an electronic balance and a three-dimensional surface profilometer, respectively. The results show that Zr/ZrN coatings can significantly increase the surface roughness and surface hardness of grey cast iron rings. As a result, Zr/ZrN coatings increase the friction coefficients of all coated GCI rings, and reduce the wear losses of some ones. In this work, when surface texturing combines with Zr/ZrN coatings, the final tribological properties of coated grey cast iron rings may be either improved or deteriorated, depending on surface characteristics, texturing parameters and loads. Compared with the uncoated smooth grey cast iron ring, Zr/ZrN coatings cannot effectively improve the wear behavior of pits textured samples. Among all coated grey cast iron rings, when the diameter of the pit is 0.8 mm, and the distance between pits is 1.25 mm, the pits textured grey cast iron ring can provide the optimal anti-wear performance. This work would provide a valuable reference for the surface design of journal bearings and roller bearings.
Sigh maneuver protects healthy lungs during mechanical ventilation in adult Wistar rats
Authors: da Silva Andréa Cristiane Lopes , de Matos Natália Alves , de Souza Ana Beatriz Farias , Castro Thalles de Freitas , Cândido Leandro da Silva , Oliveira Michel Angelo das Graças Silva , Costa Guilherme de Paula , Talvani André , Cangussú Sílvia Dantas , Bezerra Frank Silva
Published: July 2020

Mechanical ventilation (MV) is a tool used for the treatment of patients with acute or chronic respiratory failure. However, MV is a non-physiological resource, and it can cause metabolic disorders such as release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and production of reactive oxygen species. In clinical setting, maneuvers such as sigh, are used to protect the lungs. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of sigh on oxidative stress and lung inflammation in healthy adult Wistar rats submitted to MV. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control (CG), mechanical ventilation (MVG), MV set at 20 sighs/h (MVG20), and MV set at 40 sighs/h (MVG40). The MVG, MVG20, and MVG40 were submitted to MV for 1 h. After the protocol, all animals were euthanized and the blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and lungs were collected for subsequent analysis. In the arterial blood, MVG40 presented higher partial pressure of oxygen and lower partial pressure of carbon dioxide compared to control. The levels of bicarbonate in MVG20 were lower compared to CG. The neutrophil influx in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was higher in the MVG compared to CG and MVG40. In the lung parenchyma, the lipid peroxidation was higher in MVG compared to CG, MVG20, and MVG40. Superoxide dismutase and catalase activity were higher in MVG compared to CG, MVG20, and MVG40. The levels of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF in the lung homogenate were higher in MVG compared to CG, MVG20, and MVG40. The use of sigh plays a protective role as it reduced redox imbalance and pulmonary inflammation caused by MV.
Jointly designed quasi-cyclic LDPC-coded cooperation with diversity combining at receiver
Authors: Asif Muhammad , Zhou Wuyang , Yu Qingping , Adnan Saifullah , Ali Md Sadek , Iqbal Muhammad Shahid
Published: July 2020

This correspondence proposes a jointly-designed quasi-cyclic (QC) low-density parity-check (LDPC)-coded multi-relay cooperation with a destination node realized by multiple receive antennas. First, a deterministic approach is utilized to construct different classes of binary QC-LDPC codes with no length-4 cycles. Existing methods put some limitations in terms of code length and rate in order to provide high error-correction performance. Therefore, this article gives three classes of QC-LDPC codes based on a combinatoric design approach, known as cyclic difference packing (CDP), with flexibility in terms of code-length and rate selection. Second, the proposed CDP-based construction is utilized to jointly-design QC-LDPC codes for coded-relay cooperation. At the receiver, the destination node is realized by multiple receive antennas, where maximal-ratio combining (MRC) and sum-product algorithm (SPA)-based joint iterative decoding are utilized to decode the corrupted sequences coming from the source and relay nodes. Simulation results show that the proposed QC-LDPC coded-relay cooperations outperform their counterparts with a coding gain of about 0.25 dB at bit-error rate (BER) [Formula: see text] over a Rayleigh fading channel in the presence of additive white Gaussian noise. Furthermore, the extrinsic-information transfer (EXIT) chart analysis has been used to detect the convergence threshold of proposed jointly-designed QC-LDPC codes. Numerical analysis shows that the proposed jointly-designed QC-LDPC codes provide a better convergence as compared to their counterparts under the same conditions.
Biomarkers of Brain Damage Induced by Radiotherapy
Authors: Sultana Nahida , Sun Chao , Katsube Takanori , Wang Bing
Published: July 2020

Radiotherapy remains currently a critical component for both primary and metastatic brain tumors either alone or in combination with surgery, chemotherapy, and molecularly targeted agents, while it could cause simultaneously normal brain tissue injury leading to serious health consequences, that is, development of cognitive impairments following cranial radiotherapy is considered as a critical clinical disadvantage especially for the whole brain radiotherapy. Biomarkers can help to detect the accurate physiology or conditions of patients with brain tumor and develop effective treatment procedures for these patients. In the near future, biomarkers will become one of the prime driving forces of cancer treatment. In this minireview, we analyze the documented work on the acute brain damage and late consequences induced by radiotherapy, identify the biomarkers, in particular, the predictive biomarkers for the damage, and summarize the biological significance of the biomarkers. It is expected that translation of these research advance to radiotherapy would assist stratifying patients for optimized treatment and improving therapeutic efficacy and the quality of life.
Predictive value on diffusion weighted imaging scores for basilar artery occlusion after endovascular treatment
Authors: Wan Can , Wu Guangliang , Jin Xing , Liao Shaojun , Zhang Foming , Hu Mingzhe , Meng Miaomiao , Guo Yixin , You Jinsong
Published: July 2020

Purpose

To assess the predictive value of three scoring systems based on diffusion weighted imaging in basilar artery occlusion patients after endovascular treatment.

Methods

We analyzed clinical and radiological data of patients with basilar artery occlusion from January 2010 to June 2019, with modified Rankin Scale of 0–2 and 3–6 defined as favorable outcome and unfavorable outcome at three months. Diffusion weighted imaging posterior circulation ASPECTS Score (DWI pc-ASPECT Score), Renard diffusion weighted imaging Score, and diffusion weighted imaging Brainstem Score were used to evaluate the early ischemic changes.

Results

There were a total of 88 basilar artery occlusion patients enrolled in the study after endovascular treatment, with 33 of them getting a favorable outcome. According to the analysis, the time from onset to puncture within 12 h (odds ratio: 4.34; 95% confidence interval: 1.55–12.16; P = 0.01), presence of collateral flow via PCoA (odds ratio: 0.31; 95%CI: 0.12–0.79; P = 0.01) or between PICA and SCA (odds ratio: 0.18; 95%CI: 0.07–0.47; P = 0.00), equal or less than 15 points on baseline NIHSS (area under the curve 0.79, 95% CI 0.69–0.89; sensitivity = 69.1%, specificity = 81.8%; P = 0.00), and equal or less than 1.5 points on diffusion weighted imaging Renard score (area under the curve 0.63, 95% CI 0.51–0.75; sensitivity = 83.6%, specificity = 39.4%; P = 0.046) were independently associated with favorable outcome.

Conclusions

Renard diffusion weighted imaging score may be an independent predictor of functional outcome in basilar artery occlusion patients after endovascular treatment.
A computing method for bending problem of thin plate on Pasternak foundation
Authors: Gan Jiarong , Yuan Hong , Li Shanqing , Peng Qifeng , Zhang Huanliang
Published: July 2020

The governing equation of the bending problem of simply supported thin plate on Pasternak foundation is degraded into two coupled lower order differential equations using the intermediate variable, which are a Helmholtz equation and a Laplace equation. A new solution of two-dimensional Helmholtz operator is proposed as shown in Appendix 1. The R-function and basic solutions of two-dimensional Helmholtz operator and Laplace operator are used to construct the corresponding quasi-Green function. The quasi-Green’s functions satisfy the homogeneous boundary conditions of the problem. The Helmholtz equation and Laplace equation are transformed into integral equations applying corresponding Green’s formula, the fundamental solution of the operator, and the boundary condition. A new boundary normalization equation is constructed to ensure the continuity of the integral kernels. The integral equations are discretized into the nonhomogeneous linear algebraic equations to proceed with numerical computing. Some numerical examples are given to verify the validity of the proposed method in calculating the problem with simple boundary conditions and polygonal boundary conditions. The required results are obtained through MATLAB programming. The convergence of the method is discussed. The comparison with the analytic solution shows a good agreement, and it demonstrates the feasibility and efficiency of the method in this article.
External training load and the effects on training response following three different training sessions in young elite beach volleyball players
Authors: Pelzer Thiemo , Schmidt Marcus , Jaitner Thomas , Pfeiffer Mark
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The interaction between external training load (ETL) and players internal response in beach volleyball is currently poor investigated. Using single parameters (e.g. jump volume) described in indoor settings is questionable due to specific load characteristics like sandy ground and reduced number of players. The aim of this work is to analyze ETL and the effects on training response in different beach volleyball training settings.

Methods

This study was conducted with 7 youth elite athletes (age: 18.9 ± 1.3 years, height: 185.2 ± 7 cm, body mass: 75.9 ± 10.4 kg, 2 males/5 females). Training sessions were classified into three categories with (A) high session jump volume (SJV) and lower proportions of other action types like diving, reception, defense actions and setting, (B) moderate SJV and (C) low SJV and higher proportions of other action types. Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness [DOMS], Creatinkinase [CK] and session rate of perceived exertion [s-RPE] were analyzed as training response markers.

Results

Mean pre to post differences in CMJ-Height were highest at sessions with high jump volume and less other actions (Session A) with no significant differences between (C) to (B) ( p = .128), (C) to (A) ( p = .237) and (B) to (A) ( p = .101). Response markers (DOMS, s-RPE, CK) showed increased values at session type C.

Conclusions

SJV does not seem to trigger training response with higher marker responsiveness during low frequency sessions. Changes in directions, diving or fast getting up might rather provoke fatigue during training.
The clinical value of suPAR in diagnosis and prediction for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Huang Qiangru , Xiong Huaiyu , Shuai Tiankui , Wang Yalei , Zhang Chuchu , Zhang Meng , Zhu Lei , Lu Jiaju , Liu Jian
Published: July 2020

Background:

Soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) is positively correlated with immune system activity. Inflammation can promote the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Therefore, this study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the association between suPAR levels and the pathogenesis of COPD, and further assess the exact clinical value of suPAR in COPD.

Methods:

PubMed, Excerpt Medica Database (Embase), Web of Science (WOS), and Cochrane Library databases were searched for studies that reported the value of suPAR diagnosis for adult COPD patients.

Results:

A total of 11 studies were included, involving 4520 participants. Both COPD patients with predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)⩾80% [weighted mean difference (WMD) = 320.25; 95% confidence interval (CI): 99.79–540.71] and FEV1 < 80% (WMD = 2950.74; 95% CI: 2647.06–3254.43) showed higher suPAR level. The sensitivity and specificity of suPAR for diagnosis of COPD were 87% and 79%, respectively, and AUC was 84%. This can not only effectively identify acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) in a healthy population (WMD = 3114.77; 95% CI: 2814.66–3414.88), but also has the potential to distinguish AECOPD from stable COPD (WMD = 351.40; 95% CI: 215.88–486.93). There was a significant decrease of suPAR level after treatment [WMD = –1226.97; 95% CI: –1380.91– (–1073.03)].

Conclusion:

suPAR as a novel biomarker has potential for early diagnosis of COPD and prediction of AECOPD. There is a potential correlation between the level of suPAR and the state of COPD, which may also indicate the early state and severity of COPD. When the suPAR level of COPD patients is further increased, the risk of acute exacerbation increases and should be highly valued. This also shows potential as a measure of treatment response, and as a guide to the clinical management in COPD. The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.
Precision medicine and its implementation in patients with NTRK fusion genes: perspective from developing countries
Authors: Cardona Andrés F. , Arrieta Oscar , Ruiz-Patiño Alejandro , Sotelo Carolina , Zamudio-Molano Nataly , Zatarain-Barrón Zyanya Lucia , Ricaurte Luisa , Raez Luis , Álvarez Marco Polo Peralta , Barrón Feliciano , Rojas Leonardo , Rolfo Christian , Karachaliou Niki , Molina-Vila Miguel Angel , Rosell Rafael
Published: July 2020

Precision oncology is the field that places emphasis on the diagnosis and treatment of tumors that harbor specific genomic alterations susceptible to inhibition or modulation. Although most alterations are only present in a minority of patients, a substantial effect on survival can be observed in this subgroup. Mass genome sequencing has led to the identification of a specific driver in the translocations of the tropomyosin receptor kinase family (NTRK) in a subset of rare tumors both in children and in adults, and to the development and investigation of Larotrectinib. This medication was granted approval by the US Food and Drug Administration for NTRK-positive tumors, regardless of histology or age group, as such, larotrectinib was the first in its kind to be approved under the premise that molecular pattern is more important than histology in terms of therapeutic approach. It yielded significant results in disease control with good tolerability across a wide range of diseases including rare pediatric tumors, salivary gland tumors, gliomas, soft-tissue sarcomas, and thyroid carcinomas. In addition, and by taking different approaches in clinical trial design and conducting allocation based on biomarkers, the effects of target therapies can be isolated and quantified. Moreover, and considering developing nations and resource-limited settings, precision oncology could offer a tool to reduce cancer-related disability and hospital costs. In addition, developing nations also present patients with rare tumors that lack a chance of treatment, outside of clinical trials. This, in turn, offers the possibility for international collaboration, and contributes to employment, education, and health service provisions.

The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.
Review of the epidemiology and burden of ulcerative colitis in Latin America
Authors: Kotze Paulo Gustavo , Steinwurz Flavio , Francisconi Carlos , Zaltman Cyrla , Pinheiro Marcia , Salese Leonardo , Ponce de Leon Dario
Published: July 2020

The incidence and prevalence of ulcerative colitis (UC) has been reported to be rising in newly industrialised regions, such as Latin America. Here, we review data from published studies reporting demographics and clinical aspects of UC in Latin America to further understand epidemiology and disease burden. The incidence and prevalence of UC in Latin America varied between regions and studies, ranging between 0.04 to 8.00/100,000 and 0.23 to 76.1/100,000, respectively, and generally increased over the period from 1986 to 2015. The majority of patients with UC were female (53.6–72.6%) and urban residents (77.8–97.4%). Extraintestinal manifestations were reported in approximately 26–89.4% of patients. Use of biologic therapies was generally low (0.8–16.2%), with the exception of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, with a greater proportion of patients tending to receive 5-aminosalicylates, immunosuppressants or corticosteroids; colectomy rates varied between studies (1.5–22%). A high proportion of patients had moderate to severe UC (45.9–73.0%) and, in 11 of 19 studies, the greatest proportion of patients had extensive disease (pancolitis). Colorectal cancer (0–1.7%) and mortality rates (0–7.6%) were low. This evaluation of published studies may influence therapeutic approaches and the development of strategies to improve healthcare access and patient outcomes, although further high-quality studies are required in patients with UC in Latin America.
Ethnocentrism and support for nuclear armament in Japan
Authors: Machida Satoshi
Published: July 2020

The goal of this study is to examine factors determining Japanese citizens’ attitudes toward nuclear armament. Previous studies have suggested that Japanese citizens have been strongly opposed to the idea of nuclear armament. However, this study questions the robustness of the anti-nuclear stance among the Japanese population. More specifically, I contend that ethnocentric tendencies among Japanese citizens significantly boost their support for nuclear armament. The statistical analysis relying on the survey data in Japan verifies this hypothesis. Findings from this study are essential in understanding the current discourse surrounding nuclear armament in Japan. Dissecting the process through which Japanese citizens develop their attitudes toward nuclear weapons, this study significantly advances our understanding of Japan’s identity issues in the security arena.
Activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) as a perspective biomarker of Crohn’s disease
Authors: Kobayashi Nobuyuki , Arihiro Seiji , Shimada Kazuya , Hoshino Atsushi , Saijo Hiroki , Oka Naomi , Saruta Masayuki , Kondo Kazuhiro
Published: July 2020

Introduction:

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract. Known types are Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), but their cause remains unclear and there is no convenient biomarker for IBD. The present study aimed to demonstrate an association between the onset of CD and activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3); as a new biomarker, measurement of blood ATF3 mRNA would be useful for distinguishing between CD and UC.

Methods:

First, in a mouse model of IBD in which damage to the intestinal mucosa was chemically induced with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS), intestinal ATF3 mRNA was evaluated. Next, in human subjects, CD and UC patients, blood ATF3 mRNA and intestinal ATF3 protein production were evaluated.

Results:

In the mouse model of IBD, intestinal ATF3 mRNA was elevated compared with the control ( P < 0.0001). In CD patients, blood ATF3 mRNA was elevated as compared with normal controls (NCs) and UC patients ( P < 0.05). In addition, we observed an increase in ATF3 production in the intestinal tract specific to CD.

Conclusion:

ATF3 is involved in the onset of CD, and blood ATF3 mRNA measurements would be useful for distinguishing it from UC.
Measurement and Structural Factors Influencing China’s Provincial Total-Factor Energy Efficiency Under Resource and Environmental Constraints
Authors: Chen Hongzhang , Yang Haiwen
Published: July 2020

We studied the measurement and structural factors influencing China’s provincial total-factor energy efficiency (TFEE) under resource and environmental constraints, using spatial weight matrix analysis, spatial econometric model selection, a generalized spatial econometric model with unknown heteroscedasticity, and a directional distance function global Malmquist–Luenberger (GML) superefficient model. The findings of this empirical research are as follows. Resource and environmental constraints should be considered while measuring TFEE. The results obtained in such cases are more accurate reflections of the actual situation in China. Furthermore, spatial effects should be considered when analyzing the factors influencing provincial TFEE; otherwise, the estimates will be biased. The following conclusions were obtained from the results of the empirical analysis: China’s provincial TFEE continued to decline under resource and environmental constraints, and the trend is not optimistic, implying an undue reliance on coal resources, which reduce TFEE by a considerable extent. Moreover, China’s interprovincial TFEE is affected by a variety of structural factors.
Reporting Strategies of Israeli Print Media: Jerusalem Post and Haaretz as a Case Study
Authors: Dridi Tarak
Published: July 2020

It prominently figures that media discourse has acquired a vantage point during the past decades over churches and trade unions as an influential source of information that could drastically shape public opinion. This article indulges into evincing how print media tacitly pass on their subjectivity through the deployment of reporting techniques that are wittingly chosen. Thus, this article moves beyond the formal concepts of narratology into the realm of pragmatics to scrutinize the reporting strategies of media discourse as embodied in Israeli print media. It endeavors to find palpable answers to three core questions that hover around: the reporting techniques utilized, the reasons beyond their use, and the impact of their choice on the redefinition of narratology. In doing so, 20 straight news reports are, respectively, elected for analysis from Haaretz and Jerusalem Post running from 2006 onward and endorsing the model of Leech and Short in its second edition. The main findings prove that Israeli print media gain objectivity through the use of direct and indirect speeches and override it when it comes to the free versions of reported speech. Narratology, hence, in its classical view aneeds to be linked to pragmatics in order to come to grips with questions related to intentionality and accountability.
An Appraisal of Production Subcontracting Toward Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Development in the Nigeria Industrial Sector: A Review Approach
Authors: Nwokocha Victor Chukwunweike , Nwankwo Christopher Emmanuel , Nwosu Ijeoma Gladys , Madu Ignatius Ani
Published: July 2020

This paper is an appraisal of production subcontracting and how it stimulates the survival of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in the Nigeria industrial sector. The aim of this article is to extend the debate on the desirability of production subcontracting between SMEs and its relevance to industrial development policy in Nigeria. The analysis in this paper was based on a desktop review of 15 articles published in Nigeria on production subcontracting and SMEs within a 19-year period (2001–2019). These articles were drawn from peer-reviewed journal articles. This paper found that on the basis of a critical review of literature, research on production subcontracting has apparently enjoyed a smidgen of global acceptance as was shown by its high quality of publications. This paper also found that production subcontracting strategy has been instrumental in the survival of SMEs in the Nigerian industrial sector through its abilities to guarantee reduction in operational cost, risk reduction, and resources accessibility. The found an emerging area of research in production subcontracting which suggests that production subcontracting increases firm performance in the areas of profit growth, market share, and organizational profit. This paper suggested that given the significant contributions of production subcontracting in the SMEs sector, the strategy deserves development and policy support in the country.
The Efficacy of Intravenous Insulin Infusion in the Management of Hypertriglyceridemia-Induced Pancreatitis in a Rural Community Hospital
Authors: Sawalha Khalid , Kunnumpurath Anthony , Kamoga Gilbert-Roy
Published: July 2020

A 28-year-old female presented to the emergency room with epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting; her lipase was elevated, and computed tomography of abdomen showed evidence of acute pancreatitis. Her past medical history was significant for poorly controlled insulin requiring type 2 diabetes mellitus and 2 previous admissions for hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis. Due to the severity of her pancreatitis presentation, she was admitted to the intensive care unit. She received aggressive intravenous fluid hydration and was started on an insulin drip. Apheresis was strongly considered given the degree of her hypertriglyceridemia (11 602 mg/dL), but there was no timely access to this treatment option. She, however, significantly improved with insulin therapy alone. Her triglyceride levels decreased rather quickly to 4783 mg/dL within 24 hours and by the fourth day of admission were comfortably <1000 mg/dL with insulin infusion along with clinical improvement. She was discharged on niacin and insulin therapy along with her home medications of statin and fenofibrate.
Expanding OSCE-related Learning Opportunities For Pre-Clerkship Students: Insights From an Assessment for Learning Curriculum
Authors: Bernard Aaron W , Thomas Listy , Rockfeld Jennifer , Cassese Todd
Published: July 2020

Pre-clerkship clinical skills courses at many medical schools use objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) to assess students’ development as it relates to the foundational clinical skills of history taking, communication, and physical examination. The authors report on a curriculum in which OSCEs also serve as a springboard for additional learning by linking them to activities that include patient write-ups, oral presentations, clinical reasoning discussions, clinical question generation, and video review with faculty. The rationale for using OSCEs as an assessment for learning tool is discussed, and some lessons learned are reported.
Cystic Adventitial Disease With Familial Predisposition: A Case Study
Authors: Woldemariam Mulubrhan , Spires Ashley
Published: July 2020

Cystic adventitial disease is a cause of nonatherosclerotic intermittent claudication. The diagnosis should be most frequently considered in middle-aged men without significant cardiovascular risk factors. The etiology of a cystic adventitial disease is not known, but direct communication between a joint and a cyst is considered to be the source of the disease. Patients affected by cystic adventitial disease frequently present with either claudication or swelling, involving the lower extremities. A characteristic popliteal cyst appearance is seen on noninvasive imaging that confirms the underlying diagnosis. A familial history of cystic adventitial disease requiring surgical intervention in multiple first-degree relatives indicates the need for further research into the possibility of a familial predisposition associated with the condition. In this report, the etiology, pathology, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment methods are discussed.
Effects of short-term warm water immersion on cardiac baroreflex sensitivity in healthy men
Authors: Sugawara Jun , Tomoto Tsubasa
Published: July 2020

Warm water immersion (WWI) causes dizziness presumably due to a substantial drop of blood pressure. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of short-term WWI on cardiac baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and the contribution of arterial stiffness to the cardiac BRS. Twelve apparent healthy men (44 ± 12 years) performed the single stand-up test after 5-min sitting in the bathtub without (Control) and with 41 °C warm water at the heart level (WWI). Cardiac BRS gain was evaluated by R–R interval response to the standing-induced drop of systolic blood pressure. In addition, before and 10 min after the single stand-up test, carotid arterial β-stiffness index was evaluated in the supine rest. BRS gain was blunted (2.9 ± 1.6 vs. 1.8 ± 1.1 ms/mmHg, P = 0.005), whereas β-stiffness index was not changed significantly after WWI. BRS gain correlated with β-stiffness index before (r = − 0.626, P = 0.028) and after WWI (r = − 0.672, P = 0.015). ANCOVA revealed that these slopes of linear regression lines remained unchanged after WWI (P = 0.350). These results indicate that a short-term WWI acutely deteriorates cardiac BRS. Individuals with stiffer arteries are relatively more susceptible to WWI because of their poor baseline BRS, which might be one of the causes of bathing-related falling in elderly persons as well as frailty.
Efficient implied alignment
Authors: Washburn Alex J. , Wheeler Ward C.
Published: July 2020

Background

Given a binary tree $\mathcal {T}$
T
of n leaves, each leaf labeled by a string of length at most k, and a binary string alignment function ⊗, an implied alignment can be generated to describe the alignment of a dynamic homology for $\mathcal {T}$
T
. This is done by first decorating each node of $\mathcal {T}$
T
with an alignment context using ⊗, in a post-order traversal, then, during a subsequent pre-order traversal, inferring on which edges insertion and deletion events occurred using those internal node decorations.

Results

Previous descriptions of the implied alignment algorithm suggest a technique of “back-propagation” with time complexity $\mathcal {O}\left (k^{2} * n^{2}\right)$
O

k

2

∗

n

2

. Here we describe an implied alignment algorithm with complexity $\mathcal {O}\left (k * n^{2}\right)$
O

k
∗

n

2

. For well-behaved data, such as molecular sequences, the runtime approaches the best-case complexity of Ω(k∗n).

Conclusions

The reduction in the time complexity of the algorithm dramatically improves both its utility in generating multiple sequence alignments and its heuristic utility.
EGR2 is elevated and positively regulates inflammatory IFNγ production in lupus CD4+ T cells
Authors: Dai Rujuan , Heid Bettina , Xu Xiguang , Xie Hehuang , Reilly Christopher M. , Ahmed S. Ansar
Published: July 2020

Background

Recent studies have shown that early growth response 2 (EGR2) is highly induced in activated T cells and regulates T cell functions. In normal C57BL/6 (B6) mice, deletion of EGR2 in lymphocytes results in the development of lupus-like systemic autoimmune disease, which implies indirectly an autoimmune protective role of EGR2. Conversely, increased EGR2 gene expression is suggested to link with high risk of human lupus. In the present studies we sought to clarify the expression and inflammation regulatory role of EGR2 in murine lupus T cells directly.

Results

We performed RT-qPCR analysis and found a significant increase of EGR2 mRNA expression in human lupus PBMCs and in CD4+T cells from three different murine lupus models including MRL-lpr, B6-lpr, and B6.sle123mice at diseased stage when compared to age-matched control MRL or B6 mice. By performing intracellular flow cytometry analysis, we found that EGR2 protein expression was significantly increased in resting lupus (either MRL-lpror B6.sle123) CD4+T cells when compared to CD4+T cells from their respective non-autoimmune controls. However, there was no difference of EGR2 protein expression in anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 stimulated control and lupus CD4+T cells since there was a stronger induction of EGR2 in activated control CD4+T cells. EGR2 expression was significantly increased in MRL-lprmice at an age when lupus is manifested. To understand further the function of elevated EGR2 in lupus CD4+T cells, we inhibited EGR2 with a specific siRNA in vitro in splenocytes from MRL-lprand control MRL mice at 15 weeks-of-age. We found that EGR2 inhibition significantly reduced IFNγ production in PMA and ionomycin activated MRL-lprlupus CD4+T cells, but not control MRL CD4+T cells. We also found that inhibition of EGR2 in vitro suppressed the Th1 differentiation in both MRL and MRL-lprnaïve CD4+T cells.

Conclusions

EGR2 is highly upregulated in human and murine lupus cells. Our in vitro data suggest a positive role of EGR2 in the regulation of Th1 differentiation and IFNγ production in lupus effector CD4+T cells.
Plant performance of enhancing licorice with dual inoculating dark septate endophytes and Trichoderma viride mediated via effects on root development
Authors: He Chao , Wang Wenquan , Hou Junling
Published: July 2020

Background

This study aimed to assess whether licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) can benefit from dual inoculation by Trichoderma viride and dark septate endophytes (DSE) isolated from other medicinal plants.

Methods

First, we isolated and identified three DSE (Paraboeremia putaminum, Scytalidium lignicola, and Phoma herbarum) and Trichoderma viride from medicinal plants growing in farmland of China. Second, we investigated the influences of these three DSE on the performance of licorice at different T. viride densities (1 × 106, 1 × 107, and 1 × 108 CFU/mL) under sterilised condition in a growth chamber.

Results

Three DSE strains could colonize the roots of licorice, and they established a positive symbiosis with host plants depending on DSE species and T. viride densities. Inoculation of P. putaminum increased the root biomass, length, surface area, and root:shoot ratio. S. lignicola increased the root length, diameter and surface area and decreased the root:shoot ratio. P. herbarum increased the root biomass and surface area. T. viride increased the root biomass, length, and surface area. Structural equation model (SEM) analysis showed that DSE associated with T. viride augmented plant biomass and height, shoot branching, and root surface area. Variations in root morphology and biomass were attributed to differences in DSE species and T. viride density among treatments. P. putaminum or P. herbarum with low- or medium T. viride density and S. lignicola with low- or high T. viride density improved licorice root morphology and biomass.

Conclusions

DSE isolated from other medicinal plants enhanced the root growth of licorice plants under different densities T. viride conditions and may also be used to promote the cultivation of medicinal plants.
90 days impacts of remote ischemic preconditioning on patients undergoing open total aortic arch replacement: a post-hoc analysis of previous trial
Authors: Chen Yimeng , Wang Guyan , Zhou Hui , Yang Lijing , Zhang Congya , Yang Xiying , Lei Guiyu
Published: July 2020

Background

In the previous randomized controlled trial by our research group, we evaluated the effect of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) in 130 patients (65 per arm) on acute kidney injury (AKI) within 7 days of open total aortic arch replacement. Significantly fewer RIPC-treated patients than sham-treated patients developed postoperative AKI, and, epically, RIPC significantly reduced serious AKI (stage II–III). However, the long-term effect of RIPC in patients undergoing open total aortic arch replacement is unclear.

Methods

This study was a post-hoc analysis. We aimed to assess the roles of RIPC in major adverse kidney events (MAKE), defined as consisting persistent renal dysfunction, renal replacement therapy and mortality, within 90 days after surgery in patients receiving open total aortic arch replacement.

Results

In this 90-day follow-up study, data were available for all study participants. We found that RIPC failed to improve the presence of MAKE within 90 days after surgery (RIPC: 7 of 65[10.8%]) vs sham: 15 of 65[23.1%]; P = 0.061). In those patients who developed AKI after surgery, we found that the rate of MAKE within 90 days after surgery differed between the RIPC group and the sham group (RIPC: 4 of 36[11.2%]; sham: 14 of 48[29.2%]; P = 0.046).

Conclusions

At 90 days after open total aortic arch replacement, we failed to find a difference between the renoprotective effects of RIPC and sham treatment. The effectiveness or ineffectiveness of RIPC should be further investigated in a large randomized sham-controlled trial.

Trial registration

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Fuwai Hospital (No. 2016–835) and our previous study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov before patient enrollment (NCT03141385; principal investigator: G.W.; date of registration: March 5, 2017).
Sentinel node theory helps tracking of primary lesions of cancers of unknown primary
Authors: Shao Yilin , Liu Xin , Hu Silong , Zhang Yingjian , Li Wentao , Zhou Xiaoyan , Wang Qifeng , Hou Yifeng , Chen Yong , Wang Yanli , Wang Yaohui , Luo Zhiguo , Hu Xichun
Published: July 2020

Background

Sentinel lymph node is the first stop of lymphatic spreading of cancer with known primary. The lymph node metastasis pattern of cancer of unknown primary (CUP) is unclear and has been presumed to follow the same pathway. To test this hypothesis, data of all 716 patients clinically diagnosed as CUP in our center were collected.

Methods

Diagnoses of lymph node metastasis were established by 18F-FDG PET-CT and/or biopsy pathology. Three hundred and forty-seven cases meeting the criteria were divided into three groups: pathology-confirmed primary with invasive biopsy or surgery of the suspicious lesion (group A, n = 64), primary still unknown even with invasive biopsy or surgery of the suspicious lesion (group B, n = 204), and others with no suspicious lesion or lesions who had not been sampled due to medical or other reasons (group C, n = 79). We assessed the clinicopathological features between these groups, and the relationship between lymph node metastasis pattern and confirmed primary site.

Results

In group A, the primary sites of 61 cases were compatible with sentinel node theory, resulting in a positive predictive value of 95%. No significant differences in age, sex, bone metastasis, or visceral metastasis observed between group A and group B, except that group A had a higher ratio of differentiated carcinoma (94% vs. 77%, P = 0.003).

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first evidence indicating that the majority of clinical CUP cases follow the sentinel node theory to spread in lymph nodes, which helps tracking the primary, especially for differentiated carcinoma.
Pathogenic role of the vitreous in angle-closure glaucoma with autosomal recessive bestrophinopathy: a case report
Authors: Shi Yan , Tian Jiaxin , Han Ying , Oatts Julius , Wang Ningli
Published: July 2020

Background

Autosomal recessive bestrophinopathy (ARB) is caused by homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in the BEST1 gene and always accompanied with refractory angle-closure glaucoma (ACG). The exact mechanism for the pan-ocular abnormalities in ARB is still unknown and the management of ACG in these cases is challenging.

Case presentation

A 26-year-old patient with a novel autosomal–recessively inherited c.1 A > G variant in BEST1 diagnosed as ARB and ACG, presented as widespread vitelliform deposits in the posterior pole, retinoschisis in the macula, vitreoretinal interface abnormalities, shallow anterior chamber depth (ACD) and angle closure with uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP). Combined phacoemulsification, intraocular lens implantation and goniosynechialysis did not improve any clinical presentation. However, low dose transscleral cyclophotocoagulation with subsequent vitreous liquefaction effectively lowered IOP, deepened ACD, and rehabilitated retinoschisis in both eyes.

Conclusions

This case implied vitreous condition may play a pathogenic role in formation of retinoschisis and ACG in the patients with ARB. Treatments that induce vitreous liquefaction could be used to treat young ACG patients with ARB or other kinds of ACG to avoid vision-threatening post-operative complications.
Histological demonstration of BSEP/ABCB11 inhibition in transient neonatal cholestasis: a case report
Authors: Baghdasaryan Anna , Ofner-Ziegenfuß Lisa , Lackner Carolin , Fickert Peter , Resch Bernhard , Morris Nicholas Mark , Deutschmann Andrea
Published: July 2020

Background

Idiopathic or transient neonatal cholestasis (TNC) represents a group of cholestatic disorders with unidentified origin and remains a diagnosis of exclusion. Dysfunction of hepatobiliary transporters mediating excretion of biliary constituents from hepatocytes may play a central role in the pathogenesis of cholestasis. Despite variants of bile salt (BS) export pump (BSEP/ABCB11) have already been described in TNC, the pathogenic role of BSEP dysfunction in TNC remained so far elusive.

Case presentation

We report on a newly-identified heterozygous ABCB11 missense variant (c.1345G > A, p.Glu449Lys) which was associated with prolonged cholestasis in a term infant after a complicated neonatal period. Moreover, we show for the first time almost completely abolished BSEP expression on the hepatocellular membrane in TNC.

Conclusion

This report demonstrates for the first time a close association between the prolonged cholestasis in infancy and impaired BSEP expression on the hepatocyte canalicular membrane in a heterozygous carrier of newly-identified ABCB11 variant.