bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The gut microbiota, bile acids and their correlation in primary sclerosing cholangitis associated with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Torres J , Palmela C , Brito H , Bao X , Ruiqi H , Moura-Santos P , Pereira da Silva J , Oliveira A , Vieira C , Perez K , Itzkowitz SH , Colombel JF , Humbert L , Rainteau D , Cravo M , Rodrigues CM , Hu J
Published: May 2017

Background

Patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis associated with inflammatory bowel disease (PSC-IBD) have a very high risk of developing colorectal neoplasia. Alterations in the gut microbiota and/or gut bile acids could account for the increase in this risk. However, no studies have yet investigated the net result of cholestasis and a potentially altered bile acid pool interacting with a dysbiotic gut flora in the inflamed colon of PSC-IBD.

Aim

The aim of this study was to compare the gut microbiota and stool bile acid profiles, as well as and their correlation in patients with PSC-IBD and inflammatory bowel disease alone.

Methods

Thirty patients with extensive colitis (15 with concomitant primary sclerosing cholangitis) were prospectively recruited and fresh stool samples were collected. The microbiota composition in stool was profiled using bacterial 16S rRNA sequencing. Stool bile acids were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

Results

The total stool bile acid pool was significantly reduced in PSC-IBD. Although no major differences were observed in the individual bile acid species in stool, their overall combination allowed a good separation between PSC-IBD and inflammatory bowel disease. Compared with inflammatory bowel disease alone, PSC-IBD patients demonstrated a different gut microbiota composition with enrichment in Ruminococcus and Fusobacterium genus compared with inflammatory bowel disease. At the operational taxonomic unit level major shifts were observed within the Firmicutes (73%) and Bacteroidetes phyla (17%). Specific microbiota-bile acid correlations were observed in PSC-IBD, where 12% of the operational taxonomic units strongly correlated with stool bile acids, compared with only 0.4% in non-PSC-IBD.

Conclusions

Patients with PSC-IBD had distinct microbiota and microbiota-stool bile acid correlations as compared with inflammatory bowel disease. Whether these changes are associated with, or may predispose to, an increased risk of colorectal neoplasia needs to be further clarified.
Molecular Biomarkers for Weight Control in Obese Individuals Subjected to a Multiphase Dietary Intervention
Authors: Bolton Jennifer , Montastier Emilie , Carayol Jérôme , Bonnel Sophie , Mir Lucile , Marques Marie-Adeline , Astrup Arne , Saris Wim , Iacovoni Jason , Villa-Vialaneix Nathalie , Valsesia Armand , Langin Dominique , Viguerie Nathalie
Published: May 2017

Context

Although calorie restriction has proven beneficial for weight loss, long-term weight control is variable between individuals.

Objective

To identify biomarkers of successful weight control during a dietary intervention (DI).

Design, Setting, and Participants

Adipose tissue (AT) transcriptomes were compared between 21 obese individuals who either maintained weight loss or regained weight during the DI. Results were validated on 310 individuals from the same study using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and protein levels of potential circulating biomarkers measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Intervention

Individuals underwent 8 weeks of low-calorie diet, then 6 months of ad libitum diet.

Outcome Measure

Weight changes at the end of the DI.

Results

We evaluated six genes that had altered expression during DI, encode secreted proteins, and have not previously been implicated in weight control (EGFL6, FSTL3, CRYAB, TNMD, SPARC, IGFBP3), as well as genes for which baseline expression differed between those with good and poor weight control (ASPN, USP53). Changes in plasma concentrations of EGFL6, FSTL3, and CRYAB mirrored AT messenger RNA expression; all decreased during DI in individuals with good weight control. ASPN and USP53 had higher baseline expression in individuals who went on to have good weight control. Expression quantitative trait loci analysis found polymorphisms associated with expression levels of USP53 in AT. A regulatory network was identified in which transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) was responsible for downregulation of certain genes during DI in good controllers. Interestingly, ASPN is a TGF-β1 inhibitor.

Conclusions

We found circulating biomarkers associated with weight control that could influence weight management strategies and genes that may be prognostic for successful weight control.
The effect of negative pressure wound therapy with antibacterial dressings or antiseptics on an in vitro wound model
Authors: Matiasek J. , Domig K.J. , Djedovic G. , Babeluk R. , Assadian O.
Published: May 2017

Objective:

The aim of this study was to investigate the bacterial bioburden in experimental in vitro wounds during the application of conventional negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), with and without antimicrobial dressings (polyhexanide, silver), against NPWT instillation of octenidine.

Method:

Experimental wounds produced in an in vitro porcine wound model were homogenously contaminated with bacterial suspension and treated with NPWT and different options. Group A: non-antimicrobial polyurethane foam dressing; group B: antimicrobial polyurethane foam dressing containing silver; group C: antimicrobial gauze dressing containing polyhexanide; group D: non-antimicrobial polyurethane foam dressing intermittently irrigated with octenidine; group E: negative control (non-antimicrobial polyurethane foam dressing without NPWT). Standard biopsies were harvested after 24 and 28 hours.

Results:

This study demonstrated that the use of NPWT with intermitted instillation of octenidine (group D) or application of silver-based polyurethane foam dressings (group B) is significantly superior against Staphylococcus aureus colonisation in experimental wounds compared with non-antimicrobial polyurethane foam dressing (group A) after 48 hours. Surprisingly, the polyhexanide-based dressing (group C) used in this model showed no statistical significant effect compared with the control group (group E) after 24 or 48 hours of treatment.

Conclusion:

Both intermitted instillation of octenidine and silver-based dressings in standard NPWT were significantly superior compared with non-antimicrobial polyurethane foam dressings or PHMB coated gauze dressing after 48 hours.
David Cameron’s three-day volunteering initiative: genuine proposal or electoral sham?
Authors: Smith Justin Davis
Published: May 2017

The Conservative Party in the UK entered into the General Election in 2015 with a pledge to require all large companies and public bodies to give three days’ paid volunteering leave to their employees. With implementation seemingly as far away as ever, this paper examines the genesis of the proposal, the reaction it engendered from business and the voluntary sector, and the barriers to its introduction.
Book Reviews
Authors: Tomaselli Keyan , Tchouaffe Jean-Olivier
Published: May 2017

HARRY ALAN TOWERS: THE TRANSNATIONAL CAREER OF A CINEMATIC CONTRARIAN, DAVE MANN (ED.) (2014) Jefferson, NC: McFarland and Co., 251pp., ISBN: 9780786479825, p/bk, $38.94

Directory of World Cinema: Africa, Blandine Stefanson and Sheila Petty (eds) (2015) Intellect and University of Chicago Press, Bristol, UK and Chicago, IL ISBN: 9781783203918, Paperback, 420pp., $36
Pragmatic awareness of ELT teacher trainees: A study of refusals of requests
Authors: Hergüner Sinem , Çakır Abdulvahit
Published: May 2017

This study specifically aims to determine Turkish English Language Teaching (henceforth ELT) teacher trainees’ choices in using speech acts set of refusals in terms of directness from the aspect of pragma-linguistics in a Turkish, an English as a Foreign Language (henceforth EFL), context. The randomly chosen participants were 133 ELT teacher trainees (100 female, 33 Male), who are fourth-year students from ELT Departments of Education Faculties at four different universities (Gazi University (GU), Başkent University (BU), Middle East Technical University (METU), Hacettepe University (HU). The study used a questionnaire in the form of Discourse Completion Task (henceforth DCT) based on the Cross-cultural Speech Act Realization Project (CCSARP) (Blum-Kulka and Olshtain 1984) for data collection. The study elicited judgments of various refusal formulations of the trainees in eighteen different situations in terms of directness and indirectness. The context of each situation based on three variables with different levels. These are gender (same-opposite), social status (low-equal-high), and social distance (intimate-acquaintance-stranger). Each of the eighteen situations has a different triplet of these variables. The findings are interpreted statistically and verbally. The refusal strategies gathered by this study were analyzed based on a sequence of semantic formulae provided by Beebe and Takahashi (1990). The findings of this study indicate that aspects of refusals may cause difficulties for ELT teacher trainees. The trainees of all the universities employed more statements of excuse/reason/explanation than of other strategies. This is further proof of the value of face. In the whole data what is obviously seen is that teacher trainees mostly prefer indirect strategies. The findings proved that the trainees were sensitive to the status of the requester, and they are less sensitive towards acquaintances. All trainees used most statements of indirect Excuse/reason/explanation when they refused people of each gender. Nevertheless, opposite-gender refusals require more elaboration and more care, which proves the trainees’ more attention to the requesters of opposite gender. This study suggests the need to raise their pragmatic awareness of Turkish ELT teacher trainees regarding the use of refusal strategies in particular contexts.
A new method for QRS detection in ECG signals using QRS-preserving filtering techniques
Authors: Sharma Tanushree , Sharma Kamalesh K.
Published: May 2017

Detection of QRS complexes in ECG signals is required for various purposes such as determination of heart rate, feature extraction and classification. The problem of automatic QRS detection in ECG signals is complicated by the presence of noise spectrally overlapping with the QRS frequency range. As a solution to this problem, we propose the use of least-squares-optimisation-based smoothing techniques that suppress the noise peaks in the ECG while preserving the QRS complexes. We also propose a novel nonlinear transformation technique that is applied after the smoothing operations, which equalises the QRS amplitudes without boosting the supressed noise peaks. After these preprocessing operations, the R-peaks can finally be detected with high accuracy. The proposed technique has a low computational load and, therefore, it can be used for real-time QRS detection in a wearable device such as a Holter monitor or for fast offline QRS detection. The offline and real-time versions of the proposed technique have been evaluated on the standard MIT-BIH database. The offline implementation is found to perform better than state-of-the-art techniques based on wavelet transforms, empirical mode decomposition, etc. and the real-time implementation also shows improved performance over existing real-time QRS detection techniques.
Mobility and Insurgent Celebrityhood: The Case of Arundhati Roy
Authors: Nayar Pramod K.
Published: May 2017

Indian novelist and Booker winner Arundhati Roy is a celebrity author, but her celebrityhood is a cross-genre and cross-domain one. This essay argues that a certain insurgent celebrityhood emerges in the case of Roy through her mobility into and across many public domains. In this process of mobility, Roy also mobilises in her rhetoric and her polemics, the precariat public sphere by her participation in it. There is, first her generic mobility (across genres). Then, Roy moves from the cosmopolitan domain to the vernacular when she employs her cosmopolitan cultural capital of the English language, but also political ideas of citizenship, in order to alter her vernacularisation. Third, Roy’s activism enables her mobilisation of “insurgents,” those with political views opposed to the state’s and involved with social justice struggles.
On the geometric nature of the twin paradox in curved spacetimes
Authors: Sokołowski Leszek M.
Published: May 2017

The famous „twin paradox” of special relativity is of purely geometric nature and formulated in curved spacetimes of general relativity motivates investigations of the timelike geodesic structure of these manifolds. Except for the maximally symmetric spacetimes the search for the longest timelike curves is hard, complicated and requires both advanced methods of global Lorentzian geometry and solving the intricate geodesic deviation equation. This article is a theoretical introduction to the problem. First we describe the procedure of determining the locally longest curves; it is algorithmic in the sense of consisting of a small number of definite steps and is effective if the geodesic deviation equation may be solved. Then we discuss the problem of globally maximal timelike curves; due to its nonlocal nature there is no prescription of how to solve it in finite number of steps. In the case of sufficiently high symmetry of the manifold also the globally longest curves may be found. Finally we briefly present some results recently found.
The algebras of bounded and essentially bounded Lebesgue measurable functions
Authors: Mortini Raymond , Rupp Rudolf
Published: May 2017

Let X be a set in ℝn with positive Lebesgue measure. It is well known that the spectrum of the algebra L∞(X) of (equivalence classes) of essentially bounded, complex-valued, measurable functions on X is an extremely disconnected compact Hausdorff space.We show, by elementary methods, that the spectrum M of the algebra ℒb(X, ℂ) of all bounded measurable functions on X is not extremely disconnected, though totally disconnected. Let ∆ = { δx : x ∈ X} be the set of point evaluations and let g be the Gelfand topology on M. Then (∆, g) is homeomorphic to (X, Τdis),where Tdis is the discrete topology. Moreover, ∆ is a dense subset of the spectrum M of ℒb(X, ℂ). Finally, the hull h(I), (which is homeomorphic to M(L∞(X))), of the ideal of all functions in ℒb(X, ℂ) vanishing almost everywhere on X is a nowhere dense and extremely disconnected subset of the Corona M \ ∆ of ℒb(X, ℂ).
FDI Inflows Influence Merchandise Exports? Causality Analysis for India over 1991-2016
Authors: Chakraborty Debashis , Mukherjee Jaydeep , Lee Jaewook
Published: May 2017

The deepening waves of globalization since late eighties and the growth in the international integrated production networks (IPN) over the past decade have significantly increased both Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and merchandise trade flows. India, whose share in global FDI inward stock and global merchandise exports have increased from 0.08 percent to 1.13 percent and 0.51 percent to 1.60 percent over 1989–2015 respectively, is no exception to this trend. The current paper attempts to explain the influence of FDI inflows on India’s exports through a time series analysis with quarterly data over the period 1990–91 (Q1) to 2015–16 (Q4) in the presence of multiple structural breaks. The empirical analysis indicates that while exports influence FDI inflows, the reverse is not true in the Indian context. The result underlines the fact that FDI inflows in the country may primarily be targeting the growing domestic sectors, rather than utilizing the domestic resources for reaching the world market.
La mediación oculta: los agentes literarios en la producción de literatura “latinoamericana” en Europa
Authors: Locane Jorge J.
Published: May 2017

El presente artículo propone un acercamiento a la función mediadora de los agentes literarios en la producción actual de literatura latinoamericana en Europa. Aunque su influencia se ha acrecentado sensiblemente desde que en los años 60 Carmen Balcells fundara un modelo y marcara el curso de acción, hasta el momento no existen estudios en profundidad al respecto. Estas páginas exponen una serie de hipótesis para comenzar a ahondar en tal dirección. Se argumenta: 1. que, de acuerdo con el modelo fundacional Balcells, la literatura latinoamericana de circulación internacional se sigue produciendo, fundamentalmente, en Barcelona por mediación de agencias; 2. que estas agencias otorgan un valor agregado indispensable en el mercado internacional y 3. que su mediación, finalmente, lejos de ser pasiva, condiciona la producción de literatura, en su sentido más estricto.
Broadway as Global Brand
Authors: Savran David
Published: May 2017

For people around the world, “Broadway” means the Broadway musical, the epitome of singing and dancing, glamor and dazzle. Although the Broadway musical is customarily perceived as the most distinctively U. S. theatre form – whose national and municipal identity is embedded in its name – it has circumnavigated the globe countless times. As the globalized cultural economy increasingly facilitates the worldwide circulation of multinational theatrical productions, Broadway-style musicals are being manufactured from Hamburg to Shanghai. They are no longer a specifically U. S. form, but a global brand that freely crosses borders, genres, and styles.

The mobility of the newly deterritorialized Broadway musical is the result of many phenomena, notably the rise of a generation of producers, writers, directors, and actors around the world who have absorbed the musical’s conventions and vernaculars and who disseminate locally-produced musical entertainments. In the twenty-first century, these new Broadway-style musicals have become the preeminent transnational theatre form, whose conventions have also been absorbed into both popular and elite theatrical entertainments around the world.
The Sacred Guest and the Ungrievable Sacrifice: communitas at the Theatre
Authors: Boll Julia
Published: May 2017

Based on Vazha-Pshavela’s narrative poem of the same name, Roland Reed’s and Synetic Theatre’s play
Performance Labor, Im/Mobility, and Exhaustion in Nature Theater of Oklahoma’s Life and Times
Authors: Lippert Leopold
Published: May 2017

Nature Theater of Oklahoma’s
Risky Business: Enterprise Liability, Corporate Groups and Torts
Authors: Wright Glen
Published: May 2017

Corporate personality and limited liability have been the foundations of corporate law for most of its modern history. While these concepts greatly contributed to the early development of corporations, their application in the modern era is outmoded. Nowhere is this clearer than in ‘risky business’ scenarios, where a subsidiary is constituted for the purpose of shielding the corporate group as a whole from tortious liability arising from risky or dangerous activities. Tort victims generally must rely on ineffective and inconsistent common law and tort law doctrines in order to seek redress for torts committed against them, and a number of high profile cases have highlighted the flaws in such approaches. Many corporate law and tort scholars have commented on these flaws and a literature has developed proposing rational alternatives. This paper presents the case for adopting ‘enterprise liability’ in risky business situations, that is, treating the companies within a corporate group as one unified enterprise for the purposes of compensating tort victims.
Evidence of green fluorescent protein and growth hormone expression in red abalone (Haliotis rufescens) larvae
Authors: Mancilla-Sánchez Edgar , Portillo-López Amelia
Published: May 2017

The red abalone Haliotis rufescens is a highly appreciated mollusk in the national and international markets. Due to its natural over-exploitation and low growth rate, several genetic improvements were made, however special efforts are needed to increase its production. This study presents transgenic abalone’s larvae expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) fused to Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) Growth Hormone (GH) using sperm media transgenesis technique (SMT), pAcGFP1-N vector under the control of cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. Sperms were exposed to three voltages (0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 Kv) using a micropulser electroporator (Bio-Rad®). The highest GFP-GH expression average (40%) was obtained in abalone larvae at 0.75 v. GFP and GH transgenes were positively detected by PCR, western blot and confocal microscope, respectively.
Expanded Study on the accumulation effect of tourism under the constraint of structure
Authors: Wang Qiang , Yang Zhenzhi , Huang Lu
Published: May 2017

There is a mutual influence between departmental structure and accumulation and growth. Therefore, the accumulation and growth of the tourism industry will be subject to certain restrictions on the industrial structure, and, conversely, it will have an impact on the existing industrial structure. Li Jingyi reported special research in the paper called “Research on tourism growth based on structural constraints” about the relationship between the growth of tourism and the existing industrial structure. It pointed out the specific interdependence between tourism and other economic sectors in terms of accumulation and growth. However, the research of Li Jingyi is based on the trichotomy of social product value. It is too abstract, while the study is understandable in theory. In practice, it is difficult to use the model of the paper to deal with specific problems. Therefore, how to improve the industry association model in the paper of Li and make it more in line with the actual situation becomes our concern. In this paper, the author hopes to improve the model of Li’s paper by simplifying the decomposition of social product value. At the same time, it makes a further study on accumulation elasticity and growth elasticity. On this basis, some suggestions are put forward to guide the development of other industries based on the tourism industry.
Unstructured P2P Network Load Balance Strategy Based on Multilevel Partitioning of Hypergraph
Authors: Feng Lv , Chunlin Gao , Kaiyang Ma
Published: May 2017

With rapid development of computer performance and distributed technology, P2P-based resource sharing mode plays important role in Internet. P2P network users continued to increase so the high dynamic characteristics of the system determine that it is difficult to obtain the load of other nodes. Therefore, a dynamic load balance strategy based on hypergraph is proposed in this article. The scheme develops from the idea of hypergraph theory in multilevel partitioning. It adopts optimized multilevel partitioning algorithms to partition P2P network into several small areas, and assigns each area a supernode for the management and load transferring of the nodes in this area. In the case of global scheduling is difficult to be achieved, the priority of a number of small range of load balancing can be ensured first. By the node load balance in each small area the whole network can achieve relative load balance. The experiments indicate that the load distribution of network nodes in our scheme is obviously compacter. It effectively solves the unbalanced problems in P2P network, which also improve the scalability and bandwidth utilization of system.
Construction of complex networks from time series based on the cross correlation interval
Authors: Feng Chen , He Bo
Published: May 2017

In this paper, a new approach to map time series into complex networks based on the cross correlation interval is proposed for the analysis of dynamic states of time series on different scales. In the proposed approach, a time series is divided into time series segments and each segment is reconstructed to a phase space defined as a node of the complex network. The cross correlation interval, which characterizes the degree of correlation between two phase spaces, is computed as the distance between the two nodes. The clustering coefficient and efficiency are used to determine an appropriate threshold for the construction of a complex network that can effectively describe the dynamic states of a complex system. In order to verify the efficiency of the proposed approach, complex networks are constructed for time series generated from the Lorenz system, for white Gaussian noise time series and for sea clutter time series. The experimental results have demonstrated that nodes in different communities represent different dynamic states . Therefore, the proposed approach can be used to uncover the dynamic characteristics of the complex systems.
Nonlinear Schrödinger approach to European option pricing
Authors: Wróblewski Marcin
Published: May 2017

This paper deals with numerical option pricing methods based on a Schrödinger model rather than the Black-Scholes model. Nonlinear Schrödinger boundary value problems seem to be alternatives to linear models which better reflect the complexity and behavior of real markets. Therefore, based on the nonlinear Schrödinger option pricing model proposed in the literature, in this paper a model augmented by external atomic potentials is proposed and numerically tested. In terms of statistical physics the developed model describes the option in analogy to a pair of two identical quantum particles occupying the same state. The proposed model is used to price European call options on a stock index. the model is calibrated using the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm based on market data. A Runge-Kutta method is used to solve the discretized boundary value problem numerically. Numerical results are provided and discussed. It seems that our proposal more accurately models phenomena observed in the real market than do linear models.
Horizontverschmelzung, Inkommensurabilität und sprachliche Bilder
Authors: Schneider Hans Julius
Published: May 2017

How is it possible to achieve intercultural communication in such away that both Ethnocentrism and Relativism are avoided? The paper explores Charles Taylor’s proposal that what is needed is a language of perspicuous contrast. In an attempt to spell out what such a language would involve, it discusses two pertinent metaphors, the fusion of horizons (Gadamer) and the relation of incommensurability (Kuhn/Feyerabend). It argues that the first is an overly optimistic, and the second an unnecessarily pessimistic way of stating the problem: Horizons set by different linguistic means often cannot be fused, and the incompatibility of scientific theories has no bearing for natural languages.

What then are the linguistic procedures the working of which would explain the impression that even in language there are cases of incommensurability? This feature of language should also be able to explain the deep and potentially violent character of intercultural disagreements.

For an answer the paper turns to Wittgenstein’s observations about pictorial uses of language and their role in our respective languages of self-understanding. As religious languages testify, such ways of speaking (about a Creation, a Last Judgement, about multiple rebirths, etc.) are acquired in early childhood and are therefore formative for building an identity. Additionally, such pictorial expressions cannot be fused to form one single coherent picture. Building on Wittgenstein’s observations about the possibility of freeing ourselves from pictures that are holding us captive, it is proposed that the ability to move freely between pictures is the competence that Taylor meant to capture with his phrase of a language of perspicuous contrast.
The Influence of Consumption and Investment on Unemployment in Turkey: a SVAR Approach
Authors: Ozan Yıldırım Mustafa , Eren Yıldırım Ahmet
Published: May 2017

The aim of this paper is to examine the dynamic relationship between consumption, investment and unemployment in Turkey using structural VAR (SVAR) models. The four different SVAR models are estimated by using quarterly observations of dynamic and contemporaneous relations for the mentioned macroeconomic variables, covering the 2005-2016 period for the Turkish economy. Four different unemployment rates are used in the study to represent the unemployment rate in the Turkish economy, which are overall, young (15-24 age), male and female unemployment rates. Impulse response functions and variance decomposition results obtained from the study show that consumption shocks have a significant impact on both the unemployment rate and the investments, in support of the basic hypothesis that is argued in the study. Investment shocks also have a similar effect on unemployment rates and positive investment shocks have reduced unemployment rates. Moreover, another result obtained in all four models suggests that a shock in consumption increases investment through the accelerator effect.
Epidemiology of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia in Children
Authors: Hamdy Rana F. , Hsu Alice J. , Stockmann Chris , Olson Jared A. , Bryan Matthew , Hersh Adam L. , Tamma Pranita D. , Gerber Jeffrey S.
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUND:

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia is associated with high rates of treatment failure in adults. The epidemiology, clinical outcomes, and risk factors for treatment failure associated with MRSA bacteremia in children are poorly understood.

METHODS:

Multicenter, retrospective cohort study of children ≤18 years hospitalized with MRSA bacteremia across 3 tertiary care children’s hospitals from 2007 to 2014. Treatment failure was defined as persistent bacteremia >3 days, recurrence of bacteremia within 30 days, or attributable 30-day mortality. Potential risk factors for treatment failure, including the site of infection, vancomycin trough concentration, critical illness, and need for source control, were collected via manual chart review and evaluated using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS:

Of 232 episodes of MRSA bacteremia, 72 (31%) experienced treatment failure and 23% developed complications, whereas 5 (2%) died within 30 days. Multivariable analysis of 174 children treated with vancomycin with steady-state vancomycin concentrations obtained found that catheter-related infections (odds ratio [OR], 0.36; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.13–0.94) and endovascular infections (OR, 4.35; 95% CI: 1.07–17.7) were associated with lower and higher odds of treatment failure, respectively, whereas a first vancomycin serum trough concentration <10 μg/mL was not associated with treatment failure (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 0.49–3.66). Each additional day of bacteremia was associated with a 50% (95% CI: 26%–79%) increased odds of bacteremia-related complications.

CONCLUSIONS:

Hospitalized children with MRSA bacteremia frequently suffered treatment failure and complications, but mortality was low. The odds of bacteremia-related complications increased with each additional day of bacteremia, emphasizing the importance of achieving rapid sterilization.
Doctors’ and interpreters’ conversational styles in paediatric diabetes encounters: A case study of empowering language use
Authors: Gustafsson Anna W.
Published: May 2017

During the last few decades, ideas of empowerment, person centered care (PCC) and shared decision-making (SDM) have informed western health care. An increasing interest in conversational styles aligned with these ideas is visible e.g. in the work to make motivational interviewing (MI) an evidence based communicative practice. But linguistic competence is needed to identify the subtle nuances of the communicative practices in a doctor–patient consultation. It is therefore particularly important to investigate conversation styles in mediated encounters with immigrant patients. Mitigation strategies (indirect speech, hedging etc.) and confirming strategies (back-channelling, encouragement etc.) are considered to be typical of an ‘empowering’ conversation style. The distribution of these features in encounters with or without interpreters was analysed in a case study of two consultations with the same doctor in a children's diabetes clinic in Sweden. The results of this study indicate that the mitigation strategies and confirming strategies characteristic of a conversation style aimed at strengthening and encouraging the patient tend to get lost in mediation. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Opportunities and challenges of entertainment-education: Learning about Parkinson's disease via The Michael J. Fox Show
Authors: Link Elena , Schluetz Daniela M. , Brauer Stephen
Published: May 2017

Health topics are omnipresent in the media. However, although both informational and entertainment formats can increase public understanding of health and illness, media representations of diseases involve challenges as well as opportunities. The entertainment-education (E-E) approach highlights the positive effects of incorporating health messages into entertainment media. The goal of influencing awareness, knowledge and attitudes is reached by transporting the audience into a narrative, which as such enhances persuasive effects and suppresses counterarguing. The NBC sitcom The Michael J. Fox Show (TMJFS) is an E-E format inspired by the actor's own experiences with Parkinson's disease (PD). Using TMJFS as an exemplar, we conducted a multimethodological study to understand both the challenges and the opportunities of E-E comedy formats. A content analysis focusing on the representation of PD in TMJFS showed a focus on motoric symptoms of PD. Subsequent recap analyses and qualitative interviews were conducted to better understand different readings of the show in terms of its informative and entertaining aspects. Additionally, we performed a standardized online survey and an experiment to measure attitudinal effects of TMJFS.
Mind-Independent Values Don’t Exist, But Moral Truth Does
Authors: Van Doorn Maarten
Published: May 2017

The falsity of moral claims is commonly deduced from two tenets: that they presuppose the existence of objective values and that these values don’t exist. Hence, the error theory concludes, moral claims are false. In this paper, I put pressure on the image of human morality that is presupposed in moving from the non-existence of objective values to the falsity of moral claims. I argue that, while, understood in a certain way, the two premises of the error theory are correct, this does not render moral discourse false, because moral objectivity is disanalogous to objectivity in empirical sciences and as such need not be characterized in terms of mind-independency. Using Dewey, I illuminate the possibility of accommodating the guiding intuitions of the error theory in a first-order account of morality.
Garlic essential oil increases rates of eggs fertilization and hatching of Rhamdia quelen larvae in an artificial incubation system
Authors: Marengoni Nilton Garcia , Pereira Letícia Angélica , Weiss Luciane Aline , Besen Mateus Antonio , Bombardelli Robie Allan
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of garlic (Allium sativum) essential oil on the rates of eggs fertilization and hatching and on the normal development of larvae of artificially incubated silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen). The experiment was carried out using a completely randomized experimental design with four treatments and five replicates. The treatments consisted of introducing garlic essential oil into the incubators, which used a closed system of water recirculation, at concentrations of 0, 1, 3, and 5mg L-1. Rates of eggs fertilization and larval hatching were determined at 10 and 24h after the beginning of eggs hydration. Morphology of larvae was assessed with the aid of a stereo microscope to determine the rate of normal development. The concentration of 5mg L-1 promoted better rates of eggs fertilization and larval hatching. Concentrations of garlic essential oil had a linear effect on eggs fertilization rates and larval hatching. Garlic oil did not influence the morphology of the larvae (P>0.05). It is recommended to use 5mg L-1 of garlic essential oil to promote better rates of eggs fertilization and larval hatching of artificially incubated silver catfish.
Absolute quantification of viruses by TaqMan real-time RT-PCR in grapevines
Authors: Fajardo Thor Vinícius Martins , Vanni Marcos Fernando , Nickel Osmar
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT: The absolute quantification determines the absolute amount of a targeted nucleic acid expressed as a copy number or concentration. The knowledge of virus concentrations in commercial crops possesses high relevance to ensure a reliable diagnosis. The objective of this study was to perform an absolute quantification of five viruses in infected grapevines (Vitis spp.). Different known amounts of the standard sample (cloned viral cDNA or in vitro transcribed viral RNA) were quantified by TaqMan RT-qPCR. Based on these data, standard curves were generated plotting Ct values (threshold cycle) against the log of the standard sample amount. Infected grapevine samples were evaluated to determine virus titers, which were highly variable. This result may contribute to improve virus diagnosis by accurately quantifying virus titre variations in grapevines.
Fungal infection control by garlic extracts (Allium sativum L.) and modulation of peritoneal macrophages activity in murine model of sporotrichosis
Authors: Burian J. P. , Sacramento L. V. S. , Carlos I. Z.
Published: May 2017

Abstract Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is grown all over the world as seasoning and medicinal vegetable since 3,000 BC. Allicin is the main component of garlic, being attributed to it the most of its biological activities, such as bactericidal, antifungal and antiviral actions. However, other compounds of garlic present antioxidant, hypocholesterolemic, vasodilator activities, protective action against different types of cancer, and immunomodulatory. Fungal infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality in people mainly in immunosuppressed ones. Sporothrix schenckii, the causing agent of Sporotrichosis (most common subcutaneous mycosis in Latin America), is dimorphic fungus, of saprophytic life in soil or plants, infecting people and animals mainly through skin injuries and bruises. The main of this work was to evaluate the influence of garlic consuming on immune modulation of healthy and infected Swiss mice in induced way by S. schenckii, since these animals functioning of peritoneal macrophages as well as the nitric oxide and cytokines’ production (IL-1β, IL-10 and IL-12) and to evaluate the antifungal potential of garlic with S. schenckii through minimum inhibitory concentration test and colony-forming units. The results showed that garlic offers antifungal potential with S. schenckii. The oral taking of garlic extracts influences the releasing of cytokines by macrophages, regular consuming shows anti-inflammatory effect, and its acute use may take to an inflammatory response. Mice that consumed garlic responded more effectively to fight against the infection.
Gonadotrophic, prolactin, corticosterone, and gonadal hormones levels over 15 months in Giant Amazon River Turtles - Podocnemis expansa (Schweigger, 1812) (Testudines: Podocnemididae), in captive conditions
Authors: Freneau G. E. , Sá V. A. , Franci C. R. , Vieira D. , Freneau B. N.
Published: May 2017

Abstract In order to achieve successful captive breeding the Podocnemis expansa, it is necessary to study their reproductive endocrinology. The purpose of this research was to evaluate and characterize plasma concentrations in gonadotrophic, gonadic, corticosterone and prolactin hormones from Giant Amazon Turtles under captive conditions. Blood samples were collected over a 15 month period. The samples were assayed by the use of radioimmunoassay, prolactin, corticosterone, LH, FSH, testosterone, 17β-estradiol and progesterone. We verified significant seasonal pattern increase in 17β-estradiol levels and decrease in progesterone levels in the course of a year, which indicates vitellogenesis. This is related to normal ovarian cycles and possibly to the functional integrity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis of captive females. There were negative correlations between testosterone and corticosterone in the male samples, suggestive of stress (management stress) on the reproductive system. The plasma concentrations of gonadotrophic, gonadic, prolactin and corticosterone hormones may be used as a reference for further research and possible therapeutic approaches. The data collected during this research are unprecedented for this species and may serve as a reference for future research regarding the reproductive cycle of this turtle, also allowing reproductive management while in captivity. Information about these hormones must be gathered from wild populations during different periods of the year for better clarification of the reproductive physiology of this species.
Entre o ideal e o possível: experiências iniciais das obstetrizes no Sistema Único de Saúde de São Paulo
Authors: Castro Cláudia Medeiros de , Narchi Nádia Zanon , Lopes Gisele Almeida , Macedo Cibele Monteiro , Souza Alessandra Coutinho
Published: May 2017

Resumo Levando em conta a recente inserção de Obstetrizes formadas pelo Curso de Obstetrícia da Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades da Universidade de São Paulo no Sistema Único de Saúde, esta pesquisa teve como propósito analisar como se deu a inserção dessas profissionais nos serviços públicos de saúde. Para isso, foi realizada pesquisa de campo, descritiva e de natureza qualitativa. Os sujeitos da pesquisa compreenderam oito egressas do Curso de Obstetrícia que estivessem trabalhando no ano de 2014 em instituições estaduais ou municipais que fazem parte do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) de São Paulo. A coleta de informações ocorreu por meio de entrevista semiestruturada com questões norteadoras acerca das experiências vivenciadas pelas Obstetrizes em seu trabalho no SUS. A análise possibilitou o delineamento de quatro categorias temáticas: As obstretrizes nos hospitais: estranhamento por não saber o que é; Práticas e desafios na inserção das Obstetrizes no SUS; Entre o ideal e o possível: o cotidiano de trabalho no SUS; A repercussão do trabalho das Obstetrizes entre as usuárias. Os relatos mostram que são vários os desafios enfrentados no cenário da atenção obstétrica nos hospitais públicos, não só pelas Obstetrizes como também para os demais profissionais de saúde e, principalmente, pelas mulheres e bebês, e indicam que as pequenas mudanças ocorridas no cotidiano do trabalho só são possíveis porque são realizadas coletivamente e contribuem para o fortalecimento do SUS.
Planejamento regional integrado: a governança em região de pequenos municípios
Authors: Medeiros Cássia Regina Gotler , Saldanha Olinda Maria de Fátima Lechmann , Grave Magali Teresinha Quevedo , Koetz Lydia Christmann Espíndola , Dhein Gisele , Castro Luís César de , Schwingel Glademir , Santos Marilucia Vieira dos
Published: May 2017

Resumo As diretrizes do Decreto nº 7508, de 28 de junho de 2011, têm contribuído para ampliar a capacidade de governança dos pequenos municípios nas regiões de saúde. O objetivo do estudo foi identificar potencialidades e entraves no processo do planejamento regional integrado na região de saúde 29, do Rio Grande do Sul. Consiste em um estudo de caso, realizado mediante informações provenientes de entrevistas semiestruturadas, observações de campo e registros documentais, analisados pelo método de Análise de Conteúdo. Participaram do estudo gestores de saúde de cinco municípios e três servidores estaduais vinculados à 16ª Coordenadoria Regional de Saúde, selecionados intencionalmente. Emergiram cinco categorias de análise: a Comissão Intergestores Regional (CIR) como espaço de articulação; o fortalecimento do Sistema Único de Saúde; a fragilidade da gestão; individualismo ao olhar o processo; e o que tem pautado as reuniões da CIR. Os resultados apontam que o processo de planejamento regional integrado tem avançado, no sentido da CIR constituir-se como um espaço de apoio mútuo entre a gestão municipal e estadual. No entanto, as decisões são tomadas com embasamento mais político do que técnico, com pouco monitoramento do acesso às ações e aos serviços de saúde, dificultando a capacidade de controle e negociação com os prestadores. Considera-se que a CIR necessita ser fortalecida e consolidada por meio da qualificação da gestão e da participação efetiva dos gestores municipais e estaduais de saúde, a fim de possibilitar a governança regional.
Doenças sexualmente transmissíveis e a vulnerabilidade da população do Alto Solimões, Amazonas, Brasil
Authors: Coulibaly Ieda Guedes Simões , Morais José Cassio de , Marsiglia Regina Maria Giffoni , Montanari Patrícia Martins
Published: May 2017

Resumo Pessoas que apresentam sintomas de doenças sexualmente transmissíveis na região do Alto Solimões (Amazonas, Brasil), podem procurar farmácias mais próximas de onde residem para tratamento. Este artigo tem por finalidade mostrar como são tratadas e orientadas as pessoas que procuram pelo atendimento em farmácias em vez buscar os serviços de saúde, que são de mais difícil acesso na região. Para tal, realizou-se uma pesquisa de caráter qualitativo e emprego de uma amostra de conveniência. Na pesquisa de campo realizada em três dos nove municípios da região, utilizou-se o “Método do Cliente Misterioso” validado pelo protocolo Situational Analysis of Sexual Health in India (Sashi), desenvolvido pelo London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, já utilizado na Índia, África e no Alto Solimões, seguido de entrevistas semiestruturadas com os mesmos participantes da etapa do cliente misterioso. Observou-se que, quando do uso do Método do Cliente Misterioso, os entrevistados indicaram e venderam antibióticos sem receita médica aos que os procuraram e, quando do uso das entrevistas semiestruturadas, essa prática não foi observada. Em ambas as abordagens, não houve orientação aos clientes sobre os riscos das doenças sexualmente transmissíveis para eles e seus parceiros sexuais. Concluímos com esse estudo que as pessoas que vivem no Alto Solimões estão vulneráveis a essas doenças, sendo necessário que se repense a questão da assistência médica e farmacêutica no âmbito das doenças sexualmente transmissíveis em regiões de difícil acesso do país.
Clima motivacional hacia el deporte y su relación con hábitos de ocio digital sedentario en estudiantes universitarios
Authors: Chacón Cuberos Ramón , Zurita Ortega Félix , Castro Sánchez Manuel , Espejo Garcés Tamara , Martínez Martínez Asunción , Pérez Cortés Antonio José
Published: May 2017

Resumen El uso abusivo de videojuegos se asocia a consecuencias negativas para la salud, como son problemas músculo-esqueléticos, patología ocular o problemas cognitivos y emocionales. Ante esta problemática, múltiples estudios han demostrado como un estilo de vida activo mediante la práctica deportiva genera efectos positivos para la salud que rompen con las consecuencias del ocio digital sedentario. Este estudio de carácter descriptivo y corte transversal, realizado en una muestra de 490 estudiantes universitarios, tiene como objetivo analizar la relación entre el clima motivacional hacia el deporte y el uso problemático de videojuegos, usando como principales instrumentos los cuestionarios CERV, CHCV y PMCSQ-2. Los resultados revelaron que aquellos universitarios que obtenían mayores puntuaciones en Clima Tarea y sus subcategorías eran los que menos problemas patológicos presentaban. Por el contrario, los participantes que padecían problemas potenciales o problemas severos, así como un nivel de uso y atracción medio, obtenían medias más elevadas en Clima Ego, Reconocimiento Desigual y Rivalidad entre Miembros. Se concluye que los universitarios con metas de logro en el deporte orientadas al Ego pueden presentar mayores problemas asociados al uso de videojuegos, principalmente por su búsqueda de motivaciones extrínsecas como la sensación de victoria, obtener mejor rendimiento que otros rivales o alcanzar nuevos retos. De este modo, resulta vital orientar la práctica deportiva a las motivaciones intrínsecas con el fin de evitar el abandono en el deporte y desarrollar una práctica más hedonista que se aleje de hábitos sedentarios.