bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of Intrauterine Lidocaine Instillation in Reducing Pain during Endometrial Biopsy by Novak
Authors: Benchahong Sawanya , Chanthasenanont Athita , Pongrojpaw Densak , Pattaraarchachai Junya , Bhamarapravatana Kornkarn , Suwannarurk Komsun
Published: November 2018

Abnormal uterine bleeding in women aged 35 years or over is an important clinical sign of many gynecological conditions. The diagnoses of these conditions require the pathological report of the endometrial tissue. Outpatient-based endometrial biopsy is an excellent option compared to standard fractional uterine curettage or hysteroscopy with endometrial biopsy in providing a definite diagnosis for abnormal uterine bleeding as it is less painful and does not require high potency anesthesia. This study evaluates the effect of intrauterine lidocaine on the patient’s pain score during endometrial biopsy by the Novak curette. We included patients aged 35 years or more who had abnormal uterine bleeding between December 2016 and March 2018. The study was conducted at Thammasat University Hospital, Pathum Thani, Thailand. 250 patients were randomly allocated to either receive intrauterine lidocaine (study group) or normal saline (control group). Assessment of pain severity was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS) score at 6 time-points, namely, before performing the procedure, when grasping the cervix by the tenaculum, during the intrauterine instillation of lidocaine or normal saline, during the uterine curettage, and then 15 minutes and 2 hours after the procedure. This study showed that there was significant pain reduction in patients who received intrauterine instillation of lidocaine compared to placebo, during uterine curettage, as well as 15 minutes and 2 hours after procedure (p<0.0001). Patient satisfaction was not significantly different between the two groups, while physician satisfaction significantly improved in the lidocaine group. Serious complications were not found during this study. (This research project had been approved for registration at Thai Clinical Trials Registry. TCTR identification number is TCTR20161031003.)
Anticancer Potential of Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using Extract of Nepeta deflersiana against Human Cervical Cancer Cells (HeLA)
Authors: Al-Sheddi Ebtesam S. , Farshori Nida N. , Al-Oqail Mai M. , Al-Massarani Shaza M. , Saquib Quaiser , Wahab Rizwan , Musarrat Javed , Al-Khedhairy Abdulaziz A. , Siddiqui Maqsood A.
Published: November 2018

In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using aqueous extract of Nepeta deflersiana plant. The prepared AgNPs (ND-AgNPs) were examined by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX). The results obtained from various characterizations revealed that average size of synthesized AgNPs was 33 nm and in face-centered-cubic structure. The anticancer potential of ND-AgNPs was investigated against human cervical cancer cells (HeLa). The cytotoxic response was assessed by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), neutral red uptake (NRU) assays, and morphological changes. Further, the influence of cytotoxic concentrations of ND-AgNPs on oxidative stress markers, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), cell cycle arrest and apoptosis/necrosis was studied. The cytotoxic response observed was in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, the results also showed a significant increase in ROS and lipid peroxidation (LPO), along with a decrease in MMP and glutathione (GSH) levels. The cell cycle analysis and apoptosis/necrosis assay data exhibited ND-AgNPs-induced SubG1 arrest and apoptotic/necrotic cell death. The biosynthesized AgNPs-induced cell death in HeLA cells suggested the anticancer potential of ND-AgNPs. Therefore, they may be used to treat the cervical cancer cells.
A Computer-Aided Pipeline for Automatic Lung Cancer Classification on Computed Tomography Scans
Authors: Dandıl Emre
Published: November 2018

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancer types. For the survival of the patient, early detection of lung cancer with the best treatment method is crucial. In this study, we propose a novel computer-aided pipeline on computed tomography (CT) scans for early diagnosis of lung cancer thanks to the classification of benign and malignant nodules. The proposed pipeline is composed of four stages. In preprocessing steps, CT images are enhanced, and lung volumes are extracted from the image with the help of a novel method called lung volume extraction method (LUVEM). The significance of the proposed pipeline is using LUVEM for extracting lung region. In nodule detection stage, candidate nodules are determined according to the circular Hough transform- (CHT-) based method. Then, lung nodules are segmented with self-organizing maps (SOM). In feature computation stage, intensity, shape, texture, energy, and combined features are used for feature extraction, and principal component analysis (PCA) is used for feature reduction step. In the final stage, probabilistic neural network (PNN) classifies benign and malign nodules. According to the experiments performed on our dataset, the proposed pipeline system can classify benign and malign nodules with 95.91% accuracy, 97.42% sensitivity, and 94.24% specificity. Even in cases of small-sized nodules (3–10 mm), the proposed system can determine the nodule type with 94.68% accuracy.
FDM Rapid Prototyping Technology of Complex‐Shaped Mould Based on Big Data Management of Cloud Manufacturing
Authors: Cao Yan , Huang Liang , Bai Yu , Fan Qingming
Published: November 2018

In order to solve the problem of high cost and long cycle in the process of traditional subtractive material manufacturing of a complex‐shaped mould, the technology of FDM rapid prototyping is used in combination with the global service idea of cloud manufacturing, where the information of various kinds of heterogeneous‐forming process data produced in the process of FDM rapid prototyping is analysed. Meanwhile, the transfer and transformation relation of each forming process data information in the rapid manufacturing process with the digital model as the core is clarified, so that the FDM rapid manufacturing process is integrated into one, thus forming a digital and intelligent manufacturing system for a complex‐shaped mould based on the cloud manufacturing big data management. This paper takes the investment casting mould of a spur gear as an example. Through research on the forming mechanism of jet wire, the factors affecting forming quality and efficiency is analysed from three stages: the pretreatment of the 3D model, the rapid prototyping, and the postprocessing of the forming parts. The relationship between the forming parameters and the craft quality is thus established, and the optimization schemes at each stage of this process are put forward through the study on the forming mechanism of jet wire. Through a rapid prototyping test, it is shown that the spur face gear master mould based on this technology can be quickly manufactured with a critical surface accuracy within a range of 0.036 mm–0.181 mm and a surface roughness within the range of 0.007–0.01 μm by only 1/3 the processing cycle of traditional subtractive material manufacturing. It lays a solid foundation for rapid intelligent manufacturing of products with a complex‐shaped structure.
Identifying Public Transit Commuters Based on Both the Smartcard Data and Survey Data: A Case Study in Xiamen, China
Authors: Sun Shichao , Yang Dongyuan
Published: November 2018

Understanding the travel patterns of public transit commuters was important to the efforts towards improving the service quality, promoting public transit use, and better planning the public transit system. Smartcard data, with its wide coverage and relative abundance, could provide new opportunities to study public transit riders’ behaviors and travel patterns with much less cost than conventional data source. However, the major limitation of smartcard data is the absence of social attributes of the cardholders, so that it cannot clearly extract public transit commuters and explain the mechanism of their travel behaviors. This study employed a machine learning approach called Naive Bayesian Classifier (NBC) to identify public transit commuters based on both the smartcard data and survey data, demonstrated in Xiamen, China. Compared with existing methods which were plagued by the validation of the accuracy of the identification results, the adopted approach was a machine learning algorithm with functions of accuracy checking. The classifier was trained and tested by survey data obtained from 532 valid questionnaires. The accuracy rate for identification of public transit commuters was 92% in the test instances. Then, under a low calculation load, it identified the objectives in smartcard data without requiring travel regularity assumptions of public transit commuters. Nearly 290,000 cardholders were classified as public transit commuters. Statistics such as average first boarding time and travel frequency of workdays during peak hours were obtained. Finally, the smartcard data were fused with bus location data to reveal the spatial distributions of the home and work locations of these public transit commuters, which could be utilized to improve public transit planning and operations.
A New Class of Distributions Generated by the Extended Bimodal-Normal Distribution
Authors: Cortés Milton A. , Elal-Olivero David , Olivares-Pacheco Juan F.
Published: November 2018

In this study, we present a new family of distributions through generalization of the extended bimodal-normal distribution. This family includes several special cases, like the normal, Birnbaum-Saunders, Student’s t, and Laplace distribution, that are developed and defined using stochastic representation. The theoretical properties are derived, and easily implemented Monte Carlo simulation schemes are presented. An inferential study is performed for the Laplace distribution. We end with an illustration of two real data sets.
A Novel Nonlinear BWR Stability Indicator Based on the Sample Entropy
Authors: Olvera-Guerrero Omar Alejandro , Prieto-Guerrero Alfonso , Espinosa-Paredes Gilberto
Published: November 2018

BWRs are thus far the simplest energy systems to transform fission energy into electrical power. However, there are still many aspects in their operation that, under certain conditions, may induce BWR unstable behavior. The default indicator to study BWR unstable behavior is the Decay Ratio (DR). However, due to the fact that BWRs show very complex responses under instability and responses that may even be chaotic, the DR might not be a suitable choice to rely on to accommodate for such intricate behavior. In this work a novel methodology based on the Sample entropy (SampEn) and the noise-assisted multivariate empirical mode decomposition (NA-MEMD) is introduced. Such methodology was developed thinking for a real time-implementation of a stability monitor. The proposed methodology was tested with a set of signals that stem from several nuclear power plants in operation today that have experienced in the past unstable events, each one of a different nature.
Differential Burden of Rare and Common Variants on Tumor Characteristics, Survival, and Mode of Detection in Breast Cancer
Authors: Li Jingmei , Ugalde-Morales Emilio , Wen Wei Xiong , Decker Brennan , Eriksson Mikael , Torstensson Astrid , Christensen Helene Nordahl , Dunning Alison M. , Allen Jamie , Luccarini Craig , Pooley Karen A. , Simard Jacques , Dorling Leila , Easton Douglas F. , Teo Soo Hwang , Hall Per , Czene Kamila
Published: November 2018

Genetic variants that increase breast cancer risk can be rare or common. This study tests whether the genetic risk stratification of breast cancer by rare and common variants in established loci can discriminate tumors with different biology, patient survival, and mode of detection. Multinomial logistic regression tested associations between genetic risk load [protein-truncating variant (PTV) carriership in 31 breast cancer predisposition genes—or polygenic risk score (PRS) using 162 single-nucleotide polymorphisms], tumor characteristics, and mode of detection (OR). Ten-year breast cancer–specific survival (HR) was estimated using Cox regression models. In this unselected cohort of 5,099 patients with breast cancer diagnosed in Sweden between 2001 and 2008, PTV carriers (n = 597) were younger and associated with more aggressive tumor phenotypes (ER-negative, large size, high grade, high proliferation, luminal B, and basal-like subtype) and worse outcome (HR, 1.65; 1.16–2.36) than noncarriers. After excluding 92 BRCA1/2 carriers, PTV carriership remained associated with high grade and worse survival (HR, 1.76; 1.21–2.56). In 5,007 BRCA1/2 noncarriers, higher PRS was associated with less aggressive tumor characteristics (ER-positive, PR-positive, small size, low grade, low proliferation, and luminal A subtype). Among patients with low mammographic density (<25%), non-BRCA1/2 PTV carriers were more often interval than screen-detected breast cancer (OR, 1.89; 1.12–3.21) than noncarriers. In contrast, higher PRS was associated with lower risk of interval compared with screen-detected cancer (OR, 0.77; 0.64–0.93) in women with low mammographic density. These findings suggest that rare and common breast cancer susceptibility loci are differentially associated with tumor characteristics, survival, and mode of detection.

Significance: These findings offer the potential to improve screening practices for breast cancer by providing a deeper understanding of how risk variants affect disease progression and mode of detection. Cancer Res; 78(21); 6329–38. ©2018 AACR.
Genetic Variants of VEGFA and FLT4 Are Determinants of Survival in Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients Treated with Sorafenib
Authors: Crona Daniel J. , Skol Andrew D. , Leppänen Veli-Matti , Glubb Dylan M. , Etheridge Amy S. , Hilliard Eleanor , Peña Carol E. , Peterson Yuri K. , Klauber-DeMore Nancy , Alitalo Kari K. , Innocenti Federico
Published: November 2018

Molecular markers of sorafenib efficacy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) are not available. The purpose of this study was to discover genetic markers of survival in patients with mRCC treated with sorafenib. Germline variants from 56 genes were genotyped in 295 patients with mRCC. Variant-overall survival (OS) associations were tested in multivariate regression models. Mechanistic studies were conducted to validate clinical associations. VEGFA rs1885657, ITGAV rs3816375, and WWOX rs8047917 (sorafenib arm), and FLT4 rs307826 and VEGFA rs3024987 (sorafenib and placebo arms combined) were associated with shorter OS. FLT4 rs307826 increased VEGFR-3 phosphorylation, membrane trafficking, and receptor activation. VEGFA rs1885657 and rs58159269 increased transcriptional activity of the constructs containing these variants in endothelial and RCC cell lines, and VEGFA rs58159269 increased endothelial cell proliferation and tube formation. FLT4 rs307826 and VEGFA rs58159269 led to reduced sorafenib cytotoxicity. Genetic variation in VEGFA and FLT4 could affect survival in sorafenib-treated patients with mRCC. These markers should be examined in additional malignancies treated with sorafenib and in other angiogenesis inhibitors used in mRCC.

Significance:

Clinical and mechanistic data identify germline genetic variants in VEGFA and FLT4 as markers of survival in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
MDM2-Recruiting PROTAC Offers Superior, Synergistic Antiproliferative Activity via Simultaneous Degradation of BRD4 and Stabilization of p53
Authors: Hines John , Lartigue Schan , Dong Hanqing , Qian Yimin , Crews Craig M.
Published: November 2018

Although the number of proteins effectively targeted for posttranslational degradation by PROTAC has grown steadily, the number of E3 ligases successfully exploited to accomplish this has been limited to the few for which small-molecule ligands have been discovered. Although the E3 ligase MDM2 is bound by the nutlin class of small-molecule ligands, there are few nutlin-based PROTAC. Because a nutlin-based PROTAC should both knockdown its target protein and upregulate the tumor suppressor p53, we examined the ability of such a PROTAC to decrease cancer cell viability. A nutlin-based, BRD4-degrading PROTAC, A1874, was able to degrade its target protein by 98% with nanomolar potency. Given the complementary ability of A1874 to stabilize p53, we discovered that the nutlin-based PROTAC was more effective in inhibiting proliferation of many cancer cell lines with wild-type p53 than was a corresponding VHL-utilizing PROTAC with similar potency and efficacy to degrade BRD4. This is the first report of a PROTAC in which the E3 ligase ligand and targeting warhead combine to exert a synergistic antiproliferative effect. Our study highlights the untapped potential that may be unlocked by expanding the repertoire of E3 ligases that can be recruited by PROTAC.

Significance:

These findings present the first BRD4-targeting MDM2-based PROTAC that possesses potent, distinct, and synergistic biological activities associated with both ends of this heterobifunctional molecule.
Strong Expression of Cancertestis Antigens CTAG1B and MAGEA3 Is Correlated with Unfavourable Histopathological Features and MAGEA3 Is Associated with Worse Progression-Free Survival in Urothelial Bladder Cancer
Authors: Lausenmeyer Eva Maria , Braun Klara , Breyer Johannes , Gierth Michael , Denzinger Stefan , Burger Maximilian , Voelker Hans-Ullrich , Otto Wolfgang
Published: November 2018

Background: Cancer/testis antigens (CTA) are expressed in urothelial bladder cancer (UBC). Their therapeutical and prognostic relevance remains unclear. We studied the correlation of MAGEA3 and CTAG1B with histopathological factors in UBC and their prognostic value. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 93 patients who underwent treatment for UBC was conducted. Besides clinical and histopathological parameters, the expression of MAGEA3 and CTAG1B was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Results: Median follow-up was 75 months. Fifteen per cent of patients showed strong positive reaction to MAGEA3 staining. These tumours were statistically and significantly more often correlated with unfavourable World Health Organization (WHO) grading (G1: 0%, G2: 10.3%, G3: 23.4%, p = 0.048; low grade 0%, high grade 18.4%, p = 0.046 respectively). Correlation of CTAG1B with WHO grading was impressive with strong expression in no G1, 31.1% of G2 and 51.1% of G3 tumours (low grade 0%, high grade 43.4%, p = 0.001, respectively). Concomitant carcinoma in situ (Cis) was associated with strong CTAG1B expression (54.2% in concomitant Cis vs. 29% without concomitant Cis, p = 0.026). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed statistically and significantly worse 5 years progression-free survival (PFS) associated with a strong expression of MAGEA3 (59 vs. 84%, p = 0.032). Conclusions: Strong CTA expression was correlated with unfavourable histopathological features. A strong expression of MAGEA3 was statistically and significantly associated with worse PFS across all stages of UBC.
Safety of Endovascular Thrombectomy for Acute Ischaemic Stroke in Anticoagulated Patients Ineligible for Intravenous Thrombolysis
Authors: Wong John W.P. , Churilov Leonid , Dowling Richard , Mitchell Peter , Bush Steven , Kanesan Lasheta , Yan Bernard
Published: November 2018

Background/Aim: Endovascular thrombectomy may be performed in anticoagulated patients taking vitamin-K antagonists (VKA) or direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOAC) in whom the use of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is contraindicated. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of mechanical thrombectomy specifically in anticoagulated patients ineligible for thrombolysis. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database of consecutive ischaemic stroke patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy from January 2008 to June 2017. Patients receiving any dose of intravenous or intra-arterial thrombolysis were excluded. Patients taking oral anticoagulants (VKAs or DOACs) were compared with non-anticoagulated patients. Outcomes compared between groups included the rate of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) on follow-up imaging (ICHany), symptomatic ICH, functional independence at 90 days (modified Rankin scale score, 0–2), mortality, and post-treatment recanalization (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score ≥2b). Results: In all, 102 patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy without prior thrombolysis were included in the study. Sixty-six (64.7%) patients were not anticoagulated, 23 (22.5%) patients were taking VKAs, and 13 (12.7%) patients were taking DOACs. There were no significant differences in the rate of ICHany (11.1 vs. 13.6%, p = 0.93) or sICH (2.8 vs. 1.5%, p = 0.14) in anticoagulated patients compared to non-anticoagulated patients. No cases of sICH were observed among patients taking DOACs. After 90 days of follow-up, the rates of functional independence (50.0 vs. 43.1%) and mortality (27.8 vs. 25.8%) were also similar between the anticoagulation and the non-anticoagulation groups. Conclusion: Mechanical thrombectomy appears to be safe and effective in anticoagulated patients ineligible for thrombolysis, with observed haemorrhage rates similar to those of patients not on anticoagulant therapy. However, further multicentre prospective studies are needed, due to the rising number of patients on warfarin and DOACs worldwide.
A Rare Cause of Dysphagia and Weight Loss
Authors: Gyorffy Janelle B. , Marowske Johanna , Gancayco John
Published: November 2018

Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is a rare connective tissue disorder with clinical features that overlap with systemic lupus erythematous, systemic sclerosis, and polymyositis. We report the case of a patient who presented with dysphagia, 25-lb weight loss, difficulty opening her mouth, and joint pain. Dysphagia workup showed a normal barium swallow and normal-appearing EGD but esophageal manometry consistent with severe dysmotility. Through further laboratory and imaging studies, the patient met the diagnostic criteria for MCTD. She had marked improvement in her dysphagia with steroids, biologic therapy, and intravenous immunoglobulin.
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Genotype-Guided Treatment Allocation in Patients with Alcohol Use Disorders Using Naltrexone or Acamprosate, Using a Modeling Approach
Authors: Sluiter Reinier L. , Kievit Wietske , van der Wilt Gert Jan , Schene Aart H. , Teichert Martina , Coenen Marieke J.H. , Schellekens Arnt
Published: November 2018

Alcohol use disorders (AUD) are a major contributor to the global burden of disease, and have huge societal impact. Some studies show that AUD patients carrying the G-allele of the OPRM1 variant c.118A>G respond better to naltrexone, resulting in reduced relapse rates compared to carriers of the AA genotype. Genotype-guided treatment allocation of these patients carrying a G-allele to naltrexone could potentially improve the treatment outcome. However, cost-effectiveness of this strategy should be investigated before considering clinical implementation. We, therefore, evaluated costs and Quality-Adjusted Life-Years (QALYs), using a modelling approach, from an European perspective, of genotype-guided treatment allocation (G-allele carriers receiving naltrexone; AA homozygotes acamprosate or naltrexone) compared to standard care (random treatment allocation to acamprosate or naltrexone), by using a Markov model. Genotype-guided treatment allocation resulted in incremental costs of EUR 66 (95% CI –28 to 149) and incremental effects of 0.005 QALYs (95% CI 0.000–0.011) per patient (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of EUR 13,350 per QALY). Sensitivity analyses showed that the risk ratio to relapse after treatment allocation had the largest impact on the cost-effectiveness. Depending on the willingness to pay for a gain of one QALY, probabilities that the intervention is cost-effective varies between 6 and 79%. In conclusion, pharmacogenetic treatment allocation of AUD patients to naltrexone, based on OPRM1 genotype, can be a cost-effective strategy, and could have potential individual and societal benefits. However, more evidence on the impact of genotype-guided treatment allocation on relapse is needed to substantiate these conclusions, as there is contradictory evidence about the effectiveness of OPRM1 genotyping.
Leiomyosarcoma of the Urinary Bladder in Adult Patients: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zieschang Helen , Koch Rainer , Wirth Manfred P. , Froehner Michael
Published: November 2018

Purpose: Leiomyosarcoma of the urinary bladder is exceedingly rare. Most clinicians come across only a few cases during their career, and information regarding treatment and outcome is scattered in the scientific literature. Interested clinicians and patients have to undertake troublesome search for treatment and outcome information. Material and methods: We performed a systematic review of the literature using the PubMed and Web of Science databases and included all identified cases published in English language between 1970 and June 2018 into a meta-analysis. Prior to the literature search, key questions were formulated and with the data obtained, answers to these questions should be derived. Results: We analyzed clinical data of 210 cases of urinary bladder leiomyosarcoma revealed by this review and seen in our institution. The mean age of patients was 52 years. The majority (75%) of the tumors was classified as high-grade sarcomas. We found no report of a prior radiation therapy to the pelvic organs, but some authors suggested an association between cyclophosphamide treatment and the development of bladder leiomyosarcoma, especially in patients with retinoblastoma. For the whole sample, we determined 5- and 10-year cancer-specific cumulative mortality rates of 38 and 50%. Patients with high-grade sarcomas had a trend toward a higher mortality compared with low-grade tumors (p = 0.0280). The most promising treatment option seems to be surgery (radical or partial cystectomy) with negative resection margins, possibly supplemented by chemotherapy or radiation. Conclusion: About half of patients with bladder leiomyosarcoma survived on the long run. Low-grade tumors may have a better outcome with, nevertheless, countable long-term mortality. For better assessment of that rare bladder tumor, its best treatment options, and the influence of neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapies on the outcome of patients, a larger series with long-term survival data is required.
Long Noncoding RNA HOXA-AS2 Promotes Papillary Thyroid Cancer Progression by Regulating miR-520c-3p/S100A4 Pathway
Authors: Xia Fada , Chen Yong , Jiang Bo , Du Xin , Peng Yao , Wang Wenlong , Huang Wanze , Feng Tiecheng , Li Xinying 
Published: November 2018

Background/Aims: Thyroid cancer is one of the most prevalent endocrine tumors. The present study examined the effects of lncRNA HOXA cluster antisense RNA2 (HOXA-AS2) on the progression of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), and explored the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods: Quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect HOXA-AS2, miR-520c-3p and S100 calcium-binding protein A4 (S100A4) expression. Furthermore, the effects of HOXA-AS2 silencing and overexpression on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were assessed in PTC in vitro by CCK8 and transwell assay. Furthermore, bioinformatics online programs predicted and luciferase reporter assay were used to validate the association of HOXA-AS2 and miR-520c-3p in PTC. Results: We observed that HOXA-AS2 was up-regulated in PTC tissues. In vitro experiments revealed that HOXA-AS2 knockdown significantly inhibited cell growth in PTC in vitro and in vivo. Further functional assays indicated that HOXA-AS2 significantly promoted PTC cell migration and invasion by promoting EMT. Bioinformatics online programs predicted that HOXA-AS2 sponge miR-520c-3p at 3’-UTR with complementary binding sites, which was validated using luciferase reporter assay. HOXA-AS2 could negatively regulate the expression of miR-520c-3p in PTC cells. MiR-520c-3p was down-regulated in PTC tissues, and S100A4 was predicted as a downstream target of miR-520c-3p, which was confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. Conclusion: In summary, our results suggested that the HOXA-AS2/miR-520c-3p/S100A4 axis may play an important role in the regulation of PTC progression, which provides us with new insights into understanding the PTC.
Клініко-морфологічні особливості багатоточкового та лінійного товстокишкового електрозварного анастомозу
Authors: Podpriatov S. S. , Podpryatov S. E. , Gichka S. G. , Makarov A. V. , Marinsky G. S. , Tkachenko V. A. , Tkachenko S. V. , Chernets O. V. , Tarnavsky D. V.
Published: November 2018

Мета роботи: вплив на клінічні властивості герметичної міцності електрозварного товсто-товстокишкового анастомозу особливостей морфологічних перетворень в стінках кишки при застосуванні лінійного та точкового методів з’єднання та різних величин тиску в інструменті.

Матеріал і методи. На ділянках товстої кишки діаметром 31 см в умовах комплексного гострого експерименту на свинях наклали 2 дворядних скобкових анастомози степлером та по 48 електрозварювальних: точковим зварюванням (зубчастий пінцет з тиском на вістрі 1,8 Н/мм2) та лінійним циркулярним (у варіантах тиску на тканину 2,1 Н/мм2 та 3,0 Н/мм2), кінець-в-кінець. Використовували програму електрозварювального апарату «Патонмед» ЕКВЗ-300 (440 кГц). Випробовували анастомози повільним, до 15 мм рт. ст./хв введенням рідини. Сліпим методом обирали варіант дослідження на кожен з 3 типів електрозварного з’єднання: до настання розриву – або до рівня втрати герметичності скобкового анастомозу: 23,5 мм рт. ст. Після цього настомози спрямували на гістологічне дослідження.

Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. Всі електрозварні анастомози залишалися герметичними при тиску розпирання 23,5 мм рт. ст. і надалі втратили герметичність: точковий за тиску 37,2±5,2 мм рт. ст. лінійний (створений під тиском 2,1 Н/мм2 ) – (53,6±9,8) мм рт. ст. лінійний (створений під тиском 3,0 Н/мм2 ) – (62,8±6,2) мм рт. ст. З’єднання в лінійному анастомозі змінювалася в товщині від 0,1 до 0,3 мм, і відрізнялася за морфологічними характеристиками на сегменті 1/3 довжини кола по брижовому краю, де виявили більшу частку щілин та числа проміжків між коагульовано з’єднаними м’язовими оболонками, хоча загалом суцільність коагуляційних змін по колу зберігається. Розрив відбувався в цьому сегменті. Створений під тиском 3,0 Н/мм2 мав значно меншу кількість щілин та краще з’єднання шарів стінки в конгломераті. Товщина точкового анастомозу хвилеподібно змінювалася від 1,8 до 5 мм. В місцях зближення зубоподібних електродів формуються: з’єднання між м’язовими оболонками, просторова орієнтація клітинних фрагментів і волокон, електрозварний конгломерат. Перифокально м’язові шари не зливаються, але перебувають в складі коагуляційного конгломерату, яких охоплює переважно м’язовий та підслизовий шари. Серозні оболонки також з’єднані.
Діагностика та хірургічне лікування поєднаних форм туберкульозу і раку легень
Authors: Koshak Yu. F. , Savenkov Yu. F.
Published: November 2018

The aim of the work: to raise efficiency of the surgical treatment of patients with combined forms of pulmonary tuberculosis and non-small cell lung cancer.

Materials and Methods. The retrospective analysis was conducted to 91 patient with combined forms of pulmonary tuberculosis and lung cancer, who were treated in TB hospitals, surgical departments of different regions of Ukraine.

Results and Discussion. The analysis of the morphological features of combined forms of pulmonary tuberculosis and non-small cell lung cancer was made in comparison groups , that were explored retrospectively.

Conclusion. The leading effect of pulmonary tuberculosis on the surgical treatment of patients with combined forms of tuberculosis and lung cancer was shown in groups of comparison. The increase of 3 years survival in patients of basic groups is set , demonstrating the advantage of active surgical tactics of sterno-mediastinal access and the appliance of more radical bilateral lymph node dissection.
Description of the first endemic Polistes Latreille, 1802 from Sulawesi (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae)
Authors: SELIS MARCO
Published: November 2018

A new species of Polistes Latreille, 1802 from Sulawesi, namely Polistes (Polistella) celebensis Selis, sp. nov., is described and figured. This is the first endemic species of this genus from Sulawesi.
Mechanisms for and Predictability of a Drastic Reduction in the Arctic Sea Ice: APPOSITE Data with Climate Model MIROC
Authors: Ono J. , Tatebe H. , Komuro Y.
Published: November 2018

The mechanisms for and predictability of a drastic reduction in the Arctic sea ice extent (SIE) are investigated using the Model for Interdisciplinary Research on Climate (MIROC) version 5.2. Here, a control (CTRL) with forcing fixed at year 2000 levels and perfect-model ensemble prediction (PRED) experiments are conducted. In CTRL, three (model years 51, 56, and 57) drastic SIE reductions occur during a 200-yr-long integration. In year 56, the sea ice moves offshore in association with a positive phase of the summer Arctic dipole anomaly (ADA) index and melts due to heat input through the increased open water area, and the SIE drastically decreases. This provides the preconditioning for the lowest SIE in year 57 when the Arctic Ocean interior is in a warm state and the spring sea ice volume has a large negative anomaly due to drastic ice reduction in the previous year. Although the ADA is one of the key mechanisms behind sea ice reduction, it does not always cause a drastic reduction. Our analysis suggests that wind direction favoring offshore ice motion is a more important factor for drastic ice reduction events. In years experiencing drastic ice reduction events, the September SIE can be skillfully predicted in PRED started from July, but not from April. This is because the forecast errors for the July sea level pressure and those for the sea ice concentration and sea ice thickness along the ice edge are large in PRED started from April.
Symmetric and Baroclinic Instability in Dense Shelf Overflows
Authors: Yankovsky Elizabeth , Legg Sonya
Published: November 2018

In this study, we revisit the problem of rotating dense overflow dynamics by performing nonhydrostatic numerical simulations, resolving submesoscale variability. Thermohaline stratification and buoyancy forcing are based on data from the Eurasian basin of the Arctic Ocean, where overflows are particularly crucial to the exchange of dense water between shelves and deep basins, yet have been studied relatively little. A nonlinear equation of state is used, allowing proper representation of thermohaline structure and mixing. We examine three increasingly complex scenarios: nonrotating 2D, rotating 2D, and rotating 3D. The nonrotating 2D case behaves according to known theory: the gravity current descends alongslope until reaching a relatively shallow neutral buoyancy level. However, in the rotating cases, we have identified novel dynamics: in both 2D and 3D, the submesoscale range is dominated by symmetric instability (SI). Rotation leads to geostrophic adjustment, causing dense water to be confined within the forcing region longer and attain a greater density anomaly. In the 2D case, Ekman drainage leads to descent of the geostrophic jet, forming a highly dense alongslope front. Beams of negative Ertel potential vorticity develop parallel to the slope, initiating SI and vigorous mixing in the overflow. In 3D, baroclinic eddies are responsible for cross-isobath dense water transport, but SI again develops along the slope and at eddy edges. Remarkably, through two different dynamics, the 2D SI-dominated case and 3D eddy-dominated case attain roughly the same final water mass distribution, highlighting the potential role of SI in driving mixing within certain regimes of dense overflows.
Teacher Attitudes to Multicultural Curriculum Development
Authors: McInerney Dennis M.
Published: November 2018

This study reports teacher attitudes towards multicultural curricula developments in a sample of New South Wales state primary schools and the assimilation orientation of the respondents prior to the publication and dissemination of the state Multicultural Education Policy document. In general, teachers were favourably disposed to non-English-speaking minority children maintaining their ethnic identity, particularly through the use of their ethnic language. However they were negatively disposed to schools being actively involved in teaching ethnic languages, and to schools extending multicultural curricula. Teachers of English as a second language were more favourably disposed to the propositions than either of the other two groups (administration and class teachers). Class teachers were less favourably inclined to community language teaching and to the development of multicultural curricula. The second part of the study measured the assimilation orientation of teachers on a three-point scale: angloconformism, interactionism and pluralism. The most popular alternative was interactionism, with pluralism being an unpopular choice. The argument is presented that little attitudinal change has occurred since the implementation of the Multicultural Education Policy.
Conceptual Reasoning in Reading: A Complex Seriation of Meaning
Authors: Watson Alan J. , Sinclair Kenneth E.
Published: November 2018

A cognitive developmental view of learning to read was tested with 100 Year 4 children by examining the relationship of conceptual reasoning (multiple seriation and perceptual regulations), oral language (vocabulary and grammatic prediction) and reading (word recognition and comprehension). Regression analysis showed that multiple seriation and perceptual regulations, though related, are distinct in their contributions to the variance in reading.

Backward regression indicated that reasoning contributed to the variance in reading independently of the influence of oral language. Qualitative aspects of student responses suggest ways in which reading involves the reasoning tasks studied. The findings, by suggesting the importance of non-language mental structuring activity for children's reading, indicate that language learning explanations of reading may not be sufficient. The study calls for longitudinal follow-up to examine the dynamic of developmental change over the extended period needed for learning to read.
Financial Stress, Social Supports, Gender, and Anxiety During College: A Stress-Buffering Perspective
Authors: Tran Alisia G. T. T. , Lam Christina K. , Legg Eric
Published: November 2018

In this study, we examined financial stress and general anxiety in college students ( N = 304) with attention to the moderating roles of different types of social support (i.e., family support, social support) and gender, as assessed via moderated moderation. Results indicated that financial stress was moderately-to-strongly associated with symptoms of general anxiety. A three-way interaction revealed that perceived family support and gender were moderators of financial stress in relation to general anxiety. Consistent with a stress-buffering effect, for male college students financial strain was positively associated with general anxiety at low levels of perceived family support, but unrelated at high levels of family support. For female college students, a significant financial stress–anxiety link was present regardless of level of family support. This study highlights the potential mental health costs of financial stress faced by college students, with implications for tailoring mental health interventions that target financial stress.
Dietary Assimilation among Mexican Children in Immigrant Households: Code-switching and Healthy Eating across Social Institutions
Authors: Dondero Molly , Van Hook Jennifer , Frisco Michelle L. , Martin Molly A.
Published: November 2018

Immigrant health assimilation is often framed as a linear, individualistic process. Yet new assimilation theory and structural theories of health behavior imply variation in health assimilation as immigrants and their families interact with different US social institutions throughout the day. We test this idea by analyzing how two indicators of dietary assimilation—food acculturation and healthy eating—vary throughout the day as Mexican children in immigrant households consume food in different institutional settings. Using individual fixed-effects models and data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we find that Mexican children in immigrant households (N = 2,337) engage in “dietary code-switching,” eating more acculturated but not necessarily less healthy food in schools and more acculturated but less healthy food in restaurants compared to homes. Findings advance theory and knowledge about how social institutions condition dietary assimilation in particular and health assimilation more broadly.
A Longitudinal Analysis of the Trajectories and Predictors of Word Reading and Reading Comprehension Development Among At-Risk Readers
Authors: Peng Peng , Fuchs Douglas , Fuchs Lynn S. , Elleman Amy M. , Kearns Devin M. , Gilbert Jennifer K. , Compton Donald L. , Cho Eunsoo , Patton Samuel
Published: November 2018

This study explored the developmental trajectories and predictors of word reading and reading comprehension among young at-risk readers. In fall of first grade, 185 students identified as at-risk for reading difficulties were assessed on measures of domain-specific skills (phonological awareness, letter knowledge, and vocabulary), domain-general skills (working memory, nonverbal reasoning, and processing speed), and word reading and reading comprehension. Word reading and reading comprehension were assessed again in spring of grades 1–4. Individual growth curve modeling showed that the children demonstrated decelerated growth on word reading and linear growth on reading comprehension, although their performance on both word reading and reading comprehension were consistently below average on national norms. After controlling for word reading and reading comprehension in first grade, letter knowledge predicted growth in word reading; vocabulary and nonverbal reasoning predicted growth in reading comprehension. That is, we found different developmental trajectories and different predictors for word reading and reading comprehension among our at-risk sample. Implications are discussed for theory and early reading instruction for at-risk children.
A Primer on Tables and Figures
Authors: Gross Alan G.
Published: November 2018

Tables and figures arc an integral part of the medium of communication of science and technology. An analysis of tables and figures, relying heavily on Euclidean terms (point, line and plane) explains something of their power–their ability to display with clarity large amounts of data, complex data relationships, and intricate three-dimensional configurations. Analysis also clarifies the mutual dependence of tables and figures and their accompanying texts. Additionally, analysis makes clear the semantic gap between tables and graphs, on the one hand, and illustrations, on the other. All are equally vital strategies in scientific and technical discourse. However, tables and graphs are paralinguistic extensions of scientific and technical dialects; illustrations, on the other hand, are a nonlinguistic supplement to these dialects. Finally, analysis provides clues for the teaching of proper graphic choice, good graphic ‘grammar,’ and the appropriate contextualization of graphs.
Public Service Motivation in a Work Group: Role of Ethical Climate and Servant Leadership
Authors: Shim Dong Chul , Park Hyun Hee
Published: November 2018

The current study attempts to examine Perry’s assertion that the public service motivation (PSM) of government employees may be influenced by the logic of appropriateness. Based on a survey of 596 Korean local government employees in 110 work groups, this study investigated the associations between ethical climate, servant leadership, and PSM. Multilevel structural equation models (SEM) were employed. At the individual level, ethical climate (i.e., efficiency, rule/law, independence) was significantly associated with PSM. However, at the work group level, ethical climate did not demonstrate a significant association with PSM. In addition, this study found that servant leadership is effective in helping government employees develop PSM at both the individual and work group levels.
Explaining the Varying Levels of Adoption of E-government Services in American Municipal Government
Authors: Connolly Jennifer M. , Bode Leticia , Epstein Ben
Published: November 2018

Technological innovations offer opportunities for governments to connect with citizens and improve service provision efficiency and effectiveness, but why do some governments adopt these innovations while others do not? Using a mixed methodological approach, including interviews with city officials and multivariate analysis of a novel data set of municipal e-government service offerings, we examine what factors motivate or impede city officials from innovating. Overall, we find that cities with the council–manager form of government, with larger populations, and with more financial resources adopt more e-government services. Specifically, as total revenue per capita increases, cities are more likely to adopt payment-based services and informational services. Increased spending on central staff is associated with higher rates of adoption of interactive services and social media. The results suggest that council–manager governments are more innovative and that local governments consider both the up-front costs and the need for ongoing staff associated with particular innovations.
The Impact of Tourist Visas on Intercontinental South-South Migration: Ecuador’s Policy of “Open Doors” as a Quasi-Experiment
Authors: Freier Luisa Feline , Holloway Kyle
Published: November 2018

Through the implementation of universal visa freedom from 2008 to 2010, Ecuador became one of the most accessible countries in the world. This article employs mixed methods to study the impact of the de facto opening of Ecuador’s borders on intercontinental south-south migration. First, we use a difference-in-difference design to show that Ecuador’s policy of universal visa freedom led to a significant increase of immigration from previously restricted nationalities in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. Complementary descriptive statistics and qualitative findings confirm the decisive impact visa freedom had on intercontinental south-south migration and suggest three main motives: taking advantage of Ecuador’s open doors as an exit option from origin countries, settlement in Ecuador based on relatively improved opportunities, and transmigration to third countries. Our findings imply that travel visa policies of southern countries significantly impact which new south-south flows emerge.