bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Card9 mediates susceptibility to intestinal pathogens through microbiota modulation and control of bacterial virulence
Authors: Lamas Bruno , Michel Marie-Laure , Waldschmitt Nadine , Pham Hang-Phuong , Zacharioudaki Vassiliki , Dupraz Louise , Delacre Myriam , Natividad Jane M , Costa Gregory Da , Planchais Julien , Sovran Bruno , Bridonneau Chantal , Six Adrien , Langella Philippe , Richard Mathias L , Chamaillard Mathias , Sokol Harry
Published: August 2017

Objective

In association with innate and adaptive immunity, the microbiota controls the colonisation resistance against intestinal pathogens. Caspase recruitment domain 9 (
CARD9
), a key innate immunity gene, is required to shape a normal gut microbiota.
Card9
–/–
mice are more susceptible to the enteric mouse pathogen
Citrobacter rodentium
that mimics human infections with enteropathogenic and enterohaemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
. Here, we examined how
CARD9
controls
C. rodentium
infection susceptibility through microbiota-dependent and microbiota-independent mechanisms.

Design

C. rodentium
infection was assessed in conventional and germ-free (GF) wild-type (WT) and
Card9
–/–
mice. To explore the impact of
Card9
–/–
microbiota in infection susceptibility, GF WT mice were colonised with WT (WT→GF) or
Card9
–/–
(

Card9
–/–

→GF) microbiota before
C. rodentium
infection. Microbiota composition was determined by 16S rDNA gene sequencing. Inflammation severity was determined by histology score and lipocalin level. Microbiota–host immune system interactions were assessed by quantitative PCR analysis.

Results

CARD9
controls pathogen virulence in a microbiota-independent manner by supporting a specific humoral response. Higher susceptibility to
C. rodentium
-induced colitis was observed in

Card9
–/–

→GF mice. The microbiota of
Card9
–/–
mice failed to outcompete the monosaccharide-consuming
C. rodentium
, worsening the infection severity. A polysaccharide-enriched diet counteracted the ecological advantage of
C. rodentium
and the defective pathogen-specific antibody response in
Card9
–/–
mice.

Conclusions

CARD9 modulates the susceptibility to intestinal infection by controlling the pathogen virulence in a microbiota-dependent and microbiota-independent manner. Genetic susceptibility to intestinal pathogens can be overridden by diet intervention that restores humoural immunity and a competing microbiota.
Pseudomonas aeruginosaLasB protease impairs innate immunity in mice and humans by targeting a lung epithelial cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator–IL-6–antimicrobial–repair pathway
Authors: Saint-Criq Vinciane , Villeret Bérengère , Bastaert Fabien , Kheir Saadé , Hatton Aurélie , Cazes Aurélie , Xing Zhou , Sermet-Gaudelus Isabelle , Garcia-Verdugo Ignacio , Edelman Aleksander , Sallenave Jean-Michel
Published: August 2017

Background

Pseudomonas aeruginosalung infections are a huge problem in ventilator-associated pneumonia, cystic fibrosis (CF) and in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations. This bacterium secretes virulence factors that may subvert host innate immunity.

Objective

We evaluated the effect ofP. aeruginosaelastase LasB, an important virulence factor secreted by the type II secretion system, on ion transport, innate immune responses and epithelial repair, both in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

Wild-type (WT) or cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-mutated epithelial cells (cell lines and primary cells from patients) were treated with WT or ΔLasB pseudomonas aeruginosa O1 (PAO1) secretomes. The effect of LasB and PAO1 infection was also assessed in vivo in murine models.

Results

We showed that LasB was the most abundant protein in WT PAO1 secretomes and that it decreased epithelial CFTR expression and activity. In airway epithelial cell lines and primary bronchial epithelial cells, LasB degraded the immune mediators interleukin (IL)-6 and trappin-2, an important epithelial-derived antimicrobial molecule. We further showed that an IL-6/STAT3 signalling pathway was downregulated by LasB, resulting in inhibition of epithelial cell repair. In mice, intranasally instillated LasB induced significant weight loss, inflammation, injury and death. By contrast, we showed that overexpression of IL-6 and trappin-2 protected mice against WT-PAO1-induced death, by upregulating IL-17/IL-22 antimicrobial and repair pathways.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate that PAO1 LasB is a majorP. aeruginosasecreted factor that modulates ion transport, immune response and tissue repair. Targeting this virulence factor or upregulating protective factors such as IL-6 or antimicrobial molecules such as trappin-2 could be beneficial inP. aeruginosa-infected individuals.
FASD: folic acid and formic acid — an unholy alliance in the alcohol abusing mother
Authors: Kapur Bhushan M. , Baber Marta
Published: August 2017

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy remains a significant cause of preventable birth defects and developmental disabilities; however, the mechanism of toxicity remains unclear. Methanol is present as a congener in many alcoholic beverages and is formed endogenously. Because ethanol is preferentially metabolized over methanol, it has been found in the sera and cerebro-spinal fluid of alcoholics. Toxicity resulting from methanol has been attributed to formic acid. Formic acid is present in significantly higher quantities in the biofluids of alcoholics. These higher levels can be cytotoxic and cause neuronal cell death. However, the adverse effects can be mitigated by adequate levels of hepatic folic acid, because formic acid elimination depends on folic acid. During pregnancy, folate concentrations are at least 2-fold higher in cord blood then in maternal blood, owing to increased folate requirements. The reverse has been demonstrated in pregnancies with alcohol abuse, suggesting downregulation of folate transporters and low fetal folate levels. Moreover, formic acid can cross the placenta and its adverse effects can be mitigated by folic acid. Thus, the combination of low fetal folate levels and presence of formic acid form a potent cytotoxic combination that may play a significant role in the etiology of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
Linking zooplankton assemblages with oceanographic zones in an Atlantic coastal ecosystem
Authors: Debertin Allan J. , Hanson J. Mark , Courtenay Simon C.
Published: August 2017

Shallow (5–35 m depth) coastal waters, with their proximity to human populations, are likely to experience greater changes to ecosystem structure and functions from climate change and human impacts than offshore waters. Concerns of declining fisheries landings and deteriorating habitat quality in Northumberland Strait led to an assessment by Fisheries and Oceans Canada of the state of the environment and biota including zooplankton during the summer. In this paper we describe spatial structure of zooplankton (three distinct assemblages) and determined that two oceanographic zones can explain the spatial variation. Using distance-based linear models, bottom water temperature and surface water salinity explained 16% to 25% of the variation in zooplankton composition for each year of the survey. We used retrospective analyses to estimate what the zooplankton assemblage may have resembled in the early 1990s from data of oceanographic conditions. Given the prediction of warming oceans by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, we provide a means of predicting zooplankton composition and their distribution, with implications for the planktivorous fishes that prey upon them.
Bifurcations of Heteroclinic Loop with Twisted Conditions
Authors: Jin Yinlai , Yang Suoling , Liu Yuanyuan , Xie Dandan , Zhang Nana
Published: August 2017

The bifurcation problems of twisted heteroclinic loop with two hyperbolic critical points are studied for the case [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are the pair of principal eigenvalues of unperturbed system at the critical point [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. Under the transversal conditions, the authors obtained some results of the existence and the number of 1-homoclinic loop, 1-periodic orbit, double 1-periodic orbit, 2-homoclinic loop and 2-periodic orbit. Moreover, the relative bifurcation surfaces and the existence regions are given, and the corresponding bifurcation graphs are drawn.
Freely-Moving Delay Induces Periodic Oscillations in a Structured SEIR Model
Authors: Du Yanfei , Guo Yuxiao , Xiao Peng
Published: August 2017

In this paper, a disease transmission model of SEIR type with stage structure is proposed and studied. Two kinds of time delays are considered: the first one is the mature delay which divides the population into two stages; the second one is the time lag between birth and being able to move freely, which we call the freely-moving delay. Our mathematical analysis establishes that the global dynamics are determined by the basic reproduction number [Formula: see text]. If [Formula: see text], then the disease free equilibrium [Formula: see text] is globally asymptotically stable, and the disease will die out. If [Formula: see text], then a unique positive equilibrium [Formula: see text] exists, and [Formula: see text] is locally asymptotically stable when the freely-moving delay is less than the critical value. We show that increasing this delay can destabilize [Formula: see text] and lead to Hopf bifurcations and stable periodic solutions. By using the normal form theory and the center manifold theory, we derive the formulae for determining the direction of the Hopf bifurcation and the stability of the bifurcating periodic solutions. Finally, some numerical simulations are carried out to verify the theoretical analysis and some biological implications are discussed.
A Chaotic System with Two Stable Equilibrium Points: Dynamics, Circuit Realization and Communication Application
Authors: Wang Xiong , Akgul Akif , Cicek Serdar , Pham Viet-Thanh , Hoang Duy Vo
Published: August 2017

Recent evidence suggests that a system with only stable equilibria can generate chaotic behavior. In this work, we study a chaotic system with two stable equilibrium points. The dynamics of the system is investigated via phase portrait, bifurcation diagram and Lyapunov exponents. The feasibility of the system is introducing its electronic realization. Moreover, the chaotic system is used in Symmetric Chaos Shift Keying (SCSK) and Chaotic ON-OFF Keying (COOK) modulated communication designs for secure communication. It is determined that the SCSK modulated communication system implemented with the chaotic system is more successful than COOK modulation for secure communication.
Mycobacterium tuberculosisMultidrug-Resistant Strain M Induces Low IL-8 and Inhibits TNF-αSecretion by Bronchial Epithelial Cells Altering Neutrophil Effector Functions
Authors: Kviatcovsky Denise , Rivadeneyra Leonardo , Balboa Luciana , Yokobori Noemí , López Beatriz , Ritacco Viviana , Schattner Mirta , Sasiain María del Carmen , de la Barrera Silvia
Published: August 2017

M strain, the most prevalent multidrug-resistant strain ofMycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb) in Argentina, has mounted mechanisms to evade innate immune response. The role of human bronchial epithelium inMtbinfection remains unknown as well as its crosstalk with neutrophils (PMN). In this work, we evaluate whether M and H37Rv strains invade and replicate within bronchial epithelial cell line Calu-6 and how conditioned media (CM) derived from infected cells alter PMN responses. We demonstrated that M infects and survives within Calu-6 without promoting death. CM from M-infected Calu-6 (M-CM) did not attract PMN in correlation with its low IL-8 content compared to H37Rv-CM. Also, PMN activation and ROS production in response to irradiated H37Rv were impaired after treatment with M-CM due to the lack of TNF-α. Interestingly, M-CM increased H37Rv replication in PMN which would allow the spreading of mycobacteria upon PMN death and sustain IL-8 release. Thus, our results indicate that even at low invasion/replication rate within Calu-6, M induces the secretion of factors altering the crosstalk between these nonphagocytic cells and PMN, representing an evasion mechanism developed by M strain to persist in the host. These data provide new insights on the role of bronchial epithelium upon M infection.
The Role of Proinflammatory Pathways in the Pathogenesis of Colitis-Associated Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Luo Chengxin , Zhang Hu
Published: August 2017

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). The risk factors of CRC in IBD patients include long disease duration, extensive colitis, severe histological inflammation, and coexistence with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Several molecular pathways that contribute to sporadic CRC are also involved in the pathogenesis of colitis-associated CRC. It is well established that long-standing chronic inflammation is a key predisposing factor of CRC in IBD. Proinflammatory pathways, including nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), IL-6/STAT3, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)/PGE2, and IL-23/Th17, promote tumorigenesis by inducing the production of inflammatory mediators, upregulating the expression of antiapoptotic genes, and stimulating cell proliferation as well as angiogenesis. Better understanding of the underlying mechanisms may provide some promising targets for prevention and therapy. This review aims to elucidate the role of these signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of colitis-associated CRC using evidence-based approaches.
Dramatic Response of a Metastatic Primary Small-Cell Carcinoma of the Pancreas to a Trial of Immunotherapy with Nivolumab: A Case Report
Authors: Ugwu Justin Kenneth , Nwanyanwu Chiemeziem , Shelke Abhay Ramchandra
Published: August 2017

Extrapulmonary small-cell neuroendocrine cancers are rare in clinical practice. They are frequently metastatic at the time of diagnosis with survival in months even with the most intensive treatment. So far, treatment recommendations for this group rely on data from the similar but more common small-cell carcinoma of the lungs. Immune checkpoint inhibitors are being investigated for the treatment of metastatic small-cell lung cancer with positive outcome. We applied the experience from these studies to a case of metastatic small-cell neuroendocrine cancer of the pancreas using nivolumab as a treatment of last resort. We noted a favorable and durable response suggesting that this may be superior to all currently available options for palliative treatment in a similar scenario.
A Case of Cervical Carcinoid and Review of the Literature
Authors: Papatsimpas Georgios , Samaras Ioannis , Theodosiou Paraskevi , Papacharalampous Konstantina , Maragkouli Eleni , Papadopoulos N. Vasileios , Tsapakidis Konstantinos , Litos Ioannis , Sogka Eleni , Kostopoulou Evanthia , Koukoulis Georgios K.
Published: August 2017

Uterine cervix carcinoids are distinct neuroendocrine cervical tumors, representing a comparatively small percentage of them. These well-differentiated neoplasms are far less prevalent than small- and large-cell carcinomas, characterized by a more favorable biological course. We report a case of a 43-year-old woman with a nonmetastatic cervical carcinoid, managed with radical hysterectomy. She still remains free of disease. Scant reports in the literature prohibit any reliable prediction of cervical carcinoid prognosis. Thus, prompt identification of the disease and subsequent therapeutic intervention could alter the final outcome.
Gendering Ethnic Religion in 1940s and 1950s Yunnan: Sexuality in the Gua sa la Festival and the Worship of the Goddess Baijie
Authors: Bryson Megan
Published: August 2017

Chinese intellectuals adopted the concepts minzu (ethnicity or “nationality”) and zongjiao (religion) from Japan in the late nineteenth century as part of the wider discourse of modernity. This article examines the gendered dimensions of these concepts through writings about sexuality in two examples from Dali, Yunnan (home to the Bai minzu) from the late Republican period (1911-49) to the early years of the People’s Republic of China. The first example, the Gua sa la festival, involves sexually explicit songs, cross-dressing, and possibly also sexual encounters with strangers. The second example, the cult of the local goddess Baijie, celebrates the fidelity and chastity of an eighth-century queen who committed suicide rather than marry her husband’s killer. The examination of writings about Gua sa la and Baijie demonstrates how intellectuals in the 1940s and 1950s selectively invoked concepts of minzu, zongjiao, and sexuality to affirm these apparently opposing phenomena as representations of Bai ethnic culture. Though the political and discursive climate changed significantly throughout this period, in the 1940s and 1950s Gua sa la and Baijie both remained positive images, which was only possible because intellectuals elided either zongjiao or sexuality in their descriptions.
Developing Internet Jurisdiction in B2B and B2C Contracts: Focusing on Iranian Legal System with Comparative Study of American, English and eu Laws
Authors: Habibzadeh Taher
Published: August 2017

In the modern world, electronic communications play a significant role in areas of national and international law such as Internet jurisdiction. Private international law provides that the competent court is the court within which jurisdiction the contract is performed, so it is important to know the place of performance of the contract in the case of contracts for digital goods such as e-books or computer software delivered online. It is equally important in the case of electronic services such as e-teaching. Furthermore, as consumer protection in B2C contracts is important in developing global e-commerce, it is important to consider whether the consumer party is able to bring an action against the business party in his own place of domicile or habitual residence. The article analyses these questions and proposes ways in which the Iranian legal system might be developed to address issues of Internet jurisdiction in B2B and B2C contracts.
“My Obligation to the Doctor for his Paternal Care”
Authors: Criales Jessica Lauren
Published: August 2017

This article analyzes the experiences of female students at a school for indigenous children in colonial Connecticut, Moor’s Indian Charity School (1754–1771), founded by Congregationalist minister Eleazar Wheelock. The school’s environment was shaped by Wheelock’s missionary paternalism, and exploited the labor of the female students in order to maintain the financial health of the mission project. However, the Indian girls enrolled in the school were able to use Wheelock’s gendered expectations to assert their own agency in subtle ways. In comparison with the male students, the female students were able to resist certain aspects of Wheelock’s educational plan while still maintaining a relationship with Wheelock and the white world.
Fish Oil–Containing Lipid Emulsions in Adult Parenteral Nutrition: A Review of the Evidence
Authors: Abbasoglu Osman , Hardy Gil , Manzanares William , Pontes‐Arruda Alessandro
Published: August 2017

Background. There is evidence from laboratory and animal studies that fish oil–containing intravenous lipid emulsions (FOC‐IVLEs) have a beneficial effect on inflammation and the immune response, suggesting a possible clinical benefit. Clinical studies of FOC‐IVLEs have reported mixed results. The aim of this review is to present findings from recent randomized controlled clinical trials and other quality clinical studies investigating the effects of administering intravenous fish oil alone or as part of a multilipid emulsion and to examine the quality of these studies in an objective, evidence‐based manner. Methods. Studies comparing FOC‐IVLEs with other IVLEs in adults were included. Thirty‐four clinical studies were evaluated: 19 investigated levels of inflammatory and immune markers as an endpoint; 13 investigated rates of infection or sepsis; 3 investigated clinical outcomes in septic patients; and 29 investigated general clinical outcomes. Results. There was conflicting evidence for a beneficial effect of fish oil on levels of inflammatory and immune markers and some evidence that fish oil decreased the rate of postoperative atrial fibrillation. Studies generally reported few statistical differences in clinical outcomes and rates of infection and sepsis with FOC‐IVLEs as compared with other IVLEs. The quality of reporting was generally poor, and the presented evidence for comparisons between FOC‐IVLEs and other IVLEs was inconclusive or weak. Conclusions. There is very little high‐quality evidence that FOC‐IVLEs have a more beneficial effect than other IVLEs on clinical outcomes in adult patients.
Addition of Insulin to Parenteral Nutrition for Control of Hyperglycemia
Authors: McCulloch Adam , Bansiya Vishakha , Woodward Jeremy M.
Published: August 2017

Administration of parenteral nutrition (PN) may result in hyperglycemia in patients with preexisting diabetes or disease‐related insulin resistance, and it can be associated with increased rates of complications. Treatment requires insulin therapy. Insulin can be administered subcutaneously, intravenously via a variable rate sliding scale, or by adding it directly to the PN. The last method is a potentially attractive technique for a number of reasons—it could deliver the insulin intravenously at a steady rate alongside carbohydrates, and in malnourished patients with little subcutaneous tissue, it may prevent the need for frequent insulin injections. Despite such potential advantages, the addition of insulin to PN remains controversial, largely with respect to the bioavailability of insulin in PN and resultant concerns of the risk of hypoglycemia. There is a paucity of long‐term quality controlled studies to address this question. The available literature suggests that, at least in the short term, insulin addition to PN can achieve reasonable glycemic control with low rates of hypoglycemia, and the technique compares favorably with the use of long‐acting insulin preparations. This literature review finds a wide range of values reported for insulin availability via PN, ranging from 44% to 95% depending on the type of PN container material used and the presence of added vitamins and trace elements. Few studies looking at glycemic control among patients receiving home PN were found, and larger prospective trials are needed to assess the efficacy and safety of this technique in this patient group.
Treatment Changes in Patients With Moderate to Severe Psoriasis: A Retrospective Chart Review
Authors: Smith Jaclyn A. , Wehausen Brooke , Richardson Irma , Zhao Yang , Li Yunfeng , Herrera Vivian , Feldman Steven R.
Published: August 2017

Background:

Psoriasis treatment involves topical medications, oral medications, phototherapy, and/or biologics. The treatments used depend on a myriad of factors that change over time.

Objective:

To characterise the frequency of and reasons for treatment changes in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis.

Methods:

A chart review examined treatment changes at 902 visits by 116 patients seen between January 1, 2010, and June 30, 2015, for moderate to severe psoriasis and the physicians’ justifications for those changes. ‘Treatment change’ was defined as switching between, adding, or removing medication classes or switching within the oral or biologic class.

Results:

There were 221 visits with treatment changes identified, and a change occurred every 4.1 visits. On average, there were 1.2 treatment changes per year. Patients treated for at least 1 year averaged 1 treatment change every 16 months. The most common type of change was from one biologic to another biologic (24.9%), followed by adding a nonbiologic to a biologic (18.6%). The most common reason for switching was poor control or flare of psoriasis. Affordability was a more common problem for biologics than for nonbiologic treatments.

Conclusions:

Biologic treatment options provide a major improvement over older systemic treatments, but patients still undergo frequent treatment changes to help control their disease.
Liposome percutaneous penetration in vivo
Authors: Lymberopoulos A , Demopoulou C , Kyriazi M , Katsarou MS , Demertzis N , Hatziandoniou S , Maswadeh H , Papaioanou G , Demetzos C , Maibach H , Rallis M
Published: August 2017

Objectives:

Liposomes are reported as penetration enhancers for dermal and transdermal delivery. However, little is known about their percutaneous penetration and as to at which level they deliver encapsulated drugs. The penetration of multilamellar vesicles (MLVs) and small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs), in comparison to one of their lipid components, was investigated.

Methods:

Using the fluorescent lipid, Lissamine Rhodamine B-PE (R), as a constituent, MLV and SUV liposomes were prepared, tested, and R, MLV, or SUV were applied in vivo on the back of hairless mice. Absorption of each was evaluated at the levels of stratum corneum, living skin, and blood by fluorometry.

Results:

Penetration of the lipid R in stratum corneum in the nonliposomal form exceeded that in the liposomal form and only R penetrates the living skin in a statistically significant manner. No statistical significant absorption into blood was observed with either form.

Conclusions:

Liposomes size did not play an important role in penetration to stratum corneum. The lipid constituent in the nonliposomal form penetrated at higher rates into stratum corneum and living skin. Even though these liposomes entered stratum corneum, they were not significantly absorbed into viable skin or blood.
Algorithm for the N-2 Security-Constrained Unit Commitment Problem with Transmission Switching
Authors: Schumacher Kathryn M. , Cohn Amy E. M. , Chen Richard Li-Yang
Published: August 2017

Most power grid systems are operated to be N-1 secure, meaning that the system can withstand the failure of any one component. There is increasing interest in more stringent security standards, where the power grid must be able to survive the (nearly) simultaneous failure of k components (i.e., N-k). However, this improved reliability criterion significantly increases the number of contingency scenarios that must be considered when solving the unit commitment problem. Additional computational complexity is introduced when taking into account transmission switching. This relatively inexpensive method of redirecting power flows in the grid has been proposed as a way of introducing flexibility to better survive failure events. We present an algorithm for solving the unit commitment problem that simultaneously addresses both the challenges of the N-k security requirement and the use of transmission switching during operation. We analyze the algorithmic performance and present computational results for the IEEE24 and RTS-96 test systems for k = 1 and 2. We also include a discussion of how this approach might be extended to solve problems with k ≥ 3.

The online supplement, and data, are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/ijoc.2017.0751 .
Understanding the nursing process
Authors: Stonehouse David
Published: August 2017

Support staff work closely with their patients and members of the multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality care. Often this care will have been planned by a nurse using ‘the nursing process’. It is therefore important for the support worker to understand how the patient has been assessed and that the care they are providing has been planned.

Within this article, the author will be discussing the nursing process, explaining the different stages and how these are used to deliver quality care. Relevant sections of The Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers and Adult Social Care Workers in England ( Skills for Care and Skills for Health, 2013 ) will be highlighted.

Support workers have a clear and important role in making sure the nursing process is successful and patients receive the best quality care.
Mental health problems among nurses in paediatric cardiac intensive care
Authors: Tito Renata Santos , Baptista Patrícia Campos Pavan , da Silva Fabio José , Felli Vanda Elisa Andres
Published: August 2017

At present, there are growing rates of psychiatric symptoms among some occupational categories, with emphasis on health professionals who work in hospitals. This study aimed to identify the occurrence of mental health problems (anxiety and depression) among 92 nursing workers in a paediatric cardiac intensive care unit. This is an exploratory, cross-sectional study, with a quantitative approach. The research was conducted in a public university hospital specialising in cardiology, pneumology, and thoracic and cardiac surgery. The data were collected between June and July of 2012 through socio-demographic and Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) instruments. The analysis of the results revealed the occurrence of mental health problems in 45% (41) of the workers. There was the prevalence of tension, nervousness and worry symptoms, followed by headache. Findings highlight the need for protective measures towards the mental health of workers who assist children with serious heart disease.
First impressions: just what do my patients think of me?
Authors: Blinkhorn Anthony S. , Kay Elizabeth J.
Published: August 2017

The success of a dental practice, in terms of both finance and job satisfaction, depends on effective communication with our patients. This paper highlights the key aspects of communication theory which we should include in our day-to-day practising lives.
Dentistry – business or profession?
Authors: Burke F.J. Trevor
Published: August 2017

The dental press has been fill ed in recent months with discussion of the potential impact of corporate bodies on dental practice in the UK — corporate bodies surely had more publicity than much else in dentistry during 1998. There appear to be two points of view. One, expressed recently in this column, is that the dentists employed by such organizations might lose independence and that they would be likely to have monthly targets to meet. The other viewpoint is that the dentists so employed would be freed from much of the administration surrounding everyday general practice and would therefore be free to concentrate on the clinical aspect of dentistry. Perhaps both views have some credence, but the publicity has served to focus thoughts on the impact of business in dentistry.
The author's reply
Authors: Barnard Kate
Published: August 2017

Sir, I am pleased to reassure you that, contrary to Dr Barrett's impression, you have not bcen “caught with your trousers down”—at least as far as our article is conccrned.
Solve the case: Tinea corporis (Ringworm)
Authors: Nazarko Linda
Published: August 2017

Sophie Richards is a 26-year-old teaching assistant. She has recurring tinea corporis that is not responding to topical medication. This article uses a case history approach to illustrate the diagnosis and treatment of tinea corporis.
The last-minute traveller: Planning vaccinations for a family
Authors: Orchard Lynda , Power Wendy
Published: August 2017

This article explores the risk assessment for both short- and long-term travellers. Risk assessments for this subject group are complex. An adequate assessment requires the travel health clinician to review many facets related to travel. These include the nature and duration of travel, the number of destinations and the time spent in each destination. It is also vital that past and present medical conditions, immunisation history and relevant country-specific infectious disease risks are explored in detail. This assists the implementation of appropriate preventative measures, such as occupational risk-reduction advice, e.g. vaccination administration and provision of antimalarials. Risk assessments may involve individuals travelling alone or groups of people, e.g. couples and/or families travelling together. The assessments may be further complicated by the amount of time clients have to prepare for travel, where some might present to the clinic months in advance, and others days before their planned departure. A case study involving a family has been selected to demonstrate some of the challenges of a complex joint/family appointment. With less than 2 weeks before the family's intended departure date, this case study covers individual assessments along with the vaccination recommendations made prior to travel. The family required a travel risk assessment that would encompass both a holiday to a tourist destination, as well as advice for living long-term in Bangkok, Thailand.
Farmers and tumpang sari: Case study in Palintang Hamlet, Cipanjalu Village, Bandung, Indonesia
Authors: ISKANDAR BUDIAWATI S. , ISKANDAR JOHAN , WIBAWA HIKMAT A. , PARTASASMITA RUHYAT
Published: August 2017

Iskandar BS, Iskandar J, Wibawa HA, Partasasmita R. 2017. Farmers and tumpang sari: Case study in Palintang Hamlet, Cipanjalu Village, Bandung, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 18: 1135-1149. People of Palintang hamlet are recognized as one of the local communities reside in the high land of surrounding forest of Manglayang Mountain of West Java, Indonesia. Based on ecological or environmental history, they initially practiced the swidden farming in the natural forest of Manglayang, West Java. Moreover, some of them involved as labor in various activities of the culture systems during the Dutch colonial. After Indonesian independent, they have participated as laborer in the tumpang sari program of the Forest Service (Dinas Kehutanan) and the State Forestry Corporation (Perhutani). Nowadays,farmers of Palintang have intensively cultivated the pine forest for planting cash crops, including cabbage and potatoes. As a result, the farming practice in the forest has caused dilemma between providing cash income for local people and endangering the stability of environment for the near future. This paper presents the findings of research on the development of agroecosystems of a the Palintang people, in relation to social-ecological-changes, particularly the forest ecosystem changes. The method used in the study was combination of qualitative and quantitative. The result of study shows that the farmers of Palintang have continuously cultivated the forest for tumpang sari since the Dutch colonial period until now. Today, they have farmed the agroecosystems of the homegarden and mixed garden in their village land, and have intensively farmed vegetable garden in the forest of the Perhutani. Based on the inventory of crops in the mixed-garden (kebun or kebun campuran) and home garden, it was recoded 47 species and 42 species, respectively. The vegetables and fruits were predominantly found in both the mixed-garden and homegarden. The practice of the commercial vegetable crops as tumpang sari in the forests of the Perhutani has provided some benefits, including fulfilling cash income for farmer households, but some negative impacts on environment, such as pollution of pesticides have also occurred.
Morphology and assessment of genetic structure and diversity of Dionysia revoluta (Primulaceae) in Iran
Authors: YOUNESI SIMIN , ASSADI MOSTAFA , NEJADSATTARI TAHER , MEHREGAN IRAJ
Published: August 2017

Younesi S, Assadi M, Nejadsattari T, Mehregan I. 2017. Morphology and assessment of genetic structure and diversity of Dionysia revoluta (Primulaceae) in Iran. Biodiversitas 18: 1173-1178. Dionysia revoluta Boiss. (Primulaceae), the most widespread species of the genus in Zagros Mountains of western Iran, is studied morphologically and genetically. Clustering analysis of morphological characters did not match the biogeography of the populations. Cluster analysis separated two subspieces of D. revoluta i.e. subsp. revoluta and subsp. canescens (Boiss.) Wendelbo. Factor analysis (FA) showed that petal size and length of the corolla tube were the only two factors with the slightest variation. Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprint technique was used to evaluate the genetic structure and diversity among 14 populations of D. revoluta. The results of AFLP analysis of D. revoluta individuals showed that 67% of the total diversity was that of within-population diversity, 17% was among-population diversity and 16% was among-region diversity. AFLP data suggest that amount of genetic variation of populations growing in localities with other Dionysia species in sympatry is higher than those populations growing allopatric. This implies the hybridization as a possible important factor in the evolution of the group. It was also concluded that hybridization would result in higher genetic diversity within those populations of D. revulota occur with other species in sympatry.
Diversity of plant species in paddy ecosystem in West Sumatra, Indonesia
Authors: AMARULLAH ENIE TAURUSLINA , TRIZELIA TRIZELIA , YAHERWANDI YAHERWANDI , HAMID HASMIANDY
Published: August 2017

Tauruslina EA, Trizelia, Yaherwandi, Hamid H. 2017. Diversity of plant species in paddy ecosystem in West Sumatra. Biodiversitas 18: 1218-1225. Community is a group of living things which have adjusted and inhabited a natural habitat. Characteristics of the community in an environment are its diversity. The diversity of the plants is a plant species that occupy an ecosystem. The research was aimed at determining species diversity, the dominance of plant species and summed dominance ratio (SDR) in paddy ecosystem. The plant samples were taken from the location of endemic areas of brown plant hopper in Tanjung Mutiara Subdistrict, Agam District West Sumatra. Sampling was done by using two methods, (i) survey methods with direct data collection; (ii) squares method, observation of sample plots in the field. The level of diversity of plant species was analyzed using diversity index of Shannon-Wiener (Hâ€™). Plant species dominance was analyzed using dominance index (C). The results showed that index value of Shannon-Wienner ranged 1.00 â€“ 1.73, which indicated that the category of diversity level of plants was medium. Dominance index ranged 0.03 - 0.08 which meant there were a dominant species among the plants in the study areas. The highest SDR in the ecosystem type III were Cyperus rotundus (40.87%) and Borreria laevis (37.43%), in the type I was C. rotundus (34.90%) and in type II was Portulaca oleracea (20.08%). The dominant plant species found in the type I were C. rotundus, Eleusine indica, Borreria laevis, in type II were P. oleracea, C. rotundus, Amaranthus spinosus and in type III were C. rotundus, B. laevis, and A. spinosus.
Short Communication: The genetic diversity and agronomical characters of local cultivars of tidal rice in East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Authors: RUSDIANSYAH RUSDIANSYAH , SUBIONO TJATJUK , SUNARYO WIDI , SURYADI ANDI , SULASTRI SULASTRI , ANJASMARA SAMID
Published: August 2017

Rusdiansyah, Subiono T, Sunaryo W, Suryadi A, Sulastri, Anjasmara S. 2017. Short Communication: The genetic diversity and agronomical characters of local cultivars of tidal rice in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 18: 1289-1293. Availability of local rice germplasm is very important for plant breeding, especially in the improvement of the genetic diversity. The objectives of the research were to study the genetic diversity and agronomical characters of local characters of tidal rice in East Kalimantan. The research was conducted from May to October 2014 in the Village of Sidomulyo, Anggana Sub-District, Kutai Kertanegara District, East Kalimantan. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with five replications. Eight selected local tidal rice cultivars from East Kalimantan (Pandan Ungu, Kambang, Amas, Roti, Pudak, Sikin Merah, Sikin Putih and Popot) were used in this experiment as plant materials. The results showed that there was wide genetic diversity among local tidal-rice cultivars selected from East Kalimantan. Number of productive tillers, the percentage of empty grain per panicle, 1000 grain weight and yield per hectare can be used as selection criteria for local lowland rice cultivars from East Kalimantan because they have a high value of heritability (h2 bs), phenotype and genotype and coefficient of variation (PCV and GCV). Pandan Ungu, Kambang, Amas, Roti and Sikin Merah cultivars potential to be used as parents in the breeding program.
Penyelidikan Zona Longsor dengan Metode Resistivitas dan Analisis Stabilitas Lereng untuk Mitigasi Bencana Tanah Longsor
Authors: Sutasoma Muwardi , Susilo Adi , Suryo Eko Andi
Published: August 2017

Research using geoelectric resistivity dipole-dipole configuration and slope stability analysis has been done in the area Jawar, District Dampit to find out the sliding plane landslide, landslide direction and factor of safety. Tracks Retrieval of data by the method of geoelectric resistivity as much as 5 tracks with the direction of the southeast to the northwest three tracks with a length of 100 m - 200 m and southwest to northeast as many as two passes with a length of 200-300 m. While the slope stability analysis performed topographic map data retrieval and data collection sondir and boring. Based on the analysis of the lithology of the study area using resistivity geoelectric method shows three layers of soil is clay (the top layer), tuff (middle layer) and basalt and lava (bottom layer). sliding plane landslide area is in the boundary between the layers of clay and tuff (a depth of 10.5 m). Based on the results of data processing of 3D resistivity geoelectric, landslide direction is southeast. Safety factor value of the security research area based slope stability analysis is 1.015. This value indicates that this area is prone to landslides.
Arbeit transformieren!
Authors: Jürgens Kerstin , Hoffmann Reiner , Schildmann Christina
Published: August 2017

Die Arbeitswelt wird sich in den kommenden Jahrzehnten fundamental verändern. Welche Kräfte wirken auf dem Arbeitsmarkt? Mit welchen Veränderungen ist zu rechnen? Und was bedeutet dies für die arbeitsmarktpolitischen Akteure? Dieser Abschlussbericht der Kommission »Arbeit der Zukunft« - mit Mitgliedern aus Wissenschaft und Praxis, Wirtschaft und Gewerkschaften - liefert eine Diagnose der aktuellen Lage und gibt einen Ausblick auf die Zukunft der Arbeit. Vor allem aber liefert die Kommission Denkanstöße dafür, wie die Gesellschaft den rasanten Wandel so meistern kann, dass Arbeit in der digitalen Ökonomie soziale Teilhabe und mehr als die bloße Existenzsicherung garantiert.
Split equality monotone variational inclusions and fixed point problem of set-valued operator
Authors: Eslamian Mohammad , Fakhri Ashkan
Published: August 2017

In this paper, we are concerned with the split equality problem of finding an element in the zero point set of the sum of two monotone operators and in the common fixed point set of a finite family of quasi-nonexpansive set-valued mappings. Strong convergence theorems are established under suitable condition in an infinite dimensional Hilbert spaces. Some applications of the main results are also provided.
Solvable and nilpotent right loops
Authors: Kakkar Vipul , Jain Vivek Kumar
Published: August 2017

In this paper the notions of solvable right transversal and nilpotent right transversal are defined. Further, it is proved that if a core-free subgroup has a generating solvable transversal, then the whole group is solvable.
Polyphase matrix characterization of framelets on local fields of positive characteristic
Authors: Shah F. A. , Bhat M. Y.
Published: August 2017

An important tool for the construction of framelets on local fields of positive characteristic using unitary extension principle was presented by Shah and Debnath [Tight wavelet frames on local fields, Analysis, 33 (2013), 293-307]. In this article, we continue the study of framelets on local fields and present a polyphase matrix characterization of framelets generated by the extension principle.
Rusty Hungary: New Insights in Brownfield Research
Authors: Dannert Éva , Pirisi Gábor
Published: August 2017

Spatial development and planning in Hungary bear the marks of the post-socialist transformation. This is also observed in the handling of brownfields which, in the wake of political changes, increased in large numbers. In recent years a lot has happened, but we still know far too little about these areas. The paper focuses on the assessment of the extent of brownfields, their properties and regeneration in Hungary. The survey was based on collection of existing and accessible data at national and regional level, complemented by two personal databases. The study extends beyond the spatial dimension of brownfield sites. The results also emphasize further contexts of brownfield management that are not easily perceptible.
Standard body mass index reference data of prepubescent diabetic Egyptian children
Authors: Hassan Nayera E. , El-Masry Sahar A. , Khalil Aya
Published: August 2017

Background:

Data on the growth of diabetic children is conflicting. The aim of this study was to create and validate acceptable body mass index (BMI)-standardized percentiles and curves applied to Egyptian prepubescent diabetic children.

Methods:

The cross-sectional study comprised 822 prepubescent children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), whose ages ranged from 3 years to 10 years±6 months. An anthropometric assessment for each child was performed: body weight, height and BMI were calculated (weight [kg]/height [m

Results:

For controlled diabetic males and females, the 50th percentile BMI was higher than those of the Egyptian and WHO growth curves, while differences in BMI were recorded for uncontrolled diabetic males and females. For uncontrolled diabetic males, the BMI was lower than the standard Egyptian and WHO growth curves up to 5 years of age, after which it became higher than the standard WHO and lower than the standard Egyptian growth curves from 5 years up to 10 years of age. Contrary to that, the BMI of uncontrolled diabetic females was higher than the standard Egyptian and WHO growth curves up to 6.5 years, between the curves from 6.5 years up to 7.5 years and then became lower than both curves up to 10 years of age.

Conclusions:

Children with T1DM should use their own BMI percentiles and never be compared with normal healthy children.
Mathematics Education Problems and Attempts to Solve Them in Nowadays Lithuanian School
Authors: Malaukytė Ieva
Published: August 2017

The decreasing number of the Lithuanian residents has strong impact on the educational system: the number of pupils is decreasing, the schools are getting closed. School is considered to be the provider of educational services, so it is necessary to search, how to preserve and attract clients – pupils. The growing competition induces search for distinctiveness among the schools. According to the theory of generations of William Strauss and Neil Howe, now we have to educate representatives of generation Z, who do not like violence, restrictions, want to be distinctive and are open to the world of technologies. The teacher faces the challenge when s/he wants to convey mathematical skills to these pupils. The profile teaching followed by training based on individual curricula provided more choices for the pupils. This freedom led to the dead-end of mathematical literacy and forced to return to a compulsory national final exam of Mathematics and to change the indexes for the persons entering studies of the first cycle and integrated studies. In the article, mathematics achievements and situation in schools in Lithuania as well as the measures taken to improve mathematical literacy in the country are described.