bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of in vitro antileishmanial efficacy of cyclosporin A and its non-immunosuppressive derivative, dihydrocyclosporin A
Authors: Zheng Zhi-Wan , Li Jiao , Chen Han , He Jin-Lei , Chen Qi-Wei , Zhang Jian-Hui , Zhou Qi , Chen Da-Li , Chen Jian-Ping
Published: February 2020

Background

New therapeutic drugs are urgently needed against visceral leishmaniasis because current drugs, such as pentavalent antimonials and miltefosine, produce severe side effects and development of resistance. Whether cyclosporine A (CsA) and its derivatives can be used as therapeutic drugs for visceral leishmaniasis has been controversial for many years.

Methods

In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of CsA and its derivative, dihydrocyclosporin A (DHCsA-d), against promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes ofLeishmania donovani. Sodium stibogluconate (SSG) was used as a positive control.

Results

Our results showed that DHCsA-d was able to inhibit the proliferation ofL. donovanipromastigotes (IC50: 21.24 μM and 12.14 μM at 24 h and 48 h, respectively) and intracellular amastigotes (IC50: 5.23 μM and 4.84 μM at 24 and 48 h, respectively)in vitro, but CsA treatment increased the number of amastigotes in host cells. Both DHCsA-d and CsA caused several alterations in the morphology and ultrastructure ofL. donovani, especially in the mitochondria. However, DHCsA-d showed high cytotoxicity towards cells of the mouse macrophage cell line RAW264.7, with CC50 values of 7.98 μM (24 h) and 6.65 μM (48 h). Moreover, DHCsA-d could increase IL-12, TNF-α and IFN-γ production and decrease the levels of IL-10, IL-4, NO and H2O2in infected macrophages. On the contrary, CsA decreased IL-12, TNF-α, and IFN-γ production and increased the levels of IL-10, IL-4, NO and H2O2in infected macrophages. The expression ofL. donovanicyclophilin A (LdCyPA) in promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes and the expression of cyclophilin A (CyPA) in RAW 264.7 cells were found to be significantly downregulated in the CsA-treated group compared to those in the untreated group. However, no significant changes inLdCyPA and CyPA levels were found after DHCsA-d or SSG treatment.

Conclusions

Our findings initially resolved the dispute regarding the efficacy of CsA and DHCsA-d for visceral leishmaniasis treatment. CsA showed no significant inhibitory effect on intracellular amastigotes. DHCsA-d significantly inhibited promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes, but it was highly cytotoxic. Therefore, CsA and DHCsA-d are not recommended as antileishmanial drugs.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of bovine cysticercosis in Brazil: current knowledge and way forward
Authors: Rossi Gabriel Augusto Marques , Van Damme Inge , Gabriël Sarah
Published: February 2020

Background

Taenia saginatataeniosis/cysticercosis has been well studied in several countries. Brazil is one of the most important beef exporting countries and has one of the highest cattle population size in the world. In this country, bovine cysticercosis (BCC) remains the most frequent reported zoonosis detected duringpost-morteminspection, resulting in costs for the beef sector and public health. We performed a systematic literature review regarding data about BCC epidemiology in Brazil and meta-analyses for its prevalence in different administrative regions and the distribution over time, and based on this discussed possible control strategies.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted to obtain data about BCC in Brazil using the words “bovine cysticercosis” and “Brazil” to construct the search phrase. The inclusion criteria used to select articles were: (i) published from 2000 to 2018; (ii) full text available online in Portuguese or English; and (iii) contain information at least regarding one of the following aspects of BCC in Brazil: prevalence, incidence, spatial distribution, risk-factors, economic burden and measures for control.

Results

A set of 42 articles was included, covering the prevalence of BCC in Brazil, ranging between 0.01–18.75%. Prevalence results of 40 articles were included in a meta-analysis per administrative region. The highest prevalence was found in the South (3.4%; 95% CI: 2.0–5.2%), followed by the Southeast (2.7%; 95% CI: 1.9–3.6%), Northeast (1.5%; 95% CI: 0.6–2.7%), Central-western (0.9%; 95% CI: 0.3–1.7%) and North (0.0%; 95% CI: 0.0–0.6%) region. In addition, a reduction in prevalence over time was observed in all the evaluated states except for Alagoas and Pará.

Conclusions

Besides the large availability of data, a critical lack of information about BCC epidemiology remains in Brazil. Nevertheless, the available data on prevalence, high risk-areas and risk factors should contribute to a better understanding of transmission and the formulation of recommendations for control. A One Health approach will be required to reduceT. saginatataeniosis/cysticercosis prevalence and the consequent economic burden for the beef sector in Brazil, one of the most important beef exporters in the world.
Medical surveillance unit: patient characteristics, outcome, and quality of care in Saskatchewan, Canada
Authors: Vantomme Karl , Siddiqui Muhammad , Cossette Marlee , Lyster Kish
Published: February 2020

Objective

Intermediate care units provide a high level of care to complex patients and are becoming increasingly popular in North America. Despite the growing popularity of Intermediate care units, very little is known about them. This study explored a typical Intermediate care unit, identifying patient characteristics including demographics, comorbidities, length of stay, as well as primary and secondary diagnosis and mortality.

Results

A total of 200 patients chart were reviewed, of which, 102 were male, and 89 patients were younger than 65 years old. Diabetes, hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were common among patients with a prevalence of 33.5%, 56%, and 32.5%, respectively. Alcohol use disorder, asthma, liver disease and IV drug abuse were much more common in patients younger than 65 years. The average length of stay was 5.31 days regardless of age. Almost two-thirds of the patients in the Intermediate care unit were admitted directly from the emergency room. The mortality rate among the patients studied was 9.5%. The most common admitting diagnosis was respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or Pneumonia (38.0%), followed by cardiac disorders which were predominantly arrhythmias and congestive heart failure (27.0%).
Reduced serum BDNF levels are associated with the increased risk for developing MDD: a case–control study with or without antidepressant therapy
Authors: Emon Md. Prova Zaman , Das Rajesh , Nishuty Nuruna Lovely , Shalahuddin Qusar M. M. A. , Bhuiyan Mohiuddin Ahmed , Islam Md. Rabiul
Published: February 2020

Objective

We do not have any consistent markers for major depressive disorder (MDD) though various biological factors are involved in the pathophysiology. We aimed to evaluate the serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in MDD patients with or without antidepressant therapy compared to healthy controls (HCs).

Results

We assessed serum BDNF levels among three groups: drug-naïve MDD patients (n = 41), drug-treated MDD patients (n = 44), and age-and sex-matched HCs (n = 82). Serum BDNF levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Serum levels of BDNF were detected significantly lower in drug-naïve MDD patients compared to HCs. No significant alterations of serum BDNF levels between drug-treated patients and HCs were identified. Significant negative correlations between serum BDNF levels and Hamilton depression rating (Ham-D) scores were observed in both drug-naïve and drug-treated MDD patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed good diagnostic value for serum BDNF levels in drug-naïve MDD patients with the area under the curve at 0.821. The present study suggests that low serum BDNF levels may be involved in the pathophysiology of MDD. The reduced serum BDNF levels might be used as an early risk assessment marker for major depression.
CRISPR-Cas9-mediated labelling of the C-terminus of human laminin β1 leads to secretion inhibition
Authors: Shaw L. , Williams R. L. , Hamill K. J.
Published: February 2020

Objectives

The laminins (LM) are a family of basement membranes glycoproteins with essential roles in supporting epithelia, endothelia, nerves and muscle adhesion, and in regulating a range of processes including cell migration, stem cell maintenance and differentiation. However, surprisingly little is known about the mechanisms of turnover and remodelling of LM networks due to lack of appropriate tools to study these processes at the necessary resolution. Recently, the nematode C. elegans ortholog of human the LMβ1 chain was labelled at the C-terminus with the photoconvertible fluorophore Dendra2. Here we used genome editing to establish a similar system in a mammalian cell line as proof of concept for future mammalian models.

Results

CRISPR-Cas9 was used to introduce the Dendra2 sequence at the C-terminus of LMβ1 in the human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549. Despite expression of the tagged protein within cells, no detectable LMβ1-Dendra2 protein was deposited to the extracellular matrices or conditioned media of edited cells. Moreover, the edited cells displayed reduced proliferation rates. Together, these data suggest that, in humans, addition of C-terminal Dendra2 tag to LMβ1 inhibits LM secretion, and is not a viable approach for use in animal models.
A lithium-containing biomaterial promotes chondrogenic differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells with reducing hypertrophy
Authors: Hu Yaqian , Chen Lei , Gao Yi , Cheng Pengzhen , Yang Liu , Wu Chengtie , Jie Qiang
Published: February 2020

Background

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) exhibit limitless pluripotent plasticity and proliferation capability to provide an abundant cell source for tissue regenerative medicine. Thus, inducing iPSCs toward a specific differentiation direction is an important scientific question. Traditionally, iPSCs have been induced to chondrocytes with the help of some small molecules within 21–36 days. To speed up the differentiation of iPSCs, we supposed to utilize bioactive ceramics to assist chondrogenic-induction process.

Methods

In this study, we applied ionic products (3.125~12.5 mg/mL) of the lithium-containing bioceramic (Li2Ca4Si4O13, L2C4S4) and individual Li+ (5.78~23.73 mg/L) in the direct chondrogenic differentiation of human iPSCs.

Results

Compared to pure chondrogenic medium and extracts of tricalcium phosphate (TCP), the extracts of L2C4S4 at a certain concentration range (3.125~12.5 mg/mL) significantly enhanced chondrogenic proteins Type II Collagen (COL II)/Aggrecan/ SRY-Box 9 (SOX9) synthesis and reduced hypertrophic protein type X collagen (COL X)/matrix metallopeptidase 13 (MMP13) production in iPSCs-derived chondrocytes within 14 days, suggesting that these newly generated chondrocytes exhibited favorable chondrocytes characteristics and maintained a low-hypertrophy state. Further studies demonstrated that the individual Li+ ions at the concentration range of 5.78~23.73 mg/L also accelerated the chondrogenic differentiation of iPSCs, indicating that Li+ ions played a pivotal role in chondrogenic differentiation process.

Conclusions

These findings indicated that lithium-containing bioceramic with bioactive specific ionic components may be used for a promising platform for inducing iPSCs toward chondrogenic differentiation and cartilage regeneration.
Critical roles of microRNA-141-3p and CHD8 in hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis
Authors: Yao Bifeng , Wan Xiaoya , Zheng Xinbin , Zhong Ting , Hu Jia , Zhou Yu , Qin Anna , Ma Yeshuo , Yin Deling
Published: February 2020

Background

Cardiovascular diseases are currently the leading cause of death in humans. The high mortality of cardiac diseases is associated with myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (I/R). Recent studies have reported that microRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in cell apoptosis. However, it is not known yet whether miR-141-3p contributes to the regulation of cardiomyocyte apoptosis. It has been well established that in vitro hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) model can follow in vivo myocardial I/R injury. This study aimed to investigate the effects of miR-141-3p and CHD8 on cardiomyocyte apoptosis following H/R.

Results

We found that H/R remarkably reduces the expression of miR-141-3p but enhances CHD8 expression both in mRNA and protein in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. We also found either overexpression of miR-141-3p by transfection of miR-141-3p mimics or inhibition of CHD8 by transfection of small interfering RNA (siRNA) significantly decrease cardiomyocyte apoptosis induced by H/R. Moreover, miR-141-3p interacts with CHD8. Furthermore, miR-141-3p and CHD8 reduce the expression of p21.

Conclusion

MiR-141-3p and CHD8 play critical roles in cardiomyocyte apoptosis induced by H/R. These studies suggest that miR-141-3p and CHD8 mediated cardiomyocyte apoptosis may offer a novel therapeutic strategy against myocardial I/R injury-induced cardiovascular diseases.
Sex for seniors: how physicians discuss older adult’s sexuality
Authors: Gewirtz-Meydan Ateret , Levkovich Inbar , Mock Moshe , Gur Uri , Karkabi Khaled , Ayalon Liat
Published: February 2020

Background

This study examined physicians’ perspectives on sexuality in later life.

Methods

In-depth interviews were conducted among 38 physicians with various specialties and they were asked to discuss sexuality in later life within the medical context.

Results

Perceptions on older adult’s sexuality emerged from the interviews were organized into three themes: What, why and how. What, referred to physician’s definition to what role sexuality plays in later life and what is considered sex. Why, referred to the reasons why physicians assumed older adults experience sexual difficulties, and how these assumptions effect the diagnostic process. How, referred to how sexual difficulties were treated by physicians. Physicians employed a bio-medical approach when treating older, as compared to young adults with sexual dysfunction.

Conclusions

The findings highlight a potential for differential treatment of older adults, based on age, rather than on other objective reasons.
Study of atopic multimorbidity in subjects with rhinitis using multiplex allergen component analysis
Authors: Blöndal Viiu , Sundbom Fredrik , Borres Magnus P. , Högman Marieann , Alving Kjell , Malinovschi Andrei , Janson Christer
Published: February 2020

Background

Rhinitis is a common problem within the population. Many subjects with rhinitis also have atopic multimorbidity, such as asthma and eczema. The purpose of this investigation was to compare subjects with only rhinitis to those that have rhinitis, asthma and/or eczema in relation to immunoglobulin E (IgE) sensitization, inflammatory markers, family history, lung function and body mass index (BMI).

Methods

A total of 216 adult subjects with rhinitis from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey II were investigated with multiplex component allergen analysis (103 allergen components), total IgE, C-reactive protein, eosinophilic cationic protein, fractional exhaled nitric oxide and spirometry. Rhinitis, eczema, asthma and parental allergy were questionnaire-assessed.

Results

Of the 216 participants with rhinitis, 89 also had asthma and/or eczema. Participants with rhinitis that also had asthma or eczema were more likely to be IgE-sensitized (3.44, odds ratio, OR: 95% CI 1.62–7.30, adjusted for sex, age, mother’s allergy, total IgE and forced expiratory volume (FEV1)). The number of IgE-positive components was independently associated with atopic multimorbidity (1.11, OR: 95% Cl 1.01–1.21) adjusted for sex, age, mother’s allergy, total IgE and FEV1. When analysing different types of sensitization, the strongest association with atopic multimorbidity was found in participants that were IgE-sensitized both to perennial and seasonal allergens (4.50, OR: 95% CI 1.61–12.5). Maternal allergy (2.75, OR: 95% CI 1.15–4.46), high total IgE (2.38, OR: 95% CI 1.21–4.67) and lower FEV1 (0.73, OR: 95% CI 0.58–0.93) were also independently associated with atopic multimorbidity, while no association was found with any of the other inflammatory markers.

Conclusion

IgE polysensitization, to perennial and seasonal allergens, and levels of total IgE seem to be the main determinants of atopic multimorbidity in subjects with rhinitis. This indicates that disease-modifying treatment that targets IgE sensitization may be of value when decreasing the risk of developing atopic multimorbidity.
Proposed pathway for patients undergoing enhanced recovery after spinal surgery: protocol for a systematic review
Authors: Licina Ana , Silvers Andrew , Laughlin Harry , Russell Jeremy , Wan Crispin
Published: February 2020

Background

The best evidence-enhanced recovery care pathway is yet to be defined for patients undergoing spinal surgery. Minimally invasive surgery, multimodal analgesia, early mobilization, and early postoperative nutrition have been considered as critical components of enhanced recovery in spinal surgery (ERSS). The objective of this study will be to synthesize the evidence underpinning individual components of a proposed multidisciplinary enhanced recovery pathway for patients undergoing spinal surgery.

Methods

This is the study protocol for a systematic review of complex interventions. Our team identified 22 individual care components of a proposed pathway based on clinical practice guidelines and published reviews. We will include systematic reviews and meta-analysis, randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials, and observational studies in adults or pediatric patients evaluating any one of the pre-determined care components. Our primary outcomes will be all-cause mortality, morbidity outcomes (e.g., pulmonary, cardiac, renal, surgical complications), patient-reported outcomes and experiences (e.g., pain, quality of care experience), and health services outcomes (e.g., length of stay and costs). We will search the following databases (1990 onwards) MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and CENTRAL). Two reviewers will independently screen all citations, full-text articles, and abstract data. Potential conflicts will be resolved through discussion. The risk of bias for individual studies will be appraised using appropriate tools. A narrative synthesis will be provided with the information presented in the text and tables to summarize and explain the characteristics and findings of the included studies. Due to clinical and methodological heterogeneity, we do not anticipate to conduct meta-analyses. Confidence in cumulative evidence for each component of care will be classified according to the GRADE system.

Discussion

This systematic review will identify, evaluate, and integrate the evidence underpinning individual components of a pathway for patients undergoing spinal surgery. The formation of an evidence-based pathway will allow for the standardization of clinical care delivery within the context of enhanced recovery in spinal surgery.

Systematic review registration

PROSPEROCRD42019135289
Existence and uniqueness of solutions for singular fractional differential equation boundary value problem with p-Laplacian
Authors: Liu Zhonghua , Ding Youzheng , Liu Chengwei , Zhao Caiyi
Published: February 2020

In this paper, we prove the existence and uniqueness of solutions for a singular fractional differential equation boundary value problem with p-Laplacian operator. The main results of this paper are obtained by constructing the monotone iterative sequences of upper and lower solutions and applying the comparison result. Finally, we also provide an illustrative example in support of the existence theorem. Our results generalize some related results in the literature.
Dietary encapsulated essential oils and organic acids mixture improves gut health in broiler chickens challenged with necrotic enteritis
Authors: Pham Van Hieu , Kan Liugang , Huang Jinyu , Geng Yanqiang , Zhen Wenrui , Guo Yuming , Abbas Waseem , Wang Zhong
Published: February 2020

Background

The poultry industry is in need of effective antibiotic alternatives to control outbreaks of necrotic enteritis (NE) due to Clostridium perfringens. In the present study, we investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with a blend of encapsulated essential oils and organic acids (BLJ) on growth performance and gut health using a coinfection model of NE in broiler chickens.

Methods

Two hundred and eighty-eight one-day-old male Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly assigned using a 2 × 2 factorial design into two groups fed either 0 or 500 mg/kg dietary BLJ and co-challenged (or not challenged for the control) with Eimeria spp./C. perfringens.

Results

Infected birds fed the BLJ-supplemented diet exhibited an improved feed conversion ratio throughout the trial (P < 0.01), a higher villus height and villus height/crypt depth ratio, and reduced intestinal C. perfringens counts, liver C. perfringens carriage, gut lesion scores and serum fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran (FITC-D) concentrations at 7 d post-infection compared with those of birds without BLJ supplementation (P < 0.05). NE-infected birds fed BLJ exhibited significantly upregulated claudin-1 and IGF-2 mRNA levels (P < 0.05), increased A20 mRNA expression and significantly downregulated TRAF-6, TNFSF15 and TOLLIP mRNA levels in the jejunum at 7 d post-infection compared with those in birds without BLJ supplementation (P < 0.05). Compared with the uninfected and untreated birds, the uninfected birds fed BLJ displayed increased relative abundances of Lactobacillus and Coprococcus but reduced Rikenellaceae levels. Compared with the unsupplemented NE-challenged birds, infected birds fed BLJ showed an increased relative abundance of Unclassified_Lachnospiraceae and a significantly decreased relative abundance of Erysipelotrichaceae.

Conclusion

BLJ supplementation improved growth performance and gut health in NE-infected broiler chickens by strengthening the intestinal barrier function, positively modulating the gut microbiota community and differentially regulating intestinal immune responses. Our results also suggested that adding BLJ effectively controlled NE infections after experimental Eimeria and Clostridium perfringens coinfection.
Advertisement of antibiotics for upper respiratory infections and equity in access to treatment: a cross-sectional study in Nepal
Authors: Koju Pramesh , Rousseau Stéphane P. , Van der Putten Marc , Shrestha Archana , Shrestha Rajeev
Published: February 2020

Background

Pharmaceutical companies actively advertise their branded antibiotics, which influence their sales at community pharmacies. The major proportion of out of pocket health spending is on medicine; and affordability of antibiotics has always been a crucial issue in most developing countries. This study identified promotional activities adopted by pharmaceutical companies in community pharmacies and medicine shops and the affordability of selected antibiotics to clients with lowest wages in Kavrepalanchok district of Nepal.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among all community pharmacies and medicine shops (n = 34) in Dhulikhel and Banepa. Available pharmacists / personnel were interviewed, using a structured questionnaire, on the characteristics of the pharmacies, promotional activities, and sales and prices of antibiotics used to treat acute upper respiratory tract infections. This study looked at the association of promotional activities (financial bonus, free samples, and books/brochure/gifts) with the type of antibiotics. Further, affordability was assessed of the most popular antibiotics by comparing the total treatment cost against the lowest wage for unskilled workers in Nepal.

Results

Financial bonus, free samples, and brochures were the most popular promotional activities. It is also noticed that antibiotics which are top selling were those with a high number of promotional activities. Amoxicillin, azithromycin and amoxicillin+clavulanate had 42, 29 and 17 promotional activities respectively. Irrespective of the prices of antibiotics, almost all of the most popular antibiotics for acute upper respiratory infections were unaffordable for unskilled workers costing them more than a day’s wage.

Conclusions

Upper respiratory tract antibiotics are widely promoted at community pharmacies. The treatment cost of antibiotics is unaffordable for unskilled workers in Nepal irrespective of the type and unit cost of antibiotics.
Variables predicting weaning outcome in prolonged mechanically ventilated tracheotomized patients: a retrospective study
Authors: Ghiani Alessandro , Paderewska Joanna , Sainis Alexandros , Crispin Alexander , Walcher Swenja , Neurohr Claus
Published: February 2020

Background

Several studies have assessed predictors of weaning and extubation outcome in short-term mechanically ventilated patients, but there are only few studies on predictors of weaning from prolonged mechanical ventilation.

Methods

Retrospective, single-center, observational study at a specialized national weaning center in Germany. Patients’ medical records were reviewed to obtain data on demographics, comorbidities, respiratory indices, and the result of a prospectively documented, standardized spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) upon admission to the weaning center. Respiratory indices assessed were the ventilatory ratio (VR) and parameters derived from calculated mechanical power (MP). Predictors associated with failure of prolonged weaning and failure of the SBT were assessed using a binary logistic regression model.

Results

A total of 263 prolonged mechanically ventilated, tracheotomized patients, treated over a 5-year period were analyzed. After 3 weeks of mechanical ventilation, patients with unsuccessful weaning failed a SBT more frequently and showed significantly increased values for inspiratory positive airway pressure, driving pressure, VR, absolute MP, and MP normalized to predicted body weight and dynamic lung-thorax compliance (LTC-MP). In the logistic regression analyses, variables independently correlated with weaning failure were female gender (adjusted odds ratio 0.532 [95% CI 0.291–0.973]; p = 0.040), obesity (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2) (2.595 [1.210–5.562]; p = 0.014), COPD (3.209 [1.563–6.589]; p = 0.002), LTC-MP (3.470 [1.067–11.284]; p = 0.039), PaCO2 on mechanical ventilation (1.101 [95% CI 1.034–1.173]; p = 0.003), and failure of the SBT (4.702 [2.250–9.825]; p < 0.001). In addition, female gender (0.401 [0.216–0.745]; p = 0.004), LTC-MP (3.017 [1.027–8.862]; p = 0.046), and PaCO2 on mechanical ventilation (1.157 [1.083–1.235]; p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for an unsuccessful SBT.

Conclusions

In the present study, the derived predictors of weaning point to a crucial role of the workload imposed on respiratory muscles during spontaneous breathing. Mechanical power normalized to lung-thorax compliance was independently correlated with weaning outcome and may identify patients at high risk for weaning failure.
Extreme learning with chemical reaction optimization for stock volatility prediction
Authors: Nayak Sarat Chandra , Misra Bijan Bihari
Published: February 2020

Extreme learning machine (ELM) allows for fast learning and better generalization performance than conventional gradient-based learning. However, the possible inclusion of non-optimal weight and bias due to random selection and the need for more hidden neurons adversely influence network usability. Further, choosing the optimal number of hidden nodes for a network usually requires intensive human intervention, which may lead to an ill-conditioned situation. In this context, chemical reaction optimization (CRO) is a meta-heuristic paradigm with increased success in a large number of application areas. It is characterized by faster convergence capability and requires fewer tunable parameters. This study develops a learning framework combining the advantages of ELM and CRO, called extreme learning with chemical reaction optimization (ELCRO). ELCRO simultaneously optimizes the weight and bias vector and number of hidden neurons of a single layer feed-forward neural network without compromising prediction accuracy. We evaluate its performance by predicting the daily volatility and closing prices of BSE indices. Additionally, its performance is compared with three other similarly developed models—ELM based on particle swarm optimization, genetic algorithm, and gradient descent—and find the performance of the proposed algorithm superior. Wilcoxon signed-rank and Diebold–Mariano tests are then conducted to verify the statistical significance of the proposed model. Hence, this model can be used as a promising tool for financial forecasting.
Port-related conflict at port of Gothenburg – consequences from a fashion retailer’s perspective
Authors: Lindroth Erica , Huong Hà , Bergqvist Rickard
Published: February 2020

Previous research have distinguished the risks of supply chain disruptions and the negative effect of supply chain disruption on operational performance in terms of sales, costs and inventory. However, few researchers have studied supply chain risk management and strategies in relation to port conflicts. The 2016 port conflict at a major logistics port in Scandinavia, the Port of Gothenburg, posed an opportunity to study risk management and strategies in the context of major port disruptions, in this case, a labour conflict. The fashion retail industry was affected especially hard due to the short product life cycles and this paper, by means of case study method and analysis, investigates five cases in order to understand how they were affected and what mitigation strategies was used. Results illustrates that during the port conflict, the percentage of increase in logistics cost ranged between 15% and 70%, greatly affected by what mitigation strategy was used by the case company.
Evaluation of the effectiveness and acceptability of intramuscular clozapine injection: illustrative case series
Authors: Henry Rebecca , Massey Ruth , Morgan Kathy , Deeks Johanne , Macfarlane Hannah , Holmes Nikki , Silva Edward
Published: February 2020

Aims and method

A series of eleven patients prescribed intramuscular clozapine at five UK sites is presented. Using routinely collected clinical data, we describe the use, efficacy and safety of this treatment modality.

Results

We administered 188 doses of intramuscular clozapine to eight patients. The remaining three patients accepted oral medication. With the exception of minor injection site pain and nodules, side-effects were as expected with oral clozapine, and there were no serious untoward events. Nine patients were successfully established on oral clozapine with significant improvement in their clinical presentations.

Clinical implications

Although a novel formulation in the UK, we have shown that intramuscular clozapine can be used safely and effectively when the oral route is initially refused.
Standard Anthracycline Based Versus Docetaxel-Capecitabine in Early High Clinical and/or Genomic Risk Breast Cancer in the EORTC 10041/BIG 3-04 MINDACT Phase III Trial
Authors: Delaloge Suzette , Piccart Martine , Rutgers Emiel , Litière Saskia , van ’t Veer Laura J. , van den Berkmortel Franchette , Brain Etienne , Dudek-Peric Aleksandra , Gil-Gil Miguel , Gomez Patricia , Hilbers Florentine S. , Khalil Zaman , Knox Susan , Kuemmel Sherko , Kunz Georg , Lesur Anne , Pierga Jean-Yves , Ravdin Peter , Rubio Isabel T. , Saghatchian Mahasti , Smilde Tineke J. , Thompson Alastair M. , Viale Giuseppe , Zoppoli Gabriele , Vuylsteke Peter , Tryfonidis Konstantinos , Poncet Coralie , Bogaerts Jan , Cardoso Fatima ,   on behalf of MINDACT investigators and the TRANSBIG Consortium
Published: February 2020

PURPOSE

MINDACT demonstrated that 46% of patients with early breast cancer at high clinical but low genomic risk on the basis of MammaPrint may safely avoid adjuvant chemotherapy. A second random assignment (R-C) compared docetaxel-capecitabine with an anthracycline-based regimen.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

R-C randomly assigned patients 1:1 between standard anthracycline-based regimens, with or without taxanes (control) and experimental docetaxel 75 mg/m2 intravenously plus oral capecitabine 825 mg/m2 two times per day for 14 days (DC) every 3 weeks for 6 cycles. The primary end point was disease-free survival (DFS). Secondary end points included overall survival and safety.

RESULTS

Of 2,832 patients, 1,301 (45%) were randomly assigned, and 97% complied with R-C assignment. In the control arm, 29.6% only received taxanes (0.5% of N0 patients). DFS events (n = 148) were much less than required (n = 422) as a result of a lower-than-expected accrual and event rate. At 5 years of median follow-up, DFS was not different between DC (n = 652) and control (n = 649; 90.7% [95% CI, 88% to 92.8%] v 88.8% [95% CI, 85.9% to 91.1%]; hazard ratio [HR], 0.83 [95% CI, 0.60 to 1.15]; P = .26). Overall survival (HR, 0.91 [95% CI, 0.54 to 1.53]) and DFS in the clinical high and genomic high-risk subgroup (86.1% v 88.1%; HR, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.58 to 1.21]) were similar in both arms. DC led to more grade 1 neuropathy (27.1% v 11.2%) and more grade 2 hand/foot syndrome (28.5% v 3.3%) and diarrhea (13.7% v 5.8%). Serious cardiac events occurred in 9 patients (control, n = 4; DC, n = 5). Fifty-three patients developed second cancers (control, n = 32; DC, n = 21; leukemia: 2 v 1). Five treatment-related deaths occurred (control, 2 [0.3%]; DC, 3 [0.5%]).

CONCLUSION

Although underpowered, this second randomization in MINDACT did not show any improvement in outcome or safety with the use of DC compared with anthracycline-based chemotherapy.
Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction, LPS Translocation, and Disease Development
Authors: Ghosh Siddhartha S , Wang Jing , Yannie Paul J , Ghosh Shobha
Published: February 2020

The intestinal barrier is complex and consists of multiple layers, and it provides a physical and functional barrier to the transport of luminal contents to systemic circulation. While the epithelial cell layer and the outer/inner mucin layer constitute the physical barrier and are often referred to as the intestinal barrier, intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) produced by epithelial cells and antibacterial proteins secreted by Panneth cells represent the functional barrier. While antibacterial proteins play an important role in the host defense against gut microbes, IAP detoxifies bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by catalyzing the dephosphorylation of the active/toxic Lipid A moiety, preventing local inflammation as well as the translocation of active LPS into systemic circulation. The causal relationship between circulating LPS levels and the development of multiple diseases underscores the importance of detailed examination of changes in the “layers” of the intestinal barrier associated with disease development and how this dysfunction can be attenuated by targeted interventions. To develop targeted therapies for improving intestinal barrier function, it is imperative to have a deeper understanding of the intestinal barrier itself, the mechanisms underlying the development of diseases due to barrier dysfunction (eg, high circulating LPS levels), the assessment of intestinal barrier function under diseased conditions, and of how individual layers of the intestinal barrier can be beneficially modulated to potentially attenuate the development of associated diseases. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the composition of the intestinal barrier and its assessment and modulation for the development of potential therapies for barrier dysfunction-associated diseases.
Under Description: The Fugitive Slave Advertisement as Genre
Authors: Walser Hannah
Published: February 2020

This essay analyzes the discourse of the fugitive slave advertisement (FSA) to argue that these texts form what I call a “genre of personhood.” Centered on physical and behavioral descriptions of escaped slaves, FSAs offer a window into the heuristics that slaveholders used to identify, explain, and anticipate slaves’ behavior in the antebellum era, constructing an implicit model of enslaved personhood by means of consistent syntactic patterns and semantic tropes. I argue for the continuity of these texts’ descriptive and scriptive (or instructive) functions, finding that FSAs conscript the white reader into searching for a fugitive not only through overt appeals but by structuring the reader’s perceptual experiences via linguistic cues. Ultimately, the essay not only excavates the opportunistic and incomplete construction of personhood from heterogeneous materials but also reveals the interdependence of literary description and extraliterary genres like the FSA.
Loving Gorillas: Segregation Literature, Animality, and Black Liberation
Authors: Dunbar Eve
Published: February 2020

Deeply rooted racial logics of Western culture have long used animal metaphors and affiliations as a method for negatively coding the species permeability between black people and nonhuman animals. Responsively, many black cultural producers have sought to acquire access to the category of the human by crafting narratives that shuttle black being away from the animal. Rejecting both negative affiliations and shifting away from the animal, this article explores the movement toward the animal in black segregation-era literature. I argue that animals and animal care in Richard Wright’s Black Boy and primate liberation in Gwendolyn Brooks’s Maud Martha provide new modes of imagining black humanism on the cusp of US racial desegregation.
Suppression of store-operated calcium entry causes dilated cardiomyopathy of the Drosophila heart
Authors: Petersen Courtney E. , Wolf Matthew J. , Smyth Jeremy T.
Published: February 2020

Store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) is an essential Ca2+ signaling mechanism present in most animal cells. SOCE refers to Ca2+ influx that is activated by depletion of sarco/endoplasmic reticulum (S/ER) Ca2+ stores. The main components of SOCE are STIM and Orai. STIM proteins function as S/ER Ca2+ sensors, and upon S/ER Ca2+ depletion STIM rearranges to S/ER-plasma membrane junctions and activates Orai Ca2+ influx channels. Studies have implicated SOCE in cardiac hypertrophy pathogenesis, but SOCE's role in normal heart physiology remains poorly understood. We therefore analyzed heart-specific SOCE function in Drosophila, a powerful animal model of cardiac physiology. We show that heart-specific suppression of Stim and Orai in larvae and adults resulted in reduced contractility consistent with dilated cardiomyopathy. Myofibers were also highly disorganized in Stim and Orai RNAi hearts, reflecting possible decompensation or upregulated stress signaling. Furthermore, we show that reduced heart function due to SOCE suppression adversely affected animal viability, as heart specific Stim and Orai RNAi animals exhibited significant delays in post-embryonic development and adults died earlier than controls. Collectively, our results demonstrate that SOCE is essential for physiological heart function, and establish Drosophila as an important model for understanding the role of SOCE in cardiac pathophysiology.
Physiological Parameters of Bone Health in Elite Ballet Dancers
Authors: LAMBERT BRADLEY S. , CAIN MICHAEL T. , HEIMDAL TYLER , HARRIS JOSHUA D. , JOTWANI VIJAY , PETAK STEVEN , MCCULLOCH PATRICK C.
Published: February 2020

Stress fractures are common among elite ballet dancers whereby musculoskeletal health may be affected by energy balance and overtraining.

Purpose

This study aimed to characterize bone health in relation to stress fracture history, body composition, eating disorder risk, and blood biomarkers in professional male and female ballet dancers.

Methods

A single cohort of 112 dancers (male: 55, 25 ± 6 yr; female: 57, 24 ± 6 yr) was recruited. All participants underwent bone and body composition measures using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. In a subset of our cohort (male: 30, 24 ± 6 yr; female, 29, 23 ± 5 yr), a blood panel, disordered eating screen, menstrual history, and stress fracture history were also collected. Age-matched Z scores and young-adult T scores were calculated for bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition. Independent-samples t-tests and Fisher’s exact tests were used to compare BMD, Z-scores, T scores, and those with and without history of stress fractures. A 1 × 3 ANOVA was used to compare BMD for those scoring 0–1, 2–6, and 7+ using the EAT26 questionnaire for eating disorder risk. Regression was used to predict BMD from demographic and body composition measures.

Results

Female dancers demonstrated reduced spinal (42nd percentile, 10%T < −1) and pelvic (16th percentile, 76%T < −1) BMD. Several anthropometric measures were predictive of BMD (P < 0.05, r
2 = 0.65–0.81, standard error of estimate = 0.08–0.10 g·cm−2, percent error = 6.3–8.5). Those scoring >1 on EAT26 had lower BMD than did those with a score of 0–1 (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Professional female ballet dancers exhibit reduced BMD, fat mass, and lean mass compared with the general population whereby low BMD and stress fractures tend to be more prevalent in those with a higher risk of disordered eating. Anthropometric and demographic measures are predictive of BMD in this population.
Εξ Αποστάσεως Κυκλοφοριακή Αγωγή για μαθητές Στ΄ Δημοτικού Σχολείου.
Authors: Στρίγκας Κωνσταντίνος Πέτρος , Τσιμπίρης Αλκιβιάδης , Βαρσάμης Δημήτριος
Published: February 2020

Βασικός σκοπός του εγχειρήματος είναι να ευαισθητοποιήσει τους μαθητές των μεγάλων τάξεων του Δημοτικού Σχολείου σε διαθεματικά project  με την αξιοποίηση των νέων τεχνολογιών και περισσότερο με τις νέες μεθόδους τηλεκπαίδευσης. Αρωγός στην προσπάθεια αυτή είναι το εκπαιδευτικό υλικό  συγκεντρωμένο σε ηλεκτρονική μορφή  σε ένα ειδικά διαμορφωμένο διαδικτυακό χώρο κατάλληλο για Τηλεκπαίδευση όπως η ηλεκτρονική πλατφόρμα OpeneClass. Έχει στόχο να βοηθήσει τον εκπαιδευτικό, στα πλαίσια του περιορισμένου σχολικού χρόνου (ειδικά στις μεγάλες τάξεις Ε’-Στ’ όπου απουσιάζει η Ευέλικτη Ζώνη) στη διδασκαλία διαθεματικών project όπως η Κυκλοφοριακή Αγωγή. Οι μαθητές εργαζόμενοι διαδικτυακά (ατομικά ή και ομαδικά) αφού διαβάσουν και επεξεργαστούν τη θεωρία, παρακολουθήσουν κάποιο βίντεο ή εικόνες, καλούνται να απαντήσουν σε ερωτήσεις, να λύσουν ή να συμπληρώσουν διάφορες ασκήσεις και να δημιουργήσουν πολυμεσικά αρχεία. Στο τέλος γίνεται μια επανάληψη με ερωτηματολόγιο ανακεφαλαίωσης. Τα αποτελέσματα κρίνονται θετικά με βάσει τον βαθμό συμμετοχής αλλά και την τελική επίδοση των μαθητών.
Στάσεις Εκπαιδευτικών Πρωτοβάθμιας Απέναντι στα Ψηφιακά Μαθησιακά Αντικείμενα για τις Φυσικές Επιστήμες - Το Παράδειγμα του Φωτόδεντρου
Authors: Κωστάκη Στέλα-Μαρίνα , Καλογιαννάκης Μιχαήλ
Published: February 2020

Καθώς ο 21ος αιώνας μάς φέρνει αντιμέτωπους με ραγδαίες και ουσιώδεις αλλαγές σε κοινωνικό, οικονομικό και πολιτισμικό επίπεδο, η εκπαίδευση επαναπροσδιορίζει τον ρόλο της και ακολουθεί τις εξελίξεις και τις προκλήσεις των καιρών. Στην παρούσα μελέτη αναζητούνται και αναλύονται, με τη βοήθεια του επεξηγηματικού ερευνητικού σχεδιασμού, οι στάσεις των εκπαιδευτικών Πρωτοβάθμιας Εκπαίδευσης που διδάσκουν Φυσικές Επιστήμες (ΦΕ) ως προς τη χρήση Ψηφιακών Μαθησιακών Αντικειμένων (ΨΜΑ), δηλαδή αυτόνομων και επαναχρησιμοποιήσιμων μονάδων ψηφιακού υλικού που μπορούν να αξιοποιηθούν για τη διδασκαλία και τη μάθηση. Καταδεικνύεται, μέσω ποσοτικών αναλύσεων, ο σημαντικός ρόλος της επιμόρφωσης Β’ επιπέδου και της τάξης διδασκαλίας των εκπαιδευτικών στη διαμόρφωση θετικών στάσεων απέναντι στα ΨΜΑ για τις Φυσικές Επιστήμες, ενώ επιχειρείται η ανάλυση της γενικευμένης άρνησης των εκπαιδευτικών απέναντι στο εθνικό αποθετήριο ψηφιακού υλικού, Φωτόδεντρο, ακολουθώντας ποιοτική μεθοδολογία. Όπως διαφαίνεται από τις απαντήσεις των εκπαιδευτικών η άρνηση χρήσης του Φωτόδεντρου οφείλεται σε έλλειψη διδακτικού χρόνου για υλοποίηση εναλλακτικών μορφών διδασκαλίας εμπλουτισμένων με ΨΜΑ, καθώς και στη δαιδαλώδη μορφή του αποθετηρίου το οποίο αποθαρρύνει μη έμπειρους χρήστες. Επιπλέον, διατυπώνονται απόψεις για μη ικανοποιητικά τεχνικά χαρακτηριστικά των ΨΜΑ, μη λειτουργική ταξινόμησή τους, καθώς και για ασυμβατότητα στόχων δημιουργών και χρηστών. Επίσης, ως αποθαρρυντικός παράγοντας χρήσης του Φωτόδεντρου, αναφέρονται οι σημαντικές ελλείψεις σε τεχνολογικό εξοπλισμό των σχολικών μονάδων, γεγονός που αποτρέπει από την ενασχόληση με ψηφιακά μέσα διδασκαλίας. Επιπρόσθετα, επισημαίνεται η αναγκαιότητα για περαιτέρω διερεύνηση των στάσεων των εκπαιδευτικών απέναντι στα ΨΜΑ με στόχο, πάντα, τη βελτίωση της ποιότητας της παρεχόμενης εκπαίδευσης.
Οι αφίσες ως σημεία επικοινωνίας με τους πολιτιστικούς θεσμούς: η περίπτωση των πολιτιστικών φεστιβάλ του Δήμου Θεσσαλονίκης
Authors: Βαφειάδου Ζωή , Σηφάκη Ειρήνη
Published: February 2020

Ορίζοντας τις αφίσες ως σημεία επικοινωνίας με τους πολιτιστικούς θεσμούς επιχειρείται, στο πλαίσιο διεξαγωγής μιας ποιοτικής έρευνας, η καταγραφή της λειτουργικότητας του επικοινωνιακού αυτού μέσου σε σχέση με το κοινό, τον πολιτιστικό θεσμό και το διοργανωτικό του φορέα. Συγκεκριμένα, μελέτη περίπτωσης αποτελούν οι ετήσιες αφίσες των ετών 2015-2018 ενός ιδιαίτερα δημοφιλούς, πολιτιστικού φεστιβάλ του Δήμου Θεσσαλονίκης, του Διεθνούς Φεστιβάλ Δημητρίων. Τα εργαλεία που χρησιμοποιούνται για την ποιοτική ανάλυση των τεσσάρων αφισών και την ανάδειξη των μηνυμάτων τους είναι η σημειωτική προσέγγιση των Barthes, Peirce & Saussure καθώς και η διεξαγωγή συνεντεύξεων με στελέχη και υπαλλήλους του Δήμου Θεσσαλονίκης. Στόχος του ερευνητικού εγχειρήματος αποτελεί, αφενός η καταγραφή της ιδιαίτερης ταυτότητας των αφισών του υπό μελέτη φεστιβάλ, αφετέρου η αποτελεσματικότητα στην έκφραση του οράματος, των αξιών και των στόχων των συγκεκριμένων φεστιβάλ και κατ’ επέκταση της πολιτιστικής πολιτικής του Δήμου Θεσσαλονίκης. Ταυτόχρονα, ερευνάται η συμβολή του Φεστιβάλ και των αφισών του στην άτυπη, πολιτισμική εκπαίδευση. Τα προκύπτοντα συμπεράσματα καταδεικνύουν τις αφίσες του Φεστιβάλ Δημητρίων ως σημαντικά εργαλεία επικοινωνίας μηνυμάτων και αξιών του πολιτιστικού θεσμού, συνδεδεμένων με τη σύγχρονη κοινωνική πραγματικότητα, με την ταυτότητα του φεστιβάλ και τη στοχοθεσία του διοργανωτικού φορέα στο χώρο του πολιτισμού.
Συνεχιζόμενη επαγγελματική εκπαίδευση και κατάρτιση στην Γερμανία: μια ποσοτική έρευνα για τις απόψεις των εκπαιδευτών εξ αποστάσεως προγραμμάτων.
Authors: Τσινάρη Κατερίνα
Published: February 2020

Η επαγγελματική εκπαίδευση και κατάρτιση στην Γερμανία λαμβάνει χώρα όλο και περισσότερο μέσω διαδικτύου. Όπως στα δια ζώσης προγράμματα επαγγελματικής κατάρτισης, έτσι και στα εξ αποστάσεως μπορεί να υπάρξουν διαταραχές που εμποδίζουν την ομαλή πορεία των μαθημάτων. Η συναισθηματική δεξιότητα των εκπαιδευτών αποτελεί σημαντικό παράγοντα τόσο για την επιτυχία ενός μαθήματος, όσο και για την ανάπτυξη μιας επιθυμητής κουλτούρας διδασκαλίας και μάθησης. Η παρούσα εργασία παρουσιάζει τα πρώτα αποτελέσματα της διδακτορικής διατριβής της συγγραφέως, που στοχεύει στην ανάλυση του τρόπου με τον οποίο οι εκπαιδευτές ενηλίκων -που διδάσκουν σε σύγχρονα εξ αποστάσεως προγράμματα συνεχιζόμενης επαγγελματικής κατάρτισης- i)αντιλαμβάνονται τις συναισθηματικά δικαιολογημένες μαθησιακές αντιστάσεις των εκπαιδευομένων τους και ii)αναπτύσσουν στρατηγικές (αντι-)δράσης γι’ αυτό. Σ’ αυτό το πλαίσιο διεξήχθη μια πρωτότυπη ποσοτική διαδικτυακή έρευνα με την μορφή ηλεκτρονικού ερωτηματολογίου για να φανεί η άποψη των εκπαιδευτών σε σχέση με την συναισθηματικότητα, τη συναισθηματική δεξιότητα και τις συναισθηματικές σχέσεις. Από τα αποτελέσματα έγινε κατανοητό, πως οι εκπαιδευτές χρειάζονται ειδικές στρατηγικές για να καταλαβαίνουν πιο σύντομα τις δυσκολίες των ακροατών τους και να τις αντιμετωπίζουν επιτυχώς. Η κατάλληλη προετοιμασία για πιθανές συγκρούσεις, όπως και η ευαισθητοποίηση των εκπαιδευτών για την συνεκτίμηση των βασισμένων σε συναισθήματα αντιστάσεων στη μάθηση (και κατ’ επέκταση και της δικής τους συναισθηματικής δεξιότητας) διαφαίνονται ως αναγκαία στοιχεία της συνεχιζόμενης κατάρτισής τους.