bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient-reported outcome measures after surgery for an acetabular fracture
Authors: Frietman B. , Biert J. , Edwards M. J. R.
Published: April 2018

Aims

The aim of this study was to record the incidence of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (OA), the need for total hip arthroplasty (THA), and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMS) after surgery for a fracture of the acetabulum, in our centre.

Patients and Methods

All patients who underwent surgery for an acetabular fracture between 2004 and 2014 were included. Patients completed the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) questionnaires. A retrospective chart and radiographic review was performed on all patients. CT scans were used to assess the classification of the fracture and the quality of reduction.

Results

A total of 220 patients were included, of which 55 (25%) developed post-traumatic OA and 33 (15%) underwent THA. A total of 164 patients completed both questionnaires. At a mean follow-up of six years (2 to 10), the mean SF-36 score for patients with a preserved hip joint was higher on role limitations due to physical health problems than for those with OA or those who underwent THA. In the dimension of bodily pain, patients with OA had a significantly better score than those who underwent THA. Patients with a preserved hip joint had a significantly better score on the function scale of the mHHS and a better total score than those with OA or who underwent THA.

Conclusion

Of the patients who were treated surgically for an acetabular fracture (with a mean follow-up of six years), 15% underwent THA at a mean of 2.75 years postoperatively. Patients with a THA had a worse functional outcome than those who retain their native hip joint. We recommend using PROMS and CT scans when reviewing these patients. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:640–5.
The functional and dynamometer-tested results of transtendinous flexor hallucis longus transfer for neglected ruptures of the Achilles tendon at six years’ follow-up
Authors: Lever C. J. , Bosman H. A. , Robinson A. H. N.
Published: April 2018

Aims

Flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon transfer is a well-recognized technique in the treatment of the neglected tendo Achillis (TA) rupture.

Patients and Methods

We report a retrospective review of 20/32 patients who had undergone transtendinous FHL transfer between 2003 and 2011 for chronic TA rupture. Their mean age at the time of surgery was 53 years (22 to 83). The mean time from rupture to surgery was seven months (1 to 36). The mean postoperative follow-up was 73 months (29 to 120). Six patients experienced postoperative wound complications.

Results

The mean postoperative Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS) was 83 (40 to 100) and the mean American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 94.3 (82 to 100). Tegner scoring showed a mean reduction of one level from the pre-injury level of activity. There was a mean reduction of 24% (4 to 54) in dynamometer-measured strength of ankle plantarflexion, in comparison with the non-operated side. The hallux had a mean of only 40% (2 to 90) strength of plantarflexion in comparison with the contralateral side.

Conclusion

We conclude that transtendinous FHL transfer for neglected TA ruptures, with a long harvest to allow reattachment of the triceps surae, provides reliable long-term function and good ankle plantarflexion strength. Despite the loss of strength in hallux plantar flexion, there is little comorbidity from the FHL harvest. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:584–9.
The role of grade in local recurrence and the disease-specific survival in chondrosarcomas
Authors: Laitinen M. K. , Stevenson J. D. , Parry M. C. , Sumathi V. , Grimer R. J. , Jeys L. M.
Published: April 2018

Aims

The purpose of this study was to describe the effect of histological grade on disease-specific survival in patients with chondrosarcoma.

Patients and Methods

A total of 343 patients with a chondrosarcoma were included. The histological grade was assessed on the initial biopsy and on the resection specimen. Where the histology showed a mixed grade, the highest grade was taken as the definitive grade. When only small focal areas showed higher grade, the final grade was considered as both.

Results

The concordance between the highest preoperative biopsy grading and the highest final grading of the resection specimen in total was only 43% (146/343). In 102 specimens (30%), a small number of cells or focal areas of higher grade were observed in contrast to the main histology. The disease-specific survival, stratified according to the predominant histological grade, showed greater variation than when stratified according to the highest grade seen in the resection specimen.

Conclusion

The diagnostic biopsy in chondrosarcoma is unreliable in assessing the definitive grade and the malignant potential of the tumour. When categorizing the grade of the resection specimen, the prognosis for local recurrence and disease-specific survival should be based on the highest grade seen, even when seen in only a few cells. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:662–6.
Does virtual reality simulation have a role in training trauma and orthopaedic surgeons?
Authors: Bartlett J. D. , Lawrence J. E. , Stewart M. E. , Nakano N. , Khanduja V.
Published: April 2018

Aims

The aim of this study was to assess the current evidence relating to the benefits of virtual reality (VR) simulation in orthopaedic surgical training, and to identify areas of future research.

Materials and Methods

A literature search using the MEDLINE, Embase, and Google Scholar databases was performed. The results’ titles, abstracts, and references were examined for relevance.

Results

A total of 31 articles published between 2004 and 2016 and relating to the objective validity and efficacy of specific virtual reality orthopaedic surgical simulators were identified. We found 18 studies demonstrating the construct validity of 16 different orthopaedic virtual reality simulators by comparing expert and novice performance. Eight studies have demonstrated skill acquisition on a simulator by showing improvements in performance with repeated use. A further five studies have demonstrated measurable improvements in operating theatre performance following a period of virtual reality simulator training.

Conclusion

The demonstration of ‘real-world’ benefits from the use of VR simulation in knee and shoulder arthroscopy is promising. However, evidence supporting its utility in other forms of orthopaedic surgery is lacking. Further studies of validity and utility should be combined with robust analyses of the cost efficiency of validated simulators to justify the financial investment required for their use in orthopaedic training. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:559–65.
Thromboembolism prophylaxis in orthopaedics: an update
Authors: Flevas Dimitrios A. , Megaloikonomos Panayiotis D. , Dimopoulos Leonidas , Mitsiokapa Evanthia , Koulouvaris Panayiotis , Mavrogenis Andreas F.
Published: April 2018

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a serious complication during and after hospitalization, yet is a preventable cause of in-hospital death. Without VTE prophylaxis, the overall VTE incidence in medical and general surgery hospitalized patients is in the range of 10% to 40%, while it ranges up to 40% to 60% in major orthopaedic surgery. With routine VTE prophylaxis, fatal pulmonary embolism is uncommon in orthopaedic patients and the rates of symptomatic VTE within three months are in the range of 1.3% to 10%. VTE prophylaxis methods are divided into mechanical and pharmacological. The former include mobilization, graduated compression stockings, intermittent pneumatic compression device and venous foot pumps; the latter include aspirin, unfractionated heparin, low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), adjusted dose vitamin K antagonists, synthetic pentasaccharid factor Xa inhibitor (fondaparinux) and newer oral anticoagulants. LMWH seems to be more efficient overall compared with the other available agents. We remain sceptical about the use of aspirin as a sole method of prophylaxis in total hip and knee replacement and hip fracture surgery, while controversy still exists regarding the use of VTE prophylaxis in knee arthroscopy, lower leg injuries and upper extremity surgery.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2018;3:130-142. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.3.170018
La identidad profesional del educador social a través de su perfil competencial
Authors: Eslava-Suanes María Dolores , González-López Ignacio , De-león-huertas Carlota
Published: April 2018

La finalidad de este trabajo es definir el perfil competencial de la educación social, lo que implica valorar en qué medida las competencias propuestas son necesarias según la percepción de los profesionales. El estudio se enmarca en un diseño mixto complejo gestionado, al amparo de tres grupos de discusión con educadoras y educadores sociales, a través de cuatro momentos de trabajo: análisis previo de la situación profesional intrínseca y extrínseca del educador o educadora social por medio de una matriz DAFO, valoración del modelo de competencias a través de un cuestionario de naturaleza cuantitativa que incorpora el uso de escalas, discusión con los diferentes grupos de educadoras y educadores sociales para construir una visión consensuada de la profesión y diseño de propuestas de mejora con la aplicación de una matriz CAME. La riqueza de los resultados extraídos ha permitido redefinir un perfil competencial con el que el profesional de la educación social se siente identificado. Dicho perfil está compuesto por 23 competencias agrupadas en seis dimensiones: competencias comunicativas, competencias crítico-reflexivas, competencias sociales, conocimientos disciplinares, competencias funcionales y competencias definitorias de la identidad profesional.
Competencias interculturales en Educación Superior: Aspecto clave para la movilidad
Authors: Adalid Donat Mar , Carmona Rodríguez Carmen , Vidal Mollón José , Benlloch Sanchis María Jesús
Published: April 2018

El objetivo principal de este trabajo es analizar las diferencias en competencias interculturales entre el alumnado de la Universitat de València que desea solicitar el programa Erasmus y alumnado que no desea solicitarlo. Mediante un cuestionario se realizó la recogida de información de estudiantes procedentes del área de ciencias sociales de la Universitat de València. En general, los resultados muestran que existen diferencias entre estos dos grupos de estudiantes. El alumnado que va a solicitar el programa de movilidad Erasmus tiene mayor competencia comunicativa en diferentes idiomas, y mayor apertura mental en comparación con el alumnado que no tiene interés en solicitar este tipo de becas. Aunque los resultados indican diferencias en estas dos competencias, es necesario resaltar el papel de las competencias interculturales y comunicativas para el desarrollo integral de las personas y la socialización e integración en los nuevos contextos de diversidad cultural.
Identifying the characteristics of support Australian university teachers use in their design work: Implications for the learning design field
Authors: Agostinho Shirley , Lockyer Lori , Bennett Sue
Published: April 2018

Quality teaching is a strategic objective for universities; thus, there is an expectation that university teachers design high quality learning experience for their students. The field of learning design has developed over the past 15 years as a way to support teachers in their design work. There has been significant research and development work that has focused on creating support tools to help teachers plan, develop and deliver learning experiences. However, little is known about what supports teachers access and use when they design and overall how teachers undertake their design work. This paper presents the findings from a qualitative study that investigated the types of supports 30 teachers from 16 Australian universities reported using in their design work. Data was collected from semi-structured interviews, and the results show that participants accessed a variety of supports depending on their design need. The kind of support participants accessed in their design work were colleagues, literature, workshops and seminars, conferences, institutional support services, and enrolment in postgraduate study. How participants explained using these supports can be characterised as varied, personalised, dynamic and networked. Based on these results, implications for the learning design field are discussed with recommendations for future research.
Construing Contemporary Cosmopolitan Constitution-Making: A Comparative View
Authors: Qerimi Qerim
Published: April 2018

The newest and gradually evolving trends in global law-making have been defined by an ever increasing interplay between rules and principles of different legal orders and between national legal orders and international legal order. References in national constitutions to the binding force of international law within the domestic sphere and sometimes the primacy of such internationally-made law over national laws are now a widespread and unsurprising phenomenon. Clauses referring to international human rights, including direct applicability of specific international human rights instruments, also to international organizations such as the UN, or accession to new international organizations, including transfer of sovereignty, can also be found in a significant variety of cases. The most unique feature of these trends could, however, be the establishment of national constitutional and legal order based on, or modeled after, international law and comparative law. At a broader constitutional level, for example, the international community has played a pivotal role in the style and substance of the constitutions of a number of post-conflict, newly-formed or transformed societies (e. g., Constitutions of Cambodia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, South Africa, East Timor, Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, Libya, and South Sudan). This process of constitution-making influenced by, based on, or modeled after, international law, has unique features that resonate with a cosmopolitan constitutional law-making. This paper seeks to understand the contours of this phenomenon, ascribe the proper value, and identify the degree to which contemporary constitution-making conforms to the original ideals of cosmopolitanism.
Green synthesis of hydratropic aldehyde from α-methylstyrene catalyzed by Al2O3-supported metal phthalocyanines
Authors: Niu Fanfan , Jiang Ying , Chen Ping , Zhan Licheng , Sun Xiaoling
Published: April 2018

This report presents a study of synthesis of hydratropic aldehyde from α-methylstyrene employing Al2O3-supported metal phthalocyanines as catalyst, molecular oxygen as oxidant and isobutyraldehyde as co-oxidant. The catalytic system was applied in the synthesis of hydratropic aldehyde for the first time. Under optimal conditions, the conversion of α-methylstyrene reached 99%, whereas the selectivity of hydratropic aldehyde reached 85.14%. Possible reaction mechanism and the effects of different factors on oxidation reaction were investigated. Aluminum oxide-supported metal (M = Co, Ni, and Fe) phthalocyanine catalysts (MPc/Al2O3) were prepared using the “ship-in-a-bottle” method by synthesizing metallophthalocyanines in support holes. Obtained catalysts were characterized by N2 adsorption, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area (BET), inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), IR, UV-Visible (UV-Vis), and X-ray diffraction (XRD).
A New Hybrid Protection Algorithm for Protection of Power Transformer Based on Discrete Wavelet Transform and ANFIS Inference Systems
Authors: Salama A.M. , Abdel-Latif K. M. , Ismail Mohamed M. , Mousa S. M.
Published: April 2018

This paper presents a new protection algorithm for power transformers. The new algorithm is based on Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) and (ANFIS) Inference System. The simulation of power transformer is done using BCTRAN subroutine of ATP software to simulate the internal faults cases. The protection algorithm using DWT and ANFIS is implemented MATLAB Simulink software. The new Algorithm is tested on 40/40/15 MVA, 220/70/11.5 KV power transformer. The proposed algorithm satisfies high degree of accuracy and faster response time.
Effects of artemisinin, with or without lumefantrine and amodiaquine on gastric ulcer healing in rat
Authors: Ajeigbe Kazeem O. , Emikpe Benjamin O. , Olaleye Samuel Babafemi
Published: April 2018

Background

Antimalarial drugs have been shown to predispose the stomach to ulceration in rats. However, their role in the modulation of gastric ulcer healing is not known. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of artemisinin-based combination therapies on ulcer healing.

Methods

Gastric kissing ulcers were induced in 40 male albino rats (150–180 g) using 0.2 mL 50% acetic acid. One day after the ulcer induction, experimental rats were divided into four groups and treated once daily orally for 3 days as follows: (1) normal saline, (2) artemether-lumefantrine (2/12 mg/kg), (3) artesunate-amodiaquine (4/10 mg/kg), and (4) artesunate (2 mg/kg) only. A fifth group of 10 rats served as overall control with no ulcer induced and no treatment given. Ulcer healing was determined on days 4 and 7 post induction using ulcer score and planimetry.

Results

Artesunate decreased ulcer severity by 12.5% and 52.0% on days 4 and 7, respectively. Significant increases in severity were observed in rats treated with artemether-lumefantrine (25.0% and 40.0%) and artesunate-amodiaquine (50.0% and 95.0%). Lipid peroxidation was decreased by artesunate by day 7 (27%; p<0.05) but increased in artemether-lumefantrine and artesunate-amodiaquine administered rats (63.6% and 55%; p<0.05). The activity of superoxide dismutase was reduced by artesunate-amodiaquine on day 7 (22%; p<0.05) but no effect in the artemether-lumefantrine treatment. Neutrophil infiltration, total leukocyte count, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, and C-reactive protein values were significantly increased in the artemether-lumefantrine and artesunate-amodiaquine treated groups when compared with the untreated ulcer control group (p<0.05). These variables were all reduced by artesunate (p<0.05).

Conclusions

This study revealed that although artesunate may be beneficial in gastric ulcer healing, its combination with either lumefantrine or amodiaquine may delay healing of gastric mucosal injury.
Age-Dependent Changes in Plasma Amino Acids Contribute to Alterations in Glycoxidation Products
Authors: Foroumandi Elaheh , Alizadeh Mohammad , Kheirouri Sorayya
Published: April 2018

Background: Glycative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of various degenerative disorders. This study sought to determine the effect of age-related changes in amino acids on serum levels of pentosidine and carboxymethyl-lysine (CML) in healthy individuals.

Methods: The subjects were 78 healthy individuals categorized into three age groups. The ages of the groups were as follows: 26 young adults (20–30 y, 25.2±3.03), 26 middle-aged adults (35–50 y, 39.46±6.97) and 26 older adults (60 y or older, 69.80±10.01). Serum levels of pentosidine and CML were measured by ELISA and levels of plasma amino acids were determined using HPLC.

Results: Serum levels of pentosidine and CML in the youngest group were higher than in the oldest group (p=0.026, 0.029, respectively). There was a positive correlation between the serum levels of pentosidine and CML and the levels of plasmaTyrosine (p=0.032, r=0.211 and p=0.037, r=0.224), Valine (p=0.037, r=0.224 and p=0.021, r=0.247) and Isoleucine (p=0.041, r=0.203 and p=0.021, r=0.247), respectively. Serum levels of pentosidine and CML may be modulated by the plasma levels of selected amino acids.

Conclusions: Better understanding of the role of these selective amino acids might provide new perception of how glycation pathways may be altered and pave the way for new therapeutic principles.
Friedrich II., ein Sizilianer auf dem Kaiserthron?
Authors: Houben Hubert
Published: April 2018

Riassunto

Il contributo esamina la tesi di Olaf Rader, secondo cui l’imperatore Federico II, nato in Italia e cresciuto in Sicilia, sarebbe stato „durch und durch Sizilianer“ (del tutto siciliano), come aveva sostenuto nella seconda meta del sec. XIX Leopold von Ranke e di conseguenza „il primo straniero sul trono tedesco“, come scrisse poi Johannes Haller nella prima meta del Novecento. Secondo tale interpretazione, egli avrebbe dato priorita al regno di Sicilia, ereditato dalla madre Costanza d’Altavilla, e trascurato invece l’impero romano-tedesco, diversamente da suo nonno Federico I Barbarossa. Questa tesi risulta poco convincente perche attribuendo a Federico II una chiara identita siciliana si trascura il fatto che egli, trasferitosi in Germania all’eta di 17 anni e rimanendovi per otto, si immerse in un contesto del tutto tedesco, riappropriandosi delle sue radici sveve. Inoltre Federico II difese accanitamente gli interessi dell’impero romano-tedesco contro il papato e i comuni settentrionali, mettendo le ingenti risorse economiche del regno di Sicilia al servizio delle sue azioni militari. Essendo a quell’epoca particolarmente importante la presenza fisica del sovrano per l’azione di governo, Federico ovvio alla sua assenza nelle zone d’oltralpe, prive di strutture amministrative paragonabili a quelle italiane, delegando i suoi figli - Enrico (VII) prima e Corrado IV poi - a rappresentarlo in Germania. La tesi di un Federico II come „il siciliano sul trono imperiale“ non convince perche e basata su concetti ottoe novecenteschi quali popolo, nazione e identita nazionali che mal si adattano al Medioevo.
Der Ingenieur Konrad Gruter von Werden in Ferrara, Venedig, Lucca und Pietrasanta (ca. 1402–1424)
Authors: Lohrmann Dietrich
Published: April 2018

Riassunto

Il nome del chierico e ingegnere Konrad Gruter di Werden/Ruhr e emerso solo nel 2006 con la pubblicazione del suo trattato De machinis et rebus mechanicis compilato nel 1424 a Venezia e dedicato al re Erik VII di Danimarca, Norvegia e Svezia. Al contempo e stato possibile ricostruire le tappe della sua attivita, lunga piu di trent’anni, come sperimentatore e ingegnere consigliere presso una serie di corti principesche italiane. Una fonte d’informazione, pero, e rimasta finora in gran parte inesplorata, vale a dire il materiale assai istruttivo, benche molto sparso, conservato nell’Archivio di Stato di Lucca. Alla raccolta di queste notizie ha collaborato Dr. Geoffrey Nuttall, Courtauld Institute London.
La santa di Casa: Benedetto XIV e la beata Imelda Lambertini
Authors: Fattori Maria Teresa
Published: April 2018

Papst Benedikt XIV. leitete keinen auf die Kanonisierung zielenden Seligsprechungsprozess Imelda Lambertinis ein, obgleich er als Pralat die junge, 1333 verstorbene Nonne schatzte. Die Uberlieferung weist in diesem Fall viele Lucken und kaum zuverlassiges Quellenmaterial auf, wahrend die Literatur des 18. Jh. aus dem Umfeld Muratoris dem Seligenkult Imeldas eher abtraglich war. Der Beitrag analysiert in drei Schritten die Grunde fur die Weigerungshaltung Benedikts XIV. (1675-1758). Zunachst werden die Fakten und Dokumente zusammengestellt, uber die sich der Papst die entsprechenden Informationen zu verschaffen versuchte. In einem zweiten Schritt wird die Entwicklung des Imelda-Kultes im 17. und 18. Jh. skizziert, wobei der potentiell heilige Wesenszug dieser Figur aufscheint und das Thema der eucharistischen Devotion, die fur ihr Leben kennzeichnend ist, in den Zusammenhang der Debatten uber die Eucharistie eingeordnet wird. Schlieslich sollen die Zweifel erortert werden, mit denen die Kultur des 18. Jh. auf die hagiographische Tradition blickte; vor dem Hintergrund des innigen, aber auch hochst kritischen Verhaltnisses zwischen dem Bologneser Papst einerseits und seiner Familie bzw. seiner Geburtsstadt andererseits lassen sich auf diese Weise die Beweggrunde herausarbeiten, die ihm nahelegten, auf eine Selig- und Heiligsprechung zu verzichten.
Bayerische Blicke auf den römischen Kunstmarkt (1790–1815)
Authors: Putz Hannelore
Published: April 2018

Riassunto

A partire dal Rinascimento, Roma fu il centro europeo del mercato delle antichita e delle opere d’arte, nonche dell’attivita artistica. L’importanza politica e culturale, assunta dalla citta quasi senza soluzione di continuita fin dai tempi antichi, aveva fatto nascere, nel corso dei secoli, straordinarie collezioni di opere d’arte. Al contempo gli artisti producevano nuove opere, e giovani artisti confluivano in questa „metropoli europea dell’arte“ per studiare, per imparare dai grandi, per raccoglierne gli impulsi in maniera creativa, per riportare in patria le cognizioni acquisite. I rivolgimenti e le crisi politiche, economiche e belliche, che verso la fine del XVIII secolo scuotevano tutta l’Europa, ebbero dirette consequenze sul delicatissimo mercato d’arte romano, cambiandone radicalmente le condizioni complessive che sarebbero rimaste critiche fino al riordinamento dell’Europa dopo le guerre napoleoniche. Nel 1810 il principe ereditario bavarese, Lodovico, mando a Roma lo scultore Johann Martin von Wagner che nella qualita di agente d’arte doveva rappresentare i suoi interessi in loco. L’intensa corrispondenza tra i due, che duro fino alla morte di Wagner sopravvenuta nel 1858, getta una luce particolare sul mercato romano dalla prospettiva del committente e nell’ottica professionale dell’artista. Si apre cosi uno squarcio singolare sulle condizioni e sui meccanismi del mercato e i suoi attori durante gli ultimi anni dell’eta napoleonica a Roma.
A proposito di Nationes a Roma in età moderna: provenienza, appartenenza culturale, integrazione sociale
Authors: Fosi Irene
Published: April 2018

Der Beitrag behandelt neuere Studien zum Thema der nationes im fruhneuzeitlichen Rom in jungeren Studien. Er bezieht sich auf Forschungen angesehener auslandischer Einrichtungen wie der Bibliotheca Hertziana, Studien italienischer und auslandischer Wissenschaftler, die an einem von der romischen Accademia di Ungheria organisierten Studientag teilgenommen hatten, aber auch auf Untersuchungen einzelner Wissenschaftler. Alle behandeln nicht nur die kunstlerischen Perspektiven, dieser nationalen Einrichtungen - Kirchen, Bruderschaften, Kollegien -, sondern analysieren auch deren Rolle als soziale, kulturelle und politische Aggregations- und Integrationsorte, die sie in dem komplexen romischen Umfeld ausgefullt haben. Eine eindeutige Definition der Begriffe natio und Nationalkirche bleibt dabei schwierig, vor allem dann, wenn in den Einrichtungen Personen und Gruppen aus entfernten Territorien und Grenzregionen zusammenkamen. Vor diesem vielschichtigen Hintergrund fehlt es ferner noch an einer vertieften Erorterung der Nationalkollegien, die eine Missions- und Beherbergungsfunktion in sich vereinten.
Team Dynamics, Running, and Skill-Related Performances of Brazilian U11 to Professional Soccer Players During Official Matches
Authors: Palucci Vieira Luiz H. , Aquino Rodrigo , Moura Felipe A. , Barros Ricardo M.L de , Arpini Vitor M. , Oliveira Lucas P. , Bedo Bruno L.S , Santiago Paulo R.P
Published: April 2018

Palucci Vieira, LH, Aquino, R, Moura, FA, Barros, RMLd, Arpini, VM, Oliveira, LdP, Bedo, BLdS, and Pereira Santiago, PR. Team dynamics, running, and skill-related performances of Brazilian U11 to professional soccer players during official matches. J Strength Cond Res 33(8): 2202–2216, 2019—Analyses of movements during soccer competition have been used previously to help develop conditioning programs. However, this has not been extensively studied in youth populations. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to examine (1) dynamics of collective tactical movements, (2) running, and (3) skill-related performances during soccer matches disputed by children to senior players. A total of 120 Brazilian players in the age groups U11, U13, U15, U17, U20, and professional (PRO) were monitored during official competition matches (N = 12). Using semiautomatic video-based tracking (30 Hz), match running variables including total distance traveled, average speed, maximum sprint speed, and high-intensity activities were evaluated. Tactical metrics were computed as team surface area, spread, and median frequency. Through notational analysis, technical skills such as involvements with the ball, passes, ball touches, duels, and goal attempts were also recorded. One-way analysis of variance and magnitude-based inferences were used to detect differences between ages. Although the average speed, team surface area, and spread tended to present stabilized increases from the U15 (e.g., U15 > U13 > U11), maximal sprinting speed (PRO > U17 > U15, U13, U11) and percentage at very high-intensity activities (U20 > PRO, U17 > U15 > U13 > U11) demonstrated continuous gains. Median frequencies were higher in the younger groups (U13, U15, U17 > U20, PRO), although the percentage of successful passes was higher in the older groups (PRO > U17, U15 > U13, U11). We concluded that Brazilian U11 to PRO players present different performance profiles for running, collective movement dynamics, and technical skills, and that the rate of development regarding these components varies. Coaches should be aware of these differences to select and adapt training content for each age group.
Primary Tactile Thalamus Spiking Reflects Cognitive Signals
Authors: Waiblinger Christian , Whitmire Clarissa J. , Sederberg Audrey , Stanley Garrett B. , Schwarz Cornelius
Published: April 2018

Little is known about whether information transfer at primary sensory thalamic nuclei is modified by behavioral context. Here we studied the influence of previous decisions/rewards on current choices and preceding spike responses of ventroposterior medial thalamus (VPm; the primary sensory thalamus in the rat whisker-related tactile system). We trained head-fixed rats to detect a ramp-like deflection of one whisker interspersed within ongoing white noise stimulation. Using generative modeling of behavior, we identify two task-related variables that are predictive of actual decisions. The first reflects task engagement on a local scale (“trial history”: defined as the decisions and outcomes of a small number of past trials), whereas the other captures behavioral dynamics on a global scale (“satiation”: slow dynamics of the response pattern along an entire session). Although satiation brought about a slow drift from Go to NoGo decisions during the session, trial history was related to local (trial-by-trial) patterning of Go and NoGo decisions. A second model that related the same predictors first to VPm spike responses, and from there to decisions, indicated that spiking, in contrast to behavior, is sensitive to trial history but relatively insensitive to satiation. Trial history influences VPm spike rates and regularity such that a history of Go decisions would predict fewer noise-driven spikes (but more regular ones), and more ramp-driven spikes. Neuronal activity in VPm, thus, is sensitive to local behavioral history, and may play an important role in higher-order cognitive signaling.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTIt is an important question for perceptual and brain functions to find out whether cognitive signals modulate the sensory signal stream and if so, where in the brain this happens. This study provides evidence that decision and reward history can already be reflected in the ascending sensory pathway, on the level of first-order sensory thalamus. Cognitive signals are relayed very selectively such that only local trial history (spanning a few trials) but not global history (spanning an entire session) are reflected.
Granular cell tumour of the neurohypophysis: an unusual cause of hypopituitarism
Authors: Bello Carlos Tavares , Cipriano Patricia , Henriques Vanessa , Duarte João Sequeira , Marques Conceição Canas
Published: April 2018

Granular cell tumours (GCT) are rare, slow-growing, benign neoplasms that are usually located in the head and neck. They are more frequent in the female gender and typically have an asymptomatic clinical course, being diagnosed only at autopsy. Symptomatic GCT of the neurohypophysis are exceedingly rare, being less than 70 cases described so far. The authors report on a case of a 28-year-old male that presented to the Endocrinology clinic with clinical and biochemical evidence of hypogonadism. He also reported minor headaches without any major visual symptoms. Further laboratory tests confirmed hypopituitarism (hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism, central hypothyroidism and hypocortisolism) and central nervous system imaging revealed a pituitary macroadenoma. The patient underwent transcranial pituitary adenoma resection and the pathology report described a GCT of the neurohypophysis with low mitotic index. The reported case is noteworthy for the rarity of the clinicopathological entity.

Learning points:

Symptomatic GCTs are rare CNS tumours whose cell of origin is not well defined that usually give rise to visual symptoms, headache and endocrine dysfunction.

Imaging is quite unspecific and diagnosis is difficult to establish preoperatively.

Surgical excision is challenging due to lesion’s high vascularity and propensity to adhere to adjacent structures.

The reported case is noteworthy for the rarity of the clinicopathological entity.
Dual ectopic thyroid associated with thyroid hemiagenesis
Authors: Nakamura Shigenori , Masuda Teruyuki , Ishimori Masatoshi
Published: April 2018

We report a case of a 15-year-old girl with a midline neck mass that was first noted 2 or 3 years previously. She had been treated with levothyroxine (L-T4) for congenital hypothyroidism until 11 years of age. Ultrasonography revealed an atrophic right thyroid (1.0 × 1.6 × 2.6 cm in size) and a mass (2.3 × 1.0 × 3.5 cm in size) in the upper part of the neck. No left lobe of the thyroid was detected. On further evaluation, Tc-99m pertechnetate thyroid scintigraphy and CT showed ectopic thyroid tissue in the lingual region and infrahyoid region. Thus, she was diagnosed as having dual ectopic thyroid and thyroid hemiagenesis. The atrophic right thyroid was thought be non-functional. Treatment with L-T4 was started to reduce the size of the dual ectopic thyroid tissue. This may be the first reported case of dual ectopic thyroid associated with hemiagenesis detected only by ultrasonography.

Learning points:

Ultrasonography can confirm the presence or absence of orthotopic thyroid tissue in patients with ectopic thyroid.

The cause of congenital hypothyroidism should be examined.

Clinical manifestation of ectopic thyroid may appear when the treatment with L-T4 is discontinued.

Annual follow-up is needed in all children when their thyroid hormone replacement is stopped.
Adipose and skeletal muscle thermogenesis: studies from large animals
Authors: Fuller-Jackson John-Paul , Henry Belinda A
Published: April 2018

The balance between energy intake and energy expenditure establishes and preserves a ‘set-point’ body weight. The latter is comprised of three major components including metabolic rate, physical activity and thermogenesis. Thermogenesis is defined as the cellular dissipation of energy via heat production. This process has been extensively characterised in brown adipose tissue (BAT), wherein uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) creates a proton leak across the inner mitochondrial membrane, diverting protons away from ATP synthesis and resulting in heat dissipation. In beige adipocytes and skeletal muscle, thermogenesis can occur independent of UCP1. Beige adipocytes have been shown to produce heat via UCP1 as well as via both futile creatine and calcium cycling pathways. On the other hand, the UCP1 homologue UCP3 is abundant in skeletal muscle and post-prandial thermogenesis has been associated with UCP3 and the futile calcium cycling. This review will focus on the differential contributions of adipose tissue and skeletal muscle in determining total thermogenic output and energy expenditure in large mammals. Sheep and pigs do not have a circumscribed brown fat depot but rather possess white fat depots that contain brown and beige adipocytes interspersed amongst white adipose tissue. This is representative of humans, where brown, beige and white adipocytes have been identified in the neck and supraclavicular regions. This review will describe the mechanisms of thermogenesis in pigs and sheep and the relative roles of skeletal muscle and adipose tissue thermogenesis in controlling body weight in larger mammals.
Calculations of the thermal conductivity of Si1-xGex films with nonuniform composition
Authors: Kuryliuk V. V. , Krit O. M.
Published: April 2018

SiGe films have attracted much attention recently due to experimental demonstrations of improved thermoelectric properties over those of the corresponding bulk material. However, despite this increasing attention, available information on the thermoelectric properties of Si1-xGex films is quite limited, especially for nonuniform composition in wide temperature interval. In this paper we have used the Boltzmann equation under the relaxation-time approximation to calculate the thermal conductivity of Si1-xGex films with nonuniform composition. It is confirmed that SiGe films with nonuniform composition has significantly lower thermal conductivity than its uniform counterpart. This suggests that an improvement in thermoelectric properties is possible by using the SiGe films with nonuniform distribution of germanium.
Interaction of the components in the Gd-Mn-Sn ternary system at 873 and 673 K
Authors: Romaka L. P. , Stadnyk Yu. V. , Romaka V. V. , Konyk M. , Serkiz R.
Published: April 2018

The interaction of the components in the Gd-Mn-Sn ternary system was studied using the methods of X-ray and microstructure analyses, in the whole concentration range. The phase diagrams of the Gd-Mn-Sn system were constructed at 873 and 673 K. At both temperature of investigation the Gd-Mn-Sn system is characterized by existence of two ternary compounds: GdMn6Sn6 (MgFe6Ge6 structure type, space group P6/mmm) and Gd4Mn4Sn7 (Zr4Co4Ge7 structure type, space group I4/mmm). The formation of the interstitial solid solution GdMnхSn2 based on GdSn2 (ZrSi2-type) binary compound was found up to 10 at. % Mn at 873 K and 673 K. The existence of the substitutional solid solution based on GdMn2 (MgCu2-type) was observed up to 5 at.% Sn and 3 at. % Sn at 873 K and 673 K, respectively.
Ancestral State Reconstruction of the Apoptosis Machinery in the Common Ancestor of Eukaryotes
Authors: Klim Joanna , Gładki Arkadiusz , Kucharczyk Roza , Zielenkiewicz Urszula , Kaczanowski Szymon
Published: April 2018

Apoptotic cell death is a type of eukaryotic cell death. In animals, it regulates development, is involved in cancer suppression, and causes cell death during pathological aging of neuronal cells in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Mitochondrial apoptotic-like cell death, a form of primordial apoptosis, also occurs in unicellular organisms. Here, we ask the question why the apoptosis machinery has been acquired and maintained in unicellular organisms and attempt to answer it by performing ancestral state reconstruction. We found indications of an ancient evolutionary arms race between protomitochondria and host cells, leading to the establishment of the currently existing apoptotic pathways. According to this reconstruction, the ancestral protomitochondrial apoptosis machinery contained both caspases and metacaspases, four types of apoptosis induction factors (AIFs), both fungal and animal OMI/HTR proteases, and various apoptotic DNases. This leads to the prediction that in extant unicellular eukaryotes, the apoptotic factors are involved in mitochondrial respiration and their activity is needed exclusively in aerobic conditions. We test this prediction experimentally using yeast and find that a loss of the main apoptotic factors is beneficial under anaerobic conditions yet deleterious under aerobic conditions in the absence of lethal stimuli. We also point out potential medical implications of these findings.
Features of Cadmium absorption by plants of spring barley
Authors: Kachmar N. , Foremna I. , Dydiv A.
Published: April 2018

The paper present result of research on the intensity of the absorption of cadmium from the soil by plants barley. The object of the study were plant spring barley varieties Peas in various stages of development. Сadmium was added to the soil (dark-grey podzolic) as a CdCl2·2,5H2O in the concentration of 3, 15 and 30 mg Cd+2 per kg of the soil. Сadmium is one of the heavy metals which occur in the environment as a result of antropogenic activities. The best solution for maintaining non-contaminated soils and plants is to remove the sources of Cd in the environment. Given that that is essentially impossible at this time, further research needs to determine how soil and plant factors affect Cd availability on polluted soils. Of all non-essential heavy metals, Cadmium (Cd) is perhaps the metal that has attracted the most attention in soil science and plant nutrition due to its potential toxicity to humans, and also its relative mobility in the soil-plant system. The Cadmium is for plants completely unnecessary element. Of particular concern for humans are the high concentrations of Cd in grain. Established that the Cadmium content in barley amended as follows: underground faction > vegetative biomass fraction > generative fraction (control and on the variant of contamination of soil in a dose 3 mg Cd+2 per kg of the soil) and underground faction > generative fraction > vegetative biomass fraction (on the variants of experience 5 and 10 maximum possible concentration of Cd+2). Сadmium absorbed most intensive barley in the flowering stage. Cadmium is characterized by subzero migratory ability in theorgans of barley. Roots are the main accumulators of this heavy metal. Every stress conditions are signal for a plant to initiate in its cells a number of different biochemical processes (e.g. changes of cytoplasm pH, changes of electrostatic potential of cell membranes, flow of ions). It is set that getting a clean straw and clean grain ispossible only on the variants of experien-ce 1 maximum possible concentration of Cd+2 and on control. The effect of сadmium and other heavy metals on plants depends not only on its form, but also on the presence and concentration of other elements and substances, the plant species and its developmental stage are also important. Several soil conditions, such as the pH value, calcium level, content of organic substances, particulaly humus etc., are decisive for the exchangeable and water soluble, available сadmium for plants.
Removal of nourishing substances with meadow grass harvest
Authors: Vyhovsky I. V.
Published: April 2018

At present, the need for crops in fertilizers is determined by an amount of mineral nutrients carried out by the planned crop and by the results of field experiment, taking into account the effective fertility of the soil. Experimental studies were conducted on the eroded slope of steepness 6–7° on the basis of the Rivne Institute of Agricultural Production of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. The soil of the experimental site is dark gray, light-sand, medium-grained, extracted. In order to create cereal-leguminous grass, haymaking, the grass-blend was planted in a non-obtrusive manner, the following grasses were added to the composition: alfalfa sowed (4.4 million pounds per hectare) + long beetroot horned (4.4 million pounds per hectare) + bromus inermis (3.4 million pounds per hectare) + Lolium perenne (3.4 million pounds per hectare). The experiment used double and triple combinations of mineral fertilizers in accordance with the scheme and used growth stimulants (emistom C and fumar). Nitrogen fertilizers were administered in the dose N30 in the spring and after the second slump. Phosphoric and potassium – in the spring. Results of our analysis show that the removal of nutrients and their content in the root remains more depend on the harvest of dry overground mass and accumulation of root residues, than from the chemical composition of cereals and legumes grass mix. In variants where mineral nitrogen was not introduced, the accumulation of this element in the crop occurs at the expense of growth stimulator (fumar) and the symbiotic fixation of nitrogen by bean grasses. We have established that the removal of nitrogen with the harvest was 162.4–240.0 kg/ha, phosphorus 46.5–66.7 kg/ha, potassium – 184.8–240.0 kg/ha. The highest yield was from nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in variants with full mineral fertilizer in the norm N60P60K90 + growth stimulator fumar and was 240.0 kg/ha, 66.7 kg/ha, 240.0 kg/ha respectively. The results are presented, which confirm that at a low level of mineral nutrition a significant amount of nutrients is removed by the harvest. According to our calculations, a positive balance between nitrogen and phosphorus and negative for potassium was noted on variants of cereal-leguminous grasses of hayfield use (Medicago sativa alfalfa crop, Lotus corniculatus lyadvenets Horned, Promus rump beardless inermis, and Lolium multiflorum) with full mineral fertilizers in a dose of N60P60K90 + fumar. It was established that cereal grasses use nitrogen in the ear staining phase, and fertilizer and root residues are not sufficient to cover its removal with a biological harvest.
Production of geese at using unconventional additions in mixed fodder
Authors: Fialovych L. M. , Kyryliv Ia. I. , Paskevych H. A.
Published: April 2018

The article provides the results of the researches concerning the efficiency of using dry apple pomaces with adding chelate Cuprum and Zink while growing geese. Experimentally was determined the effective level of these additives and researched their influence. It was theoretically and practically grounded the expediency of the use in the mixed fodders for the geese of unconventional forage additions and found out their influence on the indexes of the productivity of geese, content of carotenoids in goose yolks  and  intensity  of goslings growth. Nutrition indicates that dry apple pomaces contain a large number of biologically active substances, in particular carotenoids, phospholipids, and a number of mineral elements, especially Cobalt and Iodine. In addition, in this case, the term «waste» is rather arbitrary. Apple pomaces which contain high amounts of ingredients should be taken as secondary material resources and use for fodder purposes. However, an increase level of raw cellulose of dry apple pomaces (27.79%) something  restrains their addition to the content of mixed fodder for poultry in high doses. However, geese are able to reach the corresponding level of the productivity after high containing of cellulose. However, in an order to promote the ability of poultry to use effectively the nutritives of this plant feed, there was a necessity of application of chelates, that  increase  catalytic functions of the body. It is found that the usage of non-traditional feed additives provides the rise in the process of eggs laying by 18.9%, promote the rise of vitality of goslings and content  of  carotenoids in yolks by 16.8%. The usage of dry apple pomace which is the waste substances of apple juice  production after further drying, in small doses up to 7% is the optimal balance of nutrients. It is also obvious that the micro elements in the form of chelates have got a chemically protected shape, and in such a way they keep increasing the biological availability of the metal. It contributes to maintaining of the content of micro elements in organs and tissues, thus improving  the  intensity of  goslings  by 10.33%.