bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A complete cross-over design evaluating canine acceptance of Carprieve® and Rimadyl® carprofen chewable tablets in healthy dogs
Authors: Dewsbury Diana M. A. , DeDonder Keith D. , Rezac Darrell J. , Cernicchiaro Natalia
Published: November 2019

Background

Osteoarthritis (OA) affects nearly 20% of all dogs greater than one year of age. Clinical signs include pain, discomfort, lameness, and ultimately lead to disability. Although there is currently no known cure, there are many therapeutic options that can slow the progression and alleviate the associated signs. There is ample supportive evidence demonstrating the efficaciousness of carprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, in managing signs of OA. Since the approval of the pioneer product (Rimadyl®, Zoetis; Kalamazoo, Michigan), the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has assented to several other generic, bioequivalent products. The objective of this 2 × 2 complete cross-over design was to assess the acceptance of two bioequivalent carprofen liver-flavored chewable tablets (containing 25 mg carprofen), Rimadyl® and Carprieve® (Norbrook Laboratories Limited; Newry, Northern Ireland) in 37 healthy purpose-bred dogs.

Results

Overall, 73.0% (27/37) and 70.3% (26/37) of dogs voluntarily accepted Rimadyl® and Carprieve®, respectively. Considering acceptability tests paired by individual dog, 64.9% of dogs (n = 24) voluntarily accepted both Rimadyl® and Carprieve® chewable tablets whereas 21.6% (8) of dogs denied or partially accepted both products offered. Three dogs (8.1%) fully accepted Rimadyl® but did not accept Carprieve®. Conversely, two dogs (5.4%) fully accepted Carprieve® but did not accept Rimadyl®. Canine acceptability did not significantly differ between Carprieve® and Rimadyl® carprofen chewable tablets (P = 0.65).

Conclusions

Utilizing a 2 × 2 complete cross-over design, this study provides evidence that canine acceptability of a single-dose did not differ between Carprieve® and Rimadyl® chewable tablets.
Correction to: Integrative analysis of loss-of-function variants in clinical and genomic data reveals novel genes associated with cardiovascular traits
Authors: Glicksberg Benjamin S. , Amadori Letizia , Akers Nicholas K. , Sukhavasi Katyayani , Franzén Oscar , Li Li , Belbin Gillian M. , Ayers Kristin L. , Shameer Khader , Badgeley Marcus A. , Johnson Kipp W. , Readhead Ben , Darrow Bruce J. , Kenny Eimear E. , Betsholtz Christer , Ermel Raili , Skogsberg Josefin , Ruusalepp Arno , Schadt Eric E. , Dudley Joel T. , Ren Hongxia , Kovacic Jason C. , Giannarelli Chiara , Li Shuyu D. , Björkegren Johan L. M. , Chen Rong
Published: November 2019

.
Generic estimator of biomass concentration for Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae fed-batch cultures based on cumulative oxygen consumption rate
Authors: Urniezius Renaldas , Survyla Arnas , Paulauskas Dziugas , Bumelis Vladas Algirdas , Galvanauskas Vytautas
Published: November 2019

Background

The focus of this study is online estimation of biomass concentration in fed-batch cultures. It describes a bioengineering software solution, which is explored for Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae fed-batch cultures. The experimental investigation of both cultures presents experimental validation results since the start of the bioprocess, i.e. since the injection of inoculant solution into bioreactor. In total, four strains were analyzed, and 21 experiments were performed under varying bioprocess conditions, out of which 7 experiments were carried out with dosed substrate feeding. Development of the microorganisms’ culture invariant generic estimator of biomass concentration was the main goal of this research.

Results

The results show that stoichiometric parameters provide acceptable knowledge on the state of biomass concentrations during the whole cultivation process, including the exponential growth phase of both E. coli and S. cerevisiae cultures. The cell culture stoichiometric parameters are estimated by a procedure based on the Luedeking/Piret-model and maximization of entropy. The main input signal of the approach is cumulative oxygen uptake rate at fed-batch cultivation processes. The developed noninvasive biomass estimation procedure was intentionally made to not depend on the selection of corresponding bioprocess/bioreactor parameters.

Conclusions

The precision errors, since the bioprocess start, when inoculant was injected to a bioreactor, confirmed that the approach is relevant for online biomass state estimation. This included the lag and exponential growth phases for both E. coli and S. cerevisiae. The suggested estimation procedure is identical for both cultures. This approach improves the precision achieved by other authors without compromising the simplicity of the implementation. Moreover, the suggested approach is a candidate method to be the microorganisms’ culture invariant approach. It does not depend on any numeric initial optimization conditions, it does not require any of bioreactor parameters. No numeric stability issues of convergence occurred during multiple performance tests. All this makes this approach a potential candidate for industrial tasks with adaptive feeding control or automatic inoculations when substrate feeding profile and bioreactor parameters are not provided.
Exploring the phenotype and genotype of multi-drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae harbouring blaCTX-M group extended-spectrum β-lactamases recovered from paediatric clinical cases in Shenzhen, China
Authors: Patil Sandip , Chen Xiaowen , Wen Feiqiu
Published: November 2019

Background

Emergence and spread of β-lactamase resistantKlebsiella pneumoniaehave posedaserious threat, especially in paediatric patients globally. The present study focuses on explore drug resistance profile and molecular characterization of carbapenemase and extended-spectrum β-lactamase producingK. pneumoniaeisolated from paediatric patients in Shenzhen, China.

Methods

Present study, a total of 31 isolates of multi-drug resistantK. pneumoniaewere collected from Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, China during Jan 2014 to December 2015. ESBLs production was confirmed by using the combination disc diffusion method followed by antimicrobial susceptibility. In addition, β-lactamase encoding genes were determined by PCR assay and sequencing. The genotypic diversity and phylogenetic relationship were determined by multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) method and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).

Results

We examined 31, uniqueK. pneumoniaeisolates collected from 2014 and 2015 in Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, China. All the 31 isolates 100% were resistant to ceftazidime, ertapenem, ampicillin, cefazolin and ampicillin-sulbactam followed by ceftriaxone 94% (n = 29), aztreonam 89% (n = 26), cefepime 84% (n = 26), nitrofurantoin 75% (n = 24), piperacillin 52% (n = 16), and levofloxacin 49% (n = 15). Of the 31 β-lactamase gene coding isolates,blaCTX-Mwas mainly detected in about 100% (n = 31), followed byblaKPC71% (n = 22),blaSHV61% (n = 19),blaNDM25% (n = 8),blaCYM13% (n = 4),blaOXA-489% (n = 3),blaGES9% (n = 3) andblaTEM6% (n = 2). Seventeen distinct sequences type were observed with ST20 being mostly identified 16% (n = 5). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) typing showed that identical profile for the isolates recovered from the Department of Intensive Care Unit and Department of Neurology of our hospital. Plasmid replicon typing result indicates the presence of IncFIS type as highest in all isolates as 61% (n = 19), followed by IncFIB 23% (n = 7), IncFIA and IncFIC 16% (n = 5) each.

Conclusion

Our study reports the occurrence and spread of extended β-lactamaseK. pneumoniaeST20 and ST2407 for the first time, in Shenzhen, particularly in paediatric patients. To prevent and control the infection by limiting the spread of infection-causing organisms it is very crucial to detect the presence of resistant genes at an early stage.
Recent updates on CAR T clinical trials for multiple myeloma
Authors: Lin Quande , Zhao Juanjuan , Song Yongping , Liu Delong
Published: November 2019

Proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory agents and monoclonal antibodies have dramatically changed the natural history of multiple myeloma (MM). However, most patients eventually suffer a relapse and succumb to the disease. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) engineered T cells targeting B cell maturation antigen (BCMA), CD138, CS1 glycoprotein antigen (SLAMF7) and light chains are in active development for therapy of refractory /relapsed (RR) MM. CD19- targeted CAR T cells in conjunction with autologous stem cell transplantation also showed activity in RRMM. Dual- target CAR T cells are in clinical trials for RRMM. This review summarized the recent updates of ongoing CAR T clinical trials for multiple myeloma.
Health-related quality of life and its predictors among patients with breast cancer at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Sibhat Selamawit Gebrehiwot , Fenta Teferi Gedif , Sander Beate , Gebretekle Gebremedhin Beedemariam
Published: November 2019

Background

Breast cancer is the second most prevalent malignancy in Ethiopia and severely affects patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We aimed to assess HRQoL, factors influencing HRQoL, and utilities among breast cancer patients at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methods

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital from December 2017 to February, 2018. A total of 404 breast cancer patients were interviewed using the validated Amharic version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer module (EORTC QLQ-C30), EORTC QLQ-BR23, and Euro Quality of Life Group’s 5-Domain Questionnaires 5 Levels (EQ-5D-5 L) instruments. Mean scores and mean differences of EORTC- QLQ-C30 and EORTC- QLQ-BR23 were calculated. One-way ANOVA test was employed to determine the significance of mean differences among dependent and independent variables while stepwise multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the global quality of life (GQOL). Coefficients and level specific utility values obtained from a hybrid regression model for the Ethiopian population were used to compute utility values of each health state. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23.

Results

The mean age of patients was 43.94 ± 11.72 years. The mean score for GQoL and visual analog scale was 59.32 ± 22.94 and 69.94 ± 20.36, respectively while the mean utility score was 0.8 ± 0.25. Predictors of GQoL were stage of cancer (AOR = 7.94; 95% CI: 1.83–34.54), cognitive functioning (AOR = 2.38; 95% CI: 1.32–4.31), pain (AOR = 7.99; 95% CI: 4.62–13.83), financial difficulties (AOR = 2.60; 95% CI: 1.56–4.35), and future perspective (AOR = 2.08; 95% CI: 1.24–3.49).

Conclusions

The overall GQoL of breast cancer patients was moderate. Targeted approaches to improve patients’ HRQoL should consider stage of cancer, cognitive functioning, pain, financial status and worries about the patient’s future health. This study also provides estimates of EQ-5D utility scores that can be used in economic evaluations.
Correction to: Frequent genetic aberrations in the cell cycle related genes in mucosal melanoma indicate the potential for targeted therapy
Authors: Xu Longwen , Cheng Zhiyuan , Cui Chuanliang , Wu Xiaowen , Yu Huan , Guo Jun , Kong Yan
Published: November 2019

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors reported errors in Figures 2, 3 and Figure 3 ‘continued’
Wild edible plants in Yeşilli (Mardin-Turkey), a multicultural area
Authors: Yeşil Yeter , Çelik Mahmut , Yılmaz Bahattin
Published: November 2019

Background

The Yeşilli district (Mardin) is located in the southeastern of Turkey and hosts different cultures. The objective of this study was to record the traditional knowledge of wild edible plants used by indigenous people in Yeşilli, where no ethnobotanical studies have been conducted previously.

Methods

An ethnobotanical study was carried out in Yeşilli district in March 2017–March 2019 to document the traditional knowledge of wild edible plants. The data were collected by interviewing 62 informants. Additionally, the data were analysed based on the cultural importance index (CI) and factor informant consensus (FİC) to determine the cultural significance of wild edible plants and knowledge of wild edible plants among the informants.

Results

We documented 74 wild edible taxa belonging to 31 families and 57 genera in the present study. The richness of the wild edible taxa was highest for vegetables (46 taxa), followed by medicinal plants (17 taxa) and fruit (14 taxa). The most important families were Asteraceae (ten taxa), Rosaceae (seven taxa) and Fabaceae (six taxa). The most culturally important taxa (based on the CI index) were Ficus carica subsp. carica, Lepidium draba, Anchusa strigosa, Rhus coriaria, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Sinapis alba, Gundelia tournefortii, Notobasis syriaca, Onopordum carduchorum, Malva neglecta, Mentha longifolia, Juglans regia and Urtica dioica. The maximum number of use reports was recorded for vegetables (1011). The factor informant consensus index (Fic) varied between 0.95 and 0.98 for preserved vegetables, beverages and spices and processed fruits have the highest Fic (0.99). We reported for the first time the ethnobotanical usage of 12 taxa as food. We also recorded the use of Allium wendelboanum, an endemic species in the study area.

Conclusion

The obtained data were compared with data from other wild edible and ethnobotanical studies conducted in Turkey and particularly those conducted in eastern Turkey. Furthermore, the data were compared with data from studies conducted in the bordering countries of Iraq and Armenia. The present study reflects the cultural diversity of the region, and it is necessary to conduct more studies since it is thought that this diversity will contribute to the economy. This study will enable the traditional use of wild plants as food sources to be passed on to future generations.
Super large cardiac hemangioma in right atrium and inferior vena cava: case report
Authors: Perez Rivera C. J. , Figueroa-Casanova R. , Ochoa Bonet C. E. , González-Orozco A.
Published: November 2019

Background

Cardiac hemangiomas are rare cardiac neoplasia usually diagnosed in autopsies, from being asymptomatic to debuting with sudden death. The largest hemangioma published in the literature is of 130 mm size, we present the following case of a successful cardiac hemangioma excision of 280 × 35 mm in size, diagnosed due to recurrent cardiac symptoms.

Case presentation

A 48-year-old female patient, Jehovah’s Witness, with no previous diagnoses, is admitted due to recurrent syncopal episodes in the previous months. A transthoracic echocardiogram diagnosed a tumor in the right atrium and inferior vena cava producing a diastolic right ventricular, with preservation of the left ventricular ejection fraction at 55%. Given the high mortality risk, a surgical intervention was performed immediately. Successful excision was completed confirming a 280 × 35 mm mass without any complications, consistent with hemangioma on histopathology. Postoperative recovery showed no recurrence or complications.

Conclusions

Cardiac hemangiomas are rare and its clinical course can be varied from patient to patient. We present excision of a large cardiac mass with a high mortality risk due to its size and the patient’s spiritual beliefs.
Characterisation of Anopheles strains used for laboratory screening of new vector control products
Authors: Williams Jessica , Flood Lori , Praulins Giorgio , Ingham Victoria A. , Morgan John , Lees Rosemary Susan , Ranson Hilary
Published: November 2019

Background

Insecticides formulated into products that target Anopheles mosquitos have had an immense impact on reducing malaria cases in Africa. However, resistance to currently used insecticides is spreading rapidly and there is an urgent need for alternative public health insecticides. Potential new insecticides must be screened against a range of characterized mosquito strains to identify potential resistance liabilities. The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine maintains three susceptible and four resistant Anopheles strains that are widely used for screening for new insecticides. The properties of these strains are described in this paper.

Methods

WHO tube susceptibility bioassays were used for colony selection and to screen for resistance to the major classes of public health insecticides. Topical and tarsal contact bioassays were used to produce dose response curves to assess resistance intensity. Bioassays with the synergist piperonyl butoxide were also performed. Taqman™ assays were used to screen for known target site resistance alleles (kdr and ace-1). RT-qPCR was used to quantify expression of genes associated with pyrethroid resistance.

Results

Pyrethroid selection pressure has maintained resistance to this class in all four resistant strains. Some carbamate and organophosphate resistance has been lost through lack of exposure to these insecticide classes. The Anopheles gambiae (sensu lato) strains, VK7 2014, Banfora M and Tiassalé 13 have higher levels of pyrethroid resistance than the An. funestus FUMOZ-R strain. Elevated expression of P450s is found in all four strains and the 1014F kdr mutation is present in all three An. gambiae strains at varying frequencies. Tarsal contact data and overexpression of CYP4G16 and SAP2 suggest penetration barriers and/or sequestration also confer resistance in Banfora M.

Conclusions

Continual selection with deltamethrin has maintained a stable pyrethroid-resistant phenotype over many generations. In conjunction with a standardized rearing regime, this ensures quality control of strains over time allowing for robust product comparison and selection of optimal products for further development. The identification of multiple mechanisms underpinning insecticide resistance highlights the importance of screening new compounds against a range of mosquito strains.
TSG-6 in conditioned media from adipose mesenchymal stem cells protects against visual deficits in mild traumatic brain injury model through neurovascular modulation
Authors: Jha Kumar Abhiram , Pentecost Mickey , Lenin Raji , Gentry Jordy , Klaic Lada , Del Mar Nobel , Reiner Anton , Yang Chuan He , Pfeffer Lawrence M. , Sohl Nicolas , Gangaraju Rajashekhar
Published: November 2019

Background

Retinal inflammation affecting the neurovascular unit may play a role in the development of visual deficits following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). We have shown that concentrated conditioned media from adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASC-CCM) can limit retinal damage from blast injury and improve visual function. In this study, we addressed the hypothesis that TNFα-stimulated gene-6 (TSG-6), an anti-inflammatory protein released by mesenchymal cells, mediates the observed therapeutic potential of ASCs via neurovascular modulation.

Methods

About 12-week-old C57Bl/6 mice were subjected to 50-psi air pulse on the left side of the head overlying the forebrain resulting in an mTBI. Age-matched sham blast mice served as control. About 1 μl of ASC-CCM (siControl-ASC-CCM) or TSG-6 knockdown ASC-CCM (siTSG-6-ASC-CCM) was delivered intravitreally into both eyes. One month following injection, the ocular function was assessed followed by molecular and immunohistological analysis. In vitro, mouse microglial cells were used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of ASC-CCM. Efficacy of ASC-CCM in normalizing retinal vascular permeability was assessed using trans-endothelial resistance (TER) and VE-cadherin expression in the presence of TNFα (1 ng/ml).

Results

We show that intravitreal injection of ASC-CCM (siControl-ASC-CCM) but not the TSG-6 knockdown ASC-CCM (siTSG-6-ASC-CCM) mitigates the loss of visual acuity and contrast sensitivity, retinal expression of genes associated with microglial and endothelial activation, and retinal GFAP immunoreactivity at 4 weeks after blast injury. In vitro, siControl-ASC-CCM but not the siTSG-6-ASC-CCM not only suppressed microglial activation and STAT3 phosphorylation but also protected against TNFα-induced endothelial permeability as measured by transendothelial electrical resistance and decreased STAT3 phosphorylation.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that ASCs respond to an inflammatory milieu by secreting higher levels of TSG-6 that mediates the resolution of the inflammatory cascade on multiple cell types and correlates with the therapeutic potency of the ASC-CCM. These results expand our understanding of innate mesenchymal cell function and confirm the importance of considering methods to increase the production of key analytes such as TSG-6 if mesenchymal stem cell secretome-derived biologics are to be developed as a treatment solution against the traumatic effects of blast injuries and other neurovascular inflammatory conditions of the retina.
Increased effort during partial ventilatory support is not associated with lung damage in experimental acute lung injury
Authors: Henzler Dietrich , Schmidt Alf , Xu Zhaolin , Ismaiel Nada , Zhang Haibo , Slutsky Arthur S. , Pelosi Paolo
Published: November 2019

Background

An on-going debate exists as to whether partial ventilatory support is lung protective in an acute phase of ARDS. So far, the effects of different respiratory efforts on the development of ventilator-associated lung injury (VALI) have been poorly understood.

To test the hypothesis whether respiratory effort itself promotes VALI, acute lung injury (ALI) was induced in 48 Sprague Dawley rats by hydrochloric acid aspiration model. Hemodynamics, gas-exchange, and respiratory mechanics were measured after 4 h of ventilation in pressure control (PC), assist-control (AC), or pressure support with 100% (PS100), 60% (PS60), or 20% (PS20) of the driving pressure during PC. VALI was assessed by histological analysis and biological markers.

Results

ALI was characterized by a decrease in PaO2/FiO2 from 447 ± 75 to 235 ± 90 mmHg (p < 0.001) and dynamic respiratory compliance from 0.53 ± 0.2 to 0.28 ± 0.1 ml/cmH2O (p < 0.001). There were no differences in hemodynamics or respiratory function among groups at baseline or after 4 h of ventilation. The reduction of mechanical pressure support was associated with a compensatory increase in an inspiratory effort such that peak inspiratory transpulmonary pressures were equal in all groups. The diffuse alveolar damage score showed significant lung injury but was similar among groups. Pro- and anti-inflammatory proteins in the bronchial fluid were comparable among groups.

Conclusions

In experimental ALI in rodents, the respiratory effort was increased by reducing the pressure support during partial ventilatory support. In the presence of a constant peak inspiratory transpulmonary pressure, an increased respiratory effort was not associated with worsening ventilator-associated lung injury measured by histologic score and biologic markers.
Two cases of a perforated duodenal diverticulum after gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction
Authors: Yagi Shusuke , Ida Satoshi , Ohashi Manabu , Kumagai Koshi , Hiki Naoki , Sano Takeshi , Nunobe Souya
Published: November 2019

Background

What type of reconstruction procedure should be applied is one of the important issues in surgery for gastric cancer. We have several options for reconstruction procedure after distal gastrectomy. The Billroth II and Roux-en-Y reconstruction have a duodenal stump while the Billroth I does not have it, which is the biggest structural difference in these procedures. An increase in intraduodenal pressure due to the formation of duodenum stump occasionally causes severe complication such as duodenal stump leakage; however, a duodenal diverticulum perforation after the Roux-en-Y reconstruction has not yet been reported. Herein, we report two cases of a perforated duodenal diverticulum after gastrectomy with the Roux-en-Y reconstruction.

Case presentation

The first case was a 66-year-old man who presented to our hospital with an acute onset right-upper-quadrant abdominal pain. He had undergone laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with the Roux-en-Y reconstruction for the early gastric cancer 15 months before. A large periampullary diverticulum had been detected during the checkup before the gastrectomy. Abdominal contrast-enhanced CT showed a retroperitoneal fluid collection with gas present at the second part of the duodenum. Therefore, a perforated duodenal diverticulum with abdominal abscess was diagnosed, and an emergency laparotomy was performed. Pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed because of severe duodenal inflammation and surrounding tissue damage. The second case was a 52-year-old man who had undergone open distal gastrectomy for locally advanced gastric cancer. Multiple non-ampullary duodenal diverticula had also been identified during the preoperative checkup. On the 2nd postoperative day, he presented with a sudden-onset abdominal pain with peritoneal irritation signs, and intestinal fluid was identified through the intraperitoneal drainage tube placed in a suprapancreatic site during his previous gastrectomy. Therefore, an emergency laparotomy was performed. During laparotomy, a perforated diverticulum at the second part of the duodenum was detected. The perforated duodenum diverticulum was directly sutured with drainage of the retroperitoneal space.

Conclusions

It is necessary to recognize that the Roux-en-Y reconstruction after gastrectomy for gastric cancer patients with duodenal diverticulum might cause a perforation of the diverticulum.
Serum vitamin D is a biomolecular biomarker for proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Nadri Gauhar , Saxena Sandeep , Mahdi Abbas Ali , Kaur Apjit , Ahmad Md. Kaleem , Garg Pragati , Meyer Carsten H.
Published: November 2019

Background

Vitamin D is a multi-functional fat-soluble metabolite essential for a vast number of physiological processes. Non-classical functions are gaining attention because of the close association of vitamin D deficiency with diabetes, and its complications. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the role of vitamin D as a biomarker for proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Methods

A tertiary care center based cross-sectional study was undertaken. Seventy-two consecutive cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus were included. Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus was made using American Diabetes Association guidelines. Study subjects included: diabetes mellitus with no retinopathy (No DR) (n = 24); non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (n = 24); and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (n = 24) and healthy controls (n = 24). All of the study subjects underwent complete ophthalmological evaluation. Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) was measured on the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) scale. Serum 25-OH Vitamin D assay was done using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay technology. Diagnostic accuracy of vitamin D was assessed using receiver operating characteristics curve analysis and area under curve (AUC) was determined for the first time.

Results

ANOVA revealed a significant decrease in serum vitamin D levels with severity of diabetic retinopathy (F = 8.95, p < 0.001). LogMAR BCVA was found to increase significantly with the severity of DR (F = 112.64, p < 0.001). On AUC analysis, a cut off value of 18.6 ng/mL for Vitamin D was found to be significantly associated with proliferative diabetic retinopathy [sensitivity = 86.36% (95% CI 65.1–96.9); specificity = 81.82% (95% CI 59.7–94.7); AUC = 0.91 (excellent); and Z value = 8.17].

Conclusions

Serum vitamin D levels of ≤ 18.6 ng/mL serve as sensitive and specific indicator for proliferative disease, among patients of DR.
Consumption of dietary supplements to support weight reduction in adults according to sociodemographic background, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, body fat and physical activity
Authors: Lubowiecki-Vikuk Adrian , Król-Zielińska Magdalena , Kantanista Adam
Published: November 2019

Background

The aim of this study was to analyse the use of dietary supplements to support weight reduction (DSSWR) in adults according to sociodemographic background, body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR), body fat percentage (%BF) and level of physical activity (PA).

Method

Participants (n = 1130) were recruited from a region of Poland with a high rate of adult overweight and obesity. Based on anthropometric data, BMI and WHR were calculated. %BF was assessed using a bioimpedance method. To examine the association between DSSWR use and sociodemographic factors, BMI, WHR, %BF and PA multiple logistic regression were conducted.

Results

The rate of DSSWR use in the group studied was high (69.5%). A higher proportion of women, individuals aged 18–35 years, those who had completed higher education, those who did not report financial status as “poor”, with a BMI < 18.5, normal %BF and individuals with a high level of PA used DSSWR. In complete case analysis (n = 1108), primarily financial status reported as “good” (OR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.69, 2.81) or “hard to say” (OR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.86, 3.12) (vs. “poor”) and female sex (OR = 2.59, 95% CI: 2.17, 3.08) were associated with DSSWR intake.

Conclusion

It seems that primarily financial status and sex, but also age, education, and level of PA, have significance in DSSWR use in adults and may be considered when developing appropriate strategies for body weight management and health promotion.
Correction to: The efficacy of pre-emptive analgesia on pain management in total knee arthroplasty: a mini-review
Authors: Xu Jianda , Li Huan , Zheng Chong , Wang Bin , Shen Pengfei , Xie Zikang , Qu Yuxing
Published: November 2019

In the original publication of this article [1], Xu Jianda and Li Huan are co-first authors. This information is accidentally missed during the copyediting.
Therapeutic potential of Hsp27 in neurological diseases
Authors: Venugopal Anila , Sundaramoorthy Kasthuri , Vellingiri Balachandar
Published: November 2019

Background

Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are widely reported in normal cellular dynamics under stress and non-stress conditions, and parallelly, the studies regarding its role in disease condition are also progressing steadily. The function of Hsps in neurodegenerative disorders is puzzling and not fully understood. This review aims to focus on the role of Hsp27 in normal and diseased conditions and emphasize its therapeutic potential.

Hsp27

Hsp27, in particular, has shown to be involved in cell viability and actin cytoskeleton remodeling and also shown to improve many disease conditions. Phosphorylated Hsp27 modulates the p53 pathway by downregulating cellular senescence and also lowers reactive oxygen species to protect TNFα-mediated apoptosis. Hsp27 is also known to interfere with mitochondria-dependent and mitochondria-independent cell apoptotic stimulation.

Conclusion

This article will highlight the various functions of Hsp27 especially as an anti-apoptotic factor and stress response factor and its therapeutic potential in preventing neuronal apoptosis in neurological diseases. This review also includes a comparison of the therapeutic potential of Hsp27 with regard to other small Hsps.
Evidence for Accelerated Biological Aging in Young Adults with Prader–Willi Syndrome
Authors: Donze Stephany H , Codd Veryan , Damen Layla , Goedegebuure Wesley J , Denniff Matthew , Samani Nilesh J , van der Velden Janiëlle A E M , Hokken-Koelega Anita C S
Published: November 2019

Objective

Adults with Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) are at increased risk of developing age-associated diseases early in life and, like in premature aging syndromes, aging might be accelerated. We investigated leukocyte telomere length (LTL), a marker of biological age, in young adults with PWS and compared LTL to healthy young adults of similar age. As all young adults with PWS were treated with growth hormone (GH), we also compared LTL in PWS subjects to GH-treated young adults born short for gestational age (SGA).

Design

Cross-sectional study in age-matched young adults; 47 with PWS, 135 healthy, and 75 born SGA.

Measurements

LTL measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, expressed as telomere/single copy gene ratio.

Results

Median (interquartile range) LTL was 2.6 (2.4–2.8) at a median (interquartile range) age of 19.2 (17.7–21.3) years in PWS, 3.1 (2.9–3.5) in healthy young adults and 3.1 (2.8–3.4) in the SGA group. Median LTL in PWS was significantly lower compared to both control groups (P < .01). In PWS, a lower LTL tended to be associated with a lower total IQ (r = 0.35, P = .08). There was no association between LTL and duration of GH treatment, cumulative GH dose, or several risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus or cardiovascular disease.

Conclusions

Young adults with PWS have significantly shorter median LTL compared to age-matched healthy young adults and GH-treated young adults born SGA. The shorter telomeres might play a role in the premature aging in PWS, independent of GH. Longitudinal research is needed to determine the influence of LTL on aging in PWS.
Fifty Years of HOPE
Authors: Edwards José
Published: November 2019

Fifty years past A. W. Coats’s (1969) “Research Priorities in the History of Economics”—the first article in History of Political Economy (HOPE)—the opportunity arises to check how such priorities have changed over time. Drawing from the 3,084 documents published in HOPE volumes 1–50, this survey analyzes a series of elements within the HOPE literature set, and those related to the broader historiography of economics (i.e., including not only publications, but also conferences, workshops, the development of institutions, and several reactions to this research project). It uses bibliometrics and network analysis to produce a classification system arising from the reference lists in all articles published in HOPE’s regular issues (1–4): 1969–2018.
The Hostility of William Stanley Jevons toward John Stuart Mill
Authors: Stack David
Published: November 2019

This article explores the basis for the well-known hostility of William Stanley Jevons toward John Stuart Mill, and offers an alternative explanation to those which have hitherto dominated discussion. After reviewing the importance of disagreements over economic doctrine and questions of scientific method, as well as the “psychological dimension” to the hostility, the article makes the case for considering a “fourth dimension”: the centrality of religion and, more particularly, an urgent fear of religious unbelief in the 1860s and 1870s. The article concludes that by identifying religion at the root of Jevons’s hostility to Mill we are reminded of the need to routinely consider religion and religious concerns when analyzing later nineteenth-century political economy.
Technical Progress and Structural Change in Jean Fourastié’s Theory of Development
Authors: Alcouffe Alain , le Bris David
Published: November 2019

The social scientist Jean Fourastié introduced his model of economic development in a book published in 1949. He based his analysis on a statistical series he had collected, which established two principles: technical progress is not uniformly distributed across industries (it is higher in manufacturing industry than in services) and human demand for both agricultural and manufactured goods does not grow continuously and may be saturated. These two principles allowed him to propose a model which attempted to predict the high growth observed after World War II (a period that he later called the Glorious Thirty) as well as the following rise of services, leading to a new era of stagnation at the turn of the millennium. His model emphasizes the role of technical progress while growth models focus on capital and labor. Fourastié’s work was initially reviewed by sociological and economic scholars interested in structural changes. As high-level advisor for various French governments and a bestselling author, Fourastié remained at the margin of the economic profession. However, an important legacy is the concept of cost disease developed by William Baumol, which is one implication of Fourastié’s more general model.
PLXNA1 and PLXNA3 cooperate to pattern the nasal axons that guide gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons
Authors: Oleari Roberto , Caramello Alessia , Campinoti Sara , Lettieri Antonella , Ioannou Elena , Paganoni Alyssa , Fantin Alessandro , Cariboni Anna , Ruhrberg Christiana
Published: November 2019

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons regulate puberty onset and sexual reproduction by secreting GnRH to activate and maintain the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. During embryonic development, GnRH neurons migrate along olfactory and vomeronasal axons through the nose into the brain, where they project to the median eminence to release GnRH. The secreted glycoprotein SEMA3A binds its receptors neuropilin (NRP) 1 or NRP2 to position these axons for correct GnRH neuron migration, with an additional role for the NRP co-receptor PLXNA1. Accordingly, mutations in SEMA3A, NRP1, NRP2 and PLXNA1 have been linked to defective GnRH neuron development in mice and inherited GnRH deficiency in humans. Here, we show that only the combined loss of PLXNA1 and PLXNA3 phenocopied the full spectrum of nasal axon and GnRH neuron defects of SEMA3A knockout mice. Together with Plxna1, the human orthologue of Plxna3 should therefore be investigated as a candidate gene for inherited GnRH deficiency.
The relative biological effectiveness of proton irradiation in dependence of DNA damage repair
Authors: Deycmar Simon , Faccin Erica , Kazimova Tamara , Knobel Philip A. , Telarovic Irma , Tschanz Fabienne , Waller Verena , Winkler Rona , Yong Carmen , Zingariello Dario , Pruschy Martin
Published: November 2019

Clinical parameters and empirical evidence are the primary determinants for current treatment planning in radiation oncology. Personalized medicine in radiation oncology is only at the very beginning to take the genetic background of a tumor entity into consideration to define an individual treatment regimen, the total dose or the combination with a specific anticancer agent. Likewise, stratification of patients towards proton radiotherapy is linked to its physical advantageous energy deposition at the tumor site with minimal healthy tissue being co-irradiated distal to the target volume. Hence, the fact that photon and proton irradiation also induce different qualities of DNA damages, which require differential DNA damage repair mechanisms has been completely neglected so far. These subtle differences could be efficiently exploited in a personalized treatment approach and could be integrated into personalized treatment planning. A differential requirement of the two major DNA double-strand break repair pathways, homologous recombination and non-homologous end joining, was recently identified in response to proton and photon irradiation, respectively, and subsequently influence the mode of ionizing radiation-induced cell death and susceptibility of tumor cells with defects in DNA repair machineries to either quality of ionizing radiation.

This review focuses on the differential DNA-damage responses and subsequent biological processes induced by photon and proton irradiation in dependence of the genetic background and discusses their impact on the unicellular level and in the tumor microenvironment and their implications for combined treatment modalities.
Detection of blood pathogens in camels and their associated ectoparasitic camel biting keds, Hippobosca camelina: the potential application of keds in xenodiagnosis of camel haemopathogens
Authors: Kidambasi Kevin O. , Masiga Daniel K. , Villinger Jandouwe , Carrington Mark , Bargul Joel L.
Published: November 2019

Background: Major constraints to camel production include pests and diseases. In northern Kenya, little information is available about disease pathogens circulating in one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) or their possible transmission by the camel haematophagous ectoparasite, Hippobosca camelina, commonly known as camel ked or camel fly. This study aimed to: (i) identify the presence of potentially insect-vectored pathogens in camels and camel keds, and (ii) assess the potential utility of keds for xenodiagnosis of camel disease pathogens that they may not vector.

Methods: In Laisamis, northern Kenya, camel blood samples (n = 249) and camel keds (n = 117) were randomly collected from camels. All samples were screened for trypanosomal and camelpox DNA by PCR, and for Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Brucella, Coxiella, Theileria, and Babesia by PCR coupled with high-resolution melting (PCR-HRM) analysis.

Results: In camels, we detected Trypanosoma vivax (102/249) (41%), Trypanosoma evansi (3/249) (1.2%), and “Candidatus Anaplasma camelii” (137/200) (68.5%). In camel keds, we also detected T. vivax (53/117) (45.3%), T. evansi (3/117) (2.56%), Trypanosoma melophagium (1/117) (0.4%), and “Candidatus Anaplasma camelii” (19/117) (16.24 %). Piroplasms (Theileria spp. and Babesia spp.), Coxiella burnetii, Brucella spp., Ehrlichia spp., and camel pox were not detected in any samples.

Conclusions: This study reveals the presence of epizootic pathogens in camels from northern Kenya. Furthermore, the presence of the same pathogens in camels and in keds collected from sampled camels suggests the potential use of these flies in xenodiagnosis of haemopathogens circulating in camels.
Benefits of Music Therapy in the Quality of Life of Older Adults
Authors: Diaz Abrahan Veronika , Lemos Jaramillo Anahi , Justel Nadia
Published: November 2019

Introduction: Aging is a complex, universal and irreversible process, with gradual changes that fluctuate from one person to another due to several factors (physiological, biological, environmental, social etc.). There are precedents for the potential effect of music therapy on psychological and social aspects which are characteristic of the elderly. In this sense, the aim of this work is to evaluate the effectiveness of music therapy in improving the quality of life of older adults. Materials and Methods: A quality of life inventory was administered, comparing a group that attended a music therapy stimulation and a control group that did not have this type of stimulus. Results: Music therapy attendees had higher scores in terms of total quality of life and subcomponents of the inventory (religion, creativity, recreation and love). Conclusion: The music therapy approach, with its non-invasive techniques, presents a proposal with potential benefits to improve the quality of life of the elderly.
Prevalence of Hospital Functional Impairment in a Colombian Elderly Population at the San Ignacio University Hospital
Authors: Castelblanco Toro Sandra Milena , Suárez Acosta Ana María , Sánchez Plazas Damaris , Coca León David José , Chavarro-Carvajal Diego Andrés
Published: November 2019

Introduction: Functional decline following hospitalization (FDH) is defined as the loss of the functional capacity to perform at least one basic activity of daily life (BADL) when being discharged from hospital; a situation compared to functional capacity performed in the last couple of weeks, prior the acute disease. This impairment is precipitated in the elderly by factors such as aging, architectural conditions, malnutrition, hospital routines and physical restraints. The objective of this study is determining the prevalence of functional impairment in adults over 65 years of age hospitalized in the San Ignacio University Hospital (SIUH) and its associated factors. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study of a hospital cohort was carried out from December 1st 2015 to December 31st 2017. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify associated variables. Results: 1055 people were included,with fdh prevalence of 41.14 %. The three main factors associated with the development of fdh in the elderly population that consulted the siuh were time of hospital stay [or 1.88, CI95% (1.41-2.49), p = <0.0001], malnutrition [or 1.59, CI95 % (1.16-2.19), p = 0.004] and delirium [or 2.38, CI95 % (1.83-3.10), p = <0.001]. Conclusion: FDH is a highly prevalent condition in the geriatric population hospitalized in the San Ignacio University Hospital, where length of stay, malnutrition and delirium are the factors associated with its disease onset.
Riesgo biomecánico por carga estática y morbilidad sentida en docentes universitarios, Medellín 2018
Authors: Cataño I. Mauricio , Echeverri H. María C. , Penagos G. Juan Penagos G., C. , Pérez S. Kevin , Prisco J. Jessica P. , Restrepo P. Dayana , Tabares M. Yuliana
Published: November 2019

Introducción: los desórdenes musculoesqueléticos son la principal causa de ausentismo laboral, debido a factores biomecánicos por posturas mantenidas e inadecuadas. Además, existe una alta prevalencia de morbilidad sentida que afecta las condiciones laborales, por lo que es necesario estudiar dichas condiciones y sus componentes en la población de docentes universitarios, conociendo las posiciones que adoptan y sus características durante su jornada laboral. Materiales y métodos: se condujo un estudio descriptivo, transversal, que incluyó a 70 docentes universitarios de medio tiempo y tiempo completo, quienes desempeñan funciones administrativas, de clase magistral o clase práctica. Se evaluó la percepción de morbilidad sentida con el Cuestionario Nórdico modificado, y el riesgo biomecánico por medio del método Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). Se realizó análisis uni, bi y multivariado para las variables del estudio. Resultados: el riesgo biomecánico según el reba de esta población fue medio para el 64,7 %. Se encontró que 7 de cada 10 docentes reportaron alguna condición de morbilidad, siendo más prevalente en las zonas de cuello, hombro y zona lumbar. Conclusión: el 68,5 % de los docentes universitarios participantes refieren algún tipo de morbilidad sentida (sintomatología musculoesquelética) y, en el nivel de riesgo biomecánico, se encuentra una mayor proporción en riesgo medio y alto. Esto sugiere que se debe implementar de manera inmediata una intervención en los docentes y en sus puestos de trabajo, con el fin de mejorar su desempeño laboral y su bienestar.
Modelo explicativo de discapacidad en población con trastornos mentales graves atendida en una institución especializada de la ciudad de Cali (Colombia)
Authors: Castro-Alzate Elvis Siprian , Cardona-Marín Laura Milena , Bustos Claudio , Pacheco-López Robinson , Saldivia Sandra
Published: November 2019

Introducción: en Colombia, según la Encuesta Nacional de Salud Mental realizada en 2015, la prevalencia de vida de depresión mayor, trastorno afectivo bipolar y esquizofrenia es del 9,1 %, 1,3 % y 1 %, respectivamente. Estos trastornos mentales graves se caracterizan por ser asumidos desde una postura nosográfica que no incorpora la interacción entre el contexto y la persona. La discapacidad es una dimensión de los trastornos mentales graves, y requiere ser investigada desde herramientas como la Clasificación Internacional del Funcionamiento, de la Discapacidad y de la Salud. Conocer su frecuencia y los factores personales y ambientales que la explican puede facilitar la implementación de estrategias para mejorar la calidad de vida de esta población. Materiales y métodos: se llevó a cabo un estudio exploratorio, observacional, de corte transversal, para determinar la prevalencia y describir el aporte de variables sociodemográficas, clínicas y psicosociales en un modelo explicativo de discapacidad en personas con trastornos mentales graves que asisten a servicios de salud mental y psiquiatría de una institución especializada de Cali (Colombia). Resultados: el 65,9 % de la muestra presenta algún grado de discapacidad; el 46,2 %, discapacidad moderada; el 19,4 %, discapacidad severa; y el 0,4 %, discapacidad extrema. El modelo explicativo incluye el aporte de variables sociodemográficas, clínicas y psicosociales. Conclusión: este estudio demuestra que la frecuencia de discapacidad en la población con TMG es recurrente, y al parecer poco estudiada, vinculando el desempeño desde cada dominio que hace parte de la vida diaria. Los resultados de la investigación permiten identificar el aporte de factores personales y ambientales en la discapacidad experimentada por esta población en Cali.