bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trends in Solid Tumor Incidence in Ukraine 30 Years After Chernobyl
Authors: Leung Krystle M. , Shabat Galyna , Lu Pamela , Fields Adam C. , Lukashenko Andrey , Davids Jennifer S. , Melnitchouk Nelya
Published: August 2019

PURPOSE

There is limited knowledge of the long-term health effects of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident that occurred more than 30 years ago in Ukraine. This study describes trends in the incidence of solid organ malignancy in Ukraine and the five regions most affected by the radioactive fallout.

METHODS

The National Cancer Registry of Ukraine was queried for age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) of solid organ malignancy in Ukraine and the regions of Kyiv, Chernihiv, Zhytomyr, Rivne, and Volyn covering the period of 1999 to 2016. Joinpoint analysis was used to calculate the average annual percentage of change.

RESULTS

The highest burdens of cancer incidence in Ukraine were seen in the lung, stomach, breast, and prostate. We observed significant increases in the ASIRs of colon (average annual percentage of change, 1.5 [95% CI, 1.3 to 1.7]), rectal (0.9 [95% CI, 0.6 to 1.2]), kidney (2.3 [95% CI, 1.8 to 2.9]), thyroid (4.2 [95% CI, 3.1 to 5.3]), breast (1 [95% CI, 0.6 to 1.4]), cervical (0.7 [95% CI, 0.3 to 1.2]), and prostate (3.9 [95% CI, 3.6 to 4.2]) cancers, with decreases in stomach (−2.4 [95% CI, −2.5 to −2.3]) and lung (−1.8 [95% CI, −2.1 to −1.5]) cancers. ASIRs in the affected regions were similar to nationwide rates, with the exception of those for Kyiv.

CONCLUSION

The incidence rates of many solid organ malignancies in Ukraine are rising. However, the rates of solid organ malignancy in the five regions most affected by fallout did not substantially differ from national patterns, with the exception of those for Kyiv. Ongoing monitoring of cancer incidence in Ukraine is necessary to understand how best to decrease disease burden nationwide and to elucidate the causes of regional variations in ASIRs, such as access to diagnostics and environmental exposures.
Alternative Therapies to Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Shortage for Nonmuscle Invasive Bladder Cancer in Brazil and Other Underdeveloped Countries: Management Considerations
Authors: Wroclawski Marcelo Langer , Schutz Fabio A. , Cha Jonathan Doyun , Soares Andrey
Published: August 2019

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) plays a cornerstone role in the management of nonmuscle invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. However, there has been a worldwide intermittent BCG shortage in recent years that may affect the care of patients with bladder cancer and pose difficult clinical decisions to urologists and clinical oncologists. This literature review aims to clarify alternatives to BCG during a shortage and propose measures to replace BCG, mainly in Brazil and probably in other low- and middle-income countries, where not all studied and commonly suggested treatments are available.
Ultrasound for Breast Cancer Detection Globally: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sood Rupali , Rositch Anne F. , Shakoor Delaram , Ambinder Emily , Pool Kara-Lee , Pollack Erica , Mollura Daniel J. , Mullen Lisa A. , Harvey Susan C.
Published: August 2019

PURPOSE

Mammography is not always available or feasible. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the diagnostic performance of ultrasound as a primary tool for early detection of breast cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we comprehensively searched PubMed and SCOPUS to identify articles from January 2000 to December 2018 that included data on the performance of ultrasound for detection of breast cancer. Studies evaluating portable, handheld ultrasound as an independent detection modality for breast cancer were included. Quality assessment and bias analysis were performed with the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. Sensitivity analyses and meta-regression were used to explore heterogeneity. The study protocol has been registered with the international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO identifier: CRD42019127752).

RESULTS

Of the 526 identified studies, 26 were eligible for inclusion. Ultrasound had an overall pooled sensitivity and specificity of 80.1% (95% CI, 72.2% to 86.3%) and 88.4% (95% CI, 79.8% to 93.6%), respectively. When only low- and middle-income country data were considered, ultrasound maintained a diagnostic sensitivity of 89.2% and specificity of 99.1%. Meta-analysis of the included studies revealed heterogeneity. The high sensitivity of ultrasound for the detection of breast cancer was not statistically significantly different in subgroup analyses on the basis of mean age, risk, symptoms, study design, bias level, and study setting.

CONCLUSION

Given the increasing burden of breast cancer and infeasibility of mammography in certain settings, we believe these results support the potential use of ultrasound as an effective primary detection tool for breast cancer, which may be beneficial in low-resource settings where mammography is unavailable.
Tissue-Specific Ablation of ACSL4 Results in Disturbed Steroidogenesis
Authors: Wang Wei , Hao Xiao , Han Lina , Yan Zhe , Shen Wen-Jun , Dong Dachuan , Hasbargen Kathrin , Bittner Stefanie , Cortez Yuan , Greenberg Andrew S , Azhar Salman , Kraemer Fredric B
Published: August 2019

ACSL4 is a member of the ACSL family that catalyzes the conversion of long-chain fatty acids to acyl-coenzyme As, which are essential for fatty-acid incorporation and utilization in diverse metabolic pathways, including cholesteryl ester synthesis. Steroidogenic tissues such as the adrenal gland are particularly enriched in cholesteryl esters of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which constitute an important pool supplying cholesterol for steroid synthesis. The current studies addressed whether ACSL4 is required for normal steroidogenesis. CYP11A1 promoter‒mediated Cre was used to generate steroid tissue‒specific ACSL4 knockout (KO) mice. Results demonstrated that ACSL4 plays an important role in adrenal cholesteryl ester formation, as well as in determining the fatty acyl composition of adrenal cholesteryl esters, with ACSL4 deficiency leading to reductions in cholesteryl ester storage and alterations in cholesteryl ester composition. Statistically significant reductions in corticosterone and testosterone production, but not progesterone production, were observed in vivo, and these deficits were accentuated in ex vivo and in vitro studies of isolated steroid tissues and cells from ACSL4-deficient mice. However, these effects on steroid production appear to be due to reductions in cholesteryl ester stores rather than disturbances in signaling pathways. We conclude that ACSL4 is dispensable for normal steroidogenesis.
Toll-Like Receptor-4 Antagonist (+)-Naloxone Confers Sexually Dimorphic Protection From Inflammation-Induced Fetal Programming in Mice
Authors: Chin Peck Yin , Dorian Camilla , Sharkey David J , Hutchinson Mark R , Rice Kenner C , Moldenhauer Lachlan M , Robertson Sarah A
Published: August 2019

Inflammation elicited by infection or noninfectious insults during gestation induces proinflammatory cytokines that can shift the trajectory of development to alter offspring phenotype, promote adiposity, and increase susceptibility to metabolic disease in later life. In this study, we use mice to investigate the utility of a small molecule Toll-like receptor (TLR)4 antagonist (+)-naloxone, the nonopioid isomer of the opioid receptor antagonist (−)-naloxone, for mitigating altered fetal metabolic programming induced by a modest systemic inflammatory challenge in late gestation. In adult progeny exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge in utero, male but not female offspring exhibited elevated adipose tissue, reduced muscle mass, and elevated plasma leptin at 20 weeks of age. Effects were largely reversed by coadministration of (+)-naloxone following LPS. When given alone without LPS, (+)-naloxone elicited accelerated postweaning growth and elevated muscle and fat mass in adult male but not female offspring. LPS induced expression of inflammatory cytokines Il1a, Il1b, Il6, Tnf, and Il10 in fetal brain, placental, and uterine tissues, and (+)-naloxone suppressed LPS-induced cytokine expression. Fetal sex-specific regulation of cytokine expression was evident, with higher Il1a, Il1b, Il6, and Il10 induced by LPS in tissues associated with male fetuses, and greater suppression by (+)-naloxone of Il6 in females. These data demonstrate that modulating TLR4 signaling with (+)-naloxone provides protection from inflammatory diversion of fetal developmental programming in utero, associated with attenuation of gestational tissue cytokine expression in a fetal sex-specific manner. The results suggest that pharmacologic interventions targeting TLR4 warrant evaluation for attenuating developmental programming effects of fetal exposure to maternal inflammatory mediators.
Textiloma-Induced 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D–Mediated Hypercalcemia: A Case Report and Literature Study
Authors: de Bellefroid Julie , Vandecasteele Stefaan , Van Cauwenberge Sebastiaan , Bouillon Roger , Van den Bruel Annick
Published: August 2019

Foreign body causing 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D]-induced hypercalcemia is an uncommon yet clinically significant cause of hypercalcemia. We report an unusual case of hypercalcemia due to a textiloma (a surgical gauze inadvertently left in place during surgery). A PubMed search for (HYPERCALCEMIA) and (FOREIGN BODY) was performed. A foreign body (surgical gauze) left over after removal of a kidney transplant caused 1,25(OH)2D-induced hypercalcemia. The diagnosis was complicated by end-stage renal disease, low PTH, and high 1,25(OH)2D.
Transforming Geographies of Black Time: How the Free Southern Theater Used the Plantation for Civil Rights Activism
Authors: Fleming Julius B.
Published: August 2019

This essay examines the cultural and political work of the Free Southern Theater, specifically how this company used plantations, porches, and cotton fields in order to build a radical black southern theater in the civil rights movement. Staging plays like Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot for black southern audiences, the theater challenged a violent structure of time at the heart of global modernity that I call black patience. By this I mean an abiding historical demand for black people to wait: whether in the hold of the slave ship, on the auction block, or for emancipation from slavery. Focusing on the centrality of the plantation to the spatializing logics of black patience, I consider how the Free Southern Theater used performance to demand “freedom now” and to revise the oppressive histories of time rooted in the material geographies of the US South. Mounting time-conscious plays, the theater used temporal aesthetics to transform the region’s historical geographies of black time (e.g., the labor time of black slaves and sharecroppers working in cotton fields) into radical sites of black political action, aesthetic innovation, and embodied performance. Engaging and reinvesting the meanings of the South’s plantation geographies, the theater revealed how one hundred years after emancipation, time remained essential to procuring the afterlives of slavery and colonialism and to shoring up the region’s necropolitical attachments. Examining these aesthetic and political experiments illuminates the importance of time to the emerging field of black geographies and to the field of black studies more broadly.
Multi-modal and multiscale imaging approaches reveal novel cardiovascular pathophysiology in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Weismann Constance G. , Blice-Baum Anna , Tong Tangji , Li Joyce , Huang Brendan K. , Jonas Stephan M. , Cammarato Anthony , Choma Michael A.
Published: August 2019

Establishing connections between changes in linear DNA sequences and complex downstream mesoscopic pathology remains a major challenge in biology. Herein, we report a novel, multi-modal and multiscale imaging approach for comprehensive assessment of cardiovascular physiology in Drosophila melanogaster. We employed high-speed angiography, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and confocal microscopy to reveal functional and structural abnormalities in the hdp2 mutant, pre-pupal heart tube and aorta relative to controls. hdp2 harbor a mutation in wupA, which encodes an ortholog of human troponin I (TNNI3). TNNI3 variants frequently engender cardiomyopathy. We demonstrate that the hdp2 aortic and cardiac muscle walls are disrupted and that shorter sarcomeres are associated with smaller, stiffer aortas, which consequently result in increased flow and pulse wave velocities. The mutant hearts also displayed diastolic and latent systolic dysfunction. We conclude that hdp2 pre-pupal hearts are exposed to increased afterload due to aortic hypoplasia. This may in turn contribute to diastolic and subtle systolic dysfunction via vascular-heart tube interaction, which describes the effect of the arterial loading system on cardiac function. Ultimately, the cardiovascular pathophysiology caused by a point mutation in a sarcomeric protein demonstrates that complex and dynamic micro- and mesoscopic phenotypes can be mechanistically explained in a gene sequence- and molecular-specific manner.
RAB21 interacts with TMED10 and modulates its localization and abundance
Authors: Del Olmo Tomas , Lacarrière-Keïta Camille , Normandin Caroline , Jean Dominique , Boisvert François-Michel , Jean Steve
Published: August 2019

Membrane trafficking controls vesicular transport of cargo between cellular compartments. Vesicular trafficking is essential for cellular homeostasis and dysfunctional trafficking is linked to several pathologies such as neurodegenerative diseases. Following endocytosis, early endosomes act as sorting stations of internalized materials, routing cargo toward various fates. One important class of membrane trafficking regulators are RAB GTPases. RAB21 has been associated with multiple functions and regulates integrin internalization, endosomal sorting of specific clathrin-independent cargo and autophagy. Although RAB21 is mostly associated with early endosomes, it has been shown to mediate a specific sorting event at the Golgi. From mass spectrometry data, we identified a GTP-favored interaction between RAB21 and TMED10 and 9, essential regulators of COPI and COPII vesicles. Using RAB21 knockout cells, we describe the role of RAB21 in modulating TMED10 Golgi localization. Taken together, our study suggests a new, potential function of RAB21 in modulating TMED10 trafficking, with relevance to neurodegenerative disorders.
The Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Chronic Ankle Instability
Authors: BRUCE AMELIA S. , HOWARD JENNIFER S. , VAN WERKHOVEN HERMAN , MCBRIDE JEFFREY M. , NEEDLE ALAN R.
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Given maladaptive neuroplasticity after musculoskeletal injury, interventions capable of restoring corticospinal excitability should be considered. We therefore aimed to determine if a 4-wk intervention of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (aTDCS) with eccentric exercise would improve neural excitability, functional performance, and patient-reported function in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI).

Methods

Twenty-six individuals with CAI were recruited to undergo 4 wk of eccentric evertor strengthening. Subjects were randomized into aTDCS (n = 13) and sham (n = 13) groups, where the aTDCS group received 18 min of aTDCS (1.5 mA) over the primary motor cortex. Participants were assessed for cortical excitability, dynamic balance, muscle activation, functional performance, strength, and patient-reported function at baseline, week 2, week 4, and week 6.

Results

Twenty-two subjects completed the training and test sessions. Cortical excitability (resting motor threshold) to peroneus longus in aTDCS increased from baseline (36.92 ± 11.53) to week 6 (32.91 ± 12.33, P = 0.024), whereas sham increased excitability from baseline (36.67 ± 12.74) to week 2 (27.86 ± 14.69, P = 0.007), but decreased at week 4 (35.63 ± 13.10, P = 0.022) and week 6 (35.99 ± 13.52, P = 0.006). Dynamic balance and muscle activation also improved in the aTDCS group from baseline to week 6 (P = 0.034). Functional performance on a side-hop test increased in all participants from baseline to week 2 (P = 0.003). The aTDCS group had decreased perceived disablement from week 2 (18.09 ± 6.41) to week 4 (15.55 ± 4.82, P = 0.046), whereas the sham group reported increased disablement from baseline (17.91 ± 4.59) to week 2 (21.00 ± 8.52, P = 0.047).

Conclusions

Our results provide preliminary evidence that 4 wk of eccentric training with aTDCS improves cortical excitability, functional performance, and patient-reported function in individuals with CAI. These data are the first to show the efficacy of noninvasive brain stimulation therapies in patients with musculoskeletal injury, and demonstrate the link between improved neural excitability and functional outcomes.
Integrating environmental health and genomics research in Africa: challenges and opportunities identified during a Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa) Consortium workshop
Authors: Joubert Bonnie R. , Berhane Kiros , Chevrier Jonathan , Collman Gwen , Eskenazi Brenda , Fobil Julius , Hoyo Cathrine , John Chandy C. , Kumie Abera , Nicol Mark , Ramsay Michèle , Smith Joshua , Steyn Adrie , Tshala-Katumbay Desire , McAllister Kimberly
Published: August 2019

Individuals with African ancestry have extensive genomic diversity but have been underrepresented in genomic research. There is also extensive global diversity in the exposome (the totality of human environmental exposures from conception onwards) which should be considered for integrative genomic and environmental health research in Africa. To address current research gaps, we organized a workshop on environmental health research in Africa in conjunction with the H3Africa Consortium and the African Society of Human Genetics meetings in Kigali, Rwanda. The workshop was open to all researchers with an interest in environmental health in Africa and involved presentations from experts within and outside of the Consortium. This workshop highlighted innovative research occurring on the African continent related to environmental health and the interplay between the environment and the human genome. Stories of success, challenges, and collaborative opportunities were discussed through presentations, breakout sessions, poster presentations, and a panel discussion. The workshop informed participants about environmental risk factors that can be incorporated into current or future epidemiology studies and addressed research design considerations, biospecimen collection and storage, biomarkers for measuring chemical exposures, laboratory strategies, and statistical methodologies. Inclusion of environmental exposure measurements with genomic data, including but not limited to H3Africa projects, can offer a strong platform for building gene-environment (G x E) research in Africa. Opportunities to leverage existing resources and add environmental exposure data for ongoing and planned studies were discussed. Future directions include expanding the measurement of both genomic and exposomic risk factors and incorporating sophisticated statistical approaches for analyzing high dimensional G x E data. A better understanding of how environmental and genomic factors interact with nutrition and infection is also needed. Considering that the environment represents many modifiable risk factors, these research findings can inform intervention and prevention efforts towards improving global health.
Boosting diabetes and pre-diabetes detection in rural Ghana
Authors: Effah Nyarko Bernard , Amoah Rosemary Serwah , Crimi Alessandro
Published: August 2019

Background: Diabetes is a growing worldwide disease with serious consequences to health and with a high financial burden. Ghana is one of the developing African countries where the prevalence of diabetes is increasing. Moreover, many cases remain undiagnosed, when along with pre-diabetic cases they can be easily detected.

The main objective of this study is to propose a novel method to increase diabetes and pre-diabetes early detection in rural areas. A secondary aim is to look for new related behavioral determinants specific to rural Ghana, by comparing subjects at risk with those already diagnosed as diabetic.

Methods: The detection approach was based on tests performed pro-actively by community nurses using glucometers and mobile phone apps. As a pilot for future policies, glycemic tests were carried out on 101 subjects from rural communities in Ghana deemed at risk and unaware of their diabetic/pre-diabetic status. A comparison of dietary and lifestyle habits of the screened people was conducted in regards to a cohort of 103 diabetic patients from the same rural communities. Participants for both groups were found through snow-ball sampling.

Results: The pilot screening detected 2 diabetic subjects (2% of the cohort) showing WHO diabetic glycemic values, and 20 pre-diabetic subjects (19.8% of the cohort) which showed the effectiveness of the user-friendly approach.

Conclusions: Policies based on prevention screening as reported in the manuscript have the potential to reduce diabetes incidence, if actions are taken while patients are pre-diabetic, reduce complication related to late diagnosis and indirectly related health-care costs in the country. The need for further campaigns on alcohol consumption and physical activity has emerged, even in rural areas.
Analysis of correlation-based biomolecular networks from different omics data by fitting stochastic block models
Authors: Baum Katharina , Rajapakse Jagath C. , Azuaje Francisco
Published: August 2019

Background: Biological entities such as genes, promoters, mRNA, metabolites or proteins do not act alone, but in concert in their network context. Modules, i.e., groups of nodes with similar topological properties in these networks characterize important biological functions of the underlying biomolecular system. Edges in such molecular networks represent regulatory and physical interactions, and comparing them between conditions provides valuable information on differential molecular mechanisms. However, biological data is inherently noisy and network reduction techniques can propagate errors particularly to the level of edges. We aim to improve the analysis of networks of biological molecules by deriving modules together with edge relevance estimations that are based on global network characteristics.

Methods: The key challenge we address here is investigating the capability of stochastic block models (SBMs) for representing and analyzing different types of biomolecular networks. Fitting them to SBMs both delivers modules of the networks and enables the derivation of edge confidence scores, and it has not yet been investigated for analyzing biomolecular networks. We apply SBM-based analysis independently to three correlation-based networks of breast cancer data originating from high-throughput measurements of different molecular layers: either transcriptomics, proteomics, or metabolomics. The networks were reduced by thresholding for correlation significance or by requirements on scale-freeness. 

Results and discussion: We find that the networks are best represented by the hierarchical version of the SBM, and many of the predicted blocks have a biologically and phenotypically relevant functional annotation. The edge confidence scores are overall in concordance with the biological evidence given by the measurements. We conclude that biomolecular networks can be appropriately represented and analyzed by fitting SBMs. As the SBM-derived edge confidence scores are based on global network connectivity characteristics and potential hierarchies within the biomolecular networks are considered, they could be used as additional, integrated features in network-based data comparisons.
EEG anticipation of random high and low arousal faces and sounds
Authors: Duma Gian Marco , Mento Giovanni , Semenzato Luca , Tressoldi Patrizio
Published: August 2019

Background: In this study, we investigated the neural correlates of the anticipatory activity of randomly presented faces and sounds of both high and low arousal level by recording EEG activity with a high spatial resolution EEG system.

Methods: We preregistered the following three hypotheses: 1) a contingent Negative Variation (CNV) difference in the amplitude voltage between auditory vs faces stimuli; 2) a greater amplitude voltage in the CNV, in high arousal stimuli vs low arousal stimuli, both in auditory and faces stimuli, in the temporal  window from 0 to 1000 ms before the stimulus presentation; 3) in the time window from 0 to 1000 ms a sensory specific activation at the brain source level in the temporal lobe and auditory cortex before the presentation of an auditory stimulus and an activation of occipital area, dedicated to the elaboration of visual stimuli, before the presentation of faces .

Results: Using a preregistered, hypothesis-driven approach, we found no statistically significant differences in the CNV due to an overly conservative correction for multiple comparisons for the control of Type I error. By contrast, using a data-driven approach based on a machine learning algorithm (Support Vector Machine), we found a significantly larger amplitude in the occipital cluster of electrodes before the presentation of faces with respect to sounds, along with a larger amplitude in the right auditory cortex before the presentation of sounds with respect to faces. Furthermore, we found greater CNV activity in the late prestimulus interval for high vs. low-arousal sounds stimuli in the left centro-posterior scalp regions.

Conclusions: These findings, although preliminary, seem to support the hypothesis that the neurophysiological anticipatory activity of random events is specifically driven by either the sensory characteristics or the arousal level of future stimuli.
Postpartum family planning in Rwanda: a cost effectiveness analysis
Authors: Williams Pamela , Morales Katie , Sridharan Vikram , Tummala Alekya , Marseille Elliot
Published: August 2019

Background: Globally, there is a large unmet need for family planning in the postpartum period: 90% of women in this group want family planning for birth spacing or to avoid unintended pregnancies and stop child bearing once desired family size has been reached. In total 76% of Rwandan women want family planning postpartum, yet a 26% unmet need remains. Currently, the four most commonly used postpartum family planning methods in Rwanda are injections, subdermal implants, pills, and condoms. The economic and health benefit impact of the current method selection has not yet been evaluated.

Methods: To evaluate the impact of current usage rates and method types, this cost effectiveness analysis (CEA) compared the most frequently used family planning methods in Rwanda broken into two categories, longer-acting reversible contraception (LARC) (injections and subdermal implants) and shorter-acting reversible contraceptives (non-LARC) (pills and condoms). A time horizon of 24 months was used to reflect the World Health Organization suggested two-year spacing from birth until the next pregnancy, and was conducted from a health systems perspective. This CEA compared two service package options to provide a comparator for the two method types, thus enabling insights to differences between the two.

Results: For women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in Rwanda, including LARC postpartum family planning methods in the options, saves $18.73 per pregnancy averted, compared to family planning options that offer non-LARC methods exclusively.

Conclusion: There is an opportunity to avert unplanned pregnancies associated with increased utilization of LARC methods. The full benefits of LARC are not yet realized in Rwanda. Under the conditions presented in this study, a service package that includes LARC has the potential to be cost-saving compared with one non-LARC methods. Effective health messaging of LARC use for the postpartum population could both enhance health and reduce costs.
Describing the application of statistical shape modelling to DXA images to quantify the shape of the proximal femur at ages 14 and 18 years in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children
Authors: Frysz Monika , Gregory Jenny S. , Aspden Richard M. , Paternoster Lavinia , Tobias Jonathan H.
Published: August 2019

Bones are complex objects with considerable variation in the shape and structure often attributed to anatomical, environmental or genetic differences. In addition, bone shape has been of interest in relation to its associations with disease processes. Hip shape is an important determinant of hip osteoarthritis and osteoporotic hip fracture; however, its quantification is difficult. While previous studies largely focused on individual geometrical indices of hip geometry such as neck-shaft angle or femoral neck width, statistical shape modelling offers the means to quantify the entire contour of the proximal femur, including lesser trochanter and acetabular eyebrow. We describe the derivation of independent modes of variation (hip shape mode scores) to characterise variation in hip shape from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) images in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) offspring, using statistical shape modelling. ALSPAC is a rich source of phenotypic and genotypic data which provides a unique opportunity to investigate the environmental and genetic influences on hip shape in adolescence, as well as comparison with adult hip shape.
A mouse model for functional dissection of TAB1 O-GlcNAcylation
Authors: Authier Florence , Muha Villő , van Aalten Daan M.F.
Published: August 2019

Background: O-GlcNAcylation is a posttranslational modification associated with various physiological and pathophysiological processes including diabetes, cancer, neurodegeneration and inflammation. However, the biological mechanisms underlying the role of specific O-GlcNAc sites and their link to phenotypes remain largely unexplored due to lack of suitable in vivo models. TGF-β activated kinase-1 binding protein-1 (TAB1) is a scaffolding protein required for TGF-β activated kinase-1 (TAK1) mediated signalling. A single O-GlcNAc site has been identified on TAB1 that modulates TAK1-mediated cytokine release in cells.

Methods: Here, we report the generation of the Tab1S393A mouse model using a constitutive knock-in strategy. The Tab1S393A mice carry a Ser393Ala (S393A) mutation that leads to loss of the single O-GlcNAcylation site on TAB1.

Results: We did not observe any obvious phenotype in Tab1S393A mice. Loss of O-GlcNAcylation on TAB1 has no consequences on TAB1 protein level or on TAB1-TAK1 interaction.

Conclusions: The homozygous Tab1S393A mice are viable and develop with no obvious abnormalities, providing a powerful tool to further investigate the role of O-GlcNAc on TAB1 in the inflammatory response in the context of a whole organism.
Active Game‐Based Learning of Dynamics Modeling and Simulation in Biomedical Systems Engineering
Authors: Kong Nan
Published: August 2019

With widening application of systems modeling and simulation in healthcare industry, relevant courses have been created in many undergraduate biomedical engineering curricula to address the need in workforce development. However, it is challenging to teach systems modeling and simulation and effective teaching is demanded. To answer the call, I have used serious games in my teaching in the past few years. In this paper, I first present two interesting educational games and describe the design and implementation of two game‐based active learning modules. I also report several learning outcome assessments and review my self‐reflection during the teaching. Better game design and implementation, as well as further development of objective learning outcome assessments, are included in future plan.
Centralized and Decentralized Warehouse Logistics Collaboration
Authors: Ding Shiman , Kaminsky Philip M.
Published: August 2019

Problem definition: We bound the value of collaboration in a decentralized multisupplier multiretailer setting, where several suppliers ship to several retailers through a shared warehouse, and outbound trucks from the warehouse contain the products of multiple suppliers. Academic/practical relevance: In an emerging trend in the grocery industry, multiple suppliers and retailers share a warehouse to facilitate horizontal collaboration, lower transportation costs, and increase delivery frequencies. Thus far, these so-called mixing and consolidation centers are operated in a decentralized manner, with little effort to coordinate shipments from multiple suppliers with shipments to multiple retailers. Facilitating collaboration in this setting would be challenging (both technically and in terms of the level of trust that would be necessary), so it is useful to understand the potential gains of collaboration. Methodology: We extend the classic one-warehouse multiretailer analysis to incorporate multiple suppliers and per-truck outbound transportation cost from the warehouse and develop a cost lower bound on centralized operation as benchmark. We then analyze decentralized versions of the system, in which each retailer and each supplier maximizes his or her own utility in a variety of settings, and we analytically bound the ratio of the cost of decentralized to centralized operation to bound the loss resulting from decentralization. Results: We find analytical bounds on the performance of several decentralized policies. The best, a decentralized zero-inventory ordering policy, has a cost ratio when compared with a lower bound on the centralized policy of no more than 3/2. In computational studies, we find that costs of decentralized policies are even closer to those of centralized policies. Managerial implications: Easy-to-implement decentralized policies are efficient and effective in this setting, suggesting that centralization (and thus a potentially complex and expensive coordination effort) is unlikely to result in significant benefits.
Short Communication: Volcanic ash utilization as planting medium of curly lettuce with charcoal husk and urban waste compost as soil amendment
Authors: MULYONO NITISAPTO , MAAS AZWAR , PURWANTO BENITO HERU , SUDIRA PUTU
Published: August 2019

Mulyono, Maas A, Purwanto BH, Sudira P. 2018. Short Communication: Volcanic ash utilization as planting medium of curly lettuce with charcoal husk and urban waste compost as soil amendment. Asian J Agric 2: 39-43. During a volcanic eruption, volcanic ash spreads over an extensive area, causes environmental disturbances, and thus, should be disposed afar from settlements. On the other hand, volcanic ash is useful in urban areas where pot-planting is often lack soil medium. However, the utilization of volcanic ash as direct planting medium has many obstacles due to its characteristics such as the acidic, nitrogen nutrients rareness, compressed and dull to water. Hence, to be ready to use, it should be improved by using soil amendment. This study used charcoal husk combined with compost as the soil amendment. The purpose of this study was to use the volcanic ash as the planting medium, by obtaining a proper dose of volcanic ash and the soil amendments for the growth and yield of curly lettuce. The experimental design applied in this study was the complete randomized design (CRD) with three replications. The first factor was the 5 levels of charcoal husk (on volcanic ash) doses, namely 0.30; 0.40; 0.50; 0.60; and 0.70. The second was the ratio between the media and the 3 levels of urban waste compost doses, namely: 3:1; 2:1 and 1:1, resulting in 5 x 3 total combinations with three replications. The plant growth and yield data results were analyzed by using the variance analysis and continued with Duncan Multiple tests (Duncan Multiple Range Test). The results showed that when used as the sole planting medium, the volcanic ash could not support the growth of lettuce plants. The evidence was shown from the same size and weight of the curly lettuce after the age of 35 days (5 g/plant). The utilization of husk and urban waste compost treatment showed significant growth rise. The combination of volcanic ash and soil amendments showed that the best effect on the growth and yield of curly lettuce was from M3K3 treatment at the dose of 25% volcanic ash, 25% charcoal husk and 50% urban waste compost (60 g/plant).
Vegetation structure and composition in Ciletuh Geopark, Sukabumi, Indonesia
Authors: WULANDARI INDRI , HENDRAWAN RANDI , HUSODO TEGUH , MEGANTARA ERRI N.
Published: August 2019

Wulandari I, Hendrawan R, Husodo T, Megantara EN. 2018. Vegetation structure and composition in Ciletuh Geopark, Sukabumi, Indonesia. Asian J For 2: 54-61. Ciletuh Geopark has unique geological exposures and plant diversity that need to be maintained and managed to provide benefits, both to the environment and society. In order to manage plant diversity, the plant species that make up the area need to be identified. This research was conducted to determine the community structure and plants diversity of the Ciletuh Geopark. The results of the study were used as basic data in determining the pattern of biodiversity management in Ciletuh Geopark. The method used is a qualitative method, through an inventory of plant species and illustrating the vegetation profile diagram. Vegetation profile diagrams represent a vertical structure of the vegetation community. Data analysis was carried out qualitatively by describing vegetation conditions. Ciletuh Geopark has four types of communities, namely natural forests, horticultural gardens (gardens, humas, and fields), kebon tatangkalan (talun), coastal vegetation and mangroves. Ciletuh Geopark has 179 plant species, from understorey to trees. In this location, there has been a change in species diversity, which is dominated by crop plant species. However, based on its conservation status, there were also plants protected by the Indonesian government, namely Rafflesia patma.
Analysis of IGF-1 gene in ayam ketawa (Gallus gallus domesticus) with dangdut and slow type vocal characteristics
Authors: ABINAWANTO ABINAWANTO , SOPHIAN ALFI , LESTARI RETNO , BOWOLAKSONO ANOM , EFENDI PIPIH SUNINGSIH , AFNAN RUDI
Published: August 2019

Abstract. Abinawanto, Sophian A, Lestari R, Bowolaksono A, Efendi PS, Afnan R. 2019. Analysis of IGF-1 gene in ayam ketawa (Gallus gallus domesticus) with dangdut and slow type vocal characteristics. Biodiversitas 20: 2004-2010. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is defined as an essential gene for growth. Therefore, this research aims to identify the polymorphism of the IGF-1 gene from ayam ketawa with the dangdut and slow type vocal characteristics. Twenty male chickens were selected as an animal model. The sample consisted of 10 chickens with the dangdut type and 10 chickens with the slow type. The chickens were all obtained from five areas of the Pinrang district. The RFLP and HRM methods were selected to be used in this research. Results showed that the IGF-1 gene was 622 bp in length, while polymorphism analysis showed that the dangdut and slow type are homozygotic. The unrestricted DNA fragment indicated it after reaction of the restriction enzyme Pst1. Moreover, it confirmed that ayam ketawa with the dangdut or slow type had a similar sequence.
Evaluation of antimicrobial and antioxidant attributes of Tanzanian honey from two agro-ecological areas
Authors: LUVANDA FLORA THOMAS , LYIMO MONICA E.
Published: August 2019

Luvanda FT, Lyimo ME. 2018. Evaluation of antimicrobial and antioxidant attributes of Tanzanian honey from two agroecological areas. Biofarmasi J Nat Prod Biochem 16: 69-82. In order to appraise the characteristic of Tanzanian honey based on antioxidant attributes and antimicrobial activity on bacteria and fungi in relation to its physicochemical attributes, the study was conducted. The examined honey was sampled from two kinds of bees namely stinging and stingless honey bees and was gathered from the western area (Tabora and Shinyanga) and the central area (Singida and Dodoma). They were examined for their antimicrobial activity, anti-oxidant attributes (total phenol, vitamin C) and physicochemical attributes of pH, color, pH, sugar, and minerals. 54 % of tested honey samples inhibited microbial growth but the remaining 46% did not inhibit the growth. Microbial impediment areas range from 8.5 to 14.16 mm (stinging honey bee) and 10.56-15.13 mm (stingless honey bee). Honey yielded by stinging honey bee in the cities of Shinyanga, Bukombe, and Nzega and the cities of Singida and Issuna is more effective in impeding microbial growth than that of other cities. Candida albicans is more sensitive (23.1%) to honey of stingless honey bee, followed by Staphylococcus saprophyticus (33%), Salmonella typhi (32%), Escherichia coli (19.2%) and Aspergillus flavus (16.0%). The substance of antioxidant, total phenol and vitamin C in honey of stingless honey bee were importantly (P <0.05) higher than that of honey of stinging honey bee. Antioxidants (FRAP) ranged from 322.16-973.57 µMFe (II) /100g, total phenols was from 13.87-33.55 mg /100g and vitamin C was from 2.54-10.99 mg /100. At pH value, there was no substantial dissimilarity (P> 0.05) between the two samples of honey. Potassium possesses the highest value while Zn possesses the lowest value in samples of honey of stinging and stingless honey bee. The gradation color of honey of stingless honey bee ranged from extra light amber-light amber while that of honey of stinging bee ranged from white water-light amber. There was a positive and substantial correlation (P <0.001) between the color of honey, antioxidants, total phenol, and mineral substance. Stingless honey bee's honey from the western region is superior to stinging honey bee's honey in antioxidant and antimicrobial attributes and therefore is prompted to be utilized as a valuable diet product, preventive and curative medicine.
When design meets power: design thinking, public sector innovation and the politics of policymaking
Authors: Lewis Jenny M , McGann Michael , Blomkamp Emma
Published: August 2019

Responding to the need for innovation, governments have begun experimenting with ‘design thinking’ approaches to reframe policy issues and generate and test new policy solutions. This paper examines what is new about design thinking and compares this to rational and participatory approaches to policymaking, highlighting the difference between their logics, foundations and the basis on which they ‘speak truth to power’. It then examines the impact of design thinking on policymaking in practice, using the example of public sector innovation (PSI) labs. The paper concludes that design thinking, when it comes in contact with power and politics, faces significant challenges, but that there are opportunities for design thinking and policymaking to work better together.
‘You are adapting more to me than I am adapting to you’ (but what does more mean?): Cybernetic and Foucaultian explorations of the domain of power1
Authors: Guddemi Phillip
Published: August 2019

It is possible to derive a cybernetic approach to what the concept of ‘power’ might mean, an approach which illuminates and critiques both that concept and the relations it is used to describe. Selected quotes from a short article Michel Foucault wrote late in his life, entitled ‘The subject and power’, are juxtaposed with a demonstration that aspects of his view, particularly as he was formulating it in this article, prefigure some elements of what might be developed into a cybernetic approach to what might be meant by ‘power’. I propose that such an approach can be developed from basic cybernetic and systems principles including system capacity, (structural) coupling, the relationship of an organism to a niche or environment, and the hierarchical organization of adaptive systems. A resulting concept of power, or rather, of the domain in which we talk about power, can help reanimate our theoretical discussion of what we mean by such a concept and what such a concept inevitably obscures.
A PESQUISA DOCUMENTAL NAS INVESTIGAÇÕES DE POLÍTICAS EDUCACIONAIS: POTENCIALIDADES E LIMITES
Authors: Fávero Altair Alberto , Centenaro Junior Bufon
Published: August 2019

O artigo tem por escopo investigar as potencialidades e os limites da pesquisa documental ao se tratar desse tipo de instrumento metodológico em políticas educacionais. A partir de revisão de literatura de caráter exploratório hermenêutico sobre o tema, organizamos o ensaio da seguinte forma: i) inicialmente abordaremos a polissemia do conceito ‘pesquisa documental’, que produz ainda fortes discussões e divergências sobre a terminologia mais adequada a ser utilizada; ii) em seguida conceituaremos o objeto da pesquisa documental, para iii) estabelecer apontamentos específicos sobre o trabalho com documentos de política educacional; iv) na sequência apontaremos aspectos epistemológicos e teóricos intrínsecos à pesquisa com documentos, e por fim, v) indicaremos algumas notas conclusivas destacando potencialidades e limites do trabalho com fontes documentais.
REFLEXÕES SOBRE ÉTICA E BOM SENSO NO COTIDIANO DOCENTE
Authors: Nogueira Ione Da Silva Cunha , Bispo Silvana Alves da Silva
Published: August 2019

Diariamente os professores se deparam com situações que ultrapassam a barreira das ações relacionadas exclusivamente a sua prática pedagógica e de ensino. As decisões tomadas nesses momentos têm relação direta com a atuação do professor e os rumos que podem tomar seus próprios alunos. Em seu livro Pedagogia da Autonomia, Paulo Freire (2017) nos traz, dentre outros saberes elencados por ele como necessários à prática docente, o bom senso e a ética. Este artigo tem como objetivo problematizar a atuação docente, apontando-a como algo que vai além das atribuições a ela destinadas. Além disso, traz os conceitos de bom senso e ética na visão freireana e a reflexão sobre sua influência na atuação prática do docente e as formas de efetivamente torná-los aplicáveis ao professor. A pesquisa, de cunho qualitativo, analisa os dizeres de três professoras da Educação Básica acerca de “bom senso” e “ética”, buscando perceber de que maneira identificam a materialidade dos conceitos em sua prática pedagógica.
Model of Ground Handling Processes and Establishing Safety Mechanisms
Authors: Duda Jindřich , Stojić Slobodan
Published: August 2019

The following paper focuses on the operational safety issues in the aircraft ground handling process. Ground handling is a critical phase in terms of operational safety, however, severe injuries or even fatal accidents are rare. According to the available data, during a handling process a quite large number of incidents have as an outcome a damaged aircraft, which slows down the following processes and fluency of the relevant procedures. The financial costs in case of even the slightest damage are significantly high.

In order to implement different approach to safety management of ground handling companies, firstly a process analysis was performed using the Systems-Theoretic Accident Model and Process (STAMP) model. The STAMP model offers a different approach to operational safety as opposed to a traditional approach. STAMP approaches failure as a control error. The individual processes are designed for possible future STPA analysis. The processes were modelled according to the publicly available sources, and further improved with the expertise and experience from a real operation. A list of potential deviations is added to the processes or individual activities. Coordination processes between the ground handling company and the airport were also discussed. An operational measure designed to increase operational safety is proposed for selected cases.