bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of Drug-resistant S. aureus from Poultry Samples Collected from Different Areas of Bangladesh
Authors: Akhi Mahmuda Akhter , Das Nantu Chandra , Banik Avijit , Abony Maruf , Juthi Muniara , Uddin Muhammad Ekhlas
Published: October 2019

Staphylococcus aureus is gram-positive cocci that can cause foodborne illness which can be transmitted by chicken meat, both raw and undercooked; consumption of which may cause infection and/or toxicity in consumers. This current study was conducted for the detection of the prevalence of S. aureus in three types of poultry samples which included chicken meat, chicken eggs and droppings. Samples were aseptically collected from different rural and urban areas of 8 districts of Bangladesh in triplicate collection method which was conducted in the Centre for Excellence, Department of Microbiology, Primeasia University, Dhaka, Bangladesh to detect the Multi Drug-Resistant (MDR) S. aureus. Isolation was done by using 7.5% Sodium Chloride broth for enrichment and Mannitol salt agar after enriching samples in Buffer Peptone water. Antibiogram was done by using Kirby Bauer Method on Muller Hinton agar. The current study revealed 68% (17/25), 84% (21/25) and 52% (13/25) of S. aureus in chicken meat, eggs and dropping, respectively. Around 75.47% isolates (40/53) showed 100% similarity with S. aureus from the generated Dendrogram based on biochemical data. Cefixime (62.67%) showed the highest sensitivity against all of the isolates while Penicillin (86.62%) exhibited the highest resistance. Moreover, 59.62% of isolates were resistant to 5 or more drugs (Multidrug-Resistant). Poultry products such as meat and eggs were contaminated with drug-resistant S. aureus which can cause serious health effect to the consumer. The drug-resistant pathogen in droppings helps to indicate the spread of drug-resistant isolates in the environment. Therefore, proper sanitation measures should be taken to ensure the quality of the products during slaughtering, collecting eggs or disposing of poultry litter.
Distance Education in Graduate Training Programs: Lessons Learned from School Psychology Students
Authors: Viola Shannon , Saeki Elina , Hendricker Elise
Published: October 2019

Although online course offerings continue to expand in postsecondary institutions, little research regarding distance education in applied graduate psychology programs is available. This exploratory study evaluated school psychology graduate students’ perceptions, interests, and experience with distance education. Results indicated students view hybrid/blended courses more favorably than fully online courses. While students reported challenges and disadvantages with distance education, they also expressed a desire to have more online and hybrid/blended courses for theoretical and foundational courses. Those who have taken distance education courses reported positively on its impact towards their academic progress. Implications for training programs and future research are discussed.
Development and Validation of a Test Anxiety Inventory for Online Learning Students
Authors: Alibak Morteza , Talebi Hooshang , Neshat-Doost Hamid-Taher
Published: October 2019

Test anxiety is a serious problem for many college students. This study examines the development and validation of the Online Test Anxiety Inventory (OTAI) to evaluate test anxiety among online students. In this study, the OTAI is developed and administered to a sample of 157 postgraduate online students: 77 males and 80 females, aged 22 to 51 years. To design the initial version of the 38-item, Sarason’s Test Anxiety Scale, Abolghsemi’s Test Anxiety Inventory (TAI) and Spielberger’s Test Anxiety Scale were studied, and many interviews were conducted with online learning students who had a high level of test anxiety. Confirmatory Factor Analysis was employed to obtain the Goodness of Fit Indices of the model to the data. The final result is a multidimensional, 18-item OTAI comprised of three factors— online, psychological, and physiological—with a high internal consistency (α = 0.91) and acceptable criterion validity. Concurrent validity was measured by the association of the OTAI and the TAI (r = 0.83).
The Role of Instructional Videos in Psychology Students’ Course Success
Authors: Laster-Loftus Amanda , Cooper Lori
Published: October 2019

Social presence in higher education online learning can be complex and challenging. To examine whether video instruction had an influence on course success, a between-subjects design was chosen to compare two groups of students enrolled in introductory psychology courses at a Christian College in the Southwest United States. The convenience sample (N = 281) was divided into two groups, including those that received video instruction (N = 144) and those that did not (N = 137). The results demonstrated that while there were higher numerical final course grades for the classes that received video instruction, there was not a statistically significant difference in overall course success between the two groups (U = 8947, p = .159). Implications and limitations are discussed.
An E-learning Acceptance Evaluation Through UTAUT Model in a Postgraduate Program
Authors: Mahande Ridwan , Malago Jasruddin
Published: October 2019

This study aims to evaluate e-learning acceptance through the UTAUT model by showing the contributing variables to the acceptance of e-learning in a Postgraduate Program at Universitas Negeri Makassar, Indonesia. This study was an ex post facto study with 170 samples distributed proportionally. The data were collected through a questionnaire that was developed from UTAUT model variables and indicators. The data collected were analyzed by path. The results of the e-learning acceptance evaluation based on the hypothesis test showed that facilitating conditions, behavioral intention, effort expectancy, performance expectancy, and social influence significantly and positively affected behavioral intention. Facilitating conditions and behavioral intention significantly and positively affected the e-learning acceptance. Variables that greatly contributed to the higher or lower e-learning acceptance were facilitating conditions and behavioral intention. Facilitating conditions were strongly affected by the students’ knowledge and internet speed. Meanwhile, the behavioral intention was strongly influenced by the level of students’ belief in the future of e-learning and students’ eagerness that e-learning be integrated in every subject. Nevertheless, social influence variables need more attention for implementing a better and sustainable e-learning system.
Investigação sobre Cyberbullying, em Portugal e Europa – alguns programas, projetos e as percepções de estudantes, professores e pais
Authors: Pessoa Teresa , Vaz-Rebelo Piedade , Goc Magdalena , Kontogiann Emmanouil , Netova Galina , Keles Suheyla , Lekkos Nikos
Published: October 2019

O desenvolvimento das Tecnologias da Informação e da Comunicação (TIC) representa enormes vantagens para a gestão e conforto da vida do quotidiano, para a vida da escola e, de modo muito particular, para a vida das famílias e dos jovens. As crianças e jovens, que nascem neste ‘admirável mundo novo’, carecem, porém, de suporte que sustente o desenvolvimento de uma cidadania digital. De facto, hoje reconhece-se que a par destas vantagens há riscos importantes associados à utilização da Internet e das TIC – como é o caso do cybebullying!

O cyberbullying um problema emergente nas nossas escolas e sociedade, carece de investigação e compreensão e divulgação junto de pais e professores que não conhecem e não sabem lidar com os novos perigos que hoje espreitam as crianças e os alunos

Neste artigo referem-se diversos estudos em Portugal e na Europa. Mais concretamente apresenta-se, por um lado, o projeto Camouflage and safety in the virtual World, financiado pelo programa Erasmus+ 2015-1-PL01-KA201-016817, desenhado e implementado em conjunto com parceiros da Polónia (coordenação), Bulgária, Chipre e Grécia, Portugal e Turquia. Por outro lado, descreve-se um estudo, levado a cabo no âmbito do referido projeto, que visou conhecer a experiência sobre o cyberbullying de estudantes, professores e pais, nos diferentes países, através de um questionário construído para o efeito. O trabalho é enquadrado por uma leitura crítica e fundamentada na recente investigação, de alguns dados relevantes nesta área de investigação conducentes à compreensão do fenómeno de cyberbullying
Melatonin Levels and Low‐Frequency Magnetic Fields in Humans and Rats: New Insights From a Bayesian Logistic Regression
Authors: Bouché Nicolas F. , McConway Kevin
Published: September 2019

The present analysis revisits the impact of extremely low‐frequency magnetic fields (ELF‐MF) on melatonin (MLT) levels in human and rat subjects using both a parametric and non‐parametric approach. In this analysis, we use 62 studies from review articles. The parametric approach consists of a Bayesian logistic regression (LR) analysis and the non‐parametric approach consists of a Support Vector analysis, both of which are robust against spurious/false results. Both approaches reveal a unique well‐ordered pattern, and show that human and rat studies are consistent with each other once the MF strength is restricted to cover the same range (with B ≲ 50 μT). In addition, the data reveal that chronic exposure (longer than ∼22 days) to ELF‐MF appears to decrease MLT levels only when the MF strength is below a threshold of ~30 μT (), i.e., when the man‐made ELF‐MF intensity is below that of the static geomagnetic field. Studies reporting an association between ELF‐MF and changes to MLT levels and the opposite (no association with ELF‐MF) can be reconciled under a single framework. Bioelectromagnetics. 2019;40:539–552. © 2019 Bioelectromagnetics Society.
Copper‐Catalyzed Benzylic C—H Functionalization, Oxidation and Cyclization of Methylarenes: Direct Access to 2‐Arylbenzothiazoles
Authors: Yu Wentao , Wu Wanqing , Jiang Huanfeng
Published: September 2019

Summary of main observation conclusion

The direct C—H functionalization of methylarenes is of great significance. Herein, a copper‐catalyzed oxidative C—N/C—S bond formation through benzylic C(sp3)—H functionalization, oxidation and cyclization of methylarenes is reported. Various 2‐arylbenzothiazoles have been synthesized in moderate to excellent yields with readily available o‐iodoaniline, potassium sulfide, and methylarenes as raw materials.
The Promise and the Reality of Genomics to Guide Precision Medicine in Pediatric Oncology: The Decade Ahead
Authors: Evans William E. , Pui Ching‐Hon , Yang Jun J.
Published: September 2019

Much has been written about the promise of “precision medicine,” especially in oncology, where somatic mutations can influence the response of cancer cells to “targeted therapy.” There have been successful examples of targeted therapy improving the outcome of some childhood cancers, such as the addition of an ABL class tyrosine kinase inhibitor to conventional chemotherapy substantially improving the cure rate for patients with BCR‐ABL1 positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Although there are other mutations serving as putative targets in various childhood leukemias and solid tumors, effective targeted therapy has yet to be established for them in prospective clinical trials. There are also uncertainties about which “targeted therapy” to use when patients have multiple targetable genomic lesions in their cancer cells, given the paucity of data upon which to develop evidence‐based guidelines for selecting and integrating targeted agents for individual patients. There are also multiple examples of inherited germline variants for which evidence‐based guidelines have been developed by the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium to guide the selection and dosing of medications in children with cancer. Clinical pharmacology is poised to play a critical role in both the discovery and development of new targeted anticancer agents and their evidence‐based translation into better treatment for children with cancer. To embrace these challenges and opportunities of “precision medicine,” clinical and basic pharmacologists must expand the depth of our science and the bandwidth of our translational capacity if we are to optimize precision medicine and advance the treatment of cancer in children and adults.
Ischemic Stroke and Systemic Embolism in Warfarin Users With Atrial Fibrillation or Heart Valve Replacement Exposed to Dicloxacillin or Flucloxacillin
Authors: Hellfritzsch Maja , Lund Lars Christian , Ennis Zandra , Stage Tore , Damkier Per , Bliddal Mette , Jensen Peter Bjødstrup , Henriksen Daniel , Ernst Martin Thomsen , Olesen Morten , Broe Anne , Kristensen Kasper Bruun , Hallas Jesper , Pottegård Anton
Published: September 2019

The antibiotics dicloxacillin and flucloxacillin induce cytochrome P450‐dependent metabolism of warfarin. We explored the influence of these drug–drug interactions on the clinical effectiveness of warfarin therapy due to atrial fibrillation or heart valve replacement. Using the population‐based Danish registers, we performed a propensity‐score matched cohort study including around 50,000 episodes of dicloxacillin/flucloxacillin matched to phenoxymethylpenicillin and to no antibiotic, respectively. We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by comparing 21‐day (days 7–28) risks of ischemic stroke/systemic embolism (SE) following initiation of each exposure. When compared with phenoxymethylpenicillin, dicloxacillin/flucloxacillin was associated with an HR of ischemic stroke/SE of 2.09 (95% CI 1.51–2.90; strongest for dicloxacillin (HR 2.17; 95% CI 1.56–3.02)). Use of an untreated comparator strengthened the association (HR 2.84; 95% CI 1.97–4.09). Dicloxacillin should be used with caution in patients receiving warfarin. This may also apply to flucloxacillin; however, more data on the risks associated with flucloxacillin exposure during warfarin therapy are needed.
Salivary cortisol levels relate to cognitive performance in children prenatally exposed to methadone or buprenorphine
Authors: Konijnenberg Carolien , Melinder Annika
Published: September 2019

Opioid maintenance therapy (OMT) is generally recommended for pregnant opioid‐dependent women. However, much is still unknown about the potential long‐term effects of prenatal methadone and buprenorphine exposure. This study explored the long‐term effects of prenatal methadone and buprenorphine exposure in a cohort (n = 41) of children, aged 9–11 years, using the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI) to measure cognitive development and salivary cortisol samples to measure HPA‐axis activity. Prenatally exposed children scored significantly lower on all four subtests of WASI (vocabulary, similarities, block design, and matrix reasoning), compared to a comparison group (all p < .05). No group differences were found for salivary cortisol levels or cortisol reactivity levels (all p > .05). Cortisol levels significantly predicted matrix reasoning scores for the OMT group, β = −65.58, t(20) = 15.70, p = .02. Findings suggest that prenatal exposure to methadone or buprenorphine does not have long‐term effects on children's HPA‐axis functioning. However, since children of women in OMT scored significantly lower on tasks of cognitive function, careful follow‐up throughout the school years and across adolescence is recommended.
Perinatal high‐fat diet impairs pup retrieval and induces sex‐specific changes in ultrasonic vocalization characteristics of rat pups
Authors: Abuaish Sameera , Tse Emmanuel K. , McGowan Patrick O.
Published: September 2019

Rodent pups emit ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) to solicit maternal behavior, promoting their survival. Conversely, maternal behaviors affect the expression of pup USVs. We previously demonstrated that a maternal diet high in saturated fat (HFD) alters maternal behavior and is associated with early maturation of pups and their stress physiology. Here, we assessed the developmental profiles of pup USVs using quantitative and qualitative measures on postnatal days (PND)7 and 13. Quantitative measures included call counts, duration, and frequency, while qualitative measures examined calls' sonographic structures. HFD offspring lacked the typical decrease in USV numbers with age observed among control offspring. They also had shorter calls at PND7 compared to control and HFD offspring at PND13. HFD female offspring showed a greater number of one‐frequency‐sweep calls, while male pups showed a greater number of two‐frequency‐sweep calls compared to control offspring. Concomitantly, HFD dams showed impaired pup retrieval on PND7. The data suggest that fewer USVs of shorter duration in HFD offspring may alter dam solicitation and thus impair maternal pup retrieval. This study highlights the impacts of perinatal HFD exposure on the dyadic reciprocal interaction between dam and pups, which may set the stage for long‐lasting effects on offspring physiology and behavior.
Pre‐ and postnatal alcohol exposure delays, in female but not in male rats, the extinction of an auditory fear conditioned memory and increases alcohol consumption
Authors: Plaza Wladimir , Gaschino Felice , Gutierrez Camilo , Santibañez Nicolás , Estay‐Olmos Camila , Sotomayor‐Zárate Ramón , De la Fuente‐Ortega Erwin , Pautassi Ricardo M. , Haeger Paola A.
Published: September 2019

Repeated exposure to alcohol increases retrieval of fear‐conditioned memories, which facilitates, among other factors, the emergence of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Individuals with PTSD are more likely to develop alcohol and substance abuse related disorders. We assessed if prenatal and early postnatal alcohol exposure (PAE) increased the susceptibility to retain aversive memories and if this was associated with subsequent heightened alcohol consumption. Pregnant Sprague‐Dawley rats were exposed for 22 hr/day, throughout pregnancy and until postnatal Day 7 to a single bottle of sucralose ‐ sweetened 10% alcohol solution (PAE Group), or to a single bottle of tap water and sucralose (Control Group). Auditory fear conditioning (AFC) was performed in the adolescent offspring at postnatal Day 40. Freezing was measured during acquisition, retention and extinction phases, followed by 3 weeks of free choice alcohol intake. Female, but not male, PAE rats exhibited impaired extinction of the aversive memory, a finding associated with higher levels of 3‐4 Dihidroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in the nucleus accumbens and heightened alcohol intake, respect to controls. These findings suggest that PAE makes females more vulnerable to long‐term retention of aversive memories, which coexist with heightened alcohol intake. These findings are reminiscent of those of PTSD.
Bilateral trade with risk‐averse intermediary using linear network optimization
Authors: Bayrak Halil İ. , Kargar Kamyar , Pınar Mustafa Ç.
Published: September 2019

We consider bilateral trade of an object between a seller and a buyer through an intermediary who aims to maximize his/her expected gains as in the previous study, in a Bayes‐Nash equilibrium framework where the seller and buyer have private, discrete valuations for the object. Using duality of linear network optimization, the intermediary's initial problem is transformed into an equivalent linear programming problem with explicit formulae of expected revenues of the seller and the expected payments of the buyer, from which the optimal mechanism is immediately obtained. Then, an extension of the same problem is considered for a risk‐averse intermediary. Through a computational analysis, we observe that the structure of the optimal mechanism is fundamentally changed by switching from risk‐neutral to risk‐averse environment.
Effects of hydraulic engineering restoration measures on invasive gobies in a large river (Danube, Austria)
Authors: Ramler David , Keckeis Hubert
Published: September 2019

Invasive gobies can have severe detrimental effects on local fish communities, however, direct methods for population control are often insufficient (i.e. fishing) or not feasible (i.e. poisoning). Indirect methods, such as habitat modifications in the course of restoration programs, appear promising but are poorly studied. In this study, we investigate the effects of different restoration measures on the abundance and occurrence of non-native gobies in the main stem of a free-flowing section of the Danube and attempt to disentangle these measures from general large-scale trends by applying a Before-After-Control-Impact design. We found three invasive goby species (racer, bighead, and round goby) in the sampling area, partly with very high abundances. Four to six years after the installation, the measures had negative (riprap removal), neutral (side arm reconnection), or positive (groyne field adaptations) effects on goby abundances. We conclude that the impact of the measures depends on the type of intervention, is species-specific, and is largely related to substrate composition. Independent from the effect of the measures, abundances of bighead and round goby dropped in the project and reference sections after the pre-survey. This general decline probably indicates a stabilization phase of the goby populations on a lower level, but may also be influenced by a major flood event. Nevertheless, our results indicate a high potential of shoreline modifications for invasive species control, calling for considering and incorporating them in river restoration programs.
Association between allergic conjunctivitis and provisional tic disorder in children
Authors: Chen Lin , Chen Xinke , Ke Ning , Pi Lianhong , Liu Qing
Published: September 2019

Background

Allergic diseases are associated with a higher risk of Tourette’s syndrome (TS). Provisional tic disorder (PTD) and eye blinking are often reported as the initial symptoms both in TS and in allergic conjunctivitis (AC).

Objective

To investigate the association between AC and PTD in children of 4–10 years of age in southwest China.

Methods

This case–control study was carried out at the Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between January 2016 and June 2017. Age- and gender-matched children without PTD were included as the control group. Intraocular pressure was measured by non-contact tonometry, tear film break-up time by slit-lamp examination, and allergens by skin prick test (SPT). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to adjust for the simultaneous effects of AC, dry eye, and allergic history in children with PTD.

Results

The frequency of AC was higher in the PTD group (74.3%, 52/70) than in the control group (17.1%, 12/70) (P < 0.001). The frequencies of positive SPT were found to be higher in the PTD group (80.0%, 56/70) than in the control group (20.0%, 14/70). AC, dry eye, and history of allergic rhinitis were significantly associated with PTD.

Conclusion

The frequencies of AC are high in children with PTD. AC and dry eye may be both associated with PTD in children.
Association of Foster Care and its Duration with Clinical Symptoms and Impairment: Foster Care versus Non-Foster Care Comparisons with Spanish Children
Authors: Navarro-Soria Ignasi , Servera Mateu , Burns G. Leonard
Published: September 2019

Objective

The objective was to determine if Spanish foster care children and Spanish non-foster children differ on sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT), ADHD-inattention (IN), ADHD-hyperactivity/impulsivity (HI), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), limited prosocial emotions (LPE), anxiety, depression, social and academic impairment measures and if the duration of foster care predicts a reduction in symptom and impairment differences between foster and non-foster care children.

Method

Foster care parents of 49 children (8 to 13 years, 57% girls) and non-foster care mothers and fathers of 1776 children (8 to 13 years, 49% girls) completed the Child and Adolescent Behavior Inventory (CABI).

Results

Foster care children had significantly higher scores on all symptom and impairment measures than non-foster care mother and father groups (d values from 0.37 to 1.53). A longer duration in foster care (range 8 to 86 months) was also associated with significant lower scores on SCT, ADHD-IN, anxiety, depression, and academic impairment. In addition, while foster care children with a shorter duration in foster care (less than medium months) had significantly higher scores than the non-foster care groups on all measures (d values from 0.66 to 2.25), children with a longer duration in foster care did not differ from the non-foster care groups on anxiety, depression, ADHD-IN, ADHD-HI, LPE, social and academic impairment.

Conclusions

Although foster care children had elevated psychopathology and impairment scores relative to non-foster care children, a longer stay in foster care was associated with the elimination of the difference on most symptom and impairment measures.
Synthesis of epoxy resins derivatives of naphthalene-2,7-diol and their cross-linked products
Authors: Fila K. , Gargol M. , Goliszek M. , Podkościelna B.
Published: September 2019

The aim of this study was the synthesis of three different epoxy compounds based on naphthalene-2,7-diol (2,7-NAF.EP, 2,7-NAF.WEP, 2,7-NAF.P.EP) and then their cross-linking by triethylenetetramine (TETA). All epoxides were prepared by the reaction of naphthalene-2,7-diol with epichlorohydrin but under different conditions and with other catalysts. The structures of the obtained compounds before and after the cross-linking reactions were confirmed by the attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR/FT-IR). The ATR/FT-IR spectra of cross-linked compounds show disappearance of the C–O–C bands (about 915 cm−1) derived from the epoxy groups. DSC and TG/DTG measurements indicated that the obtained materials possess good thermal resistance; they are stable up to about 250 °C. The hardness of the cross-linked products was determined using the Shore D method. The highest value of hardness was obtained for the 2,7-NAF.EP-POL. Additionally, the UV–Vis absorption spectra of the obtained polymers were registered and evaluated.
Golden State Blazes Contributed to Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Crowell Rachel
Published: September 2019

A new case study investigates causes and effects of California’s 2017 wildfire season.
Resistance mechanisms to osimertinib in EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Leonetti Alessandro , Sharma Sugandhi , Minari Roberta , Perego Paola , Giovannetti Elisa , Tiseo Marcello
Published: September 2019

Osimertinib is an irreversible, third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is highly selective forEGFR-activating mutations as well as theEGFRT790M mutation in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) withEGFRoncogene addiction. Despite the documented efficacy of osimertinib in first- and second-line settings, patients inevitably develop resistance, with no further clear-cut therapeutic options to date other than chemotherapy and locally ablative therapy for selected individuals. On account of the high degree of tumour heterogeneity and adaptive cellular signalling pathways in NSCLC, the acquired osimertinib resistance is highly heterogeneous, encompassing EGFR-dependent as well as EGFR-independent mechanisms. Furthermore, data from repeat plasma genotyping analyses have highlighted differences in the frequency and preponderance of resistance mechanisms when osimertinib is administered in a front-line versus second-line setting, underlying the discrepancies in selection pressure and clonal evolution. This review summarises the molecular mechanisms of resistance to osimertinib in patients with advancedEGFR-mutated NSCLC, includingMET/HER2amplification, activation of the RAS–mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) or RAS–phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathways, novel fusion events and histological/phenotypic transformation, as well as discussing the current evidence regarding potential new approaches to counteract osimertinib resistance.
Intestinal autophagy links psychosocial stress with gut microbiota to promote inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Wang Shu-Ling , Shao Bo-Zong , Zhao Sheng-Bing , Chang Xin , Wang Pei , Miao Chao-Yu , Li Zhao-Shen , Bai Yu
Published: September 2019

Psychosocial stress is a critical inducing factor of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), while autophagy is a novel central issue of IBD development. The present study investigated the potential role of autophagy in stress-related IBD in patients and animal model. The correlation between psychosocial stress and intestinal autophagy was determined in 23 patients with IBD. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), a well-established inducer of psychosocial stress, was administrated in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced IBD mice and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM). In IBD patients, the autophagy markers beclin-1, LC3-II/I ratio, Atg16L1, and Atg4B were significantly enhanced. The psychosocial stress score was positively associated with the levels of beclin-1 and the LC3II/I ratio in intestinal biopsy specimens. In IBD mouse model, CRH significantly aggravated intestinal inflammation, increased Paneth cell metaplasia, and enhanced intestinal autophagy (beclin-1, Atg16L1, PIK3R4, and Atg4B upregulation; GAA, CTSD, and PPKAA1 downregulation). Additionally, the CRH-induced gut microbial dysbiosis was evidenced by a marked increase in the number of detrimental bacteria. In LPS-stimulated BMDM, CRH substantially increased M1/M2 polarization and thus promoted inflammation. In both IBD mice and LPS-treated BMDM, blockade of autophagy by chloroquine abrogated the unbeneficial effects of CRH, whereas autophagy inducer rapamycin resulted in a pronounced protective effect against IBD lesion. Our data demonstrate that psychosocial stress may link the enhanced intestinal autophagy by modulating gut microbiota and inflammation to aggravate IBD. These data indicate autophagy as a promising therapeutic target for psychosocial stress-related IBD.
Competitive adsorption on gold nanoparticles for human papillomavirus 16 L1 protein detection by LDI-MS
Authors: Zhu Li , Han Jing , Wang Zhihua , Yin Lihui , Zhang Wei , Peng You , Nie Zongxiu
Published: September 2019

The detection of the HPV L1 protein provides information about the infection status of the virus, reflects the replication status of the HPV virus in cervical cells, and helps understand the regression and progress of cervical lesions.
Up-conversion luminescence lifetime thermometry based on the1G4state of Tm3+modulated by cross relaxation processes
Authors: Fu Yuting , Zhao Lijuan , Guo Yuao , Yu Hua
Published: September 2019

The first study on the up-conversion luminescence lifetime thermometry based on the1G4state of Tm3+modulated by cross relaxation processes.
Recent progress in the augmentation of reactive species with nanoplatforms for cancer therapy
Authors: Wu Mengqi , Ding Yiming , Li Linlin
Published: September 2019

Recent progresses of nanoplatforms based on strategies including disabling the antioxidant defense system, PDT, SDT and CDT to trigger RS augment for cancer therapy have been summarized.
From Patients to Platelets and Back Again: Pharmacological Approaches to Glycoprotein VI, a Thrilling Antithrombotic Target with Minor Bleeding Risks
Authors: Martins Lima Augusto , Martins Cavaco Ana C. , Fraga-Silva Rodrigo A. , Eble Johannes A. , Stergiopulos Nikolaos
Published: September 2019

Despite significant advances in the treatment of thrombogenic diseases, antiplatelet therapies are still associated with a high bleeding risk. Consequently, potential benefits of preventing thromboembolic events by pharmacological agents need to be balanced with the potential harm of inducing hemorrhage. Glycoprotein VI (GPVI) is a platelet-specific receptor, which plays a crucial role in thrombus formation. GPVI deficiency has been identified in patients who suffer from significant reduction of collagen-induced thrombus formation, with a slight tendency for mild bleeding. However, an isolated GPVI deficiency can reduce thrombus formation while not resulting in severe bleeding. Together, these observations strongly suggest that physiological hemostasis does not require GPVI, but pharmacological GPVI modulation may provide novel “bleeding-free” antithrombotic therapies. In this review, we discuss recent findings regarding the biological role of GPVI in platelet-related disorders and highlight the efforts to develop potential therapeutic strategies based on its structure, signaling pathways, and biological effects.
The Life-course Approach in Assessment of Dental Health: A Cross Sectional Study among Finnish and Turkish Pre-adolescents
Authors: Cinar Ayse Basak , Murtomaa Heikki , Tseveenjav Battsetseg
Published: September 2019

Objectives: Interest is growing on conceptualizing dental disease aetiology under the life-course approach. The aim of this study was to assess the association of dental caries experience with the major components of life-course approach, health- and behavioral capital, among Turkish and Finnish pre-adolescents, with different family-related characteristics, as this association has not been explored yet.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of Finnish (n=338) and Turkish (n=611) pre-adolescents was undertaken with questionnaires and oral health data.

Results: Turkish pre-adolescents, more dentally diseased (84%) than the Finnish (33%) (P<.01), had lower means of health (body height-weight) and behavioural (self-esteem, tooth-brushing self-efficacy) capital, (P<.01). Finnish pre-adolescents were less likely to live in two-parent families (P=.001) and spent less time with their mothers (P<.05). Turkish pre-adolescents with high levels of self-esteem were more likely to spend time with their mothers and less likely to live in families with three or more children (28%) than were their counterparts with low levels of self-esteem (41%). Such associations were not evident among Finnish pre-adolescents (P>.05). Health capital, in terms of body height, and family-related characteristics in differing patterns, contributed to DMFT, in common, among Turkish and Finnish pre-adolescents. Self-esteem, behavioural capital was explanatory variable for DMFT only for the Turks.

Conclusions: Dental health of pre-adolescents was associated with health- and behavioural capital in different pathways under the influence of family-related characteristics. The cooperation of paediatricians and dentists is vital in assessment of general and dental health in a holistic context throughout the life-course, to enhance the well-being of pre-adolescents. (Eur J Dent 2008;2:153-160)
Using the Pharmaceutical Collection Database to identify patient adherence to oral hypoglycaemic medicines
Authors: Kharjul Mangesh D. , Cameron Claire , Braund Rhiannon
Published: September 2019

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTIONPoor adherence to oral hypoglycaemic medicines is a key contributor to therapy failure and sub-optimal glycaemic control among people with type 2 diabetes. It is unclear how commonly non-adherence to oral hypoglycaemics occurs in the general population. This information is essential to design and implement local adherence strategies. AIMThis study aimed to determine levels of sub-optimal adherence and identify patient groups who may need additional adherence support. METHODSThe dispensing data of 340,283 patients from one District Health Board was obtained from the Pharmaceutical Collection Database for the period 2008–15. Of these, 12,405 patients received oral hypoglycaemic therapy during the study period. The proportion of days covered (PDC) was calculated for patients with complete data and a PDC value of ≥80% was used to indicate sufficient adherence. Patient demographics (gender, ethnicity, age, socioeconomic status) and therapy type (mono- or combination) were described. RESULTSOverall, 54.5% of the patients were found to have a PDC of <80% and so were considered non-adherent. Non-adherence was significantly higher in patients receiving combination oral hypoglycaemic therapy than monotherapy; in male patients; in New Zealand Māori patients; and in patients with higher socioeconomic deprivation. DISCUSSIONIn the study region, non-adherence to oral hypoglycaemic medicines was significant and widespread. Identification of such patients is important so that strategies to enhance adherence can be implemented. Prescribers need to be encouraged to optimise monotherapy before the addition of another oral hypoglycaemic, and adherence support services should be offered not only to older patients.
Electrocaloric effect and pyroelectric properties of organic–inorganic hybrid (C2H5NH3)2CuCl4
*
Authors: Liu Yi , Chang Yan-Fen , Sun Young , Shen Jun , Yan Li-Qin , Lu Zun-Ming
Published: September 2019

The organic–inorganic hybrid (C2H5NH3)2CuCl4 (EA2CuCl4) single crystals are prepared by the solvothermal condition method. The x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, dielectric permittivity, pyroelectric current, and heat capacity are used to systematically investigate the electrocaloric performances of EA2CuCl4. The pyroelectric currents are measured under various voltages, and the electrocaloric effect (ECE) is calculated. Its ECE exhibits an isothermal entropy change of 0.0028 J/kg · K under an electric field of 30 kV/cm associated with a relatively broad temperature span. Further, the maximum pyroelectric coefficient (p) is 4× 10−3 C/m21 · K and the coefficient β for generating ECE from electric displacement D is 1.068× 108 J · cm · K−1 · C−2 at 240 K. Our results indicate that the ECE behavior of organic–inorganic hybrid EA2CuCl4 is in accordance with Jona and Shirane’s opinion in which the ECE should occur both below and above the Curie temperature T
c.
Heat transfer of liquid metal alloy on copper plate deposited with film of different surface free energy*
Authors: Yan Huilong , Yan Jinliang , Zhao Gang
Published: September 2019

Liquid metal alloys (LMAs) are the potential candidates of thermal interface materials (TIMs) for electronics cooling. In the present work, buffer layers of Ag, Ti, Cu, Ni, Mo, and W were deposited on polished Cu plates by DC magnetron sputtering, the contact angles of de-ionized water and diiodomethane on the buffer layers were measured by an easy drop shape analyzer and the surface free energies (SFEs) of the buffer layers were calculated by the Owens–Wendt–Kaelble equation. Samples were prepared by sandwiching the filmed Cu plates and LMAs. The thermal properties of the samples were measured by laser flash analysis method. The SFE of the buffer layer has a strong influence on the interface heat transfer, whereas the measurement temperature has no obvious effect on the thermal properties of the samples. As the SFE of the buffer layer increases, the wettability, thermal diffusivity, and thermal conductivity are enhanced, and the thermal contact resistance is decreased.
Looking for the North American Invasion in Mexico City
Authors: Connors Thomas G. , Muñoz Raúl Isaí
Published: September 2019

At a time when Latinxs play an increasingly important role in U.S. society, a group of teachers seek out places in Mexico City connected to the U.S. Invasion of 1847–1848, hoping to understand how it is remembered there today. Museums and memorials commemorate the sacrifices made by a wronged nation and honor the legendary figures who have come to dominate its popular narrative of the war, Los Niños Héroes and the San Patricios. By contrast, the historic landscape is nearly silent on Santa Anna and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Back home, the group incorporates the places they visited into their classrooms through images and stories. Finally, they consider how the war’s place in the teaching of Texas and U.S. history is changing and offer Elliott West’s Greater Reconstruction thesis as a framework for reimagining the nation’s history by focusing on how the expansion of this period affected the peoples over whom the border crossed and reoriented national attention toward Latin America and the Pacific. Throughout the essay, a Mexican American reflects on his first encounter with the capital of his ancestral homeland.
The Current Status of Devices for the Treatment of Resistant Hypertension
Authors: Kunz Michael , Lauder Lucas , Ewen Sebastian , Böhm Michael , Mahfoud Felix
Published: September 2019

Arterial hypertension is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Although blood pressure-lowering therapies significantly reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events, blood pressure control remains unsatisfactorily low. Several device-based antihypertensive therapies have been investigated in patients with treatment-resistant hypertension and in patients unable or unwilling to adhere to antihypertensive medication. As the field of device-based therapies is subject to constant change, this review aims at providing an up-to-date overview of different device-based approaches for the treatment of hypertension. These approaches target the sympathetic nervous system (renal denervation, baroreflex amplification therapy, baroreflex activation therapy, and carotid body ablation) or alter mechanical arterial properties by creating an iliac arteriovenous fistula. Notably, the use of all of these treatment options is not recommended for the routine treatment of hypertension by current guidelines but should be investigated in the context of controlled clinical studies.
Commentary: It’s the economy, stupid: On the Costs of Marginalizing the Aesthetic
Authors: Finch Laura
Published: September 2019

This essay is a response to the pieces collected for the special issue of American Literary History on economics and literature, with a particular focus on those dealing with the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. It makes two related arguments: first, that studies of the North American economy must center analyses of racial capitalism and settler colonialism as an inherent part of their work and not as an optional add-on. Secondly, I argue that the field of economics and literature loses much of its anti-capitalist potential when it allows the parameters of the debate to be set by the economy; that is, taking the terms of analysis, the texts for analysis, the methods of analysis, and suppositions about who can be read as an economic actor and what is an economic action from how they are defined by the economy precludes a disruption of these premises. I conclude by arguing for the importance of the aesthetic for reimaging the terms of the debate and offering a brief biography of writing on racial capitalism and settler colonialism that is already doing this work.
Malpractice Litigation in Plastic Surgery: Can We Identify Patterns?
Authors: Sarmiento Samuel , Wen Charles , Cheah Michael A , Lee Stacey , Rosson Gedge D
Published: September 2019

Background

Malpractice litigation has a significant impact on healthcare costs and important professional implications for healthcare providers.

Objectives

The authors sought to comprehensively characterize the litigation landscape in plastic surgery across its different subspecialties.

Methods

The authors utilized the Westlaw legal database to conduct a comprehensive search of malpractice cases in the United States in the following categories: cosmetic, reconstructive, hand, craniofacial, and gender affirmation surgery. They conducted both a Boolean and a natural language search to identify cases in which a plastic surgeon was the defendant. Data were analyzed employing descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and relative risk calculations.

Results

In total, 165 cases were included. Most surgeons accused of malpractice worked in a private setting (148 [90%]). Among the 22 (13%) cases that contained information on board certification status, most surgeons were board certified (17 [77%]). Resident involvement was mentioned in only 5 (3%) cases. The majority of cases were successfully defended by surgeons (98 [60%] vs 65 [40%]), particularly in craniofacial surgery (risk ratio: 1.54; P = 0.03; 95% CI: 1.03-2.3). Surgeons who successfully defended a case were more likely to benefit from summary judgment (P = 0.005).

Conclusions

Malpractice litigation is commonplace in medical practice, and no specialty is spared. Legal outcomes were in favor of plastic surgeons in the majority of cases, particularly those that proceeded to summary judgment. Surgeons can avoid litigation by maintaining detailed office and surgical notes, always obtaining informed consent, adequately following and monitoring patients after surgery, and ensuring compliance by communicating frequently and effectively.
Proteome-level assessment of origin, prevalence and function of leucine-aspartic acid (LD) motifs
Authors: Alam Tanvir , Alazmi Meshari , Naser Rayan , Huser Franceline , Momin Afaque A , Astro Veronica , Hong SeungBeom , Walkiewicz Katarzyna W , Canlas Christian G , Huser Raphaël , Ali Amal J , Merzaban Jasmeen , Adamo Antonio , Jaremko Mariusz , Jaremko Łukasz , Bajic Vladimir B , Gao Xin , Arold Stefan T
Published: September 2019

Motivation

Leucine-aspartic acid (LD) motifs are short linear interaction motifs (SLiMs) that link paxillin family proteins to factors controlling cell adhesion, motility and survival. The existence and importance of LD motifs beyond the paxillin family is poorly understood.

Results

To enable a proteome-wide assessment of LD motifs, we developed an active learning based framework (LD motif finder; LDMF) that iteratively integrates computational predictions with experimental validation. Our analysis of the human proteome revealed a dozen new proteins containing LD motifs. We found that LD motif signalling evolved in unicellular eukaryotes more than 800 Myr ago, with paxillin and vinculin as core constituents, and nuclear export signal as a likely source of de novo LD motifs. We show that LD motif proteins form a functionally homogenous group, all being involved in cell morphogenesis and adhesion. This functional focus is recapitulated in cells by GFP-fused LD motifs, suggesting that it is intrinsic to the LD motif sequence, possibly through their effect on binding partners. Our approach elucidated the origin and dynamic adaptations of an ancestral SLiM, and can serve as a guide for the identification of other SLiMs for which only few representatives are known.

Availability and implementation

LDMF is freely available online at www.cbrc.kaust.edu.sa/ldmf; Source code is available at https://github.com/tanviralambd/LD/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.