bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is the Birth PCR Still Necessary for HIV Exposed Newborns?
Authors: Bula Fernando , Rathore Mobeen H.
Published: January 2017

In 2009 the Unites States Public Health Service (US-PHS) changed its recommendations for diagnostic testing of HIV exposed infants. However, barriers for compliance to testing remain. We evaluated the compliance with the 2009 USPHS recommendation at our center. A total of 244 HIV exposed infants were identified from 2009 to 2012. HIV DNA PCR was done in less than 48 hours of life in 216 (90.7%) infants, bet-ween 14-21 days in 143 (60.1%). We believe it remains important to perform HIV testing at birth especially when testing at 14 to 21 days of life cannot be assured. regimen during pregnancy, cesarean deliveries when appropriate, avoidance of breast feeding, use of antiretroviral medication during labor and delivery and in the neonate in the first six weeks of life.1 Despite these recommendations, barriers to prevention of MTCT still exist.2 It is important to follow the protocol for determination of HIV status in HIV exposed infants in order to determine as soon as possible if the infant is infected or uninfected.

      This study aims to evaluate the compliance to most recent 2009 United Public Health Service (US-PHS) recommendations for diagnostic testing infants born to HIV infected mothers.
Manto’s ‘Toba Tek Singh’
Authors: KEMU Annals
Published: January 2017

‘No live organism can continue for long to exist sanely under conditions of absolute reality’

      Shirley Jackson "The Haunting of Hill House"

 

‘Toba Tek Singh’

 ‘Toba Tek Singh’1 is a tale about the partition of the Indo-Pak subcontinent. It is, by some accounts, the best short story ever written on this subject2. Ironically, the story shows us that when faced with the chaos and bloodshed of partition, the response of a person committed to a mental institution appears more 'sane' and appropriate than those around him.

      Published in 1955, the story takes place inside the Lahore insane asylum (today called the Punjab Institute of Mental Health), two or three years after partition. At a high-level conference, a decision has been made for the exchange of lunatics in insane asylums. When news of this decision spreads, it causes consternation among the inmates of the asylum. Their fear is made worse by their ignorance of 'Hindustan' and ‘Pakistan’. According to one of the inmates, Pakistan is ‘the place in Hindustan where razors are made.’1 Another volunteers that the people in Hindustan ‘go strutting around like devils.’1 One of the in mates

climbs a tree, seats himself on a branch and gives an unbroken two hour speech about the subtle problem of Pakistan and Hindustan. When the guards ask him to come down, he climbs even higher. When he is warned and threatened, he says, “I dont want to live in either Hindustan or Pakistan. I'll live right here in this tree.” A quiet radioengineer, for some obscure reason decides that the situation warrants freedom from clothes and starts to wander around the garden completely naked.

      Manto gives us brief, pithy descriptions of some of the lunatics e.g. A Muslim lunatic from Chiniot, a past member of the All-India Muslim League, announces that he is Quaid-e-Azam and then promptly declares war on a Sikh, who, in his madness considered himself Master Tara Singh.

      Midway through the story, Manto introduces the titular character, known to everyone as ‘Toba Tek Singh’. His real name is Bishan Singh and he has been confined to the asylum for fifteen years, during which time, he has not, even once, sat or lain down. The only words he has spoken during the fifteen years are the nonsensical, ‘Upar di gur gur di annex di be dhyana di mung di dal of the lantern.’1 Once a month when his relatives came to meet him, he agrees to take a bath and cleanup. He has a daughter who has grown older visiting him, and still cries every time she sees her father
Clinical Profile of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Saudi Children: a Hospital Based Study
Authors: Rafique Muhammad , Ishaq Fouzia , Masood Muhammad Khalid , Al-Qahtani Youssef Ali Mohamad , Ahmed Assiri Walaa Ibrahim , Assiri Manal Ahmed Ali , Qureshi Muhammad Atif , Zia Shumaila
Published: January 2017

Abstract

Objective:  To determine the clinical characteristics of newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in children under15 years of age. Cross sectional study conducted at Aseer Central Hospital Abha, South-western Saudi Arabia from June 2011 – May 2015.

Patients and Methods:  Study included 141 Saudi children, < 15 years old with newly diagnosed T1DM. The demographic and laboratory data were collected from file records. The patients were divided into younger (< 5 yr), middle (5 – 10 yr) and older (>10 – 15 yr) age groups. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 16.

Results:  Age of 141 children at onset of T1DM (mean ± SD) was 6.5 ± 3.2 years and majority 62 (44%) belonged to middle age group. Older 43 (30.5%) age group had female predominance (2:1) (p < 0.0001). Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) (39%), obesity (11%) and male predominance (2.6:1) were found in younger 36 (25.5%) age group (p < 0.0001). Family history (F/Hx) of T1DM 29 (20.6%) and HbA1c (10.36 ± 1.8%) successively increased with advancing age of patients. Main presenting symptoms like polyuria (96%), polydipsia (85%), weight loss (62%), nocturia (47%), polyphagia (28%) and DKA (22%),were significantly more frequent in children with F/Hx of T1DM (p < 0.0001). Duration of symptoms at first presentation was 17.3 ± 10.7 days and daily insulin requirement was found 0.82 ± 0.2 units/ Kg.

Conclusion:  Polyuria, polydipsia, weight loss, noctu-ria and polyphagia were the main presenting symptoms and more frequent in middle age group children especially having F/Hx of T1DM. Under five years, obese and male children were found at higher risk for DKA development. Girls usually present late in adolescent age.
Learners’ Perspective on the Situation of Bed Side Teaching on the Medical Floor in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital
Authors: Tahira Quratul Ain , Lodhi Sidrah , Abaidullah Sajid
Published: January 2017

Objective:  Decline in bedside teaching is one of the problems that medical education is facing today. It has always been the best modality for effectively imparting clinical skills. It has declined from 75% in 1960s to 8 – 19% today. Various factors notably advancing medical technology are in essence phasing out bedside teaching. Our study was aimed to assess frequency and adequacy of bedside teaching on the medical floor.

Methods:  This cross sectional study conducted in May 2015 in Mayo Hospital, Lahore included 152 trainee doctors, who gave feedback about various aspects of bedside teaching via a self-administered questionnaire. Frequency of bedside teaching was assessed in terms of number of sessions per week. It was considered adequate if its various aspects including contributions by teachers, learners, allied health professionals and patients were carried out in 70% or more sessions. Z-test was used to compare these aspects to the adequacy criterion. Responses of house officers and postgraduates and male and female doctors were compared by t-test. P-value < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results:  Frequency of bedside teaching was reported to be 62.25%. All aspects of bedside teaching were significantly lower than the adequacy criterion (p-value 0.000). The inadequacy was more noticeable by postgraduates (p-value < 0.05).

Conclusion:  Frequency of bedside teaching was acceptable but the adequacy criterion was not achieved in any of the areas studied.
Effectiveness of Vaginal versus Intramuscular Progesterone for the Prevention of Preterm Delivery
Authors: Wajid Rabia , Zafar Maria , Waheed Fatima
Published: January 2017

Objective:  The objective was to compare the effectiveness of vaginal versus intramuscular progesterone to prevent preterm delivery in patients with history of preterm labor in previous pregnancy.

Patients and Methods:  It was a Randomized Control Trial carried out in the Gynecology Unit in a Public sector Hospital, Lahore from March to December 2015. A total of 800 patients were enrolled through Antenatal OPD and were randomly divided into two groups by draw method. In Group-A, patients were administered 200mg of vaginal progesterone pessary once daily and in Group-B 250 mg of intramuscular progesterone was injected weekly. Treatment was continued until 37 completed weeks of gestation. The patients were followed up through their contact numbers and on routine follow up. This practice was abandoned if premature rupture of membranes occurred and the fetus was delivered before 37 weeks. All the parameters were recorded by the researcher on proforma. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0. Chi Square test was applied to draw the comparison.

Results:  The mean age of patients was 26.16 ± 5.36 years (18 – 35 years). The 296 patients were Para 1, 290 were Para 2, 142 were Para 3, 51 were Para 4 and 21 females were Para 5. In all females, the mean gestational age at time of presentation was 22.00 ± 1.47 weeks, whereas, at time of delivery, mean gestational age was 36.05 ± 2.38 weeks. In vaginal progesterone group, the mean gestational age at time of delivery was 36.67 ± 1.92 weeks while in IM group, mean gestational age at time of delivery was 35.43 ± 2.62 weeks. The difference between both groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Effectiveness (delivery ≥ 37 weeks) was achieved in 379 (47%) cases, out of which 228 (57%) cases belonged to vaginal progesterone group and 151 (37.8%) cases belonged to IM progesterone group (P < 0.05). Post stratification with age and parity also showed that vaginal progesterone is more efficacious than IM progesterone (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:  We concluded that vaginal progesterone is more effective than intramuscular progesterone for the prevention of preterm labor in patients with history of preterm labor in previous pregnancy.
Urinary N-Acetyl-β-D-Glucosaminidase Excretion in Type – II Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Waheed Noor-ul- Ain , Anwar Sumair , Jabbar Uzma
Published: January 2017

Renal complications develop in about 40% of all type II diabetic patients, characterized by persistent albuminuria, leading towards end stage renal disease. N-acetyl-β-D-Glucosaminidase (NAG) a large protein is released in the tubular lumen after proximaltubular damage thus considered as a tubular injury marker. Its raised levels were observed even in normoalbuminu-rics as the onset of microalbuminuria was considered a late finding. With the objective of comparing urinary NAG between normoalbuminuric and microalbuminuric type II Diabetes Mellitus patients, this study was planned.

Methods:  This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2014 at Shaikh Zayed Hospital Lahore on 86 type-II diabetic patients. Out of known type-II diabetic patients from both genders coming to diabetic clinic for routine checkup, those having duration of diabetes for less than 10 years since its diagnosis made and aged 45 – 65 years, were selected through convenient sampling except those with any comorbidity involving kidneys, pregnancy or history of nephrotoxic drug intake. After taking consent, their spot urine samples were collected. Those having urinary ACR (albumin creatinine ratio in mg/g creatinine) > 300 on dipstick termed ‘macroalbumi-nuria’ were also excluded. The albumin, creatinine and NAG assays were performed in the selected spot urine samples. On the basis of urinary ACR, patients were divided into normoalbuminurics (ACR < 30) as group 1 (n = 42) and microalbuminuric (ACR 30 – 300) as group 2 (n = 44). Urinary NAG level was measured in U/L and also expressed as NAG to creatinine ratio (U/ gram creatinine). Data were analyzed through SPSS (v: 21.0) and described as tables and graphs for age, gender, duration of diabetes and urinary NAG. Five point pictorial comparison of NAG to creatinine ratio in both groups was presented through box plot.

Results:  Out of 86 subjects, mean age was 50.79 years in group 1 while it was 51.89 years in group 2. Majority subjects presented with disease history of 5 – 8 years, with male predominance (64% n = 55). Mean urinary NAG level was 18.69 U/L in group 1 and 42.36 U/L in group 2 and difference was significant
 (p = 0.01). Similarly NAG to creatinine ratio values revealed small sized box-plot in group 1 with lower minimum, maximum, median and interquartile range values as compared to group 2.

Conclusion:  Among uncomplicated type-II diabetic patients in the first decade of their illness, the excretion of the urinary enzyme, ‘N-acetyl-β-D-Glucosami-nidase’ was observed. Its levels were lower in normo-albuminurics with less variation as compared to micro-albuminurics.
Weaning Practices and Perceptions of Mothers Residing in Urban Slums of Lahore, Pakistan: A Focus Group Design
Authors: Salim Shafya , Kalsoom Samia , Humayun Ayesha
Published: January 2017

Objectives:  Current study aimed to explore the perceptions and practices about weaning among mothers of children from 6 months to 2 years of age.

Method:  An exploratory qualitative research using methodology of focus group discussions (FGD) was conducted on mothers of 6 months to 2 years of age children in urban slums of Lahore. Perceptions and practices of mothers regarding weaning foods were explored through 3 FGDs (n = 30) conducted in the Government dispensaries in 3 conveniently selected slum areas of Lahore. FGDs were audiotaped and noted followed by transcription, coding and thematic analysis.

Results:  Themes from FGD showed that mothers’ perceptions were poor about the initiation time of weaning, types, quality, frequency and amount of weaning foods. Practice of initiation of weaning varied from 3rd month to 12th months. Despite of the economic concerns almost all mothers preferred instantly prepared foods available in the market. Commonly used weaning foods included processed, dried, packed, instant snacks, breads, cereals, chips and noodles available in market. All mothers were not interested in preparing weaning foods at home. Most of the mothers experienced diarrhea in their infants quite frequently.

Conclusion:  Perceptions and practices of weaning in mothers are both poor and inadequate regarding time of initiation of weaning, age-appropriate quantity, quality and frequency of weaning. Measures should be taken to improve their perceptions and practices because improper weaning determines nutritional status of child in future years of development.

 
Editorial
Authors: Guerriero Silas
Published: January 2017

O presente dossiê da REVER busca reunir artigos que refletem sobre as ressignificações sofridas pela Nova Era nas últimas décadas. Este número é uma continuidade do dossiê apresentado na publicação anterior da REVER denominada de Nova Era: aportes teóricos e situacionais.
A difusão do ethos Nova Era e o declínio de seus estudos acadêmicos no Brasil
Authors: Guerriero Silas , Stern Fabio L. , Bessa Marcelino De Queiroz
Published: January 2017

O movimento da Nova Era sofreu modificações ao longo do tempo. No início, na década de 1960, apresentava características mais milenaristas e ficava restrito a círculos específicos. Após alguns anos, seus componentes constitutivos passaram a ser difundidos na sociedade e incorporados na cultura mais ampla, formando um ethos nova era. O presente artigo procurou perceber, através de uma pesquisa no site de busca da Internet, o Google, a variação de procura desses elementos na sociedade brasileira. Em seguida, buscou levantar se houve uma variação compatível entre os estudos da Nova Era nos meios acadêmicos. Chegou à conclusão de que embora os valores da Nova Era tenham se disseminado na sociedade, não houve um aumento no número de estudos sobre a temática indicando uma possível desatenção por parte dos estudiosos e cientistas da religião.
Da Ufologia ao Catolicismo New Age: O caso de Trigueirinho e a Ordem Graça Misericórdia
Authors: Camurça Marcelo Ayres , Campanha Vítor De Lima
Published: January 2017

Este artigo busca entender as articulações e tensões entre Nova Era e Catolicismo partindo do pensamento do personagem neoesotérico Trigueirinho Netto, autor de dezenas de livros sobre espiritualidade, esoterismo e ufologia. Trigueirinho é fundador de uma comunidade alternativa rural, a Comunidade Figueira, e um dos fundadores da Ordem Graça Misericórdia, idealizada em conjunto com autointitulados freis e madres videntes, segundo eles, a pedido de Nossa Senhora. O objetivo do trabalho é apresentar e analisar como conteúdos tradicionalmente cristãos/católicos são rearticulados dentro de interpretações e práticas new age, inicialmente ligadas à ufologia e posteriormente sintetizadas em um Catolicismo de tipo new age.
A transformação de religiosidade em Portugal e na Grécia: uma comparação etnográfica da Nova Espiritualidade e pluralismo religioso no sul da Europa
Authors: Roussou Eugenia
Published: January 2017

Baseado em trabalho de terreno antropológico em Lisboa, Portugal e Atenas, Grécia, este artigo apresentará um relato comparativo da espiritualidade da Nova Era no Sul da Europa, uma área geográfica e sociocultural em que os estudos do fenômeno da Nova Era são escassos para encontrar. Vai demostrar como esta recente viragem para nova espiritualidade leva a uma transformação da religiosidade quotidiana e a um pluralismo religioso no qual as pessoas têm a escolha de seguir caminhos espirituais alternativas. O objetivo é focar em como essas práticas da espiritualidade da Nova Era, que variam de terapias alternativas, yoga e retiros de meditação para Xamanismo e Espiritismo, fazem o seu caminho para a vida quotidiana das pessoas, afetando as suas crenças e aspirações religiosas, desafiando a predominância do Cristianismo e reivindicando uma posição significativa na religiosidade portuguesa e grega mais persistentemente.
“É fácil ser plural”? Uma análise dos últimos encontros da Nova Consciência de Campina Grande-PB
Authors: Sampaio Dilaine Soares
Published: January 2017

O Encontro da Nova Consciência (ENC) ocorre há 25 anos em Campina Grande, a segunda maior cidade do Estado da Paraíba, e já foi objeto de alguns trabalhos acadêmicos. Desde 2004, passou a ser abrigado pela Organização Nova Consciência, uma instituição sem fins lucrativos. Atualmente, enfrenta dificuldades em virtude das disputas religiosas em sua cidade sede que podem ser notadas, de modo privilegiado, no período do carnaval. Diante do exposto, tomamos como ponto de partida a questão presente no título: É fácil ser plural? Ou melhor, é fácil ser plural mesmo na (pós) modernidade? De que maneira os novos modos de lidar com a espiritualidade afetam as tradições religiosas hegemônicas? Será que os movimentos e iniciativas que dialogam com o universo Nova Era têm o mesmo espaço do mesmo modo que tiveram nos anos 80, 90? Partindo de uma perspectiva antropológica, no âmbito das Ciências das Religiões, buscaremos discutir essas questões, a partir de nossa etnografia nos Encontros da Nova Consciência.
Protestantes brasileiros diante da morte e do luto: observações sobre rituais mortuários
Authors: Campos Leonildo Silveira
Published: January 2017

Os principais traços de crenças e representações dos protestantes brasileiros de missão quanto à morte são facilmente captados no período de luto, nos rituais mortuários ou durante o enterramento. Eles se exteriorizam nas representações na forma de cânticos, na recitação de textos bíblicos, nos sermões ou nas preces emotivas. No Brasil, os protestantes se consideram antípodas do Catolicismo e do Kardecismo. Eles não acreditam no purgatório, nas missas de intercessão pelas almas ou na reencarnação. Todavia, seus rituais mortuários estão mudando e se tornam mais permeáveis ao processo de secularização. Quase não mais se realizam os velórios em templos; o discurso e a expressão das emoções são mais comedidos; aceita-se com mais frequência a doação de órgãos e a cremação; acrescentando-se um significativo desinteresse pelos cadáveres depois do sepultamento.
Exploring Soto Zen in Peru
Authors: McKenzie Germán
Published: January 2017

Soto Zen has grown in importance in Peru since 2005, a phenomenon that has not yet been well studied. To analyze such a process, this research uses the “processive modes” theory as developed by M. Baumann and the Rational Choice Theory as applied to religion by R. Stark and R. Finke. It draws upon qualitative data collected through semi-structured interviews and written questionnaires conducted in two stages, the first one between 2007 and 2009, and the second one in 2013, as well as through participant observation. This study concludes that after deploying important organizational, institutional, communicational and financial resources, today’s Soto Zen presence in Peru can be characterized by the drive to adapt its tradition to Peruvians on the one hand, and maintaining a connection to its roots on the other. As a consequence of these two realities, the Soto Zen community is facing tensions between ordained leadership and lay members. These may jeopardize the strategic position the community has within the Peruvian religious marketplace.
Interações no campo religioso do reino norte de Yiśrā’ēl no século IXº a. C.: a cultura como problema político na Bíblia hebraica (2 Reis 9–10)
Authors: Santos João Batista Ribeiro
Published: January 2017

Este ensaio tem como objetivo apresentar aspectos da cultura do reino norte de Yiśrā’ēl, em cujo acento nas interações no campo religioso possibilita-nos apreender as conexões materiais operadas pela corte real. A nossa hipótese é de que a religião é o elemento aglutinador das grandezas sociais canaanitas; suas peculiaridades cumprem a tarefa de destacar identidades. Nesse complexo contexto das interações culturais semíticas no século 9º a. C., os anais da Bíblia hebraica revelam uma crise em torno da política e cultura em Yiśrā’ēl.
FIGUEIRA, E; SANCHEZ W.L: Uma Igreja de portas abertas. Nos caminhos do Papa Francisco
Authors: Brito Enio José Da Costa
Published: January 2017

Resenha da obra indicada pelo título
Increasing Energy Ration of Bali Cattle to Improve Digestible Nutrient, Milk Yield and Milk Quality
Authors: Suryani Ni Nyoman , Suarna I Wayan , Sarini Ni Putu , Mahardika I Gede
Published: January 2017

To determine the effect of energy levels on digestible nutrient, milk production and milk quality of 7 months pregnant Bali cattle, was the purpose of this study. The study was conducted in Bali, Province of Indonesia on 12 pregnant breeding phase of pre-calving (2 months before the birth) with the parent body weight 329-340 kg/head. The treatment given is four types of Metabolizable Energy (ME) levels: 2000, 2100, 2200 and 2300/kg respectively as treatment A, B, C, and D. All ration contain 10% of crude protein. Variables measured: energy intake, digestible nutrient, milk yield, and milk quality. This research is a randomized block design. The results showed that increase energy ration until 2300 kcal ME/kg would significantly (P<0.05) increase energy intake and highest at cattle consumed ratio D is 22239.55 kcal/day. However, digestible nutrient was not affected. Milk production increased with increasing energy rations and highest (P<0.05) at cattle received treatment D is 2179.83 ml/day compared to treatment A 936.67 ml/day. Milk fat and milk lactose also highest (P<0.05) in treatment D are 8.56% and 4.76% respectively. Based on these results, it can be concluded that increase energy ration will increase energy intake, milk yield and milk fat and milk lactose of Bali cattle.
The Effects of Insider Ownership Capital Structure of Main Board Listed Companies
Authors: Khong Yeen Lai, , Tee Peck Ling, , A/l Chelliah Mahendra Kumar
Published: January 2017

In this paper, researcher tends to discuss the “internal control protects shareholders from agency problem”. The term of insider ownership refer to the shareholders who manage the company as well. In other words, the managers are also the owner of the company. Hence, the conflict of interest between the shareholders and managers will reduce as the higher on concentration insider ownership. In this study, insider ownership expressed as the percentage of the firm’s outstanding share held by the insider. Insider ownership can be classified into outstanding share held by directors, director’s family members (e.g., spouse and siblings), board members and employees’ share option scheme committees. Family or insider groups as a significant shareholder is more likely to be interested in control benefit as well as profit and decision making (Teall, 2007). Small firms usually are higher in insider ownership than outsider control. When a firm expands the business through public listing, the ownership will distribute ownership opportunity to the public. In Malaysia, when go to public listing, the 30% shares must hold by bumiputra. If there are non-bumiputra companies, the companies will gather 30% shares from outsiders who are bumiputra to meet the listing requirement.
miR-5195-3p Inhibits Proliferation and Invasion of Human Bladder Cancer Cells by Directly Targeting Oncogene KLF5
Authors: Jiang Zhangjie , Zhang Yida , Cao Runfu , Li Li , Zhong Kezhao , Chen Qingsheng , Xiao Jianjun
Published: January 2017

miRNAs play a key role in the carcinogenesis of many cancers, including bladder cancer. In the current study, the role of miR-5195-3p, a quite recently discovered and poorly studied miRNA, in the proliferation and invasion of human bladder cancer cells was investigated. Our data displayed that, compared with healthy volunteers (control) and SU-HUC-1 normal human bladder epithelial cells, miR-5195-3p was sharply downregulated in bladder cancer patients and five human bladder cancer cell lines. The oligo miR-5195-3p mimic or miR-5195-3p antagomir was subsequently transfected into both T24 and BIU-87 bladder cancer cell lines. The miR-5195-3p mimic robustly increased the miR-5195-3p expression level and distinctly reduced the proliferation and invasion of T24 and BIU-87 cells. In contrast, the miR-5195-3p antagomir had an opposite effect on miR-5195-3p expression, cell proliferation, and invasion. Our data from bioinformatic and luciferase reporter gene assays identified that miR-5195-3p targeted the mRNA 3-UTR of Krppel-like factor 5 (KLF5), which is a proven proto-oncogene in bladder cancer. miR-5195-3p sharply reduced KLF5 expression and suppressed the expression or activation of its several downstream genes that are kinases improving cell survival or promoting cell cycle regulators, including ERK1/2, VEGFA, and cyclin D1. In conclusion, miR-5195-3p suppressed proliferation and invasion of human bladder cancer cells via suppression of KLF5.
Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor 3 Promotes Cancer Cell Proliferation and Tumorigenesis in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma by Targeting p27
Authors: Wang Huimin , Chen Hexin , Zhou Hang , Yu Wenfa , Lu Zhenmin
Published: January 2017

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common malignancy of the head and neck that arises from the nasopharynx epithelium and is highly invasive. Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 3 (CDKN3) belongs to the dual-specificity protein phosphatase family, which plays a key role in regulating
cell division. Abnormal expression of CDKN3 has been found in numerous types of cancer. In the current study, we explored the possible role of CDKN3 in cell proliferation, ability to invade, and radiosensitivity in NPC cells. We reported that CDKN3 was upregulated and p27 was downregulated
in NPC tissues and is associated with a worse prognosis for patients. In addition, downregulation of CDKN3 and upregulation of p27 decreased cell proliferation, induced cell cycle arrest, increased apoptosis, decreased cell invasion, and enhanced radiosensitivity. Silencing of p27 significantly
inhibited the effects of the knockdown of CDKN3. Moreover, downregulation of CDKN3 and upregulation of p27 inhibited the increase in tumor volume and weight in implanted tumors, decreased the phosphorylation of Akt, and increased the expression of cleaved caspase 3 in tumors. CDKN3 expression
was also inversely correlated with p27 expression in NPC patients. Knockdown of CDKN3 increased p27 expression. Silencing of p27 markedly inhibited the effects of CDKN3 on cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, apoptosis, invasion, and radiosensitivity. These results demonstrate that
upregulation of p27 is involved in the knockdown of CDKN3-induced decrease in cell proliferation, increase in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, decrease in invasion, and increase in radiosensitivity. The results demonstrate that the CDKN3/p27 axis may be a novel target in the treatment of NPC.
MicroRNA-409-3p Represses Glioma Cell Invasion and Proliferation by Targeting High-Mobility Group Nucleosome-Binding Domain 5
Authors: Cao Yidong , Zhang Liang , Wei Minghao , Jiang Xue , Jia Dong
Published: January 2017

Emerging evidence has suggested that aberrantly expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) are associated with glioma development and progression. The aberrant expression of miR-409-3p has been reported in several human cancers. However, little is known about the function of miR-409-3p in gliomas.
The aim of this study was to investigate the specific role and molecular mechanism of miR-409-3p in gliomas. In the present study, we found that miR-409-3p was downregulated in glioma tissue and cell lines. Overexpression of miR-409-3p inhibited glioma cell invasion and proliferation, whereas
suppression of miR-409-3p promoted glioma cell invasion and proliferation. High-mobility group nucleosome-binding domain 5 (HMGN5), a well-known oncogene in gliomas, was identified as a functional target of miR-409-3p using bioinformatics, dual-luciferase reporter assay, real-time quantitative
polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analysis. Furthermore, miR-409-3p was found to regulate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 and cyclin D1. Restoration of HMGN5 expression significantly reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-409-3p overexpression on glioma cell invasion
and proliferation. Taken together, our results suggest that miR-409-3p inhibits glioma cell invasion and proliferation by targeting HMGN5, representing a potential therapeutic target for glioma.
Betulinic Acid Inhibits Cell Proliferation in Human Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma via Modulating ROS-Regulated p53 Signaling
Authors: Shen Huan , Liu Li , Yang Yongjin , Xun Wenxing , Wei Kewen , Zeng Guang
Published: January 2017

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common cancer of the head and neck. Betulinic acid (BA) is a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenoid. The present study was designed to explore the effects of BA on OSCC KB cell proliferation in vitro and on implanted tumor growth in vivo
and to examine the possible molecular mechanisms. The results showed that BA dose-dependently inhibited KB cell proliferation and decreased implanted tumor volume. In addition, BA significantly promoted mitochondrial apoptosis, as reflected by an increase in TUNEL+ cells and the
activities of caspases 3 and 9, an increase in Bax expression, and a decrease in Bcl-2 expression and the mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate. BA significantly increased cell population in the G0/G1 phase and decreases the S phase cell number, indicating the occurrence
of G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. ROS generation was significantly increased by BA, and antioxidant NAC treatment markedly inhibited the effect of BA on apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and proliferation. BA dose-dependently increased p53 expression in KB cells and implanted tumors.
p53 reporter gene activity and p53 binding in the promoters of Bax were significantly increased by BA. Knockdown of p53 blocked BA-induced increase in apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and inhibition of cell proliferation. NAC treatment suppressed BA-induced increase in p53 expression. Furthermore,
phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) was increased by BA. Taken together, the data demonstrated that ROSp53 signaling was crucial for BA-exhibited antitumor effect in OSCC. BA may serve as a potential drug for the treatment of oral cancer.
MicroRNA-21 Inhibits the Apoptosis of Osteosarcoma Cell Line SAOS-2 via Targeting Caspase 8
Authors: Xu Bin , Xia Hehuan , Cao Junming , Wang Zhihong , Yang Yipeng , Lin Yongsheng
Published: January 2017

Currently, multiple microRNAs (miRNAs) have been found to play vital roles in the pathogenesis of osteosarcoma. This study aimed to investigate the role of miR-21 in osteosarcoma. The level of miR-21 in 20 pairs of osteosarcoma and corresponding adjacent tissues was monitored by qPCR.
Human osteosarcoma cell line SAOS-2 was transfected with either miR-21 mimic or miR-21 inhibitor, and then cell viability, survival, and apoptosis were measured by MTT, colony formation assay, and flow cytometry. A target of miR-21 was predicted by the microRNA.org database and verified in
vitro by using luciferase reporter, qPCR, and Western blot analyses. Finally, cells were cotransfected with siRNA against caspase 8 and miR-21 inhibitor, and the apoptotic cell rate was determined again. Results showed that the mRNA level of miR-21 was highly expressed in osteosarcoma tissues
compared with adjacent tissues. Overexpression of miR-21 improved cell viability and survival but suppressed apoptosis. Caspase 8 was a direct target of miR-21, and it was negatively regulated by miR-21. Moreover, miR-21 suppression attenuated caspase 8 silencing and induced the decrease in
apoptosis. In conclusion, overexpression of miR-21 suppressed SAOS-2 cell apoptosis via directly targeting caspase 8.
Simultaneous, But Not Consecutive, Combination With Folinate Salts Potentiates 5-Fluorouracil Antitumor Activity In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Di Paolo Antonello , Orlandi Paola , Di Desidero Teresa , Danesi Romano , Bocci Guido
Published: January 2017

The combination of folinate salts to 5-fluoruracil (5-FU)-based schedules is an established clinical routine in the landscape of colorectal cancer treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacological differences between the sequential administration of folinate salts
(1 h before, as in clinical routine) followed by 5-FU and the simultaneous administration of both drugs. Proliferation and apoptotic assays were performed on human colon cancer cells exposed to 5-FU, calcium (CaLV), or disodium (NaLV) levofolinate or their simultaneous and sequential combination
for 24 and 72 h. TYMS and SLC19A1 gene expression was performed with real-time PCR. In vivo experiments were performed in xenografted nude mice, which were treated with 5-FU escalating doses and CaLV or NaLV alone or in simultaneous and sequential combination. The simultaneous combination
of folinate salts and 5-FU was synergistic (NaLV) or additive (CaLV) in a 24-h treatment in both cell lines. In contrast, the sequential combination of both folinate salts and 5-FU was antagonistic at 24 and 72 h. The simultaneous combination of 5-FU and NaLV or CaLV inhibited TYMS gene expression
at 24 h, whereas the sequential combination reduced SLC19A1 gene expression. In vivo experiments confirmed the enhanced antitumor activity of the 5-FU+NaLV simultaneous combination with a good toxicity profile, whereas the sequential combination with CaLV failed to potentiate 5-FU activity.
In conclusion, only the simultaneous, but not the consecutive, in vitro and in vivo combination of 5-FU and both folinate salt formulations potentiated the antiproliferative effects of the drugs.
3-Phosphoinositide Dependent Protein Kinase-1 (PDK-1) Promotes Migration and Invasion in Gastric Cancer Cells Through Activating the NF-B Pathway
Authors: Wu Ning , He Changyu , Zhu Bohui , Jiang Jinling , Chen Yiwen , Ma Tao
Published: January 2017

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common cancers and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the world. Many factors have been reported regarding the progression and development of GC. In this study, we aimed to investigate the correlation of 3-phosphoinositide dependent protein
kinase-1 (PDK-1) with cell viability, migration, and invasion of GC. The expression of PDK-1 was measured in different GC cell lines. Thereafter, the expression of PDK-1 was interfered by small hairpin RNA (shRNA) and then incubated with or without the inhibitor of nuclear factor-B (NF-B)
pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC). We then investigated the effects of PDK-1 aberrant expression on GC cell viability, migration, invasion, and the epithelialmesenchymal transition (EMT) progress. The results showed that PDK-1 was highly expressed in GC cells, and PDK-1 promoted cell viability,
migration, invasion, and EMT in GC. Moreover, we confirmed that PDK-1 activated the phosphatidylinositol 3-hydroxy kinase (PI3K)/AKT and NF-B signaling pathways. However, administration of PDTC reversed the effects of overexpression of PDK-1 on cell migration and invasion. All these findings
suggest that PDK-1 may be involved in progression of GC and could be a new therapeutic target for this disease.
Quantifier et qualifier le choix de l’enseignement arabo-islamique en Afrique subsaharienne
Authors: d’Aiglepierre Rohen , Bauer Arthur
Published: January 2017

Alors qu’il s’agit d’un enjeu central pour les politiques éducatives africaines, la quantification et la qualification de la demande d’éducation arabo-islamique restent mal documentées. Dans les neuf pays d’Afrique subsaharienne disposant de données sur l’enseignement arabo-islamique formel et les écoles coraniques, un nombre significatif d’enfants y est scolarisé. Si une partie des enfants sont simultanément inscrits dans les deux systèmes éducatifs étatiques et coraniques, nombre d’entre eux ne bénéficient que de l’enseignement proposé par les écoles coraniques. Ces dernières ciblent une catégorie intermédiaire entre les ménages riches et urbains et les ménages pauvres et ruraux dont les enfants ne sont pas scolarisés.
Scolarisation des filles et (re)configuration des rapports de genre
Authors: Séne Mame Fatou
Published: January 2017

Les dernières décennies ont vu l’éducation arabo-islamique au Sénégal s’ouvrir progressivement et s’adapter à un public féminin grandissant. Cet article analyse les modalités de cette récente ouverture visant, d’une part, à protéger les jeunes filles contre les maux dont la société serait porteuse, et, d’autre part, à les préparer à leurs futurs rôles sociaux qui répondraient à des normes religieuses spécifiques. Dès lors, l’éducation arabo-islamique devient un lieu d’observation et de compréhension des représentations en matière d’éducation des filles et des rapports de genre. Tout en plaçant la femme au cœur des dynamiques des reconfigurations sociales, le champ éducatif se révèle un lieu de fabrication mais aussi de négociation des discours et représentations d’un idéal féminin.
Les familles et le daara au Sénégal
Authors: Chehami Joanne
Published: January 2017

L’école coranique ( daara ) internat fait partie du système d’enseignement non formel sénégalais. Malgré des critiques et une baisse d’attrait relative, beaucoup de familles continuent à y placer leur enfant. Les stratégies qu’elles élaborent dans le choix de ce type d’école sont fondées notamment sur des raisons macrosociales (économiques et géographiques) et sont aussi relatives à un ensemble de valeurs culturelles et religieuses traditionnelles ayant trait au style d’enseignement et d’éducation qui y est prodigué. Leur analyse permet de comprendre le rôle que le daara joue encore actuellement dans l’éducation, la socialisation et l’insertion socio-économique de l’ancien élève, tant du point de vue de celui-ci que de ses parents, de sa famille élargie ou même de sa communauté d’appartenance.
« Nous voulons les professeurs de hadiths ! »
Authors: Hoechner Hannah
Published: January 2017

Le paysage religieux du nord du Nigeria s’est considérablement transformé ces dernières décennies. Avec la montée en puissance des idéologies islamiques réformatrices, de nouveaux corpus de savoirs religieux sont enseignés dans les écoles islamiques « modernes » ( islamiyya ), aujourd’hui omniprésentes. Cette évolution s’est accompagnée d’approches inédites de la gestion de ces connaissances, les réformistes plaidant pour leur « démocratisation ». Ces tendances ont eu de profondes répercussions sur la position des oulémas « traditionnels » et sur celle des jeunes garçons et des jeunes hommes ( almajirai ) de Kano et dans le nord du Nigeria qui étudient sous leur direction. Paradoxalement, bien qu’une force « démocratisante » ait été à l’origine de son expansion, l’engouement pour l’éducation islamique « moderne » a suscité de nouvelles formes d’exclusion pour ceux qui n’y ont pas accès.
De la science-fiction à l’innovation technoscientifique : le cas des casques de réalité virtuelle
Authors: Michaud Thomas
Published: January 2017

La commercialisation des casques de réalité virtuelle est un enjeu important au niveau technique, économique ou imaginaire. Depuis les années 1980, des artistes imaginent l’immersion de l’Humanité dans des mondes virtuels grâce à des casques et des combinaisons reproduisant la sensation de réalité. Cet article s’intéresse à deux œuvres de science-fiction qui inspirent les concepteurs de mondes virtuels. Il s’agit de montrer les rapports des innovateurs à cet imaginaire et de concevoir les technosciences comme un système l’utilisant à des fins de rentabilité. Si l’imaginaire est difficilement gérable, il joue un rôle non négligeable dans la construction des marchés de consommateurs, notamment en utilisant le placement de produits utopiques destinés aux leaders d’imaginaires dont la fonction sociétale est d’accompagner la diffusion et de stimuler le désir d’innovations. À travers la lecture de Player One (2011), d’Ernest Cline, et du Samourai virtuel (1992), de Neal Stephenson, la question du rôle de l’imaginaire dans le processus d’innovation des technologies du virtuel sera posée. Codes JEL : L26, M15
Répétitions des discours sur la culture scientifique et technique et effets de la catégorisation scientifique scolaire
Authors: Las Vergnas Olivier
Published: January 2017

Les plus récents rapports ou programmes politiques concernant les cultures scientifiques, techniques et industrielles (CSTI) en France continuent de répéter les mêmes analyses et les préconisations que celles déjà formulées régulièrement dans ce type de discours depuis plusieurs décennies. Ils ne prennent pas plus en compte que leurs prédécesseurs le fait que le système d’enseignement secondaire français crée avec le Bac S une catégorisation déterminante pour tous les élèves, du point de vue de la reconnaissance comme « scientifiques » ou non. Sachant que ce diplôme clef réserve chaque année le titre de « scientifique » à un seul quart de chaque génération, le champ des actions de la CSTI pour adultes devrait alors s’analyser en séparant deux groupes aux objectifs divergents : l’un ne remettant pas en cause les effets a posteriori de cette catégorisation mais les confirmant, l’autre favorisant a contrario l’appropriation de savoirs et de méthodes qui transgressent ce clivage scolaire. Or il n’en est rien et le champ de la CSTI continue de n’être qu’un agglomérat d’actions aux objectifs sociaux disparates. Plus encore, la multiplication de jeux d’acteurs focalisés sur des objectifs et des enjeux très spécifiques – liés en particulier à l’idée de développer localement des réseaux d’innovations technologiques – rend plus que jamais difficile le repérage des effets socio-culturels néfastes en France résultant de cette trop forte sélection par le Bac S. De fait, ceux-ci perdurent et la catégorisation scientifique scolaire demeure un invariant macrosocial inhibant le partage de l’esprit d’investigation et d’innovation technoscientifique.
Les savoirs et leurs publics : l’exemple du conservatoire des arts et métiers (19  e  - 21 e siècles)
Authors: Hayat Samuel
Published: January 2017

Depuis sa fondation en 1794, le Conservatoire des arts et métiers est à la fois un lieu de formation professionnelle et un lieu de démonstration au grand public des machines utilisées dans le processus de production. S’y pose ainsi la question de la transmission des savoirs techniques à différents publics et des formes de légitimation de ces savoirs. Le système des chaires fait que les savoirs sont construits non par rapport à des disciplines académiques, mais par rapport à des savoir-faire. Deux types de publics sont progressivement séparés : un public de professionnels en formation, un savoir étant alors légitime parce qu’il permet à l’enseigné d’être un travailleur efficace ; le grand public, visé par des conférences et par le musée des arts et métiers, où la légitimité du savoir tient à sa capacité à cultiver le récepteur. Mais dans les deux cas, ces objectifs sont subordonnés au progrès industriel national.
Crowdfunding et diasporas : le financement participatif vient-il remettre en cause les acteurs du financement diasporique ?
Authors: Fonrouge Cécile
Published: January 2017

Le financement participatif est une nouvelle tendance en finance entrepreneuriale. Les transferts d’argent des migrants et de leurs descendants sont importants. Notre propos est de confronter différentes littératures : celle en sociologie de l’immigration, sur les diasporas digitales et sur la finance entrepreneuriale. Nous avons fait des entrevues avec l’ensemble des acteurs clés français des plateformes diasporiques. Cela a permis de proposer une première description de ce marché avec des typologies des diasporas, les motivations à investir appliquées aux diasporas et les évolutions des motivations des investisseurs diasporiques en raison de l’apparition du crowdfunding . Les principaux constats portent sur l’équilibre entre dimension rationnelle et émotionnelle dans la décision d’investir pour les nouvelles générations de l’immigration, les compétences que les membres des diasporas rendent en retour à leur pays d’origine et la modification de la hiérarchie du financement provoquée par l’accès à des fonds en ligne.
Le mirage démocratique du town meeting américain
Authors: Zuckerman Michael , Blandin Xavier
Published: January 2017

La mythologie américaine voit dans les town meetings de Nouvelle-Angleterre la source de sa démocratie. Mais le droit de vote n’est offert à la majorité des hommes que comme unique moyen de maintenir l’ordre social. Sans roi ni aucune autorité traditionnellement établie, les colons ne peuvent se gouverner que par l’opinion publique. Ce gouvernement par consentement commun ne devrait pas être assimilé à une démocratie au sens moderne ; les désaccords sont interdits, la confrontation éludée, et la loi de la majorité n’est pas respectée. Les meetings sont fondés sur une conformité et une homogénéité qui nous paraîtraient aujourd’hui étouffantes.
Les town meetings de Nouvelle-Angleterre et les populations indigènes : Stockbridge, Massachusetts, 1730-1775
Authors: Mandell Daniel R. , Blandin Xavier
Published: January 2017

Dans les années 1730, les Mohicans du Housatonic fondent la commune de Stockbridge. Ils participent aux town meetings et élisent leurs dirigeants « traditionnels » aux postes municipaux. Les meetings , tenus en anglais et en mohican, où les votes se font à main levée, sont marqués par une forte présence amérindienne, même lorsque la population anglaise s’accroît. Un conflit éclate en 1763 autour de la tentative d’imposition du bulletin secret par un groupe de colons ; la plainte des Indiens est entendue. Stockbridge offre un cas d’étude pour la comparaison des processus de prise de décision colons et indigènes, et met en évidence l’évolution des town meetings au cours du xviii e  siècle.
Le projet d’aménagement de la vallée du Bou Regreg à l’épreuve de l’enquête publique et des délibérations communales
Authors: Mouloudi Hicham
Published: January 2017

Les opposants au projet d’aménagement de la vallée du Bou Regreg, ou à la procédure d’expropriation dont ils étaient menacés, ont utilisé une grande variété de moyens pour faire pression sur les décideurs. Beaucoup de ces moyens, dont le recours peut sembler d’une grande banalité dans des sociétés démocratiques de longue date, sont au Maroc d’un usage relativement récent, qu’il s’agisse des sit-in ou des pétitions relatant des arguments s’accrochant à plusieurs domaines : économique, social, juridique et surtout politique. Leur généralisation, pour ne pas dire leur systématisation, a été rendue possible par les changements très sensibles qui ont affecté le système politique marocain depuis les années 1990.