bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Osteoconduction of Unrestricted Somatic Stem Cells on an Electrospun Polylactic-Co-Glycolic Acid Scaffold Coated with Nanohydroxyapatite
Authors: Shahi Maryam , Nadari Mahmood , Sahmani Mehdi , Seyedjafari Ehsan , Ahmadbeigi Naser , Peymani Amir
Published: February 2018

The limitation of traditional bone grafts could be overcome by applying engineered bone constructs, which are mainly produced by seeding suitable stem cells on appropriate scaffolds. So far, bone marrow-derived stromal cells have been the most applied cells in bone tissue engineering, but current data show that unrestricted somatic stem cells (USSCs) from human cord blood might actually be a better stem cell source due to the accessibility and noninvasive procedure of collection. In this study, we cultured USSCs on a plasma-treated electrospun polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) scaffold coated with nanohydroxyapatite (nHA). Adhesion and proliferation of USSCs on PLGA/nHA were assessed by scanning electron microscopy and MTT assay. Osteogenic differentiation of USSCs into osteoblast lineage cells was evaluated via alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Our observation showed that USSCs attached and proliferated on PLGA/nHA. Osteogenic differentiation was confirmed by increased ALP activity and OSTEONECTIN expression in USSCs on PLGA/nHA after the 1st week of the osteogenic period. Therefore, using USSCs on electrospun PLGA/nHA is a promising approach in bone tissue engineering.
The Trichoscopic “Golf Club Set” Sign for Bullous Aplasia Cutis Congenita
Authors: Cutrone Mario , Grimalt Ramon
Published: February 2018

Bullous aplasia cutis congenita (BACC) is a rather uncommon entity. The diagnosis can be quite tricky as the entity is not very frequent. Trichoscopy might in these cases be helpful to achieve the correct diagnosis. In this article, we describe for the first time a new sign for BACC that we believe can be useful to arrive at the correct diagnosis.
Endoscopy and Laparoscopy in Disorders of Sex Development
Authors: Tafazzoli Kianusch , Wünsch Lutz , Bouteleux Marie , Lindert Judith , Schulz Tim , Birnbaum Wiebke , Marshall Louise , Hiort Olaf , Tüshaus Ludger
Published: February 2018

Endoscopy and laparoscopy are used for the assessment of disorders of sex development (DSD) and therapeutic interventions. Endoscopy (urethra-cystoscopy, vaginoscopy) is especially useful when vaginal or urethral surgery is planned. It is also valuable for the assessment of complications. Laparoscopy is used to identify sex ducts and gonads and to perform minimally invasive abdominal and pelvic surgery. This article reviews clinical indications, limitations, findings, and their reporting. It further discusses the impact of these findings on care in typical clinical situations.
Estimating of Residual Kidney Function by Multi-Frequency Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis in Hemodialysis Patients Without Urine Collection
Authors: Beberashvili Ilia , Yermolayeva Tatyana , Katkov Anna , Garra Nedal , Feldman Leonid , Gorelik Oleg , Stav Kobi , Efrati Shai
Published: February 2018

Background/Aims: Residual kidney function (RKF) is a pivotal predictor of better clinical outcomes in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. So far there has been no attempt to use bioimpedance analysis (BIA) measurements to calculate residual glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in dialysis population. We hypothesized that performing of multi-frequency BIA at the beginning and end of hemodialysis session can enable us to predict the measured residual GFR in MHD patients. Thus our aim was to develop and validate a new RKF prediction equation using multi-frequency BIA in MHD patients. Methods: It was diagnostic test evaluation study in a prospective cohort. Participants (n=88; mean age, 66.3±13.2 years, 59.1% males) were recruited from a single hemodialysis center. A new equation (eGFRBIA) to predict RKF, utilizing BIA measurements performed pre- and post-dialysis, was generated and cross-validated by the leave-one-out procedure. GFR estimated as the mean of urea and creatinine clearance (mGFR) using urine collections during entire interdialytic period. Results: A prediction equation for mGFR that includes both pre- and post-dialysis BIA measurements provided a better estimate than either pre- or post-dialysis measurements alone. Mean bias between predicted and measured GFR was -0.12 ml/min. Passing and Bablok regression showed no bias and no significant deviation in linearity. Concordance correlation coefficient indicated good agreement between the eGFRBIA and mGFR (0.75, P<0.001). Using cut-off predicted mGFR levels >2 ml/min/1.73 m2 yielded an area under curve of 0.96, sensitivity 85%, and specificity 89% in predicting mGFR. The κ scores for intraobserver reproducibility were consistent with substantial agreement between first and second estimation of RKF according to eGFRBIA (weighted κ was 0.60 [0.37-0.83]). Conclusion: We present a valid and clinically obtainable method to predict RKF in MHD patients. This method, which uses BIA, may prove as accurate, convenient and easily reproducible while it is operator independent.
Proteomics Based Identification of Autotaxin As An Anti-Hepatitis B Virus Factor and a Promoter of Hepatoma Cell Invasion and Migration
Authors: She Sha , Yang Min , Hu Huaidong , Hu Peng , Yang Yixuan , Ren Hong
Published: February 2018

Background/Aims: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, we aimed to obtain further information on HBV pathogenesis, and to search for novel putative molecules for anti-HBV therapy. Methods: We utilized Isobaric Tags for Relative and Absolute Quantitation (iTRAQ) to identify the secretory proteins that are differentially expressed in the HBV DNA-transfected HepG2.2.15 cell line and its parental HepG2 cell line. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was employed to assess the clinical relevance of the observations. Small interfering (si)RNA-based silencing transfection methods were carried out to study the function of ENPP2. Results: Totally, 133 unique proteins were identified as differentially expressed in HepG2.2.15 cell line compared with HepG2 cell line. Ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase family member 2 precursor (ENPP2) is one of the most significantly up-regulated secretory proteins associated with HBV replication. This differential expression of ENPP2 was further validated by real-time quantitative RT-PCR, Western Blot and immunohistochemical analysis. To study the function of ENPP2, we knockdown ENPP2 expression in HepG2.2.15 cell line by RNA interference. ENPP2 silencing increased HBV replication approximately 2.3-fold by enhancing, via the type I IFN signaling pathway, HBV cccDNA (covalently closed circular DNA) translation into viral RNA. Moreover, attenuation of ENPP2 expression inhibited both the invasion and migration ability of hepatoma cells in vitro via interacting with the molecules in the tumor microenvironment. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that ENPP2 may be a novel anti-HBV target and indicate that suppression of its expression may inhibit the invasion and migration ability of hepatoma cells.
Knockdown of Long Non-Coding RNA RP11-445H22.4 Alleviates LPS-Induced Injuries by Regulation of MiR-301a in Osteoarthritis
Authors: Sun Taitao , Yu Jian , Han Liang , Tian Shuo , Xu Bin , Gong Xianbin , Zhao Qiang , Wang Yang
Published: February 2018

Background/Aims: Several long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play vital roles in osteoarthritis (OA), whereas the role of lncRNA RP11-445H22.4 in OA remains unclear. The study aimed to investigate the effect of lncRNA RP11-445H22.4 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cell viability, apoptosis and inflammatory injury of OA. Methods: The expression of RP11-445H22.4, miR-301a and CXCR4 in human cartilage ATDC5 cells were altered by transfection, and then cells were exposed to 5 µg/ml LPS for 12 h. Then cell viability, apoptosis, apoptosis-related factors and inflammatory cytokines were analyzed by CCK-8, flow cytometry, western blot, RT-qPCR and ELISA, respectively. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to assess the binging sites of RP11-445H22.4 and miR-301a. The signal pathways of NF-κB and MAPK/ ERK were determined by western blot. Results: LPS reduced cell viability, increased apoptosis and stimulated release of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α. However, RP11-445H22.4 inhibition significantly rescued LPS-induced injuries by promoting cell viability, suppressing apoptosis and inflammatory cytokines secretions in ATDC5 cells. In addition, miR-301a directly bound to RP11-445H22.4, and suppression of miR-301a inversed the effects of RP11-445H22.4 inhibition. Furthermore, CXCR4 was a direct target of miR-301a, and CXCR4 silencing increased cell viability, decreased apoptosis and inflammatory cytokines secretions in LPS-treated ATDC5 cells. Besides, we found that CXCR4 silencing blocked LPS-activated NF-κB and MAPK/ERK pathways. Conclusions: The study indicated that lncRNA RP11-445H22.4-miR-301a-CXCR4 axis played an important role in cartilage ATDC5 cells and provided a theoretical basis of lncRNA RP11-445H22.4 in OA.
LncRNA GAS5 Represses Osteosarcoma Cells Growth and Metastasis via Sponging MiR-203a
Authors: Wang Yang , Kong Daliang
Published: February 2018

Background/Aims: LncRNA GAS5, a growth suppressor, has been reported to exert anti-tumor actions in various cancers, whereas the exact mechanism underling the anti-tumor action is still unclear. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of lncRNA GAS5 on osteosarcoma and tried to decode the underling mechanisms. Methods: Expressions of lncRNA GAS5 in MG-63 cells were silenced by shRNA transfection, while were overexpressed by vector transfection. Cell viability, migration, invasion and apoptosis were respectively assessed by MTT, Transwell assay and flow cytometry. Regulations between lncRNA GAS5 and miR-203a, as well as between miR-203a and TIMP2 were detected by qPCR, western blot and dual luciferase activity assay. Results: LncRNA GAS5 was down-regulated in MG-63 and OS-732 cells compared to hFOB1.19 cells. Silence of lncRNA GAS5 significantly promoted MG-63 cells viability, migration and invasion, and up-regulated Cyclin D1, Cyclin B1, CDK1 and CDK4 expressions. miR-203a was negatively regulated by lncRNA GAS5. The promoting activities of lncRNA GAS5 silence on MG-63 cells growth and metastasis were reversed by miR-203a suppression. TIMP2 was a target of miR-203a and the anti-growth and anti-metastasis actions of miR-203a suppression were reversed by TIMP2 silence. Further, lncRNA GAS5 silence, miR-203a overexpression, and TIMP2 silence could activate PI3K/AKT/GSK3β signaling while block NF-κB signaling. Conclusion: LncRNA GAS5 might be a tumor suppressor in osteosarcoma via sponging miR-203a, sequestering miR-203a away from TIMP2.
"Real-life" Efficacy and Safety Aspects of 4-Year Omalizumab Treatment for Asthma
Authors: Al-Ahmad Mona , Arifhodzic Nermina , Nurkic Jasmina , Maher Ahmed , Rodriguez-Bouza Tito , Al-Ahmed Nasser , Sadek Ali , Jusufovic Edin
Published: February 2018

Objective: To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of omalizumab in asthma in a real-life setting. Subjects and Methods: This 4-year observational study included 65 patients treated with omalizumab during clinic visits; treatment response was rated as excellent, good, and partial based on a modified physician’s Global Evaluation of Treatment Effectiveness (mGETE) scale of emergency room visits (ERV), hospitalization, use of oral corticosteroids, inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)/long-acting β-agonist (LABA) dose, and short-acting β-agonist rescue. The following tests were done: forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and the asthma control test (ACT). Measurements were performed 1 month before therapy and at 16 weeks, 1 year, and 4 years of treatment. Statistical analyses were done using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Spearman rank correlation, and McNemar χ2 test. Results: The dropout rate was 15 (18.5%): 8 nonresponders (10.0%); 2 patients died (2.5%), and 5 were lost to follow-up (6.25%). Treatment response was excellent in 35 (53.8%); good in 23 (35.4%), and partial in 7 patients (10.8%). The number of excellent responders increased from 35 (53.8%) at 16 weeks to 48 (73.8%) at the 4-year follow-up. The number of patients who did not require ERV improved from 0 to 59 (90.8%), and the lowest rate of hospitalization was 1 in year 4 (p < 0.001); patients who did not require courses of oral corticosteroids improved from 0 to 54 (83%). ICS/LABA dose significantly reduced from 65 (100%) to 25 (38.5%) after 4 years of treatment (p < 0.001); ACT scores significantly increased from 15 ± 3 at baseline to 23 ± 3 (p < 0.001) and FEV1 level from 55.6 ± 10.6 to 76.63 ± 10.34 at year 4. Conclusion: In this study, omalizumab therapy resulted in better asthma control, and was effective and well tolerated as an add-on therapy for patients with moderate-to-severe asthma.
ВІКОВІ ТА ГЕНДЕРНІ АСПЕКТИ ХРОНІЧНОГО ОБСТРУКТИВНОГО ЗАХВОРЮВАННЯ ЛЕГЕНЬ
Authors: Maksiv H. Ya. , Miroshnik H. O. , Mialiuk O. P. , Marushchak M. I. , Liublinska M. S.
Published: February 2018

У статті проаналізовано частоту захворюваності на хронічне обструктивне захворювання легень серед осіб чоловічої та жіночої статі, а також встановлено вікові періоди з найбільшим ризиком розвитку даної патології. Аналіз літературних джерел вказує на те, що хронічне обструктивне захворювання легень частіше розвивається в чоловіків, проте в останнє десятиріччя поширеність даної патології значно зросла і серед жінок. Зазначено, що хронічне обструктивне захворювання легень розвивається у різні вікові періоди, тому методи профілактики повинні спрямовуватися як на дітей, так і на дорослих та осіб похилого віку.
ПРОБЛЕМИ ХОСПІСНОЇ ТА ПАЛІАТИВНОЇ МЕДИЦИНИ В УКРАЇНІ ТА ХЕРСОНСЬКІЙ ОБЛАСТІ
Authors: Shevchenko A. O.
Published: February 2018

У статті проаналізовано основні проблеми хоспісної та паліативної медицини як в Україні в цілому, так і в Херсонській області зокрема. За цих умов належна фахова підготовка медичних сестер є вкрай важливим завданням. У подальших дослідженнях доцільно розробити біоетичні та методичні засади підготовки медичних сестер для роботи у галузі хоспісної допомоги.
ІННОВАЦІЙНІ ТЕХНОЛОГІЇ В РЕФОРМУВАННІ ОХОРОНИ ЗДОРОВЯ ЧЕРЕЗ ПРИЗМУ МЕДСЕСТРИНСТВА
Authors: Lytvynova O. N. , Demus R. A.
Published: February 2018

У статті визначено головні проблеми інноваційної діяльності сучасної ідеології управління середньою ланкою системи охорони здоровʼя в умовах реформування системи.
ОСОБЛИВОСТІ КОМУНІКАТИВНОЇ ВЗАЄМОДІЇ МЕДИЧНОЇ СЕСТРИ ТА ГЕРІАТРИЧНИХ ХВОРИХ
Authors: Ivanchuk O. V. , Bob A. O.
Published: February 2018

Мистецтво спілкування є невід'ємною частиною діяльності медичної сестри, що потребує ретельного вивчення та постійного вдосконалення. Робота з геріатричними хворими потребує високого професіоналізму в сфері встановлення комунікативного зв'язку. Формування комунікативної культури  майбутнього медика починається з ознайомлення із теоретичним матеріалом, вивчення правил етики та деонтології, а й своєчасного виявлення труднощів у професійному спілкуванні.
ФОРМУВАННЯ КОМПЕТЕНТНОСТІ МЕДИЧНИХ СЕСТЕР У ПИТАННЯХ ЗНЕБОЛюваННЯ
Authors: Lуtvуnovа A. E.
Published: February 2018

Освіта медичних сестер в Україні нині є дуже актуальним питанням. Саме від рівня освіченості й компетентності в різних питаннях молодшого медичного персоналу залежить кінцевий результат лікування. Формування компетентності медичних сестер залежить від створення неперервної сестринської освіти, рівня матеріально-технічної бази навчального закладу, якості навчальних програм клінічних дисциплін, практичної роботи медичних сестер, самовдосконалення медичних працівників.
Smart Tourism Destinations: un estudio basado en lavisión de los stakeholders
Authors: Santos-Júnior Adalberto , Mendes-Filho Luiz , Almeida-García Fernando , Manuel-Simões José
Published: February 2018

Esta investigación analiza la visión de los stakeholders sobre los destinos turísticos inteligentes, fundado en la metodología de Sociedad Estatal para la Gestión de la Innovación y las Tecnologías Turísticas, S.A. (SEGITTUR), teniendo como estudio de caso Marbella, municipio perteneciente a la provincia de Málaga (España). A fin de alcanzar los objetivos planteados, fue utilizada la metodología cualitativa, a través de las técnicas de observación directa y realización de entrevistas semiestructuradas con agentes del turismo – directos e indirectos- de la ciudad. Las opiniones de los entrevistados se han categorizado de forma inductiva a partir de las redes sistémicas de ideas y pensamientos, por medio de un análisis de contenido. Los resultados demuestran que Marbella presenta características de un destino turístico inteligente, sinembargo, le hace falta cumplir, de manera más amplia, con todas las dimensiones o ejes metodológicos de SEGITTUR: la tecnología, la innovación, la accesibilidad y la sostenibilidad. Se concluye que Marbellaes considerada un Smart Tourism Destination, en fase inicial, que adopta principalmente estrategias tecnológicas y sostenibles. Además, se destaca que la gobernanza turística y la construcción de indicadores sonfactores claves para el éxito de los destinos inteligentes.
Do DPP-4 Inhibitors Cause Heart Failure Events by Promoting Adrenergically Mediated Cardiotoxicity?
Authors: Packer Milton
Published: February 2018

Rationale:

DPP-4 (dipeptidyl peptidase-4) inhibitors have increased the risk of heart failure events in both randomized clinical trials and observational studies, but the mechanisms that underlie their deleterious effect remain to be elucidated. Previous work has implicated a role of these drugs to promote cardiac fibrosis.

Objective:

This article postulates that DPP-4 inhibitors increase the risk of heart failure events by activating the sympathetic nervous system to stimulate cardiomyocyte cell death, and it crystallizes the findings from both experimental studies and clinical trials that support the hypothesis.

Methods and Results:

Inhibition of DPP-4 not only potentiates the actions of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1; which can increase myocardial cAMP) but also potentiates the actions of SDF-1 (stromal cell-derived factor 1), NPY (neuropeptide Y), and substance P to activate the sympathetic nervous system and stimulate β-adrenergic receptors to cause cardiomyocyte apoptosis, presumably through a CaMKII (Ca++/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II) pathway. An action of SDF-1 to interfere with cAMP and protein kinase A signaling may account for the absence of a clinically overt positive chronotropic effect. This conceptual framework is supported by the apparent ability of β-blocking drugs to attenuate the increased risk of DPP-4 inhibitors in a large-scale clinical trial.

Conclusions:

Sympathetic activation may explain the increased risk of heart failure produced by DPP-4 inhibitors. The proposed mechanism has major implications for clinical care because in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, DPP-4 inhibitors are widely prescribed, but β-blockers are underutilized because of fears that they might mask hypoglycemia.
Deletion of IRF8 (Interferon Regulatory Factor 8)-Dependent Dendritic Cells Abrogates Proatherogenic Adaptive Immunity
Authors: Clément Marc , Haddad Yacine , Raffort Juliette , Lareyre Fabien , Newland Stephen A. , Master Leanne , Harrison James , Ozsvar-Kozma Maria , Bruneval Patrick , Binder Christoph J. , Taleb Soraya , Mallat Ziad
Published: February 2018

Rationale:

Despite an established role for adaptive immune responses in atherosclerosis, the contribution of dendritic cells (DCs) and their various subsets is still poorly understood.

Objective:

Here, we address the role of IRF8 (interferon regulatory factor 8)-dependent DCs (lymphoid CD8α
+
and their developmentally related nonlymphoid CD103
+
DCs) in the induction of proatherogenic immune responses during high fat feeding.

Methods and Results:

Using a fate-mapping technique to track DCs originating from a DNGR1
+
(dendritic cell natural killer lectin group receptor 1) precursor (
Clec9a

+/cre

Rosa

+/EYFP

mice), we first show that YFP
hi
CD11c
hi
MHCII
hi
(major histocompatibility complex class II) DCs are present in the atherosclerotic aorta of low-density lipoprotein receptor–deficient (
Ldlr
−/−
) mice and are CD11b
–
CD103
+
IRF8
hi
. Restricted deletion of IRF8 in DCs (
Irf8

flox/flox

Cd11c

Cre

) reduces the accumulation of CD11c
hi
MHCII
hi
DCs in the aorta without affecting CD11b
+
CD103
–
DCs or macrophages but completely abolishes the accumulation of aortic CD11b
–
CD103
+
DCs. Lymphoid CD8α
+
DCs are also deleted. This is associated with a significant reduction of aortic T-cell accumulation and a marked reduction of high-fat diet–induced systemic T-cell priming, activation, and differentiation toward T helper type 1 cells, T follicular helper cells, and regulatory T cells. As a consequence, B-cell activation and germinal center responses to high-fat diet are also markedly reduced. IRF8 deletion in DCs significantly reduces the development of atherosclerosis, predominantly in the aortic sinus, despite a modest increase in total plasma cholesterol levels.

Conclusions:

IRF8 expression in DCs plays a nonredundant role in the development of proatherogenic adaptive immunity.
A new species of stygobitic freshwater crab of the genus Rodriguezia Bott, 1969 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Trichodactylidae) from Tabasco, Mexico
Authors: ALVAREZ FERNANDO , VILLALOBOS JOSÉ LUIS
Published: February 2018

A new species of freshwater crab of the family Trichodactylidae, genus Rodriguezia Bott, 1969 is described from Grutas de Agua Blanca in southern Tabasco, Mexico. Rodriguezia is a genus endemic to northern Chiapas and southern Tabasco, distributed over a small area of 70 km. Rodriguezia adani n. sp., the third species of the genus, occurs north of its two congeners, being stygobitic with obvious adaptations to cave life. It can be distinguished from R. villalobosi, an epigean species, by the absence of eyes, lack of pigmentation and elongation of the pereiopods; and from R. mensabak by having less elongated pereiopods relative to carapace breadth, an extremely reduced ocular peduncle, and a smaller adult size.
Weakly or Strongly Nonlinear Mesoscale Dynamics Close to the Tropopause?
Authors: Li Qiang , Lindborg Erik
Published: February 2018

Recently, it has been discussed whether the mesoscale energy spectra in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere are generated by weakly or strongly nonlinear dynamics. A necessary condition for weak nonlinearity is that the Rossby number Ro ≡ |ζz|/f ≪ 1, where ζz is the vertical vorticity and f is the Coriolis parameter. First, it is shown that Ro can be estimated by integration of the rotational wavenumber energy spectrum Er. Then divergence and rotational energy spectra and their ratio, R ≡ Ed/Er, are calculated from the Measurement of Ozone and Water Vapor by Airbus In-Service Aircraft (MOZAIC) dataset, and it is shown that at least 1000 flight segments are needed to obtain converged results. It is found that R < 1 in the upper troposphere, ruling out the hypothesis that the spectra are produced by inertia–gravity waves with frequencies larger than f. In the lower stratosphere R is slightly larger than unity. An analysis separating between land and ocean data shows that Ed and temperature spectra have somewhat larger magnitude over land compared to ocean in the upper troposphere—a signature of orographically or convectively forced gravity waves. No such effect is seen in the lower stratosphere. At midlatitudes the Rossby number is on the order of unity and at low latitudes it is larger than unity, indicating that strong nonlinearities are prevalent. Also the temperature spectra, when converted into potential energy spectra, have larger magnitude than predicted by the weakly nonlinear wave hypothesis.
Moving to a Circular Economy in China: Transforming Industrial Parks into Eco-industrial Parks
Authors: Mathews John A. , Tan Hao , Hu Mei-Chih
Published: February 2018

China’s moves to introduce a Circular Economy have attracted wide attention as a solution to severe problems of resource inefficiency and lack of resource productivity. This article highlights the distinctive strategy of focusing such efforts on existing industrial parks, turning them into eco-industrial parks. It provides three case studies and highlights the management issues involved as overcoming reverse salients and capturing network advantages. China is an especially instructive case because it starts well behind the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries and thereby has much to gain by adopting comprehensive policies.
Regina Bianchi e il sangue del teatro Napoletano
Authors: Boggio Maricla
Published: February 2018

Nata nel 1921, Regina Bianchi matura insieme a un teatro che da semplice dialettalità si fa, con Eduardo, giudice del mondo e rappresentante di un popolo e della sua grandezza e miseria, affrontando tutta la strada dei ruoli nelle opere rappresentate e arrivando ben presto ai personaggi di maggior rilievo. Il traguardo è il ruolo di Filumena Marturano con cui Eduardo De Filippo le impone di cimentarsi, lei recalcitrante per paura del confronto con la grande Titina De Filippo. Vita privata e professione recano in lei il segno del personaggio materno, che i registi più diversi le affidano e in cui lei si immedesima attraverso una sensibilità sempre rinnovata e al tempo stesso coerente con un modello, quella di Filumena a cui si aggiungono la protagonista di Napoli milionaria, la Zà Croce del pirandelliano Liolà, Anna la madre di Maria, Adelaide madre di Giacomo Leopardi fino a dare la sua impronta di sensibilità partenopea nella Madre dei Sei personaggi in cerca d’autore diretta da Zeffirelli. La caratteristica partenopea della sua recitazione, immedesimata nei sentimenti e al tempo stesso straniata nel modo di porsi, consente a Regina di essere anche protagonista di un teatro che supera i confini della napoletanità.
Influence of microstructural defects and hydrostatic pressure on water absorption in composite materials for tidal energy
Authors: Grogan DM , Flanagan M , Walls M , Leen SB , Doyle A , Harrison NH , Mamalis D , Goggins J
Published: February 2018

The lifespan and economic viability of tidal energy devices are constrained, in part, by the complex degradation of the tidal turbine blade materials due to prolonged immersion in a hostile sub-sea environment. Seawater penetration is a significant degradation mechanism in composite materials. This work aims to investigate the influence of microstructure and hydrostatic pressure on water absorption in four polymer composites which are candidate materials for use in tidal energy devices. These materials are: a glass fibre powder epoxy, a carbon fibre powder epoxy, glass fibre Ampreg epoxy and a chopped fibre glass fibre Polyether Ether Ketone. X-ray computed tomography is used to characterise the voids, resin-rich areas and other manufacturing defects present in each material. These defects are known to significantly alter the rate of moisture diffusion, as well as the total uptake of water at saturation. The samples are then exposed to accelerated water aging and hydrostatic pressurisation in order to simulate a range of expected sub-sea operating conditions. The material micro-structure, the matrix material and pressurisation level are shown to strongly influence both the moisture absorption rate and total water uptake. Significant volumetric changes are also noted for all samples, both during and after aging. X-ray computed tomography scans of specimens also provide a unique insight into the role of voids in storing water once a material has reached saturation.
UV-curable urethane acrylate zirconium oxide nanocomposites: Synthesis, study on viscoelastic properties and thermal behavior
Authors: Madhi Abbas , Shirkavand Hadavand Behzad , Amoozadeh Ali
Published: February 2018

In the present study, UV-curable urethane acrylate was synthesized by the reaction of isophorone diisocyanate with1,4-butanediol and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate in the presence of dibutyltin dilaurate as a catalyst and acetone as a solvent. The structure of urethane acrylate oligomer was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. In order to examine the influence of inorganic phase of zirconium oxide nanoparticles on characteristics of synthesized resin, organic–inorganic nanocomposites were prepared by urethane acrylate resin and nano zirconium oxide with 1, 3, and 5 wt%. In order to improve nanoparticles dispersion, the surface of zirconium oxide nanoparticles was modified by vinyltrimethoxysilane coupling agent. The analysis of nanoparticle surface modification by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy suggested a good reaction of vinyltrimethoxysilane with the surface of zirconium oxide nanoparticles. The characteristics of the prepared nanocomposites were evaluated through thermogravimetric analysis and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. All of conducted tests represented improved thermal stability properties, storage modulus, and viscoelastic properties of urethane acrylate–zirconium oxide nanocomposites in comparison with polymeric coatings without nanoparticles.
What drives violence against civilians in civil war? Evidence from Guatemala’s conflict archives
Authors: Schwartz Rachel A , Straus Scott
Published: February 2018

Dominant theories of mass violence hold that strategic concerns in civil war drive the deliberate targeting of civilians. However, the causal mechanisms that link strategic objectives to large-scale violence against civilians remain underspecified, and as such the causal logics that underpin each remain blurred. In this article, we identify and explicate four plausible mechanisms that explain why armed groups would target, for strategic purposes, civilians in war. We then turn to the peak period of violence during the Guatemalan armed conflict to assess which mechanisms were most prevalent. Specifically, we leverage unique archival data: 359 pages of military files from Operation Sofía, a month-long counterinsurgent campaign waged in the northwestern Ixil region. Through process tracing of real-time internal communications, we find that state actors most commonly described the civilian population as loyal to rebel forces; violence against civilians was a means to weaken the insurgency. Troops on the ground also depicted the Ixil population as ‘winnable’, which suggests that security forces used violence in this period to shape civilian behavior. These findings are most consistent with the idea that mass violence in this case and period was a coercive instrument to defeat insurgents by punishing civilians for collaboration. The evidence from this period is less consistent with a logic of genocide, in which the purpose of violence would be to destroy ‘unwinnable’ civilian groups. Our analysis illustrates how a mechanism-centered approach based on process tracing of conflict archives can help uncover logics underlying civilian killing.
Incentivising Specific Combinations of Subjects – Does It Make Any Difference to University Access?
Authors: Anders Jake , Henderson Morag , Moulton Vanessa , Sullivan Alice
Published: February 2018

A major part of the 2010–15 UK government's education reforms in England was a focus on the curriculum that pupils study from ages 14–16. Most high profile was the introduction of the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) performance measure for schools, incentivising study of “subjects the Russell Group identifies as key for university study” (Gibb, 2011). However, there does not appear to be good quantitative evidence about the importance of studying such a set of subjects,per se. This paper sets out to analyse this question, considering whether otherwise similar young people who study specific sets of subjects (full set for EBacc-eligibility, two or more sciences, foreign languages, applied subjects) to age 16 have different probabilities of entering university, and specifically a high-status university. It compares results from regression modelling and propensity score matching, taking advantage of rich survey data from a recent cohort of young people in England. We find that conditional differences in university entry attributable to subject choice are, at most, small.
Study of thermal-sensitive alginate-Ca2+/poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels supported by cotton fabric for wound dressing applications
Authors: Li Bing , Li Dapeng , Yang Yanni , Zhang Lu , Xu Ke , Wang Jiping
Published: February 2018

In this study, direct deposition, 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) crosslinking, chelating and ultraviolet (UV) photo-grafting methods were employed to bond alginate-Ca2+/poly( N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) interpenetrating network hydrogel onto cotton fabric surface for wound dressing applications. Infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of alginate-Ca2+/PNIPAAm hydrogels on the cotton fabrics. Scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate surface and cross-section morphologies. Differential scanning calorimetry and three-dimensional video microscopy indicated that fabric-supported hydrogels maintained the thermal-sensitive property with a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of around 34–35℃. The results of water vapor permeation revealed that the water vapor transmission rate at 37℃ was significantly higher than that at 25℃ for the shrink and collapse of the hydrogels above the LCST. Moreover, the breaking stress of the fabric-supported hydrogels was similar to that of the original cotton fabrics, but much larger than the hydrogels by themselves. The UV photo-grafting provided the strongest peel strength, followed by the BTCA crosslinking, the chelating and the direct deposition method. The cotton fabric-supported alginate-Ca2+/PNIPAAm hydrogels were stiffer than the original cotton fabric due to the high glass transition temperature of PNIPAAm (about 140℃). The in vitro drug release experiment confirmed that the cumulative release amount was much higher at around 37℃ (above the LCST) than at 25℃ (below the LCST). This showed that the fabric-supported thermal-sensitive hydrogels had functions of keeping the wound area breathable and comfortable, and provided controlled drug release with good mechanical properties, indicating a great potential and significance for wound dressing applications.
Design and modeling of an electromagnetic launcher for weft insertion system
Authors: Owlia Emad , Mirjalili Seyed Abbas , Shahnazari Mostafa
Published: February 2018

An electromagnetic launcher can be used as an accelerator for yarn attached to a ferromagnetic projectile. As a result, yarn endures a specific amount of tension. In addition to the yarn variables and the type of weft insertion system, the parameters of the weft yarn accelerator strongly affect the weft yarn velocity, its tension, and consequently the fabric quality. An applicable model that can represent the relationship between input and output parameters of this weft insertion system is very useful for predicting the strike of the projectile. Therefore, in this research a 3D imitating launching model was developed by the finite element method. A coil electromagnetic launcher was employed. An experimental methodology using an image-processing technique was also utilized to measure the projectile velocity. Numerical results were compared with experimental results to verify the numerical procedure. A validated model can be a reliable tool to investigate the effects of many process parameters on the strike of the projectile and to optimize them. Therefore, the system parameters can be scientifically defined by this model to insert a weft yarn.
Employment practices, labour flexibility and the Great Recession: An automotive case study
Authors: Johnstone Stewart
Published: February 2018

Most British firms adjusted employment practices in some way in response to the 2008 recession, though compared with previous recessions there were fewer redundancies than might have been anticipated given the severity of the downturn. While it has been suggested that employers may have utilised alternative flexibility strategies which ameliorated the need for downsizing, there are few studies of how employers responded as they did at the company level. This article presents an in-depth case study of an automotive parts manufacturer deeply affected by recession but which did not make large-scale redundancies. The study reveals how existing labour flexibility strategies, and especially numerical flexibility, helped the firm navigate recession. However, the study also reveals how staffing practices have been modified since the recession as part of an organisational attempt to improve efficiency. This is achieved by segmenting the workforce into three groups with different levels of certainty and security.
Development of a prmA genes quantification technique and assessment of the technique’s application potential for oil and gas reservoir exploration
Authors: Ning Zhuo , He Ze , Zhang Sheng , Yin Miying , Liu Yaci , Zhang Cuiyun
Published: February 2018

Propane-oxidizing bacteria in surface soils are often used to indicate the position of oil and gas reservoirs. As a potential replacement for the laborious traditional culture-dependent counting method, we applied real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction detection as a quick and accurate technology for quantification of propane-oxidizing bacteria. The propane monooxygenase gene was set as the target and the assay is based on SYBR Green I dye. The detection range was from 9.75 × 108 to 9.75 × 101 gene copies/µl, with the lowest detected concentration of 9.75 copies/µl. All coefficient of variation values of the threshold cycle in the reproducibility test were better than 1%. The technique showed good sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility. We also quantified the propane-oxidizing bacteria in soils from three vertical 250 cm profiles collected from an oil field, a gas field, and a nonoil gas field using the established technique. The results indicated that the presence of propane monooxygenase A genes in soils can indicate an oil or gas reservoir. Therefore, this technique can satisfy the requirements for microbial exploration of oil and gas.
Why Research Design and Methods Is So Crucial to Understanding Drug Use/Abuse: Introduction to the Special Issue
Authors: Scheier Lawrence M.
Published: February 2018

The collection of articles in this special issue both raise the bar and inspire new thinking with regard to both design and methodology concerns that influence drug use/abuse research. Thematically speaking, the articles focus on issues related to missing data, response formats, strategies for data harmonization, propensity scoring methods as an alternative to randomized control trials, integrative data analysis, statistical corrections to reduce bias from attrition, challenges faced from conducting large-scale evaluations, and employing abductive theory of method as an alternative to the more traditional hypothetico-deductive reasoning. Collectively, these issues are of paramount importance as they provide specific means to improve our investigative tools and refine the logical framework we employ to examine the problem of drug use/abuse. Each of the authors addresses a specific challenge outlining how it affects our current research efforts and then outlines remedies that can advance the field. To their credit, they have included issues that affect both etiology and prevention, thus broadening our horizons as we learn more about developmental processes causally related to drug use/abuse and intervention strategies that can mitigate developmental vulnerability. This is the essential dialogue required to advance our intellectual tool kit and improve the research skills we bring to bear on the important questions facing the field of drug use/abuse. Ultimately, the goal is to increase our ability to identify the causes and consequences of drug use/abuse and find ways to ameliorate these problems as we engage the public health agenda.
Video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy for thymoma: a single-center experience
Authors: Nguyen Giang Truong , Nguyen Trung Ngoc , Nguyen Nam Van , Nguyen Kien Trung , Le Anh Viet
Published: February 2018

Background

Thymoma is a primary tumor derived from the epithelial cells of the thymus, which is commonly seen in the mediastinum. Surgical thymectomy is the radical treatment for thymoma. The recent introduction of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery has improved the quality of thymectomy surgery. The clinical characteristics of thymoma and the outcomes of video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy in Vietnamese patients are still lacking. The objectives of this study were to investigate the clinical and laboratory characteristics of thymoma and to evaluate the early results of video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy for thymoma in Vietnamese patients.

Methods

All 53 thymoma patients with or without myasthenia gravis who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy in Military Hospital 103, Vietnam, from October 2013 to July 2017 were included.

Results

The mean age was 46.5 7.1 years, and the female/male ratio was 1.2:1. Myasthenia gravis, mostly stage IIA, was present in 84.9% of patients. There was no hospital mortality or major postoperative complication. The mean operative time was 65 min, intensive care unit stay was 22 ± 5 h, and postoperative hospital stay was 7.5 ± 1.7 days.

Conclusion

Thoracoscopic thymectomy for thymoma in Vietnamese patients achieved improved cosmesis and was safe for both non-myasthenia gravis and myasthenia gravis patients.
Detecting stent geometry changes after venous recanalization using duplex ultrasound
Authors: Barbati Mohammad E , Gombert Alexander , Toonder Irwin , van Vuuren Timme MAJ , Schleimer Karina , Grommes Jochen , Wittens Cees HA , Jalaie Houman
Published: February 2018

Background

Patients with post-thrombotic syndrome due to chronic venous obstruction and resistant to conservative management can benefit from endovenous revascularization. The current study investigated the usefulness of duplex ultrasound in monitoring the stent changes over the time.

Method

All duplex ultrasound images of treated patients were reviewed retrospectively. The stent diameter and area during the follow-up visits have been analyzed.

Result

A total of 210 stents were placed in 137 limbs. Duplex ultrasound findings showed a decrease in area of stent in all patients (mean: 0.69 cm2). Reduction of stent area over the time was a predictor of stent patency (odds ratio: 0.910; confidence interval: 0.832–0.997).

Conclusion

Duplex ultrasound has sufficient accuracy in detection of stent changes and its patency. There is a discrepancy between diameter of the stent lumen in vitro and after deployment in all patients. Stent occlusion is related to reduction of stent lumen over the time rather than the percent of the stenosis.
Supporting victims of crime in England and Wales
Authors: Hall Matthew
Published: February 2018

This paper will focus on how support services for victims of crime have developed in England and Wales since the advent of the 2010 coalition government of the United Kingdom. In particular, the discussion will centre around the development of a framework of locally commissioned victim service providers effectively replacing a previous model of central funding aimed largely at a single national organisation, the charity Victim Support. Both the conception and the implementation of this strategy by government and local actors – notably regional Police and Crime Commissioners – will be critically assessed in order to test government claims concerning the utility of such a system for victims of crime themselves. In so doing, it will be argued that in practice it has been difficult to discern how specific local needs can be identified or catered for under these new arrangements. The paper will also demonstrate a great deal of variance in the ways Police and Crime Commissioners have approached these tasks. Ultimately, it will be suggested that what is often touted as a general sea-change in favour of crime victims as a whole may in fact be grounded more in a neo- liberal, market ideology. Local commissioning also, it is argued, represents a continuing prioritisation of certain victims of crime for attention by central government whilst keeping the support needs of the vast majority of ‘more typical’ victims of crime at arm’s length.
What’s in a word? Victims on ‘victim’
Authors: Fohring Stephanie
Published: February 2018

Identifying as a victim of crime is a complex process involving both social and personal motivations. This paper utilises data gathered from victims of crime to examine how their thoughts, feelings and reactions to the victim label are influenced by societal stigma, and how this influence is mediated by personal beliefs and cognitive processes. It does this firstly by examining participants’ thoughts and reactions to the word ‘victim’, where findings indicate a distinct disconnect between how an incident of crime is labelled and how a victim identifies themselves, suggesting an acknowledgement of the incident as wrong and illegal, but denial of victimhood. Secondly, key themes considered by participants to be characteristic of victimhood are identified. These include weakness as a core characteristic of victims, the fluidity of the state of victimhood and the importance of effective coping versus suffering.
Ictal headache: Insights from two cases
Authors: Taga Arens , Florindo Irene
Published: February 2018

Background

We report the first literature description of ictal epileptic headaches closely mimicking glossopharyngeal neuralgia and short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing.

Case 1

A 37-year-old man complained of short-lasting, electric-shock like headache, confined to the pharynx. During the episodes, he could not speak because he felt “words blocked at the throat”. An EEG recorded epileptic discharges concomitant with headache; a brain MRI disclosed frontal polymicrogyria.

Case 2

A 66-year-old man complained of short-lasting, right periocular headache, associated with ipsilateral ptosis, conjunctival injection and lacrimation. Some episodes were followed by tonic contraction of the right facial and limb muscles; on one occasion, headache was followed by a generalized seizure. A brain MRI revealed hippocampal abnormalities.

Discussion

These cases highlight the complex relationship between headache and epilepsy, and suggest a possible contribution of cortical structures to the genesis of paroxysmal headaches such as glossopharyngeal neuralgia and short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing.
British Columbia Ministry of Health Patients as Partners: A transformational approach
Authors: Bar Sherry , Grant Kristen , Asuri Sirisha , Holms Shannon
Published: February 2018

Patients as Partners is a quality improvement initiative of the British Columbia Ministry of Health (the Ministry) that aims to bring patient voice, choice, and representation to the forefront of healthcare through collaboration with patients, families, non-governmental organizations, funded partners, regional health authorities, and healthcare providers. A spectrum of patient engagement activities, including capacity building and self-management support, occur through partnerships at the individual patient and provider, community, and system levels. These activities ensure patient priorities are identified and embed a patient-centred care approach into provincial policies and projects. Multi-/interdisciplinary collaborations in the healthcare sector occur through participation in working groups, advisory committees, and engagement events. Ongoing improvements include enhancing measurement strategies and leveraging opportunities around gaps. The Ministry was honoured with the International Association of Public Participation Award as the 2016 Canadian Organization of the Year in recognition of improving healthcare through patient and public education.