bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient Attitudes Toward Testicular Prosthesis Placement After Orchiectomy
Authors: Srivatsav Ashwin , Balasubramanian Adithya , Butaney Mohit , Thirumavalavan Nannan , McBride J. Abram , Gondokusumo Jabez , Pastuszak Alexander W. , Lipshultz Larry
Published: July 2019

Orchiectomy is the standard of care for many testicular conditions. Testicular prosthesis placement (TPP) can mitigate psychosocial burden, restore self-image, and improve quality of life for patients requiring orchiectomy. Limited data exist regarding patient attitudes and counseling on TPP in the United States. The objective of this study was to characterize patient experiences after TPP, rationale for pursuing/declining TPP, and satisfaction levels.

Patients with a history of urologic conditions warranting orchiectomy were identified and sent an anonymous survey addressing demographics, pre/post counseling, attitudes toward TPP, satisfaction rates, and postoperative complications. Sixteen percent (76/480) of patients completed the survey. Of these, 50.8% (32/63) undergoing orchiectomy were counseled by their surgeon about TPP, and 22.2% (14/63) received a prosthesis. The most common reasons for declining TPP included lack of concern for cosmetic appearance and lack of counseling. Leading reasons for pursuing TPP included improving self-confidence and cosmetic appearance. Although 71% (10/14) of patients were satisfied with TPP, they did highlight areas for improvement. Twenty percent (2/10) felt their implant was too high, 60% (6/10) felt their implant was too firm, 10% (1/10) endorsed discomfort during sex, and 30% (3/10) felt that TPP did not match their size expectations. Despite these findings, 71% (10/14) reported that they would have TPP again and 79% (11/14) would recommend TPP to others.

TPP improves body image and quality of life following orchiectomy. Provider counseling plays an important role in influencing a patient’s decision to undergo TPP. Areas of improvement include implant positioning and more effective replication of testicular consistency.
A review on nanofiber fabrication with the effect of high-speed centrifugal force field
Authors: Zhang Zhi-Ming , Duan Yao-Shuai , Xu Qiao , Zhang Biao
Published: July 2019

Among the traditional methods for nanofiber fabrication, their inherent defects limit their application in industry. This work presents a simple and novel spinning technology to fabricate nanofiber, which uses a high-speed rotary spinneret called high-speed centrifugal spinning. Unlike electrospinning, the electric field is not required, and it could fabricate nanofiber in bulk from melt or solution materials. This work introduces the mechanism principle and development of high-speed centrifugal spinning. Besides, the high-speed centrifugal spinning is compared with the traditional spinning methods. The jet movement and nanofiber formation process under the action of centrifugal force are explained in detail. The effects of equipment parameters and spinning solution parameters on final nanofiber morphology are presented. These parameters are controllable, they include rotational speed of spinneret, length and diameter of nozzle, spinning solution concentration, spinning solution viscosity and surface tension, and collection distance.
Explicitation Interview: A Method for Collecting First Person Perspectives on Living Alone in Old Age
Authors: Bedin Maria Grazia , Capelli Fabien , Droz-Mendelzweig Marion
Published: July 2019

How can older adults (OAs) live at home alone when they have health problems? Growing numbers of OAs live with chronic health problems and yet are determined to remain in their homes as long as possible. The risks associated with living alone are a source of grave concern not only for OAs but also for those around them. Knowing how OAs cope with the risks they face is a central issue for home care and support services. The present article describes the advantages of coupling an existential anthropology approach with an explicitation interview (EI) methodology as a means of understanding the details of how OAs manage their lives at home alone. Using this introspective methodology, we encouraged 20 participants aged 80 years or older to share very detailed elements of their subjective daily life experiences of coping with the risks inherent to their solitary lifestyles. Different types of risk coexisted with one another; some risks were physical, while others were existential. Physical risks appeared to be subordinate to other major fears: loss of identity, disintegration of one’s internal coherence, lack of autonomy and control over one’s personal situation, and decline in self-esteem and self-image. These fears acted as incentives for developing various practical coping mechanisms for their daily lives, including measures that involved taking risks with regard to their physical safety. Using our existential anthropology approach, supported by the EI methodology, we closely examined the details of interviewees’ realities.
Iloprost treatment on top of infrapopliteal angioplasty accelerates wound healing in critical leg ischemia
Authors: K Ay Nuray , Inan Bekir
Published: July 2019

Objectives

This study aimed to examine the efficacy of the concomitant use of infrapopliteal drug-eluting balloon angioplasty and a medical treatment (iloprost) in the treatment of critical leg ischemia.

Methods

Eighty-seven patients that underwent infrapopliteal drug-eluting balloon angioplasty for critical leg ischemia were included in this retrospective study. For analyses, patients were allocated into one of the two groups: 55 patients that underwent drug-eluting balloon angioplasty alone (drug-eluting balloon Group), and 32 patients that received intravenous iloprost for one week after drug-eluting balloon (DEB-I Group). Demographic, perioperative and follow-up clinical data were extracted retrospectively and analyzed.

Results

Duration of hospitalization was significantly longer in the DEB-I group (9.7 vs. 3.1 days, p < 0.001); however, the two groups were similar in terms of other clinical outcomes including early postoperative mortality, and primary patency, wound healing, reintervention, mortality, and amputation rates at one year ( p > 0.05 for all). Primary patency was similar across groups. Wound healing occurred earlier in the DEB-I group when compared to drug-eluting balloon group, in the subgroup of patients with ischemic wound at baseline. Mean time to wound healing was 3.0 ± 0.6 and 4.4 ± 0.6 months in DEB-I and drug-eluting balloon groups, respectively ( p = 0.037).

Conclusions

Iloprost add-on treatment in patients undergoing drug-eluting balloon angioplasty for critical limb ischemia seems to have additional benefits, at least in terms of accelerated wound healing. Further large prospective studies are warranted.
Semi-mobile rudimentary tissues attached to a congenital intramitral ring in a woman with previous history of embolic stroke: A rare case report
Authors: Nabati Maryam , Parsaee Homa , Fattahian Alireza
Published: July 2019

Isolated congenital mitral ring is a very rare subtype of congenital mitral valve malformation, which accounts for about one-third of congenital cardiac anomalies associated with left ventricular inflow obstruction. A mitral ring may be easily missed unless the disease is suspected. The mitral valve repair should be considered in symptomatic patients with mitral stenosis. We report a rare case of a 43-year-old woman with an intramitral ring who experienced previous embolic stroke with left hemiplegia. However, stroke happened several years ago and it does not completely prove causality.
The role of microbiome in rheumatoid arthritis treatment
Authors: Bodkhe Rahul , Balakrishnan Baskar , Taneja Veena
Published: July 2019

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder with multifactorial etiology; both genetic and environmental factors are known to be involved in pathogenesis. Treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) plays an essential role in controlling disease progression and symptoms. DMARDs have immunomodulatory properties and suppress immune response by interfering in various pro-inflammatory pathways. Recent evidence has shown that the gut microbiota directly and indirectly modulates the host immune system. RA has been associated with dysbiosis of the gut microbiota. Patients with RA treated with DMARDs show partial restoration of eubiotic gut microbiome. Hence, it is essential to understand the impact of DMARDs on the microbial composition and its consequent influences on the host immune system to identify novel therapies for RA. In this review, we discuss the importance of antirheumatic-drug-induced host microbiota modulations and possible probiotics that can generate eubiosis.
Deforestation Increases Frequency of Incidents With Elephants (Elephas maximus)
Authors: Puyravaud Jean-Philippe , Gubbi Sanjay , Poornesha H. C. , Davidar Priya
Published: July 2019

Damages by the Asian elephant ( Elephas maximus) range from crop raiding to loss of human lives, and understanding the underlying causes thereof could help reduce such incidents. Land-use change could be among the major causes of elephant incidents since they are long-lived and tend to have particular home ranges. To test this hypothesis, we assessed deforestation rates in sites between the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve and the Bhadra Tiger Reserve, Western Ghats of India between the 1960s and 2000s. Deforestation was calculated in windows of varying sizes to account for spatial scale responses. The locations of 624 incidents between April 2008 and March 2011 were used, and a database of 20,000 random locations provided contrasts. We used sets of 250 logistic regressions at each scale of deforestation to ensure that the significance of deforestation was independent of the randomly sampled contrast locations. A total of 6,761 km2 of forest and scrubland have disappeared from private forests in 50 years, with an average deforestation rate of –0.85%⋅y−1. The distribution of incidents followed an exponential decay with increasing distance from protected areas and a beta distribution against deforestation. Logistic regressions indicated a significant effect of deforestation at the small scale (1 km2 particularly and 4 km2). These results show that (a) incidents occur mostly near protected areas, and barriers or adaptation of livelihoods could address this problem and (b) deforestation is associated with increasing incidents with elephants. Avoiding deforestation and maintaining elephant population connectivity may help avoid incidents.
Bempedoic acid plus ezetimibe fixed-dose combination in patients with hypercholesterolemia and high CVD risk treated with maximally tolerated statin therapy
Authors: Ballantyne Christie M , Laufs Ulrich , Ray Kausik K , Leiter Lawrence A , Bays Harold E , Goldberg Anne C , Stroes Erik SG , MacDougall Diane , Zhao Xin , Catapano Alberico L
Published: July 2019

Aims

The aim of this study was to evaluate the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering efficacy and safety of a bempedoic acid 180 mg and ezetimibe 10 mg fixed-dose combination in patients with hypercholesterolemia and a high risk of cardiovascular disease receiving maximally tolerated statin therapy.

Methods

This phase 3, double-blind clinical trial enrolled adult patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease due to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, or multiple cardiovascular disease risk factors. Patients were randomly assigned (2:2:2:1) to treatment with the fixed-dose combination, bempedoic acid 180 mg, ezetimibe 10 mg or placebo added to stable background statin therapy for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was the percentage change from baseline to week 12 in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Results

Among the 301 patients included in the primary analysis, the mean baseline low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level was 3.87 mmol/L (149.8 mg/dL). At week 12, the fixed-dose combination lowered low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (–36.2%) significantly more than placebo (1.8% (placebo-corrected difference –38.0%); P < 0.001), ezetimibe alone (–23.2%; P < 0.001) or bempedoic acid alone (–17.2%; P < 0.001). The fixed-dose combination lowered low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels similarly across subgroups, including patients receiving high-intensity, other-intensity or no statin therapy. Improvements with the fixed-dose combination were also observed in secondary efficacy endpoints, including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. In this trial, fixed-dose combination treatment had a generally similar safety profile compared with bempedoic acid, ezetimibe or placebo.

Conclusion

The bempedoic acid and ezetimibe fixed-dose combination significantly lowered low-density lipoprotein cholesterol versus placebo or other oral monotherapies and had a favourable safety profile when added to maximally tolerated statin therapy in patients with hypercholesterolemia and high cardiovascular disease risk.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03337308.
Autografting for B2 Glenoids
Authors: Mehta Siddhant K , Keener Jay D
Published: July 2019

The Walch B2 glenoid is characterized by a biconcave glenoid deformity, acquired glenoid retroversion, and posterior subluxation of the humeral head. Surgical reconstruction of the B2 glenoid is often challenging due to the complexity of the deformity. Bone graft augmentation using humeral head autograft is a valuable adjunct to anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty in the B2 glenoid, particularly in the young, highly active patient with severe glenoid retroversion (>25°–30°). Although this technique affords the ability to correct glenoid version and simultaneously enhances glenoid bone stock, it is technically challenging. The potential for graft-related complications also exists, which may further impact glenoid implant longevity and functional outcome. This review article aims to describe the B2 glenoid morphology, discuss the challenges in managing the B2 deformity, and provide further insight specifically regarding autografting at the time of anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty for reconstruction of the B2 glenoid.
Web Scraping Using R
Authors: Bradley Alex , James Richard J. E.
Published: July 2019

The ubiquitous use of the Internet in daily life means that there are now large reservoirs of data that can provide fresh insights into human behavior. One of the key barriers preventing more researchers from utilizing online data is that they do not have the skills to access the data. This Tutorial addresses this gap by providing a practical guide to scraping online data using the popular statistical language R. Web scraping is the process of automatically collecting information from websites. Such information can take the form of numbers, text, images, or videos. This Tutorial shows readers how to download web pages, extract information from those pages, store the extracted information, and do so across multiple pages of a website. A website has been created to assist readers in learning how to web-scrape. This website contains a series of examples that illustrate how to scrape a single web page and how to scrape multiple web pages. The examples are accompanied by videos describing the processes involved and by exercises to help readers increase their knowledge and practice their skills. Example R scripts have been made available at the Open Science Framework.
When “unclear headache” has an obvious reason—Applying ID-Migraine™ to referral letters
Authors: Kluser Stephanie , Chan Andrew , Meier Niklaus
Published: July 2019

Background:

Migraine is underdiagnosed especially by general practitioners and non-neurologists. In our experience, validated screening and diagnosing tools for migraine are generally not used outside neurology. The three-item identification of migraine (ID-Migraine™) is a short and validated screening/diagnosing tool; positive predictive value for migraine is 93% if at least two out of nausea, photophobia, or disability are present.

Aim:

To investigate the diagnostic yield of ID-Migraine™ when applied to the information provided in the referral letters.

Methods:

Retrospective analysis of 95 referral letters of patients referred for undetermined headache who were finally diagnosed with migraine at our Tertiary Care Headache Center.

Results:

Median age was 34 years, and 75% were women. Migraine was suspected by the referring physician in 33% of patients, whereas the remainder were classified as unclear. ID-Migraine™ criteria were fulfilled in 59% of patients with referral diagnosis of suspected migraine and 23% of patients with unclear headache, respectively. Clinical characteristics associated with migraine suspicion were photophobia and other visual symptoms.

Conclusion:

Applying ID-Migraine™ in primary care, emergency departments, or in specialists’ consultations outside neurology might lead to an increased frequency of migraine recognition. Knowledge about and access to those criteria should be increased, especially in the primary care setting.
KIFC1 is activated by TCF-4 and promotes hepatocellular carcinoma pathogenesis by regulating HMGA1 transcriptional activity
Authors: Teng Kai , Wei Shi , Zhang Chi , Chen Jiewei , Chen Jinbin , Xiao Kanghua , Liu Jun , Dai Miaomiao , Guan Xinyuan , Yun Jingping , Xie Dan
Published: July 2019

Background

Kinesins play important roles in the development and progression of many human cancers. The functions and underlying mechanisms of kinesin family member C1 (KIFC1), a member of the kinesin-14 family, in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have not been fully elucidated.

Methods

In this study, 168 HCC samples were first analyzed to examine the association between KIFC1 expression and patient clinicopathological features and prognosis. The role of KIFC1 in HCC cell proliferation and metastasis was investigated both in vivo and in vitro. The upstream regulation and downstream targets of KIFC1 were studied by qRT-PCR, western blotting, coimmunoprecipitation, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and dual-luciferase reporter assays.

Results

KIFC1 was highly expressed in HCC tissues and positively associated with advanced stages and poor prognosis. KIFC1 knockdown suppressed HCC cell proliferation and invasion both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, KIFC1 knockdown decreased invadopodia formation and reduced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). HMGA1, an architectural transcriptional factor, was identified to interact with KIFC1. HMGA1 could bind to the promoters of Stat3, MMP2 and EMT-related genes and promote gene transcription. KIFC1 enhanced HMGA1 transcriptional activity and facilitated HCC proliferation and invasion. Moreover, KIFC1 was activated by TCF-4, and KIFC1 inhibition enhanced HCC cell sensitivity to paclitaxel.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that KIFC1, activated by TCF-4, functions as an oncogene and promotes HCC pathogenesis through regulating HMGA1 transcriptional activity and that KIFC1 is a potential therapeutic target to enhance the paclitaxel sensitivity of HCC.
Limb ischemia in peripheral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: a narrative review of incidence, prevention, monitoring, and treatment
Authors: Bonicolini Eleonora , Martucci Gennaro , Simons Jorik , Raffa Giuseppe M. , Spina Cristina , Lo Coco Valeria , Arcadipane Antonio , Pilato Michele , Lorusso Roberto
Published: July 2019

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) is an increasingly adopted life-saving mechanical circulatory support for a number of potentially reversible or treatable cardiac diseases. It is also started as a bridge-to-transplantation/ventricular assist device in the case of unrecoverable cardiac or cardio-respiratory illness. In recent years, principally for non-post-cardiotomy shock, peripheral cannulation using the femoral vessels has been the approach of choice because it does not need the chest opening, can be quickly established, can be applied percutaneously, and is less likely to cause bleeding and infections than central cannulation. Peripheral ECMO, however, is characterized by a higher rate of vascular complications. The mechanisms of such adverse events are often multifactorial, including suboptimal arterial perfusion and hemodynamic instability due to the underlying disease, peripheral vascular disease, and placement of cannulas that nearly occlude the vessel. The effect of femoral artery damage and/or significant reduced limb perfusion can be devastating because limb ischemia can lead to compartment syndrome, requiring fasciotomy and, occasionally, even limb amputation, thereby negatively impacting hospital stay, long-term functional outcomes, and survival. Data on this topic are highly fragmentary, and there are no clear-cut recommendations. Accordingly, the strategies adopted to cope with this complication vary a great deal, ranging from preventive placement of antegrade distal perfusion cannulas to rescue interventions and vascular surgery after the complication has manifested.

This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of limb ischemia during femoral cannulation for VA-ECMO in adults, focusing on incidence, tools for early diagnosis, risk factors, and preventive and treating strategies.
Systemic chemotherapy plus cetuximab after complete surgery in the treatment of isolated colorectal peritoneal carcinoma: COCHISE phase II clinical trial
Authors: Evrard Serge , Desolneux Grégoire , Bellera Carine , Esnaud Thomas , Bécouarn Yves , Collet Denis , Chafai Najim , Marchal Francois , Cany Laurent , Lermite Emilie , Rivoire Michel , Mathoulin-Pélissier Simone
Published: July 2019

Objective

The primary objective of this non-randomised phase II study was to evaluate the combination of systemic chemotherapy plus cetuximab after complete cytoreductive surgery (CCS) for treatment of isolated colorectal peritoneal carcinoma (CRPC). This multicentre, prospective phase II clinical trial was conducted in seven national cancer referral centres, however research published during study recruitment indicated cetuximab treatment as ineffective in patients with mutated KRAS genes, leading to an additional exclusion criterion to the current protocol, excluding patients with mutated KRAS genes. This significantly impacted recruitment and the study did not achieve the necessary recruitment of 46 patients.

Results

Fourteen patients underwent CCS and were included in the study, however one did not provide informed consent and another received only one cycle of chemotherapy leading to 12 patients in the per protocol population for analysis. Adjuvant Folfox Cetuximab was administered when CCS was achieved for patients > 18 years with histologically proven CRPC and no other metastatic disease (liver, lungs, lymphadenopathy, etc.). CRPC median index was 5.00 (range: 1–17). Median PFS was 12.3 months [95% CI (3.7–28.2)] with 8.3% [95% CI (0.5–31.1)] and 0% PFS at 3 and 5 years respectively. Median OS was 43.4 months [95% CI (16.8–60)].

Trial registration Clinical Trials NCT00766142, October 3, 2008. Retrospectively registered
Review of design optimization of fluid machinery: applying computational fluid dynamics and numerical optimization
Authors: Chaudhry Qasim Ali , Al-Mdallal Qasem M.
Published: July 2019

Book details

Authors: Kwang-Yong Kim, Abdus Samad, Ernesto Benini

Title: Design Optimization of Fluid Machinery: Applying Computational Fluid Dynamics and Numerical Optimization

ISBN: 9781119188308 (ePub)

Published by: JohnWiley & Sons Singapore Pte. Ltd; 2019
Evaluation of one-point fixation for zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures using a three-dimensional photogrammetric analysis
Authors: Kim Se Young , Nam Seung Min , Park Eun Soo , Kim Yong Bae
Published: July 2019

Background

The goal of treatment for zygomaticomaxillary (ZM) complex (ZMC) fractures is to achieve stability and restore aesthetic appearance through three-dimensional reduction and rigid fixation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the stability and aesthetic appearance outcomes of one-point fixation using a three-dimensional photogrammetric analysis.

Methods

From March 2014 to December 2014, 34 patients with ZMC fractures were treated by one-point fixation in the ZM buttress using unsintered hydroxyapatite (u-HA)/poly-L-lactide (PLLA) plates. Differences in soft tissue inter-malar height between the fractured side and unfractured sides were evaluated using photogrammetric analysis with a three-dimensional camera (Morphius®) at the preoperative and 1 week, 1 and 3 months after surgery. The differences in bony inter-malar height between the fractured and unfractured sides were evaluated using computer tomography at the pre-operative and 6 months after surgery. The paired t-test was used to compare differences in malar height.

Results

Six months after surgery, 34 patients achieved satisfactory bony stability and symmetric malar appearances. Comparisons of differences in soft-tissue inter-malar height revealed statistically significant differences between the pre-operative period and 1 week and 1 month after surgery ( p < .01). There was no statistically significant difference between 1 and 3 months after surgery. Comparison of differences in bony inter-malar height revealed a statistically significant difference between before and 6 months after surgery ( p < .01).

Conclusions

When we conducted a three-dimensional photogrammetric analysis, although it has restricted surgical indications, one-point fixation of the ZM buttress using an u-HA / PLLA plate yielded reliable, satisfactory, and safe clinical results in patients with ZMC fractures.

Clinical question / level of evidence

Therapeutic, III.
Archaeometric characterization of Byzantine pottery from Păcuiul lui Soare
Authors: Bugoi Roxana , Talmaţchi Cristina , Haitǎ Constantin , Ceccato Daniele
Published: July 2019

Archaeometric investigations using OM (optical microscopy) and micro-PIXE (particle induced X-ray emission) were performed on 45 ceramic shards unearthed in archaeological excavations at Păcuiul lui Soare (southeastern Romania) and dated to the eleventh century AD. This study aimed to get clues about the raw materials and manufacturing techniques used by the potters from the Lower Danube area during the Byzantine period. The analyzed ceramic fragments were selected according to stylistic and archaeological criteria, trying to cover the entire palette of potteries discovered at this site. OM detailed the characteristics of the fabric (texture, microstructure and porosity), mineralogy, surface treatments and firing of the shards. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the PIXE data highlighted two main categories of shards with distinct compositional signatures, separated mainly by their aluminum and calcium content. Micro-PIXE maps of the interfaces between the glaze and the ceramic body showed that the green glaze is rich in lead oxide compared to the underlying ceramic body. The results of these investigations were compared to the ones previously obtained on coeval potteries from other Byzantine archaeological sites, i.e. Hârşova and Oltina, trying to get some hints about the consumption and circulation of pottery in the Lower Danube region at the beginning of the second millennium AD.
Intraoperative Placement of Paravertebral Catheters to Manage Postoperative Pain in Opioid-Dependent Patients After Thoracolumbar Spine Fusion Surgery: A Case Report
Authors: Chen Kelly Y. , Abhold Eric , Shin John H. , Sabouri A. Sassan
Published: July 2019

We introduce a regional technique that involves the intraoperative placement of bilateral paravertebral catheters under direct visualization. The patient had stage IV lung cancer and was on chronic oxycodone therapy. He presented with a T10 metastatic lesion, and underwent spinal decompression with T7–L1 fusion and T10 corpectomy. Before fascial closure, catheters were advanced into the T10 paravertebral space under direct visualization by the surgeon bilaterally. Postoperatively, his pain was well controlled, and narcotic requirements were decreased. Our case report demonstrates that for patients undergoing posterior spine surgery, intraoperative placement of bilateral paravertebral catheters can be used to help manage postoperative pain.
Recent Publications on the Art and Archaeology of Kucha
Authors: Lee Sonya S.
Published: July 2019

Kucha was one of the major political powers and cultural centers along the ancient Silk Road, home to a great number of Buddhist cave temples that have survived from the time of their creation sometime between the third century and the eighth. Although they are not as well-known as their counterparts in Dunhuang, the complexes at Kizil and Kumutra, among others, have preserved equally invaluable material evidence of the vibrant interchange of goods, ideas, and cultural practices that took place across the entire region in the first millennium. These sites represent the crucial link with the artistic traditions of Gandhara, India, and Persia in explicating the Chinese adaptation of a complex, foreign visual culture through the introduction of Buddhism. This essay reviews a number of significant publications on the art and archaeology of Kucha that have appeared in the past decade. Marking one of the notable trends in Asian studies today, the remarkable growth in Kucha scholarship has been facilitated in one way or another by the opening of China's Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region to the outside world. The review focuses on the compilations of source materials, reception and collection histories, and interpretative studies of source materials, examining each of these three areas within their proper historical and historiographical contexts. An extensive review of Archaeological and Visual Sources of Meditation in the Ancient Monasteries of Kuča (2015) by Angela F. Howard and Giuseppe Vignato appears in the last section of the essay.
TOP CEOs, FINANCIALIZATION, and the CREATION of the SUPER-RICH ECONOMY
Authors: Davis Aeron
Published: July 2019

This piece takes a close look at top CEOs in the United Kingdom. CEOs are not only among the ranks of today’s super-rich, they have played a vital part in the evolution of an economic system that supports the super-rich generally. As the article argues, they have done this in two key ways: first, by promoting to news media and policy makers a set of financialized free-market ideas about managing the economy, and second, by managing large companies as financial assets for the benefit of financiers and the super-rich. In both ways, they have encouraged financialization and the funneling of capital away from the real economy and ordinary employees, and upward toward the super-rich. The article is based on thirty interviews with top UK business leaders, including twenty Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 CEOs, as well as other demographic and qualitative data.
Mechanical stress-induced cell death in breast cancer cells
Authors: Takao Satomi , Taya Minoru , Chiew Cerwyn
Published: July 2019

Providing an external mechanical stress to cancer cells seems to be an effective approach to treat cancer locally. Number of reports on cancer cell death subjected to mechanical stress loading are increasing but they are more focused on apoptosis. Inducing necrosis is also important in attracting more immune cells to the cancer site via release of danger-associated molecular patterns from cancer cells. Here we applied dynamic compression to breast cancer cells with a low frequency (0.1-30 Hz) and for a short duration (30-300 sec) and they resulted in a mixed mode of apoptosis and necrosis dominant with necrotic cell death which we call mechanical stress-induced cell death (MSICD). The necrotic cell damage of mechanically treated breast cancer cells increased in a force-dependent and time dependent manner while a trend of frequency-independent MSICD was observed.
YFR016c/Aip5 is part of an actin nucleation complex in yeast
Authors: Glomb Oliver , Bareis Lara , Johnsson Nils
Published: July 2019

The polarisome comprises a network of proteins that organizes polar growth in yeast and filamentous fungi. The yeast formin Bni1 and the actin-nucleation-promoting factor Bud6 are subunits of the polarisome that together catalyse the formation of actin cables below the tip of yeast cells. We identified YFR016c (Aip5) as interaction partner of Bud6 and the polarisome scaffold Spa2. Yeast cells lacking Aip5 display a reduced number of actin cables. Aip5 binds with its N-terminal region to Spa2 and with its C-terminal region to Bud6. Both interactions collaborate to localize Aip5 at bud tip and neck, and are required to stimulate the formation of actin cables. Our experiments characterize Aip5 as a novel subunit of a complex that regulates the number of actin filaments at sites of polar growth.
Comparing 3D ultrastructure of presynaptic and postsynaptic mitochondria
Authors: Delgado Thomas , Petralia Ronald S. , Freeman David W. , Sedlacek Miloslav , Wang Ya-Xian , Brenowitz Stephan D. , Sheu Shu-Hsien , Gu Jeffrey W. , Kapogiannis Dimitrios , Mattson Mark P. , Yao Pamela J.
Published: July 2019

Serial-section electron microscopy such as FIB-SEM (Focused Ion Beam Scanning Electron Microscopy) has become an important tool for neuroscientists to trace the trajectories and global architecture of neural circuits in the brain, as well as to visualize the 3D ultrastructure of cellular organelles in neurons. In this study, we examined 3D features of mitochondria in electron microscope images generated from serial sections of four regions of mouse brains: nucleus accumbens (NA), hippocampal CA1, somatosensory cortex, and dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN). We compared mitochondria in the presynaptic terminals to those in the postsynaptic/dendritic compartments, and we focused on the shape and size of mitochondria. A common feature of mitochondria among the four brain regions is that presynaptic mitochondria generally are small and short, and most of them do not extend beyond presynaptic terminals. In contrast, the majority of postsynaptic/dendritic mitochondria are large and many of them spread through significant portions of the dendrites. Comparing among the brain areas, the cerebral cortex and DCN have even larger postsynaptic/dendritic mitochondria than the NA and CA1. Our analysis reveals that mitochondria in neurons are differentially sized and arranged according to their subcellular locations, suggesting a spatial organizing principle of mitochondria at the synapse.
Estimating the Value of Public Insurance Using Complementary Private Insurance
Authors: Cabral Marika , Cullen Mark R.
Published: July 2019

The welfare associated with public insurance is often difficult to quantify because the demand for coverage is unobserved and thus cannot be used to analyze welfare. However, in many settings, individuals can purchase private insurance to supplement public coverage. This paper outlines an approach to use data and variation from private complementary insurance to quantify welfare associated with counterfactuals related to compulsory public insurance. We then apply this approach using administrative data on disability insurance. Our findings suggests that public disability insurance generates substantial surplus for the sample population, and there may be gains to increasing the generosity of coverage. (JEL G22, H55, I13, I38, J32)
The Impact of Investment Incentives: Evidence from UK Corporation Tax Returns
Authors: Maffini Giorgia , Xing Jing , Devereux Michael P.
Published: July 2019

Using UK corporation tax returns, we provide evidence on the effects of accelerated depreciation allowances on investment, exploiting exogenous changes in the qualifying thresholds for first-year depreciation allowances (FYAs) in 2004. The investment rate of qualifying companies increased by 2.1–2.5 percentage points relative to those that did not qualify. We exploit variation in the timing of tax payments to show that this effect is primarily due to the change in the cost of capital, rather than a relaxation of financial constraints. Discontinuity at notches in the cost of capital at the qualifying thresholds does not affect our results. (JEL D25, G31, H25, H32)
Liquidity Constraints of the Middle Class
Authors: Campbell Jeffrey R. , Hercowitz Zvi
Published: July 2019

Existing evidence from US middle class households shows that their MPCs out of tax rebates greatly exceed the PIH’s prediction and are weakly related to their liquid assets. The standard precautionary-saving model predicts the first fact but counterfactu-ally requires MPCs to decrease with liquid wealth. Evidence from the Survey of Consumer Finances indicates widespread saving in anticipation of major expenditures like home purchases and college education. Adding such savings to the standard precautionary-saving model allows it to generate realistic MPCs for households with liquid wealth: the approaching expenditure simultaneously motivates asset accumulation and raises MPCs by shortening the effective planning horizon. (JEL D14, D15, D31, E21, H24, H31)
Defensive Medicine: Evidence from Military Immunity
Authors: Frakes Michael , Gruber Jonathan
Published: July 2019

We estimate the extent of defensive medicine by physicians, embracing the no-liability counterfactual made possible by the structure of liability rules in the Military Health System. Active-duty patients seeking treatment from military facilities cannot sue for harms resulting from negligent care, while protections are provided to dependents treated at military facilities and to all patients— active duty or not—that receive care from civilian facilities. Drawing on this variation and exploiting exogenous shocks to care location choices stemming from base-hospital closures, we find suggestive evidence that liability immunity reduces inpatient spending by 5 percent with no measurable negative effect on patient outcomes. (JEL H51, H56, I11, I18)
Frequency and impact of incidental findings on computed tomography during work-up for transcatheter aortic valve implantation: single centre experience and review of the literature
Authors: Hinton Jonathan , Gough Sam , Ahmed Hanad , Gabara Lavinia , Rawlins John , Calver Alison , Shah Benoy N , Rakhit Dhrubo , Shambrook James , Harden Stephen , Peebles Charles , Abbas Ausami , Curzen Nick
Published: July 2019

Objective:

To assess the frequency and impact of incidental findings (IF) on CT during work-up for transcatheter aortic valve intervention (TAVI).

Methods:

A consecutive cohort of patients referred for consideration of TAVI who underwent a CT scan between 2009 and 2018 were studied retrospectively. CT reports were reviewed for the presence of IFs and categorised based upon their clinical significance: (a) insignificant—findings that did not require specific treatment or follow-up; (b) intermediate—findings that did not impact on the decision-making process but required follow-up; (c) significant—findings that either required urgent investigation or meant that TAVI was clinically inappropriate.

Results:

A total of 652 patients were included, whose median age was 82 years. One or more insignificant IF was found in 95.6% of patients. Intermediate IFs were documented in 5.4%. 91 (14%) patients had at least one significant IF. These included possible malignancy in 67 (74%). The ultimate decision to offer aortic valve intervention was only changed by the presence of an IF in 3.5% of cases.

Conclusion:

Clinically significant IFs are detected in more than 1 in 10 of patients undergoing CT as part of a TAVI work-up, although just over half of these patients still receive aortic valve intervention.

Advances in knowledge:

This study is the largest UK cohort, which, when combined with a review of existing literature, provides a clear picture of the frequency and clinical impact of IFs found at CT for TAVI assessment.
A co-culture model of the bovine alveolus
Authors: Lee Diane , Chambers Mark
Published: July 2019

The epithelial lining of the lung is often the first point of interaction between the host and inhaled pathogens, allergens and medications. Epithelial cells are therefore the main focus of studies which aim to shed light on host-pathogen interactions, to dissect the mechanisms of local host immunity and study toxicology. If these studies are not to be conducted exclusively in vivo, it is imperative that in vitro models are developed with a high in vitro- in vivo correlation. We describe here a co-culture model of the bovine alveolus, designed to overcome some of the limitations encountered with mono-culture and live animal models. Our system includes bovine pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (BPAECs) seeded onto a permeable membrane in 24 well Transwell format. The BPAECs are overlaid with immortalised bovine alveolar type II epithelial cells and cultured at air-liquid interface for 14 days before use; in our case to study host-mycobacterial interactions.

Characterisation of novel cell lines and the co-culture model have provided compelling evidence that immortalised bovine alveolar type II cells are an authentic substitute for primary alveolar type II cells and their co-culture with BPAECs provides a physiologically relevant in vitro model of the bovine alveolus.  

The co-culture model may be used to study dynamic intracellular and extracellular host-pathogen interactions, using proteomics, genomics, live cell imaging, in-cell ELISA and confocal microscopy. The model presented in this article enables other researchers to establish an in vitro model of the bovine alveolus that is easy to set up, malleable and serves as a comparable alternative to in vivo models, whilst allowing study of early host-pathogen interactions, currently not feasible in vivo. The model therefore achieves one of the 3Rs objectives in that it replaces the use of animals in research of bovine respiratory diseases.
The diversity of Anopheles blood feeding patterns suggests different malaria protection strategies in different localities
Authors: Chakim Irfanul , Pumpaibool Tepanata
Published: July 2019

Background: Malaria is a significant health burden for many countries worldwide. Insecticide-treated bed nets and mosquito repellent are considered effective methods for preventing Anopheles bites. However, changes in the biological properties of the vector have led to a reduction in their effectiveness. Most published studies have only investigated the human population factor, not the dynamics of vector behavior. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the importance of primary vector activity for selecting an appropriate malaria protection strategy.

Methods: Initially, active case detection (ACD) was carried out in western and eastern parts of Indonesia, Jambi and Sumba, to confirm their endemicity level. According to the 2016 national health report of Indonesia, Jambi has an annual parasite index (API) of 0.14 and Sumba has an API of 5.41. A series of entomological observations were carried out to compare the biting activity of Anopheles vector in two localities, with a total of 216 houses and catchers (108 in each study site).

Results: The results indicated that endemicity at the sub-district level is higher than that at the provincial level. Only Anopheles balabacensi was found to be exophagic. Multiple comparisons found different biting times between the sites, suggesting that early evening (18.00-20.00) is most likely to be the time when mosquitos transmit the Plasmodium parasite in Jambi, while during sleeping hours (21.00-01.00) is the peak biting time of Anopheles mosquitos in Sumba.

Conclusions: The study demonstrates the importance of Anopheles species blood feeding patterns in selecting an appropriate malaria protection strategy.
Levels of mercury in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), water, and sediment in the Migori gold mining belt, Kenya, and the potential ramifications to human health
Authors: Kola Samwel , Kanja Laetitia Wakonyu , Mbaria James Mucunu , Maina Joyce Gichiku , Okumu Mitchel Otieno
Published: July 2019

Background: Understanding mercury levels in gold mining areas where locals consume fish is important in evaluating the risk to the population. This study determined the levels of total mercury (T-Hg) in Nile tilapia, water, and sediment in the Migori gold mining belt and the potential risk to human health.  

Methods: Water, sediment, and fish were sampled from 10 sites in Rongo and Nyatike and analyzed for T-Hg using cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy. Geo-accumulation index (IGeo) was used to evaluate sediment quality, and the estimated daily intake of fish per meal (EDIm), the target hazard quotient (THQ), and the maximum allowable fish consumption rate (CRmw) were calculated as health risk indices.

Results: Sediment from 6 sites were moderately polluted with T-Hg, while 2 sites were strongly polluted. Water from all the sites had T-Hg levels higher than the FAO recommended level for surface water. About 78% (38/49) of all tissues sampled had T-Hg levels above the 0.5 µg/g limit for consumption by the general human population. About 31% (15/49) of muscle tissues had T-Hg levels above the 0.5 µg/g limit, while 88% (43/49) of brain, 69% (34/49) of liver, and 69% (34/49) of muscle tissues had T-Hg levels above the 0.2 µg/g limit for consumption by at-risk groups. There were positive correlations between T-Hg levels in brain, muscle and pond sediment, T-Hg levels in brain and water pH and temperature, and negative correlations between T-Hg levels in brain and levels in water, T-Hg levels in brain and weight of fish. EDIm and THQ ranged from 2.43-15.84 µg/g and 24.3-158.4 µg/g wet weight respectively while CRmw ranged from 1-4 fish.

Conclusions: Consumption of Nile tilapia from the studied area carries a significant risk of Hg exposure in frequent fish-eaters, pregnant women, and developing children, but is safe for the general population.
Amisulpride – is it as all other medicines or is it different? An update
Authors: Hadryś Tomasz , Rymaszewska Joanna
Published: July 2019

Amisulpryd jest lekiem przeciwpsychotycznym dostępnym w Europie od lat 90-tych, w Polsce od roku 2000. W późniejszych latach na polskim rynku pojawiły się kolejne leki nowej generacji, np. ziprasidon czy aripiprazol. Niedługo pojawić się może lurasidon, który w kwietniu 2018 r. otrzymał pozytywną rekomendację Agencji Oceny Technologii Medycznych i Taryfikacji we wskazaniu - schizofrenia (Rekomendacja 30/2018). Dzięki innowacyjnym cząsteczkom możliwości terapeutyczne stale wzrastają, jednakże większa liczba leków o różnych właściwościach, to również większy dylemat, który z nich wybrać. Ponieważ w piśmiennictwie regularnie pojawiają się badania porównawcze leków, metaanalizy i przeglądy systematyczne, dlatego autorzy dokonali tutaj prezentacji publikacji z ostatniego dziesięciolecia koncentrując się na porównaniach amisulprydu z innymi lekami stosowanych w Polsce. Choć w wielu kwestiach jest to lek równoważny z pozostałymi atypowym neuroleptykami, to ma także kilka zalet. Amisulpryd wydaje się być skuteczniejszy niż pozostałe neuroleptyki atypowe i klasyczne wobec objawów depresyjnych i ubytkowych dominujących w obrazie klinicznym. Może być też lekiem skuteczniejszym niż haloperidol w przynoszeniu remisji objawowej u pacjentów z pierwszym epizodem schizofrenii. Poza wyraźnym zwiększaniem wydzielania prolaktyny jego profil działań niepożądanych jest korzystny - stosunkowo rzadko wywołuje objawy pozapiramidowe (które są zależne od dawki) i sedację, a wielu pacjentów akceptuje leczenie tym lekiem odnosząc mierzalną korzyść kliniczną w postaci redukcji objawów wytwórczych i mając wyraźnie wyższą jakość życia niż przy leczeniu klasycznym neuroleptykiem. Charakterystyka farmakokinetyczna także zachęca do stosowania amisulprydu, szczególnie w przypadku konieczności połączenia z innymi lekami wpływającymi na układ nerwowy oraz u osób z obciążeniami somatycznymi, u których wymagane jest jednoczesne leczenie lekami ogólnymi.