bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pleiotropic regulation of a glucose-specific PTS in Clostridium acetobutylicum for high-efficient butanol production from corn stover without detoxification
Authors: Wu Youduo , Bai Yidi , Zhang Daojing , Cheng Chi , Chen Lijie , Bai Fengwu , Xue Chuang
Published: November 2019

Background

Corn stover (CS) is evaluated as the most favorable candidate feedstock for butanol production via microbial acetone–butanol–ethanol (ABE) fermentation by Clostridium acetobutylicum. By independent acid pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentable sugars (mainly glucose and xylose) were released, of which glucose was naturally utilized as the most preferred carbon source by C. acetobutylicum. However, the ABE fermentation using corn stover hydrolysate (CSH) without detoxification is typically limited to poor sugars utilization, butanol production and productivity. In the presence of pretreatment-derived inhibitors, the intracellular ATP and NADH, as important factors involved in cell growth, solventogenesis initiation and stress response, are exceedingly challenged owing to disrupted glucose phosphotransferase system (PTS). Therefore, there is a necessity to develop effective engineering approaches to overcome these limitations for high-efficient butanol production from CSH without detoxification.

Results

PTS-engineered C. acetobutylicum strains were constructed via overexpression and knockout of gene glcG encoding glucose-specific PTS IICBA, which pleiotropically regulated glucose utilization, cell growth, solventogenesis and inhibitors tolerance. The PTSGlcG-overexpressing strain exhibited high fermentation efficiency, wherein butanol production and productivity was 11.1 g/L and 0.31 g/L/h, compared to those of 11.0 g/L and 0.15 g/L/h with the PTSGlcG-deficient strain. During CSH culture without detoxification, the PTSGlcG-overexpressing strain exhibited desirable inhibitors tolerance and solventogenesis with butanol production of 10.0 g/L, increased by 300% and 400% compared to those of 2.5 and 2.0 g/L with the control and PTSGlcG-deficient strains, respectively. As a result of extra glucose and 10 g/L CaCO3 addition into CSH, butanol production and productivity were further maximized to 12.5 g/L and 0.39 g/L/h. These validated improvements on the PTSGlcG-overexpressing strain were ascribed to not only efficient glucose transport but also its cascading effects on intracellular ATP and NADH generation, solventogenesis initiation and inhibitors tolerance at the exponential growth phase.

Conclusion

The PTSGluG regulation could be an effective engineering approach for high-efficient ABE fermentation from lignocellulosic hydrolysates without detoxification or wastewater generation, providing fundamental information for economically sustainable butanol production with high productivity.
From cytogenetics to cytogenomics: whole-genome sequencing as a first-line test comprehensively captures the diverse spectrum of disease-causing genetic variation underlying intellectual disability
Authors: Lindstrand Anna , Eisfeldt Jesper , Pettersson Maria , Carvalho Claudia M. B. , Kvarnung Malin , Grigelioniene Giedre , Anderlid Britt-Marie , Bjerin Olof , Gustavsson Peter , Hammarsjö Anna , Georgii-Hemming Patrik , Iwarsson Erik , Johansson-Soller Maria , Lagerstedt-Robinson Kristina , Lieden Agne , Magnusson Måns , Martin Marcel , Malmgren Helena , Nordenskjöld Magnus , Norling Ameli , Sahlin Ellika , Stranneheim Henrik , Tham Emma , Wincent Josephine , Ygberg Sofia , Wedell Anna , Wirta Valtteri , Nordgren Ann , Lundin Johanna , Nilsson Daniel
Published: November 2019

Background

Since different types of genetic variants, from single nucleotide variants (SNVs) to large chromosomal rearrangements, underlie intellectual disability, we evaluated the use of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) rather than chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) as a first-line genetic diagnostic test.

Methods

We analyzed three cohorts with short-read WGS: (i) a retrospective cohort with validated copy number variants (CNVs) (cohort 1, n = 68), (ii) individuals referred for monogenic multi-gene panels (cohort 2, n = 156), and (iii) 100 prospective, consecutive cases referred to our center for CMA (cohort 3). Bioinformatic tools developed include FindSV, SVDB, Rhocall, Rhoviz, and vcf2cytosure.

Results

First, we validated our structural variant (SV)-calling pipeline on cohort 1, consisting of three trisomies and 79 deletions and duplications with a median size of 850 kb (min 500 bp, max 155 Mb). All variants were detected. Second, we utilized the same pipeline in cohort 2 and analyzed with monogenic WGS panels, increasing the diagnostic yield to 8%. Next, cohort 3 was analyzed by both CMA and WGS. The WGS data was processed for large (> 10 kb) SVs genome-wide and for exonic SVs and SNVs in a panel of 887 genes linked to intellectual disability as well as genes matched to patient-specific Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) phenotypes. This yielded a total of 25 pathogenic variants (SNVs or SVs), of which 12 were detected by CMA as well. We also applied short tandem repeat (STR) expansion detection and discovered one pathologic expansion in ATXN7. Finally, a case of Prader-Willi syndrome with uniparental disomy (UPD) was validated in the WGS data.

Important positional information was obtained in all cohorts. Remarkably, 7% of the analyzed cases harbored complex structural variants, as exemplified by a ring chromosome and two duplications found to be an insertional translocation and part of a cryptic unbalanced translocation, respectively.

Conclusion

The overall diagnostic rate of 27% was more than doubled compared to clinical microarray (12%). Using WGS, we detected a wide range of SVs with high accuracy. Since the WGS data also allowed for analysis of SNVs, UPD, and STRs, it represents a powerful comprehensive genetic test in a clinical diagnostic laboratory setting.
Does the nitrogen single-breath washout test contribute to detecting pulmonary involvement in rheumatoid arthritis? A pilot study
Authors: Bessa Elizabeth Jauhar Cardoso , Ribeiro Felipe de Miranda Carbonieri , Pinheiro Geraldo da Rocha Castelar , Lopes Agnaldo José
Published: November 2019

Objective

There has been growing interest in studying small airway disease through measures of ventilation distribution, thanks to the resurgence of the nitrogen single-breath washout (N2SBW) test. Therefore, this study evaluated the contribution of the N2SBW test to the detection of pulmonary involvement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Results

Twenty-one patients with RA underwent clinical evaluation, pulmonary function tests (PFTs), including the N2SBW test, and computed tomography (CT). The main tomographic findings were air trapping and bronchiectasis (57.1% and 23.8% of cases, respectively). According to the phase III slope of the N2SBW (phase III slope), 11 and 10 patients had values < 120% predicted and > 120% predicted, respectively. Five patients with limited involvement on CT had a phase III slope > 120%. The residual volume/total lung capacity ratio was significantly different between patients with phase III slopes < 120% and > 120% (P = 0.024). Additionally, rheumatoid factor positivity was higher in patients with a phase III slope > 120% (P = 0.021). In patients with RA and airway disease on CT, the N2SBW test detects inhomogeneity in the ventilation distribution in approximately half of the cases, even in those with normal conventional PFT results.
Screening and quantification of anti-quorum sensing and antibiofilm activities of phyllosphere bacteria against biofilm forming bacteria
Authors: Theodora Nadine Amabel , Dominika Vania , Waturangi Diana Elizabeth
Published: November 2019

Objective

The objectives of this research were to screen anti-quorum sensing activity of phyllosphere bacteria and quantify their antibiofilm activity against biofilm forming bacteria (Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Salmonella typhimurium, Vibrio cholerae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa).

Results

We found 11 phyllosphere bacteria isolates with potential anti-quorum sensing activity. Most of the crude extracts from phyllosphere bacteria isolates had anti-quorum sensing activity against Chromobacterium violaceum at certain concentration (20 and 10 mg/mL), but not crude extract from isolate JB 7F. Crude extract showed the largest turbid zone (1,27 cm) using isolate JB 14B with concentration of 10 mg/mL and the narrowest turbid zone isolate (1 cm) using JB 18B with concentration of 10 mg/mL. Crude extracts showed various antibiofilm activities against all tested pathogenic bacteria, it showed the highest biofilm inhibition (90%) and destruction activities (76%) against S. aureus.
Preclinical studies on the toxicology, pharmacokinetics and safety of K1-70TM a human monoclonal autoantibody to the TSH receptor with TSH antagonist activity
Authors: Furmaniak Jadwiga , Sanders Jane , Clark Jill , Wilmot Jane , Sanders Paul , Li Yang , Rees Smith Bernard
Published: November 2019

Background

The human monoclonal autoantibody K1-70™ binds to the TSH receptor (TSHR) with high affinity and blocks TSHR cyclic AMP stimulation by TSH and thyroid stimulating autoantibodies.

Methods

The preclinical toxicology assessment following weekly intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) administration of K1-70™ in rats and cynomolgus monkeys for 29 days was carried out. An assessment of delayed onset toxicity and/or reversibility of toxicity was made during a further 4 week treatment free period. The pharmacokinetic parameters of K1-70™ and the effects of different doses of K1-70™ on serum thyroid hormone levels in the study animals were determined in rats and primates after IV and IM administration.

Results

Low serum levels of T3 and T4 associated with markedly elevated levels of TSH were observed in the study animals following IV and IM administration of K1-70™. The toxicological findings were attributed to the pharmacology of K1-70™ and were consistent with the hypothyroid state. The no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) could not be established in the rat study while in the primate study it was 100 mg/kg/dose for both males and females.

Conclusions

The toxicology, pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic data in this preclinical study were helpful in designing the first in human study with K1-70™ administered to subjects with Graves’ disease.
How should systematic reviewers handle conference abstracts? A view from the trenches
Authors: Scherer Roberta W. , Saldanha Ian J.
Published: November 2019

Background

While identifying and cataloging unpublished studies from conference proceedings is generally recognized as a good practice during systematic reviews, controversy remains whether to include study results that are reported in conference abstracts. Existing guidelines provide conflicting recommendations.

Main body

The main argument for including conference abstracts in systematic reviews is that abstracts with positive results are preferentially published, and published sooner, as full-length articles compared with other abstracts. Arguments against including conference abstracts are that (1) searching for abstracts is resource-intensive, (2) abstracts may not contain adequate information, and (3) the information in abstracts may not be dependable. However, studies comparing conference abstracts and fully published articles of the same study find only minor differences, usually with conference abstracts presenting preliminary results. Other studies that have examined differences in treatment estimates of meta-analyses with and without conference abstracts report changes in precision, but usually not in the treatment effect estimate. However, in some cases, including conference abstracts has made a difference in the estimate of the treatment effect, not just its precision. Instead of arbitrarily deciding to include or exclude conference abstracts in systematic reviews, we suggest that systematic reviewers should consider the availability of evidence informing the review. If available evidence is sparse or conflicting, it may be worthwhile to search for conference abstracts. Further, attempts to contact authors of abstracts or search for protocols or trial registers to supplement the information presented in conference abstracts is prudent. If unique information from conference abstracts is included in a meta-analysis, a sensitivity analysis with and without the unique results should be conducted.

Conclusions

Under given circumstances, it is worthwhile to search for and include results from conference abstracts in systematic reviews.
Weak convergence of explicit extragradient algorithms for solving equilibirum problems
Authors: ur Rehman Habib , Kumam Poom , Cho Yeol Je , Yordsorn Pasakorn
Published: November 2019

This paper aims to propose two new algorithms that are developed by implementing inertial and subgradient techniques to solve the problem of pseudomonotone equilibrium problems. The weak convergence of these algorithms is well established based on standard assumptions of a cost bi-function. The advantage of these algorithms was that they did not need a line search procedure or any information on Lipschitz-type bifunction constants for step-size evaluation. A practical explanation for this is that they use a sequence of step-sizes that are updated at each iteration based on some previous iterations. For numerical examples, we discuss two well-known equilibrium models that assist our well-established convergence results, and we see that the suggested algorithm has a competitive advantage over time of execution and the number of iterations.
Antibiotic-modulated microbiome suppresses lethal inflammation and prolongs lifespan in Treg-deficient mice
Authors: He Baokun , Liu Yuying , Hoang Thomas K. , Tian Xiangjun , Taylor Christopher M. , Luo Meng , Tran Dat Q. , Tatevian Nina , Rhoads J. Marc
Published: November 2019

Background

Regulatory T cell (Treg) deficiency leads to IPEX syndrome, a lethal autoimmune disease, in Human and mice. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota in Treg-deficient scurfy (SF) mice has been described, but to date, the role of the gut microbiota remains to be determined.

Results

To examine how antibiotic-modified microbiota can inhibit Treg deficiency-induced lethal inflammation in SF mice, Treg-deficient SF mice were treated with three different antibiotics. Different antibiotics resulted in distinct microbiota and metabolome changes and led to varied efficacy in prolonging lifespan and reducing inflammation in the liver and lung. Moreover, antibiotics altered plasma levels of several cytokines, especially IL-6. By analyzing gut microbiota and metabolome, we determined the microbial and metabolomic signatures which were associated with the antibiotics. Remarkably, antibiotic treatments restored the levels of several primary and secondary bile acids, which significantly reduced IL-6 expression in RAW macrophages in vitro. IL-6 blockade prolonged lifespan and inhibited inflammation in the liver and lung. By using IL-6 knockout mice, we further identified that IL-6 deletion provided a significant portion of the protection against inflammation induced by Treg dysfunction.

Conclusion

Our results show that three antibiotics differentially prolong survival and inhibit lethal inflammation in association with a microbiota—IL-6 axis. This pathway presents a potential avenue for treating Treg deficiency-mediated autoimmune disorders.
Agricultural management and plant selection interactively affect rhizosphere microbial community structure and nitrogen cycling
Authors: Schmidt Jennifer E. , Kent Angela D. , Brisson Vanessa L. , Gaudin Amélie C. M.
Published: November 2019

Background

Rhizosphere microbial communities are key regulators of plant performance, yet few studies have assessed the impact of different management approaches on the rhizosphere microbiomes of major crops. Rhizosphere microbial communities are shaped by interactions between agricultural management and host selection processes, but studies often consider these factors individually rather than in combination. We tested the impacts of management (M) and rhizosphere effects (R) on microbial community structure and co-occurrence networks of maize roots collected from long-term conventionally and organically managed maize-tomato agroecosystems. We also explored the interaction between these factors (M × R) and how it impacts rhizosphere microbial diversity and composition, differential abundance, indicator taxa, co-occurrence network structure, and microbial nitrogen-cycling processes.

Results

Host selection processes moderate the influence of agricultural management on rhizosphere microbial communities, although bacteria and fungi respond differently to plant selection and agricultural management. We found that plants recruit management-system-specific taxa and shift N-cycling pathways in the rhizosphere, distinguishing this soil compartment from bulk soil. Rhizosphere microbiomes from conventional and organic systems were more similar in diversity and network structure than communities from their respective bulk soils, and community composition was affected by both M and R effects. In contrast, fungal community composition was affected only by management, and network structure only by plant selection. Quantification of six nitrogen-cycling genes (nifH, amoA [bacterial and archaeal], nirK, nrfA, and nosZ) revealed that only nosZ abundance was affected by management and was higher in the organic system.

Conclusions

Plant selection interacts with conventional and organic management practices to shape rhizosphere microbial community composition, co-occurrence patterns, and at least one nitrogen-cycling process. Reframing research priorities to better understand adaptive plant-microbe feedbacks and include roots as a significant moderating influence of management outcomes could help guide plant-oriented strategies to improve productivity and agroecosystem sustainability.
Identification of key candidate genes and molecular pathways in white fat browning: an anti-obesity drug discovery based on computational biology
Authors: Pan Yuyan , Liu Jiaqi , Qi Fazhi
Published: November 2019

Background

Obesity—with its increased risk of obesity-associated metabolic diseases—has become one of the greatest public health epidemics of the twenty-first century in affluent countries. To date, there are no ideal drugs for treating obesity. Studies have shown that activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) can promote energy consumption and inhibit obesity, which makes browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) a potential therapeutic target for obesity. Our objective was to identify genes and molecular pathways associated with WAT and the activation of BAT to WAT browning, by using publicly available data and computational tools; this knowledge might help in targeting relevant signaling pathways for treating obesity and other related metabolic diseases.

Results

In this study, we used text mining to find out genes related to brown fat and white fat browning. Combined with biological process and pathway analysis in GeneCodis and protein-protein interaction analysis by using STRING and Cytoscape, a list of high priority target genes was developed. The Human Protein Atlas was used to analyze protein expression. Candidate drugs were derived on the basis of the drug-gene interaction analysis of the final genes. Our study identified 18 genes representing 6 different pathways, targetable by a total of 33 drugs as possible drug treatments. The final list included 18 peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) agonists, 4 beta 3 adrenoceptor (β3-AR) agonists, 1 insulin sensitizer, 3 insulins, 6 lipase clearing factor stimulants and other drugs.

Conclusions

Drug discovery using in silico text mining, pathway, and protein-protein interaction analysis tools may be a method of exploring drugs targeting the activation of brown fat or white fat browning, which provides a basis for the development of novel targeted therapies as potential treatments for obesity and related metabolic diseases.
Poisonous books: analyses of four sixteenth and seventeenth century book bindings covered with arsenic rich green paint
Authors: Delbey Thomas , Holck Jakob Povl , Jørgensen Bjarke , Alvis Alexandra , Smith Vanessa Haight , Kavich Gwénaëlle M. , Harmon Kimberly A. , Dorch Bertil Fabricius , Rasmussen Kaare Lund
Published: November 2019

Efforts to read medieval manuscript waste recycled as bookbinding material in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries have resulted in the chemical analysis of four books housed at the University Library of Southern Denmark and the Smithsonian Libraries in Washington DC. Four green coloured book bindings have been investigated by optical microscopy, micro X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results show that the green pigments used to obscure the manuscript waste in all four cases contain orpiment (As2S3) and indigo (C16H11N2O2). Although the books were printed in diverse places in Europe—Basel, Bologna, and Lübeck—the styles of their bindings indicate that they were likely bound in the same region in the same period. It is further likely that they acquired their arsenic-rich paint as part of the bookbinding process. Issues concerning the toxicity, health issues for library staff, conservators and researchers handling the books are also addressed.
Temperature log simulations in high-enthalpy boreholes
Authors: Wang Jia , Nitschke Fabian , Gholami Korzani Maziar , Kohl Thomas
Published: November 2019

Temperature logs have important applications in the geothermal industry such as the estimation of the static formation temperature (SFT) and the characterization of fluid loss from a borehole. However, the temperature distribution of the wellbore relies on various factors such as wellbore flow conditions, fluid losses, well layout, heat transfer mechanics within the fluid as well as between the wellbore and the surrounding rock formation, etc. In this context, the numerical approach presented in this paper is applied to investigate the influencing parameters/uncertainties in the interpretation of borehole logging data. To this end, synthetic temperature logs representing different well operation conditions were numerically generated using our newly developed wellbore simulator. Our models account for several complex operation scenarios resulting from the requirements of high-enthalpy wells where different flow conditions, such as mud injection with- and without fluid loss and shut-in, occur in the drill string and the annulus. The simulation results reveal that free convective heat transfer plays an important role in the earlier evolution of the shut-in-time temperature; high accuracy SFT estimation is only possible when long-term shut-in measurements are used. Two other simulation scenarios for a well under injection conditions show that applying simple temperature correction methods on the non-shut-in temperature data could lead to large errors for SFT estimation even at very low injection flow rates. Furthermore, the magnitude of the temperature gradient increase depends on the flow rate, the percentage of fluid loss and the lateral heat transfer between the fluid and the rock formation. As indicated by this study, under low fluid losses (< 30%) or relatively higher flow rates (> 20 L/s), the impact of flow rate and the lateral heat transfer on the temperature gradient increase can be ignored. These results provide insights on the key factors influencing the well temperature distribution, which are important for the choice of the drilling data to estimate SFT and the design of the inverse modeling scheme in future studies to determine an accurate SFT profile for the high-enthalpy geothermal environment.
A study protocol for testing the feasibility of a randomised stepped wedge cluster design to investigate a Community Health Intervention through Musical Engagement (CHIME) for perinatal mental health in The Gambia
Authors: Sanfilippo Katie Rose M. , McConnell Bonnie , Cornelius Victoria , Darboe Buba , Huma Hajara B. , Gaye Malick , Ramchandani Paul , Ceesay Hassoum , Glover Vivette , Cross Ian , Stewart Lauren
Published: November 2019

Background

Perinatal mental health problems affect up to one in five women worldwide. Mental health problems in the perinatal period are a particular challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where they can be at least twice as frequent as in higher-income countries. It is thus of high priority to develop new low-cost, low-resource, non-stigmatising and culturally appropriate approaches to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression perinatally, for the benefit of both mother and child. Music-centred approaches may be particularly useful in The Gambia since a range of musical practices that specifically engage pregnant women and new mothers already exist.

Methods

This protocol is for a study to examine the feasibility of undertaking a stepped wedge trial to test how a Community Health Intervention through Musical Engagement (CHIME) could be beneficial in alleviating perinatal mental distress in The Gambia. In this study, we plan to recruit 120 pregnant women (n = 60 intervention,n = 60 control) at four antenatal clinics over two 6-week stepped sequences. Women in the intervention will participate in weekly group-singing sessions, led by local Kanyeleng singing groups, for 6 weeks. The control group will receive standard care. We will assess symptoms of anxiety and depression using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20). The feasibility of the design will be assessed through recruitment, retention and attrition rates of participants, clinics' adherence to the schedule and completeness of data by site. Qualitative interviews and video and audio recordings will be used to evaluate the acceptability of the intervention.

Discussion

This feasibility trial will allow us to determine whether a larger trial with the same intervention and target group is feasible and acceptable in The Gambia.

Trial registration

Retrospectively registered (24/01/2019) with Pan African Clinical Trials Registry (PACTR):PACTR201901917619299.
The role of host miRNAs on Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Behrouzi Ava , Alimohammadi Marjan , Nafari Amir Hossein , Yousefi Mohammad Hadi , Riazi Rad Farhad , Vaziri Farzam , Siadat Seyed Davar
Published: November 2019

MicroRNAs are non-coding RNAs, playing an important role in regulating many biological pathways, such as innate immune response against various infections. Different studies confirm that many miRNAs act as important regulators in developing a strategy for the survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the host cell. On the other hand, an innate immune response is one of the important aspects of host defense against Mycobacterium. Considering the importance of miRNAs during tuberculosis infection, we focused on studies that performed on the role of various miRNAs related to pathogenic bacteria, M. tuberculosis in the host. Also, we have introduced important miRNAs that can be used as a biomarker for the detection of Mycobacterium.
Traditional methods of food habits and dietary preparations in Ayurveda—the Indian system of medicine
Authors: S. Dhanya , N V Ramesh , Mishra Abhayakumar
Published: November 2019

Ayurveda (the science of life) is one of the branches of Vedas. It is regarded as upaveda of Atharva Veda. It is a steam of knowledge coming down from generation to generation since eternity parallel to Vedic literature which is why its emergence has been said to be from the creator (Brahman) himself prior to the creation. It is taken as eternal because nobody knows when it was not there. In Ayurveda, food is considered to affect the mind as well as the body. By understanding how to prepare foods best suited to our minds and bodies, we can utilize nutrition as a source of healing. Food is the most essential to sustain a good life and the same food if consumed inappropriately becomes the root cause of many diseases. So, proper knowledge about food and its importance should be known by all human beings to have better benefits from it.
Evaluation of the electronic health record system in maternal and child health centers of Marie Stopes International Ethiopia
Authors: Gizaw Tizita , Bogale Mengistu , Alemayehu Tilahun
Published: November 2019

Background: The Health Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS) defines an Electronic Health Record (EHR) as a longitudinal electronic record of patient health information generated by one or more encounters in any care delivery setting”. EHR systems improve quality and adaptability of care, contributing to patient safety. The system is also efficient and provides real-time administration to patients. Driven by the need to facilitate clinical and administrative process, and to reduce medical errors, Marie Stopes international Ethiopia (MSIE) implemented EHR system in its maternal and child health (MCH) centers. This study sought to evaluate the EHR system in six departments (inpatient, outpatient, pharmacy, laboratory, reception cashiers and MCH managers) of these MCH centers in terms of ease of performing tasks and satisfaction with the system.

Methods: A cross-sectional method with formative evaluation was used to address the objective. A sample size of 54 were used for the investigation. The participants were from six departments (inpatient, outpatient, pharmacy, laboratory, reception cashiers and MCH managers) within three MCH centers. Data was collected using structured, self-administered questionnaires and interviews and analyzed using SPSS 20.

Results: In total, 83% of respondents found that performing tasks using EHR made tasks easier; the lowest score was from Pharmacy department (48%). The overall satisfaction with EHR was 87%. The lowest score is from the indicator “the system meets my needs” (80%).

Conclusions: Staffs in all department reported the EHR system as “very good” for both ease of performing their daily tasks and satisfaction with the system. In addition, the study revealed that ease of performing tasks and satisfaction with the system were varied by department and specific task within the department. It is essential to know the needs and requirements of each department before implementation of the system and user feedback for long lasting uptake and impact.
A Data-Driven Approach to High-Volume Recruitment: Application to Student Admission
Authors: Du Lilun , Li Qing
Published: November 2019

Problem definition: Service providers often recruit a large number people over a short period of time, a practice known as high-volume recruitment. In this study, we describe a data-driven approach that can be used to streamline the recruitment process and aid decision making. The recruitment process consists of two stages: screening and interview. All candidates are evaluated in the screening stage, but only those with sufficiently high screening scores are short-listed for an interview. After the interview stage, offers are made based on the screening and interview scores. We define the error rate as the probability that a candidate who is rejected during either stage might have had a higher job performance than the median job performance of the candidates recruited had he or she been accepted. To ensure the error rate is no higher than a certain level, how many candidates should be short-listed, and, after the interview, how should candidates be ranked based on the two scores? Academic/practical relevance: High-volume recruitment is challenging because decisions have to be made for many people, under tight time constraints, and under uncertainty. Our approach does not require knowledge about the cost of evaluating candidates and the utility of selecting candidates; hence, it is easier to implement in practice. We apply the approach to the process of recruiting students for a postgraduate business program. Methodology: We use stochastic modeling and regression. Results: We provide a procedure for estimating the error rate as a function of the percentage of candidates short-listed for interviews. We show that the estimated error rate is asymptotically unbiased and converges to the true error rate in probability. We then run a linear regression analysis to estimate the relationship between job performance and the screening and interview scores. In a case study involving a postgraduate business program, the job performance measure we adopt is the grade point average in the program, observable only for the students enrolled in the program. We find that the interview score is statistically significant, but the screening score is not. Managerial implications: For the postgraduate program, our study demonstrates that the time-intensive interview process has substantial value. We should increase, rather than reduce, as suggested by the program administrators before our study, the weight assigned to the interview score and the time spent on the interview process. Knowing the relationship between the error rate and the percentage of candidates short-listed for interviews, the program administrators can determine the appropriate percentage for any given error rate deemed acceptable and improve the ranking of candidates. Our approach is general and can be applied to other high-volume recruiters.
Homem e mulher os criou
Authors: Arco Verde Santos Isabel
Published: November 2019

O presente artigo retoma os textos da criação e reflete, reflete, especificamente na criação da mulher. Os termos hebraicos que acompanham a narrativa da criação e se relacionem com a figura feminina, têm muito a nos contar. Afinal, qual o papel da mulher e seu objetivo ao ser criada, frente ao homem? Haveria uma clara dimensão de superioridade ou inferioridade refletidas nestes relatos? Em nossa sociedade de cultura cristã, o texto bíblico tem valor imensurável na relação de gênero que vivemos em nossa sociedade. Voltar o olhar ao texto bíblico e buscar nele caminhos a partir da crítica textual, é uma forma de buscar respostas para diminuir as injustiças que separam homens e mulheres.
Ovarian inguinal hernia
Authors: Prodromidou A , Machairas N , Garoufalia Z , Kostakis ID , Kyriakidis AV , Spartalis E , Sotiropoulos GC
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Gynaecological structures such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, ligaments and uterus are rarely encountered inside a hernial sac. The prevalence of groin hernias containing parts of female genitalia remains unknown. The aim of this review was to summarise the existing evidence on inguinal hernias containing ovaries with or without the other female adnexa.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted for literature published up to February 2018 using the MEDLINE®, Scopus® and Google Scholar™ databases along with the references of the full-text articles retrieved. Papers on observational studies and case reports concerning women who were diagnosed with an ovarian inguinal hernia (pre or intraoperatively) were considered eligible for inclusion in the review.

Results

Fifteen papers (13 case reports, 2 case series) comprising seventeen patients (mean age 47.9 years) were evaluated. A left-sided hernia was noted in 13 cases (77%) whereas 4 patients had a right-sided hernia. Eight patients underwent preoperative imaging with computed tomography, ultrasonography or both. This was diagnostic in five cases. In 11 patients, hernia contents were repositioned, 2 had a salpingo-oophorectomy and 2 an oophorectomy. Eight patients underwent hernia repair with mesh placement while three had a herniorrhaphy.

Conclusions

Ovarian inguinal hernias should be considered among the differential diagnoses of a groin mass or swelling. In women of reproductive age, repair of the hernia with the intent to preserve fertility is of critical importance.
Effects of One Year of Vitamin D and Marine Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on Biomarkers of Systemic Inflammation in Older US Adults
Authors: Costenbader Karen H , MacFarlane Lindsey A , Lee I-Min , Buring Julie E , Mora Samia , Bubes Vadim , Kotler Gregory , Camargo Carlos A , Manson JoAnn E , Cook Nancy R
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND

Observational studies suggest vitamin D and marine ω-3 fatty acid (n-3 FA) supplements are associated with lower systemic inflammation. However, past trials have been inconsistent.

METHODS

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL) tested vitamin D (2000 IU/day) and/or n-3 FA (1 g/day) supplementation in a 2 × 2 factorial design among women ≥55 and men ≥50 years of age. We assessed changes in interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) concentrations from baseline to 1 year among participants randomized to vitamin D + n-3 FA (392), vitamin D (392), n-3 FA (392), or placebo only (385). Geometric means and percent changes were compared, adjusting for baseline factors.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics were well balanced. In the active arms, 25-OH vitamin D rose 39% and n-3 FA rose 55% vs minimal change in placebo arms. Neither supplement reduced biomarkers at 1 year. Vitamin D resulted in 8.2% higher IL-6 (95% CI, 1.5%–15.3%; adjusted P = 0.02), but TNFR2 and hsCRP did not. Among 784 receiving vitamin D, hsCRP increased 35.7% (7.8%–70.9%) in those with low (<20 ng/mL) but not with higher baseline serum 25(OH) vitamin D [0.45% (−8.9% to 10.8%); P interaction = 0.02]. Among 777 randomized to n-3 FA, hsCRP declined [−10.5% (−20.4% to 0.8%)] in those with baseline low (<1.5 servings/week), but not with higher fish intake [6.4% (95% CI, −7.11% to 21.8%); P interaction = 0.06].

CONCLUSIONS

In this large sample from a population-based randomized controlled trial, neither vitamin D nor n-3 FA supplementation over 1 year decreased these biomarkers of inflammation.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier

NCT01169259; NCT01351805
Imaginarios, obras y autores en la literatura latinoamericana: Usos intempestivos del patrimonio histórico y cultural de Occidente en la poesía de Aldo Oliva
Authors: Crisorio Bruno
Published: November 2019

Entre los Papeles que dejó Aldo Oliva al morir se encuentra una especie de breve autobiografía, irónica, que terminó sirviendo de contratapa para su Poesía completa. Allí dice: «A los quince años me tropecé con la cultura: no la recuerdo». En un poeta como Oliva, cuya erudición y paciente trabajo sobre la tradición occidental salta a la vista al primer poema que leamos, esta frase llama la atención. Pero, de hecho, el paradójico cruce entre tradición y novedad, entre cultura y olvido, recorre la obra del autor, produciendo una poética a un tiempo clásica y rupturista. A partir del análisis de algunospoemas de su último libro, Ese General Belgrano y otros poemas (2000), y de algunas reflexiones nietzscheanas sobre el peso de la historia para la vida, abordaremos este doble posicionamiento que configura, creemos, la singularidad de Oliva, e intentaremos rastrear las filiaciones que crean este campo tensionado. El «olvido» de Oliva, concluiremos entonces puede leerse en este sentido: como irreverencia frente al pasado, como lectura sesgada que horada su aparente completud para permitir la creación. La poesía (el arte) vuelve a poner en movimiento una tradición que parecía congelada,petrificada: como propone uno de los poemas analizados, que podría considerarse un arte poética, la poesía transforma emblemas en problemas, en «la aventura seminal del fruto».
Imaginarios, obras y autores en la literatura latinoamericana: Las cenizas de Trotsky. Pablo Leminski, entre lo real y la imaginación política
Authors: Wolff Jorge H.
Published: November 2019

El texto examina el poema de Paulo Leminski (1944-1989) dedicado a Natalia y León Trotsky y que tiene importancia clave en su obra. El trabajo, escrito en primera persona, presenta al poeta brasileño y su contexto de aparición y actuación entre las décadas de 1960 y 1980 y concluye por medio de una conferencia reciente de Alain Badiou, «A La recherche dure El perdu» (2015), cuyo principal objeto es el poema «Las cenizas de Gramsci» de Pier Paolo Pasolini; su melancolía política es similar a la del poema del escritor brasileño que fue uno de los más destacados intelectuales del país en fines del siglo XX. Además de ubicarlo en esa escena y de pensar la poesía en el presente, el texto busca discutir cómo se presentan y cuáles serían «Las cenizas de Trotsky» según Leminski.
Relatos, memorias y ficcionalizaciones en el arte: Ernesto Guevara: un Bildungsroman en motocicleta
Authors: De Arriba Maria Laura
Published: November 2019

El artículo indaga sobre los protocolos genéricos del relato de viaje para intentar establecer algunas estrategias teóricas de su configuración escrituraria. Asimismo analiza e interpreta el viaje de Ernesto Guevara por Latinoamérica, en compañía de su amigo Alberto Granado, entre 1951 y 1952, antes de convertirse en el mayor mito revolucionario del subcontinente.
Representaciones culturales, narraciones y estéticas: Expansiones de la violencia en Venezuela. Sobre dispositivos disciplinarios en dos narrativas de los años ’60
Authors: Ávila Carlos
Published: November 2019

En este artículo se tratan los modos de figuración de la violencia política en narrativas venezolanas de la llamada «década violenta» (1960–1970): específicamente, se ponen a prueba en dos textos, La muerte de Honorio (1963), de Miguel Otero Silva, y Se llamaba SN (1964), de José Vicente Abreu, aristas de conceptos complejos como los de nuda vida y campo de concentración, en beneficio, ya no solo de una zona discursiva de referencia, sino también de articular una modalidad lectora/analítica que permitiría revisar, además de procesos de formación literarios venezolanos, representaciones, operaciones y sentidos en torno a los dispositivos represivos de la dictadura de Pérez Jiménez.
Targeting Sexual Stigma: The Hybrid Case Study of "Adam"
Authors: Mandel Sarah Hope
Published: November 2019

The purpose of this case study is to explore the effects of sexual stigma on mental health and corresponding therapy implications when working with lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) clients during the coming-out process.  This case study provides a literature review of sexual stigma and its consequences, describes multicultural considerations, and illustrates what are currently thought of as the best treatment practices when working with sexual minority clients.  Treatment considerations are demonstrated via the hybrid case example of "Adam," who serves as a vivid portrayal of a psychotherapy client who struggles with research-consistent symptomatology and a crisis in identity formation.  In addition to being informed by clinical examples in relevant psychological literature, Adam’s composite case is assembled from actual psychotherapy cases.  Demonstrating Adam’s course of treatment provides an avenue for describing key clinical issues related to LGB mental health and the coming-out process.  By adopting a qualitative, disciplined inquiry approach, I illustrate how, theoretically, treatment can be tailored to a potential client’s unique psychological struggles within the context of historical, contextual, and cultural factors.  Following a pragmatic case study research format (Fishman, 1999), Adam’s case material is analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively.  It is proposed that the hybrid case of Adam demonstrates the potential for an integrative treatment approach, combining cognitive-behavioral, client-centered, and multicultural theories, in an effort to assist in the treatment of sexual minority patients who struggle with minority-stress, internalized homophobia, and identity formation concerns.  The composite case study of Adam is designed to be used as a resource for therapists who seek to gain additional understanding of how to provide effective and affirmative treatment for LGB clients.  The case study concludes with a critical discussion of the advantages and limitations of employing hybrid cases in lieu of actual ones.
The Case of "Adam": Reflections and Future Directions
Authors: Mandel Sarah Hope
Published: November 2019

Three commentaries on "Targeting Sexual Stigma: The Hybrid Case Study of  'Adam' " (Mandel, 2014) present additional insights into providing psychotherapy for sexual minority clients who struggle with internalized homophobia, minority stress, and identity formation concerns.  In his thoughtful response, Christopher Martell (2014) writes about heteronormativity, behavioral activation, multidimensional treatment, and the issue of “readiness” to address sexual orientation and identity in treatment.  Rachel Proujansky and John Pachankis (2014) describe their exciting principle- and evidence-based LGB-affirmative psychotherapy, and explain the importance of addressing sexual behavior when working with sexual minority clients.  Additionally, Daniel Chazin and Sam Klugman (2014) highlight key issues related to the coming-out process and systemic-level interventions.  In the following response, I summarize the psychologists’ comments and provide feedback to further the dialogue regarding how to best serve the needs of sexual minority clients.
Stellungnahme zur Evaluation des Hessischen Bibliotheksgesetzes
Authors: Steinhauer Eric W.
Published: November 2019

Die nachfolgende Stellungnahme zur Evaluation des Hessischen Bibliotheksgesetzes hat der Verfasser gegenüber dem Hessischen Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst abgegeben und kommt zu dem Schluss, dass sich das Gesetz bewährt hat, da dessen Bestimmungen sachgerecht sind und nur an wenigen Stellen geringfügige Anpassungen nötig sind.
Personal or Partisan Incumbency Advantage? Evidence from an Electoral Reform at the Local Level in Italy
Authors: De Benedetto Marco Alberto
Published: November 2019

We analyze the incumbency advantage using a large data set on Italian municipal elections held from 1993 to 2011. We first apply a non-parametric Sharp Regression Discontinuity Design comparing parties that barely win an election to those that barely lose, exploiting the fact that partisan incumbency status changes discontinuously at the threshold of margin of victory of zero. In order to disentangle the personal incumbency advantage from the partisan effect, we rely on a reform that introduced mayoral term limit, and exploit the exogenous change on the incumbency status of mayors keeping the partisan incumbency status constant. We find that the incumbency advantage is essentially driven by the personal effect. The results are robust to different specifications and estimation strategies with excellent balance in observable characteristics. Also, the effect of interest is larger in magnitude for municipalities located in the South of Italy compared to northern municipalities.
Rückschau
Authors: Hay Louis
Published: November 2019

D’abord, l’histoire de l’ITEM. Au départ, le classement des manuscrits d’Henri Heine (le fonds Schocken), confié à des germanistes, forcés par là à s’initier aux méthodes des archivistes. Ce faisant, ils eurent l’intuition de la possibilité d’étudier le travail créateur des écrivains à travers leurs manuscrits. Ensuite: la ‹critique génétique›. Elle ouvre un champ de recherche, fondé sur l’étude du manuscrit comme objet scientifique. Par là, elle rejoint une esthétique de la création, présente dans les lettres dès l’origine des temps modernes, mais réduite jusqu’ici au seul témoignage des écrivains. De là aussi, un nouveau rôle et de nouveaux traitements des manuscrits dans l’édition scientifique.
Phonographischer Text, Interpretation und Aufführungsmaterial als kritisch edierbarer Sachzusammenhang
Authors: Münzmay Andreas , Siegert Christine
Published: November 2019

The article discusses possibilities and specific problems of including audio material in the realm of scholarly music editions. From this perspective, the authors propose to include the sounding manifestation of music both into the notion of the musical ‚work‘ and of the musical ‚text‘. The outcome of this thought experiment which considers music as performative art, Beethoven’s and other classical composers’ own wider notions of musical works as musical practice, phonographic recordings as text, different types of music as different types of data, programmed concordances as specific feature of digital editions, and musical interpreters as authors of musical interpretations is a theoretical model that for the first time makes record productions the object of scholarly critical edition.