bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selection and regeneration of purple sweet potato calli against drought stress simulated by polyethylene glycol
Authors: Sunaryo Widi , Darnaningsih Darnaningsih , Nurhasanah Nurhasanah
Published: January 2019

Background: Water shortage due to natural and/or technical drought stress, widespread throughout Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi and Kalimantan islands, significantly reduces crop production. The development of varieties tolerant to drought stress is important since it is more effective rather than improving irrigation infrastructure to increase the sweet potato productivity.

Methods: Selection and regeneration experiments assessing purple sweet potato callus tolerance of drought stress, simulated by polyethylene glycol (PEG), were conducted to generate new variant plants tolerant of drought stress. Sterile explants (leaf and petiole) generated from previous in vitro culture were inoculated to the Murishage and Skoog (MS) medium containing plant growth regulator combination as treatments to induce calli. The calli were then transferred to half-MS medium containing 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% PEG as selection agent for drought tolerance. The surviving calli were regenerated in the MS medium containing 0, 0.5, 1 or 1.5 mg l-1 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). The callus formation, growth and survivability during in vitro culture were measured.

Results: Calli were successfully formed in almost all media containing 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D ) with the concentration of 1, 2, 3 and 4 mg l-1 and BAP (concentration: 0.5 and 1 mg l-1), but the medium of MS + 2 mg l-1 2,4-D + 0.5 mg l-1 BAP resulted in the highest number of induced calli per treatment (mean=11.36), with the percentage of responsive explants standing at around 96%. The higher the concentration of PEG, the lower the number of surviving calli. At 20% PEG, only 54.42% calli survived. There were five plants successfully regenerated from the survived calli at 20% PEG, using MS medium containing 1.5 mg l-1 BAP.

Conclusions: The experiment has successfully produced putative drought-tolerant plants by callus screening using PEG as drought-tolerance-selecting agent in purple sweet potato.
Economic valuation from direct use of mangrove forest restoration in Balikpapan Bay, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Authors: Lahjie Abubakar M. , Nouval Bagus , Lahjie Annisa Abubakar , Ruslim Yosep , Kristiningrum Rochadi
Published: January 2019

Background: The mangrove forests in Balikpapan Bay, Indonesia, have been used as a source of livelihood for local community more than 150 years. Since the natural products of the mangrove forest, such as wood and seafood, are not able to meet the economic needs of the local community, some areas have been converted into brackish water ponds with traditional aquaculture systems. The growth of brackish water ponds over the last five decades has been identified as the main cause of ecosystem destruction. However, the mangrove ecosystem has been restored naturally through tidal action and seeds falling from mangrove trees.

Methods: This study focused on the mangrove tree species Rhizophora apiculata, with ages ranging from 3 to 40 years. Initially, the study site (area, 1 ha) was plotted. The study sample size included 30% of the local population, chosen by systematic random sampling. The data collection was undertaken as follows: 1) measurement of the diameter and height of mangrove trees; 2) observation of local fish auctions; and 3) interviewing of fishers and local communities regarding the direct use of the natural products of the mangrove ecosystem.

Results: It is suggested that the total income from wood production is IDR 742,425,000 year-1 or US $0.933 person-1 day-1. Furthermore, the total income from fishing is IDR 1,019,056,640 year-1 or US $1.28 person-1 day-1. Pre-thinning income level for wood harvesting is still low. The income difference between wood production and fishing resulted in the rate of overfishing reaching 37.3%. The highest observed wood production was reached at the age of 25 years, and the highest value of mean annual increment (MAI) is 5.39 m3 ha-1 at the age of 40 years.

Conclusions: This study showed that tree thinning, ranging from 90 to 350 trees ha-1, can increase the value of MAI by around 24.5%.
The prevalence of dental caries among Egyptian children and adolescences and its association with age, socioeconomic status, dietary habits and other risk factors. A cross-sectional study
Authors: Abbass Marwa M.S. , Mahmoud Sara Ahmed , El Moshy Sara , Rady Dina , AbuBakr Nermeen , Radwan Israa Ahmed , Ahmed Attera , Abdou Ahmed , Al Jawaldeh Ayoub
Published: January 2019

Background: Dental caries is a chronic, multifactorial disease, with limited data available for the Egyptian population. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of dental caries among Egyptian children and adolescents in correlation with age, gender, body mass index, socioeconomic status, parental education, biological risk factors and dietary habits.

Methods: A total number of 369 Egyptian children and adolescents (age ranges from 3-18 years) were examined over the period from 15th November 2017 to 13th January 2018. Socio-demographic data, oral hygiene measures and dietary habits for children were recorded. Dental status was analyzed using decayed, missing and filled tooth index (dmft) for deciduous dentition and (DMFT) index for permanent dentition. For mixed dentition (deft) index was used, d (decayed tooth indicated for filling), e (decayed tooth indicated for extraction) and f (filled tooth).

Results: 74% of the children had dental caries with mean dmft: 3.23±4.07; deft: 4.21±3.21; DMFT: 1.04±1.56. In primary dentition, dmft of the children was positively correlated with age, beans, candies, crackers, chocolates and inversely correlated with gender, socio-economic status (SES), parental education, brushing frequency of the parent, brushing frequency of the parent to the child teeth, brushing frequency of the child and consumption of eggs, fruits/vegetables, milk and milk products. In mixed dentition, deft was positively correlated with candies, crackers, citric juices, while negatively correlated with age, SES, parental education, brushing frequency of the parent to the child, brushing frequency of the child, fruits/vegetables. In permanent dentition, DMFT in children was positively correlated with age and chocolates while not correlated with any of the remaining risk factors.

Conclusion: The present study clarifies the significant risk factors associated with dental caries amongst Egyptian children. This will help in planning strategies to prevent and treat such disease.
Robust and efficient identification of biomarkers from RNA-Seq data using median control chart
Authors: Shahjaman Md , Akter Habiba , Rashid Md. Mamunur , Asifuzzaman Md. Ibnul , Hossen Md. Bipul , Rahman Md. Rezanur
Published: January 2019

Background: One of the main goals of RNA-seq data analysis is identification of biomarkers that are differentially expressed (DE) across two or more experimental conditions. RNA-seq uses next generation sequencing technology and it has many advantages over microarrays. Numerous statistical methods have already been developed for identification the biomarkers from RNA-seq data. Most of these methods were based on either Poisson distribution or negative binomial distribution. However, efficient biomarker identification from discrete RNA-seq data is hampered by existing methods when the datasets contain outliers or extreme observations. Specially, the performance of these methods becomes more severe when the data come from a small number of samples in the presence of outliers. Therefore, in this study, an attempt is made to propose an outlier detection and modification approach for RNA-seq data to overcome the aforesaid problems of traditional methods. We make our proposed method facilitate in RNA-seq data by transforming the read count data into continuous data.

Methods: We use median control chart to detect and modify the outlying observation in a log-transformed RNA-seq dataset. To investigate the performance of the proposed method in absence and presence of outliers, we employ the five popular biomarker selection methods (edgeR, edgeR_robust, DEseq, DEseq2 and limma) both in simulated and real datasets.

Results: The simulation results strongly suggest that the performance of the proposed method improved in the presence of outliers. The proposed method also detected an additional 18 outlying DE genes from a real mouse RNA-seq dataset that were not detected by traditional methods. Using the KEGG pathway and gene ontology analysis results we reveal that these genes may be biomarkers, which require validation in a wet lab.

Conclusions: Our proposal is to apply the proposed method for biomarker identification from other RNA-seq data.
Anti-infective efficacy of Psidium guajava L. leaves against certain pathogenic bacteria
Authors: Patel Pooja , Joshi Chinmayi , Birdi Tannaz , Kothari Vijay
Published: January 2019

Water extracts of Psidium guajava leaves prepared by three different extraction methods were compared with respect to their anti-infective activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus in the nematode host Caenorhabditis elegans. The water extract prepared by Microwave Assisted Extraction method was found to have better anti-infective activity, and its activity was further compared with hydroalcoholic extract prepared using the same extraction method against five different pathogenic bacteria. Both these extracts could attenuate virulence of P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, Serratia marcescens, and Chromobacterium violaceum, towards C. elegans. Anti-infective efficacy of P. guajava leaf extract seems partly to stem from its quorum-modulatory property, as it could modulate production of quorum sensing-regulated pigments in all the susceptible bacteria.
Hypothesis: Cancer alloustasis
Authors: Zhou Wu
Published: January 2019

Despite decades of study, there are still many unanswered questions about cancer metastasis. One of these questions is about the origin of the tumor cells that give rise to metastases. The currently accepted models of cancer metastasis are inconsistent with some clinical observations of the natural history of cancer and its response to therapy, challenging our understanding of the nature of metastasis. Here, we coin a term ‘cancer alloustasis’ to describe the tumor that forms de novo in secondary sites, but is not originated from primary site derived cells. Moreover, we present a complementary hypothesis suggesting that the progenitors of alloustasis are distinct with those of primary tumors and the outgrowth of alloustases is promoted by primary tumors.
Aerobic training combined with nutritional guidance as an effective strategy for improving aerobic fitness and reducing BMI in inactive adults
Authors: Helland Merete H. , Nordbotten Gerd L. , Hagum Cathrine N. , Tjelta Leif Inge
Published: January 2019

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of a 33-week program, which included two weekly intensive running sessions, on aerobic capacity, BMI, waist circumference and body composition in overweight and obese, inactive adults. An additional aim was to examine the additional impact of lifestyle modification education. Twenty-four participants in the Training Group (exercise only) and 27 in the Nutritional Guidance and Training Group (exercise + nutritional guidance) completed the study. Anthropometric measurements (BMI, waist circumference, visceral fat, muscle mass and fat percentage) and 3000 m running time were measured at start, after 15 weeks (BMI, waist circumference and 3000 m running time) and after 33 weeks of intervention. Significant reductions in BMI, waist circumference, fat percentage and 3000 m running time were found for both groups. A small, but insignificant, increase was found for muscle mass in both groups and visceral fat in the training group. A significant interaction effect for visceral fat was also found. Both groups improved their running time and anthropometric measurements. No significant differences were found between the groups.
Deconstruction of the Ethics of Blood Kinship from the Pespective of a New Ethic of Family Kinship in Wise Children
Authors: Yanning Pang
Published: January 2019

Angela Carter’s masterpiece, Wise Children, highly controversial as it is, represents a strikingly new perspective on ethics, namely, the family ethic of non-blood kinship. This refers to abandoning the establishment of a family solely on the basis of legitimate blood kinship and constructing a new type of family kinship on the basis of Aristotle’s notion of “friendship”, rather than on the kinship of marriage and blood. It is through the connection between the characters and constructing the plot that Carter deconstructs the hegemony of blood kinship and rejects the blood-kinship family mode. It can be argued that this newly-constructed system of ethics proposes a new way out for modern people suffering from the predicament of loneliness.
Nineteenth-Century Sentimental and Popular Trends and their Transformation in Fin-de-siècle Latvian Literature
Authors: Kalnačs Benedikts , Daija Pauls
Published: January 2019

In this paper, the role of popular culture in fin-de-siècle Latvian literature has been explored by analysing the mid-nineteenth century Latvian translation of Christoph Schmid’s novel Genoveva (1846) by Ansis Leitāns, and unfinished drama Genoveva (1908) by Rūdolfs Blaumanis. While the first version of the Genoveva story was created according to the patterns of popular literature and played a significant role in the development of the Latvian reading public, the author of the second version attempted to turn the plot of popular fiction into a work of elite literature, elaborating the issue of female agency and adding psychological ambiguity to the plot. The mixture of popular melodramatic imagination and modernist themes, as observed in Blaumanis’s work, provides a deeper insight into fin-de-siècle literary techniques by turning attention to the conscious use of different literary styles and narrative levels and illuminating interactions between popular and elite culture. By comparing both works and interpreting their aesthetic innovations in terms of the relationship between idealism, realism and modernism, this paper traces the ways in which fin-de-siècle Latvian literature appropriated and reworked models of popular culture and developed new aesthetic insights by merging elements of low and high culture.
« Ce n’est pas un livre, mais une pièce de théâtre… » : la lecture de Harry Potter et l’enfant maudit par les utilisateurs du réseau social littéraire Babelio
Authors: Einman Maria
Published: January 2019

“It’s not a book, it’s a play… ”: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Read by the Users of Babelio, a Social Network for Book Readers. On the 31st of July 2016, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a play written by Jack Thorne in collaboration with J. K. Rowling and John Tiffany, was performed for the first time at the Palace Theatre in London. On the same day, the bookshops of Great Britain were literally invaded by the young wizard’s fans, whom were curious to know what happens next to their favorite heroes. Thereby, The Cursed Child is a play, not only to be performed, but also – and mostly – to be read. Whereas the Theater Studies, at least in France, consider the drama text mainly as a scenic performance element and thus, limits the drama text reading to text analysis, the reception of Thorne’s play allows to ask about the possibility of reading the drama text as a self-sufficient fictional text and invites us to investigate the specificities of this kind of reading. In order to do this, I have analyzed three hundred Cursed Child readers’ reviews, which are located on the babelio.com website, one of the biggest French social networks for book readers. It appears that the Cursed Child’s readers tend to read that drama text by comparing it to the seven Harry Potter novels. The main two differences perceived within the scope of this comparison (and which the readers often tend to attribute to the dramatic form specificities) are the so-called lack of descriptions and the rapid reading rhythm. However, these differences may receive a completely opposite evaluation, depending on the reader’s openness to the dramatic form. In this way, for the “reluctant” readers, it constitutes an obstacle which prevents the fictional immersion and therefore the pleasure of reading, whereas for the “enthusiastic” readers, it allows them to go through a new and pleasant experience. Moreover, it is not unusual to see that the reading of The Cursed Child markedly reduces the reader’s reluctance towards the dramatic form. In fact, the reader reviews analysis proves that The Cursed Child text activates the reader’s imagination, regardless of his reluctance. Consequently, the Thorne’s drama example demonstrates that a drama text can be considered as a self-sufficient fictional text which is able to arouse the pleasure of reading and we can therefore conclude that the reluctance or the pleasure is led by the reader’s own readiness to accept the alterity of the dramatic form.
Censorship, Shame and Pornography in East-European (Post-World War II) Literature
Authors: Bunea Camelia Teodora
Published: January 2019

The aim of this paper is to closely follow the dynamics of concepts such as shame or pornography as seen throughout the lens of East-European (post-World War II) literature focusing only on the books that had the power and courage to change the perspective or the whole definition(s) of this terms. Moreover, I want to show if/how the Communist Regime changed the perception, the mentality or, with Pierre Bourdieu’s term, habitus of some countries and if/how is the change reflected in literature focusing my research mostly on Romanian, (but also Polish and Hungarian) prose which means I will also try and understand and explain the dynamics of another concept – censorship. What did censorship meant before, how was it seen after the Regime was installed – from a writer’s point of view, of course – and, more important, how people’s perspective(s) were changed regarding subjects such as intimacy, sexuality and literature.
Variations on a Motive: Hamsun and Tammsaare
Authors: Kõvamees Anneli
Published: January 2019

In 1935 Ma armastasin sakslast (I Loved a German) was published. In 1928 Victoria (1898) by Knut Hamsun (1859–1952) was published in Estonian. The first was written and the second translated by A. H. Tammsaare (1878– 1940). Parallels between these two authors have been most often discussed in connection with Pan (1894) and Kõrboja peremees (The Master of Kõrboja, 1922). Both authors have earned their canonical position in literature thanks to the novels Markens Grøde (Growth of the Soil) (1917), in the case of Hamsun, and Tõde ja õigus (Truth and Justice, I–V, 1926–1933) in the case of Tammsaare. These novels have been “sorted out” to be included in the canon, while Ma armastasin sakslast and Victoria have not received as much attention. In both novels love is the central theme – in Hamsun’s novel the main characters are the miller’s son Johannes and the landlord’s daughter Victoria, and in Tammsaare’s novel the student Oskar and a baron’s grand daughter, Erika. This article examines the connections between Hamsun and Tammsaare by analysing the novels Victoria and Ma armastasin sakslast, discussing among others the motive that has been widely used in world literature, namely the (archetypical) story of lovers – Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare. Both novels can be considered as variations on that motive as Tammsaare, for example, adds the social aspect, so that the archetypical love story set in the Republic of Estonia enables him to discuss topics essential to him. In the article the main emphasis is on Tammsaare’s novel.
Proust et Hergé : de quelques points communs entre À la recherche du temps perdu et Les Aventures de Tintin
Authors: Bidaud Samuel
Published: January 2019

Proust and Hergé: on some similarities between À la Recherche du temps perdu and Les Aventures de Tintin. Part II. This article forms the second part of our study, whose first part was published in Interlitteraria’s previous issue. We have already underlined that Proust and Hergé both adopt the principle of the return of the characters, that their works attach a great importance to the imaginary of space and that their characters use language very specifically. We continue this comparison between Proust and Hergé, focusing here on the problem of time and temporality in À la recherche du temps perdu and Les Aventures de Tintin. Time, in Proust’s Recherche, is essentially internal and defined by the juxtaposition of different moments of the narrator’s life, whereas in Tintin temporality is linear and logical on the one hand, and cyclical and immobile on the other hand. Moreover, while the past of Proust’s narrator is fundamental, Tintin seems to have no past. Proust and Hergé, eventually, focus on the problem of lost and regained time, to which they propose two different answers.
Canon of the Ruler’s Image-building in the 15th and 16th Centuries in the Epistolary Genre: Cases of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania Vytautas the Great and Sigismund the Old
Authors: Keršienė Dovilė
Published: January 2019

The subject of this article are letters by two authors addressed to two rulers of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The first was written around 1429 by a certain Franciscus de Comitibus Aquae Vivae (about him the recent research still has little to say) and addressed to Vytautas the Great (Alexander), the Grand Duke of Lithuania. At the time he was the ruler of a huge state and was about to be crowned. Vytautas’s intention provoked many discussions and disagreements with the Polish king Jogaila and other nobles. The author of the letter tries to dissuade Vytautas from seeking the crown with the help of different arguments, praising and sometimes reproving the ruler. The other two letters were written by the famous humanist Erasmus of Rotterdam to Sigismund the Old, the Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland, in 1527 and 1528 respectively. Here, the sender speaks in the humanistic manner about the ruler’s obligations, virtues, his search for peace and praises the addressee. In this article, I will analyse and compare the canons – literary, rhetorical, cultural and epistolary – used by both authors in these letters. Besides, I will discuss a ruler’s portrait created by the authors, evaluation of his personality, actions and behaviour, and the authors’ intentions.
A Quest for Originality in Latin Poetry of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Observed in Manuscripts of the Seventeenth-Eighteenth Centuries
Authors: Nedzinskaitė Živilė
Published: January 2019

The seventeenth and eighteenth centuries were the time when literature in Latin written by professors and students of Jesuit colleges flourished in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. This trend was the outcome of the Jesuit educational model. The main disciplines in colleges were poetics and rhetoric. The classes of these two disciplines not only aimed at teaching theoretical rules, acquainting the students with the prevailing literary canon, and pointing out the differences between genres, but also encouraged students’ individual creative work, as it was independent writing that was a proof of students’ ability to apply theory in practice. Student writing was strongly influenced by the theory of imitation, which was very popular at the time. Resorting to manuscript material from the colleges of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the article focuses on varying degrees of influence of the imitation theory on students’ individual creative work: it shows the relation between imitation and the literary tradition, the rules of rhetoric, and imitation of canonical authors; it also places emphasis on the quest for individual expression. The author observes that some texts composed by students are on a par with the best poetic works of the well-known poets of that time.
The Double-Tongued Author: Re-reading Sophocles, Thomas Hardy, and Eduard Vilde
Authors: Merilai Arne
Published: January 2019

The article discusses the authors’ ambivalent attitude towards their protagonists, drawing on Sophocles’ Oedipus the King, Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d’Urbervilles, and Eduard Vilde’s Mäeküla piimamees (Milkman of the Manor). Firstly, the hypothesis based on Aristotle’s Poetics and the idea of Pericles having been a possible prototype of Oedipus is proposed, according to which Sophocles could have been critical of the tyrant of Thebes as a noble representative of a polis at war with Athens, justifying his pains in addition to showing compassion. Such an interpretation is in contrast with the humanist and protest-driven glorification initiated by Friedrich Nietzsche. Another example of the author’s “hypocrisy” is Thomas Hardy’s novel that is generally, and with reason, read as critical of Victorian society. However, the work’s reception has failed to address the motif of mystical revenge on the inheritor of the bloodline of foreign conquerors that occurs in the shadow of a woman’s tragedy and is executed with consistency, yet is not seen as the text’s rival dominant. Still, without considering the opposing line of interpretation that constitutes a parallel in its tragic irony, the understanding of the novel will remain superficial. The third example of the author’s split viewpoint can be found in the first Estonian novel to excel in artistic maturity that also stands out as the first psychological and erotic novel. Vilde’s social-critical programme in the name of the oppressed country people and women’s emancipation clashes in an intriguing way with his erotomanic objectifying gaze on the woman which rather represents a patriarchal attitude bent on subordinating the other sex. Vilde’s ambivalence towards his wayward heroine makes her a most interesting character whose mystery cannot be solved unequivocally.
Analysis of the state of learning to communicate in educational institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia
Authors: Иванов Роман , Ivanov Roman
Published: January 2019

Training as a component of training specialists forms an important area of human activity, gradually transforming with the development of the real process of people's life. The training of qualified specialists, adapted to the specifics of the work of the internal affairs bodies and having a legal culture, high communicative skills is carried out in the departmental system of vocational education. Learning to communicate cadets and trainees in specialized educational institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia at the present time can increase the professionalism of an employee of the internal affairs agencies and the effectiveness of his work.
Studying the Daily Harvesting of Pollen by Apis mellifera (Galicia-NW Spain). Pollen Foraging Pattern from Several Sources
Authors: De Sá-Otero M. Pilar , Armesto-Baztán Sandra
Published: January 2019

In order to study the behaviour of honey bees in relation to pollen harvesting, and diversity and quantity of pollen from harvested loads, we have studied honey bee visits in different hours of the day and in several months, in four hives located in the South of Galicia (NW of Spain). All hives showed some hourly patterns in common. The honey bee colonies focalised their activity in any pollen sources in different moments of the day [morning –before 12:00 a.m.- (Ranunculus peltatus-type, for example); central hours -from 12:00 to 16:00 p.m.; morning and afternoon interval –before 16:00 p.m. (Cytisus scoparius-type, Quercus spp., for example); and in evening –from 16:00 p.m.-(Castanea sativa and Rubus ulmifolius-type)]. Sometimes, the collecting pattern of one determined pollen source varies in different hives.
Childhood Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC): A Review of Clinical-Imaging Features and Recent Trends in Management
Authors: Soo  Mark Yoi Sun
Published: January 2019

Introduction: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in children and adolescents is a relatively rare yet highly malignant disease. Clinical presentation of NPC in this age group is non-specific and varied leading to a predominantly late diagnosis. The objective of this paper is to explore and clarify the tumour’s ambiguity and assess the precision of imaging in mapping its morphology and loco-regional extension and possible distant metastases. Treatment regimes that minimize adverse radio-therapeutic effects on surrounding structures will be highlighted.
Method: Retrospective analysis and observations of literature (in English) between 2004 to December 2017 was performed. A search was performed using the Medline data-base. The following are the search terms: “children”, “nasopharyngeal carcinoma”, “symptoms’, “imaging” and “therapy”.
Material: Of the 43 papers found on the primary search only 36 satisfied the search criteria. Four review papers of the primary search were retained as sources of reference. The core material comprised 22 papers on NPC’s clinical presentation and the role of imaging in diagnosis and prognostication. There were three papers on advanced imaging in adults. The rest of the seven comprised selected articles on chemo-radiation, radiotherapy and related late toxicities.
Results: The clinical presentations range from nasal stuffiness, otalgia to unilateral or bilateral neck masses. Symptoms can last from a few weeks to 6 months; by then disease can be advanced. A WHO high-grade undifferentiated squamous cell carcinoma is the commonest lesion in clinical practice. Data from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) focusing on tumour extensions and tumour volume are markers of long-term prognosis. Diffusion weighted MRI by assessing microscopic changes of NPC can determine the ultimate outlook of adults afflicted with NPC. Treatment of paediatric NPC consists of induction chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy with dosage up to 65-70 Gy.
Morphologically, the main mimicker of childhood NPC is an embryonic parameningeal rhabdomyosarcoma arising from the pharyngeal and nasal space. Both have inclination to invade the skull base.
Conclusion: Despite NPC’s varied and nonspecific presentations, the clinician must be vigilant because treatment of the disease in different stages of severity has a higher response rate than its adult counterpart. Contrast MRI and computed tomography (CT) are precise in showing skull base invasion, loco-regional and distant metastases. The application of diffusion weighted MRI has a role in determining the tumour’s microscopic contents and long-term prognosis. Use of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in addition to induction chemotherapy and irradiation treatment regime has decreased the incidence of the dreaded late sequelae.
Prevalence of Specific IgE to Dust and Storage Mites in Patients from Buildings with Moisture Damage Using Pharmacia- and DPC-Specific IgE Immunoglobulin Assays
Authors: Pennanen Sirpa , Elg Peter , Mussalo-Rauhamaa Helena
Published: January 2019

The interpretation of the results of in vitro tests for allergy to different kinds of mites may be challenging for clinicians due to the methodological differences between commercial tests.
We assessed the presence of specific IgE-antibodies to house dust and storage mites in the serum of 24 patients with respiratory symptoms, and in 24 healthy controls, using two methods: the Pharmacia UniCAP System® (today Thermo Fisher Scientific. Allergy. Phadia AB) and DPC Alastat assays®. We also tested a storage mite mix reagent from Pharmacia. The presence and characterisation of the mites in the dust samples were assessed using microscopy. The Pharmacia experimental storage mite mix was positive for 11 out of 12 patients in a Pharmacia positive specific test. In the patient sera, Pharmacia detected 61 positive specific responses, whereas DPC detected 24. This indicates a significant analytical difference between the methods.
The presence of identifiable mites or mite allergens in dust found by microscopy might confirm the IgE response. Combining the specific IgE test for the house mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and a storage mite mix test, including the mites Acarus siro, Glycophagus domesticus, Lepidoglyphus destructor and Tyrophagus putrescentiae, can produce a cost-effective estimate of a suspected mite sensitisation case (IgE response).
Stunting may not be Stunting When Body Shape is Factored into its Assessment
Authors: Papart J-P. , Lagunju A. , Gonzalez G. , Roulet M.
Published: January 2019

The study investigated the relationship between height-for-age and body shape of children under 5 in some parts of Peru, India, Bangladesh and Guinea. The objective of the study was to determine whether the consideration of body shape measured by SSHr in the assessment of stunting could change our understanding of stunting in children in different areas of the world.

Anthropometric samples of children aged between 2 to 5 years were collected from Terre des homes Foundation (A Swiss NGO) nutrition project sites in Peru (districts of Andahuaylas, Ventanilla, Huancaray, Turpo, Talavera, San Jeronimo, Lliupapuquio), Guinea (Municipalities of Dixinn, Ratoma), Bangladesh (districts of Mogholbasa, Belgacha, Holokhana, Panchgachi) and India (districts of the Sunderban). The SSHr of the children under study were:

                                        Peru                                    Bangladesh                                         India                                    Guinea

24-35 months                  0.605                                    0.580                                                      0.572                                    0.556

36-47 months                  0.584                                    0.571                                                      0.557                                    0.542

48-59 months                  0.573                                    0.562                                                      0.552                                    0.531

All children                  0.586                                    0.568                                                      0.561                                    0.543

Global delay of growth using the HAZ indices among these children were Peru: 32.4% (MDG-23.1%; SDG- 9.4%), Guinea: 18.5% (MDG- 11.0%; SDG- 7.5%), India 43.6% (MDG- 27%; SDG- 16.6%) Bangladesh: 30.5% (MDG- 26.0%; 4.6%). These figures changed dramatically particularly for Peru when the SSHr was factored into the calculations of stunting: Peru: 0.4% (MDG-0.4%; SDG- 0%), Guinea: 18.4% (MDG- 10.0%; SDG- 8.4%), India 16.4% (MDG- 13.7%; SDG- 2.7%) Bangladesh: 2.9% (MDG- 2.7%; SDG- 0.3%).
Frequency of Nonconvulsive Seizures among Pediatric Systemic Cancer Patients with Acute Encephalopathy: Emergent Bedside EEG in Resource Constrained Communities
Authors: Malik Muhammad Akbar , Malik Saima , Rafique Arshad , Sultan Ashraf , Choudhary Farrukh Ali
Published: January 2019

Purpose: To determine the incidence of nonconvulsive seizures (NCSz) among children with systemic cancer, who underwent unexplained acute severe encephalopathy (GCS≤8) during admission in ICUs and Neuro-ICUs.

Study Design: Multicenter prospective observational study describing sub-clinical seizures and electroencephalographic (EEG) features of children (1-16 years) with acute unexplained encephalopathy who underwent emergent bedside EEG≥30min monitoring.

Material and Methods: We conducted a prospective longitudinal observational study design and EEG assessment of 40 systemic cancer patients age ≤16years, consecutively diagnosed and admitted in intensive care units (ICUs) and neurointensive care units (Neuro-ICUs) of different cancer hospitals with unexplained acute impaired consciousness (GCS≤08) within ≤6hr of such deterioration. Bed-side EEG recordings of ≥30min were done according to the clinical scenario and the requirements of the treating neurologist/intensivist. Patients with brain tumor, brain metastasis, seizures or those with known cause of coma were excluded. Data surrounding clinical, electrographic, and treatment factors were collected Via a prospective systematic review of medical records and EEGs for correlation with diagnosis, change in the diagnosis and management.

Results: Over a period of 2 years, 40 children, 22.5% 1-5yeras, 37.5% 6-10years, 40% 11-16years; boys 65% and girls 35%, who had systemic cancer with a median age of 9.8 years with unexplained acute deterioration of conscious level (GCS≤08). This cohort underwent bed-side EEG of ≥30 min, which was abnormal in 100% of the records. The main reasons for EEG requests were: 1) unexplained impaired consciousness 22(55%) and 2) reason one plus subtle convulsion 18(45%). The most common EEG abnormalities were invariant mixed theta-delta slowing (27.5%), followed by Low-amplitude delta pattern plus epileptiform discharges (20%) and there was electrographic evidence of EEG seizures in 17(42.5%) of the cohort. These electrographic seizures were present in 55.5% of 18 patients with subtle convulsions, whereas were documented only in 20% of the 22 patients without such movements. Electrographic seizures among patients with subtle convulsions responded to antiseizure drugs in 75% cases as compared 50% such response among patients without such convulsions.

Conclusion: Emergent bed-side EEG record of ≥30 min is useful in systemic cancer patients admitted in NCUs and Neuro-ICUs with acutely impaired consciousness with or without abnormal body movements. Neurology consultation and EEG studies in these comatose patients provide useful diagnostic information.
Adult-onset giant cervical cystic hygroma with pressure manifestations on aerodigestive tract, managed surgically: reporting of a rare case
Authors: Elshaar Khaled , AbuAleid Laila
Published: January 2019

Cystic hygroma is a benign congenital malformation of the lymphatic system that occurs in children younger than two years of age. Hygroma commonly presents in head and neck but can be present anywhere. It is rarely seen in adults. We report the case of a 28-year-old woman who presented with a huge painless right-sided cystic neck swelling of 11 months duration, associated with progressive dysphagia and difficulty in breathing when lying supine or on her left side. Clinically, the swelling occupied both right anterior and posterior triangles of her neck with impalpable right carotid pulsations. Computed tomography revealed a cystic mass lesion. The mass was excised totally through right supraclavicular incision, after identification of the great auricular, spinal accessory and phrenic nerves. Paraffin section confirmed the diagnosis of cystic hygroma. After an uneventful postoperative period the patient was discharged and has had no recurrence to date.
Ensino de adverbiais modalizadores em perspectiva discursivo-textual
Authors: Castanheira Dennis , Werneck Leonor
Published: January 2019

Este artigo visa a colaborar para as reflexões sobre o ensino de adverbiais modalizadores à luz de uma abordagem que envolve a Linguística do Texto (KOCH, 2003, 2014) e o Funcionalismo norte-americano (GIVÓN, 1990; 1995; TRAUGOTT, DASHER, 2005). Analisamos o tratamento dado ao tema em quatro coleções de livros didáticos de Ensino Médio aprovados pelo Programa Nacional do Livro Didático de 2015, observando se os manuais tratam esses elementos como articuladores textuais argumentativos e a partir de seus efeitos de sentido. Percebemos que os adverbiais modalizadores quase não são citados nesses manuais didáticos e geralmente os efeitos de sentido construídos nos gêneros textuais em que aparecem não são trabalhados. Além dessa análise, elaboramos algumas sugestões de abordagem diante das lacunas encontradas nos livros e no confronto com o uso real desses elementos, a partir do trabalho de Castanheira (2017).
A cronística de Rubem Braga em livro didático: Notas sobre o processo transmissão da crônica "Ela tem alma de pomba"
Authors: Pereira Bárbara Bezerra de Santana , Almeida Manoel Mourivaldo Santiago
Published: January 2019

Este artigo tem por principal objetivo realizar uma breve análise do processo de transmissão, em Livro Didático, da crônica “Ela tem alma de pomba”, do escritor capixaba Rubem Braga. Inicialmente, trazemos um apanhado acerca do gênero textual com as particularidades e complexidades que lhe são inerentes, posteriormente, verticalizamos para as crônicas rubembraguianas e a presença dessas em materiais didáticos. A partir do cotejo de três tipos de testemunhos, apresentamos um exemplo de análise, pelo prisma da Filologia, utilizando a transcrição encontrada num Livro Didático de Língua Portuguesa, do 6º ano do Ensino Fundamental, do ano de 1998.
Application Of Allo Mesenchymal Stem Cells On Chronic Burn Wound: Case Series Report
Authors: Wardhana Aditya , Liem Isabella Kurnia , Feroniasanti Lauda , Pudjiti Dyah Juliana , Mujadid Fajar , Kispa Tera , Novialdi Novialdi
Published: January 2019

Background : Severe burns are among the commonly occurring trauma with lethal outcome. One of the important aspects of severe burn therapy is to quickly achieve wound healing. Previous reports indicated that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy contributes in facilitating better wound healing. In this report, we investigated the effects of MSCs derived from human bone marrow and umbilical cord on wound healing in patients with severe burns and its mechanism.

Method : We performed human bone marrow and human umbilical cord MSCs therapy on 3 severe burns patients. Two of the patients had inadequate donor to close raw surface with skin graft, whilst one patient had infected chronic burn wound which have failed to epithelialize despite repeated attempts of skin graft and wound care.

Result : We observed that MSCs therapy significantly accelerated wound healing. The effects after MSCs migrated into wound were decreased infiltration of inflammatory cells and faster epithelialization.

Conclusion : This study suggests that MSCs therapy has positive effects in improving wound healing in severe burns patients. Data provided by this research may serve as theoretical basis for further study of MSCs application in burn wound therapy.
Parental Age As a Risk Factor Of Children With Cleft Lip In Jakarta Population: Does Paternal Age Play A Role?
Authors: Widayanti Nurina , Sudjatmiko Gentur , Putri Nandita Melati
Published: January 2019

Background: Cleft lip and palate (CL/P) is one of the most common congenital anomalies with the prevalence of 1 case for every 1000 birth. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between paternal and maternal age to the incidence of cleft lip with or without cleft palate. Methods: This case-control study compares data of 74 cleft lip patients who was enrolled in Gentur Cleft Foundation Foundation year 2013 to 2015 compared to those of 86 normal children. Paternal and maternal age were categorized and compared to reference age (25-29 years old). Binary logistic regression was used to assess the interaction between paternal and maternal age adjusted to several confounding factors. Results: Paternal age (PA) 18-24 year has OR 9.12 (95% CI = 2.2-36.7), PA 30-34 has OR 2.74 (95% CI =1.2-5.9), PA 35-48 has OR 5.82 (95% CI = 2.2-15.67) compared to those in the 25-29 years category. Maternal age (MA) 18-24 year has OR 4.385 (95% CI = 1.86-10.36), MA 35-48 has OR 6.58 (95% CI = 1.65-26.31) compared to those in the 25-29 years category. P-value was insignificant for MA 30-34 years. Interaction were observed in crossings between PA 18-24 with MA 18-24, PA 25-29 with MA 18-24, PA 30-34 with MA 18-24, PA 30-34 with MA 25-29, PA 35-48 with MA 30-34, and PA 35-48 with MA 35-40. Conclusion: We observed stronger association between paternal ages with CL/P compared to that of maternal age. Interactions of paternal and maternal age with high OR were found in youngest age group (18-24 years old), oldest age group (above 35 years old), and fathers who are approximately 10 years older than the mother.
Lip Symmetry Evaluation Of The Gentur's Method Compared To Fisher Techniques For Unilateral Cleft Lip Repair
Authors: Kreshanti Prasetyanugraheni , Kiat Muhammad Irsyad
Published: January 2019

Background : Cleft lip and palate are the most common congenital anomalies that were found in plastic surgery. There are so many techniques for unilateral cleft lip repair. Rotation-advancement method by Gentur based on Millard technique has become the most widely used in unilateral cleft lip repair in RSCM. The Fisher technique repair is a modified technique based on approximation of anatomical subunit of the lip. The purpose of this study is to objectively compare and evaluate the lip symmetry of these two techniques.

Method : Two senior board-certified plastic surgeons will perform different surgical techniques for the unilateral cleft lip: rotation-advancement technique by Gentur and Fisher technique. This study prospectively analyzed preoperative and postoperative of randomized single blinded patients who underwent unilateral cleft lip repair performed by each surgeon in 2016. Using caliper, facial points on the cleft and non-cleft sides were measured, including height and symmetry of Cupid’s bow, width and height of the nasal vestibule, height of the vermilion, and alar base position. Ratios of cleft side to non cleft side measurements were calculated to standardize comparisons between patients.

Result : From July-October 2016, 14 patients performed surgery as preliminary data, showed that there are statistically difference in length of design and surgery time. Preoperative, comparable of cupid’s bow and vermillion showed statistically difference. Although, we found no statistically difference in postoperative ratio.

Conclusion : Lip symmetry outcomes after cheiloplasty procedure are same between Gentur method and Fisher technique.
Use Of Synthetic Skin Substitute (Biobrane) For Plantar Foot Burn
Authors: F Johandi , J Feng , Lumbun Ruth , J Chong , K Tan B , C Tan K
Published: January 2019

Background : In Singapore, we experience a unique annual surge of burn cases involving sole of foot during the Hindu fire walking festival. Traditionally, superficial partial-thickness burns of the soles were managed expectantly with regular dressings. We conducted a study to evaluate the effectiveness of an alternative approach of using synthetic skin substitute (Biobrane®).

Method : A case series of foot burns admitted October 2016 to the Singapore General Hospital Burns Centre. Burn cases with superficial partial-thickness burn of bilateral sole of foot were included in the study. Exclusion criteria included deep dermal burns and burns that required excision and closure with skin grafting. The patient demographics, time to presentation, medical co-morbidities were analyzed. Outcomes such as length of hospital stay, incidence of infection, need for further surgery, return to pre-injury ambulation status and occupation and cost were studied.

Result : A total of 6 partial thickness burns of sole of foot in 3 patients with bilateral foot burns which were treated with Biobrane® were included in the study. Patients were able to return pre-injury functional status- return to work and pre-morbid ambulation status. Neither incidence of wound infections nor any needs for repeat surgery were recorded. However, this group required an increased length of stay and incurred high treatment cost.

Conclusion: Biobrane® is a viable adjunct in the management of sole of foot burns. The authors believe there is potential for an improved rate of recovery with Biobrane®. However, the higher cost and length of stay are among its drawbacks. In view of the limitations of our study- case series and small sample size, a prospective and double arm assessment will be required to present definite evidence for synthetic skin substitute in these cases