bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Scoping Review of Research on the Human Milk Microbiome
Authors: Groer Maureen Wimberly , Morgan Katherine Hope , Louis-Jacques Adetola , Miller Elizabeth M.
Published: July 2020

Background

The human milk microbiome is an emerging scientific area. Careful, accurate collection and measurement for microbial sequencing is imperative. There is controversy about a core microbiome, and little is known about factors that influence composition. Even less known are ways that the milk microbiome might seed the infant gut and affect health.

Research aim

The aim of this paper is to provide a critical appraisal of milk microbiome research. The four areas of critical appraisal were collection and measurement, composition, effects on composition, and potential health effects for infants related to the milk microbiome.

Methods

Using a PRISMA-ScR scoping review, we reviewed sources of evidence extracted from PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, and PSYCHINFO data sets using the following criteria: English language, published in past 6 years, primary data, and sequencing using Next Generation Sequencing. Charting of sources of evidence included authors, title, journal year, sample, design, and results. The research questions posed were: How is human milk collected and how are the microbes identified? What is the composition and what factors affect the human milk microbiome? What is the relationship of the human milk microbiome to infant biology and health?

Results

The reviewed studies were quantitative, cross sectional, or longitudinal. A core microbiome may be present. The microbiome may seed the early infant gut and promote physiological functions and thus influence human health.

Conclusions

We have suggested concerns about collection and measurement that lead to gaps in knowledge generation, and mechanistic studies are lacking.
Comparison of patient survival and technique survival between continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and automated peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Wang I-Kuan , Yu Tung-Min , Yen Tzung-Hai , Lin Shih-Yi , Chang Chia-Ling , Lai Ping-Chin , Li Chi-Yuan , Sung Fung-Chang
Published: July 2020

Background:

This retrospective cohort study compared patient survival and technique survival between patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) using recent data at a single tertiary medical center in Taiwan.

Methods:

From medical records, we identified incident 459 CAPD patients and 266 APD patients on dialysis for at least 90 days and aged more than 18 years to estimate mortality and technique failure rates, and related hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) from 2007 to 2018.

Results:

There were more women (52.3%) in the CAPD group, whereas patients in the APD group were younger. Compared to CAPD patients, APD patients had a lower mortality rate (2.83 vs. 5.79 per 100 person-years) with an adjusted HR of 0.69 (95% CI = 0.47–1.02), and a lower technique failure rate (9.70 vs. 17.52 per 100 person-years) with an adjusted HR of 0.65 (95% CI = 0.51–0.83). Further subgroup analyses revealed that, compared to CAPD, APD was associated with a significant lower risk of technique failure in male patients, patients aged 50–65 years, diabetic patients, patients without cardiovascular disease (CVD), patients with higher peritoneal permeability, or patients initiating PD in an earlier era.

Conclusions:

The mortality risk was not significant between CAPD and APD patients. APD is associated with a lower risk of technique failure than CAPD, particularly for male patients, and patients aged 50–65 years, with diabetes, without CVD, with high or high average peritoneal permeability, or initiating PD in an earlier era.
“The Prophecy on the Coming of the Son of Man” in the Arabic Testament of Adam and its Syriac Vorlage
Authors: Monferrer-Sala Juan Pedro
Published: July 2020

The aim of this article is to compare the version provided by the text-type “b” or shorter recension, with its Vorlage, as found in the third recension of this work composed in Syriac language, through the analysis of the section containing the “Prophecy on the coming of the Son of Man.”
The “good” epidural: Women’s use of epidurals in relation to dominant discourses on “natural” birth
Authors: Símonardóttir Sunna , Rúdólfsdóttir Annadís Greta
Published: July 2020

Childbirth is widely recognized to be among the most painful of experiences, and the most common and effective pain relief for birthing women is known to be the use of epidural analgesia. The increase in the use of epidural analgesia for birthing women has been described by some critics as a by-product of the medicalized model of birth, although there remains a notable dearth of research regarding women’s experiences of epidurals. The present paper seeks to address this research gap by examining how first-time mothers in Iceland discuss their intentions concerning pain relief during birth, along with how they construct childbirth-related pain and the use of epidural analgesia in the context of a midwife-led model of care and an institutionalized preference for “natural” birth. The findings demonstrate that, despite initial intentions, most of the women end up having an epidural, and most describe their epidurals as both wonderful and immensely helpful. The dominant narrative about “natural” childbirth being preferable is not fully refuted by this. Instead, the women either align themselves with the ideology of the capable and knowing body or resist and contest this narrative by constructing their birthing bodies as open to, and in need of, assistance.
Embelin modulates metabolic endotoxemia and associated obesity in high fat diet fed C57BL/6 mice
Authors: Bansal P , Bhandari U , Sharma K , Arya P
Published: July 2020

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of embelin in metabolic endotoxemia (ME) mediated inflammation and associated obesity in high fat diet (HFD)-fed C57BL/6 mice. The molecular docking of embelin confirms its binding with the toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4). In vivo study, mice were treated with HFD for 8 weeks to induce ME mediated inflammation and associated obesity. Further, mice were treated with embelin (50 and 100 mg/kg/day, p.o.) and orlistat (10 mg/kg/day, p.o.) from 5th to 8th week along with HFD to improve associated changes. After 8 weeks, mice were euthanized and assessed for body weight, body mass index (BMI), fat pad weights (mesenteric, retroperitoneal, and epididymal), intestinal permeability, TLR-4, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, lipopolysaccharide, and serum lipid levels followed by histopathological analysis of liver and adipose tissues. Embelin significantly decreased the body weight, BMI, serum lipid levels, ME, and inflammation manifested by above parameters. Further, results of histopathological study showed that embelin restored the vacuolization, inflammation, one side shifting of nucleus in liver tissue, and decreased adipocyte cells size in adipose tissue in HFD-fed mice. Thus, our findings provide the strong evidence first time that embelin could modulate ME, mediate inflammation, and consequently reduce body weight gain, BMI, and serum lipid levels in HFD-fed mice.
Comparative Study of Two Different Islet Transplantation Sites in Mice: Hepatic Sinus Tract vs Splenic Parenchyma
Authors: Li Feng , Lv Yi , Li Xiaohang , Yang Zhaoming , Guo Tingwei , Zhang Jialin
Published: July 2020

Although 90% of clinical islet transplantations are performed via the portal vein approach, it is still far from the ideal transplant site. Alternative islet transplant sites are promising to reduce the islet dose required to reverse hyperglycemia, thereby improving the efficiency of islet transplantation. The aim of this study was to compare the differences in survival and metabolic function of islet grafts transplanted into the hepatic sinus tract (HST) and the splenic parenchyma (SP). Approximately 300 syngeneic mouse islets were transplanted into the HST ( n = 6) and the SP ( n = 6) of recipient diabetic mice, respectively. After transplantation, the glycemic control, glucose tolerance, and morphology of islet grafts were evaluated and compared in each group. The nonfasting blood glucose of the two groups of mice receiving islet transplantation gradually decreased to the normal range and sustained for more than 100 d. There is no significant difference in the time required to restore normoglycemia ( P > 0.05). The results of the glucose tolerance test showed that the SP group presented a smaller area under the curve than the HST group ( P < 0.05). Histopathological results showed that islet grafts in the HST and the SP were characterized with normal islet morphology and robust insulin production. Compared with the HST, islet transplantation in the SP presents better blood glucose regulation, although there is no significant difference in the time required to restore normoglycemia.
Caste and the Politics of the Early ‘Public’ in Schooling: Dalit Struggle for an Equitable Education
Authors: Nambissan Geetha B.
Published: July 2020

In this article, I draw attention to the early 1850s in the Bombay Presidency when the colonial government first assumed responsibility for mass education. I show that in the subsequent decades, publicly funded schooling was narrow and extremely exclusive as a result of the strong opposition of dominant castes to the education of the Dalits (‘Untouchable’ castes) as well as ambivalences and compromises of the colonial state to equality in education. I argue that in the efforts towards shaping of a more inclusive and ‘equitable’ public education, the struggles of the most excluded and stigmatised castes, the Untouchables, were crucial and have hitherto received little attention. Initiatives from within the community as well as the role of radical social reformers (I refer to Phule), Dalit activists and leaders such as Ambedkar in political and social spaces in relation to education also deserve far more serious study and acknowledgement. The neglect of the Untouchable castes in histories of education has resulted in failure to recognise their extraordinary efforts to spread education within their communities and significant contestations from below as well as in shaping discourses and practices around the ‘public’ in schooling. It also reminds us that as we defend the public in education today, we must understand the politics around it.
Modeling of electromechanical response and fracture resistance of multilayer piezoelectric energy harvester with residual stresses
Authors: Machů Zdeněk , Ševeček Oldřich , Hadaš Zdeněk , Kotoul Michal
Published: July 2020

The article focuses on a modeling and subsequent optimization of a novel layered architecture of the vibration piezoceramic energy harvester composed of ZrO2/Al2O3/BaTiO3 layers and containing thermal residual stresses. The developed analytical/numerical model allows to determine the complete electromechanical response and the apparent fracture toughness of the multilayer vibration energy harvester, upon consideration of thermal residual stresses and time-harmonic kinematic excitation. The derived model uses the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory, Hamilton’s variational principle, and a classical laminate theory to determine the first natural frequency, steady-state electromechanical response of the beam upon harmonic vibrations, and also the mechanical stresses within particular layers of the harvester. The laminate apparent fracture toughness is computed by means of the weight function approach. A crucial point is the further optimization of the layered architecture from both the electromechanical response and the fracture resistance point of view. Maximal allowable excitation acceleration of the harvester upon which the piezoelectric layer will not fail is determined. It makes possible to better use the harvester’s capabilities in a given application and simultaneously guarantee its safe operation. Outputs of the derived analytical model were validated with finite element method simulations and available experimental results, and a good agreement between all approaches was obtained.
Varied Incident Rates of Global Maritime Piracy: Toward a Model for State Policy Change
Authors: Regan Joshua
Published: July 2020

Maritime piracy is a problem that plagues our navigable seas. This study provides a quantitative understanding of factors that influence the frequency of yearly maritime piracy occurrences. Using a nonprobability sampling technique, 11 countries with reported cases of maritime piracy were purposefully selected. Open sourced data from the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, the World Bank, the United Nations, the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, and the Center for Systemic Peace were utilized in this study. Using regression features, as well as socioeconomic and geopolitical data from these countries over a longitudinal period of 34 years (1985–2018), a time-series cross-sectional design provides an in-depth understanding of factors that affect the frequency of piracy occurrences. The four-factor model concluded that state weakness, total population size, gross domestic product, and total fish catch tonnage are found to be associated with the frequency of pirating activity worldwide. Policy implications and measures to mitigate piracy are also discussed.
The Influence of Demographic Factors and Work Environment on Job Satisfaction Among Police Personnel: An Empirical Study
Authors: Kumar T. K. Vinod
Published: July 2020

Job satisfaction among employees is important for police organizations. Low job satisfaction may result in poor organizational commitment, unsatisfactory job performance, and absenteeism. Job satisfaction is impacted by demographic factors and characteristics of the work environment. Analyzing survey data of 6,041 police officers, the study finds that while demographic factors and job characteristics impact job satisfaction, organizational characteristics have the greatest influence. The study illuminates the similarities and differences in organizational dynamics impacting job satisfaction in police organizations in India and other countries and underlines the relevance of the theory across countries and cultures.
Activity-Dependent Gene Expression in Neurons
Authors: Lee Philip R. , Fields R. Douglas
Published: July 2020

The function of the nervous system in conveying and processing information necessary to interact with the environment confers unique aspects on how the expression of genes in neurons is regulated. Three salient factors are that (1) neurons are the largest and among the most morphologically complex of all cells, with strict polarity, subcellular compartmentation, and long-distant transport of gene products, signaling molecules, and other materials; (2) information is coded in the temporal firing pattern of membrane depolarization; and (3) neurons must maintain a stable homeostatic level of activation to function so stimuli do not normally drive intracellular signaling to steady state. Each of these factors can require special methods of analysis differing from approaches used in non-neuronal cells. This review considers these three aspects of neuronal gene expression and the current approaches being used to analyze these special features of how the neuronal transcriptome is modulated by action potential firing.
The Association Between S100A8/A9 and the Development of Very Late Stent Thrombosis in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Wang Xiang , Guan Meng , Zhang Xiuhang , Ma Taiyuan , Wu Muli , Li Yulin , Chen Xinxin , Zheng Yang
Published: July 2020

Very late stent thrombosis (VLST) is a rare but serious complication following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). S100A8/A9 plays an important role in thrombosis through modulating the inflammatory response. This observational study aimed to reveal the association between S100A8/A9 and VLST. Continuous blood samples were collected from patients at both the time of index PCI for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and the time of PCI for VLST (VLST group) or follow-up coronary angiography (AMI group). In all, 56 patients were selected in each group from a cohort of 8476 patients and other 112 individuals who underwent health checkups (normal control [NC] group) were selected as controls. Serum levels of S100A8/A9 and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were tested and compared. The mean level of S100A8/A9 was 3754.4 ± 1688.9 ng/mL during index PCI and increased to 5517.8 ± 2650.9 ng/mL at the time of VLST; in the AMI group, S100A8/A9 level was 2434.9 ± 1243.4 ng/mL during index PCI and decreased to 1568.2 ± 772.1 ng/mL during follow-up, similar to that detected in the NC group (1618.2 ± 641.4 ng/mL). Of note, S100A8/A9 levels showed significant increases during VLST when compared to its own levels during index PCI, which was different from the changes of hs-CRP. Higher serum levels of S100A8/A9 are associated with the development of VLST.
Nurse Practitioner Autonomy and Complexity of Care in Rural Primary Care
Authors: Neprash Hannah T. , Smith Laura Barrie , Sheridan Bethany , Moscovice Ira , Prasad Shailendra , Kozhimannil Katy
Published: July 2020

The growing ranks of nurse practitioners (NPs) in rural areas of the United States have the potential to help alleviate existing primary care shortages. This study uses a nationwide source of claims- and EHR-data from 2017 to construct measures of NP clinical autonomy and complexity of care. Comparisons between rural and urban primary care practices reveal greater clinical autonomy for rural NPs, who were more likely to have an independent patient panel, to practice with less physician supervision, and to prescribe Schedule II controlled substances. In contrast, rural and urban NPs provided care of similar complexity. These findings provide the first claims- and EHR-based evidence for the commonly held perception that NPs practice more autonomously in rural areas than in urban areas.
Severe rhabdomyolysis induced by possible drug–drug interaction between Ribociclib and Simvastatin
Authors: Streicher Caroline , Daulange Annick , Madranges Nicolas , Vayre Laure
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Drug–drug interactions with cyclin-dependent kinases inhibitors 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) are known and should be taken into account.

Case report

A 68-year-old woman, on prior Simvastatin therapy, developed severe rhabdomyolysis after three weeks of Ribociclib initiation. She showed general weakness with mobility problems and was admitted to our hospital.

Management and Outcome

Ribociclib and Simvastatin were discontinued and the patient received intensive intravenous hydration. She finally recovered her mobility after two weeks.

Discussion

We hypothesize that Simvastatin induced rhabdomyolysis by possible interaction with Ribociclib. Ribociclib is a strong inhibitor of CYP 3A4 and a potential inhibitor of OATP1B1 membrane transporter. Simvastatin plasma concentration may reach toxic levels due to Ribociclib inhibition. To assess the relevance of our hypothesis, we used the Drug Interaction Scale. With a total score of 7, the interaction is considered as “probable.” Because of the high risk of severe rhabdomyolysis, the concomitant use of Simvastatin with Ribociclib should be avoided or otherwise careful monitoring of creatine kinase is warranted.
Assessment of rasburicase utilization for tumor lysis syndrome management in pediatric and adult patients in the inpatient and outpatient settings
Authors: Abousaud Marin I , Rush Marie C , Rockey Michelle
Published: July 2020

Introduction

At Wake Forest Baptist Health, an adult tumor lysis syndrome pocket card was created in order to optimize management of tumor lysis syndrome and outline specific recommendations for the use of rasburicase. Due to the increased use of rasburicase at our institution and its cost, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the utilization of rasburicase for the management of tumor lysis syndrome in pediatric and adult patients in the inpatient and outpatient settings.

Methods

This was an observational, single-center, non-randomized, retrospective chart review conducted between September 2018 and August 2019. The primary objective was to evaluate the utilization of rasburicase and appropriateness for the management of tumor lysis syndrome in pediatric and adult patients based on the Wake Forest Baptist Health tumor lysis syndrome pocket card. The secondary objectives were to assess response to prophylactic and treatment doses of rasburicase and to quantify drug cost versus expense of rasburicase utilization.

Results

Overall, 64 patients (57 adults and 7 pediatric patients) were included in the study. Rasburicase use for tumor lysis syndrome indication adhered to the pocket card 64% of the time. Appropriate fluids and/or allopurinol were initiated in only 34% of patients. For monitoring, 80% of patients had all necessary tumor lysis syndrome laboratory values collected after rasburicase administration. All 11 patients (17%) who received rasburicase in the outpatient setting did not have follow-up labs collected. Of the patients who had tumor lysis syndrome laboratory values collected post rasburicase, 39% were appropriately timed to accurately assess efficacy of rasburicase with the median time of laboratory monitoring after rasburicase being 6.5 h. Response was observed with rasburicase 3 mg (92%), 6 mg (100%), and weight-based dosing (100%). The wholesale acquisition cost per patient was $5203 (1101–10,406). The potential cost savings of using the 3 mg dose versus the 6 mg dose for the patients who did not meet tumor lysis syndrome treatment recommendations based on the Wake Forest Baptist Health pocket card was estimated to be $36,419.46.

Conclusion

There are several opportunities for improvement in tumor lysis syndrome management and rasburicase utilization at our institution. This study will lead to the implementation of formal restrictions for rasburicase use and selection of rasburicase dose. Updating the rasburicase order panel to include appropriate prophylaxis and require input of uric acid level, populating pertinent tumor lysis syndrome laboratory values on the order verification screen for pharmacists to appropriately assess if rasburicase meets the institution restriction criteria, and providing education to providers on the appropriate ordering and timing of labs.
A study of vectorization for matrix-free finite element methods
Authors: Sun Tianjiao , Mitchell Lawrence , Kulkarni Kaushik , Klöckner Andreas , Ham David A , Kelly Paul HJ
Published: July 2020

Vectorization is increasingly important to achieve high performance on modern hardware with SIMD instructions. Assembly of matrices and vectors in the finite element method, which is characterized by iterating a local assembly kernel over unstructured meshes, poses difficulties to effective vectorization. Maintaining a user-friendly high-level interface with a suitable degree of abstraction while generating efficient, vectorized code for the finite element method is a challenge for numerical software systems and libraries. In this work, we study cross-element vectorization in the finite element framework Firedrake via code transformation and demonstrate the efficacy of such an approach by evaluating a wide range of matrix-free operators spanning different polynomial degrees and discretizations on two recent CPUs using three mainstream compilers. Our experiments show that our approaches for cross-element vectorization achieve 30% of theoretical peak performance for many examples of practical significance, and exceed 50% for cases with high arithmetic intensities, with consistent speed-up over (intra-element) vectorization restricted to the local assembly kernels.
Fourth VR: Indigenous virtual reality practice
Authors: Wallis Keziah , Ross Miriam
Published: July 2020

Indigenous creators are currently using virtual reality (VR) tools, techniques and workflows in wide-ranging geographical locations and across multiple VR formats. Their radical adaptation of this new technology folds together cultural traditions and VR’s unique audiovisual configurations to resist dominant, particularly colonial, frameworks. Within this context, we ask how VR is being used to create space and capacity for Indigenous creatives to tell their stories and how do Indigenous creatives negotiate Eurocentric modes of production and distribution? To answer these questions, our Fourth VR database provides a snapshot of Indigenous VR works. By drawing on three case studies drawn from the database – The Hunt (2018), Future Dreaming (2019) and Crow: The Legend (2018) – as well as the wider patterns emerging across the database, it is possible to see an Indigenous-centred VR production framework. This framework is diverse but also contains repeated trends such as the ability to use VR to express and realize Indigenous Futurism; foreground native languages in virtual worlds; provide new articulations of Indigenous activism; embody connections between the past, present and future and demonstrate the interconnectivity of all living things. In turn, this growing body of work, engaging with the full spectrum of VR formats and tools, provides a rich contribution to the wider arena of VR practice.
Fighting biased news diets: Using news media literacy interventions to stimulate online cross-cutting media exposure patterns
Authors: van der Meer Toni G.L.A. , Hameleers Michael
Published: July 2020

Online news consumers have the tendency to select political news that confirms their prior attitudes, which may further fuel polarized divides in society. Despite scholarly attention to drivers of selective exposure, we know too little about how healthier cross-cutting news exposure patterns can be stimulated in digital media environments. Study 1 ( N = 553) exposed people to news media literacy (NML) interventions using injunctive and descriptive normative language. The findings reveal the conditional effect of such online interventions: Participants with pro-immigration attitudes engaged in more cross-cutting exposure while the intervention was only to a certain extent effective for Democrats, ineffective for Republicans, and even boomeranged for partisans with anti-immigration attitudes. In response to these findings, Study 2 ( N = 579) aimed to design interventions that work across issue publics and party affiliation. We show that NML messages tailored on immigration beliefs can be effective across the board. These findings inform the design of more successful NML interventions.
The moral challenges of health care providers brain drain phenomenon
Authors: Atte Faith
Published: July 2020

The migration of health-care professionals has often produced morally charged discussions among ethicists, politicians, and policy makers in the migrant-sending and migrant-receiving countries because of its devastating effects on the health of those left behind in the countries of origin.This movement of skilled professionals – their decision to leaving their countries of origin in search of better work environments – has created a phenomenon that has been described as brain drain. Although the migration of health workers continue to bring prosperity to millions of people around the world, they have also evoked hopelessness in many more people. Thus, questions of global justice manifest themselves when it comes to the matters of brain drain and the just distribution of health and healthcare professionals.
Possible advantages of the clinical policy ethics assessment tool: institutional support or unnecessary bureaucracy?
Authors: Rubio-Navarro Alfonso , Garcia-Capilla Diego Jose , Torralba-Madrid Maria Jose , Rutty Jane
Published: July 2020

Contemporary healthcare practice has been progressively more regulated to increase efficiency, service user safety and practice quality. However, ethical issues in clinical practice that have not been implemented into regulations are undervalued by policymakers and healthcare institutions Considering the issues found by other authors, the use of a simple tool for policymakers to consider recurrent ethical issues could reduce those issues in a policy-driven clinical practice. The lack of tools to support structured ethical assessment of clinical policies was the main reason to create the Clinical Policy Ethics Assessment Tool, but we realised of its possible advantages: limiting ethical dilemmas posed by policies, ensuring ethical practice by the use of policies and developing a consistent process for policymakers, institutions and healthcare professionals. Nonetheless, even if a tool can be implemented and it supports the creation of policies that reduce ethical issues, if the healthcare professionals are not aware of them they will not be implemented and the issues will continue.
Comparison of the Effect of Local and Systemic Injection of Resveratrol on Cutaneous Wound Healing in Rats
Authors: Bilgic Tayfun
Published: July 2020

Purpose. To compare the effect of local and systemic injection of resveratrol (RSV) on open cutaneous wound healing. Materials and Methods. Open cutaneous wounds were created in adult Sprague–Dawley rats. Group 1 (n = 6) was given intraperitoneal RSV (0.5 mg/kg) once daily for 14 days. Group 2 (n = 6) was given local subcutaneous RSV (0.5 mg/kg) on the wound once daily for 14 days. Group 3 (n = 6) did not receive any pharmacologic agent. Biopsy specimens were obtained on postoperative days (PODs) 7, 14, and 21 and were examined histologically. Wound closure time was recorded. All rats were sacrificed on POD 30 for tensile strength analysis. Results. The histological scores for collagen deposition, chronic inflammation, and granulation were higher in the systemic and local RSV treatment groups than in the control group. Neovascularization scores significantly increased on PODs 14 and 21 in the local RSV treatment group compared with those in the systemic RSV and control groups. Systemic and local RSV administrations significantly enhanced wound healing and increased the tensile strength of the skin in rats. Conclusion. Local subcutaneous application of RSV may have a better therapeutic effect than the systemic application of RSV in terms of neovascularization to promote wound healing.
Influence of a Structured Exercise Training on Patients Reported Quality of Life in Colorectal Cancer Patients After Adjuvant Chemotherapy: A Pilot Study
Authors: Piringer Gudrun , Holzner Bernhard , Mayrbaeurl Beate , Heibl Sonja , Sztankay Monika , Frantal Sophie , Gnant Michael , Thaler Josef
Published: July 2020

Purpose: Cancer and its treatment strategies can have adverse effects on physical functioning and quality of life. Treatment strategies for better quality of life are still an unresolved issue. Physical activity is a promising treatment strategy that still has to be fully investigated. Methods: The ABCSG C07-EXERCISE study evaluated the feasibility of a 1-year exercise training after adjuvant chemotherapy in colorectal cancer patients. The present report presents the patient-reported outcomes during the exercise training. Fourteen patients of one center filled out the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ C30) questionnaire at 5 time points after initiating a 1-year exercise training. Results: At baseline, patients scored social functioning, emotional functioning, financial impact, insomnia, and diarrhea much worse than the German general population. After 1 year of a structured exercise training, a large improvement was reported for social functioning; moderate improvements were reported for pain, diarrhea, financial impact, and taste; and a small change for physical and emotional functioning as well as for global quality of life. Conclusions: The present study observed improvements of social, physical, and emotional functioning as well as global quality of life after 1 year of a structured exercise training in patients with locally advanced colorectal cancer after receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. To enhance compliance, sufficient support and different sport facilities should be offered. The positive effect of exercise on patient-reported outcomes, disease-free survival, and overall survival in cancer survivors have to be further investigated in further randomized clinical trials.
Lentinan Inhibits Tumor Progression by Immunomodulation in a Mouse Model of Bladder Cancer
Authors: Sun Ming , Bu Renge , Zhang Bin , Cao Yaming , Liu Chengyang , Zhao Wenyan
Published: July 2020

Background: Lentinan (LNT), an isolated traditional Chinese herbal component, has antitumor potential. In the current study, the intrinsic mechanism of LNT-induced immunity against bladder cancer was explored in a mouse model. Methods: In the mouse model of bladder cancer, we used flow cytometry to detect the LNT caused population changes of T cells, macrophages, MDSC cells, and Treg cells. ELISA was used to evaluate cytokines expression in the supernatant of splenocytes. Results: We found that the administration of LNT increased the proportions of CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ T cell subsets as well as CD11b+F480+ macrophages, whereas it diminished the subpopulations of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) and Gr-1+CD11b+ myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). LNT also upregulated the expression of interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-12, accompanied by a significant reduction in IL-10 and tumor growth factor (TGF)-β ( P < .05). Our research further confirmed the synergy between LNT and gemcitabine (GEM) to activate immunity and inhibit the growth of bladder tumors in mouse model. Conclusions: LNT induced macrophage activation, followed by the enhanced proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and the upregulated expression of IFN-γ and IL-2. Meanwhile, the proportions of MDSCs and Tregs were downregulated, leading to a reduced expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β. The synergy between LNT and GEM provides additional evidence supporting the application of this traditional Chinese herbal component for bladder cancer therapy.
Cardiac rehabilitation in patients with peripheral arterial disease after revascularization
Authors: Sami Farhad , Ranka Sagar , Lippmann Matthew , Weiford Brian , Hance Kirk , Whitman Bob , Wright Lanecia , Donaldson Seth , Boyer Blake , Gupta Kamal
Published: July 2020

Objectives

To evaluate safety, feasibility, and benefit of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) who undergo revascularization.

Methods

We conducted a prospective, non-randomized, pilot study to assess the feasibility, safety, and benefit of CR in PAD patients after revascularization compared to standard of care (controls). CR feasibility was assessed by the ability to complete 36 sessions. Safety was defined as the absence of adverse cardiovascular events during CR. Quality of life (QoL) assessment was performed using SF-36 form (Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey) and PAD-specific quality of life questionnaire (VascuQOL6). Other endpoints included incidence of claudication during 6-minute walk test (6MWT), mean distance, and number of laps walked. All outcome data were collected before and after CR completion. Standard statistical tests were used for comparisons.

Results

This study enrolled 20 subjects (CR group = 10). Mean age was 60.70 (±7.13) and 63.1 (±9.17) years in CR and controls, respectively ( p-value > 0.05). Fifty percent and 60% were female in CR and control group, respectively. All subjects completed 36 CR sessions without adverse events. The increase in mean distance walked during 6MWT was higher in the CR group compared to control group (63.7 m vs. 10.5 m, p = 0.043). Change in mean number of laps walked was higher in the CR group (3.5 vs. –1.1; p < 0.01). Scores on 6 of 8 scales of SF-36 and VascuQOL6 were higher in the CR group, though not statistically significant.

Conclusion

CR is safe, feasible, and improves walking ability in ambulatory patients with PAD after arterial revascularization.
Sensor-network-based navigation of delivery robot for baggage handling in international airport
Authors: Shen Kefei , Li Chen , Xu Difei , Wu Weihong , Wan He
Published: July 2020

Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) have been regarded as a promising means for the future delivery industry by many logistic companies. Several AGV-based delivery systems have been proposed, but they generally have drawbacks in delivering and locating baggage by magnet line, such as the high maintenance cost, and it is hard to change the trajectory of AGV. This article considers using multi-AGVs as delivery robots to coordinate and sort baggage in the large international airport. This system has the merit of enlarging the accuracy of baggage sorting and delivering. Due to the inaccurate transportation efficiency, a time-dependent stochastic baggage delivery system is proposed and a stochastic model is constructed to characterize the running priority and optimal path planning for multi-AGVs according to the flight information. In the proposed system, ultra-wideband technology is applied to realize precisely positioning and navigation for multi-AGVs in the baggage distribution center. Furthermore, the optimal path planning algorithm based on time-window rules and rapidly exploring random tree algorithm is considered to avoid collision and maneuverability constraints and to determine whether the running path for each AGV is feasible and optimal. Computer simulations are conducted to demonstrate the performance of the proposed method.
An ultrasound service during COVID-19: A single tertiary centre’s experience
Authors: Taylor Margaret Ann , Ramkumar Prasad Guntur
Published: July 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is generating great change and challenge to unparalleled levels across the National Health Service, UK. With insufficient and still emerging evidence on this little known virus, recommendations and guidance are changing continually and still evolving. The authors outline some of the planning through the initial stages of the pandemic within a clinical radiology ultrasound service at one UK tertiary centre. Patient triaging, infection control, equipment, staff mental wellbeing, ongoing training and recovery are all subjects of focus. By sharing our experience and strategies, we anticipate that other similar departments may benefit.
The role of the ‘negativity’ factor in international news coverage: A case study of Latin America in the German press, 2000–2014
Authors: Cazzamatta Regina
Published: July 2020

This paper analyses the predominance of the ‘negativity’ factor as the primary determinant of news coverage in the German press – Süddeutsche Zeitung, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Die Tageszeitung and Der Spiegel – of events in Latin America. Based on a sample of 3831 articles published between January 2000 and December 2014, this study finds a general concentration of negative events (43.05%) with regard to 20 Latin American countries. However, since this number does not exceed 50%, the research assumption of a conflict-oriented news reporting has to be relativised. The ‘negativity’ rate stands out as sectorial depending on specific countries and areas of news coverage. Considerable interest in cultural issues helps to provide a more balanced image. While Honduras, Haiti, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic and Paraguay exhibit a strong negative balance, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Chile and Cuba boast a dynamic, positive image. Brazil and Mexico account for two ambivalent cases.
Patient-oriented research: A qualitative study of research involvement of parents of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities
Authors: Vanderlee Emma , Aston Megan , Turner Karen , McGrath Patrick , Lach Lucyna
Published: July 2020

Patient-oriented research engages patients and caregivers as partners contributing to all phases of the research process. This was the goal of the Strongest Families Institute Neurodevelopmental research, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, when they included a parent advisory committee, made up of parents and caregivers of children and adolescents with a neurodevelopmental condition, to complete their research project. The purpose of this qualitative research was to examine the experiences of researchers and parents of children with a neurodevelopmental condition who participated on a research study advisory committee for the Strongest Families Neurodevelopment research project. From interviews with both parents/caregivers and researchers that played a role on the advisory committee, four major themes emerged on how to negotiate and navigate their time on the committee and what worked well and what did not. This led to recommendations for future researchers and patients who may create or be a part of an advisory committee.
Grounding the transnational: A Vietnamese scholar’s autoethnography
Authors: Phùng Thanh
Published: July 2020

Departing from the dominant trend of favoring flexibility, flattened relations, and deterritorialization in featuring the transnational, this autoethnographic inquiry theorizes and exemplifies how the gravity of place may give rise to the evolvement of scholarship in the context of transnational mobility. I examine my own career trajectory to demonstrate how groundedness results from the dynamics between displacement and emplacement. While recounting my experience of moving back and forth between Western universities and my home institution in Vietnam, I explore issues such as the nation building framework for transnational mobility, scholarly self-formation, and community cultivation. The study centers a mode of emplacement termed ‘existential commitment’. It calls attention to the cultivation of a small, immediate scholarly community as a form of scholarship in the global periphery. The emphasis is on how the transnational can be grounded in local academic practices that address the world at multiple layers and scales.
Doubting Driverless Dilemmas
Authors: De Freitas Julian , Anthony Sam E. , Censi Andrea , Alvarez George A.
Published: July 2020

The alarm has been raised on so-called driverless dilemmas, in which autonomous vehicles will need to make high-stakes ethical decisions on the road. We argue that these arguments are too contrived to be of practical use, are an inappropriate method for making decisions on issues of safety, and should not be used to inform engineering or policy.
Immunoregulatory complement receptor-1 and leukocyte-associated Ig-like receptor-1 expression on leukocytes in Psoriasis vulgaris
Authors: Hammad Reham , Hamdino Mervat , El-Nasser Asmaa M , Sobhy Ali , Eldesoky Noha Abdel-Rahman , Mashaal Alya Mohammad , Ali Hany F
Published: July 2020

Psoriasis vulgaris (PsV) is an immune-mediated inflammatory disorder with devastating psychosocial consequences. Expression of immunoregulator molecules on leukocytes in PsV remains unclear. Leukocyte-associated Ig-like receptor-1 (LAIR-1) and complement receptor-1 (CR-1) are immunoregulator receptors reported to bind complement component 1q involved in phagocytosis. We aimed to explore if altered leukocyte expression of LAIR-1 and CR-1 is associated with PsV. This case–control study included 36 PsV patients and 36 healthy controls. Neutrophils, monocytes and B and T cells were examined by flow cytometry for LAIR-1 and CR-1 mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) and positive cell percentage. Comparison between both groups revealed a significant decrease in LAIR-1 MFI on neutrophils and T cells ( P < 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). CR-1 MFI on neutrophils, monocytes and T cells also showed a significant decrease in patients ( P = 0.033, P = 0.001 and P = 0.040, respectively). There was a significant positive correlation of LAIR-1 MFI on neutrophils with CR-1 MFI on neutrophils ( r = 0.503; P = 0.002) and LAIR-1 MFI on monocytes with CR-1 MFI on monocytes ( r = 0.371; P = 0.026). Receiver operating characteristic curves revealed that CR-1 MFI on monocytes had the highest discrimination power to differentiate patients from controls, with 86.1% specificity and 75% sensitivity ( P = 0.001). In conclusion, altered leukocytes expression of LAIR-1 and CR-1 is associated with PsV. Down-regulated CR-1 MFI on monocytes is a promising diagnostic biomarker for PsV.
Inhibition of miR-21 ameliorates LPS-induced acute lung injury through increasing B cell lymphoma-2 expression
Authors: Ge Junke , Yao Yanfen , Jia Haiyan , Li Pibao , Sun Wei
Published: July 2020

The aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) is associated with the pathogenesis of inflammation-related diseases. However, the biological functions of miR-21 in acute lung injury (ALI) remain largely unknown. In this study, the level of miR-21 was obviously increased, but B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) expression was markedly decreased in LPS-treated human pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells (HPAEpiC). Suppression of miR-21 attenuated LPS-induced apoptosis and inflammation in HPAEpiC and promoted the survival of mice with ALI by decreasing the inflammatory cell count, release of cytokines and permeability in lung tissues. Importantly, Bcl-2 was a direct target of miR-21, and its expression was significantly inhibited by miR-21 mimics at a post-transcriptional level. Besides, Bcl-2 over-expression reversed miR-21-induced apoptosis and inflammation status and showed synergic effects with miR-21 inhibitor in LPS-treated HPAEpiC. In conclusion, inhibition of miR-21 could ameliorate apoptosis and inflammation by restoring the expression of Bcl-2 in LPS-induced HPAEpiC and mice, which might provide therapeutic strategies for the treatment of ALI.
The potential role of metformin in the treatment of patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: a review of preclinical to clinical evidence
Authors: Pusceddu Sara , Vernieri Claudio , Prinzi Natalie , Torchio Martina , Coppa Jorgelina , Antista Maria , Niger Monica , Milione Massimo , Giacomelli Luca , Corti Francesca , Prisciandaro Michele , Monteleone Michela , Colombo Elena , Di Bartolomeo Maria , de Braud Filppo
Published: July 2020

The incidence of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (panNETs) has increased worldwide in the last two decades. Given the indolent nature of these tumors, several patients are diagnosed with metastatic disease, which partially impairs the long-term efficacy of currently available treatments and reduces survival rates. The search for new therapeutic strategies for cancer patients has pushed towards the retrospective analysis of studies involving patients who concomitantly received other drugs together with standard anticancer agents. In this light, several retrospective analyses have shown that metformin use is associated with improved prognosis in patients with different tumor types treated with standard antitumor agents. Metformin, the cornerstone oral agent for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, plays a role in modulating glucose cell metabolism. Its potential ability to interfere with tumors may derive from the tight relationship between metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells and tumor progression. Indications for metformin use as an anticancer drug result from pre-clinical and clinical observations. In particular, metformin use in diabetic patients with advanced panNETs has been associated with better progression-free survival in patients treated with somatostatin analogues with or without metformin.