bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self-efficacy assessment tools for individuals with depression: protocol for a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Rosas Marina Araújo , Cordeiro Tattiana Dias de Carvalho , Silva Tatiana de Paula Santana da , Caldas Ada Salvetti Cavalcanti , Ribeiro Carlos Eduardo de Souza Leão , Marinho Manoel Henrique da Nóbrega , Lima Murilo Duarte da Costa , Vasconcelos Selene Cordeiro
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Depression is a common debilitating disease that affects individuals in all age groups. The impact of the diagnosis extends beyond the individual, with negative effects on mental health, physical health and social well-being. Self-efficacy has been referenced as an important aspect to the prognosis of mood disorders by conferring co-responsibility to the affected individual to face his/her health problems. Several assessment tools are found in the literature for measuring self-efficacy, but it is not yet clear which of these measures are more applicable to individuals with mood disorders, particularly depression. Thus, the aim of present study is to propose a systematic review to examine the psychometric properties and applicability of assessment tools designed to measure self-efficacy in individuals with symptoms and/or a diagnosis of depression.

Methods and analysis

This protocol is reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols statement and the review will be reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. The evaluation of the psychometric properties of the health outcome measures will be conducted according to COSMIN guidelines. Two independent reviewers will perform the electronic searches in the PubMed, Web of Science, PsycInfo, SCOPUS and CINAHL databases, followed by the use of the ‘snowball’ strategy. The inclusion criteria will be (1) instrument validation studies, (2) developed with individuals of any age (3) with symptoms or a diagnosis of depression. Two independent reviewers will analyse the titles and abstracts of the articles retrieved during the search for pre-selection, followed by full-text analyses to determine inclusion in the review based on the eligibility criteria. Cases of a divergence of opinion will be resolved by a third reviewer. Descriptive analysis of the articles will be performed (data on participants, characteristics, psychometric properties and clinical usefulness of the assessment tools).

Ethics and dissemination

The proposed systematic review will provide information on assessment tools employed to measure self-efficacy with regard to coping with depression, offering data on the psychometric properties, strong and weak points, and clinical applicability. As a secondary analysis of the literature, the approval of an ethics committee is not required.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42017078707
Does pain, psychological distress and deteriorated family economy follow traumatic amputation among war casualties? A retrospective, cross-sectional study from Gaza
Authors: Heszlein-Lossius Hanne Edoy , Al-Borno Yahya , Shaqqoura Samar , Skaik Nashwa , Giil Lasse Melvaer , Gilbert Mads
Published: June 2019

Objectives

The aim of this study was to explore determinants of psychosocial distress and pain in patients who have survived severe extremity amputation in Gaza.

Setting

This study was conducted in a secondary care rehabilitation centre in Gaza, Palestine. The clinic is Gaza’s sole provider of artificial limbs.

Participants

We included 254 civilian Palestinians who had survived but lost one or more limb(s) during military incursions from 2006 to 2016. We included patients with surgically treated amputation injuries who attended physical rehabilitation at a specialist prosthesis centre in Gaza. Amputees with injuries prior to 2006 or non-military related injuries were excluded.

We assessed their pain and psychological stress using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). We used income, amputation severity scored by proximity to torso, current employment status, loss of family members and loss of home as independent variables.

Results

The amputees median age was 23 years at the time of trauma, while a median of 4.3 years had passed from trauma to study inclusion. Nine of 10 were male, while 43 were children when they were amputated (17%≤18 years). One hundred and ninety-one (75%) were unemployed and 112 (44%) reported unemployment caused by being amputated. Pain was the most frequent problem, and 80 amputees (32%) reported to suffer from daily pain. Family income was significantly correlated with the physical pain (OR=0.54, CI 0.36 to 0.80, p=0.002). Psychological distress was higher among unemployed amputees (OR=1.36, CI 1.07 to 1.72, p=0.011). We found no association between psychological distress (GHQ-scores) and the extent of the initial amputation.

Conclusion

Pain and psychological distress following war-related extremity amputation of one or more limbs correlated stronger with deteriorated family economy and being unemployed than with the anatomical and medical severity of extremity amputations.
Prehospital tranexamic acid shortens the interval to administration by half in Major Trauma Networks: a service evaluation
Authors: Marsden Max E R , Rossetto Andrea , Duffield Charles A B , Woolley Thomas G D , Buxton William P , Steynberg Sarah , Bagga Rahul , Tai Nigel R M
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Tranexamic acid (TXA) reduces bleeding and mortality. Recent trials have demonstrated improved survival with shorter intervals to TXA administration. The aims of this service evaluation were to assess the interval from injury to TXA administration and describe the characteristics of patients who received TXA pre-hospital and in-hospital.

Methods

We reviewed Trauma and Audit Research Network records and local trauma registries to identify patients of any age that received TXA at all London Major Trauma Centres and Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, during 2017. We used the 2016 NICE Guidelines (NG39) which state that TXA should be given within 3 hours of injury.

Results

We identified 1018 patients who received TXA, of whom 661 (65%) had sufficient data to assess the time from injury to TXA administration. The median interval was 74 min (IQR: 47–116). 92% of patients received TXA within 3 hours from injury, and 59% within 1 hour. Half of the patients (54%) received prehospital TXA. The median time to TXA administration when given prehospital was 51 min (IQR: 39–72), and 112 min (IQR: 84–160) if given in-hospital (p<0.001). In-hospital TXA patients had less haemodynamic derangement and lower base deficit on admission compared with patients given prehospital TXA.

Conclusion

Prehospital administration of TXA is associated with a shorter interval from injury to drug delivery. Identifying a proportion of patients at risk of haemorrhage remains a challenge. However, further reinforcement is needed to empower pre-hospital clinicians to administer TXA to trauma patients without overt signs of shock.
Diagnostic concordance in cases of appendiceal mucinous neoplasia referred to a tertiary referral centre
Authors: Amin Aliasger , Carr Norman
Published: June 2019

Accurate diagnosis of appendiceal tumours and any associated peritoneal disease is clinically important but can be difficult. We retrieved the records of patients referred to the Peritoneal Malignancy Institute, Basingstoke, in the years 2016, 2017 and 2018 with a diagnosis of mucinous appendiceal neoplasia and identified 323 patients in which slides were reviewed as part of the referral pathway. Comparing the local report from the referring centre with the central review report, in 57 (18%) we identified a discrepancy. In 39 (12%) the discrepancy was in overall diagnosis, including 22 (7%) in which the local diagnosis was low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm whereas the review diagnosis was reactive mucosal changes, usually due to ruptured diverticulum, with no evidence of neoplasia. Our findings support the practice of central review of histopathology slides by experienced pathologists at tertiary referral centres. They also suggest that improvements in diagnostic criteria are needed.
Practical allocation system for the distribution of specialised care during cellular therapy access scarcity
Authors: Hantel Andrew , Abel Gregory A , Siegler Mark
Published: June 2019

Novel cellular therapy techniques promise to cure many haematology patients refractory to other treatment modalities. These therapies are intensive and require referral to and care from specialised providers. In the USA, this pool of providers is not expanding at a rate necessary to meet expected demand; therefore, access scarcity appears forthcoming and is likely to be widespread. To maintain fair access to these scarce and curative therapies, we must prospectively create a just and practical system to distribute care. In this article, we first review previously implemented medical product and personnel allocation systems, examining their applicability to cellular therapy provider shortages to demonstrate that this problem requires a novel approach. We then present an innovative system for allocating cellular therapy access, which accounts for the constraints of distribution during real-world oncology practice by using a combination of the following principles: (1) maximising life-years per personnel time, (2) youngest and robust first, (3) sickest first, (4) first come/first served and (5) instrumental value. We conclude with justifications for the incorporation of these principles and the omission of others, discuss how access can be distributed using this combination, consider cost and review fundamental factors necessary for the practical implementation and maintenance of this system.
What a drag it is getting old: a response to Räsänen
Authors: Brassington Iain
Published: June 2019

In this brief response to Joona Räsänen’s argument for the coherence and desirability of being able legally to change one’s age, I outline a couple of reasons for thinking that the case he makes is deeply flawed. As such, I contend that we have no reason to think that age should be the kind of thing that one should be able to change legally. Moreover, we have at least one good reason for thinking that legal age change would be positively undesirable.
Impact of tax increases on illicit cigarette trade in Mongolia
Authors: Ross Hana , Vellios Nicole , Batmunkh Tsetsegsaikhan , Enkhtsogt Myadagmaa , Rossouw Laura
Published: June 2019

Background

The Mongolian government increased import tobacco tax by 30% in May 2017 and excise tobacco tax by 10% in January 2018. To assess the impact of these tax increases on illicit cigarette trade, we estimate illicit trade before and after tax increases.

Methods

Discarded cigarette packs were collected in the capital city and in two provinces near China, the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan. Tax increases occurred between all three rounds (April 2017, August/September 2017, May/June 2018). Cigarette packs are identified as illicit if there is evidence that tax was not paid. This is deduced from the absence of the Mongolian excise tax stamp, or the absence of traces of a tax stamp (glue residue). Data are weighted to represent the areas sampled.

Results

In round 1, 15.4% (95% CI 14.6% to 16.2%) of the 7494 collected packs were illicit. This estimate decreased to 13.6% (95% CI 12.7% to 14.5%) in round 2 (5852 collected packs) and to 6.3% (95% CI 5.7% to 6.9%) in round 3 (6258 collected packs). Illicit cigarettes originated primarily from the Republic of Korea and Ukraine, but some were manufactured in Mongolia. While the majority of illicit products are supplied by global companies (Korea Tobacco & Ginseng, Imperial Tobacco and Philip Morris Kazakhstan), one local company, Mongol Tobacco SO, is also implicated.

Conclusions

The share of illicit cigarettes declined between rounds 1 and 2 despite the import tax increase, and this trend continued in round 3 despite the excise tax increase.
Accuracy evaluation of statically backcalculated layer properties of asphalt pavements from falling weight deflectometer data
Authors: Fu Guozhi , Xue Cheng , Zhao Yanqing , Cao Dandan , Alae Mohsen
Published: June 2019

This study is to evaluate the dynamic effects of falling weight deflectometer (FWD) loading on the surface deflection of asphalt pavement and the accuracy of statically backcalculated layer moduli from FWD data. The dynamic and static deflections were computed using the spectral element method and the layer elastic theory, respectively, for various pavement structures. The static deflection is considerably larger than the dynamic deflection for typical FWD loading and the normalized difference between static and dynamic deflections increases with increasing distance from the load center and decreases with increasing loading duration. The dynamic deflections were utilized to backcalculate the layer moduli using two static backcalculation procedures, MODULUS and EVERCALC. The backcalculated moduli can be significantly different from the actual moduli. The results indicate that the static backcalculation procedure can lead to significant errors in the backcalculated layer moduli by ignoring the dynamic effects of FWD loading.
A Fuzzy Goal Programming Approach for Solving Multi-Objective Supply Chain Network Problems with Pareto-Distributed Random Variables
Authors: Charles Vincent , Gupta Srikant , Ali Irfan
Published: June 2019

Uncertainty is unavoidable and addressing the same is inevitable. That everything is available at our doorstep is due to a well-managed modern global supply chain, which takes place despite its efficiency and effectiveness being threatened by various sources of uncertainty originating from the demand side, supply side, manufacturing process, and planning and control systems. This paper addresses the demand- and supply-rooted uncertainty. In order to cope with uncertainty within the constrained multi-objective supply chain network, this paper develops a fuzzy goal programming methodology, with solution procedures. The probabilistic fuzzy goal multi-objective supply chain network (PFG-MOSCN) problem is thus formulated and then solved by three different approaches, namely, simple additive goal programming approach, weighted goal programming approach, and pre-emptive goal programming approach, to obtain the optimal solution. The proposed work links fuzziness in transportation cost and delivery time with randomness in demand and supply parameters. The results may prove to be important for operational managers in manufacturing units, interested in optimizing transportation costs and delivery time, and implicitly, in optimizing profits. A numerical example is provided to illustrate the proposed model.
Exploiting the point spread function for optical imaging through a scattering medium based on deconvolution method
Authors: He Hexiang , Xie Xiangsheng , Liu Yikun , Liang Haowen , Zhou Jianying
Published: June 2019

Visual perception of humans penetrating turbid medium is hampered by scattering. Various techniques have been prompted recently to recover optical imaging through turbid materials. Among them, speckle correlation based on deconvolution is one of the most attractive methods taking advantage of high imaging quality, robustness, ease-of-use, and ease-of-integration. By exploiting the point spread function (PSF) of the scattering system, large Field-of-View, extended Depth-of-Field, noninvasiveness and spectral resoluation are now available as successful solutions for high quality and multifunctional image reconstruction. In this paper, we review the progress of imaging through a scattering medium based on deconvolution method, including the principle, the breakthrough of the limitation of the optical memory effect, the improvement of the deconvolution algorithm and innovative applications.
Some properties of zero divisor graph obtained by the ring Zp × Zq × Zr
Authors: Akgunes Nihat , Nacaroglu Yasar
Published: June 2019

The concept of zero-divisor graph of a commutative ring was introduced by Beck [Coloring of commutating ring, J. Algebra 116 (1988) 208–226]. In this paper, we present some properties of zero divisor graphs obtained from ring [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are primes. Also, we give some degree-based topological indices of this special graph.
New Performance Modeling Methods for Parallel Data Processing Applications
Authors: Bhimani Janki , Mi Ningfang , Leeser Miriam , Yang Zhengyu
Published: June 2019

Predicting the performance of an application running on parallel computing platforms is increasingly becoming important because of its influence on development time and resource management. However, predicting the performance with respect to parallel processes is complex for iterative and multi-stage applications. This research proposes a performance approximation approach
FiM
to predict the calculation time with FiM-Cal and communication time with FiM-Com of an application running on a distributed framework. FiM-Cal consists of two key components that are coupled with each other: (1) a Stochastic Markov Model to capture non-deterministic runtime that often depends on parallel resources, e.g., number of processes, and (2) a machine-learning model that extrapolates the parameters for calibrating our Markov model when we have changes in application parameters such as dataset. Along with the parallel calculation time, parallel computing platforms consume some data transfer time to communicate among different nodes. FiM-Com consists of a simulation queuing model to quickly estimate communication time. Our new modeling approach considers different design choices along multiple dimensions, namely (i) process-level parallelism, (ii) distribution of cores on multi-processor platform, (iii) application related parameters, and (iv) characteristics of datasets. The major contribution of our prediction approach is that FiM can provide an accurate prediction of parallel processing time for the datasets that have a much larger size than that of the training datasets. We evaluate our approach with NAS Parallel Benchmarks and real iterative data processing applications. We compare the predicted results (e.g., end-to-end execution time) with actual experimental measurements on a real distributed platform. We also compare our work with an existing prediction technique based on machine learning. We rank the number of processes according to the actual and predicted results from FiM and calculate the correlation between the actual and predicted rankings. Our results show that FiM obtains a high correlation in the range of 0.80 to 0.99, which indicates considerable accuracy of our technique. Such prediction provides data analysts a useful insight of optimal configuration of parallel resources (e.g., number of processes and number of cores) and also helps system designers to investigate the impact of changes in application parameters on system performance.
WiFi Sensing with Channel State Information
Authors: Ma Yongsen , Zhou Gang , Wang Shuangquan
Published: June 2019

With the high demand for wireless data traffic, WiFi networks have experienced very rapid growth, because they provide high throughput and are easy to deploy. Recently, Channel State Information (CSI) measured by WiFi networks is widely used for different sensing purposes. To get a better understanding of existing WiFi sensing technologies and future WiFi sensing trends, this survey gives a comprehensive review of the signal processing techniques, algorithms, applications, and performance results of WiFi sensing with CSI. Different WiFi sensing algorithms and signal processing techniques have their own advantages and limitations and are suitable for different WiFi sensing applications. The survey groups CSI-based WiFi sensing applications into three categories, detection, recognition, and estimation, depending on whether the outputs are binary/multi-class classifications or numerical values. With the development and deployment of new WiFi technologies, there will be more WiFi sensing opportunities wherein the targets may go beyond from humans to environments, animals, and objects. The survey highlights three challenges for WiFi sensing: robustness and generalization, privacy and security, and coexistence of WiFi sensing and networking. Finally, the survey presents three future WiFi sensing trends, i.e., integrating cross-layer network information, multi-device cooperation, and fusion of different sensors, for enhancing existing WiFi sensing capabilities and enabling new WiFi sensing opportunities.
From Hack to Elaborate Technique—A Survey on Binary Rewriting
Authors: Wenzl Matthias , Merzdovnik Georg , Ullrich Johanna , Weippl Edgar
Published: June 2019

Binary rewriting is changing the semantics of a program without having the source code at hand. It is used for diverse purposes, such as emulation (e.g., QEMU), optimization (e.g., DynInst), observation (e.g., Valgrind), and hardening (e.g., Control flow integrity enforcement). This survey gives detailed insight into the development and state-of-the-art in binary rewriting by reviewing 67 publications from 1966 to 2018. Starting from these publications, we provide an in-depth investigation of the challenges and respective solutions to accomplish binary rewriting. Based on our findings, we establish a thorough categorization of binary rewriting approaches with respect to their use-case, applied analysis technique, code-transformation method, and code generation techniques. We contribute a comprehensive mapping between binary rewriting tools, applied techniques, and their domain of application. Our findings emphasize that although much work has been done over the past decades, most of the effort was put into improvements aiming at rewriting general purpose applications but ignoring other challenges like altering throughput-oriented programs or software with real-time requirements, which are often used in the emerging field of the Internet of Things. To the best of our knowledge, our survey is the first comprehensive overview on the complete binary rewriting process.
Infinite Swapping using IID Samples
Authors: Dupuis Paul , Wu Guo-jhen , Snarski Michael
Published: June 2019

We propose a new method for estimating rare event probabilities when independent samples are available. It is assumed that the underlying probability measures satisfy a large deviation principle with a scaling parameter ε that we call temperature. We show how by combining samples at different temperatures, one can construct an estimator with greatly reduced variance. Although as presented here the method is not as broadly applicable as other rare event simulation methods, such as splitting or importance sampling, it does not require any problem-dependent constructions.
Infrastructure-Independent Indoor Localization and Navigation
Authors: Winter Stephan , Tomko Martin , Vasardani Maria , Richter Kai-Florian , Khoshelham Kourosh , Kalantari Mohsen
Published: June 2019

In the absence of any global positioning infrastructure for indoor environments, research on supporting human indoor localization and navigation trails decades behind research on outdoor localization and navigation. The major barrier to broader progress has been the dependency of indoor positioning on environment-specific infrastructure and resulting tailored technical solutions. Combined with the fragmentation and compartmentalization of indoor environments, this poses significant challenges to widespread adoption of indoor location-based services. This article puts aside all approaches of infrastructure-based support for human indoor localization and navigation and instead reviews technical concepts that are
independent
of sensors embedded in the environment. The reviewed concepts rely on a mobile computing platform with sensing capability and a human interaction interface (“smartphone”). This platform may or may not carry a stored map of the environment, but does not require
in situ
internet access. In this regard, the presented approaches are more challenging than any localization and navigation solutions specific to a particular, infrastructure-equipped indoor space, since they are not adapted to local context, and they may lack some of the accuracy achievable with those tailored solutions. However, only these approaches have the potential to be universally applicable.
A Survey of Timing Verification Techniques for Multi-Core Real-Time Systems
Authors: Maiza Claire , Rihani Hamza , Rivas Juan M. , Goossens Joël , Altmeyer Sebastian , Davis Robert I.
Published: June 2019

This survey provides an overview of the scientific literature on timing verification techniques for multi-core real-time systems. It reviews the key results in the field from its origins around 2006 to the latest research published up to the end of 2018. The survey highlights the key issues involved in providing guarantees of timing correctness for multi-core systems. A detailed review is provided covering four main categories: full integration, temporal isolation, integrating interference effects into schedulability analysis, and mapping and allocation. The survey concludes with a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of these different approaches, identifying open issues, key challenges, and possible directions for future research.
Predicting the Simulation Budget in Ranking and Selection Procedures
Authors: Ma Sijia , Henderson Shane G.
Published: June 2019

The goal of ranking and selection (R8S) procedures is to identify the best among a finite set of alternative systems evaluated by stochastic simulation, providing a probability guarantee on the quality of the solution. To solve large-scale R8S problems, especially in parallel computing platforms where variable numbers of cores might be used, it is helpful to be able to predict the simulation budget, which is almost always the dominant portion of the running time of a given procedure for a given problem. Non-trivial issues arise due to the need to estimate the system configuration. We propose a set of methods for predicting the simulation budget. Numerical results compare our predictions for several leading R8S procedures.
Urine citrate excretion identifies changes in acid retention as eGFR declines in patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Goraya Nimrit , Simoni Jan , Sager Lauren N. , Mamun Abdullah , Madias Nicolaos E. , Wesson Donald E.
Published: June 2019

Previous studies have shown that acid (H+) retention in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) but without metabolic acidosis increases as the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decreases over time. The present study examined whether changes in urine excretion of the pH-sensitive metabolite citrate predicted changes in H+ retention over time in similar patients with CKD that were followed for 10 yr. We randomized 120 CKD2 nondiabetic, hypertension-associated nephropathy patients with plasma total CO2 of >24 mM to receive 0.5 meq·kg body wt−1·day−1 NaHCO3 ([Formula: see text]; n = 40), 0.5 meq·kg body wt−1·day−1 NaCl (NaCl; n = 40), or usual care (UC; n = 40). We assessed eGFR (CKD-EPI) and H+ retention by comparing the observed with expected plasma total CO2 increase 2 h after an oral NaHCO3 bolus (0.5 meq/kg body wt). Although 10 yr versus baseline eGFR was lower for each group, 10-yr eGFR was higher ( P < 0.01) in [Formula: see text] (59.6 ± 4.8 ml·min−1·1.73 m−2) than NaCl and UC (52.1 ± 5.9 and 52.3 ± 4.1 ml·min−1·1.73 m−2, respectively) groups. Less eGFR preservation was associated with higher 10-yr versus baseline H+ retention in the NaCl group (26.5 ± 13.1 vs. 18.2 ± 15.3 mmol, P < 0.01) and UC group (24.8 ± 11.3 vs. 17.7 ± 10.9 mmol, P < 0.01) and with lower 10-yr versus baseline 8-h urine citrate excretion (UcitrateV) for the NaCl group (162 ± 47 vs. 196 ± 52 mg, respectively, P < 0.01) and UC group (153 ± 41 vs. 186 ± 42 mg, respectively, P < 0.01). Conversely, better eGFR preservation in the [Formula: see text] group was associated with no differences in 10-yr versus baseline H+ retention (14.2 ±13.5 vs. 16.1 ± 15.1 mmol, P = 1.00) or UcitrateV (212 ± 45 vs. 203 ± 49 mg, respectively, P = 0.74). An overall generalized linear model for repeated measures showed that UcitrateV predicted H+ retention ( P < 0.01). Less eGFR preservation in patients with CKD2 without metabolic acidosis was associated with increased H+ retention that was predicted by decreased UcitrateV.
Recovery of contralesional saccade choice and reaction time deficits after a unilateral endothelin-1-induced lesion in the macaque caudal prefrontal cortex
Authors: Adam Ramina , Johnston Kevin , Everling Stefan
Published: June 2019

The caudal primate prefrontal cortex (PFC) is involved in target selection and visually guided saccades through both covert attention and overt orienting eye movements. Unilateral damage to the caudal PFC often leads to decreased awareness of a contralesional target alone, referred to as “neglect,” or when it is presented simultaneously with an ipsilesional target, referred to as “extinction.” In the current study, we examined whether deficits in contralesional target selection were due to contralesional oculomotor deficits, such as slower reaction times. We experimentally induced a focal ischemic lesion in the right caudal PFC of 4 male macaque monkeys using the vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 and measured saccade choice and reaction times on double-stimulus free-choice tasks and single-stimulus trials before and after the lesion. We found that 1) endothelin-1-induced lesions in the caudal PFC produced contralesional target selection deficits that varied in severity and duration based on lesion volume and location; 2) contralesional neglect-like deficits were transient and recovered by week 4 postlesion; 3) contralesional extinction-like deficits were longer lasting and recovered by weeks 8–16 postlesion; 4) contralesional reaction time returned to baseline well before the contralesional choice deficit had recovered; and 5) neither the mean reaction times nor the reaction time distributions could account for the degree of contralesional extinction on the free-choice task throughout recovery. These findings demonstrate that the saccade choice bias observed after a right caudal PFC lesion is not exclusively due to contralesional motor deficits, but instead reflects a combination of impaired motor and attentional processing.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Unilateral damage to the caudal prefrontal cortex in macaque monkeys results in impaired contralesional target selection during the simultaneous presentation of an ipsilesional target. We show that the recovery of contralesional target selection cannot be explained by the recovery of prolonged contralesional saccadic reaction times alone. This indicates that an impairment in contralesional attentional processing contributes to the magnitude of the saccade choice bias in the weeks following a unilateral caudal prefrontal cortex lesion.
Discrimination of bursts and tonic activity in multifunctional sensorimotor neural network using the extended hill-valley method
Authors: Chung Bryce P. , Edwards Donald H.
Published: June 2019

Individual neurons can exhibit a wide range of activity, including spontaneous spiking, tonic spiking, bursting, or spike-frequency adaptation, and can also transition between these activity types. Manual identification of these activity patterns can be subjective and inconsistent. The extended hill-valley (EHV) analysis discriminates tonic spiking and bursts in a spike train by detecting fluctuations in a local, history-dependent analysis signal derived from the spike train. Consequently, the EHV method is not susceptible to changes in baseline firing rate and can identify different types of activity patterns. In addition, output from the EHV method can be used to identify more complex activity patterns such as phasotonic bursting, in which a burst is immediately followed by a period of tonic spiking.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Neurons exhibit diverse spiking patterns, but automated activity classification has focused mainly on detecting bursts. The novel extended hill-valley algorithm uses a smoothed, history-dependent signal to discriminate different types of activity, such as bursts and tonic spiking.
Learning Physiology from Inherited Kidney Disorders
Authors: van der Wijst Jenny , Belge Hendrica , Bindels René J. M. , Devuyst Olivier
Published: June 2019

The identification of genes causing inherited kidney diseases yielded crucial insights in the molecular basis of disease and improved our understanding of physiological processes that operate in the kidney. Monogenic kidney disorders are caused by mutations in genes coding for a large variety of proteins including receptors, channels and transporters, enzymes, transcription factors, and structural components, operating in specialized cell types that perform highly regulated homeostatic functions. Common variants in some of these genes are also associated with complex traits, as evidenced by genome-wide association studies in the general population. In this review, we discuss how the molecular genetics of inherited disorders affecting different tubular segments of the nephron improved our understanding of various transport processes and of their involvement in homeostasis, while providing novel therapeutic targets. These include inherited disorders causing a dysfunction of the proximal tubule (renal Fanconi syndrome), with emphasis on epithelial differentiation and receptor-mediated endocytosis, or affecting the reabsorption of glucose, the handling of uric acid, and the reabsorption of sodium, calcium, and magnesium along the kidney tubule.
Safety and Feasibility of Transanal Endoscopic Surgery for Diffuse Cavernous Hemangioma of the Rectum
Authors: Zeng Ziwei , Wu Xianrui , Chen Junji , Luo Shuangling , Hou Yujie , Kang Liang
Published: June 2019

Purpose. To evaluate the safety and feasibility of transanal endoscopic surgery for diffuse cavernous hemangioma of the rectum (DCHR). Methods. All DCHR patients who underwent transanal endoscopic surgery in our hospital between January 2014 and June 2018 were reviewed. Results. A total of 7 patients with a diagnosis of DCHR underwent transanal endoscopic surgery during the study period. Four patients (57.1%) were male, with a mean age at surgery of 34.5±7.7 years, and three patients (42.9%) were female, with a mean age at surgery of 29.9±3.8 years. Recurrent painless rectal bleeding was the main symptom in all patients. The mean age was 32 years old (range 21-54 years). The median duration of symptoms was 10 years (range 1 month-50 years). The level of hemoglobin at admission ranged from 59.0 to 148.0 g/l (mean 106.6 g/l), and the level of mean corpuscular volume (MCV) ranged from 75.1 fl to 93.5 fl (mean 83.7 fl). Colonoscopy, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were important in the diagnosis of DCHR because of their high positive rates and accurate features. All of the lesions are between the anal canal and the descending colon. Two patients could be found with some enlarged serpentine vessels in the cervix, vagina, or corpus cavernosum by MRI. After admission, all the patients underwent transanal endoscopic surgery and four patients had simultaneous loop ileostomy. The mean operative time was 278 min (range 168-400 min). The median amount of intraoperative blood loss was 50 ml (range 10-300 ml). The mean distance from anal verge to anastomosis was 2.2±0.2 cm. The anastomosis was fashioned with a stapler in two patients (28.6%). There were no intraoperative and postoperative complications. All the patients continued to recover well from the surgery, and nobody needed postoperative blood transfusions. Conclusions. The specific diagnosis rate of DCHR is low. Preoperative MRI and CT examination can make a definitive diagnosis and determine the extent of the lesions. DCHR is mostly restricted to the rectum, sigmoid colon, anal wall, and mesorectum. The best treatment for DCHR is complete lesion resection. It is safe and feasible to treat DCHR using transanal endoscopic surgery. Moreover, transanal endoscopic surgery might have a huge potential when used to treat other rectal diseases.
Nontrivial Solutions for a Higher Order Nonlinear Fractional Boundary Value Problem Involving Riemann-Liouville Fractional Derivatives
Authors: Zhang Keyu , O’Regan Donal , Xu Jiafa , Fu Zhengqing
Published: June 2019

In this paper using topological degree we study the existence of nontrivial solutions for a higher order nonlinear fractional boundary value problem involving Riemann-Liouville fractional derivatives. Here, the nonlinearity can be sign-changing and can also depend on the derivatives of unknown functions.
Impact of Nuclear Interleukin-1 Alpha and EGFR Expression on Recurrence and Survival Outcomes in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Authors: Rajan Anand , Gibson-Corley Katherine N. , Choi Allen B. , Ofori-Amanfo Georgina K. , Ten Eyck Patrick , Espinosa-Cotton Madelyn , Sperry Steven M. , Simons Andrean L.
Published: June 2019

Interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α) is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in inflammation and immune response and is upregulated in many solid tumors including head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Although IL-1αexpression is generally associated with poor prognosis, the implications of the subcellular localization of IL-1αexpression in patient outcomes are poorly understood. This study is aimed at investigating the prognostic value of nuclear and cytoplasmic immunohistochemical IL-1αexpression in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs). Tissue microarrays containing 146 OSCCs were analyzed for IL-1αand epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression by immunohistochemistry. IL-1αand EGFR expression scores were correlated with clinicopathological parameters and survival outcomes. IL-1αexpression was observed in the nuclear and/or cytoplasmic compartments in 98% of evaluable tumors and 78% of tumors expressed IL-1αin both compartments. There were no differences observed in overall survival or progression-free survival between high, moderate, or negative IL-1αnuclear/cytoplasmic expression scores. When IL-1αnuclear/cytoplasmic expression scores were stratified by positive or negative EGFR expression, tumors with a combined EGFR-positive and high nuclear IL-1αexpression profile were significantly more likely to possess perineural invasion and were significantly associated with a high risk of tumor recurrence and worse progression-free survival compared to all other EGFR and combined IL-1α/EGFR expression profiles. Altogether, nuclear IL-1αexpression may enhance the prognostic value of EGFR in OSCC and warrants further study as a prognostic biomarker for recurrence.
Stay Fit, Stay Young: Mitochondria in Movement: The Role of Exercise in the New Mitochondrial Paradigm
Authors: Huertas Jesus R. , Casuso Rafael A. , Agustín Pablo Hernansanz , Cogliati Sara
Published: June 2019

Skeletal muscles require the proper production and distribution of energy to sustain their work. To ensure this requirement is met, mitochondria form large networks within skeletal muscle cells, and during exercise, they can enhance their functions. In the present review, we discuss recent findings on exercise-induced mitochondrial adaptations. We emphasize the importance of mitochondrial biogenesis, morphological changes, and increases in respiratory supercomplex formation as mechanisms triggered by exercise that may increase the function of skeletal muscles. Finally, we highlight the possible effects of nutraceutical compounds on mitochondrial performance during exercise and outline the use of exercise as a therapeutic tool in noncommunicable disease prevention. The resulting picture shows that the modulation of mitochondrial activity by exercise is not only fundamental for physical performance but also a key point for whole-organism well-being.
Induction of Macrophage M2b/c Polarization by Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Sun Meng , Sun Linxiao , Huang Chongchu , Chen Bi-cheng , Zhou Zhenxu
Published: June 2019

Background. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) can promote healing and inhibit inflammation/immune response in local tissues, while the detailed mechanism remains unknown. Results. ADMSCs and peritoneal macrophages were collected from C57BL/6 mice. The culture medium (CM) from ADMSCs (24 hours cultured) was collected. The CM was added to the Mφ culture system with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or IL-4/IL-13 or blank. And those Mφ cultures without adding CM were used as controls. A series of classification markers and signaling pathways for Mφ polarization were detected by using flow cytometry, RT-PCR, and western blotting. Furthermore, the cell viability of all the groups was detected by CCK8 assay. After CM induction in different groups, M1-Mφ markers and M2a-Mφ were decreased; however, M2b/c-Mφ markers increased. STAT3/SOCS3 and STAT6/IRF4 were suppressed in all 3 CM-treated groups. Moreover, the cell viability of all 3 groups which were induced by CM significantly increased as compared to that of the control groups without adding CM. Conclusion. ADMSCs can induce nonactivated macrophage and M1-Mφ into M2b/c-Mφ. Downregulation of the STAT3 and STAT6 pathway may involve in this process. This data shows that the anti-inflammatory role of ADMSC in local tissues may be partly due to their effect on Mφ to M2b/c-Mφ.
Generation of iPSCs by Nonintegrative RNA-Based Reprogramming Techniques: Benefits of Self-Replicating RNA versus Synthetic mRNA
Authors: Steinle Heidrun , Weber Marbod , Behring Andreas , Mau-Holzmann Ulrike , Schlensak Christian , Wendel Hans Peter , Avci-Adali Meltem
Published: June 2019

The reprogramming of somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is gaining in importance in the fields of regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, and disease modeling. Patient-specific iPSCs have as an unlimited cell source a tremendous potential for generating various types of autologous cells. For the future clinical applicability of these iPSC-derived cells, the generation of iPSCs via nongenome integrating methods and the efficient reprogramming of patients’ somatic cells are required. In this study, 2 different RNA-based footprint-free methods for the generation of iPSCs were compared: the use of synthetic modified messenger RNAs (mRNAs) or self-replicating RNAs (srRNAs) encoding the reprogramming factors and GFP. Using both RNA-based methods, integration-free iPSCs without genomic alterations were obtained. The pluripotency characteristics identified by specific marker detection and the in vitro and in vivo trilineage differentiation capacity were comparable. Moreover, the incorporation of a GFP encoding sequence into the srRNA enabled a direct and convenient monitoring of the reprogramming procedure and the successful detection of srRNA translation in the transfected cells. Nevertheless, the use of a single srRNA to induce pluripotency was less time consuming, faster, and more efficient than the daily transfection of cells with synthetic mRNAs. Therefore, we believe that the srRNA-based approach might be more appropriate and efficient for the reprogramming of different types of somatic cells for clinical applications.
Deep Venous Thrombosis in Patients with Erythema Nodosum Leprosum in the Use of Thalidomide and Systemic Corticosteroid in Reference Service in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais
Authors: Pôrto Luiz Alberto Bomjardim , Grossi Maria Aparecida de Faria , Alecrim Edilamar Silva de , Xavier Marcus Henrique de Souza Brito , Paiva e Silva Frederico , Pires Amalia Sathler , Silva Fabianny Sanglard da , Lyon Sandra
Published: June 2019

Introduction. Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) is a type of lepra reaction treated with corticosteroids and thalidomide, but this association increases the risk of deep venous thrombosis (DVT).Objective. To report cases of ENL with DVT in the use of thalidomide/corticosteroid associated.Methodology. The study was conducted between December 2015 and December 2016 at the Eduardo de Menezes Hospital (HEM-FHEMIG).Results. A clinical case series of 16 patients, eight from HEM-FHEMIG and eight from the literature. DVT occurred on 4 continents, mainly in adults and men. All patients were multibacillary; four people had pulmonary embolism (PE); there were 11 unilateral and five bilateral DVT cases; 12 cases were proximal, two distal, and two unspecified. Pharmacological thromboprophylaxis was used on two individuals. Outcome after DVT, 14 patients improved, one had sequelae, and one died.Discussion. DVT increased in association with thalidomide/corticosteroid in multiple myeloma, but this complication is poorly described in ENL. In proximal DVT, there was a greater risk of PE and sequelae venous insufficiency. After DVT, start anticoagulation. ASA 100mg/day as prophylaxis for DVT in case of this drug association in ENL is recommended.Conclusion. The article illustrates the incidence increase of DVT because of the thalidomide/corticosteroid combination in ENL. When this association is necessary, use ASA 100mg/day as prophylaxis.
An Analysis of Pay-for-Performance Schemes and Their Potential Impacts on Health Systems and Outcomes for Patients
Authors: Kyeremanteng Kwadwo , Robidoux Raphaëlle , D’Egidio Gianni , Fernando Shannon M. , Neilipovitz David
Published: June 2019

Pay-for-performance (P4P) programs have been introduced into the Canadian medical system in the last decades. This paper examines the underlying characteristics of P4P and describes both their advantages and drawbacks. Most P4P programs provide the advantage of rewarding medical acts, thus providing an incentive to take on complex patients. There is a variety of nuanced P4P initiatives, which provide financial incentive according to differing criteria, based on quality measures, incentives, and/or benchmark structures. However, there is no conclusive evidence demonstrating that P4P programs provide better value for money than traditional pay schemes, regardless of particular structural choices. Some evidence has even shown that P4P may be detrimental, especially in disadvantaged and high-risk populations. Additionally, there are a number of ethical and practical concerns that arise with the use of P4P, such as the risk of financial incentives being misused or misinterpreted and patients being refused or referred during treatment. P4P initiatives require careful examination and the creation of solid, evidence-based criteria for evaluation and implementation in Canadian medical systems.
Nanogold for In Vitro Inhibition of Salmonella Strains
Authors: Boatemaa Mercy Adusei , Ragunathan Ramachandra , Naskar Jishnu
Published: June 2019

The pathogenic strains of Salmonella typhi, paratyphi, and typhimurium are the major cause of typhoid and food poisoning in children and adults in developing countries. According to WHO estimation, 22 million cases of typhoid fever and 200,000 related deaths occur worldwide each year with an additional 6 million cases of paratyphoid fever estimated to occur annually with the highest incidence in children, resulting in a high death rate. The high use of antibiotics has also given rise to drug-resistant strains. Hence, it was of importance to assess the inhibition and quick detection of pathogenic strains of Salmonella. This study aims to investigate the chemically synthesized gold nanoparticles (GNPs) for its antibacterial activity against clinical isolates of S. typhi and S. paratyphi including food sample isolates. The GNPs were characterized using visible color change, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, FTIR, XRD, DLS, FESEM, TEM, and zeta potential. The plasmon peak at 525 nm and 535 nm confirmed the synthesis of gold nanoparticles. The size of the chemically synthesized gold nanoparticles (GNPs) were in the range of 40-60 nm, while FESEM and TEM images revealed that the GNPs were spherical in shape. For antimicrobial activities, five of the Salmonella strains were isolated from fish and egg samples, while the other seven were S. typhi and S. paratyphi from clinical samples. The inhibition factor for GNPs showed higher inhibition against S. paratyphi, while the inhibition factor for S. typhi were found to be higher than Ciprofloxacin-30. This is the first study of the antibacterial efficacy of GNPs against pathogenic strains of Salmonella. The obtained results suggest that nanobioconjugated gold may be of interest in the detection of typhoid and high potential use in areas in biomedicine as an alternative to antibiotics.