bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A modificação contratual das concessões e a aplicabilidade da Teoria da Imprevisão por alteração das circunstâncias, dentro do Direito Português, de acordo com as novas limitações - objetivas e subjetivas – trazidas pelas Diretivas da União Europeia 2014/23/EU e 2014/24/EU.
Authors: Pietro Estevan
Published: December 2020

O presente artigo analisa a modificação dos contratos administrativos, especificamente os contratos de concessões, na perspectiva das normas trazidas pelas Diretivas 2014/23/EU e 2014/24/EU. Neste cenário, evidenciam-se a aplicação da Teoria da Imprevisão e os limites de sua aplicação – objetivos e subjetivos – por conta das normas comunitárias.
Retrospecto da responsabilidade da pessoa jurídica no ordenamento jurídico brasileiro: do Código Civil de 1916 até a compreensão da responsabilidade objetiva da Lei Anticorrupção (Lei nº 12.846/2013)
Authors: Bertolini de Pinho Clóvis Alberto
Published: December 2020

O artigo busca apresenta um retrospecto sobre mudança do pensamento jurídico brasileiro a respeito do panorama de responsabilização da pessoa jurídica. Desde a edição do Código Civil, em 1916, até a edição da Lei Anticorrupção, em 2013, observa-se uma paulatina e crescente atenuação do regi­me de responsabilidade limitada e subjetiva da pessoa jurídica (restrita à sociedade, e não atingível ao patrimônio dos seus sócios), havendo o que se denomina de “verdadeiro fim da responsabilidade li­mi­tada no Brasil”. A hipótese apresentada no presente artigo é a de que o ordenamento jurídico evoluiu de uma responsabilidade subjetiva da pessoa para um regime de responsabilidade objetiva da pessoa jurídica, devido às necessidades da sociedade brasileira. O objetivo principal do artigo é promover um retrospecto histórico do regime de responsabilização da pessoa jurídica, de modo a melhor compre­ender o regime de responsabilidade objetiva da Lei Anticorrupção, que impõe pesadas sanções às pessoas jurídicas que venham a causar prejuízos à Administração Pública. Além disso, o estudo busca aprofundar os limites da responsabilidade objetiva da pessoa jurídica no âmbito da Lei Anticorrupção, de modo a examinar as diferenças existentes no regime de responsabilização, por meio da utilização de sanções administrativas, no âmbito do Direito Consumidor, Ambiental, Tributário e Concorrencial, que se utilizam constantemente de sanções administrativas para responsabilizar pessoas jurídicas.
necessário aprimoramento dos mecanismos de controle para a intervenção estatal na economia
Authors: Fontoura Pedro Burdman da
Published: December 2020

O Brasil foi governado por ditaduras por longos períodos em seu passado recente. A Constituição Federal de 1988 trouxe diversos mecanismos para evitar o retorno de regimes autoritários e garantir a estabilidade democrática no país. O princípio da separação de Poderes, cláusula pétrea em nosso ordenamento constitucional, é um desses mecanismos. Os artigos 37, incisos XIX e XX, e 173, caput, da Constituição Federal, exigem a participação do Poder Legislativo na tomada de decisão pela intervenção estatal na economia, bem como estabelecem requisitos para sua expansão. O Poder Executivo, contudo, tem aumentado sua presença na economia sem respeitar os mandamentos constitucionais, à revelia do Parlamento. O crescimento da Eletrobras e da Petrobras através de sociedades de propósito específico, bem como do BNDES através do BNDESPAR e sua participação em empresas privadas, sem qualquer participação do Poder Legislativo no processo, são exemplos desse fenômeno. O STF foi chamado para o debate e já suspendeu inúmeros processos de desestatização em sede liminar por desrespeito aos referidos mandamentos constitucionais. Ainda está pendente de definição pelo colegiado do Tribunal uma posição definitiva acerca do tema.
cessão da posição contratual entre entes públicos nos contratos administrativos
Authors: Santos Rafael Costa
Published: December 2020

Em um contexto de superação do paradigma da legalidade estrita, tendo em vista os impactos da constitucionalização do direito administrativo, visa o presente estudo, suportado pela possibilidade de aplicação subsidiária dos institutos de direito privado aos contratos administrativos, à investigação acerca da viabilidade da utilização do instituto da cessão da posição contratual entre entes públicos nos contratos administrativos, bem como da compatibilidade do referido instrumento com os princípios gerais do direito administrativo.
Princípios de processo administrativo
Authors: Marrara Thiago
Published: December 2020

O movimento de processualização é cada vez mais relevante no Brasil, tanto virtude dos anseios democráticos pós-ditatoriais, transparência e respeito aos direitos fundamentais, como pela criação de um ambiente institucional pautado pela segurança jurídica. A lei de processo administrativo federal é um marco nessa temática, estabelecendo diretrizes gerais e base principiológica, sem ferir a autonomia administrativa da regulação setorial e dos demais entes federativos. Os princípios, enquanto norteadores interpretativos e teleológicos, são elemento-chave desse fenômeno. Em que pese o esforço doutrinário, o presente artigo busca sistematizar os princípios do processo administrativo, com base nos princípios gerais de processo com os princípios constitucionais da Administração Pública, apresentando o seu conteúdo individualmente, os quais são: a ampla defesa, o contraditório, a gratuidade, a transparência, a oficialidade, o formalismo mitigado, a isonomia, a boa-fé e a proteção da confiança e a razoabilidade.
Positive Clinical Benefit on Patient Care, Quality of Life, and Symptoms After Contact Force–Guided Radiofrequency Ablation in Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Natale Andrea , Calkins Hugh , Osorio Jose , Pollak Scott J. , Melby Daniel , Marchlinski Francis E. , Athill Charles A. , Delaughter Craig , Patel Anshul M. , Gentlesk Philip J. , DeVille Brian , Macle Laurent , Ellenbogen Kenneth A. , Dukkipati Srinivas R. , Reddy Vivek Y. , Mansour Moussa ,   on behalf of the PRECEPT Investigators
Published: December 2020

Background:

There is limited evidence on the long-term clinical benefits of catheter ablation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

Methods:

PRECEPT was a prospective, multicenter, single-arm Food and Drug Administration–regulated investigational device exemption clinical study. Patients were followed up to 15 months after ablation. Outcomes included use of antiarrhythmic drugs, rate of cardioversions and cardiovascular hospitalization, Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality-of-Life score, and Canadian Cardiovascular Society Severity of Atrial Fibrillation score.

Results:

A total of 333 enrolled persistent atrial fibrillation patients underwent ablation. The cardioversion rate decreased by 83% at the 9- to 15-month follow-up. Antiarrhythmic drug utilization decreased by 69% at 12 to 15 months post-ablation. The Kaplan-Meier estimate of freedom from cardiovascular hospitalization was 84.2% (95% CI, 80.2%–88.2%) at 15 months. Consistent improvements in mean Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality-of-Life composite (+50.0) were seen at 6 months, sustained at 15 months, and exceeded the minimum clinically important difference. Improvements in Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality-of-Life scores were significantly better among participants without documented atrial arrhythmia recurrences. By Canadian Cardiovascular Society Severity of Atrial Fibrillation symptom classification, >80% of patients were asymptomatic (class 0) at 15 months post-ablation compared with only 0.7% at baseline.

Conclusions:

Contact force–guided radiofrequency ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation was associated with a significant decrease in antiarrhythmic drug use, cardioversion rate, and hospitalization. Clinically meaningful improvements in quality of life were observed in all patients. The majority of the patients (>80%) were asymptomatic at 15 months post-ablation. The positive clinical impact of improved quality of life and reduced health care utilization may help with shared decision-making in persistent atrial fibrillation treatment.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT02817776.
Carefully examining Bornean Stegonotus (Serpentes, Colubridae): the montane groundsnake population in Sabah is a new and distinct species
Authors: KAISER CHRISTINE M. , LAPIN JACK , O’SHEA MARK , KAISER HINRICH
Published: December 2020

During a taxonomic revision of species in the genus Stegonotus Duméril et al., 1854, we re-examined over 90% of all known museum specimens from this taxon. Of the five specimens available to us from the island of Borneo, three are clearly distinct from the other two. The latter are from the lowland rainforest in Sarawak, Malaysia, which includes the type locality of S. borneensis, and therefore these specimens retain that name. We here describe the other three, which include the paratype of S. borneensis, as a new species from Sabah, Malaysia. The new species can be differentiated from S. borneensis and all other species of Stegonotus by the combination of a high number of ventrals (> 210) combined with a low number of subcaudals (< 70), a short tail (indicated by a low subcaudal ratio of < 0.25), 17-17-15 dorsal scale rows, a snout-scale ratio of 1/4–1/3, the “gull wing +” condition of the rostral, the number of supralabials touching the eye, and a dorsal color pattern featuring a dark gray-brown head offset from a lighter-brown rest of the body. The number of subcaudals in the holotype of the new species is only 21% of the number of ventrals, the lowest proportion in the genus. The new species is found at elevations above 1000 m in the cool, montane habitats of the Crocker Range and around the foot of Mt. Kinabalu, Southeast Asia’s tallest mountain, from where it has been known but taxonomically unrecognized since at least the 1880s.
A review of the distribution and host plant associations of the platypodine ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Platypodinae) of Australia, with an electronic species identification key
Authors: BICKERSTAFF JAMES R. M. , SMITH SHANNON S. , KENT DEBORAH S. , BEAVER ROGER A. , SEAGO AINSLEY E. , RIEGLER MARKUS
Published: December 2020

Ambrosia beetles (Platypodinae and some Scolytinae) are ecologically and economically important weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) that develop within the sapwood and heartwood of woody plants, and their larval and adult stages are dependent on fungal symbionts. Platypodinae mostly occur in tropical and subtropical biomes, with a few species occurring in temperate regions. Australia has 44 recorded platypodine species including 13 species which may only have been intercepted at or near ports of entries and are without established populations in Australia. The host tree associations and biogeography of Australian Platypodinae are largely undocumented, and no comprehensive identification key exists. Here, we review species records, host tree associations, biogeographic distributions, and morphological characteristics of Australian Platypodinae. For this, we examined collection specimens, monographs, catalogues, taxonomic inventories, journal articles and online databases, and developed an electronic LUCID identification key for 36 species recorded in Australia. This review and identification key will be a valuable resource for forestry managers and biosecurity officers and will support diagnostics and future research of these beetles, their biology, and ecological interactions.
Description of a second deep-water species in the alpheid shrimp genus Bannereus Bruce, 1988 (Malacostraca: Caridea)
Authors: ANKER ARTHUR , PACHELLE PAULO P.G.
Published: December 2020

Bannereus chani sp. nov. (Caridea: Alpheidae) is described based on a single female specimen collected off south-eastern Taiwan, at a depth of 301–356 m, being the second only species in the genus Bannereus Bruce, 1988. The ovigerous female holotype of the new species differs from the female holotype of B. anomalus Bruce 1988, the type species of the genus, by a series of important morphological characters, for instance, on the major cheliped and third pereiopod, strongly indicating that they represent two distinct species. The non-type male specimen tentatively identified as B. anomalus by Bruce (1988) may well belong to the new species, since it differs from the holotype of B. anomalus essentially by the same criteria as the female holotype of B. chani sp. nov. In addition, B. anomalus is newly recorded from the New Caledonian side of the Coral Sea.
A systems biology framework integrating GWAS and RNA-seq to shed light on the molecular basis of sperm quality in swine
Authors: Gòdia Marta , Reverter Antonio , González-Prendes Rayner , Ramayo-Caldas Yuliaxis , Castelló Anna , Rodríguez-Gil Joan-Enric , Sánchez Armand , Clop Alex
Published: December 2020

Background

Genetic pressure in animal breeding is sparking the interest of breeders for selecting elite boars with higher sperm quality to optimize ejaculate doses and fertility rates. However, the molecular basis of sperm quality is not yet fully understood. Our aim was to identify candidate genes, pathways and DNA variants associated to sperm quality in swine by analysing 25 sperm-related phenotypes and integrating genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and RNA-seq under a systems biology framework.

Results

By GWAS, we identified 12 quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated to the percentage of head and neck abnormalities, abnormal acrosomes and motile spermatozoa. Candidate genes includedCHD2,KATNAL2,SLC14A2andABCA1.By RNA-seq, we identified a wide repertoire of mRNAs (e.g.PRM1,OAZ3,DNAJB8,TPPP2andTNP1) and miRNAs (e.g. ssc-miR-30d, ssc-miR-34c, ssc-miR-30c-5p, ssc-miR-191, members of the let-7 family and ssc-miR-425-5p) with functions related to sperm biology. We detected 6128 significant correlations (P-value ≤ 0.05) between sperm traits and mRNA abundances. By expression (e)GWAS, we identified three trans-expression QTL involving the genesIQCJ,ACTR2andHARS. Using the GWAS and RNA-seq data, we built a gene interaction network. We considered that the genes and interactions that were present in both the GWAS and RNA-seq networks had a higher probability of being actually involved in sperm quality and used them to build a robust gene interaction network. In addition, in the final network we included genes with RNA abundances correlated with more than four semen traits and miRNAs interacting with the genes on the network. The final network was enriched for genes involved in gamete generation and development, meiotic cell cycle, DNA repair or embryo implantation. Finally, we designed a panel of 73 SNPs based on the GWAS, eGWAS and final network data, that explains between 5% (for sperm cell concentration) and 36% (for percentage of neck abnormalities) of the phenotypic variance of the sperm traits.

Conclusions

By applying a systems biology approach, we identified genes that potentially affect sperm quality and constructed a SNP panel that explains a substantial part of the phenotypic variance for semen quality in our study and that should be tested in other swine populations to evaluate its relevance for the pig breeding sector.
Correction to: Molecular signature comprising 11 platelet-genes enables accurate blood-based diagnosis of NSCLC
Authors: Goswami Chitrita , Chawla Smriti , Thakral Deepshi , Pant Himanshu , Verma Pramod , Malik Prabhat Singh , Jayadeva  , Gupta Ritu , Ahuja Gaurav , Sengupta Debarka
Published: December 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Correction to: Regional disparities in the flow of access to breast cancer hospitalizations in Brazil in 2004 and 2014
Authors: de Souza Beatriz Castro , dos Santos Figueiredo Francisco Winter , de Alcantara Sousa Luiz Vinicius , da Silva Maciel Erika , Adami Fernando
Published: December 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Ovarian fibrosarcoma: A single-institution experience and a review of the literature
Authors: Sun Ting-Ting , Cheng Ning-Hai , Cao Dong-Yan , Peng Peng
Published: December 2020

Ovarian fibrosarcoma is an extremely rare and malignant sex cord-stromal tumor. Due to its low incidence and poor prognosis, until now, very few cases have been reported, and most of the reported cases have been sporadic. Therefore, the treatments and prognostic factors of ovarian fibrosarcoma are still debatable. Here, we report 5 cases of ovarian fibrosarcoma that presented at Peking Union Medical College Hospital over the past 20 years. The 5 patients were 41, 51, 54, 76, and 76 years of age when initial symptoms of pelvic mass or pain appeared. On ultrasound, this disease usually manifests as unilateral pelvic masses, within which uneven echo enhancement and some blood flow signals are observed. No significant increase was observed in the levels of preoperative tumor markers, such as serum CA125 and sex hormones. The final diagnosis depends on postoperative histopathological results since these tumors are easily misdiagnosed when intraoperative frozen sections are used for examination. Pathologic examinations showed that the tumor cells were spindle-shaped with moderate to severe atypia and high mitotic counts. The immunohistochemistry profile is not specific, but the positive rate of Ki-67 was consistent with the degree of malignancy and the prognosis of patients with this tumor. In addition, the tumor may also be positive for Vimentin, α-inhibin, SMA, estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor. Significant differences were observed in the surgical methods used, and no unified chemotherapy regimen has been established. The overall survival was > 15, >7, > 6, <1, and < 1 year for each patient. After reviewing the literature, evidence-based large-scale case studies were lacking. For treatments, complete cytoreductive surgery plus regimens typically used against malignant sex cord-stromal tumors, as described in the NCCN guidelines, are recommended. Due to its low incidence, both multicenter clinical studies and molecular studies are required to provide gynecologists with a better understanding and guidance for future management of patients with ovarian fibrosarcoma.
The role of Nrf2 in acute and chronic muscle injury
Authors: Bronisz-Budzyńska Iwona , Kozakowska Magdalena , Podkalicka Paulina , Kachamakova-Trojanowska Neli , Łoboda Agnieszka , Dulak Józef
Published: December 2020

The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is considered as a master cytoprotective factor regulating the expression of genes encoding anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxifying proteins. The role of Nrf2 in the pathophysiology of skeletal muscles has been evaluated in different experimental models, however, due to inconsistent data, we aimed to investigate how Nrf2 transcriptional deficiency (Nrf2tKO) affects muscle functions both in an acute and chronic injury. The acute muscle damage was induced in mice of two genotypes—WT and Nrf2tKOmice by cardiotoxin (CTX) injection. To investigate the role of Nrf2 in chronic muscle pathology,mdxmice that share genetic, biochemical, and histopathological features with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) were crossed with mice lacking transcriptionally active Nrf2 and double knockouts (mdx/Nrf2tKO) were generated. To worsen the dystrophic phenotype, the analysis of disease pathology was also performed in aggravated conditions, by applying a long-term treadmill test. We have observed slightly increased muscle damage in Nrf2tKOmice after CTX injection. Nevertheless, transcriptional ablation of Nrf2 inmdxmice did not significantly aggravate the most deleterious, pathological hallmarks of DMD related to degeneration, inflammation, fibrotic scar formation, angiogenesis, and the number and proliferation of satellite cells in non-exercised conditions. On the other hand, upon chronic exercises, the degeneration and inflammatory infiltration of the gastrocnemius muscle, but not the diaphragm, turned to be increased in Nrf2tKOmdxin comparison tomdxmice. In conclusion, the lack of transcriptionally active Nrf2 influences moderately muscle pathology in acute CTX-induced muscle injury and chronic DMD mouse model, without affecting muscle functionality. Hence, in general, we demonstrated that the deficiency of Nrf2 transcriptional activity has no profound impact on muscle pathology in various models of muscle injury.
Motorcycle-related head and neck injuries: increased risk among ethnic minorities
Authors:   Israel Trauma Group, Cohen-Manheim Irit , Radomislensky Irina , Siman-Tov Maya , Peleg Kobi
Published: December 2020

Background

Ethnic disparities have been associated with injury and mortality. The impact of ethnicity on head and neck injury (HNI), traumatic brain injury (TBI), in-hospital mortality and resource utilization following a motorcycle crash (MCC) is undetermined. This study explored the influence of ethnicity in these aspects and the effect of helmet use on HNI and TBI following a MCC.

Methods

The National Trauma Registry provided hospitalization data on motorcycle riders and passengers between 2008 and 2017. Ethnicity was classified as Jews or Arabs, the two major ethnic groups in Israel. Univariate followed by multivariable logistic models were applied to examine ethnic disparities. Mediation effect was tested by structural equation modeling.

Results

Among 6073 MCC casualties, Arabs had increased odds of HNI (OR = 1.37,95% CI = 1.12–1.65) and TBI (OR = 1.51,95%CI = 1.12–1.99), and a six-fold decreased odds of helmet use (OR = 0.16,95%CI = 0.12–0.22). The HNI and TBI associations with ethnicity were mediated by helmet use. Arabs had significantly higher odds for admission to intensive care unit (OR = 1.36,95%CI = 1.00–1.83), and lower odds for ambulance evacuation (OR = 0.73,95%CI = 0.61–0.89) and discharge to rehabilitation (OR = 0.55,95%CI = 0.39–0.7). In-hospital mortality was not associated with ethnicity.

Conclusions

Helmet non-use is an important etiologic factor associated with motorcycle-related HNI and TBI among Arabs. While in Israel, ethnic equality exists in in-hospital health care, disparities in ambulance and rehabilitation utilization was found. Intervention programs should target the Arab population and focus on helmet compliance.
The use of mechanical insufflation-exsufflation in invasively ventilated critically ill adults: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Swingwood Ema , Stilma Willemke , Tume Lyvonne , Cramp Fiona , Paulus Frederique , Schultz Marcus , Scholte op Reimer Wilma , Rose Louise
Published: December 2020

Background

Critically ill patients receiving invasive ventilation are at risk of sputum retention. Mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MI-E) is a technique used to mobilise sputum and optimise airway clearance. Recently, interest has increased in the use of mechanical insufflation-exsufflation for invasively ventilated critically ill adults, but evidence for the feasibility, safety and efficacy of this treatment is sparse.

The aim of this scoping review is to map current and emerging evidence on the feasibility, safety and efficacy of MI-E for invasively ventilated adult patients with the aim of highlighting knowledge gaps and identifying areas for future research. Specific research questions aim to identify information informing indications and contraindications to the use of MI-E in the invasively ventilated adult, MI-E settings used, outcome measures reported within studies, adverse effects reported and perceived barriers and facilitators to using MI-E reported.

Methods

We will search electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL using the OVID platform, PROSPERO, The Cochrane Library, ISI Web of Science and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Two authors will independently screen citations, extract data and evaluate risk of bias using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Studies included will present original data and describe MI-E in invasively ventilated adult patients from 1990 onwards. Our exclusion criteria are studies in a paediatric population, editorial pieces or letters and animal or bench studies. Search results will be presented in a PRISMA study flow diagram. Descriptive statistics will be used to summarise quantitative data. For qualitative data relating to barriers and facilitators, we will use content analysis and the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) as a conceptual framework. Additional tables and relevant figures will present data addressing our research questions.

Discussion

Our findings will enable us to map current and emerging evidence on the feasibility, safety and efficacy of MI-E for invasively ventilated critically ill adult patients. These data will provide description of how the technique is currently used, support healthcare professionals in their clinical decision making and highlight areas for future research in this important clinical area.

Systematic review registration

Open Science Framework submitted on 9 July 2020. https://osf.io/mpksq/.
The iterative solutions of split common fixed point problem for asymptotically nonexpansive mappings in Banach spaces
Authors: Wang Yuanheng , Wu Xiuping , Pan Chanjuan
Published: December 2020

In this paper, we propose an iteration algorithm for finding a split common fixed point of an asymptotically nonexpansive mapping in the frameworks of two real Banach spaces. Under some suitable conditions imposed on the sequences of parameters, some strong convergence theorems are proved, which also solve some variational inequalities that are closely related to optimization problems. The results here generalize and improve the main results of other authors.
Inhibition of African swine fever virus in liquid and feed by medium-chain fatty acids and glycerol monolaurate
Authors: Jackman Joshua A. , Hakobyan Astghik , Zakaryan Hovakim , Elrod Charles C.
Published: December 2020

Background

The ongoing African swine fever virus (ASFv) epidemic has had a major impact on pig production globally and biosecurity efforts to curb ASFv infectivity and transmission are a high priority. It has been recently identified that feed and feed ingredients, along with drinking water, can serve as transmission vehicles and might facilitate transboundary spread of ASFv. Thus, it is important to test the antiviral activity of regulatory compatible, antiviral feed additives that might inhibit ASFv infectivity in feed. One promising group of feed additive candidates includes medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) and monoglyceride derivatives, which are known to disrupt the lipid membrane surrounding certain enveloped viruses and bacteria.

Results

The antiviral activities of selected MCFA, namely caprylic, capric, and lauric acids, and a related monoglyceride, glycerol monolaurate (GML), to inhibit ASFv in liquid and feed conditions were investigated and suitable compounds and inclusion rates were identified that might be useful for mitigating ASFv in feed environments. Antiviral assays showed that all tested MCFA and GML inhibit ASFv. GML was more potent than MCFA because it worked at a lower concentration and inhibited ASFv due to direct virucidal activity along with one or more other antiviral mechanisms. Dose-dependent feed experiments further showed that sufficiently high GML doses can significantly reduce ASFv infectivity in feed in a linear manner in periods as short as 30 min, as determined by infectious viral titer measurements. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) experiments revealed that GML treatment also hinders antibody recognition of the membrane-associated ASFv p72 structural protein, which likely relates to protein conformational changes arising from viral membrane disruption.

Conclusion

Together, the findings in this study indicate that MCFA and GML inhibit ASFv in liquid conditions and that GML is also able to reduce ASFv infectivity in feed, which may help to curb disease transmission.
Community norms for the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) among gender-expansive populations
Authors: Nagata Jason M. , Compte Emilio J. , Cattle Chloe J. , Flentje Annesa , Capriotti Matthew R. , Lubensky Micah E. , Murray Stuart B. , Obedin-Maliver Juno , Lunn Mitchell R.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Gender-expansive individuals (i.e., those who identify outside of the binary system of man or woman) are a marginalized group that faces discrimination and have a high burden of mental health problems, but there is a paucity of research on eating disorders in this population. This study aimed to describe the community norms for the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) in gender-expansive populations.

Methods

The participants were 988 gender-expansive individuals (defined as neither exclusively cisgender nor binary transgender) from The PRIDE study, an existing longitudinal cohort study of health outcomes in sexual and gender minority people.

Results

We present the mean scores, standard deviations, and percentile ranks for the Global score and four subscale scores of the EDE-Q in this group as a whole and stratified by sex assigned at birth. Gender-expansive individuals reported any occurrence (≥1/28 days) of dietary restraint (23.0%), objective binge episodes (12.9%), excessive exercise (7.4%), self-induced vomiting (1.4%), or laxative misuse (1.2%). We found no statistically significant differences by sex assigned at birth. Compared to a prior study of transgender men and women, there were no significant differences in eating attitudes or disordered eating behaviors noted between gender-expansive individuals and transgender men. Transgender women reported higher Restraint and Shape Concern subscale scores compared to gender-expansive individuals. Compared to a prior study of presumed cisgender men 18–26 years, our age-matched gender-expansive sample had higher Eating, Weight, and Shape Concern subscales and Global Score, but reported a lower frequency of objective binge episodes and excessive exercise. Compared to a prior study of presumed cisgender women 18–25 years, our age-matched gender-expansive sample had a higher Shape Concern subscale score, a lower Restraint subscale score, and lower frequencies of self-induced vomiting, laxative misuse, and excessive exercise.

Conclusions

Gender-expansive individuals reported lower Restraint and Shape Concern scores than transgender women; higher Eating, Weight, and Shape Concern scores than presumed cisgender men; and lower Restraint but higher Shape Concern scores than presumed cisgender women. These norms can help clinicians in treating this population and interpreting the EDE-Q scores of their gender-expansive patients.
Ehlers–Danlos syndrome type IV: a case report of a rare cause of spontaneous sigmoid perforation and enteroatmospheric fistulae in a child
Authors: Kodikara Hemal , King Sebastian K. , McLeod Elizabeth
Published: December 2020

Background

Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS) type IV is a rare subtype of EDS, but has important surgical implications.

Case presentation

Here, we present a case of a spontaneous sigmoid perforation in a 14-year-old boy. He was initially treated with laparotomy, oversew of the sigmoid perforation and a diverting ileostomy. He developed a complete wound dehiscence and enteroatmospheric fistulae. These were managed with a combination of negative pressure wound therapy and Eakin (TG Eakin™) pouch changes. We discuss the clinical features and presentation of EDS type IV, the surgical implications of managing patients with the condition, and the challenges in management of enteroatmospheric fistulae in children.

Conclusions

Ehlers–Danlos syndrome type IV should be considered as a cause of any spontaneous colonic perforation in children.
Relation of chair rising ability to activities of daily living and physical activity in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Bryant Mon S. , Kang Gu Eon , Protas Elizabeth J.
Published: December 2020

Background

Many persons living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) have difficulty rising from a chair. Impaired ability to perform the chair rise may be associated with low physical activity levels and reduced ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL).

Methods

Cross-sectional analysis was performed in 88 persons with PD to study the association of chair rising ability with ADL and physical activity.

Results

We found that the participants who pushed themselves up from the chair had more severe PD, higher motor impairment and more comorbidity than those who rose from a chair normally. The Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale ADL (UPDRS-ADL), Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living Scale (SE-ADL) and the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) scores for the participants who pushed themselves up to rise (17.20 ± 7.53; 76.67 ± 13.23; 46.18 ± 52.64, respectively) were significantly poorer than for those who rose normally (10.35 ± 3.79; 87.64 ± 8.30; 112.90 ± 61.40, respectively) (all p < .05). Additionally, PASE scores were significantly poorer for participants who pushed themselves up to rise compared to those who rose slowly (95.21 ± 60.27) (p < .01). Pushing up to rise from a chair was a significant predictor of UPDRS-ADL (β = .357; p < .001; R2 = .403), SE-ADL (β = −.266; p = .009; R2 = .257) and PASE (β = −.250; p = .016; R2 = .162).

Conclusions

Ability to rise from a chair was associated with ADL limitation and physical activity in persons with PD. Poor ability to rise from a chair may prevent persons from living independently and engaging in physical activity.
Numerical study on the influence of initial ambient temperature on the aerodynamic heating in the tube train system
Authors: Bao Shijie , Hu Xiao , Wang Jukun , Ma Tianhao , Rao Yingyu , Deng Zigang
Published: December 2020

The evacuated tube transportation has great potential in the future because of its advantages of energy saving and environmental protection. The train runs in the closed tube at ultra-high speed. The heat quantity generated by aerodynamic heating is not easy to spread to external environment and then accumulates in the tube, inducing the ambient temperature in the tube to rise gradually. In this paper, a three-dimensional geometric model and the Shear Stress Transport (SST) κ-ω turbulence model are used to study the influence of initial ambient temperature on the structure of the flow field in the tube. Simulation results show that when the train runs at transonic speed, the supersonic flow region with low temperature and low-pressure is produced in the wake. The structure of the flow field of the wake will change with the initial ambient temperature. And the higher the initial ambient temperature is, the shorter the low temperature region in the wake will be. The larger temperature difference caused by the low temperature region may increase the temperature stress of the tube and affect the equipment inside the tube. Consequently, the temperature inside the tube can be maintained at a reasonable value to reduce the influence of the low temperature region in the wake on the system.
Depression and anxiety as risk factors for female sexual pain
Authors: Soltan M. R. , Raheem T. A. Abdel , Soliman S. S. , Saleh N. M. , Khatery B. H.
Published: December 2020

Background

Female sexual pain is a complex multifactorial condition. Most of researches have focused on underlying biomedical factors. Although psychological, psychiatric, and relational factors have been studied as possible correlates, limited research has been made in this area about the Egyptian population. The present study aimed to evaluate prevalence of female sexual pain among a sample of Egyptian females and detect its correlation with depression and anxiety. Female sexual function index (FSFI) was used to evaluate sexual pain in 450 women calculating their pain domain scores. Their scores were correlated to demographic data, genital health complaints, depression, and anxiety symptoms.

Results

The prevalence of marked severe sexual pain was 31.6% and that of trivial pain was 68.4% in the studied group. In the study group, 75 (16.7%) females had depressive symptoms, and 40 (8.9%) females had anxiety symptoms. Patients with severe depression had significantly marked severe pain than patients with minimal depression (p < 0.001 respectively). Patients with severe anxiety had significantly lower pain score than patients without (p < 0.001). Pain score had significant negative correlation with each of the depression score (r − 0.524, p < 0.001) and the anxiety score (r − 0.305, p < 0.001). Patients with gynecological causes especially fungal infection had significantly severe marked pain than patients without any other physical causes (< 0.001).

Conclusions

Anxiety, depression, and the presence of gynecological causes especially fungal infection were significantly independent risk factors for more sexual pain.
An audit of radiographers’ practice of left-right image annotation in film-screen radiography and after installation of computed radiography in a tertiary hospital in Africa
Authors: Adejoh Thomas , Elugwu Chukwuemeka H. , Sidi Mohammed , Ezugwu Emeka E. , Asogwa Chijioke O. , Okeji Mark C.
Published: December 2020

Background

Errors in radiographic image annotation by radiographers could potentially lead to misdiagnoses by radiologists and wrong side surgery by surgeons. Such medical negligence has dire medico-legal consequences. It was hypothesized that newer technology of computed radiography (CR) and direct digital radiography (DDR) image annotation would potentially lead to a change in practice with subsequent reduction in annotation errors. Following installation of computed radiography, a modality with electronic, post-processing image annotation, the hypothesis was investigated in our study centre.

Results

A total of 72,602 and 126,482 images were documented for film-screen radiography (FSR) and computed radiography (CR), respectively in the department. From these, a sample size of 9452 made up of 4726 each for FSR and CR was drawn. Anatomical side marker errors were common in every anatomy imaged, with more errors seen in FSR (4.6%) than CR (0.6%). Collectively, an error rate of 3.0% was observed. Errors noticed were as a result of marker burnout due to over-exposure as well as marker cone off due to tight beam collimation.

Conclusion

Error rates were considerably reduced following a change from film-screen radiography (FSR) to computed radiography (CR) at the study centre. This change was, however, influenced more by a team of quality control radiographers stationed at CR workstation than by actual practice in x-ray imaging suite. Presence of anthropomorphic phantom in the teaching laboratories in the universities for demonstrations will significantly inculcate the skill needed to completely eliminate anatomical side marker (ASM) error in practice.
Developing anterior mediastinum mass after orthotopic thyroidectomy: a case report
Authors: Meira Soares Camelo Rita , Barros José Maria
Published: December 2020

Background

Ectopic thyroid tissue is a rare embryological aberration described by the occurrence of thyroid tissue at a site other than in its normal pretracheal location. Depending on the time of the disruption during embryogenesis, ectopic thyroid may occur at several positions from the base of the tongue to the thyroglossal duct. Ectopic mediastinal thyroid tissue is normally asymptomatic, but particularly after orthotopic thyroidectomy, it might turn out to be symptomatic. Symptoms are normally due to compression of adjacent structures.

Case presentation

We present a case of a 66-year-old male submitted to a total thyroidectomy 3 years ago, due to multinodular goiter (pathological results revealed nodular hyperplasia and no evidence of malignancy), under thyroid replacement therapy. Over the last year, he developed hoarseness, choking sensation in the chest, and shortness of breath. Thyroid markers were unremarkable. He was submitted to neck and thoracic computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and radionuclide thyroid scan. Imaging results identified an anterior mediastinum solid lesion. A radionuclide thyroid scan confirmed the diagnosis of ectopic thyroid tissue. The patient refused surgery.

Conclusions

Ectopic thyroid tissue can occur either as the only detectable thyroid gland tissue or in addition to a normotopic thyroid gland. After a total thyroidectomy, thyroid-stimulating hormone can promote a compensatory volume growth of previously asymptomatic ectopic tissue. This can be particularly diagnosis challenging since ectopic tissue can arise as an ambiguous space-occupying lesion.
Spinal accessory neuropathy in patients with chronic trapezius myofascial pain syndrome
Authors: El Sharnoby Asmaa Farouk El Sayed , Sultan Hussein Al-Moghazy , Saba Emmanuel Kamal Aziz
Published: December 2020

Background

Myofascial pain syndrome is a common musculoskeletal problem affecting the trapezius muscle. The aim was to assess the presence of spinal accessory neuropathy in patients with unilateral chronic trapezius myofascial pain syndrome.

Results

The study included 25 patients with unilateral chronic trapezius myofascial pain syndrome and 20 apparently healthy volunteers as the control group. There was a significantly delayed spinal accessory nerve latency on the symptomatic side in comparison to either asymptomatic side (P = 0.014) and control group (P = 0.001). Compound muscle action potential amplitude did not significantly differ between the symptomatic side versus the asymptomatic side and control group. Delayed spinal accessory nerve latency was present in seven patients (28%) and reduced compound muscle action potential amplitude in one of them (4%). The needle electromyography of the upper trapezius muscle revealed neuropathic motor units and incomplete interference pattern in the patient who showed reduced compound muscle action potential amplitude. Abnormal rest potentials were absent in all patients. Individually, seven patients (28%) had electrophysiological evidence of spinal accessory neuropathy, but only one (4%) of them had clinical evidence of spinal accessory neuropathy. Patients with abnormal electrophysiological findings had longer duration of complaint and more severe pain.

Conclusions

Spinal accessory neuropathy is common among patients with chronic trapezius myofascial pain syndrome. It could contribute to increased pain severity of myofascial pain syndrome. Electrodiagnosis is a good modality for identifying subclinical spinal accessory neuropathy.
Identifying Actionable Causes of Potentially Avoidable Readmissions to an Oncology Service at a Safety Net Hospital
Authors: Gupta Vishal K. , Dennis Michael , Mann Emily , Jacobson Joseph O. , Ko Naomi Y.
Published: December 2020

PURPOSE:

Hospital readmissions occur commonly in those receiving cancer care and result in impaired quality of life and increased costs. Causes of readmission in safety net hospitals that serve vulnerable populations are not well understood. The primary goal of this project was to identify potentially avoidable and intervenable causes of readmissions to an urban safety net hospital.

METHODS:

A retrospective chart review was performed on patients who were readmitted within 30 days of discharge from the hematology and oncology service at Boston Medical Center over the 6-month period between October 2018 and March 2019. Charts were reviewed by three internal medicine residents and discussed under the supervision of an attending oncologist.

RESULTS:

Two hundred ninety-one patient encounters involving 203 unique patients were identified in the 6-month study period. Of these 291 encounters, 80 encounters (27.5%) were followed by a readmission within 30 days and occurred in 61 (30.0%) unique patients. Nineteen (31.1%) of these 61 patients experienced two readmissions within 30 days of discharge. Twenty-five readmissions (31.3%) were classified as potentially avoidable, with the most common cause of potentially avoidable readmissions attributed to ascitic or pleural fluid reaccumulation (8, 32%). The majority of presumed nonpreventable readmissions were due to expected complications of cancer progression and treatment-related side effects.

DISCUSSION:

In conclusion, readmissions were common, and a modifiable reason for 30-day readmissions was identified. Addressing recurrent ascitic and pleural fluid reaccumulation in the outpatient setting could help to reduce inpatient hospital readmission on an inpatient oncology service.
Evidence of a second nursery area of the sandbar shar, Carcharhinus plumbeus (Nardo, 1827) in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea
Authors: BASUSTA NURI , BAŞUSTA ASIYE , OZYURT CANER E.
Published: December 2020

The sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus) is a large coastal species with a cosmopolitan distribution that has been listed as Endangered in the Mediterranean Sea and as Vulnerable for the rest of the world on the IUCN Red List of threatened species. The Gökova's Boncuk Cove in south-western Turkey and the Gulf of Gabès in southern Tunisia are the only known nursery area for the Mediterranean population. On 24 – 27 July 2017, eight specimens, four males and four females, of sandbar sharks were accidentally caught at a depth of 7 to 9 m by a pelagic bluefish longline off the coast of Yumurtalik Bight in the Gulf of Iskenderun. The total length and weight of males and females were 54.5 – 61.0 cm, 930 – 1,484 g and 49.6 – 62.4 cm, 918 – 1,568 g, respectively. They all had unhealed umbilical scars that were still open as a narrow slit, measuring 4.35 and 5.39 mm in lengths. This study thus provides the records of the neonate sandbar sharks from the Yumurtalik Bight. Consequently, this occurrence represents that this area of the north-eastern Mediterranean Sea can be the second breeding and nursery grounds for this species after the Boncuk Cove in Gökova Bay in Turkey.
Features of the psychological basis of reading mentally retarded students with complex developmental disorders
Authors: Tkacheva Viktoriya , Katkova Irina
Published: December 2020

The monograph presents the results of studying the specific features of the psychological basis of speech of mentally retarded primary school children with complex developmental disorders; scientific analysis of the problem of teaching and upbringing children with complex developmental disorders is carried out, the diagnostic complex is described in detail, and methodological recommendations are given. For students and teachers, as well as anyone interested in special education and psychology.
Descriptive geometry: tasks for term papers
Authors: Sal'kov Nikolay
Published: December 2020

The tutorial includes tasks in all sections of the descriptive geometry course for completing coursework. It is intended for students studying in the areas of "architecture" and "design of the architectural environment". It can be useful for students of other areas of higher education.
Banking risks: international approaches to assessment and management
Authors: Hasyanova Svetlana
Published: December 2020

The textbook is devoted to the study of issues of assessment and management of banking risks based on international approaches. The application of methods and methods for assessing, managing and minimizing risks in commercial banks is considered both from the point of view of implementing international recommendations and standards in the banking sector of the Russian Federation, and in the context of organizing internal systems and procedures in banks. Particular attention is paid to the evolution of regulatory requirements for risk assessment and capital adequacy to cover risks in accordance with international agreements developed by the Basel Committee on banking supervision. Alternative approaches to risk assessment and management, their advantages and disadvantages, prospects for use and impact on banks ' activities are analyzed. It is intended for students of master's programs of economic and financial faculties of higher education institutions, as well as for practitioners in the field of Finance and banking.