bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘I have no love for such people, because they leave us to suffer’: a qualitative study of health workers’ responses and institutional adaptations to absenteeism in rural Uganda
Authors: Tweheyo Raymond , Reed Catherine , Campbell Stephen , Davies Linda , Daker-White Gavin
Published: June 2019

Background

Achieving positive treatment outcomes and patient safety are critical goals of the healthcare system. However, this is greatly undermined by near universal health workforce absenteeism, especially in public health facilities of rural Uganda. We investigated the coping adaptations and related consequences of health workforce absenteeism in public and private not-for-profit (PNFP) health facilities of rural Uganda.

Methods

An empirical qualitative study involving case study methodology for sampling and principles of grounded theory for data collection and analysis. Focus groups and in-depth interviews were used to interview a total of 95 healthcare workers (11 supervisors and 84 frontline workers). The NVivo V.10 QSR software package was used for data management.

Results

There was tolerance of absenteeism in both the public and PNFP sectors, more so for clinicians and managers. Coping strategies varied according to the type of health facility. A majority of the PNFP participants reported emotion-focused reactions. These included unplanned work overload, stress, resulting anger directed towards coworkers and patients, shortening of consultation times and retaliatory absence. On the other hand, various cadres of public health facility participants reported ineffective problem-solving adaptations. These included altering weekly schedules, differing patient appointments, impeding absence monitoring registers, offering unnecessary patient referrals and rampant unsupervised informal task shifting from clinicians to nurses.

Conclusion

High levels of absenteeism attributed to clinicians and health service managers result in work overload and stress for frontline health workers, and unsupervised informal task shifting of clinical workload to nurses, who are the less clinically skilled. In resource-limited settings, the underlying causes of absenteeism and low staff morale require attention, because when left unattended, the coping responses to absenteeism can be seen to compromise the well-being of the workforce, the quality of healthcare and patients’ access to care.
Mortality and cancer incidence among underground uranium miners in the Czech Republic 1977–1992
Authors: Kelly-Reif Kaitlin , Sandler Dale P , Shore David , Schubauer-Berigan Mary , Troester Melissa A , Nylander-French Leena , Richardson David B
Published: June 2019

Objectives

Uranium miners in Příbram, Czech Republic were exposed to low and moderate levels of radon gas and other hazards. It is unknown whether these hazards increase the risk of mortality or cancer incidence when compared with the general Czech population.

Methods

A cohort of 16 434 male underground miners employed underground for at least 1 year between 1946 and 1976, and alive and residing in the Czech Republic in 1977, were followed for mortality and cancer incidence through 1992. We compared observed deaths and cancer incidence to expectation based on Czech rates. Standardised mortality ratios (SMRs), standardised incidence ratios (SIRs) and causal mortality ratios were calculated.

Results

Underground workers in the Příbram mines had higher rates of death than expected due to all causes (SMR=1.23, 95% CI 1.20 to 1.27), all cancers (SMR=1.52, 95% CI 1.44 to 1.60), lung cancer (SMR=2.12, 95% CI 1.96 to 2.28) and extrathoracic cancer (SMR=1.41, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.77). Similar excess was observed in cancer incidence analyses, with the addition of stomach cancer (SIR=1.37, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.63), liver cancer (SIR=1.70, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.25) and rectal cancer (SIR=1.41, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.66). The SIR was elevated for all leukaemias (SIR=1.51, 95% CI 1.08 to 2.07) and for lymphatic and haematopoietic cancers combined (SIR=1.31, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.61), but results for specific subtypes were imprecise. Deaths due to hazardous mining conditions resulted in 0.33 person-years of life lost per miner.

Conclusions

Occupational exposure to the Příbram mines resulted in excess cancers at several sites, including sites previously linked to radon and uranium exposure. Incidence analyses showed relative excess of several additional cancer subtypes.
Ability of a bovine transrectal palpation objective structured clinical examination to predict veterinary students’ pregnancy diagnosis accuracy
Authors: Annandale Annett , Fosgate Geoffrey T , Bok Harold , Holm Dietmar E
Published: June 2019

Bovine pregnancy diagnosis (PD) by transrectal palpation (TRP) is one of the most frequently performed procedures in bovine practice, and an important competency for veterinary graduates. It is currently not known if pre‐existing TRP skills on non‐pregnant cows can be used to predict students’ future PD accuracy. The study objective was to evaluate if TRP objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) scores can predict students’ future PD accuracy.

Fourth year (of a six‐year programme) veterinary students (n=128) received TRP and PD training on Breed'n Betsy (BB) simulators and live cows. Students’ TRP skills were assessed using a live cow TRP OSCE after completion of the fourth year training. The same students received additional TRP (BB and live cows) and PD (BB) training sessions in the first semester of their fifth year. PD accuracy was assessed after the additional TRP and PD training, five months after the TRP OSCE assessment and measured as sensitivity and specificity (the ability to correctly identify the presence and absence of pregnancy, respectively). Each student palpated six cows transrectally to diagnose pregnancy status and stage for the PD assessment. The TRP OSCE results were analysed as predictors for students’ PD accuracy.

Students with ‘competent palpation skills’ on the TRP OSCE had higher PD specificity. The individual OSCE components that were predictive of higher PD accuracy were students’ ability to estimate ovarian size, identify uterine position and exclude intrauterine fluid. It was concluded that a TRP OSCE has the ability to predict students’ future PD accuracy.
Prevalence of and risk factors for acute laminitis in horses treated with corticosteroids
Authors: Potter Katya , Stevens Kim , Menzies‐Gow Nicola
Published: June 2019

A retrospective treated versus untreated study (study 1) and multicentre prospective cohort study (study 2) were undertaken to determine the prevalence of, and risk factors associated with, acute laminitis in horses treated with corticosteroids. All old treated with corticosteroids January–December 2014 (study 1) and January 2015–February 2017 (study 2) by two first opinion and referral hospitals in UK were included. Additionally, an untreated animal was identified for each treated animal (study one). Signalment, body condition (study 2 only), relevant medical history, primary condition, corticosteroid therapy prescribed and occurrence of acute laminitis during or within 14 days of cessation of corticosteroid treatment were recorded.

For study 1, 205 cases and 205 controls were identified; two animals within each group (1 per cent) developed laminitis. In total, 1565 animals were included in study 2; laminitis period prevalence was 0.6 per cent (95 per cent CI 0.4 per cent to 1.2 per cent), with 10 cases in 1565 treated animals. There were significant associations between laminitis and breed (pony vs horse; p=0.01; univariable analysis only), the presence of a laminitis risk factor (history of laminitis or an underlying endocrinopathy; p<0.001; OR (95 per cent CI) 18.23 (5.05 to 65.87)) and body condition (overweight/obese vs not; p=0.04; OR (95 per cent CI) 4.0 (1.09 to 14.75)).
Diet quality and risk factors for cardiovascular disease among South Asians in Alberta
Authors: Subhan Fatheema B. , Chan Catherine B.
Published: June 2019

South Asians have a higher prevalence of early onset cardiovascular disease risk compared with other populations. Dietary intake is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Dietary patterns in immigrants and successive generations of South Asians settled in Western countries undergo adaptions. Little is known about the dietary intake of South Asians in Alberta, thus the objective of the present study was to describe the dietary patterns among South Asians and their risks for cardiovascular diseases. A retrospective analysis of data collected from 140 South Asian adults participating in the Alberta’s Tomorrow Project was conducted. Dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire and the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) was used an indicator of overall diet quality and adherence to dietary recommendations made by Health Canada. Central obesity (70%), hypercholesterolemia (27%), and hypertension (14%) were predominant health conditions observed in the study participants. About 56% and 44% of participants obtained moderate and poor HEI scores, respectively. The diet quality of the majority of participants was inadequate to meet macro- and micronutrient intake recommendations. The high prevalence of poor/moderate diet quality and pre-existing chronic health conditions across all body mass index groups is a cause for concern in this population.
The predicted effect of the polar vortex of 2019 on winter survival of emerald ash borer and mountain pine beetle
Authors: MacQuarrie Chris J.K. , Cooke Barry J. , Saint-Amant Rémi
Published: June 2019

We use simulation models of the winter biology of two forest insects — emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, 1888) and mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins, 1902) — to illustrate the anticipated effect of the polar vortex of the winter of 2019 on overwintering survival. Cold spells in late January and early and mid-February were cool enough that relatively high levels of mortality of both species may be expected in many parts of northern Canada. However, the high mortality response is not ubiquitous, and neither is it particularly severe compared with winter weather patterns from earlier decades. Forest insect pest managers will be required to carry on their usual work of population assessment and response. As Earth’s climate continues to warm, overwintering survival should, on average, increase in both species. However, the common occurrence of a split polar vortex associated with increasingly meridional jet stream flows should bring the odd winter of heavy mortality.
Using the RTM-GWAS procedure to detect the drought tolerance QTL-allele system at the seedling stage under sand culture in a half-sib population of soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.]
Authors: Khan Mueen Alam , Tong Fei , Wang Wubin , He Jianbo , Zhao Tuanjie , Gai Junyi
Published: June 2019

Soybean crops face drought as one of their major yield barriers. Dissecting the complete genetic architecture of drought tolerance (DT) is an ongoing challenge for soybean breeders. A half-sib population with 404 lines consisting of two recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations with M8206 as the joint parent (M8206 × TongShan and ZhengYang × M8206) was established and tested for their DT under sand culture. The population was sequenced using RAD-seq (restriction-site-associated DNA sequencing) filtered with minor allele frequency (MAF) ≥ 0.01, and 55 936 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were obtained and organized into 6137 SNPLDBs (SNP linkage disequilibrium blocks). The innovative RTM-GWAS (restricted two stage multi-locus genome-wide association study) identified 46 novel QTLs with 107 alleles on an average of 38.67% of the phenotypic variance (PV) collectively for relative plant length (RPL) and relative plant dry weight (RPDW). The identified quantitative trait loci (QTLs) with their corresponding alleles for RPL and RPDW were structured into QTL-allele matrices, showing the DT genetic architecture of the three parents and half-sib population. From the matrices, the possible best genotype was predicted to have their weighted average value (WAV) over two indicators 1.663, while the top 10 optimal crosses among RILs with 95thpercentile WAV was 0.872–0.960, transgressive over the parents (0.469–0.675) but much less than 1.663, depicting further pyramiding potential. From the detected QTL-allele system, 63 potential candidate genes collectively for both RPL and RPDW indicators explaining on average of 26.94% PV were annotated and χ2-tested as a DT potential candidate gene system involving nine biological processes, endorsing the genetic complexity of DT.
A family study to examine clonal diversity in unisexual salamanders (genus Ambystoma)
Authors: Bogart James P.
Published: June 2019

Unisexual Ambystoma are the oldest known unisexual vertebrates and comprise a lineage of eastern North American all female salamanders that reproduce by stealing sperm from as many as five normally bisexual congeneric species. The sperm may be used to only stimulate egg development by gynogenesis but can be incorporated in the zygote to elevate the ploidy level or to replace one of the female’s haploid genomes. This flexible and unique reproductive system, termed kleptogenesis, is investigated using a microsatellite examination of 988 offspring from 14 unisexual mothers. All mothers produced clonal and ploidy-elevated offspring. Genome replacement and multiple paternity are confirmed for the first time in unisexual Ambystoma. Microsatellite mutations were found in all five microsatellite loci and the estimated microsatellite mutation rate varied by locus and by genome. Clonal variation is attributed to the inclusion of sperm donors’ haploid genomes for ploidy elevation, genome replacement, mutations, and natural selection.
Design and Analysis of Hard X-Ray Microscope Employing Toroidal Mirrors Working at Grazing-Incidence
Authors: Cui Ying , Yan Yadong , Wu Bingjing , Li Qi , He Junhua
Published: June 2019

A high resolution microscope is designed for plasma hard X-ray (10–20[Formula: see text]keV) imaging diagnosis. This system consists of two toroidal mirrors, which are nearly parallel, with an angle twice that of the grazing incidence angle and a plane mirror for spectral selection and correction of optical axis offset. The imaging characteristics of single toroidal mirror and double mirrors are analyzed in detail by the optical path function. The optical design, parameter optimization, image quality simulation and analysis of the microscope are carried out. The optimized hard X-ray microscope has a resolution better than 5[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m at 1[Formula: see text]mm object field of view. The experimental data shows that the variation of the resolution is smaller in the direction of incident angle decrease than that in the increasing direction.
Join irreducible semigroups
Authors: Lee Edmond W. H. , Rhodes John , Steinberg Benjamin
Published: June 2019

We begin a systematic study of finite semigroups that generate join irreducible members of the lattice of pseudovarieties of finite semigroups, which are important for the spectral theory of this lattice. Finite semigroups [Formula: see text] that generate join irreducible pseudovarieties are characterized as follows: whenever [Formula: see text] divides a direct product [Formula: see text] of finite semigroups, then [Formula: see text] divides either [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text] for some [Formula: see text]. We present a new operator [Formula: see text] that preserves the property of join irreducibility, as does the dual operator, and show that iteration of these operators on any nontrivial join irreducible pseudovariety leads to an infinite hierarchy of join irreducible pseudovarieties. We also describe all join irreducible pseudovarieties generated by a semigroup of order up to five. It turns out that there are [Formula: see text] such pseudovarieties, and there is a relatively easy way to remember them. In addition, we survey most results known about join irreducible pseudovarieties to date and generalize a number of results in Sec. 7.3 of [The[Formula: see text]-theory of Finite Semigroups, Springer Monographs in Mathematics (Springer, Berlin, 2009)].
EFFECT OF ANODIC AND CATHODIC CURRENT DENSITIES ON THE CAVITATION DAMAGE CHARACTERISTICS OF ALUMINUM ALLOY IN SEAWATER
Authors: LEE JUNG-HYUNG , YANG YE-JIN , KIM SEONG-JONG
Published: June 2019

In this study, the influences of electrolytic gas generation on the surface of aluminum as a cushioning media against cavitation bubbles were experimentally investigated. The electrolytic gas evolution was controlled by applying electric current to the metal with different polarity and current densities. The surface of the metal specimen was either polarized anodically or cathodically while simultaneously being subject to vibratory cavitation. It was revealed that the surface damage behavior was mainly dependent on the current densities applied to the metal. It was apparent that a moderate current density range of between [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] A/cm2 applied cathodically can produce electrolytic gas evolution to cushion the cavitation bubbles sufficiently. However, application of a too a high current density (greater than [Formula: see text] A/cm[Formula: see text] may lead to cathodic corrosion of Al alloys.
Spectral statistics for one-dimensional Anderson model with unbounded but decaying potential
Authors: Mallick Anish , Dolai Dhriti Ranjan
Published: June 2019

In this work, we study the spectral statistics for Anderson model on [Formula: see text] with decaying randomness whose single-site distribution has unbounded support. Here, we consider the operator [Formula: see text] given by [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are real i.i.d random variables following symmetric distribution [Formula: see text] with fat tail, i.e. [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text], for some constant [Formula: see text]. In case of [Formula: see text], we are able to show that the eigenvalue process in [Formula: see text] is the clock process.
Functionalization of Titanium Surfaces with Lysine: A Micro Raman Study of the Intermolecular Interactions of Lysine-TiO2
Authors: Manrique-Bastidas Cesar A. , Sundaram Paul , Resto Pedro J. , Mina-Camilde Nairmen , Hernandez-Rivera Samuel P.
Published: June 2019

Raman scattering (RS) was used as a powerful, efficient, and sensitive technique for studying intermolecular interactions between an organic ligand adsorbate and a metallic substrate. Functionalization of titanium (TiO2[Formula: see text]Ti) surfaces was performed using lysine (Lys) as adsorbate and later developing a hydroxyapatite (HA) layer onto this functionalized surface. The functionalization process was performed at different pH values of the interacting chemical species. Chemisorption onto the TiO2Ti substrates through the Lys carboxylic group was demonstrated spectroscopically. Analysis of vibrational spectra showed that the CH side chain of Lys was relatively distant from the (TiO2[Formula: see text]Ti) surface, preventing direct contact with the surface. Additionally, the signals corresponding to the unbound [Formula: see text]-NH2 group indicate that it is available for additional complexation. In vitro bioactivity of the Lys–TiO2[Formula: see text]Ti surface was achieved by developing an HA layer onto already functionalized TiO2[Formula: see text]Ti surfaces at various pH values. Spectroscopic data using the spectral markers of HA and Lys provided a decisive role in establishing the necessary baseline data for evidencing the intermolecular bonding. The functionalized TiO2[Formula: see text]Ti surface reactivity is linked to the specific intermolecular interactions of –COO− (pH 7.0) with Ca[Formula: see text] ions, as well as the –COOH (pH 2.0 and 12.0) groups of Lys, with the –OH groups of PO[Formula: see text] belonging to HA.
Thickening and partial melting of the Northern Qinling Orogen, China: insights from zircon U–Pb geochronology and Hf isotopic composition of migmatites
Authors: Sun Shengsi , Dong Yunpeng , He Dengfeng , Cheng Chao , Liu Xiaoming
Published: June 2019

The widespread migmatites in the Precambrian basement of the North Qinling Belt are products of partial melting of the Earth's crust and record the tectono-thermal response to Late Paleozoic collision along the Shangdan suture. The morphology and trace element geochemistry of zircons from the migmatites suggest a metamorphic origin related to partial melting. The zircons from leucosome, melanosome and banded migmatites yield U–Pb weighted mean ages of 408 ± 2, 403 ± 2 and 400 ± 2 Ma, respectively, constraining the timing of migmatization. The granitic dyke intruded into the migmatites gives a zircon U–Pb weighted mean age of 396 ± 2 Ma, constraining the minimum time of migmatization. Zircons from the melanosome and banded migmatite yield upper intercept ages of 1088–1061 Ma, representing the protolith ages of the basement of the North Qinling Belt. The zircon rims of the melanosome and banded migmatite predominantly display negative and positive ε
Hf
(
t
) values, respectively, suggesting the variable input of mantle material. Together with the regional geology and previous geochronological data, we propose that the thickening and partial melting in the North Qinling Belt was induced by the collision along the Shangdan suture between the North and South China Blocks from
c.
408 to 400 Ma.

Supplementary material:
LA-ICP-MS U–Pb data, Lu–Hf isotopic compositions and trace element geochemistry data of the zircons and Ti-in-zircon thermometry are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4521389
Nanoparticles for Biomedicine: Coagulation During Synthesis and Applications
Authors: Starsich Fabian H.L. , Herrmann Inge K. , Pratsinis Sotiris E.
Published: June 2019

Nanoparticle-based systems offer fascinating possibilities for biomedicine, but their translation into clinics is slow. Missing sterile, reproducible, and scalable methods for their synthesis along with challenges in characterization and poor colloidal stability of nanoparticles in body fluids are key obstacles. Flame aerosol technology gives proven access to scalable synthesis of nanoparticles with diverse compositions and architectures. Although highly promising in terms of product reproducibility and sterility, this technology is frequently overlooked, as its products are of fractal-like aggregated and/or agglomerated morphology. However, coagulation is a widely occurring phenomenon in all kinds of particle-based systems. In particular, protein-rich body fluids encountered in biomedical settings often lead to destabilization of colloidal nanoparticle suspensions in vivo. We aim to provide insights into how particle–particle interactions can be measured and controlled. Moreover, we show how particle coupling effects driven by coagulation may even be beneficial for certain sensing, therapeutic, and bioimaging applications.
Protein and Peptide Biomaterials for Engineered Subunit Vaccines and Immunotherapeutic Applications
Authors: Tsoras Alexandra N. , Champion Julie A.
Published: June 2019

Although vaccines have been the primary defense against widespread infectious disease for decades, there is a critical need for improvement to combat complex and variable diseases. More control and specificity over the immune response can be achieved by using only subunit components in vaccines. However, these often lack sufficient immunogenicity to fully protect, and conjugation or carrier materials are required. A variety of protein and peptide biomaterials have improved effectiveness and delivery of subunit vaccines for infectious, cancer, and autoimmune diseases. They are biodegradable and have control over both material structure and immune function. Many of these materials are built from naturally occurring self-assembling proteins, which have been engineered for incorporation of vaccine components. In contrast, others are de novo designs of structures with immune function. In this review, protein biomaterial design, engineering, and immune functionality as vaccines or immunotherapies are discussed.
Therapeutic effects of soluble guanylate cyclase stimulation on pulmonary hemodynamics and emphysema development in guinea pigs chronically exposed to cigarette smoke
Authors: Paul Tanja , Blanco Isabel , Aguilar Daniel , Tura-Ceide Olga , Bonjoch Cristina , Smolders Valérie F. , Peinado Victor I. , Barberà Joan A.
Published: June 2019

We have analyzed the effect of the soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator BAY 41-2272 in a therapeutic intervention in guinea pigs chronically exposed to cigarette smoke (CS). The effects of sGC stimulation on respiratory function, pulmonary hemodynamics, airspace size, vessel remodeling, and inflammatory cell recruitment to the lungs were evaluated in animals that had been exposed to CS for 3 mo. CS exposure was continued for an additional 3 mo in half of the animals and withdrawn in the other half. Animals that stopped CS exposure had slightly lower pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and right ventricle (RV) hypertrophy than those who continued CS exposure, but they did not recover from the emphysema and the inflammatory cell infiltrate. Conversely, oral BAY 41-2272 administration stopped progression or even reversed the CS-induced emphysema in both current and former smokers, respectively. Furthermore, BAY 41-2272 produced a reduction in the RV hypertrophy, which correlated with a decrease in the PAP values. By contrast, the degree of vessel remodeling induced by CS remained unchanged in the treated animals. Functional network analysis suggested perforin/granzyme pathway downregulation as an action mechanism capable of stopping the progression of emphysema after sGC stimulation. The pathway analysis also showed normalization of the expression of cGMP-dependent serine/kinases. In conclusion, in guinea pigs chronically exposed to CS, sGC stimulation exerts beneficial effects on the lung parenchyma and the pulmonary vasculature, suggesting that sGC stimulators might be a potential alternative for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment that deserves further evaluation.
Clinical Genomic Sequencing of Pediatric and Adult Osteosarcoma Reveals Distinct Molecular Subsets with Potentially Targetable Alterations
Authors: Suehara Yoshiyuki , Alex Deepu , Bowman Anita , Middha Sumit , Zehir Ahmet , Chakravarty Debyani , Wang Lu , Jour George , Nafa Khedoudja , Hayashi Takuo , Jungbluth Achim A. , Frosina Denise , Slotkin Emily , Shukla Neerav , Meyers Paul , Healey John H. , Hameed Meera , Ladanyi Marc
Published: June 2019

Purpose:

Although multimodal chemotherapy has improved outcomes for patients with osteosarcoma, the prognosis for patients who present with metastatic and/or recurrent disease remains poor. In this study, we sought to define how often clinical genomic sequencing of osteosarcoma samples could identify potentially actionable alterations.

Experimental Design: We analyzed genomic data from 71 osteosarcoma samples from 66 pediatric and adult patients sequenced using MSK-IMPACT, a hybridization capture-based large panel next-generation sequencing assay. Potentially actionable genetic events were categorized according to the OncoKB precision oncology knowledge base, of which levels 1 to 3 were considered clinically actionable.

Results:

We found at least one potentially actionable alteration in 14 of 66 patients (21%), including amplification of CDK4 (n = 9, 14%: level 2B) and/or MDM2 (n = 9, 14%: level 3B), and somatic truncating mutations/deletions in BRCA2 (n = 3, 5%: level 2B) and PTCH1 (n = 1, level 3B). In addition, we observed mutually exclusive patterns of alterations suggesting distinct biological subsets defined by gains at 4q12 and 6p12-21. Specifically, potentially targetable gene amplifications at 4q12 involving KIT, KDR, and PDGFRA were identified in 13 of 66 patients (20%), which showed strong PDGFRA expression by IHC. In another largely nonoverlapping subset of 14 patients (24%) with gains at 6p12-21, VEGFA amplification was identified.

Conclusions:

We found potentially clinically actionable alterations in approximately 21% of patients with osteosarcoma. In addition, at least 40% of patients have tumors harboring PDGFRA or VEGFA amplification, representing candidate subsets for clinical evaluation of additional therapeutic options. We propose a new genomically based algorithm for directing patients with osteosarcoma to clinical trial options.
Three-Dimensional Nanoscale Nuclear Architecture Mapping of Rectal Biopsies Detects Colorectal Neoplasia in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Uttam Shikhar , Hashash Jana G. , LaFace Justin , Binion David , Regueiro Miguel , Hartman Douglas J. , Brand Randall E. , Liu Yang
Published: June 2019

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) colitis are at an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer and are currently recommended to undergo extensive annual or biennial colonoscopy, a costly and invasive procedure. Most surveillance colonoscopies are negative with no existing objective measures for assessing their risk of developing cancer. We have recently developed a less invasive, cost-effective and objective method to assess cancer risk by detecting the presence of colonic neoplasia via 3-dimensional (3D) nanoscale nuclear architecture mapping (nanoNAM) of normal-appearing rectal biopsies. To establish its translational relevance, we prospectively recruited 103 patients with IBD colitis undergoing surveillance colonoscopy and measured submicroscopic alterations in aberrant intrinsic nuclear architecture of epithelial cells from normal-appearing rectal biopsies with nanoNAM. The results were correlated with the histologic diagnoses from all random biopsies obtained during initial and follow-up colonoscopy within 3 years. Using nanoNAM-based structural characterization as input features into a soft margin–based ν-SVM risk classifier, we show that nanoNAM detects colonic neoplasia with AUC of 0.87 ± 0.04, sensitivity of 0.81 ± 0.09, and specificity of 0.82 ± 0.07 in the independent validation set. In addition, projecting nanoNAM features onto a 2-sphere reveals patients with low-risk and high-risk IBD colitis existing on separate hemispheres. Finally, we show that this ability to assess cancer risk translates to clinically-relevant estimation of individual-patient likelihood of being truly at risk. We demonstrate the potential of nanoNAM to identify patients with IBD at higher risk of developing cancer from normal-appearing rectum tissue, which may aid clinicians in patients with personalized IBD colitis surveillance.
Mushroom Consumption and Risk of Total and Site-Specific Cancer in Two Large U.S. Prospective Cohorts
Authors: Lee Dong Hoon , Yang Meng , Keum NaNa , Giovannucci Edward L. , Sun Qi , Chavarro Jorge E.
Published: June 2019

Several case–control studies have reported that mushroom consumption may be associated with reduced risk of certain cancers. However, epidemiologic studies have not yet prospectively examined the association of mushroom consumption with total and various site-specific cancer risks. This prospective cohort study included 68,327 women (Nurses' Health Study, 1986–2012) and 44,664 men (Health Professionals Follow-up Study, 1986–2012) who were free of cancer at baseline. Mushroom consumption was assessed at baseline using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Covariates were assessed using biennial questionnaires during the follow-up. We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of total and 17 site-specific cancers associated with mushroom consumption. During up to 26 years of follow-up, we documented 22,469 incident cancer cases (15,103 in women and 7,366 in men). In the pooled multivariable analysis, participants who consumed five or more servings of mushrooms per week had no significantly different risk of total cancer (HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.98–1.14) than participants who almost never consumed mushrooms. We consistently found no association between mushroom consumption and risk of 16 site-specific cancers. However, there was a marginal positive association between mushroom consumption and risk of lung cancer (Ptrend = 0.05). In conclusion, we found no association between mushroom consumption and total and site-specific cancers in U.S. women and men. More prospective cohort studies are needed to examine the associations for specific cancer types in diverse racial/ethnic groups.
Ein seltener Fall von Lipidpneumonie durch Amiodaron
Authors: Voulgareli Ilektra , Chronaiou Alexandra , Tsoukalas Dionisios , Tsoukalas George
Published: June 2019

Wir berichten über einen Fall endogener Lipidpneumonie infolge Langzeitanwendung (≥ 30 Jahre) von Amiodaron zur Behandlung von Vorhofflimmern bei einer 76-jährigen Patientin kaukasischer Abstammung, die sich mit Husten und Dyspnoe bei uns vorstellte. Die endogene Lipidpneumonie ist eine seltene und unterdiagnostizierte Krankheit, die häufiger bei Erwachsenen auftritt. Sie verläuft normalerweise asymptomatisch und wird meist bei Patienten diagnostiziert, die klinisch instabil geworden sind, oder wenn im Thoraxröntgenbild eine abnorme Verschattung der Lunge erkennbar ist. In dem hier vorgestellten Fall erfolgte die Diagnosestellung durch fiberoptische Bronchoskopie mit Gewinnung von Flüssigkeit nach bronchoalveolärer Lavage (BALF), in der fettbeladene Makrophagen (Oil-Red-O-Färbung) zu finden waren. Da die Anwendung ölhaltiger Produkte anamnestisch ausgeschlossen worden war, wurde Amiodaron für die wahrscheinlichste Ursache der Lipidpneumonie gehalten. Die Behandlung wurde von Amiodaron auf Digoxin umgestellt und die Patientin erhielt oral Prednisolon. Während der 2-jährigen Nachbeobachtungsdauer blieb die Patientin klinisch stabil und die radiologischen Zeichen gingen zurück.
ПРИЧИННО-НАСЛІДКОВІ ЗВ’ЯЗКИ ВИНИКНЕННЯ ПІДЛІТКОВОЇ ВАГІТНОСТІ
Authors: Nakonechna M. V. , Petrenko N. V. , Dyachok I. M.
Published: June 2019

За результатами дослідження встановлено, що найчастішими причинами підліткової вагітності є ранній початок статевого життя, дефіцит знань щодо методів контрацепції та насильство, що зумовлює потребу розробки заходів щодо підвищення статевої культури молоді.
Sistema aquífero Alter do Chão a oeste da cidade de Manaus (AM): processos hidrogeoquímicos, origem da salinidade e relações com aquíferos adjacentes
Authors: Pita Renato Cosme dos Santos , Silva Júnior Gerson Cardoso da , Rosário Fátima Ferreira do , Silva Márcio Luiz da
Published: June 2019

O aquífero associado à Formação Alter do Chão (FAC) — subsistema aquífero Alter do Chão (AAC) — é o mais conhecido da região amazônica. Estudos recentes indicam sua possível conexão com o subsistema aquífero cretáceo Tikuna, que possui continuidade por todas as bacias amazônicas, ambos integrando o grande Sistema Aquífero Amazônico (SAA). O objetivo do presente trabalho foi o aperfeiçoamento do modelo conceitual de funcionamento do AAC a oeste de Manaus. A metodologia incluiu medidas do nível d’água, de parâmetros físico-químicos in situ em poços e amostragem para análises químicas e isotópicas das águas subterrâneas. Realizou-se o levantamento das  características geológicas e limites do aquífero, baseado em dados de poços de petróleo e de abastecimento de água existentes. Os resultados revelaram que as águas do AAC a oeste de Manaus possuem duas origens principais: 1) origem meteórica, pouco mineralizadas, situadas nas camadas aquíferas superiores, em um sistema livre, com recarga local; 2) origem remota, mais mineralizadas, com maior tempo de residência no aquífero, armazenadas nas camadas mais profundas em um sistema provavelmente confinado, originadas possivelmente em áreas de recarga do bordo oeste do SAA. As análises isotópicas calibradas sugerem uma idade média de 21.380 anos para águas subterrâneas mais mineralizadas e profundas dos municípios de Manacapuru e Careiro. Essa água é, provavelmente, resultado de uma mescla de águas mais antigas com águas de recarga mais recente. Por conta dessa diferenciação hidrogeoquímica, correlacionada com a geologia local, o AAC foi subdividido em uma porção superior, livre e menos mineralizada, e outra inferior, mais antiga e mineralizada, ambas misturadas a leste do Arco de Purus, com progressiva diluição pela chuva.
Filaggrin and atopic march
Authors: Čepelak Ivana , Dodig Slavica , Pavić Ivan
Published: June 2019

There is an increasing number of experimental, genetic and clinical evidence of atopic dermatitis expression as a pre-condition for later development of other atopic diseases such as asthma, food allergy and allergic rhinitis. Atopic dermatitis is a heterogeneous, recurrent childhood disease, also present in the adult age. It is increasingly attributed to systemic features and is characterized by immunological and skin barrier integrity and function dysregulation. To maintain the protective function of the skin barrier, in particular the maintenance of pH, hydration and antimicrobial functions, the filaggrin, among others, plays a significant role. Filaggrin is a multifunctional, histidine-rich, insoluble protein. The lack of filaggrin is associated with various cutaneous (e.g. ichthyosis vulgaris, allergic contact dermatitis) and non-cutaneous (e.g. diabetes, inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract) diseases and may be a result of genetic, immunological factors combined with environmental factors. In this review we summarised (emphasized) recent findings in understanding the role of filaggrin in atopic dermatitis and other diseases, participants in the atopic march.
European survey on preanalytical sample handling – Part 2: Practices of European laboratories on monitoring and processing haemolytic, icteric and lipemic samples. On behalf of the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EF
Authors: Cadamuro Janne , Cornes Michael , Simundic Ana-Maria , de la Salle Barbara , Kristensen Gunn B.B. , Guimaraes Joao Tiago , Grankvist Kjell , Vermeersch Pieter , Nybo Mads , van Dongen – Lases Edmee , Ibarz Mercedes , von Meyer Alexander , Lippi Giuseppe
Published: June 2019

Introduction: No guideline currently exists on how to detect or document haemolysis, icterus or lipemia (HIL) in blood samples, nor on subsequent use of this information. The EFLM WG-PRE has performed a survey for assessing current practices of European laboratories in HIL monitoring. This second part of two coherent articles is focused on HIL. Materials and methods: An online survey, containing 39 questions on preanalytical issues, was disseminated among EFLM member countries. Seventeen questions exclusively focused on assessment, management and follow-up actions of HIL in routine blood samples. Results: Overall, 1405 valid responses from 37 countries were received. A total of 1160 (86%) of all responders stating to analyse blood samples - monitored HIL. HIL was mostly checked in clinical chemistry samples and less frequently in those received for coagulation, therapeutic drug monitoring and serology/infectious disease testing. HIL detection by automatic HIL indices or visual inspection, along with haemolysis cut-offs definition, varied widely among responders. A quarter of responders performing automated HIL checks used internal quality controls. In haemolytic/icteric/lipemic samples, most responders (70%) only rejected HIL-sensitive parameters, whilst about 20% released all test results with general comments. Other responders did not analysed but rejected the entire sample, while some released all tests, without comments. Overall, 26% responders who monitored HIL were using this information for monitoring phlebotomy or sample transport quality. Conclusion: Strategies for monitoring and treating haemolytic, icteric or lipemic samples are quite heterogeneous in Europe. The WG-PRE will use these insights for developing and providing recommendations aimed at harmonizing strategies across Europe.
The Messianic Kingship of Augustin Bader as Anti-Habsburg Polemic: Prophecy and Politics in Reformation Germany
Authors: Bast Robert
Published: June 2019

This paper explores the genesis, self-understanding and significance of a small messianic commune operating in the late 1520s in southern Germany under the headship of Augustin Bader, an Augsburg weaver and erstwhile Anabaptist. It traces the unique convergence of Christian and Jewish messianic expectation in the 1520s that unexpectedly linked Bader to the kabbalistic prognostications of Abraham Halevi and the pseudo-military campaign of David Reuveni. Finally, it argues that Bader’s messianism was specifically crafted as a counter-hegemonic measure against the Habsburgs, whose persecution of Anabaptists such as Bader and his associates made a mockery of that dynasty’s heavy reliance on the imperial messianic ideology of the Last World Emperor.
Life in the Egyptian Valley under Ikhshīdid and Fāṭimid Rule: Insights from Documentary Sources
Authors: Livingston Daisy
Published: June 2019

Offering a micro-historical reading of extant legal deeds from Ashmūnayn in Upper Egypt, this article investigates the history of the diverse communities living in the Egyptian valley during the Ikhshīdid and Fāṭimid periods. It reveals the varied nature of settlements, the large extent of interconnections between towns and villages of different size and character, and the implications these had on legal and documentary practice. It presents a re-evaluated concept of centres and peripheries within the context of the Egyptian valley which highlights the varied pace at which developments taking place in central areas impacted on more remote regions, and argues for an understanding of the history of the Egyptian valley that looks beyond periodisation based on dynastic change.
Chinese Medicine, Western Medicine and Confucianism: Japanese State Medicine and the Knowledge Cosmopolis of Early Modern East Asia
Authors: Paramore Kiri
Published: June 2019

This article argues that Chinese state intellectual approaches to medicine significantly influenced the institutional reception of Western medicine in early modern Japan. Confucian-inspired general reforms of government in late eighteenth-century Japan encouraged an increase in state medical intervention, including the introduction of Western medical practices, achieved primarily through the use of transnational Confucian intellectual knowledge apparatuses. Through a sociology of knowledge approach, this article analyzes the links between earlier private-sphere Chinese medical practice, late Chinese imperial state ideas on medicine, and early modern state-led medical Westernization in Japan. The article highlights the role of trans-Asian Confucian ideas, networks and practices in mediating new approaches to technical innovation, including those from the West. The position for Confucianism argued in the article thereby resonates with Bayly’s idea of the early modern information order of India, and Pollock and Ricci’s ideas on cosmopolitan discursive spaces in other parts of Asia.
Prosecution for the Destruction of Cultural Property – Significance of the al Mahdi Trial
Authors: Pratt Lara
Published: June 2019

In recent years, the vulnerability of cultural property during armed conflict has been a high-profile issue of international concern. The al Mahdi prosecution at the International Criminal Court, for the destruction of sites in Timbuktu, represents an important development in the protection of cultural property. As the first international criminal law prosecution solely for cultural property crimes, it is recognition that loss of cultural heritage leads to both local and global harms and opens the door to future prosecutions. This article first briefly explains the current international law framework. It then explains the significance of the al Mahdi trial and the challenges in realising any potential benefits. The article concludes that while the trial is an important development, if this prosecution represents either the totality of international criminal law engagement in Mali or the final prosecution for the destruction of cultural property, the possible benefits will be undermined.
A Hymn to God Assigned to Gregory of Nazianzus and Its Neoplatonic Context
Authors: Timotin Andrei
Published: June 2019

The paper deals with an anonymous Hymn to God, which is attributed to Gregory of Nazianzus by some authors, but was most probably composed by a Christian Neoplatonist such as Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite. The paper explores the hymn’s relation to Neoplatonic theories of prayer and shows that these affinities are broader in scope than has previously been recognised. Some Pagan and Christian Neoplatonists, including the author of the Hymn to God, seem to have shared the idea of a cosmic prayer by which all beings tend towards God, a prayer founded on the knowledge of the ‘signatures’ (synthemata) that God rooted in our souls.
Achaemenid Creation and Second Isaiah
Authors: Silverman Jason M.
Published: June 2019

For many years, scholars have entertained the idea that monotheism appeared in Second Isaiah as a result of Zoroastrian influence. Since the issue of monotheism is inappropriate for either the Persian or the Judaean contexts, this paper argues that a more fruitful angle to pursue the Persian context of Isaiah is through analysis of the concept of creation. This paper takes the Achaemenid creation prologues in the Old Persian inscriptions as a comparator for the use of creation in Second Isaiah, and places these two in a broader ancient Near Eastern context of creation mythology. It is argued that both share distinctive features in the way creation is presented and understood. Given the novel and similar concepts visible in both corpora, it is argued that the vision of creation and form of yhwh as creator are the earliest attested instance of “Iranian influence” on the Judaean tradition.
Thou Shalt Not Enter the Bazaar on Rainy Days! Zemmi Merchants in Safavid Isfahan: Shiʿite Feqh Meeting Social Reality
Authors: Kiyanrad Sarah
Published: June 2019

Many Muslim and non-Muslim merchants from East and West were attracted to Safavid Isfahan, the new “center of the world,” a city that also played host to its own mercantile communities, among them many zemmi traders—Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians. As representatives of the newly-established Twelver Shiʿite theology, Safavid religious scholars felt the need to offer commentary on evolving issues on a theoretical level, sometimes writing not in Arabic but in New Persian. How did they regard the activities of zemmi merchants? Were zemmi traders subject to religiously-motivated restrictions? Or did they, on the other hand, enjoy exclusive rights? While my paper focusses on these questions, it will also compare the legal opinions of selected Safavid foqahāʾ on the social reality as reflected in travelogues and through historiography.
Slaves for Pleasure in Arabic Sex and Slave Purchase Manuals from the Tenth to the Twelfth Centuries
Authors: Myrne Pernilla
Published: June 2019

Women probably made up the majority of the slave population in the medieval Islamic world, most of them used for domestic service. As men were legally permitted to have sexual relations with their female slaves, enslaved women could be used for sexual service. Erotic compendia and sex manuals were popular literature in the premodern Islamic world, and are potentially rich sources for the history of sex slavery, especially when juxtaposed with legal writings. This article uses Arabic sex manuals and slave purchase manuals from the tenth to the twelfth century to investigate the attitudes toward sexual slavery during this period, as well as the changing ethnicities and origins of slaves, and the use of legal manipulations.