bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum specific IgE responses to inhalant allergens sensitization
Authors: Rengganis Iris , Alimuddin Suriani , Susanto Agus J.
Published: November 2017

Background: Serum specific immunoglobulin E (ssIgE) sensitization to common inhalant allergens has not been studied in Indonesia. This study aimed to evaluate specific IgE production of common inhalant allergens in patients with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis in Jakarta, Indonesia.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in adult patients with respiratory allergy from September to December 2016 at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta. Patients were included if they showed at least one positive skin prick test (SPT) to environmental allergens. Serum specific IgE was assayed by using multiple allergosorbent methods. Inhalant allergens tested were dust mites, pollen, cockroach, animal dander, and mould. Serum IgE level more than 0.35 kU/L was considered positive.Results: One hundred subjects were enrolled (76% women). Dust mites made up 75% of sensitization, followed by cat/dog (31%), cockroach (27%), pollen (24%), and mould (6%). Almost all patients sensitized to cockroach, pollen, cat/dog epithelia and mould were also co-sensitized with dust mites. Twenty two percent of patients were negative to all tested allergens.Conclusion: IgE-sensitization to inhalant allergens varies widely in respiratory allergic patients. House dust and storage mites are the most common allergens. About one-fifth of the subjects did not show specific-IgE sensitization. Thus, this test should always be combined with SPT to diagnose allergy.
The challenges, triumphs and learning from participating in an Australian social work students’ activist group
Authors: O’Connor David John , Thomas Ezra , White Kaila , Morley Christine
Published: November 2017

This article traces the emergence of a student activist group called the Social Work Action and Advocacy Network for Students at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia. The article exhibits three founding members’ experiences of working collectively to achieve emancipatory goals: showcasing achievements; grappling with ethical tensions of working within a group; and demonstrating students’ capacity to re-author the identity of social work in a way that positions activism as central.
Comparison of Different Decalcification Methods Using Rat Mandibles as a Model
Authors: Savi Flavia M. , Brierly Gary I. , Baldwin Jeremy , Theodoropoulos Christina , Woodruff Maria A.
Published: November 2017

Selection of decalcification agents is an essential consideration when processing mineralized tissues because the integrity and immunohistochemical characteristics of the tissues may be affected. Here, we report results obtained from the decalcification of rat mandibles using 10% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) at room temperature (RT), 10% EDTA at 37C, 5% nitric acid, and 10% formic acid at RT. Decalcification endpoints were determined by microcomputed tomography. Morphological preservation and antigenicity were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry. Decalcification of the anterior and posterior portions of the mandible took 220 and 191 hr in 10% EDTA RT, 102 and 73 hr in 10% EDTA 37C, 13.5 and 4.3 hr in 5% nitric acid, and 140 and 36 hr in 10% formic acid, respectively. Decalcification in 10% EDTA at 37C was accelerated, but 10% EDTA at RT provided optimal results for immunohistochemistry and cellular and structural details. Decalcification using 5% nitric acid was accomplished in the shortest time and exhibited good cellular and architectural morphology, whereas 10% formic acid was suboptimal with respect to tissue and cellular morphology. Despite being the slowest method, EDTA at RT is still the recommended method for decalcifying mineralized tissues; however, if rapid decalcification is needed, 5% nitric acid is the best option, yielding acceptable tissue integrity and speed.
Impactos hidrometeóricos no alfa do Pantanal sul-mato-grossense/Brasil
Authors: Fernandes Elvira Fátima de Lima , Anunciação Vicentina Socorro da
Published: November 2017

O alfa do Pantanal sul–mato-grossense brasileiro vem sendo atingido por inundações sucessivas na década de 2010. O objetivo do trabalho foi analisar a espacialização dos impactos hidrometeóricos que ocorreram nos últimos sete anos nas sedes municipais de Aquidauana e Anastácio, com ênfase no episódio de 2011, para relacionar a função urbana estabelecida na área suscetível à inundação com a intensidade das inundações sazonais. A pesquisa fundamentou-se no entendimento das variáveis consideradas na área estudada, informações socioeconômicas e inventariação dos lotes. O trabalho de campo contou com um pré-mapeamento que consistiu no reconhecimento territorial e geomorfológico da área de estudo, e posteriormente a divisão das áreas suscetíveis à inundação em cinco setores, para descrição do perímetro urbano, foram analisados os Planos Diretores. Os resultados apontam a diminuição significativa do tempo de recorrência das inundações e revelam que a intensidade de magnitude das inundações está diretamente relacionada com os excessos pluviométricos na área da bacia hidrográfica do rio Aquidauana.
Evaluación de la madurez de la gestión de conocimiento en grandes empresas de Colombia: modelo exploratorio
Authors: Durango Yepes Carlos Mario , Quiroz Carvajal Jorge
Published: November 2017

Este artículo responde la pregunta cómo evaluar la madurez de la ges- tión del conocimiento (GC) en 31 organizaciones de los departamentos de Antioquia y Caldas, articulando las posturas funcionalista e interpretativa. Para ello se usa la técnica multivariable de análisis clúster y una metodo- logía que proporciona un algoritmo de cálculo que torna semicuantitativas las variables cualitativas provenientes de una escala Likert aplicada a un cuestionario con 14 variables. Los resultados obtenidos permiten obtener la clasi cación nal de las empresas de ambas regiones, creando agrupaciones interpretables en función de rasgos determinados —como procesos de GC, organizativos y de las personas, tecnológicos e interpretativos—, que in u- yen en el concepto de madurez de la GC. Uno de los principales hallazgos es el instrumento en su conjunto, el cual está diseñado para posicionarse como un instrumento de auto-evaluación entendible fácilmente, y que pos- teriormente podrá ser puesto on line, para su comparabilidad con empresas que se con guren como de talla mundial.
Recubrimiento comestible natural con base en Aloe vera como estrategia de conservación de Psidium guajava
Authors: García-Mera George Adalberto , Salas-Macías Carlos Alfredo , Canales-Torres Heydi Gwendoline
Published: November 2017

La industria alimenticia a nivel mundial se encuentra con la necesidad de nuevas estrategias tecnológicas y cambios para el favorecimiento de la preservación de las frutas. En este contexto, los recubrimientos han representado grandes beneficios para la industria y para el consumidor. La presente investigación tiene como objetivo principal evaluar el efecto de la aplicación de un recubrimiento natural utilizando como insumo principal el Aloe vera en guayaba, que por su naturaleza climatérica tiende a alcanzar la senescencia muy rápidamente en los procesos postcosecha, perdiendo calidad en muy corto tiempo. A fin de lograr el objetivo planteado se determinaron siete tratamientos para la evaluación de tres dosis de Aloe vera (10%, 20% y 30%) mezclados con dos dosis de glicerol (1,5% y 2,5%). Como variables respuesta se consideraron: la pérdida de peso (porcentaje de pérdida con respecto al peso de fruta fresca), el pH de las frutas, sólidos solubles totales (SST), acidez titulable, presencia microorganismos por medio del total de unidades formadoras de colonias (UFC). El mejor tratamiento fue el T5 ya que contaba con los mejores valores en cada una de las variables analizadas. Dicho tratamiento estuvo compuesto por 30 % de Aloe vera y 1,5 % de glicerol. Luego de la evaluación se concluye que el recubrimiento aplicado en guayaba con base en Aloe vera y glicerol logra retardar el tiempo de maduración en la guayaba conservándola y logrando mantener a la fruta en buen estado conforme al paso del tiempo, sin perder sus características organolépticas.
Patrones de ergatividad en el español peninsular
Authors: Lara Victor
Published: November 2017

Western Peninsular Spanish possesses a type of causative construction in which an intransitive lexeme is used as transitive. Specifically, the verbscaer(‘to fall’),quedar(‘to stay’) andentrar(‘to enter) can induce a direct object in detriment of the standard verbstirar(‘to throw’),dejar(‘to leave’) andmeter(‘to put in’). This phenomenon (called lability) has not been investigated in depth for Spanish and, with this paper I attempt to pinpoint its current geographical extension as well as the semantic factors that favour the transitivisation of these verbs.
Military Provision of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief in Non-Conflict Crises
Authors: Canyon Deon V. , Ryan Benjamin J. , Burkle Frederick M.
Published: November 2017

There is an upward trend in the use of military personnel and assets to provide domestic and international humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. International humanitarian law has constrained military involvement by imposing particular obligations when it comes to providing assistance. In nonconflict situations, however, these constraints are becoming increasingly unreasonable given that the priority is to fill the gap between global humanitarian capacity and actual community need. Militaries in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region have been proactively assessing their performance in humanitarian missions, and some have made significant progress in advancing civilian-military coordination. Future efforts must focus on improving the integration of military modes of operation and assets into emerging frameworks for disaster management and humanitarian efforts. Military policy makers need to assume a more active role in expanding their focus beyond response to all phases of disasters: prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.
Deadline Constrained Task Scheduling Method Using a Combination of Center-Based Genetic Algorithm and Group Search Optimization
Authors: Parthasarathy Sellaperumal , Venkateswaran Chinnasami Jothi
Published: November 2017

The present paper describes a hybrid group search optimization (GSO) and center-based genetic algorithm (CBGA)-based model for task scheduling in cloud computing. The proposed hybrid model combines the GSO, which has been successful in its application in task scheduling, with the use of the CBGA. The basic scheme of our approach is to utilize the benefits of both the GSO algorithm and CBGA excluding their disadvantages. In our work, we introduce the hybrid clouds, which are needed to determine which task to be outsourced and to what cloud provider. These choices ought to minimize the expense of running an allotment of the aggregate task on one or various public cloud providers while considering the application prerequisites, e.g. deadline constraints and data requirements. In the hybridization approach (HGSOCBGA), each dimension of a solution represents a task and the solution as a whole signifies all the task priorities. The vital issue is how to allocate the user tasks to exploit the profit of the infrastructure as a service (IaaS) provider while promising the quality of service (QoS). The generated solution proficiently assures the user-level QoS and improves the IaaS providers’ credibility and economic benefit. The HGSOCBGA method also designs the hybridization process and suitable fitness function of the corresponding task. According to the evolved results, it has been found that our algorithm always outperforms the traditional algorithms.
Diagnostic efficiency in models for permissible measurement uncertainty
Authors: Haeckel Rainer , Wosniok Werner , Gurr Eberhard
Published: November 2017

Limits for measurement uncertainty related to analytical imprecision and bias are most appropriately defined by the magnitude of tolerable diagnostic errors. A common mean to characterize the consequence of these errors is the diagnostic efficiency, which, in the case of data from a non-diseased population, is the rate of true-positive results (specificity). Three models have been identified by the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM) for defining permissible uncertainty limits. Their model 1 is based on diagnostic requirements whereas models 2 and 3 do not primarily consider diagnostic errors. The present report links tolerable diagnostic error, empirical biological variation and the technical state of the art to derive the limits for measurement uncertainty. This approach combines the essential aspects of all three EFLM models and uses the diagnostic error, the clinically most relevant aspect, as the crucial criterion for the characterization of measurement uncertainty limits. The present approach is designed for the sole purpose of quality assurance.
Funktion von extrazellulären Vesikeln und Bedeutung für die labormedizinische Diagnostik
Authors: Reiners Katrin S. , Dassler-Plenker Juliane , Coch Christoph , Hartmann Gunther
Published: November 2017

Gesunde und pathologisch veränderte Zellen des Körpers setzen extrazelluläre Vesikel (EV) frei, welche eine Vielzahl an Botenstoffen wie Proteine, Nukleinsäuren und Lipiden beinhalten. Diese beeinflussen nicht nur das umgebende Gewebe, in dem sie freigesetzt werden, sondern haben auch systemische Funktionen. Zahlreiche Studien belegen, dass EV im gesunden wie im pathologischen Kontext als Mediatoren in der interzellulären Kommunikation von großer Bedeutung sind. Ihre Funktion ist durch ihre spezifische Zusammensetzung bestimmt, die nicht allein Zelltyp-, sondern auch Kontext-abhängig ist und von Zellstress und Mutationen beeinflusst wird. EV pathologisch veränderter Zellen unterscheiden sich damit von EV gesunder Zellen. Aufgrund dieser Eigenschaft sind extrazelluläre Vesikel prinzipiell auch als Biomarker in der klinischen Diagnostik interessant. In diesem Übersichtsartikel fassen wir das aktuelle Verständnis der physiologischen Funktion von EV zusammen und erörtern den möglichen Einsatz von EV als prognostische und diagnostische Biomarker.
Standard-Arbeitsanleitung zur peripher venösen Blutentnahme für die labormedizinische Diagnostik
Authors: von Meyer Alexander , Cadamuro Janne , Streichert Thomas , Gurr Eberhard , Fiedler G. Martin , Leichtle Alexander , Petersmann Astrid , Pick Karl-Heinz , Orth Matthias , Risch Lorenz , Sonntag Oswald , Schmitt York , Wiegel Bernhard , Töpfer Gottfried , Guder Walter G.
Published: November 2017

Für die Gewinnung von Blut für die Diagnostik ist die periphere venöse Blutentnahme das häufigste Vorgehen. Eine fehlerhafte Blutentnahme ist eine relevante Quelle fehlerhafter Befunde. Aus diesem Grund werden als Anleitung für die Abnehmenden die wichtigen Schritte praxisnah detailliert beschrieben. Zu den dargestellten Schritten zählen Verantwortlichkeiten, klinische Fragestellung und Testauswahl, Vorbereitung und Identifikation des Patienten, Durchführung der Entnahme und Probentransport.
Association of peripheral blood cell count-derived ratios, biomarkers of inflammatory response and tumor growth with outcome in previously treated metastatic colorectal carcinoma patients receiving cetuximab
Authors: Melichar Bohuslav , Hrůzová Klára , Krčmová Lenka Kujovská , Javorská Lenka , Pešková Eliška , Solichová Dagmar , Hyšpler Radomír , Malířová Eva , Vošmik Milan , Bartoušková Marie , Klos Dušan , Študentová Hana
Published: November 2017

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of peripheral-blood cell count (PBC)-derived ratios, other biomarkers of inflammation and biomarkers of tumor growth with outcome in a cohort of patients presenting for the next line of therapy after the failure of prior systemic treatment. The data of 51 patients with advanced/metastatic colorectal carcinoma treated with cetuximab in the second or higher line of therapy were retrospectively analyzed. The median duration of cetuximab therapy and the median survival were 5.1 and 12.1 months, respectively. C-reactive protein (CRP), but not urinary neopterin correlated significantly with PBC-derived ratios. Both CRP and urinary neopterin correlated positively with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) concentrations and biomarkers of liver dysfunction. Although a number of parameters predicted overall survival in univariate analysis, only hemoglobin, CEA change and serum bilirubin were independent predictors of survival. In conclusion, in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma and predominantly liver metastases, the outcome of therapy in the advanced line setting was associated with initial hemoglobin level, a decrease of CEA concentration and initial presence of liver dysfunction. Urinary neopterin did not correlate with PBC-derived ratios, in contrast to CRP, but both urinary neopterin and serum CRP concentrations correlated with laboratory parameters of liver dysfunction.
Phytotherapeutics oridonin and ponicidin show additive effects combined with irradiation in pancreatic cancer in vitro
Authors: Liermann Jakob , Naumann Patrick , Fortunato Franco , Schmid Thomas E. , Weber Klaus-Josef , Debus Jürgen , Combs Stephanie E.
Published: November 2017

Background

Chemoradiation of locally advanced non-metastatic pancreatic cancer can lead to secondary operability by tumor mass reduction. Here, we analyzed radiomodulating effects of oridonin and ponicidin in pancreatic cancer in vitro. Both agents are ent-kaurane diterpenoids, extracted from Isodon rubescens, a plant that is well known in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Cytotoxic effects have recently been shown in different tumor entities for both agents.

Materials and methods

Pancreatic cancer cell lines AsPC-1, BxPC-3, Panc-1 and MIA PaCa-2 were pretreated with oridonin or ponicidin and irradiated with 2 Gy to 6 Gy. Long-term survival was determined by clonogenic assay. Cell cycle effects and intensity of γH2AX as indicator for DNA double-strand breaks were investigated by flow cytometry. Western blotting was used to study the DNA double-strand break repair proteins Ku70, Ku80 and XRCC4.

Results

Oridonin and ponicidin lead to a dose-dependent reduction of clonogenic survival and an increase in γH2AX. Combined with irradiation we observed additive effects and a prolonged G2/M-arrest. No relevant changes in the levels of the DNA double-strand break repair proteins were detected.

Conclusions

Pretreatment with oridonin or ponicidin followed by irradiation lead to an additional reduction in survival of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro, presumably explained by an induced prolonged G2/M-arrest. Both agents seem to induce DNA double-strand breaks but do not interact with the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway.
Quality assurance procedures based on dosimetric, gamma analysis as a fast reliable tool for commissioning brachytherapy treatment planning systems
Authors: Zwierzchowski Grzegorz , Bieleda Grzegorz , Skowronek Janusz
Published: November 2017

Background

Fast and easily repeatable methods for commissioning procedures for brachytherapy (BT) treatment planning systems (TPS) are needed. Radiochromic film dosimetry with gamma analysis is widely used in external beam quality assurance (QA) procedures and planar film dosimetry is also increasingly used for verification of the dose distribution in BT applications. Using the gamma analysis method for comparing calculated and measured dose data could be used for commissioning procedures of the newly developed TG-186 and MBDCA calculation algorithms. The aim of this study was dosimetric verification of the calculation algorithm used in TPS when the CT/MRI ring applicator is used.

Materials and methods

Ring applicators with 26 and 30 mm diameters and a 60 mm intra-uterine tube with 60° angle were used for verification. Gafchromic® EBT films were used as dosimetric media. Dose grids, corresponding to each plane (dosimetric film location), were exported from the TPS as a raw data. Gafchromic® films were digitized after irradiation. gamma analysis of the data were performed using the OMNI Pro I’mRT® system, as recommended by the AAPM TG-119 rapport criterion for gamma analysis of 3%, 3 mm and a level of 95%.

Results

For the 26 mm and 30 mm rings, the average gamma ranged, respectively, from 0.1 to 0.44 and from 0.1 to 0.27. In both cases, 99% of the measured points corresponded with the calculated data.

Conclusions

This analysis showed excellent agreement between the dose distribution calculated with the TPS and the doses measured by Gafchromic films. This finding confirms the viability of using film dosimetry in BT.
Vergleichende Analyse eines Ein- und Mehrkamerasystems zur simultanen, volumetrischen Temperatur- und Geschwindigkeitsmessung für die Mikrofluidik
Authors: Massing Julian , Kähler Christian J. , Cierpka Christian
Published: November 2017

Im folgenden Artikel wird eine optische Messtechnik vorgestellt und qualifizert, welche die simultane
Bestimmung des dreidimensionalen (3D) Temperaturfeldes und der drei
Komponenten des dreidimensionalen Geschwindigkeitsfeldes (3D3C) in
mikrofluidischen Anwendungen ermöglicht. Dabei wird die Temperatur
über das Verhältnis der Intensität der Lumineszenzsignale von
zweifarbigen Polymerpartikeln ermittelt, während das
Geschwindigkeitsfeld gleichzeitig anhand der Verschiebung
individueller Partikelbilder berechnet werden kann. Um die
Tiefeninformation zu erhalten, wird das etablierte Astigmatismus
particle tracking velocimetry Verfahren verwendet. Mit der
beschriebenen Methode werden simultane, volumetrische Messungen des
Temperatur- und Geschwindigkeitsfeldes in einem temperierten Kanal
durchgeführt und mit numerischen Simulationen verglichen. Dabei werden
zwei unterschiedliche Kamerasysteme verwendet, um die Emission der
lumineszierenden Farbstoffen zu trennen. Einerseits kommt ein
Zweikameraaufbau mit einem dichroitischen Spiegel und andererseits
eine einzelne Farbkamera zum Einsatz. Die Ergebnisse zeigen eine gute
qualitative Übereinstimmung zwischen Experiment und Simulation, wobei
die Qualität der Messergebnisse für beide Kamerasysteme vergleichbar
ist. Durch die Verwendung von nur einer Farbkamera kann der
experimentelle Aufwand jedoch stark verringert werden.
Characteristics of Upper-Limb Pull Power and Power Endurance in Japanese Female Wrestlers
Authors: Naka Tatsuki , Kanno Masaaki , Shidochi Shota , Sakae Kazuhito , Shima Norihiro
Published: November 2017

Naka, T, Kanno, M, Shidochi, S, Sakae, K, and Shima, N. Characteristics of upper-limb pull power and power endurance in Japanese female wrestlers. J Strength Cond Res 36(5): e82–e87, 2022—This study aimed at elucidating the characteristics of upper-limb physical strength required by female wrestlers by comparing the pull power, power endurance, and number of repetitions between female wrestlers at world and national levels. The subjects were 20 female wrestlers (8 Olympic- and/or world-class and 12 national-class top-ranking individuals). The subjects assumed a lying prone (face down) position on a bench and pulled a bar from arms length until contact with underside of bench. The weight load was increased in 10-kg steps and the upper-limb pull power was measured for each lift. To measure power endurance, the power to achieve the repetition maximum and the maximum number of repetitions were measured at the load at which they exerted their maximum power. All measurements were obtained using a GymAware power meter (Kinetic Performance Technology, Canberra, Australia). Pull power was greater at 20, 30, 40, and 50 kg in world-class wrestlers than in national-class wrestlers. No difference was observed in the time course of power endurance between the groups; however, the power in world-class wrestlers declined slower than in national-class wrestlers. Repetition maximum also tended to be higher in world-class wrestlers than in national-class wrestlers. Female wrestlers were observed to have greater upper-limb pull power in a range from low to high loads and were able to preserve repetition ability while maintaining high power. Their competitive performance seems to be related to these abilities.
SAP97 Binding Partner CRIPT Promotes Dendrite GrowthIn VitroandIn Vivo
Authors: Zhang Lei , Jablonski Angela Marie , Mojsilovic-Petrovic Jelena , Ding Hua , Seeholzer Steven , Newton Ian Paterson , Nathke Inke , Neve Rachael , Zhai JinBin , Shang Yuan , Zhang Mingjie , Kalb Robert Gordon
Published: November 2017

The dendritic tree is a key determinant of neuronal information processing. In the motor system, the dendritic tree of spinal cord neurons undergoes dramatic remodeling in an activity-dependent manner during early postnatal life. This leads to the proper segmental spinal cord connectivity that subserves normal locomotor behavior. One molecular system driving the establishment of dendrite architecture of mammalian motor neurons relies on AMPA receptors (AMPA-Rs) assembled with the GluA1 subunit, and this occurs in an NMDA receptor (NMDA-R)-independent manner. The dendrite growth promoting activity of GluA1-containing AMPA-Rs depends on its intracellular binding partner, SAP97, and SAP97’s PDZ3 domain. We show here that cysteine-rich interactor of PDZ3 (CRIPT) is abona fideSAP97 PDZ3-domain binding partner, localizes to synapses with GluA1 and SAP97 along the dendritic tree, and is a determinant of the dendritic growth of mammalian spinal cord neurons. We further show that CRIPT has a well-conserved ortholog in the nematode,Caenorhabditis elegans, and animals lacking CRIPT display decreased dendrite branching of the well-studied PVD neuronin vivo. The lack of CRIPT leads to a selective defect in touch perception, and this is rescued by expression of wild-type (WT) human CRIPT (hCRIPT) in the nervous system. This work brings new light into the molecular machinery that drives dendritic growth during development and may prove relevant to the promotion of nervous system plasticity following insult.
Enrique Gómez Carrillo, un viaje a las trincheras (1914-1915)
Authors: Coto-Rivel Sergio
Published: November 2017

El escritor guatemalteco Enrique Gómez Carrillo (1837-1921), viajero y diplomático reconocido, produjo una importante obra que reúne crónicas periodísticas sobre la vida parisina, el mundo intelectual de la Belle Époque y sus viajes en Oriente. Sin embargo, encontramos también una importante producción de crónicas de guerra publicadas en español y en francés desde el inicio de la Primera Guerra Mundial. En efecto, el escritor visita el frente de batalla junto con un grupo de periodistas provenientes de países neutros al conflicto, su objetivo es el de informar en periódicos españoles sobre las atrocidades cometidas, la devastación y los testimonios de las víctimas desde el inicio de la guerra. En el presente artículo nos proponemos analizar las estrategias narrativas puestas en práctica por el cronista con el fin de estudiar de qué manera aporta una perspectiva particular y personal del conflicto armado que abrasa el continente europeo. De esta forma, nos interesamos por las estrategias literarias propias del relato de viajes que se encuentran presentes en las crónicas y que llevan la narración más allá del estatuto de reportaje para dar una visión íntima del desastre y el horror.
A Rare Association between Left Lobe Secondary Biliary Cirrhosis and Budd-Chiari Syndrome Secondary to Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the Non-Cirrhotic Right Liver Lobe
Authors: Fodor Andreea , Fit Ana-Maria , Farcau Oana , Rusu Ioana , Stefanescu Horia , Procopet Bogdan
Published: November 2017

Liver cirrhosis is a diffuse chronic liver disease affecting the entire liver. The fibrosis accumulation and distribution in the liver are known to be heterogeneous. „Localized” or „focal” cirrhosis is only anecdotically reported. Acute hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is uncommon in western countries, especially in temperate climate areas and is very often missed or underdiagnosed. However, it may be responsible of up to 15% of acute-on-chronic liver failure cases. We present the case of a 35-year-old patient with a very uncommon association of Budd-Chiari syndrome secondary to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) developed on a non-cirrhotic right liver lobe and secondary biliary cirrhosis of the left liver lobe, that further complicated with acute HEV infection leading to acute-on-chronic liver failure and death.Abbreviations: Alb: Albumin; AFP: alpha feto-protein; ALP: alkaline phosphatase; ALT: alanine aminotransferase; AST: aspartate aminotransferase; BCS: Budd-Chiari syndrome; CK7: cytokeratin 7; CMV: cytomegalovirus; EBV: Epstein-Barr virus; GGT: gamma glutamyl transpeptidase; HBV: hepatitis B virus; HCV: hepatitis C virus; HEV: hepatitis E virus; HSV: hepes simplex virus; HCC: hepatocellular carcinoma; IVC: inferior vena cava; MELD: model for end-stage liver disease; (MD)CT: (multi-detector) computer tomography; PT: prothrombin time; TB: total bilirubin.
The Orientation of Gastric Biopsy Samples Improves the Interobserver Agreement of the OLGA Staging System
Authors: Cotruta Bogdan , Gheorghe Cristian , Iacob Razvan , Dumbrava Mona , Radu Cristina , Bancila Ion , Becheanu Gabriel
Published: November 2017

Background & Aims: Evaluation of severity and extension of gastric atrophy and intestinal metaplasia is recommended to identify subjects with a high risk for gastric cancer. The inter-observer agreement for the assessment of gastric atrophy is reported to be low. The aim of the study was to evaluate the inter-observer agreement for the assessment of severity and extension of gastric atrophy using oriented and unoriented gastric biopsy samples. Furthermore, the quality of biopsy specimens in oriented and unoriented samples was analyzed.Methods: A total of 35 subjects with dyspeptic symptoms addressed for gastrointestinal endoscopy that agreed to enter the study were prospectively enrolled. The OLGA/OLGIM gastric biopsies protocol was used. From each subject two sets of biopsies were obtained (four from the antrum, two oriented and two unoriented, two from the gastric incisure, one oriented and one unoriented, four from the gastric body, two oriented and two unoriented). The orientation of the biopsy samples was completed using nitrocellulose filters (Endokit®, BioOptica, Milan, Italy). The samples were blindly examined by two experienced pathologists. Inter-observer agreement was evaluated using kappa statistic for inter-rater agreement. The quality of histopathology specimens taking into account the identification of lamina propria was analyzed in oriented vs. unoriented samples. The samples with detectable lamina propria mucosae were defined as good quality specimens. Categorical data was analyzed using chi-square test and a two-sided p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: A total of 350 biopsy samples were analyzed (175 oriented / 175 unoriented). The kappa index values for oriented/unoriented OLGA 0/I/II/III and IV stages have been 0.62/0.13, 0.70/0.20, 0.61/0.06, 0.62/0.46, and 0.77/0.50, respectively. For OLGIM 0/I/II/III stages the kappa index values for oriented/unoriented samples were 0.83/0.83, 0.88/0.89, 0.70/0.88 and 0.83/1, respectively. No case of OLGIM IV stage was found in the present case series. Good quality histopathology specimens were described in 95.43% of the oriented biopsy samples, and in 89.14% of the unoriented biopsy samples, respectively (p=0.0275).Conclusion: The orientation of gastric biopsies specimens improves the inter-observer agreement for the assessment of gastric atrophy.Key words:  –  –  – .Abbreviations: H. pylori: Helicobacter pylori; OLGA: operative link for gastritis assessment; OLGIM: operative link on intestinal metaplasia assessment.
Refractory Anaemia Secondary to Small Bowel Angioectasias - Comparison between Endotherapy Alone versus Combination with Somatostatin Analogues
Authors: Zammit Stefania Chetcuti , Sidhu Reena , Sanders David
Published: November 2017

Background & Aims: Patients with small bowel angioectasias (SBAs) can be difficult to manage as they are generally elderly with multiple co-morbidities. Angioectasias are multiple and tend to recur. Argon plasma coagulation (APC), despite being a commonly used method to treat these patients has an associated persistent rate of re-bleeding necessitating additional treatment to manage these patients.Methods: All patients with refractory iron deficiency anaemia secondary to SBAs were retrospectively subdivided into two groups. Patients in group 1 were managed with double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) and APC alone and those in group 2 received Lanreotide in addition to DBE and APC.Results: A total of 49 patients were included in this study: group 1: 37 patients (75.5%), group 2: 12 patients (24.5%). All had significant comorbidities and the mean duration of anaemia was 114.3, SD 307.0 months. Significant improvements in haemoglobin (Hb) (11g/L vs 3.2g/L p=0.043), transfusion requirements per month (0.8 vs 4.7 p=0.052) and mean bleeding episodes (1.08 vs 2.6 p=0.032) were demonstrated in group 2 when compared to group 1. One patient developed symptomatic gallstone disease and one patient stopped Lanreotide due to a lack of response.Conclusions: This is the first study comparing endotherapy to a combination of endotherapy and pharmacotherapy. It shows a significantly better outcome in patients receiving a combination of endotherapy and Lanreotide. Lanreotide can be a safe additional treatment in patients not responding to APC alone.Abbreviations: APC: argon plasma coagulation; CE: capsule endoscopy; DBE double balloon enteroscopy; Hb: hemoglobin; OGIB: over gastrointestinal bleeding; SBAs: small bowel angioectasias.
A Challenging Diagnosis of Jejunal Adenocarcinoma in a Celiac Patient: Case Report and Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Zullo Angelo , De Francesco Vincenzo , Manta Raffaele , Ridola Lorenzo , Lorenzetti Roberto
Published: November 2017

Celiac disease (CD) is a common and chronic disorder requiring a long-life gluten-free diet. There is evidence that asymptomatic or subclinical presentation of CD has increased in the last decades, so that several cases are diagnosed during adulthood or even in the elderly. Celiac disease patients are at an increased risk of developing malignancies, particularly when the disease is diagnosed in the elderly. We describe a case of a challenging diagnosis of small bowel adenocarcinoma which developed in a patient with CD discovered only in the elderly. We also performed a systematic review of the literature. A tailored follow-up in a sub-group of CD patients at an increased risk of developing intestinal adenocarcinoma could be implemented.Abbreviations: CD: Celiac disease; GP: General Practitioner; FOBT: faecal occult blood test; EMA: anti-endomysial antibodies; tTG: anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies; Hgb: hemoglobin; VCE: videocapsule endoscopy.
System dynamics-based stakeholders’ impact analysis of highway maintenance systems
Authors: Zhang Hong , Zhao Jiabei , Tam Vivian W. Y.
Published: November 2017

Highway conditions and stakeholders in highway maintenance systems (HMSs), including highway operators, government officers and users, may interact in a complex manner over time and produce propagating impacts. In this work, system dynamics (SD) was used to model such complex interactions around HMSs based on analysis of the funding strategy in China and consideration of the supervision mechanism of subsidy allocation. A causal-loop diagram describing the relationships and feedback structure of correlated factors and stock–flow diagrams that quantitatively model cause–effect relationships among the factors were developed. Validation and an illustrative application of the proposed SD model are presented. This study provides insights into how this methodology can model HMSs and evaluate the cause–effect, feedback, dynamic and long-term impacts of stakeholders on highway pavement conditions, total maintenance costs and users’ payments, with the aim of helping in the planning of appropriate HMSs from the perspectives of all stakeholders.
Growth of soil algae and cyanobacteria on gold mine tailings material
Authors: Seiderer Tanya , Venter Arthurita , Van Wyk Fanus , Levanets Anatoliy , Jordaan Anine
Published: November 2017

The goal of revegetation of gold mine tailings storage facilities is to reduce aeolian pollution, nutrient leaching and erosion caused by exposure to wind and water. The establishment of biological soil crusts may prove to be a more cost-effective way to reach the same goal and the aim of this study was therefore to determine if it is possible to establish algae and cyanobacteria on gold mine tailings. Different treatments of Chlamydomonas, Microcoleus and Nostoc were inoculated on gold mine tailings in controlled conditions and algal growth was measured on all of the treatments after 6 weeks. Nostoc treatments had the highest chlorophyll-a concentrations and produced a surface crust, while Chlamydomonas treatments penetrated the tailings material and provided the strongest crust. The results were promising but more research is necessary to determine the best organism, or combination of organisms, to colonise mine tailings and to eventually produce biological crusts.

Significance: 

Determination of the best organisms to colonise mine tailings and to produce biological crusts for the revegetation of gold mine tailings storage facilities.
Student throughput variables and properties: Varying cohort sizes
Authors: Stoop Lucas C.A.
Published: November 2017

A recent research paper described how student throughput variables and properties combine to explain the behaviour of stationary or simplified throughput systems. Such behaviour can be understood in terms of the locus of a point in the triangular admissible region of the H-S plane, where H represents headcounts and S successful credits, each depending on the system properties at that point. The efficiency of the student throughput process is given by the ratio S/H. Simplified throughput systems are characterised by stationary graduation and dropout patterns of students as well as by annual intakes of student cohorts of equal size. The effect of varying the size of the annual intakes of student cohorts is reported on here. The observations made lead to the establishment of a more generalised student throughput theory which includes the simplified theory as a special case. The generalised theory still retains the notion of a triangular admissible region in the H-S plane but with the size and shape of the triangle depending on the size of the student cohorts. The ratio S/H again emerges as the process efficiency measure for throughput systems in general with unchanged roles assigned to important system properties. This theory provides for a more fundamental understanding of student throughput systems encountered in real life.

Significance: 

A generalised stationary student throughput theory through varying cohort sizes allows for a far better understanding of real student throughput systems.
Parenting and Motocross: The Whoops and Downs
Authors: Holst Marissa E. , Stuhlsatz Greta L.
Published: November 2017

Parenting is a key contributor to socialization (Collins, Maccoby, Steinberg, Hetherington, & Bornstein, 2000). Many studies address the influences of parenting and contextual factors on child development (Belsky, 1984). Although long-term contextual factors have been shown to be associated with parenting behaviors (La Placa & Corlyon, 2016), little research exists on the degree to which short-term situational contexts may affect parenting. This study addressed two research questions 1) to identify both predictors and results of changes in parenting behaviors during the high investment sport of motocross bike racing and 2) to understand what effect the activity has on family dynamics. Survey data was collected from 33 parents at several child/adolescent competitions held at a Pronational Motocross track in Minnesota. A series of regression analyses were conducted followed by a path analysis. First, results indicated that levels of family cohesion, conflict, and achievement orientation affected parenting behavior before and after the race. Cohesion was positively related to increases in warmth expressed by the coaching parent, or the parent who spends the most time with the child trackside. Conflict was found to negatively predict expressed warmth by the coaching parent. Second, the results indicated that change in parenting behavior before and after a race was also associated with child behavior after the race.
Special Issue Foreword from Co-Editors
Authors: Dorsch Travis , Blazo Jordan
Published: November 2017

Foreword to Special Issue from Co-Editors Travis Dorsch and Jordan Blazo
De la fuente de la vida al delirio de los Dioses. El fin de la consideración heroica del arquitecto en la literatura del siglo XX.
Authors: León Casero Jorge
Published: November 2017

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La vivienda prefabricada en procesos de alojamiento de transición para un desplazamiento sin precedentes
Authors: Muñiz Núñez Patricia
Published: November 2017

La provisión de alojamiento después de una emergencia es una de las prioridades de la ayuda humanitaria, tanto en cuestión de catástrofes naturales como de desplazamiento por conflictos bélicos. No solo durante los primeros días sino, incluso más, durante el proceso de reconstrucción,momento en el que es determinante que las familias puedan establecerse en un lugar seguro y volver a una relativa normalidad, puesto que la consecución de una solución duradera podría dilatarse años.No obstante, también es una de las acciones más difíciles y costosas de llevar a cabo, lo que ha provocado en algunos expertos posturas disconformes con la dotación de alojamientos, diferentes a las tiendas, durante dicho proceso. En especial, de aquellos producidos en serie en una fábrica.Con el análisis de experiencias contemporáneas ponemos de manifiesto en este artículo la importancia de la prefabricación en la facilitación rápida de vivienda de transición, de fácil montaje, económicamente viable y culturalmente aceptada; que suponga una calidad de vida digna de forma temporal. Además de la necesidad de la implicación de los profesionales en una mayor investigación en dicho campo, siempre de la mano de los organismos de ayuda humanitaria, de manera que la teoría y la práctica juntas produzcan un resultado tangible.
A clinical comparative retrospective cohort study in the surgical management of enteric perforation, by comparing primary closure and closure with free omental sheet graft
Authors: G. S. Anantha Raju
Published: November 2017

Background: Typhoid ileal perforations have high morbidity and mortality rates irrespective of the type of surgeries performed. The aim of this study is to evaluate the morbidity, mortality and cost-effectiveness of a free omental sheet graft in perforated typhoid enteritis, in comparison with a primary ileal perforation closure.Methods: This study includes a total of 81 patients with enteric perforations in a span of 5 years from March 2009 to February 2014. The study was divided into two groups; group 1 included 40 cases in which primary enteric perforation closure was done and group 2 included 41 cases in which a free omental sheet graft was used in typhoid enteritis with perforation. The outcomes were measured in relation to various postoperative complications and mortality.Results: 90% of the patients in Group 1 had surgical site infection and 65% of the patients in Group 2 had surgical site infection. Intra-abdominal abscess was seen in 5% of the patients in Group 1, whereas no such morbidity was found in Group 2. 25% of the Group 1 patients had fecal fistula compared to none in Group 2. The mortality rate in Group 1 was 10% and no mortalities were seen in Group 2.Conclusions: Primary closure with free omental sheet graft has shown better results, compared to primary closure alone, in terms of morbidity, mortality and length of hospital stay, irrespective of the site of perforation.
Liver abscess drainage by needle aspiration versus pigtail catheter: a prospective study
Authors: Khan Arshad , Tekam Vijay Kumar
Published: November 2017

Background: Liver abscess is a disease of frequent occurrence which figures prominently in the differential diagnosis of upper abdominal and right lower respiratory tract diseases. These includes a recent increase in incidence reflecting more accurate diagnostic techniques especially after 1965 with the advent of radioisotopes scan and later on ultrasonography and CT scan. The reduction in mortality from 90% at the turn of century to the estimated 10-20% today cannot be ascribed to surgery alone.Methods: The study was conducted on 65 patients of liver abscess. Two compared modalities of percutaneous treatment of liver abscess were (1) needle aspiration and (2) pigtail catheter aspiration. All interventions were performed under ultrasonographic guidance. Only those patients having liver abscess/abscesses greater than 5 cm in at least one dimension, liquified & drainable were included in this study.Results: Amoebic liver abscess (63.33%) were more common than pyogenic liver abscess (26.67%). Clinical recovery was significantly earlier in catheter group (average 5 days) than in needle aspiration group (average 6.29 days) (p value 0.001). Average duration of i.v. antibiotic is significantly shorter in catheter group (6.4 days) than in needle aspiration group (9.5 days) (p value 0.002).Conclusions: Thus, our study concluded that in view of greater volume of pus drained in first sitting, early clinical recovery, shorter duration of hospital stay and slightly more success rate continuous catheter drainage is effective percutaneous treatment modality than intermittent needle aspiration.
Образовательный потенциал инициативы «Всероссийская школьная летопись. Книга класса» в реализации метапредметных результатов общего образования
Authors: Иванов Александр Александрович , Шелкунова Татьяна Владиимировна , Макаренков Сергей Михайлович
Published: November 2017

В настоящее время появляются инициативы, исходящие от общественных организаций, активного бизнеса, политических партий, которые потенциально полезны для школы. Чтобы инициатива «прижилась» в образовательном процессе, она должна соответствовать общим требованиям, зафиксированным в федеральных государственных образовательных стандартах общего образования. Авторы рассматривают удачный пример образовательной инициативы, ее старта и будущего потенциала.
Исследование сна и сновидений в соматической практике
Authors: Пичугина Ирина Михайловна , Воронцова Виктория Сергеевна , Фролов Дмитрий Игоревич
Published: November 2017

В статье предлагается обзор литературы, посвященный проблеме сна и сновидений в соматической клинике. Сон – еще мало изученная часть жизни человека, особенно с психологической точки зрения. Однако детальное изучение этой проблемы поможет в дальнейшей диагностике и лечении как психической, так и соматической патологии. По данным ВОЗ, примерно 10 % всего населения Земли страдают нарушениями сна, а 5 % – нуждаются в лечении, при этом около 30–40 % всех нарушений сна являются осложнением психических расстройств (Александровский Ю. А., 2000). Однако, ввиду низкой обращаемости населения, во многих случаях причины нарушений сна так и остаются не диагностированы. Среди частых жалоб пациента (особенно в соматических клиниках) – трудность засыпания, частые ночные пробуждения, эмоциональные сновидения или кошмары (Laux G., 2008). Данный обзор дает основания для вывода, что качество сна выступает одним из критериев оценки физического и психического здоровья человека, а сновидения могут служить «сигнальной системой» соматического и психического неблагополучия. В статье описываются различные теории рассмотрения сна и сновидений: с точки зрения психологии, психиатрии, философии, физиологии и другие.